I'm a grandma!

Theodore Elliott McGiboney is my grandson! Ryan, my son, and Justine are the best mom and dad ever. His other grandparents, Michelle and John, Rock!!!! Lucky Michelle gets to stay with them for a while. (I get my week in September and I'm already packed, ha ha ha. ) Aunt Rachel and Uncle Truman can't wait to meet him. Uncle Mark, that's Justine's brother, I'm sure is being a good uncle.

Everyone asks me what I want to be called. I wrote a poem about it and thought I'd share it.

Theo,

You were born on the morning of a Waning moon

Into a world still recovering from fear.

But hush little Theo, you have no need to worry,

For mommy and daddy are near.

Not only that, you have grandma and pop

Your mommy’s daddy and mom.

Who will love you as much and will do what it takes

To keep you safe and calm.

On the other side, there are your daddy’s folks

Who think you are the best grandson ever.

We still aren’t sure what names we should use,

But I’m sure we will find something clever.

I could be Memaw or Nanny, Nonna or Granny

G-ma or Sweetie or Pipp.

Yaya or Mommom could also work

Or Mimzy, that might be it.

Whatever you choose will work for me

Even if it’s a name like Meo.

Me and all your grandparents too

Will always love you, Theo!

Loving Neighbors & Loving Friends

When we moved to Smithfield we moved next to the best people in the world. Justin and Becky, you are always there for us, as you have proven recently. You stopped your life to take Dale to the ER when I was out of town. Becky, your loving voice on the phone kept me calm and your quick response probably saved Jazzy's life.

Add to that our loving pet sitters, Kathie and Kurt from 4peaceofmindpetcare who came out to help Becky at the house with injured Jazzy and to keep Evie company until late at night while Jazzy went to the ER. You went above and beyond what a pet sitter needs to do.

Evie has returned to Atlanta and Jazzy has recovered enough that she's barking at the mailman and trying to chase squirrels. She's not a fan of the cone around her head, but it does keep her from licking herself too much. (So she tries licking me instead.)

The incident is past and everyone is recovering but I will always remember the kindness shown to us by loving neighbors and friends.

Pirates!

The summer reading program kicked off with the theme, "Oceans of Possibilities!" Fish, octopi, and pirates suddenly appeared. Books with pirates lined the stacks. Any book that had sea creatures was pulled off the shelf for children to see.

This coincided with my floundering (get the pun) around for a new Jazzy book. I decided that Jazzy would become a pirate. But now what? I can easily dress her like one and get some fun pictures. I can make a ship for her to sail in. What I am having trouble with is finding the words, and the idea, for the book.

I need your help. Shall I go with, "Jazzy Explores the Seven Seas?" (that might be hard to pull off because we can't literally visit the seven seas.) "Jazzy Finds the Treasure" (maybe bury a bone somewhere or she has to do certain tasks, like helping an old lady cross the street or bringing in the newspaper.) "Jazzy and the Treasure Map" (Jazzy finds a map to a treasure but at each corner, she gets a new clue and has to do some daring deed.) What about "Jazzy Escapes the Boredom!" (a book filled with craft ideas or game ideas?)

In the meantime, while I wait for the creative juices to flow, I am working on my Non-Jazzy book about the Water Cycle. Check out the video of it below. It's still a work in progress and if you have comments, I'd appreciate them. As for the Water Cycle, I know there are reports of anywhere from 3 to 5 stages, but I only included 4.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/582cbe_a29736f2a91842a2ba147fd2b04debcd/480p/mp4/file.mp4