Gabby Granny

Well, looks like the year is drawing near and all is well in our little corner of the world. Gramps and I are hoping that it is the same in yours.

We are real settled in Daytona Beach, Fl and trying to really remember that it is Christmas time. The weather is in the mid 80's most of the time.............. It seems so strange to us because we are used to snow and lots of it at this time of year. However the people here in Daytona have very unique ways of decorating palm trees and we have been fansinated by their ingenuity. One lady decorated the front of her fifth wheel hitch to look like a christmas tree. Believe it or not it is beautiful.

Gramps has found a gym here that he enjoys going to so he can keep his trim physique. Granny got herself a bike and gets a day or two in now and then to ride around the park. It's not doing much to improve on her fluffy figure though. Good thing she is so beautiful.......... That comes so naturally.

They went into Disney World for a couple days and checked out the Christmas displays. Not too bad but a little less than their expectations. Sure glad they were already here and didn't make a special trip to see them. The choir they have at Epcot was phenomenal. The program they put on about the birth of Christ was breathtaking and in itself made the venture to Disney World worth it. Of course Fantasmic was terrific as well so overall they had a good couple of days riding rides and shopping.

A new place called Silver Springs was pointed out to Gramps and Granny by Janie Balon and they really enjoy it. Silver Springs is a 350 acre nature theme park that surrounds the headwaters of the beautiful Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world. Located 90 miles north of Orlando, just east of Ocala, Florida. About 45 minutes from Daytona, Beach. They have concerts by people like Lory Morgan, Chrystal Gayle, Wayne Newton Brenda Lee and Willie Nelson. Right up Gramps and Granny's alley. Be sure and go there if you get in this neck of the woods.

Granny has not been able to enjoy the beach as much as usual because they have had what is called a RED TIDE. When you go there it makes you cough and it is very hard to breath. She took two of her grandsons to the beach (unaware of the RED TIDE) and they climbed out of the ocean fast because they could not breath. No one really knows what causes it but some suspect it is from seaweed coming up the coast out of the Everglades.

On Dec. 24th Gramps and Granny will be taking a big bird out of Daytona to Denver so they can spend some time with their family. They miss them very much and will be very happy to see them all. After a short visit they will return to their winter haven and stay through March.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all who read this.

Blog Granny and let her know how your Christmas holiday went, God Bless us one and all!!


visit www.alwaysunderfoot.com

HERE'S A POEM GRAMP'S FOUND AND WANTED TO SHARE WITH ALL YOU NICE FOLKS SO YOU CAN TELL THE WEATHER NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.

Poem by Marie Marshall

When restless winds begin to blow and darkened clouds are hanging low,

When smoke comes down and puppies sleep and frogs from under lilies peep.

When the sun is pale as it goes down and the moon wears halos for a crown,

When chairs and tables start to groan and Grandma's joints cause her to moan,

When hens cluck loud and the kittens mew and walls are damp as morning dew,

When humid air causes hogs to snort and flies annoy the cows for sport,

When the cricket's chirp is high and clear and the fawn crowds close to mother deer,

When fish in the pond begin to rise and squalid toads blink sleepy eyes,

When a fox eats grass on yonder hill and the blackbird's call is sharp and shrill.

When swallows perch on a weather vane, you can be sure it's gonna rain.

Here are some weather tips that help you forecast the weather and be pretty durn accurate. (JUST LOOK TO THE SKIES)

A red sunset, slightly purple, with bright blue sky overhead foretells fine weather.

A gray, cloudy sunset indicates rain. If the sun looks indistinct and white before sunset, it foretells storms.

A whitish yellow sunset sky means rain during the night or early the next day.

Brilliant and queer colors in the sunset, with hard outlines around the clouds, foretell rain and probably wind.

Usually clear air and very bright stars are an indication of rain.

A red sky in the morning means much wind and rain. A gray sky in the morning with breaking clouds indicates fine weather.

Fog fortell settled weather.

If distant sounds carry very distinctly, rain will come soon.

Heavy dew in hot weather means continued fine weather. No dew foretells rain.

Changeable winds are an indication of changeable weather.

If the clouds move in a different direction from the air on the ground, the wind is changing.

Soft, delicate-looking clouds are an omen of fine weather.

Hard-edged, oily looking clouds mean wind.

Small, inky clouds foretell rain.

Small clouds driven across heavy, massive clouds mean wind and rain.

Clouds like streamers, moving rapidly and high in the air, foretell an approaching storm.

* A morning rainbow means rain: an eveningrainbow, fair weather.


HAVE A GREAT SUN SHINY DAY AND CHECK OUT THE SANDALS SO YOU CAN TREAT YOUR FEET. Visit www.alwaysunder foot.com

Remember when visiting Grandma and she had a soft word of wisdom that sometimes made sense and sometimes it left you scratching your head?

Here are a few of those gentle tidbits that may jog your memory.


An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Cats kill babies by sucking their breath away. ????

Cold hands, warm heart.

Bread is less fattening if you toast it.

Square jaw, stubborn person.

Wearing high heels when you are pregnant will cause your baby to be
crosseyed.

Soak a washrag with vinegar and put it on your forehead to cure a
headache.

Grinding your teeth when sleeping means you have worms.

Feed a cold, starve a fever.

High forehead, high intelligence.

Red hair, hot temper.

Grandma is always right..... (Gramps says so ;>)

GRANDPA ALSO SAYS VISIT WWW.ALWAYSUNDERFOOT.COM

Well Gramps and Granny are headed back for the hills but before we do we wanted to share some of the places we discovered in the Daytona Beach area that have terrific vittles and prices.

If you like fish sandwiches The Rivergrille is the place to be. HWY 1 on the Tomoka River, on the right when heading east from I-95.

Pizza your favorite go to Guseppes at Nova and Herbert.

Buffet American The Whistle Stop. South on Ridgewood just past Beville on your right.

Buffet Chinese China Dragon in Deland.

Chinese walk up The Wok N Roll at Clyde Morris and Madeline.

These places will not dissappoint you and neither will the www.alwaysunderfoot.com website

Wow! its December at Daytona Beach, Florida and the weather is just beautiful......


We have been enjoying temperatures in the low to mid 80's everyday...... Our tan is really coming along...


It seems a little strange to Granny & Gramps seeing Flamingos decorated in Holiday lights but what the heck. The Floridians are very inventive when it comes to making things look Christmasey and festive. Making christmas trees out of fifth wheel hitches is one of the most unique we have seen so far. Of course palm trees filled with lights, tinsel and bulbs are the norm.


One disappointment for us is that we can't get our Broncos on any of the channels here. So we have to go to an Ale House if we want to watch them but not hear them. Gramps is not too unhappy with the Ale house idea but it isn't like being able to see them at the stadium. He misses it.......


The gas prices have toppeled into the $3.25 a gallon range here. That's for regular........ Where do you suppose it will end........?? Everyone is crying uncle.

Christmas shopping has been different this year.......Every thing online and delivered. Our family will be getting their surprises out of cardboard boxes this year. It's family that counts the most though so no one is going to mind I'm sure.

Gramps and Granny wish the very best to you and yours......

Happy Holidays and have a terrific New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Visit www.alwaysunderfoot.com

One of the nicest ladies I know sent me this and I just love it. So I thought it would be nice to share it with all of you who come see Granny. This will definitely put things in a better perspective for you and perhaps lift you up a bit. Read on and reflect

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I AM THANKFUL FOR:

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THE WIFE WHO SAYS

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE FOR DINNER

BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME

AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE

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THE HUSBAND

WHO IS ON THE SOFA

BEING A COUCH POTATO,

BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME

AND NOT OUT AT THE BAR.

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THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING

ABOUT DOING THE DISHES,

BECAUSE IT MEANS THEY ARE HOME

NOT IN THE STREETS

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THE TAXES I PAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I AM EMPLOYED

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THE MESS TO CLEAN

AFTER THE PARTY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE

BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS

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THE CLOTHES THAT

FIT TOO SNUG BECAUSE

IT MEANS

I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT

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MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I AM IN THE SUNSHINE

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A LAWN THE NEEDS MOWING,

WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,

AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING,

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

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ALL THE COMPLAINING

I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT HAS

FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

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A PARKING SPOT AT THE

FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT,

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A CAR

AND AM CAPABLE OF WALKING.

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THE HEATING BILL

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I AM WARM.

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FOR THE PERSON WHO

SINGS OFF KEY IN CHURCH

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I CAN HEAR

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THE PILE OF LAUNDRY

BECAUSE IT MEANS

I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR

AND A FAMILY TO CARE FOR.

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WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES

AT THE END OF THE DAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN

CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

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FINALLY, TOO MUCH E-MAIL

BECAUSE IT SO OFTEN

CONTAINS THINGS LIKE THIS

FROM DEAR FRIENDS WHO ARE

THINKING OF ME.......

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Thanks for thinking of me Anne Mitchell. Keep those e-mails coming..Granny

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Have something your thankful for??? List it under comments for all to see.

This recipe always hits the spot on cool days and it is really simple to put together.

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Necessary components for this tasty delicacy:

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• Pot big enough to hold about a gallon of fixin's
• 4 good size chicken breasts (cut into nice chewing pieces)
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 1/4 cup vegetable soup mixin's
• 1/4 cup of Granny's secret ingredient **
• 2 cups frozen peas
• 2 cans of chicken broth (Keep one can after you put the broth in the pot to add water)
• Salt, Pepper and Garlic to taste
• 5 to 6 cans of water
• A good song, book or T V program to fill in the time while you wait for the pot to boil. ***

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Okay, now your set........Start by placing the chicken in the pot with a tiny bit of water - about !/2 cup and simmering it until it is cooked through. Don't fry it just let it stew for a bit.

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When the chicken is ready add the rice, onion, vegetable mixin's, Granny's secret ingredient, peas and broth. This is the point where you would begin to add your other seasonings also. Easy does it...It is far easier to add more than to fix it if you add too much.

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As soon as it comes to a rolling boil begin to add the water. After four cans give it a taste test for savorability. How palatable is it? Do you need more seasoning? If so add it now.....and bring it back to a full boil. Turn down the burner and just let it simmer (Those of you with those new fangled crock pots could transfer the soup to one now, as long as it is big enough) Continue to add water and taste test as the stock rends down. 

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Ladies, this recipe is best when you start it early in your day and it's a good idea to prepare the ingredients the night before so you can start it after breakfast. Of course if you don't mind chopping and slicing after you have had breakfast then do so. Just make sure to get this on the stove early.

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By the end of the day the soup will have filled the house with a delectable aroma. Which is what CREATES memories that last a lifetime.

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Serve with freshly baked biscuits, crackers, croutons or whatever your family prefers. 

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** Tuscan Chicken Seasoning

*** A watched pot never boils. 

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Let Granny know how you liked it....Bon Appetit

Steve Coble sent this to Granny and she thought it was perfect for the prayer blog section. Steve worked with Gramps for about 40 years more or less. Gramps can't quite remember just how long because Steve spent a few years serving our country as a Marine (SEMPER FIDELIS - meaning always faithful) shortly after he hired out. Through thick or thin, lose or win Gramps says that Steve was always there to back him up. Whether at work or play he was the kind of guy you knew was there for you. Gramps thinks the world of him. Enjoy!

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COWBOY POETRY

Jake , the rancher, went one day
To fix a distant fence.
The wind was cold and gusty
And the clouds rolled gray and dense.

As he pounded the last staples in
And gathered tools to go,
The temperature had fallen,
The wind and snow began to blow.

When he finally reached his pickup,
He felt a heavy heart.
From the sound of that ignition,
He knew it wouldn't start.

So Jake did what most of us
Would do if we had been there.
He humbly bowed his balding head
And sent aloft a prayer.

As he turned the key for the last time,
He softly cursed his luck.
They found him three days later,
Frozen stiff in that old truck.

Now Jake had been around in life
And done his share of roaming.
But when he saw Heaven, he was shocked --
It looked just like Wyoming !

Of all the saints in Heaven,
His favorite was St. Peter
(Now, this line ain't needed
But it helps with rhyme and meter)

So they set and talked a minute or two,
Or maybe it was three.
Nobody was keeping' score --
In Heaven time is free.

"I've always heard," Jake said to Pete ,
"that God will answer prayer,
But one time I asked for help,
Well, he just plain wasn't there."

"Does God answer prayers of some,
And ignore the prayers of others?
That don't seem exactly square --
I know all men are brothers."

"Or does he randomly reply,
Without good rhyme or reason?
Maybe, it's the time of day,
The weather or the season."

"Now I ain't trying to act smart,
it's just the way I feel.
And I was wondering', could you tell me --
What the heck's the deal?!"

Peter listened very patiently
And when Jake was done,
There were smiles of recognition,
And he said, "So, you're the one!!"

"That day your truck, it wouldn't start,
And you sent your prayer a flying,
You gave us all a real bad time,
With hundreds of us trying."

"A thousand angels rushed,
To check the status of your file,
But you know, Jake , we hadn't heard
From you in quite a long while."

"And though all prayers are answered,
And God ain't got no quota,
He didn't recognize your voice,
And started a truck in Minnesota "

BETTER KEEP IN TOUCH!

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Granny would love to have more of your favorite prayers to blog also.......

Granny is headed for Daytona!!!

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The weather is just getting a little too frigid for these 'ole bones so it's time to , "How does that song go?"  ....... Oh yeah, Get along little doggie.

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As me and my travelin' companion Gramps hit the trail we will be checking in from time to time.  When we do and you check up on our adventures you will read about: 

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1. Road and Weather conditions.
2. Cool places or not so cool places to rest a spell.
3. Real meal deals.
4. Shopping Bargains
5. Gas Prices High/Low
6. Secret Hideaways
7. Other Delectible Discoveries

Keep checking in and follow us as we make our journey towards the east coast. Gramps and Granny are glad you're keeping track and should you discover we are headed for a place near you. Let us know and we'll stop by for a spell.

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Got a place you'd like to tell Granny about? Please do........

HILLYBILLY HAR HAR

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These are important medical terms that you need to know in Redneck country. You never know if you will need to see a doctor.

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1. BENIGN.................What you are after you are eight.
2. CATSCAN..............Searching for the cat
3. D & C...................Where Washington is.
4. ENEMA..................Not a friend.
5. FESTER.................Quicker than someone else.
6. G. I. SERIES...........World Series of military baseball.
7. HANGNAIL..............What you hang your coat on.
8. IMPOTENT..............Distinquished,well known.
9. LABOR PAINS..........Getting hurt at work.
10. MEDICAL STAFF......A doctor's cane.

Got a funny joke to share? Blog on....

How about a few bits of information that you might like to play trivia with? They are all words found in a Colonial Cookbook.

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CREOLE means to cook with tomatoes....

ALLIGATOR PEAR means alvacado.....

Boil Sugar to the BLOW means to cook up to 240*

A LA KING means to prepare with a rich cream sauce

CLABBERED means separated into curds and whey

COCHINEAL is a small insect used to make a red food coloring. UGH!

CONFITURES were preserves

BUTTERINE was oleomargerine

AU BEURRE meant to cook in or with butter

SUCCOTASH is a corn and lima bean dish

SQUAB a grown pigeon

SCHMIERKASE is homemade cottage cheese

RAMEKIN is a small individual baking dish

QUIDDANY a syrup or jelly made from quince

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Typical Thanksgiving Dinner in the 1700"s

found in back of Pioneer Tablet book

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12 Wild Turkeys (Caught and hung no more than 4 days ago)

These should be prepared by boiling if possible as they are pretty tough if you cook them over a spit cause they don't have a lot of meat.

2 Full grown deer (gutted and hung)

Prepare and place over spit a couple of days before Thanksgiving. You will need lots of small limbs to keep the embers hot all the time. Make sure when the men folk help in the evening they are reliable and don't drink too much or the meat will be ruined.

Enough prarie root for entire party - This was a form of potato

Squash and Pumpkin

Apples and dried berries

Rock Pock Tea (made from roots found under rocks)

Men Folks Libations

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__________EAT HARDY!!_________

One day when I was moaning about how tough it was to work and keep up with all the house hold chores,�a precious lady named Gertie Ulrickson gave me a copy of this poem.�Everytime I begin to think that�I've got it rough I look it up and read it again.�She didn't know who wrote it nor do I.

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Mama's Mama

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Mama's Mama, on a winter's day,

Milked the cows and fed them hay,

Slopped the hogs, saddled the mule.

And got the children off to school,

Did a washing, mopped the floors,

Washing the windows and did some chores,

Cooked a dish of home-dried fruit,

Pressed her husband's Sunday suit,

Swept the parlor, made the bed,

Baked a dozen loaves of bread.

Split some wood and lugged it in,

Enough to fill the kitchen bin,

Cleaned the lamps and put in oil,

Stewed some apples she thought might spoil,

Churned the butter, baked a cake,

Then exclaimed: "For Mercy Sake

The calves have got out of the pen!"

Went out and chased them in again,

Gathered the eggs and locked the stable,

Returned to the house and set the table,

Cooked a supper that was delicious,

And afterwards washed all the dishes,

Fed the cat, sprinkled the clothes,

Mended a basket full of hose,

Then opened the organ and began to play,

"When You Come To The End Of A Perfect Day"

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Doesn't this poem just make you glad you live today? I quit whining for at least two hours after I read this wonderful tribute to the ladies of yesteryear. What I like most though is that it reminds me of Gertie who has passed on. My day just brightens up and I smile wider because she added so much joy and happiness to my life.

VISIT: WWW.ALWAYSUNDERFOOT.COM

Now that is the Question????????

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By name I am referring to Nicknames.......

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What caused me to reflect on this was my grandson Hudson.....He had stopped by with a few of his friends. Four to be exact.....and right at dinner time. Hudson has always had impeccable timing.

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Anyway, while he and his pals were sitting around munching on the final remnants of dinner:  I, being a good host, happened to ask, "Hudsie would you and the rest of the fellas like anything else?" 

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Failing to notice the little hunch in Hudsie's shoulders

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 and getting no response I repeated my question this time using his full nickname - "Hudsie Louie Reesie Peacie." To which there was an out burst of laughter that Bob Hope would have been proud of. ???? What? What?

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Hudsie was the only one not laughing.....But the grieve stricken look on his face left no doubt that he wished he were not here. 

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Then it hit me!!!!! (sometimes the light switch has to be flipped more than once) I had used the family nick name in the wrong setting.

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What to do...

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I know, I'll just quietly creep back to the kitchen and load the dishwasher.

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Fiddle-de-de, I can't be expected to call Hudson anything besides his given nick name. I'm the Granny for crying out loud..... It's not my fault his bosom buddies don't get that. Besides Mae and Danny (mom& dad) are the clan members who designated this handle.......Somehow I just couldn't reconcile my blunder. No matter how much I rationalized my poor choice of communication it was "my bad" that had caused Hudsie such total embarassment. 

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So why do we have nicknames......?  What on earth causes us to label the ones we love most with names other than the one they were given at birth? Everybody does it...Come on admit it.......You've got one, right?

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Bottom line I think family nicknames are usually generated by LOVE. We feel the need to make our clan members know they are so special that they should have an extra special name. So as long as there are people out there who think their clan members are special I don't imagine that family nicknames will ever go away. 

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Sorry Hudsie

Gabby Granny - (sometimes called Pidgeon)

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Got a tale to tell about your nickname? Write Granny all about it.

 

This is where I get to speak my peace:

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I say Grannies UNITE!

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 Are any of you other Grannies out there tired of rude, unmannerly people?

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Do you long for the "Good 'ole Days" when the younger people and gentlemen would get up and offer you a seat if the bus was full? Where did it all fade away to?

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The other day I had a young man say, "Let me get that door for you." and thought he was up to something. I actually gave him a Grumpy Granny look. Bless his little pea-pickin' heart. Nobody gets the door for you anymore unless they have an alterior motive. I might be old but the lights are still on.

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Anyway I just began reflecting on how shocked I was and how negatively I had reacted to the politeness the young man had extended. I thought it was such a shame that it had become such a foriegn act to me at this point in time. 

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Yes Mam, Please and Thank You are not even in the dictionary anymore are they? Heaven forbid prayers of thanks should be offered up at the dinner table or there should be any conversation. That's against somebody's rights to get back to a video game or watching the evening news. When's the last time you heard,"May I be excused?"

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Come on Grannie's, if you agree, let's unite.......

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No more fresh baked chocolate chip cookies until there's a turnaround.

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If you agree join me in my

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M - M - M Club 

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Make Manners Mandatory!!!

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That's Gabby Granny's motto!!!