4/26/2011

Grow Old With Me . . . The Best is Yet to Be



DOWN HOME with Granny B


OK so this is what I'd like to know. Why does it seem that every woman my age is so depressed about growing older?  What is wrong with wrinkles, grey hair and a soft tummy?  Frankly I think all this nonsense about dying your hair, getting a face lift and a tummy tuck is totally missing the point.  Growing old is wonderful.  Why not embrace grandma hood?  Wrinkles, grey hair and soft tummies are beautiful if seen through the eyes of love.

My grandson Liam thinks I'm wonderful just the way I am.


My sweetheart thinks I'm still attractive. . .
"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness, For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others."


Audrey Hepburn

4/25/2011

Happy Birthday Logan

This is a special poem written for my grandson Logan on his third birthday. 
Happy Birthday Logan! Your grandma loves you very much!

WHEN LOGAN
by

Janene Baadsgaard

Alias Granny B



When Logan wakes up with the sun
He climbs off the top bunk bed
Finds his dinosaur T-shirt
And pulls it over his head

When Logan finds a shiny rock
And holds it in his hand
He has to throw it very hard
To see where it will land

When Logan finds his airplane
He holds it in his hand
Then off it flies through the air
To see wherever it might land

When Logan goes to the park
He finds the scariest slide
Then climbs so high he touches the sky
And watches a bird fly by

When Logan finds a long stick
He holds it in his hand
Then fights a duel to the death
With his big brother, mighty Sam

When Logan’s feeling tired
He finds his favorite book
And snuggles close to momma
She turns pages so he can look

When Logan goes to bed at night
His mouth opens in a yawn
Then he says his prayers
And Mommy sings a song

“Logan is my treasure
So dear and strong and brave
For him I’ll fight any dragon
My precious boy to save.”

Then Logan closes his eyes and sighs
And soon he’s fast asleep
Robot in one hand, a flashlight in the other
His dreams are rich and deep

4/21/2011

Amy Graduates From BYU

My daughter Amy is graduating from BYU today.  Amy's experiences with her nephew Caleb who was born without a brain and the time she spent volunteering with special needs children in high school awakened a place in her heart and gave her the desire to go into special education.  Amy has a kind and loving nature and a calm and reassuring presence.  Just as she was finishing up her student teaching, a doctor ordered bed rest because of preterm labor.  Several months later, Tessa was born full-term and healthy.  Her husband Aden will be finishing his pharmacy degree in a few weeks also.  This couple has been working SO hard for many years.  I'm so proud of you both Amy and Aden and love you very much.  Congratulations!

4/20/2011

The Guernsay Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a great read

I just finished reading a book that was an absolute delight and richly satisfying.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is told entirely through letters.  The plot centers around the German occupation of the Guernsey island during World War II.  I have to say this book has made it to my favorite list.  I highly recommend it. 

4/19/2011

The Miracle of Spring

It has been a tenuous spring this year . . . courageous spring flowers suddenly blanketed in snow.  Yet always the storm clouds part and the sun shines through once again.  Winter's grasp never stays.  Glorious spring has come. As I contemplate Easter I hear these words . . .
"Each of us will have our own Fridays - those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces.  We will all experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put back together again.  We will all have our Fridays.  But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death - Sunday will come.  In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come.  In this life or the next, Sunday will come."  - Joseph B. Wirthlin 

4/16/2011

Planning For Retirement

DOWN HOME with Granny B
You've probably read all those magazine or newspaper articles about planning for retirement.  The advice they offer is almost always about money . . . but money is only one thing to consider for a happy old age.  When was the last time you read an article that told you to go for a walk with your sweetheart or play ball in the backyard with your son if your want to live well in your golden years? 

No amount of money can compensate for loving relationships. 

I spent this weekend up at our cabin listening to the exuberant screams of my children and grandchildren careening down the mountain side on sleighs and watching them dig snow caves and build snow slides by moonlight.

You can't buy that. 

     

4/14/2011

Orchestra Concert Tonight

If you're looking for something fun to do tonight, check out my orchestra concert at 7:00 at the LDS Lindon Stake Center 1050 East 100 North in Lindon.  It's free and open to the public!

4/11/2011

THE REAL REASON I WRITE IS . . . YOU



I've had a number of people approach me lately and ask if I would sign a copy of my new book for them.  Often they seem embarrassed, like they might be bothering me or something.  In my heart I wish each one of those kind people knew that their request gives me great joy.

Making a one-to-one personal connection with a reader is why I write.  Writing is a solitary and lonely occupation . . . just me and my computer in my office.  An author's life also comes with a lot of rejection.  Yes I have a pile of rejection letters and unpublished manuscripts.  In addition to that, many publishers these days are having a hard time making a profit so the small piece of the pie they offer to the author keeps going down and down.  So, in reality, I could work a minimum wage job and earn more.

Every time I'm tempted to give up on writing, a thoughtful individual will contact me and tell me how much a few words I've written have meant to them. Though they are unaware, their personal contact and kind words are my real pay.  So I want to thank you, my readers, for your words of encouragement or for asking me to sign a book for you.  You simply can not know how much you mean to me.  You are the reason I write . . . not for the masses . . . for you.

For example, the other day I heard from Krista.          

Dear Janene-

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you thank you for your priceless new book, For Every Mother. Over the weekend, I purchased 4 copies- one for my mom, mother in law, my sister, and one for myself. I have just finished the first section about the Spring (which happens to be the season I am in now, with 3 small children at home.) I have been sneaking away every possible free moment I have had to get some reading in. This book has really moved me so far, and brought me a renewed sense of purpose and hope and remembrance of the importance of the work I am now doing. It means so much coming from someone who has been there, and done that. Many of your touching anecdotes have brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. I just wanted to say thank you, and I can't wait to finish the book. I also can't wait until Mother's Day, when I will present these priceless gifts to the most special women in my life. You have a true talent-this book is a treasure.

Thanks again,

Krista Chamberlain

Dear Krista,
Thank you so much for writing to me.  You are the reason I write.  When an author and a reader make a personal connection we become deeply satisfying and endearing friends.
With great love and appreciation,

Janene



4/05/2011

Sometimes laughter is better than tears.

DOWN HOME with Granny B
When you're my age, you know life can be tough . . . but if you're still alive you have a good reason to keep dancing.  When you're a grandma you know that most of the things you worried about when you were younger didn't actually happen.  So you look for people who help you see life upside down and inside out.  You value the contributions of zany people.  If you're not familiar with the work of Steven Wright you might want to be.  He's the famous erudite scientist who once said: "I woke up one morning, and all of my stuff had been stolen and replaced by exact duplicates."

Here are a few more of his gems:

I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Borrow money from pessimists - they don't expect it back.

Half the people you know are below average.

82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.

What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.

A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?

Marjorie Hinckley once said, "I'd rather laugh than cry because crying gives me a headache."  So if you're having a hard day, choose laughter.

4/01/2011

Happy Birthday Andrew!




this is a special poem
written for my grandson Andrew
on his FIRST birthday
Happy Birthday!
Grandma loves you SO much

ANDREW IS READY
by
Grandma Baadsgaard
alias Granny B


Andrew is ready with a great big moo
to be a brown cow at the farmer’s pet zoo


Andrew is ready with a great big sigh
to flap his wings like a bird up high


Andrew is ready with a great big neigh
to be a brown horse going my way


Andrew is ready with a great big baah
to be the sweetest lamb you ever saw


Andrew is ready with a great big laugh
To stretch his neck like a spotted giraffe


Now Andrew is ready with a great big smile
To snuggle with mommy and hold still a while


Andrew is ready with a great big yawn
To go to bed and dream all night long.


Soon he wakes up grinning like the sun
A new day begins - Andrew’s on the run