In remembrance of my Grandpa Jerry!... and some other random things.

My beloved Grandpa Jerry died last Saturday at the age of 93. I loved him very dearly. And this picture is just the epitome of him- he always looked stellar, with pressed shirts and bolo ties! This photo of us is from about three years ago, which is unfortunately the last time I saw him not living in a nursing home. He had been in one for 16 months before he died. I feel very blessed that Tom was able to meet him-- twice! Once, in June, we stopped by the nursing home he was staying in. It always seems a little grim in those places, and it hurt my heart to see him look so weak and frail. When I first introduced Tom as my fiance and told him that we would be marrying in August, Grandpa looked at Tom with an amazed expression. "Oh, really?" he said. "Well, Tom, you're getting a good girl. A real good girl. I always thought she'd turn out to be an old maid!" We all burst out laughing at that one- it was just like Grandpa to lighten the mood with his jokes! I'll definitely miss him!

On a completely different note, here are a few things I've been learning while nannying for The Family J, complete with picture diagrams.

#1. When you can't find your almost 3 year old niece anywhere, and you have to bribe her with a snack to get her to make her location known, she is probably in her mom and dad's room, with the door closed. And she is probably not "just cleaning it up," like she hollers to you. She is actually probably doing her own make-up, emo-style. And not only is she applying makeup to highlight her blue eyes, she is also decorating her knees. And putting perfumed lotion on. That's all.

#2. Costco should NEVER have changed the shape of their gallon milk jugs. Even 25 year old college graduates simply cannot pour the dang things without spilling milk everywhere except where they intended it to go. It happens every time, folks, every time. I think it has something to do with the weird slope/dip before the opening. It is most certainly NOT operator error.

P.S. I looked up the weird jugs so I could put a pic of one on here. And I found this. This picture is a LIE. Not as easy at it looks, I promise. I bet you this is an altered photo. It has to be!


The website I found this photo on is called the dieline. And get this, it says that, "apparently consumers may need some re-education about how to most effectively pour from these new jugs... The pouring issue is significant enough that many retailers (including Sam's Club, Costco, and Walmart) are giving demos." Hilarious. And proof that I am not the only one.