Aug 13 2015

Grandparents, How We Love them!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

Grandparents/Retirement???

A teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their vacation.

One child wrote the following:

We always used to spend the holidays with grandma and grandpa. They used to live here in a big, brick house, but grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people.

They live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on big tricycles and wear name tags because they don’t know who they are anymore.

They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and do exercises there, but they don’t do them very well.

There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with their hats on. I guess they don’t know how to swim.

At their gate there is a dollhouse with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. Then they go cruising in their golf carts.

My grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night: Early Birds.

Some of the people can’t get past the man in the dollhouse to go out, so the ones who get out bring food back to the wrecked center and call it pot luck.

My grandma says grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded one day, too. When I earn my retardment I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren.

Reflections:

I have three daughters, and they loved their grandmothers and learned wonderful life lessons from both.

Grandma Frances, was from California, who was funny, curious and as they said in ‘Star Wars” “To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before.” Grandma always brought excitement!

She was eccentrically independent with a generous heart, and loved a good deal, so thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales and flea markets were thrilling when she found the perfect bargain.

She always saw beauty in everything and especially loved the times she spent with her granddaughters in San Diego when they were visiting. Sandy beaches, seashells, sea world and Mexican food.

Even now, I miss her laughter, her wonderful smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable odds. Mother often said, “With God nothing is impossible.”

We knew mother, and grandma loved us, and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would keep her through the ups and downs of life. She taught us all daily about God’s grace, forgiveness and love. Through her life we could see how God faithfully protected and care for each of us.

Grandma Hedevig lived close by, fact she lived-in the same farmyard.

Every day after school My daughters would stop at Grandma’s for cookies and tea, play a game of Sorry or Trouble, and then come home. She always had a listening ear, and encouraging word and many hugs. It was as though it was their special time to have Grandma all to themselves.

I remember the joy on their faces as they came home telling me they had beat their Grandmother in their chosen game today. Such confidence and happiness, although I am sure that she allowed them win much more then they lost.

I always admired her gentle ways, with a willingness to loving teach her granddaughters how to bake and enjoy recipes as they hunted for something new to try and sample.

She was a beautiful pianist, organist and singer. And that gift passed on to her granddaughters. They would go over to her house, and quietly enjoy their own private concerts and singing.

She endured great physical pain and showed grace throughout the illness. Always knowing God loved her, and had faith he had a perfect plan for her.

The cherished gifts these two different grandmothers give her grandchildren have given them a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more than silver and gold. My daughters are blessed. ©

Thank you for sharing your time with me dear reader, I pray that you have gotten a giggle and a blessing at the same time. Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Aug 06 2015

The Beauty Bag Downsize

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

The Beauty Bag

In my wardrobe, I use 2 different units of 13 pieces each. Each unit has one dark neutral, a light neutral and a favorite color. I have taught how to build wardrobe for years and have found these units, not only save time shopping, but also save on the budget.

Unit #1 – Black and White color combination, and Red.

Unit #2 – Black and White color combination, and Fuchsia & Pinks

These units can be used all year. When I buy an item I look for these colors only. No matter what I pull out of my closet, every piece will match in their unit. Over the years I have added other accent colors, to make a new unit, but I have always stayed with the same two neutrals, black and white.

Building these units makes it so easy to splurge on accessories which I love. It also save big on makeup.

I will show you what is in my cosmetic bag:

Unit #1.

1 – Red Lipstick
1 – Red Blush
1 – Charcoal eyeliner pencil, and Charcoal eye shadow

Unit #2

1 – Fuchsia Lipstick
1 – Fuchsia Blush
1 – Brown eyeliner pencil, and Brown eye shadow

These will cover all my wardrobe needs, so I am seldom tempted to look at other colors.

Many people ask about my favorite tips from 40 years in the cosmetic field with makeup artistry, photography makeup, modeling, theatrical and personal makeups. Here are a few that I love and are not to expensive.

M·A·C STUDIO FACE AND BODY FOUNDATION, this formula provides a long-lasting, water-resistant finish and light weight.
Lancôme Effacernes, Long-wear, waterproof formula won’t crease or fade. I have cried through many weddings, graduations and funerals. This product is a keeper in my books!
Eucerin Q10 anti-wrinkle sensitive skin cream, a dear friend turned me on to this cream. It inexpensive, and works like a charm. I use it both morning and night after cleaning my face.
Olay Regenerist, Serum, this goes on after my cream and works well under your makeup.
Lara Geller Spackle this is a beautiful primer, I call it my crack filler. LOL
O. Bigelow Cinnamint supreme 2X lip moisturizer, non-greasy and does a light plumping.
Maybelline Super stay 24 hour color lipstick, at my age this is feather proof which I notice I need more and more! Lol
Coconut Oil, I use it on face at night under the Eucerin cream, on my fingernails and hands, and hair. This has helped the dryness.

What are some of your favorite tips, let me know. I always am interested to see what others are doing. Let me know if this was helpful to you. Also if you have any questions regarding this blog let new know and I will try to answer you. tons of love and Hugs

Lovingly Karan

Jul 27 2015

Sleeping with strangers!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

Hospital required regulations

Hospital regulations require a wheelchair for most patients when they’re being discharged. However, this girl working as a student nurse found one elderly gentleman — already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase as his feet — who insisted he didn’t need her help to leave the hospital.

After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let the nurse wheel him to the elevator. On the way down, she asked if his wife was meeting him.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I think she’s still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.”

The hospital was an eye opening experience! LOl.

Sleeping with Strangers

Arriving back in my hospital room after surgery, I was enjoying the benefits of morphine, and anti-nausea medications. And nothing could keep me awake for the first two days. However on the third day I was awaken by a miss happy pants at 6:30 am and told the Urology floor of the hospital was overflowing. And because of the crowding problem my room become coed. My next two roommates would be gentlemen!

I felt a little uneasy about the crooked curtain which hung wide open. When I mentioned it to the nurse, she whipped out of her pocket surgical tape to hold it together. I now have a whole new respect for surgical tape, it kept the curtains together my whole hospital stay. They call it is the nurses duct tape, it can fix anything, including broken fingernails. Who knew? I was so thrilled to get a roll when I went home.

In the next few days I learned more about the urinary track of both the female and male anatomy. I’m positive it was more then I needed to know. It was way to enlightening. Lol. And I have never seen nurses get so excited for their patients when they pass gas or used the restroom. Honestly, the high-fiving and happy dancing around the room was hysterically infectious. What a delight and blessing to have two caring and encouraging young nurses who brought both laughter and joy to my room every day.

Lying in the hospital and recovering at home I have had time to do some reflecting. When life slows down for me I have better focus and clarity of what is important to me. I am constantly in awe of God’s caring love in the little love lessons he teaches me daily. I am humbled by the caring hearts of friends, family and others who have faithfully prayed for me, even when I felt down and didn’t know how much I needed them. God has a wonderful way of letting us know He cares and loves us more than we can even imagine. The Bible says in,

Ephesians 3:20

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us.

God always sees the Big Picture of our lives, and knows just what we need and where I am. I am not a stranger to Him. Thank you for letting me share this journey with you, I love you!

Thank you for spending your time with me, I am honored by your friendship and compassion, Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Jul 13 2015

Interviewing God

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Interviewing God

“So you would like to interview me?” God asked. “If you have the time” I said.

God smiled. “My time is eternity and it is enough for me.” “What questions do you have in mind for me?”

“What surprises you most about human kind?”

God answered…
“That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.”

“That they lose their health to make money… and then lose their money to restore their health.”

“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, and they live in neither
the present nor the future.”

“That they live as if they will never die, and die as though they had never lived.”

God’s hand took mine and we were silent for a while.

And then I asked…

“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?”

“To learn that true happiness is not to achieve their goals but to learn to be satisfied with what they already have achieved.

“To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved.”

“To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.”

“To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open deep wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.”

“To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn there are people who love them dearly,
but simply have not yet learned how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they forgive each other, but they must also forgive themselves.”

“To learn that they can never do something extraordinary for me to love them; I simply do.

“Thank you for your time,” I said humbly.

“Is there anything else you would like your children to know?”

God smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here… always.”
-author unknown

*** Karan’s Update: Thank you for your love, prayers, wonderful notes and cards. I have been trying to do some walking everyday to regain my strength.
F unny how fast I fizzle out. Lol

Thank you dear friends for sharing your time with me, I love connecting with you each week. Have a great week!

Lovingly, Karan

Discussion Question: If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

Jun 18 2015

Are Our Eyes The Windows or Frames?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Windows or Frames?

Karan Gleddie had come for a visit; all the way from Calgary Alberta to Port St. Joe, Florida, where I live.

It was March and Karan was looking forward to lots of sand, sun and surf. Unfortunately, Florida was experiencing some of the coldest spring weather in history. Needless to say, she was disappointed, graciously disappointed, but nonetheless, disappointed.

I did my best to make her visit fun. The truth is we always have fun no matter what we are doing.

After plenty of retail therapy at all the malls within a fifty-mile radius, we headed to the local video store to rent a movie or two.

Right from the beginning I knew this last stop was going to go badly. As we walked into the store, Karan caught her purse in the closing door, then stumbled off one of her three inch heels. There was a loud, yikes-kind-of-squeal and everybody looked our way to see what the commotion was about. Karan adjusted her hair and pressed on as if this sort of thing happened to her all the time. (it does).

We selected our movies, without incident, and headed to the checkout counter. A very pretty teenage girl was clerking and I, never being one to miss an opportunity to strike up a conversation, said, “Gee you have beautiful skin and your eyebrows are perfect.

The girl smiled shyly and said (as they do here in the south), “Why thank you, ma’am. How sweet of you to mention my brows. I just had them done.”

Where upon Karan says, matter-of-factly, “Well, you know, the eyebrows are the windows to the soul.”

There was a pregnant pause, while the girl and I, and another clerk on a ladder, considered Karan’s remark. It had a familiar ring, but was definitely off-key.

Then the guy on the ladder says, “I think that would be ‘the eyes are the windows to the soul’.

Knowing her as I do, I could see Karan formulating a recovery. Then the laughter started (me less than the others since I am, after all her best friend.) But the guy on the ladder actually looks weak and the clerk behind the counter is so amused she is gasping for air. Meanwhile, Karan patiently waits for the laughter to die down. She is neither embarrassed, nor does she seem the slightest bit unhinged.

She smiles that sweet girly-smile, for which she is famous, and as she scoops up the rented videos her last words were, “The eyes are the windows, but the eyebrows are the frame. (Nice save, Karan. Nice save.) © DHD~ 2003

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Girlfriends: God brought us together at a time when we each desperately needed a friend, and for thirty years we have weathered traumatic personal storms, wept through life’s terrible disappointments, rejoiced in one another’s achievements, and have screamed in utter hysteria over our foolish antics.

God brought us together and He made us best friends, because He knew we were the best match to hold each other up in the hard times, and knock each other down a peg in the self-important times, but most of all we love each other unconditionally—just like He loves us—unconditionally, no matter what!

Though we both come from “Jerry Springer Show” backgrounds, here is what we know for certain: We can’t change the shape of our bodies, nor slow down aging. We cannot change our pasts, or the nature of our parents. And though our childhoods may not have been perfect, they are over.

We have prayed and preached and punished each other through two decades of a friendship which was surely made in heaven.

John 15: 12-13 “I command you to love each other in the same way I love you. And here is how to measure it—The greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.”

“A real friend is one who walks in

when the rest of the world walks out.”Kara

–-Anonymous

** Karan’s Update: Tuesday June 23, I will be have my long awaited surgery in Calgary, I am so thankful that God has opened all the right doors and taken care of the details. Thank you each one for your kind thoughts, prayers and card, I am blessed by you all, Much love and Hugs,

Lovingly, Karan

Karan K. Gleddie

Offering Love and Laughter to Women who need Hope

Laughter

Interviewing God

Are Our Eyes The Windows or Frames?