2011 Calendar
Date Host Presenter
Sep 18 Carleen Rona Renner Nov 6 Dee Ruth O'Hara |
2011 Programs
September 18 Rona Renner, RN, a nationally recognized parent educator and radio talk show host of Childhood Matters, will lead a discussion about learning differences, temperament, and family communication. "Nurse Rona" has four children and two grandchildren.
November 6 Dr. Ruth O'Hara, research professor at Stanford School of Medicine, will discuss some of her work on sleep issues and give us some suggestions for improving our sleep.
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Best Ever Brownies Recipe
At our July 10 meeting, GaGa LD brought a plate of bite-size brownies. I set them down in the middle of our circle and everyone who tried them raved. Her recipe is worth sharing.
BEST-EVER BROWNIES
2 sticks butter (I use the butter papers to "grease" the 9 x 13 pan)
2 squares Baker's semi-sweet chocolate
2 squares Baker's unsweetened chocolate
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt together butter and chocolate. Set aside to cool while you beat:
1 3/4 cup sugar (up to 2 cups)
4 eggs--putting them in one at a time
Pour cooled chocolate over beaten eggs and sugar mixture. Mix and add:
1 cup flour
dash salt
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I use Ghiradelli or Guittard)
Put in 9 x 13 glass pan. Bake 23 - 25 minutes. They should seem underdone.
These are VERY moist and dense. (Bake 3 minutes longer if using a metal pan.)
Cut while warm and then sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into small pieces because they are so rich. You may need to re-cut when they cool down and you want to put them on a plate.
Makes about 36
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Greetings!
This month I want to tell you about some grandmas who have inspired me with their indomitable spirit. I've met many devoted grandmas since I became a grandma eight years ago, but Julie Matsushima's devotion to her granddaughter is truly exceptional. Julie told her compelling story at our July 10 meeting and the 20 of us listened with rapt attention while shedding some tears. When Julie learned she was going to become a grandma of identical twin girls, she was ecstatic. But her joy turned to sorrow when one of the twins, Aimee, was born with microcephaly and cerebral palsy. Doctors predicted Aimee wouldn't live and if she did, she would be blind, deaf, and unable to speak or walk. Julie chronicles their miraculous 14-year journey in her recently published book, For the Love of Aimee. One GaGa, who bought the book, wrote to say it was a "page-turner roller coaster ride that she couldn't put down." You can read my review by clicking here. Hope you're having a happy summer, |
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Julie Matsushima, Advocate for Special Needs Children
 We all know how much grandparents can contribute to our grandchildren's lives. When Julie Matsushima's granddaughter, Aimee was born with cerebral palsy, her life changed in ways she never could have imagined. Julie immersed herself in learning everything she could about cerebral palsy. As a result, she is viewed as a lay expert on the subject and frequently invited to share her inspiring story with parents, professionals, and doctors.
Julie has not only made a difference in her granddaughter's life but has also become a devoted advocate for children with special needs. In 2001 she established a non-profit organization, That's Amore Charitable Foundation, Inc. to serve children with disabilities.
Julie has raised awareness about the need for adaptive and equal play equipment in our parks by serving as a Parks Commissioner for the City of San Jose Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Office of Therapeutic Services for the City of San Jose, which serves the needs of disabled citizens in the community.
You can read more about Julie and her work on her website .
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One Bold, Bald, Beautiful GaGa
 My friend Ricka was diagnosed with breast cancer last January and recently completed her treatment. She's back to visiting her two sets of twin grandchildren and off on a six-day bike tour to Kodiak, Alaska.
We went out to lunch a few weeks ago and she strolled into the restaurant sporting her beautiful bald head without batting an eye. I asked her how she was able to be so bold and invited her to tell her story on my blog. You gotta love her t-shirt: Gone today ... hair tomorrow!
During her treatment, she continued her spin classes and body sculpting at the gym. About two months into chemotherapy she was in spin class and really sweating. She had on a warm cap and for the first time contemplated removing it to cool off. What a drastic step to take!
"I took a deep breath, pulled off the cap and kept on pedaling. My instructor saw me remove my cap and gave me a thumbs up."
Read more ...
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Indomitable Irene
On March 30 Irene was skiing with her grandchildren. Her grandson slipped and put his pole tip on her ski instead of the snow, causing her to fall and break her hip. Within 28 hours she was in surgery followed by a rigorous program of physical therapy. Irene attended our July meeting and looked radiant.
"Life is back to normal for me," she told us, "which includes bike riding with the kids, playing at the jungle gym and swimming, of course. I so look forward to next ski season."
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The GaGa Zone
Please continue sending me pictures and stories of you with your grandchildren for the GaGa Zone. | | GaGa Carol T with 4-year old granddaughter Chloe |
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