| 2012 Calendar
Date Host Presenter
Mar 4 Juliette Juliette McD
May 6 Michele Member mixer
July 15 Day One Jane Angelich
Sept 9 Sandi Sandi D.
Nov 4 Diane Rachel Eryn
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March 4 Meeting
Be ready to sing, move, and have fun with Juliette McDonald as she teaches us traditional songs, music and activities that we can share with our grandchildren.
Juliette has taught music and developed curriculum for children, adults, and teachers for 40 years. She also performs around the country with her two daughters.
At our meeting we'll sing songs and use rhythm instruments to learn some simple music concepts such as pitch and rhythm. Bring your questions and ideas to share with the group. |
TV Contestants Wanted
A&E is now casting nationwide for a powerful, new docu-series about the complex relationship between couples and their in-laws.
Do any of these issues ring true for you or anyone you know?
* Are you struggling to maintain a relationship with an out-of-control in-law?
* Is a cultural or background divide challenging your relationship?
* Does the statement, "When mom/dad says no, ask grandma/grandpa" ring true in your family?
* Does your mother or father-in-law still baby your husband/wife, challenge your parenting style or openly disrespect you?
Families who appear on the show will get $10,000 and have the opportunity to work with a professional relationship expert who will help them to identify their issues and repair their relationships.
They're looking for brave couples (and their in-laws) who are willing to share their stories in the hopes of not only repairing their own relationships, but also helping thousands of other families who are going through similar challenges.
For more information, contact Jane Angelich at: jangelich@aol.com
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Where is GaGa Sisterhood?
I was recently interviewed by Kat Gordon, the founder and creative director of Maternal Instinct, an advertising agency that provides creative solutions for marketing to moms. |
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Luscious Apricot Bars
I brought these Apricot Bran Bars to my yoga class and everyone raved. They truly are luscious. If you cut them into small squares, they make a delicious bite. Enjoy!
Shortbread layer
½ cup butter
¼ cup sugar
½ cup flour
½ cup Kellog's All Bran cereal
Apricot layer
2/3 cup dried apricots
½ cup flour
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
½ tsp vanilla
½ cup walnut pieces, optional
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place apricots in saucepan, cover with water, and boil for 10 minutes. Drain, cool, chop and set aside.
2. To make the shortbread layer, blend butter, sugar, and flour in a medium bowl until crumbly. Stir in bran cereal. Pat mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch square pan. Bake for 25 minutes.
3. For the apricot layer, mix the remaining flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, beat eggs, then add brown sugar. Mix in dry ingredients. Mix in vanilla, nuts and apricots.
5. Spread mixture over shortbread layer. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into 1-inch squares. If you like, sprinkle powdered sugar over the top.
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Greetings!
Despite this being the shortest month of the year, even with the extra day, I managed to pack in lots of celebrations in February.
I hosted a Valentine's Day dinner with an all-red menu and enjoyed a 4-generation celebration for my granddaughter's 5th birthday over the President's weekend.
During that getaway, I made a "grandma blunder" that got me wondering whether any of you have ever messed up in your role as grandma. I asked a few of our members and one grandma's answer made me smile with relief: "Have I ever made a blunder...how many stories do you need!?"
As grandmas, we try our best to do the right thing when it comes to our grandchildren. But sometimes, despite our best intentions, we mess up. And then we hope our children and grandchildren will forgive us and that we can all learn from the experience.
I've shared mine and a few others below.
Happy Leap Year, I hope you enjoy the extra day this month!
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When Grandmas Blunder
My Blunder
My blunder happened on the eve of my granddaughter's fifth birthday. We were away on a four-generation celebration/vacation that included my 89-year old mother, my two granddaughters, their parents, and my husband.
My granddaughter and I walked over to my mother's room to get her for dinner. On our way back, my granddaughter kept running ahead, despite my pleas to wait for me. When we got to our building, she wanted to race up the stairs to the third floor while my mother and I took the elevator. Since we'd been there three days and the stairway was open and visible, I agreed to let her run ahead.
When my mom and I got out of the elevator, I heard my granddaughter wailing at the top of her lungs and calling "Baba!" I was terrified that she'd fallen and I rushed to find her. Read more ...
Blunders from Other Grandmas
Blunder 1
I made one of my few blunders several months ago. It was one of the few serious ones I have made with my daughter-in-law. She informed me that she had signed up both my grandson and herself for Tae Kwan Do classes for the next two years. She paid the total--several thousands of dollars--in advance.
I went ballistic. He's only 5 and that's too young to make such a long and expensive commitment. Of course she lashed back. She said it was her own money and she could do with it what she pleased.
Fortunately she is a very forgiving person. The result is that both mother and grandson are thriving in Tae Kwon Do. He is learning skills and she is losing weight and becoming more disciplined for herself. I have forgiven and been forgiven. What more can I ask?
Blunder 2
One morning when my two granddaughters were 7 and 5, we walked downtown for breakfast. We came home through the back gate and as we passed the swimming pool, the 5-year old pushed her older sister into the deep end.
Normally, I never yell. But on this occasion, I was furious. After I dragged the sopping wet child from the water, I turned to the perpetrator and yelled at the top of my lungs! She was so stricken, she ran into the bathroom, locked the door and wouldn't come out.
I felt terrible even though I knew it was important to make a strong impression on her. I apologized for yelling and finally coaxed her out of the bathroom so that we could calmly discuss the episode.
Blunder 3
I was taking care of my infant granddaughter and fed her some baby cereal without asking her mother. When my other daughter saw me, she told her sister, the baby's mother, and she was irate. I apologized profusely and when she calmed down, she explained to me that she only introduced one food at a time. I never made that mistake again.
We grandmas do try our best but we're only human and we make mistakes. If we can apologize graciously and humbly, and ask how we can do things differently next time, we'll be able to avoid that mistake in the future and win the respect of our grandchild's parents.
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GaGa Filoli Tour on April 10
 It's back by popular demand! Our annual GaGa Sisterhood tour of the beautiful gardens at Filoli on April 10 at 10:00 am.
We had a great time at Filoli during our previous two tours, so we're doing it again. Get your taxes done early and reward yourself with a morning going gaga in the gardens! We'll have our own private tour of the gardens led by docents Judith and Julia. The cost is $15 or $12, if you're over 65. After the tour, we'll gather in the cafe for lunch. To reserve your spot send me an email and let me know whether you'll be staying for lunch: donnedavis@gagasisterhood.com |
July 15 GaGa Sisterhood Meeting
 I'm so excited about our July 15 speaker, Jane Angelich, the "In-law Expert." Please note the new date: July 15.
Jane is the author of What's a Mother (in-Law) To Do? The 5 Essential Steps to Building a Loving Relationship with Your Son's New Wife. Jane will read from her book, explain what makes her an expert, share her perspective as a MIL, and answer questions.
We also have a new location for our meeting: Day One in Palo Alto Town and Country Shopping Center. Day One provides support, classes, and products for expectant and new families. They've offered us the use of their large classroom for our July 15 meeting. |
Programs for Our 2012 Meetings
We now have all of our programs planned for the rest of the year so be sure to mark your calendar for these dates.
May 6, 2012 Who Are You When You're Not Grandma? will be a combination of two of our most popular past meetings--our member mixer and the meeting where we talked about some of the other "hats" we wear. Our planning committee developed some wonderful questions to help us share some things about ourselves. September 9, 2012 Disposing of Your Sentimental Possessions will be presented by our host Sandi Dolmatch. Sandi will share some tips for downsizing collections and objets d'art, by deciding what to toss, donate or bequeath to family and friends. November 4, 2012 Intergenerational Communication will be presented by Rachel Eryn Kalish. Rachel will discuss how to have dynamic, open, honest conversations across generations about any topic.
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Survey for Moms on the Grandparent's Role
Moms: Let your voice be heard! Take my survey on the grandparent's role.
I'm writing a book to help grandmas improve their relationship with their grandchild's parents. For the past 9 years I've been listening to what grandmas have to say about their role in the family. Now I want to hear from the moms about the grandparent's role.
Please pass this link on to any moms who would be willing to take my short survey - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9T669BQ There will be complete confidentiality and no names will be used. I'll send the respondents a complimentary copy of my book in appreciation for answering my survey.
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The GaGa Zone
Please continue sending me pictures and stories of you with your grandchildren for the GaGa Zone.
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My granddaughter, Amelia, the Bath Gnome
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