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Grandmother is a Gamer

Subway Surfers

Voicing my need for grandchild bonding, I asked my grandson to show me how to play the game that was occupying his attention on the iPad.  He lit up with enthusiasm as he showed me how to get out-of-the-way of oncoming trains in Subway Surfer.  It wasn’t long before I became proficient at  jumping, weaving and dodging trains before being hit; collecting points, coins, magnets, jet packs and mystery boxes along the way.

We took turns, comparing scores, my grandson the clear winner.  When I remarked at what an excellent player he was, he graciously admitted that his sister was even better.  His profound observation was this:  ”She’s a coin collector and I’m trying not to get killed!”  A reflective statement from the mouth of a child, an instant glimpse at my grandchildren’s personalities and a statement for me to ponder.  It is something that I think about every time I play this silly game and I wonder just what type of gamer this grandmother is.

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Dressing Room Drama

My mission was to take her shopping and to buy her a sweet little church dress.  Visions of Lilly Pulitzer danced in my head and she tried desperately to co-operate  with my expectations.  I noticed her resolve quickly breaking down as dress after dress brought her nothing but despair.  We left in search of a much-needed ice cream cone.

Relieved to be the grandmother and not the mother, I resolved to salvage the experience. I hated to disappoint my daughter, but I knew that my granddaughter and I could find joy in something we both have less than average interest in doing, shopping for clothes.  I found out that all she really wanted was fun, funky play-clothes from a store called Justice.  We headed to the mall.

She picked out arm-loads of cut off shorts with studded pockets, glittery shirts, colorful tanks, pink baseball caps, and bangles.  The dressing room over-flowethed.  The one dress she did choose had an army camouflage print  (we put that back).  She was so happy with her purchases that she begged to wear one outfit out of the store.  I let her, of course.

Now I know that she still does not have a cute little church dress.  Her mom will have to use her wits do make that happen.  I want her to have the nice things that define a well-groomed little girl and I want her to keep her awesome self-image.  She lives in a world in which the style of one’s clothes can define who people think she is. It’s a tension that in time she will ultimately work at and resolve.  For now, she’s dazzlingly happy!

IMG_1065

My husband remarked that my granddaughter reminded him of somebody else he knows and I remembered a poem that I wrote 8 years ago.  The dressing room drama continues.

Burberry Scarf

I’d rather have a tattoo,

Then wear a Burberry scarf.

I’d rather drink a beer with my housekeeper,

Than sip wine with a fancy senator.

Once I thought I was special,

Really thought I’d make a difference.

Still my yearbook post beckons,

“When I finally get myself together

I’m gonna get down to that sunny, southern weather”

In the end, do we all 

Go back to where we started?

Perhaps.

In the mean time,

I will dine with senators

But, I won’t wear a Burberry scarf

 

This post is part of the Word Press Daily Prompt –http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/daily-prompt-dickinson/

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What to wear to the big dance

I’m thrilled to be going to the Big Dance with my favorite man! We get to share our date with some vibrant, interesting people.  And here I am, fretting because I don’t know what to wear.  Red and Yellow, seem to be the colors of preference for this particular event.  I do look better in red and yet…

I want to be the perfect southern lady, oozing with hospitality, minus the bless your heartisms.  I certainly don’t want to offend anyone and I don’t know which color our guests prefer.  And there is the possibility that someone I know may see me and I don’t know which color they prefer.

I could weigh in on the animals.  That may help.  Let’s see, cardinal vs wolverine?  Everyone who knows me, knows that I do have a thing for cardinals.  Not that I have anything against wolverines.

I could go with the state angle and I have so many friends in Michigan.  But, Kentucky is my neighbor.

I did not enter one of those pool things, so I have nothing to gain or lose there, but my sister did and she has been all Louisville from the get-go.  I really love my sister.

Oh I know who I’m for, of course, but I haven’t even told anyone who I voted for in the Presidential election.  Talk about stirring up an instant firestorm.

Call me chicken, call me pathetic, I think basic black is what I’ll wear, always in vogue.

Though I can control my outfit, I have a poor record of controlling my mouth.  Once the tip-off.  GO ??????!!!!!!!!