Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Does anyone have a poem that would be good to use for Nana and Gramps.
    
    I have been looking and looking and have not found anything.  I really 
    want something special to give them for Christmas.
    
    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
    

    I wanted to relate that my father inlaw retired a little over a year
    ago, and he too said NO party, and if he heard of one he wouldn't be
    there.  WE had one anyway, and he said he had the best time of his
    life!  We invited family friends, co workers from long ago and current,
    we the children (his own and the daughters in law) did most of the
    cooking an planning, (right under his nose I might add, we told him it
    was an anniversary party for his son inlaw's parents) It was held in a
    rented hall, with a DJ for entertainment.  As for gifts, mostly "gag"
    gifts from family and friends, they were related to his career.
     I really think he appreciated these more.
    
    Mother inlaw will probably retire within the next year, we'll probalby
    do the same route for her as well.
    
    My opinion, go for the party, if your finances will allow.
    
    Lyn

    Would anyone have any ideas for a x-stich or calligraphy project that
    would be suitable for Nana & Gramps.  I've been looking through craft
    magazines and have not been able to find a nice poem that is just for
    grandparents.
    
    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    

    My mother inlaw received a cute pillow last year for Christmas.  It was
    a calico print fabric, maybe 8" by 12", with white eyelet lace as a ruffle
     around the edges,and in the middle was a plain white piece of fabric
    about 5" by 7" that had embroidered the phrase "God couldn't be everywhere
    so He invented Grandmothers".  I've also seen a similar pillow embroidered
    with "you are my best friend, you are my sister" 
    
    It was a handmade thing, and I suspect it didn't take all that much
    time or effort.  She keeps it in the family room, as one of the throw
    pillows on the couch, and its one of her more prized keepsakes. 
    
    Is this what you were looking for in ideas?
    Lyn

    I have several x-stitch books at home and will look in them over the
    weekend.  I know one has some for Teachers, and I think I saw some for
    Grandparents also.  But will check just to make sure.  I also have a
    biger book with x-stitch patterns for Christmas gifts, I will look
    there also.
    
    Liz

    Thanks, I'll be anxious to find out if finally I have resolved
    this mystery.  I've searched and searched, so this will be a great
    relief.
    
    Thanks again.
    

    
    Judy,
    
    This is what my husband and I and his siblings did for his parents 
    anniversery - they didn't want a big party either, so we figured how
    much is would cost if we did the party and then sent them on a trip
    instead.  It was much less hassle and we ended up paying a little bit
    more than we would have on the party (but you never know with all those
    little last min. things!)  It was worth it to us, setting up parties
    are somtimes a drag.  Oh, we sent them on a 7 day cruise.  
    
    Now, his father is retiring in Jan, and his mother in Oct.  Hmmmm,
    another trip or do we have to do the party?????
    
    elizabeth
    

    I just wanted to add one thought to .7, which is my inlaws left by car
    yesterday morning to visit their youngest son, wife and two children in
    Jacksonville FL.  HE has just arrived home on a thirty day leave from a
    year in the Gulf without his family.
     
    What they didn't tell a soul, except my husband, was they were planning 
    on driving right past Jacksonville and spend 4 days in Disney World, all 
    by themselves!  They are staying within the Park, at the Contemporary
    Hotel (about $200 night).  What they discovered is that even though
    there are other hotels, less expensive.  The ones that are $87 night
    are booked until June '92.
    
    So like the commericals say, Why not escape to Disney?  
    
    Maybe there's a little Mouskateer tucked away in every grownup!
    Perhaps a Multiday pass to Disney World (or Disney Land) might be a
    thought for a family gift?
    
    Lyn

    
    
    How about you get an application to have their name (goes for parents
    and/or grandparents!) put on the wall at Ellis Island?  It costs between
    $50 and $100.00 to have this done, it would be a nice tribute to them
    (and to their lives) and it will live on for generations to see!  Then after
    the name has been added to the wall, send them to the Statue of Liberty
    and Ellis Island to see it for themselves.
    
    
    Nancy  
        

    For my dad's retirement we gave him a party in our home with all
    he and my mother's closest friends.  For a gift, we gave them a
    copy of one of the current inn books, and told them to pick one
    out and let us make the reservations.
    
     

    
    For my Father's retirement party, one of the things we did that was
    relatively inexpensive but greatly appreciated was a photo register.
    
    As people were coming into the party, the sib who was responsible for
    taking the pictures would snap their pic (Polaroid).  During the course of
    the party, people would autograph and write cute notes on their picture
    in the space available (about 1 inch) between the picture and the
    border.  After they wrote on their picture it went in to a photo album
    that was sitting on the table next to all the photos that had been
    developed.  My parents loved the idea and it's a nice reminder of the
    occasion.  As the day, wore on the pictures got more and more
    interesting... 
    
    The party itself was alot of work, but well worth it!