Allow me a pregnant pause...

Edith here!

My daughter Susie is anticipating!

Forget the Regency speak: she’s preggers!

Do you know how wonderful this is?

Of all the things I dreamed of being once I was old enough to stay up to eleven o’clock at night (my childhood dreams of glory were pathetic) a Grandmother was not among them.

After all, I come from an era when grandmothers all looked like Aunt Bea from the old Andy Griffith show –

...until Marlene Dietrich came along, and grandmothers were allowed to remain female, and actually be hot. There really were headlines about it. Off with the lumpy gray sweaters and sensible shoes. On with life!

Sadly, I’m not as hot as Marlene.

But as for the rest? Oh! The chance to be ever-loving, kind and generous with candy and treats; to be lenient and indulgent, to be utterly delightful – a regular Mary Poppins with a bosom? Delicious prospect. But of course, as grandmother I won’t be expected to discipline the little darling.

Is that sweet revenge or utter fun? I don’t know but I can’t wait to find out.

Did you ever become something you never thought of in your youth?

Something unplanned, but totally wonderful?

Do tell. I’d like to know.

Comments

[talpianna]

tal sez:

Congratulations! They say that spoiling your grandchildren is your revenge on your children for all the grief they gave you when you were growing up.

(Unfortunately, no one told MY grandmother that....)

What did I become that I never dreamed of when growing up?

OLD!!!!!!!!!

And, a collector of moles:

http://www.taguk.plus.com/towngate/moles.htm

[Sherrie Holmes]

Edith, your post is hilarious! I eagerly await your next one! It's like the olden days (*really* olden days!) when I was a kid and lay on the floor reading the Sunday comics.

You asked us to tell if we ever became something we never thought of in our youth. Yes, many things, none of which I ever planned as a child. I think the most memorable--and most scary--is becoming a business owner and working from home.

Scary, but also a ton of fun. And it sure saves on the car mileage not having to commute. My *total* mileage for the entire year in 2005 was 4,000 miles. My total commute mileage? Zero. I fill up my car once a month. (gloat)

Sherrie Holmes
http://www.holmesedit.com

[talpianna]

To change the subject for a moment, because no one should miss this: here's a book both AgTigress and I agree we WOULD buy just for the cover:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0756400163/ref=dp_image_0/102-6366909-8255367?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

[Nina P]

Edith, I am so happy for you! My mom told me once that the only reason she had nine kids was so she could be a grandmother many times over. She has 7 grandchildren now, two on the way and 4 of her kids haven’t even gotten started yet. She's in heaven. I am sure you will be too. My mom also says that grandchildren make you younger. Perhaps your "Marlene" look is closer than you think. :-)

As for what I became that I never considered in my youth... a riding instructor at a ranch for youth.

[LorettaChase]

Edith, congratulations! I adored my maternal grandmother, who was a huge influence. I don't see how you can help but be adored as well.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Edith, what amazingly wonderful news for you, Susie, her DH, and the rest of the family! My only grandmother that I knew pulled my short hair painfully while trying to braid it and overcooked all vegetables. You will be a far, FAR more fun granny!

And Tal--that book you said was worth buying for the cover? I'm in that anthology! My one and only short story publication. The editor, the amazing Denise Little, e-mailed to say that she knew I didn't write short and I was romance, not fantasy, and the amount of money was barely enough for a decent dinner for two--but if I wanted to do cats and astrology, she'd love to have me. How could I turn down an offer like that? :)

Mary Jo, agreeing that the cover is marvelous.

[PatRice]

From Pat Rice:

What utterly marvelous fabulous superlative-available news! Congratulations to Susie. Where are they living these days? Near enough so you can freak them out on a regular basis once the baby arrives?

Everyone take a minute to contemplate Edith as granny--sailing in with colors flying, amber gleaming, laughter rolling...that's one danged lucky kid.

Both my parents were orphans, so I never had an opportunity to learn what grandmothers are supposed to do. And we live half way across the country from our one and only grandchild. We're learning video phones and how to save frequent flyer miles.

So tell Susie how utterly lucky she is!

[talpianna]

Mary Jo, is that series intended as a continuation of the CatFantastic series edited by the late Andre Norton? My very first short story sale was to her for CATFANTASTIC IV. The covers are in the same style and by the same artist:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/t0/t2576.jpg

I still get an occasional royalty check for it. I keep trying to set up a deal with Elizabeth Lowell where we go to dinner and she spends her last royalty check on me and I spend mine on her, but somehow she's not mad keen on a meal consisting of half a bottle of designer water...

[Kay T]

This subject has been on my mind this month because even though I have no children of my own, my sister had four which she shared with me. One of my nephews and his wife live nearby and just had their second, a little girl, last Sunday. My sister was here this week (she does not live nearby) as the granny/helper.

ALSO in Real Simple this month (June) there was a great article about becoming a grandmother, and one thing she said really stuck in my mind - the one job you have no control over whether you get it -- grandmother -- you are totally reliant on your children. You can't apply for the job and no matter how great your credentials it might not happen.

Congrats to the grandmothers (and great aunts)!

[Janga]

Congratulations, Edith, to you and to your daughter and her husband. Like Kay, I am a great aunt, not a grandmother, but since I helped bring up my four nephews after my sister's divorce when her youngest was six, I have special aunt status. That's enough for me to tell you that unadulterated joy awaits you. We have seven Grands; the oldest is six; the youngest, one. They make life's colors brighter. Holidays are a delight, but every day with them is one of laughter and renewal. And I can speak in all these superlatives without exaggeration because at the end of the few hours, the day, or the week-end, all the responsibility becomes Mommy's and Daddy's, not Aunt's and Grammy's. :)

[Susan Sarah]

From Susan Sarah:

Congratulations to Edith, and of course to Susie and her DH too!!
That's fantabulous news!!

I'm very grateful to have had three wonderful grandmothers (two grands and a great), and I knew them well through my college years. Someday I hope to be a wonderful grandma for my kids' kids... but Edith, YOU will be the COOLEST Granny ever!

One question: what do you want to be called as grandmother? This is a big decision!

My kids called my mother Mimi, and their dad's mom Nan.
Anyone have any other granny names to suggest to Edith?

Susan

[margaret]

This is one lucky baby on the way.

Not only does it get the Elegant, Erudite Edith for a grandmum, it will have the Spectacular Splendiferous Susie for a mum!

So happy for all of you.

[Edith Layton]

Edith here!

Oh, Children! Thank you for all your sweet comments. My stars and garters, how lovely.
(Practicing Grandma speak here.)
You've been so nice.
Would you like a nice chocolate cookie?
A box of candy?
A soda pop?
A dry martini or a glass of white wine?
(think I'm getting the hang of it!

Anyway _ thank you for all your good wishes!

[talpianna]

tal sez:

M'Lady, I guess your action figure will have to include as accessories a large fluffy dog AND a small cuddly grandbaby!

[Ginnyp]

I'm a new grandma to. The most wonderful feeling in the world. Better than a feel good historical romance, and that's saying alot.