Updated | 5.3.2007 | Updated the blog site some Travel Coupons

Grandma Nay's Comments

This sorta became my blog by accident. An online journal of random thoughts and observations related to my lovely Granddaughter, my lovely Daughter, work, life, joy, pain and fun. While reading these thoughts is not a requirement to enjoy the site, I might be able to provide some insight into events in Raven's or Britene's life (or my own) which clarify the content you find here.        

5.3.2007 7:30pm

Wow, another two months gone, just like that! We have been in the new house about 4 months now, and just got the word that the landlord needs to move back to Payson. Obviously, he wants his house back. =( Bummer. So, we have spent a good deal of time trying to find another house that fits us as well. 6 weeks of looking and we didn't have much luck. Too small, too expensive, too busy, or something. We are going to have to "settle" a little. Found one that meets most of the requirements (not all, obviously). It's a "fixer-upper" and I hope the new landlord will cooperate with our desires to see new carpet, paint and other small items be done. Like counter tops. And did I mention carpet? Okay, so I might have to spend a LOT of time on packing, moving, fixing and cleaning, so don't be surprised if there are no web updates for a little while. I will get back to it when I can.

3.23.2007 10:30pm

Okay, so it took my Mother calling and complaining about the lack of new pictures to get me going again. I have been so focused on learning new technologies to make myself more marketable and not focusing on the web-site updates. I have learned some really cool stuff, which I will be playing with on this site (as time allows), so look for a new look, better navigation, faster loads and all that as soon as I can find the time.

10.2.2006 10:00pm

Okay, it's hard to believe more than four months has passed since I last updated this page. Sorry about that. My notes are scattered all over the place though, so you probably didn't even notice the oversight. Britene is back in school, studying to be a nurse, Raven is growing like a weed and Tallen is just a joy to be around. I have made a lot of improvements to the website (it no longer even resembles the original site) with new technologies I have been learning. We have been house-hunting and just trying to make a living. Life. I am sure you understand.

5.21.2006 4:52pm

Been busy working with a new photo editor and using it to reduce the overall size of each of the pictures on the site. It's hard work, but worth it to the dialup folks, so be patient while I rework the site to reduce load time. I want you to be able to enjoy the site, not spend days waiting on something to load.

4.10.2006 10:22pm

Been a busy month for me. Is there any other way to start off explaining the LONG delay between updates? I guess not. Also, the site where Raven's pictures WAS located was disabled. When it didn't come back on after a few days, I figured I better get my own site rather than continue to rely on someone's generosity. Today marks the first day of the new web site address. In Texas helping Jay get his house ready to sell. The boy is not as handy with a paint brush, tape-bed-and-texture or caulk as he is with motorcycle engines or computer software. I leave in about a week to go help Britene and Glenn (and Raven) move into their new place. They are downsizing (a little) to help cut expenses. That new baby is due is August and they want to be money ahead before he gets here. Smart thinking!

11.14.2005 11:14pm

Been a busy month for me. Travel to Tustin (suburb of Los Angeles), packing the Payson cabin, moving everything (9 pickup loads) to the Pine cabin and trying to sort things out. Moved in the 12th and 13th, unpacked today (not near done) but leave for Tustin tomorrow so calling it a night. Thought a quick update to add whatever new pictures I have (not many as they still have the camera) and then off to bed. I get to have Raven for a few hours tomorrow before leaving so she will get to explore all the new things here. She has already discovered the staircase and she about wore her Grandma out climbing up and down several times her first trip here. BTW, she is taking the stairs (which come up to her knees) like a champ. I will update everything when I return and can talk them out of the camera...

10.17.2005 2:11pm

Been in Texas visiting the family and taking care of Mom after her surgery. She is doing well, by the way. One month gone and I bet Raven has changed remarkably. I can't wait to see her. She called me last week (yes, that's right. She speed-dialed me while her Mom slept) and had lot's to say. Wish I could understand it! Britene says she is walking and running everywhere. Britene and Glenn did NOT send the picture card while I was gone (errrrr) so there should be lots of new photo's when I return. I will get home just in time for her FIRST BIRTHDAY! Can't wait. Also got news of a personal nature while out here. A cabin in Pine that I have really wanted for some time has just become available. I spoke to the owner and she is willing to lease it to me. After the first of the year, she might even consider selling it to me. I will add a new page (for family members) that shows off my new place. With this cabin, I will have more room for Raven, be in the mountains of Pine, better views, less neighbors and an old-style cabin, complete with a black iron stove in the middle of the great room. My office will be in the loft above the great room with a balcony overlooking the Mogollon Rim (pronounced Mo-gi-on). A 200 mile long granite shelf that soars to 9650' above sea level. Pine sits at about 6500' so you can imagine the view!

5.09.2005 2:30pm

Well, 4 weeks turned into 8 weeks.... normal. ASAP is now live on the new system though. They had better be since I missed a 1/3rd of Raven's life for this trip. =(  I did get the spare memory card and mailed them 3 self-addressed stamped envelopes, but Britene says they never arrived. Won't leave again until she has them in her hand. Waiting 8 weeks to see Raven 'bout killed me. 

3.15.2005 2:30pm

Just a quick note to let everyone know, I haven't died, even if it feels like it. I am on what programmers commonly call the 'death march' part of a major project. It all comes together this month. By March 30th, OSS will be live on ASAP's networks, all users will be using the suite of applications I have written to perform their jobs. A little scary, a little exhilarating, a little nail-biting-I-can't-believe-we-are-there also. I leave in three days for Cali -- will be gone 4 weeks. I will be missing a MAJOR chuck on the little one's growth, but I am hoping that Britene and Glenn continue to take lots of pictures. I am going to try and get by Walmart for another memory card for the camera. If they have one they can mail to me, and another to continue taking pictures with, perhaps we can have some updates while I am gone. More soon. 

2.21.2005 2:00pm

Just came from Britene's house where I got to spend an hour. Not enough time to suit me, but then real life tends to get in the way. Have had a MAJOR issue with computers recently, which I hope is behind me now so I can concentrate on working and enjoying the Rogers while I am here. Seems I spend so little time here anymore.  =(

2.06.2005 2:00pm

Onsite in Sacramento -- been here for two weeks plus already, with another week to go. Have to go to the airport to pick up another programmer we are bringing in for a special project this week, but decided to take a few minutes to update the site. It has been a while since I posted here but I won't bore you with the details. I am really missing Raven, Britene and Glenn something fierce. Wish they had a phone line... I would setup a web cam so I could see her live. Billy --- the new programmer Priority hired this month --- is onsite helping me. He has a 4 year old son named Max, which HE gets to see via a web cam while he is here. I am a little jealous. Work is going well and I have high hopes of being able to leave here on time -- something that is not always sure.  Enjoy the pictures and the site. More later. 

1.09.2005 8:30pm

Completing the changes to the web site a little earlier tonight since Britene and Glenn want to see it. They don't get to go surfing because of no access to the Internet -- so I occasionally take my computer over when I visit and show them. Saw Raven earlier today for a little while before Britene headed to work, and although she slept almost the whole time I was there, I really enjoyed myself. Trust me, I tried to wake her up... diaper change, walking around with her, propped up on my shoulder and none of it had any effect on her. It was her nap time, and there was NOTHING I could do to change that. In fact, I snapped a picture and posted it in the January 2005 page, so you will no doubt see what I saw. 

1.05.2005 11:00pm

Well well well. Another year gone and where did it go? Not too sure as they have officially reached warp speed for me. First 9 years of Britene's life went fast, next 9 years went even faster. Hope time doesn't continue to accelerate in the same fashion, otherwise, I will be 90 in no time! 2005 promises to be an interesting year for the Rogers with Raven to keep them on their toes. I hope to be able to spend lots of time with her, but I am at Britene's mercy for time spent with her. Raven is still new and Britene is jealous of time spent with her. Well, perhaps jealous is too harsh a term, but she is gone from the house 6 days a week, and feeling guilty for not spending more time with her daughter. 

12.26.2004 11:00pm

The day after Christmas, always a come-down day for me, passes without causing a stir. I don't think I stepped outside the house today, I didn't talk to anyone. I know I didn't call any family members on Christmas either. I know that is bad, but I didn't feel much up to talking, I hope you all understand. I have an appointment tomorrow at the hospital to x-ray my feet, the first step in stopping the pain. I really don't like the person I have become these last few weeks and haven't wanted to inflict myself on anyone, so be grateful I haven't called. Please know that I truly DO wish you all the best for the holidays. I also hope your New Year's Eve festivities are wonderful and safe. 

12.22.2004 10:00pm

Wednesday night before Christmas and I am so excited I can't sleep. Yes, I know Raven won't understand any of it this year, but I can be excited for her, right? I know I have been slow in getting new updates up to the web site, but I seriously underestimated how much work would be required to maintain the site. Work deadlines continue to push me, so please be patient with me. 

12.21.2004:  Arrived home late Sunday night and got a quick dose of Raven-time. Picked up the camera and was disappointed to see that Britene and Glenn aren't as focused in taking pictures as I had hoped. They took 14 the day I left, 12 the day I returned, and only 3 in between. =(       Choosing the best and uploading now. Will add a new page called "December 2004" and load them there.  

12.06.2004: Well, I am holding my breath... I am in Sacramento, CA working onsite and missing my Granddaughter something fierce. I am also missing her mother and father, but hey, they aren't as cute as their daughter, right?? So, only one update while I am out of town... there were some pictures I downloaded to my computer just before leaving which I didn't get put up that I will do tonight. Not too much, just three or four added to "Too Cute" and a couple added to "Faces"... also added a new page called "New Duds". 

12.01.2004 11:20pm

Wednesday night and I just returned from another evening with the Rogers. Raven is growing like a weed. She is also nursing more now that she is a little bigger, so Britene has to pump less. Tonight, Raven got some time in Britene's lap AND some time in mine. Of course, by the time she finished the bottle she was a little overfull, and, well, she spit up a little on me. Even as I sit here typing these notes, I can smell my shirt and I am homesick -- so to speak. God, I love the "baby" stage. I didn't realize how much I was missing it. 

Current plan is to leave for California on Friday and already dreading pulling out and getting on the road. Had reached a point where "traveling" wasn't so bad, but afraid that is no longer true. Battled my nature for more than four years now. Getting me to leave the house for any length of time was very difficult for Jay the first year I took on this client. However, with the RV and an adjustment in attitude and approach to the whole travel concept, wasn't doing so bad. Just hope I don't "backslide" too bad. This trip will be cutting it close on Christmas since I don't leave there until the 17th. That should put me home by the 19th with only 4 shopping days until Christmas. Thankfully, Raven is only 2-3 months old for this Christmas so I can probably get away with it (as long as Britene and Glenn cut me some slack). 

11.30.2004 10:42pm

Another full day behind me, mostly dealing with stuff at the house. Got home from Phoenix last night and the water promptly froze. I wasn't quite ready for the drop in temperature we had. I only had a single layer of insulation on the water line. So, I spent the day (28-34 degrees) wrapping water lines (after first defrosting them). Setup a light under the rig to help keep the tanks from freezing. Britene called this afternoon to invite me over for a little Raven time. Man oh man has she GROWN! Got to feed her and burp her and just lay and let her nap on me. Heaven.

Britene and Glenn have a new car -- thanks to Glenn's Mom Patty. She made it possible for them to get a decent car without taking on "financing" from a Buy-Here-Pay-Here place. They owe her, but I don't think she will "repo" or charge an outrageous interest rate. They choose a 1997 Ford Escort (gold) that handles well. They took it over to our mechanic to have it checked out before the purchase. Glenn used it to take Patty and Shannon down to Phoenix to catch their flight back to Minnesota (brrrrr) today and says it handles well at highway speeds as well. I left a sleeping Raven snug in her bassinet to drive my truck home. Only been home a few minutes (looking at pictures) and already miss her. Not sure how I am going to get through December 2nd through 19th without seeing her. =(

11.29.2004 11:53pm

It has been an eventful few days. I hardly know where to begin. I guess you had better check out all the new pages to get a sense of just how eventful. Patty and Shannon arrived, Glenn had a wreck, Thanksgiving, a wedding, Gran leaves and several trips up and down the mountain have made it exceedingly difficult to spend time updating the site. I hope you understand.

New navigation info: I moved all the page navigation to the Photo Gallery page so review the text to see if a section has changed or been added, then click on the picture or hyperlink to move to the new page. All pages move "Up" to the parent page you were on when you clicked a new page, or you may use your "back" button in the upper left corner of the browser. 

11.18.2004 10:45pm 

Gran made it safe and sound. We drove straight from the airport to Britene's apartment so Gran could see her Grandbaby (picture of her first holding Raven is on the web site under "Gran's Visit"). The pictures pretty much tell the tail, even if I only put on about 10% of what we took. Realize that web pictures just aren't as satisfying as one you can hold in your hand, so I am working on something to help with that. More soon. 

11.17.2004 4:21am

Gran (my Mom for those of you not closely associated with the family) arrives this evening and I am VERY excited. I am guessing I am not the only one. I know my Mom can not wait to hold her Great-Grand-Daughter... heck... I know I would frothing at the mouth myself. I will pick her up at the airport at 9:30pm and make a mad dash back up the "hill" before Britene and Glenn go to bed. I am bringing pictures in the truck so Gran has something to focus on while I drive. =) We should arrive in time, but I am prepared to knock on the door until they get up and let us in if I miss the "deadline", otherwise, there will be no living with my Mom for the night. 

So, look for pictures of Great-Gran getting to hold her great-grand-daughter real soon. 

11.15.2004 11:22am 

Hmmm, keeping the web site up to date has proven interesting. I hope I am not disappointing too many people by the lack of updates. I am also not getting enough Granddaughter time and it is upsetting me. I spent Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon out of town (getting my new Starband satellite dish, modem, training and certification. (FCC requires I become a certified installer in order to carry the dish all over the US)) When I returned, Glenn's Dad and step-Mom were there visiting. I am pretty sure that Glenn Sr. is pretty impressed with his Granddaughter. We all tried a evening at the Bowling Alley, but it proved too busy for us older people. We had no patience for the "teeny-boppers". Although nothing phased Raven. She slept through it all. Spent last night over there visiting. Britene made dinner and we watched a movie. Just holding Raven seems to quiet the raging beast within, I am content. She is getting bigger everyday, and her color looks wonderful. I know that any day now, she will wake up and play with me. =) 

Glenn and Britene have decided to get married now, rather than waiting for a bigger wedding. They are going down to the courthouse next Monday (the 22nd) and say their "I do's". I will be present of course and taking pictures and will post them to a new section here, so check back a couple days after the wedding. I found a "Honeymoon Hotel" up here called the Majestic Mountain Inn. They have luxery suites, 2 person spa's and fireplaces in the rooms. I reserved a room for them and get to baby sit that night. Britene and Raven have a Doctor's appointment the next morning on Tuesday the 23rd, so they can only stay one day...  =(   Well, one day beats nothing I guess. 

11.6.2004 12:40am

Saw Raven for a few minutes this afternoon while I was out running errands. Just 24 or so hours since I last saw her, and already she looks like she has grown an inch. She is filling out beautifully and her color looks good. She was dressed in a new outfit I haven't seen her wear before. I missed the chance to take pictures of her in it. = (  As I was leaving, I leaned down for a last kiss and my eye-glass-case fell out of my breast pocket into her bassinet. Needless to say, something "large" and black landing right next to her head startled her -- and me as well! (Remember relativity -- she is only 5 lbs 14 oz and 18" long, my eye-glass-case is 8" long, so to her, I bet it looked huge). Britene was very calm about the whole thing, and didn't jump up and down for 10 minutes lecturing me on the evils of leaning in with something in my pocket. I admire her self-restraint. 

Later today, Britene called and asked if I would like to "baby-sit" Raven tomorrow for a little while. I am so excited, I am sure I won't be able to sleep. Baby-sit my Grandbaby? Of course! A chance to dress her up and take pictures? Yes! So, look for updates soon as I can. Tracy and Tosha are coming up for a visit tomorrow about 2:00pm, so I will not have a chance to load the website until later tomorrow night. I will try to do it as soon as possible though...

11.4.2004 4:10am

It is late and I have spent way too much time trying to improve the site and not enough sorting through the pictures. I didn't realize how much work goes into a web site... I wanted to add a guest book page and one for the pictures from the showers tonight -- but I am out of time. =(

I spent 5 hours over at Britene and Glenn's - trying to play with Raven. I guess I am coming too late in the day to really be able to enjoy all the "awake" time. By the time I get over there, Raven is worn out from her day and just wants to sleep. Of course, a Grandmother is a wonderful place to sleep. = )  While I don't have permission to pinch her to keep her awake, I have permission for almost anything short of it. Britene says that once I leave, Raven sleeps wonderfully -- and more importantly -- a long time. As you can see from the recent pictures -- Raven continues to change daily. She looks more and more like her Dad - while still retaining a striking resemblance to her Mother. As Britene says -- Raven is a splice of them. I can definitely see it. 

Glenn's Dad arrives in a few days, and Britene's Grandmother arrives in two weeks. Both are terribly excited and can not wait to show off Raven. 

11.2.2004   9:21pm

Since it is difficult to capture a visit in only 3 or 4 pictures, I thought I would add some commentary as well. While I am sure some of the family will read this, it is pretty much directed to the Great-Grand-Parents and other Grand-Parents since you are the most curious about our little bundle of joy. While I didn't get to see Raven tonight, I spent some time over there yesterday. Britene called me about 7:00pm and let me know she was awake and active, come play! Britene has proven to be quite the Mom and has officially earned the title "Junior Mom" within the Arizona set. (Tracy is "Senior Mom" with 3 kids, Amy was "Junior Mom" with Jessica and her young age.  Britene's rise to the title changed Amy's title - but I haven't heard the new one yet.) 

Last night Britene asked me if I wanted to "watch" her give Raven a bath. I laughed and said of course not, I want to give her a bath. Britene cocked an eyebrow at me and said "you can watch how I do it so you will know what I want". Hmmmph. I can't give Raven a bath yet, because I might not know how?? I acquiesced and contented myself to "watching and learning" and taking pictures. They will appear on the next update tomorrow.  Raven does MUCH better with the bathing thing than Britene did. I don't know if you all remember, but Britene -- from the FIRST bath -- didn't care too much for being immersed in water. Raven doesn't mind that part, but she does hate getting cold. As long as Britene leaves a washcloth over her chest while she washing the rest of her, Raven doesn't make a peep or a squeak. Once she was dried off and tucked into her nite-nite clothes, it took her all of 38 seconds to fall asleep. Britene doesn't really know just how lucky she is. Raven sleeps more than 5 hours at night, 4 hours per nap during the day and doesn't really complain about anything vocally - yet. Raven even helps them when they want to play dress-up. She straightens her arms and legs at all the right times.

Britene and Glenn both are excellent parents and obviously love Raven. She is receiving excellent care and is being nurtured exceedingly well. I am very proud of them both.

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