Thursday, January 27, 2011

Things I learned from my great-grandmother

Me and Gran-nan.

It is essential to watch every film starring Mario Lanza.

Fish 'n' chips is the food of the gods.

Dress with care and attention to detail.

Men think glasses are sexy.

Do the crossword regularly.

Buy good quality clothing and take good care of it.

When in doubt, hum a tune.

Garlic should be consumed daily.

Never neglect your hair style.

Potatoes go with everything.

There's nothing wrong with a glass of wine at the end of the day.

Musicals make everything brighter.

Wear red lipstick and red nail polish.

Everything and everyone is interesting.

You can make a home wherever you are.

Turn off The Sound of Music before you get to the Nazi scenes.

Eat and drink with relish and never feel guilty about it.

Go thrift-shopping - you will find treasure.

Wear your scarves with panache.

One strong, beautiful and determined woman can shape four generations - and probably many more to come.


*


Gran-nan died this afternoon. I am going to miss her so much.

65 comments:

Iz bakinog ormara said...

What a lovely pic, and some wise advise.

Alison said...

Such wonderful advise from a wise woman. So sorry she has passed. Relish her memories and she will always be with you. Take care!

Kat said...

I am so sorry for your loss. You have some lovely words of wisdom there to remember her by.

Kat said...

I am so sorry for your loss. You have some lovely words of wisdom there to remember her by.

Miss Claire said...

What wise words to live by! Sending a steaming cup of tea and a good hug your way. Take care xx

Rebeccak said...

What wonderful things to remember her by. So sorry for your loss - I wish you a long life.

K. Marie Criddle said...

I wandered here from Twitter; hope I'm not imposing.
But this is such a beautiful tribute. She sounds like an amazing woman. A heartfelt sorry for your loss and cheers for her wonderful life.

K.Line said...

Oh, I'm sorry Andrea. But what a great post acknowledging her influence on you and your love for her. And how great that you were able to learn so much from a woman who saw a time and place long before yours. I'm thinking of your family...

Rosie said...

Oh Andrea! I am so sorry. Thinking of you and your family in this difficult time xoxo

Kristin said...

She sounds like a true gem of a woman, I'm thinking about you and your family. Hugs!

A-C said...

I'm sorry for your loss. Glad that you learned so much from her. Hopeful she'll live on through you. *hugs*

donna said...

So sorry for your loss.

Patricia Schoeman PerfectSewAndFit said...

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I know you will miss her a lot. Thanks for sharing these beautiful memories with us

Selina said...

Hugs. Great big snuggly hugs. xx

naomemandeflores said...

She was a very wise woman!


Camila F.

Kitty said...

Oh Andrea, I always read your blog with interest but hardly ever comment, so sad for you.xx.

leilani.e said...

Weirdly, I was just listening to Craig Cardiff's song "Grandma," as I clicked on this. Your gran-nan sounds even more wonderful than the wise lady from the song, and she is going to be truly missed. What a life, and such advice! I'm so sorry for your loss, and so glad you had someone so wonderful in your life.

I don't usually comment (I'm a lurking regular reader though), but tearing up warrants it... sending so many hugs.

Julia said...

I'm a regular reader, though I don't believe I've ever commented before. I couldn't not this time.
My grandfather died last week. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. I miss him so very much. I think I understand where you are right now as much as one can understand a pain they're not experiencing themselves.
Your gran-nan sounds like one heck of a lady. I'm so sorry for what you're going through. You and your family have my prayers and thoughts.

Scribbles said...

I'm so sorry for your loss hun. I think she would take comfort in the fact that she has left a great legacy for you, one in which you will be a wise old woman of your own someday :)

TrippyTexan said...

I'm so, so sorry for your loss. Your great-grandmother taught you some wonderful lessons-- and she lives on in you & others who got the chance to absorb some of her wisdom.

joanna said...

Awww. I love this. Especially the "turn off Sound of Music before the Nazi scenes" because that was my favorite movie when I was little (and still is). And I would always turn it off before the Nazi scenes (or maybe my parents did.)

themcawesomes said...

I am so sorry to hear about your gran. I just lost my great grandfather and a few years ago my great nan (both of who I was closer too than my actual grandparents) and it has been rough. It sounds like she taught you well though. (((hugs)))

jadaandjon said...

that is seriously the sweetest blog i've read in a really long time. my wishes go out to you and yours. xx

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www.lalalandvintageclothing.com
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xx

Dylana Suarez said...

This is so cute!

xoxo,

colormenana.blogspot.com

Green Tea and Cupcakes said...

sorry for your loss, this is such a beautiful post with many wonderful words of wisdom.

Holly said...

I'm so sorry to read this, Andrea.
Thanks for sharing your memories of your amazing gran-nan. *big hugs* :) xx

Straight Talking Mama! said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, she sounds like a great lady.

PixieSam said...

I am so sorry for your loss.

Biba said...

So sorry for your loss. But you've learnt so much from her that she'll definitely be a part of your life forever.

catherine_sr. said...

I'm so sorry Andrea... your great-grandmother sounds like she was such a wonderful influence on your life and I can see that she will be missed greatly.

Stef / Diversions said...

So sorry for your loss.

Like the others said your great grandmother must have been one wise lady :) Such beautiful lessons to have learnt from her.

Thinking of you and yours

Katie Anderson said...

I'm sending you buckets of love and best wishes x

anna marie said...

so so sorry for your loss.

her words to live by might just be the best advice i have ever seen. how lucky are you to have had such a wonderful woman in your life!

xo.anna marie

Sal said...

Oh hon. Sending lots of love your way.

Between Laundry Days said...

Andrea, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. This post is incredibly touching and beautiful. My thoughts, and hugs, and very best wishes, are with you and your family.

Maxine said...

My condolences! Hugs for you and your family. I hope you enjoyed the last few days with her

Cel said...

I'm so sorry for your loss Andrea. My great grandmother passed away in 2005, and I know how hard it is. *hug*

Cathi said...

Wonderful words to live by, Andrea! I am so very sorry for your loss, she sounds like a fabulous woman! xxoo

elnajay said...

So sorry for your loss, Andrea. Sounds like she was a wonderful woman, and shared some terrific life lessons with you.

Su said...

She sounds like an amazing & wise woman. I can see her influence in you. My sympathy for your loss.

Yasmeen said...

I’m so sorry for your loss. What pearls o f wisdom, you are so lucky to have had such a person in your life. Wishing you and your family the best.

hillary said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Beautiful list. Sounds like she was an amazing lady.

My great grandmother passed away in 82 and I was only 4 at the time and the ONLY thing I remember of her was when she was ill she told me in broken English "eat your veg-ee-tables" :)

Sarah said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Andrea. I teared up reading this post anticipating the news it would bring at the end.

I find this list really incredible and would love to post it on my blog to spread your Gran-nan's amazing wisdom.

My thoughts are with you.

Rhia said...

So sorry for your loss, Andrea. Isn't it amazing what you can learn from older people. My great-grandmother died when I was only a teenager. I don't remember her that well so only thing left is some photos. Cherish your memory of your grand-nan, looks like she gave you lovely advice to live by.

Elizabeth Varadan aka Mrs. Seraphina said...

Oh, what a wonderful great grandmother you had! Lovely advice all! I just discovered you from your interview on Jayne's site (A Novice Novelist). Your book sounds so interesting. I'll be on the lookout for it.

Vintage Seen said...

what a lady. my sympathies Andrea, sounds like you have a lot to pass on to the next generation too!

Spiritartartist said...

Words of wisdom, beautifully written and preserved.

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

Andrea...I just discovered your blog and I am touched that you began with a tribute to a wise, fun great grandmother. I am very close in San Antonio...a writer...have Mattie the cat, love coffee and look forward to adding your blog to my blog list...stop by sometime!!

Buky said...

Sorry about your grandmother's death :(
Mine died late last year and we were not very close but i learned quiet a few things for ha.
To cheer you up, i'll do something stupid but you don't know me :-/
Hahaha.

http://districtoffashion.blogspot.com/

Sheila said...

Wonderful advice - I'm so sorry to hear of your Gran-Nan.

Jayne said...

I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your wonderful Gran-nan. This is a lovely tribute to her – I can sense her personality so clearly and she sounds a real character, an inspiration. I love her wisdom – and definitely have to adopt her advice; she sounds a stylish, fun, and witty lady. It’s clear her lovely legacy lives on through you.

casey said...

I am so sorry to hear the sad news about your great grandmother, Andrea! My thoughts and condolences are with you and your family. She sounds like she was a great lady who was inspiring and taught you a lot of great things about life. :)

Hugs!

♥ Casey

grace said...

This is a beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing it. I'm so sorry for your loss.

kate gabrielle said...

I'm so sorry :(

Valerie @ City|Life|Eats said...

My condolences. I read your blog often, but had not read it in a little while. I just stopped by and saw your news. I do not think I had ever commented before, but this moved me to do so.

TrophyBoutique said...

Aw these are wonderful tidbits of wisdom. I am so sorry for your loss.
I think it's time to paint your nails red, have a glass of wine, and not feel guilty about anything.

Michelle {Adore Cherie} said...

Such inspiring words to live by. Thank you for sharing them. I'm so very sorry for your loss :(

emma wallace said...

She sounds so wonderful - I always turn off Sound of Music then too.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

amy said...

Andrea-- I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. Your beautiful words and the lessons she taught you are such a tender tribute. Sending you lots of love and hugs...

C. N. Nevets said...

So sorry to read this, Andrea, but what a beautiful tribute you've put together. Cherish her memory, as we can now cherish her through your description.

mysterycreature said...

So sorry and sending a hug, but what a wonderful legacy for her to leave behind.

eceldridge said...

I'm so sorry for you loss! I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Keep her memory strong, and never forget what a wonderful woman your gran-nan was!

lmbhume said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Your Grandma was a very wise women. These are words that all of us can use in our life. Thank you for sharing them with us all. Know that each of us take a little of your pain to help lighten your sorrow.

lmbhume said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Your Great-Grandma was a very wise women. Thank you for sharing her wisdom with us. It can help each of us in our own lives. Know that each of us takes a small portion of your sorrow and hopes that it helps you through this time.

livin wide said...

such great nuggets of wisdom. i am just catching up on reading and definitely missing you. hope you're doing well over there and we'll see you soon!