We love to read about involved grandma’s, like today’s Featured Blogger, Vicki. Vicki can be found at Gram’s Made It, a blog with recipes, patterns, instruction, opinion, and pictures.
How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
I started blogging in September of 2009, so I’ve been blogging just under 2 years. In 2006 I had walked away from a job I had held for 32 years as the Director of Special Events for a local nonprofit fundraising organization. The organization had undergone a management change and there was a definite clash between me and the new management. So I resigned with no idea what I was going to do next. Then for about 2 years after that, I worked part-time as a project manager for an independent business consultant. After I got laid off from that job, I kind of didn’t know what to do with myself. I was over 50 years old and unemployed for the first time since I was 15 years old. Blogging became a way for me to connect with someone outside of my living room where I was spending lots of time alone. When my mom died and we cleaned out her home, I found the journals that I wrote as a teenager. That reminded me that I once dreamed of being a writer. Yet the only writing I had done for the past 30 years had been professional solicitation letters and promotional brochures. Several friends had been encouraging me for years to write about raising my children, particularly about their teenage years. So blogging provided an opportunity to reclaim my dreams of writing. In addition, we had our first granddaughter and I wanted to share stories about her.
It looks like you’ve lost a tremendous amount of weight and have blogged about it. Has writing about your weight loss helped in the journey?
I had gastric bypass surgery in 2006 and subsequently lost 125 pounds. For the first few years I went to monthly support group meetings. But, as time passed, the meetings were geared more for patients who were newly post-op and didn’t really meet my needs. I have found that it’s very helpful for me to write about my experiences. Like I said, blogging has become therapy. I have also discovered a fairly large group of other bloggers who write about their own experiences with weight loss surgery and encourage each other. Many of the recipes I share on my blog are “weight loss friendly” recipes. It’s also interesting that I didn’t learn to cook until after I had weight loss surgery. I had to learn to eat healthy and the best way to know what I was eating was to cook it myself. Bloggers have been great resources in learning to cook and to eat healthy.
You have experience as a mother and a grandmother. What is one piece of advice you’d give new moms?
My advice for new moms is … take all the help you are offered and, if nobody offers, ask someone. If your mother, mother-in-law, sister, best friend, or neighbor offers to come and cook and clean, put your pride away and take the help. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Everyone needs help the first few weeks. Sleep deprivation alone is formidable. Add to that a new mother’s nervousness and postpartum hormones and you’re going to need some help.
Let me likewise offer some advice for friends and family of new moms … don’t just take a gift for the new baby, take a casserole. It will be appreciated more than you can imagine.
If you could have one day to yourself, what would you do?
Since I’m semi-retired I have lots of days to myself, sometimes more than I like. The most perfect days for me are not spent “to myself” but rather with my husband, my kids, and my granddaughters. We love to head out into the Texas Hill Country, visit a few antique stores and craft shops, and then stop for dinner at a winery or one of the German restaurants.
Favorite Posts:
The Sunday Funnies: Having “THE” talk with kids can be funny.
Big Granite Dome or Milestone? You’ll love this inspirational story that took place at Enchanted Rock.
The Meatloaf Incident: It may have taken 35 years, but she finally made meatloaf like the “nuns” did.
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I love hearing the POV of a grandma, very cool!
Sounds like she could have tons of insight on life!
janet White recently posted..Bridal Shower Napkins Made With Rubber Stamps
I always love seeing grandma bloggers!! =)
Tina recently posted..Wheres the Tooth Fairy
Looks like a heartwarming and inspiring blog!
Heather recently posted..My Natural Deodorant Search Update – I found a winner!
I love weight lost stories as I have my own. That is wonderful that she was able to find an outlet with her writing passion.
Great post!
Kimmy recently posted..The Anticipation Is Brewing
So fun to here from someone “who’s been there”.
Morgan recently posted..Food For Thought
Always glad to meet another blogging grandma! –and I’m big on trying new recipes, so here I go–
and TGIF!
Leah Rubin recently posted..Dont Leave Us- Skype!
Great weight loss story!
Kelsey recently posted..Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Your blog is so inspirational!
Samantha B recently posted..Weekly Spotlight!
Congrats on your weight loss, you look great!
I love trying new recipes, looking forward to checking yours out.
Karen recently posted..Weekly Gratitude
I love being introduced to great blogs like this one!
Jen @ Our Fine House recently posted..Pinterested in Pinterest
Twitter: omgyummy
says:
Made it to Friday – it’s been a long and unusual week. Managed two blog posts, but am behind in my marketing class. Enjoyed the meatloaf story from today’s FB.
Have a great weekend.
OMG! Yummy recently posted..Spinach and Bacon Quiche- French Fridays with Dorie on Friday!
I love hearing about how/why people blog. Congrats to all of us.
SarahK recently posted..Maksi BB is ONE
Twitter: Simplywebly
says:
Happy SITS day. My husband and I wanted to experience everything with out new baby when I had my son and said no to any help. If I had to do it all over again, I will not way NO today but “YES please I am desperate.”
Your weight loss is truly amazing.
Web recently posted..Delicious Salmon Fillet- Sweet Potato With Sauted Cucumber
Great story and amazing weight loss!! Go Grandma!!
Alisha recently posted..Wool Buffalo Check Coat Finished!
Twitter: renewyourspace
says:
Looks like great insite! Have a beautiful day
Renee W. recently posted..Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash!
Congrats on being featured today! Looking forward to reading your blog and hearing your perspective as a grandmother. Heading over threre now…
Leah recently posted..My “A Ha” Moments
Thanks for sharing your blog, very inspirational!
Angie recently posted..Whata craft
Love ‘Gram’s’ style of writing.
Beautiful photos and a beautiful family! Wonderful!
~Melissa
Melissa Kline recently posted..Lucky Press- LLC- Book Review & Goodreads Giveaway
Congrats to you! You look amazing and are amazing! This is a perfect Friday spotlight
Rachel recently posted..Hot Brazilians for your Friday!
Amazing transformation, both in your weight and your career. Great to read about.
Rhiana recently posted..Here- Home- Hope by Kaira Rouda Review
Looks amazing!
Jamie recently posted..kreyv of the day
Congratulations on your SITS Day Vicki! Always great to hear from a grandma, and one who’s so inspirational with the weight loss!
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Writers Workshop- Verbal diarrhea and the memory of an elephant
Some great advice there, and an interesting back-story.
Love hearing from Grandmas! They are wise beyond belief! So encouraging!!
Morgan recently posted..Lionel Richie is on the corded phone
Happy Sits Day!
Free book on my blog
http://justmejuliejulie.blogspot.com/
mom taxi julie recently posted..FREE BOOK!! The Wednesday Sisters
Twitter: natalialsimmons
says:
Great story! And awesome on such a great weightloss journey! Congrats and enjoy those days to yourself, I wish I could take a few!
Natalia recently posted..Guest Blogger Ashley Design Ideas Notebook!
You have such a precious family! Looking forward to discovering all your healthy recipes!
Amrita recently posted..Beetle squashed TWO bad bugs
“Take a casserole” – Best. Advice. Ever.- My mom in law stayed with us when I had baby number 4 – she was a dream, cooking, cleaning – it was more help that I could have ever asked for. Off to check out the FB!! x
Mesina recently posted..Friday the 13th
Congrats!
Twitter: rachelcotterill
says:
You can never have too many recipe blogs!
Rachel Cotterill recently posted..What Kind Of Question Is This
Perfect advice to new moms!
125 pounds! That’s fabulous! I’m trying to lose 20… I’m almost halfway there, but it’s hard!
Sorta Southern Single Mom recently posted..Heart Failure and Progress
What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing and for reminding us that it’s never too late to make a positive change in your life. Congratulations on being featured here (and special congratulations for your weight loss). You look amazing!
Monica recently posted..The Gal From Queen’s Speech
You have a beautiful family. Congrats on the feature!
Amy @ A Little Nosh recently posted..Sweet and Sour Chicken
Twitter: Mrsourna
says:
Well I’m way late on this gravy train, but I love that she blogged her weight loss story. I think all women, and a lot of men can relate.
Stephanie @ Our Marriage Adventure recently posted..Photo Books vs Photo Albums
I love Grandma blogs!
Angie recently posted..Im trapped
You have a beautiful family! Happy SITS Day!
AprilG recently posted..Meet Me on Monday
Your weight loss is really inspiring. I need to lose, but I’m not ready to do it (other than exercising). I hope next year when my youngest is in school I’ll feel more ready.
Twitter: dinade
says:
Beautiful family! Congrats on your weight loss that is so inspiring to read about!
Dina from myunentitledlife.blogspot.com recently posted..Review- I Am Number 4 sci fy movie
Twitter: WeKnowStuff_US
says:
what a nice family…
I told my mom i loved her after seeing this. Healthy eating means maintaining a nutritious diet. I believe it to be important to every one. I stress a healthy life to my family and friends and I try to show them the benefits to it. I think the greatest benefit most of all is that it makes you feel and look great. If your not eating healthy, then you are not helping your body. You are filling it with what it does not want, instead, help your body out and eat healthy. The turn out is awesome. I have been eating healthy for years and I have never felt better in my life.