I’m Mom to Beth and Nanny to two grandchildren, 9 and 14. We live in New Hampshire, USA in a multi-generational home. I’m an author, writing teacher, quiltmaker, scrapbooker, and inspirational speaker. My husband, Jim, and I also have a business that keeps us traveling around the country.
I have a degree as an elementary teacher and do substitute teaching in the local schools. Jim was an Air Force pilot for several years, as well as an airline pilot. Beth was born during our Air Force years so was raised part of the time while we lived in different parts of the country, finally coming back to Jim’s home state of New Hampshire.
Due to family illnesses, we three generations have been living together for the past 9 years. This had enabled Jim and me to be part of our grandchildren’s lives. It’s fun when the children and I go off to school together if I happen to teach in their schools.
I operated a quiltmaking business for many years and now daughter and granddaughter have taken up quilt designing. Their experiences often find their way into my Quilting and Patchwork Blog . Beth and I sometimes teach quiltmaking and quilt history to schoolchildren.
I’ve been writing a weekly newspaper column, “Country Kitchen” for more than 40 years in which I often relate family and parenting experiences. I also write parenting articles for magazines and newspapers.
My websites are:
What’s the best advice you received on motherhood – My mother-in-law, who raised eight boys, mentioned that each child is unique and responds differently to discipline, love, and encouragement. I realized this with our daughter and now with our grandchildren. Each has his/her own special personality and talents. They can’t be put into a mold with every other child.
What do you love best about being a mother/grandmother? – Being entrusted with shaping the lives of youngsters who will determine our future. I wasn’t excited about having a child and had a difficult pregnancy. Now I can’t imagine a live without a daughter and grandchildren.
Name one mommy gadget/tool that you love? The backpack carrier. Parents just started using these when Beth was young, about 40 years ago and I certainly was regarded with strange looks as I carried her on my back. However, it was so handy that I used them with my grandchildren, too, when they were younger.
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