THE BADER FAMILY

THE JOY OF BEING A GRANDMA

2011-11-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

Being a grandmother is an honor which, if you are fortunate, time bestows. Unlike almost every other reward in life, you do not have to work for it . Having been a parent is no guarantee, and I feel sorry for my friends whose children show no sign of starting a family, because I know that the pleasure which I feel in having grandchildren seems to be universal among my friends. We may have disagreed over the years about many things but this new factor in our lives always produces the same response. A sort of rejuvenating glow. We view each others photos and exchange anecdotes.

Old age commands no respect in our society. On the contrary, particularly for women, it is usually regarded as something shameful, to be lied about and disguised as long as possible. I have always been bluntly honest about my age and when my daughter, pregnant with her first child, asked what I would like to be called on its arrival, I had no hesitation in saying GRANDMA. I was about to arrive at the top of the family tree and intended to make the most of my new status.

Wonder what it feels like to be a great-grandmother?

TIM'S TWO GODMOTHERS

2009-01-15T23:29:00.000-08:00

When you have two people you love so much that you can't decide who to ask to be godmother, it makes perfect sense to ask them both. I did. Here are photos of me with my two dearest friends - Tim's godmothers.

Thanksgiving...Blessed with a loving family

2008-12-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

We are blessed with a loving family. Christina and Ryan came home and we

were so happy to be together. Here are some photos. We are grateful for our

lives.

WHAT YOUR CAR SAYS ABOUT YOU

2008-09-17T15:27:00.001-07:00

I saw this on a car in front of me and thought I was in the wrong car.

EASTER and EGGS

2008-03-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

So last night we colored Easter eggs. It is a yearly ritual of the BADER family.
Donald always comes up with the most impressive egg, but all of us did our
best to compete with him. To view this year's eggs, please visit Christina's
blogspot.
www.christinaandryan.blogspot.com
We definitely move to the beats of many different kinds of instruments.

THE WOW FACTOR

2008-03-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

Eliot Spitzer ( now the ex-governor of New York) has it! I am talking about the wow factor: that intangible, undescribable, elusive thing that makes you say "WOW". Eliot Spitzer,the self-proclaimed steamroller, the self righteous enforcer of the law in the great state of New York, made countless people say "WOW" last week when they heard that he had been patronizing a prosititute (wow)) for $5,000 an hour (double wow) over the last year. He had been doing this with a girl who is 4 years older than his eldest daughter (wow) while at the same time claiming to be bringing character and integrity back to government (wow). He ruined his family (wow) and fell from power in DISGRACE (wow). He faces a huge task in trying to keep his family intact; he may lose his license to practice law; he may be facing prison time for breaking many laws related to this "indiscretion" (wow). Well, if he doesn't get sent to Sing-Sing, I know of a job where they are looking for someone with the wow factor. Tell him to give me a call.

"DON'T FORGET MY SISTER"

2008-03-03T20:06:00.000-08:00

Christina, Ryan and I went to the Manhattan temple the other night. I did the temple work for Magdalena Regina Keidel, a sister of Martin Keidel (my great grandfather). Three days later my father told me a story I had never heard before about someone who used to come visit him and his grandfather. Her name was Tanta Ruskin. Tanta means Aunt in German. He wasn't sure who this woman was but she was kind and generous and used to bring him and his brothers chocolate easter bunnies. I came home and began searching for this Tanta Ruskin. It didn't take long before I found the marriage record of Elsie Keidel Ruskin, a sister of Martin Keidel who lived in New Rochelle, New York. After checking my family records, I found that all of Martin Keidel's family have had their temple work except Elsie (Elisabeth). I think Magdalena was prompting these memories in my father and reminding me "Don't forget my sister!" I know whose temple work needs to be done next.

TRUE FRIENDS

2008-02-23T19:09:00.001-08:00

If you are lucky you will find one or two really true, lifelong friends. I have been fortunate to have one friend for 50 (fifty!) years and another true friend for almost 30 (thirty) years. This week I went to New Hampshire to visit Terri (my true friend for almost 30 years). I love driving by myself in beautiful weather. I listened to cd's and books and the ride just flew! There was such a sense of freedom and gratitude - to be able to go where I want and to have the means and health to do it. Soon I was seeing my friend. We had lunch and shopped (and got everything on sale!). We sat in front of the fire (in comfy chairs) under blankets and talked and talked and talked. Being adventurous, we took a road trip and went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire by the sea. There was no housework, no phone calls, no cleaning. It was pure pleasure and a great thing to be reminded - that to have a true friend is a treasure.

MONTY PYTHON HAD THE RIGHT IDEA

2008-02-17T01:25:00.000-08:00

Always look on the bright side of life. That's what I said. Don't let things get you down. Basically life is good, people are good, nature is good, things are good. Donald and I went to the diner last night to have what I call "a diner burger". A diner burger is good!

I am grateful, even after being terminated from my job and going through a very difficult time, that I can see, hear, taste, feel, walk, smell, eat, wake up in a warm bed, have a family, have a home and a car, have friends and a piano (and the ability to play it). How bad can life be if you can listen to a Beethoven symphony in your home whenever you want to? Yes, it is a great time to be alive.....I want to keep positive and realize that the Lord is guiding my path toward something other than shlepping from school to school in the attempt to teach children basic general music.

Yes life is good. MESSAGE FOR THE DAY: Always look on the bright side of life.

SIT DOWN TIM!

2008-01-18T16:25:00.000-08:00

So the announcements came on the loudspeaker as they do every morning at Valley Stream South High School. They began and then said "Will everybody please stand for the pledge of allegiance?" Tim stood and faced the flag. His teacher, Ms. Star, who continued to speak during the pledge, reprimanded him and said "SIT DOWN TIM. It's not necessary for you to stand." He responded, "Yes it is. I was taught to respect the flag and my country." She reiterated "SIT DOWN TIM." -----

That's my boy!

I HEARD IT AT SCHOOL

2008-01-15T18:49:00.000-08:00

For the longest time I have always wanted to write down the funny and/or ridiculous things kids say to me when I am teaching them. I am going to use this blog to catalog these words of wisdom. Today a kid asked me if he could use the bathroom. I told him to wait until the period ended when the kids are changing classes. He said "I can't go out there then. They'll kill me. It's like a salmon swimming upstream!" I also had a child tell me that the longest river in the US was the Nile; the motto of the US is "Don't tread on me" and the national bird of the US is the bluejay......Teaching can be very interesting.