The Saturday Post: Shake and fold edition

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We're all adults, and we've all learned lots of complicated things in our long and illustrious lives.

But were we ever taught how to properly use a paper towel?

I know I wasn't; you probably weren't either.

Have no fear, though, for that lesson is here.

Enjoy.

Shake and fold, my friends, shake and fold.

Today's question:

Honestly, how many paper towels do you typically take? (I confess to always taking two...at least.)

The Saturday Post: The greater Great Gatsby edition

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First there was The Great Gatsby, the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, in 1925.

Soon came the first movie version in 1929, of which no copies remain...

Then this in 1949 (here, the first 14 minutes as no trailer could be found; no need to watch the entire clip)...

 

Next was the unforgettable Robert Redford and Mia Farrow version in 1974...

 

And a forgettable—daresay, unknown—TV version in 2000, with, yes, Paul Rudd...

 

Now this: The ultimate Baz Luhrmann treatment, coming December 2012...

 

Looks like my plans for Christmas Day evening are set.

Today's question:

Which Great Gatsby have you seen? Which would you like to see?

The Saturday Post: Get outside and play edition

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Unbelievably, this weekend (already!) serves as the official kick-off to summer. Time to fire up the grill and enjoy some fun in the sun.

If your options for outdoor fun are lacking, especially when it comes to things to do with the kids—grand or otherwise—check out these cool and creative ideas from the Toy Industry Association:

My favorite has to be the 3-D sidewalk chalk. I'll be picking up some of that, for sure, before Bubby and Baby Mac visit Gramma's in a couple weeks. Maybe the mega bubble blower, too.

For more toy ideas—including prices on the items mentioned in the video—visit ToyInfo.org.

May your Memorial Day Weekend be loads of fun—and warmer than it appears to have been for the women in that video!

Today's question:

What's your favorite way to have fun in the sun, with or without kids?

The Saturday Post: "Friends" edition

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It's been a rather serious week here on Grandma's Briefs, what with stories of guilt and attacks and serious safety hazards.

I say it's time for a change of pace, time to lighten the mood.

In other words, it's time for my favorite funny fellas, the masters of all things silly: Flight of the Conchords.

Happy Saturday to you, my friends. ♪ La, la, la, la! ♪

Batteries included: Childproofing Grandma's house

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During the days I served as sole caretaker of Bubby and Baby Mac a few weeks ago, Baby Mac's favorite thing to get into was the television cabinet. He loved nabbing the Wii remotes hidden within and walking around with one in each hand. If he didn't feel like going through the hassle of wrangling the Wii remotes out of the cabinet, he simply grabbed the universal remote for the television, which was usually nearby on the recliner or ottoman.

The kid likes remotes. No big deal.

Turns out it is a big deal, though—a big dangerous deal, thanks to the easily accessible and potentially fatal batteries inside the clickers he covets.

Because of Baby Mac's obsession with remote controls, the following news story struck quite a chord when I happened upon it Monday evening:

Scary, huh!?

Then, the very next day I received an email from the Battery Controlled campaign from Energizer and Safe Kids Worldwide. It offered stats from the American Academy of Pediatrics plus additional information on the dangers of lithium batteries, including a link to this video:

As grandparents who often have little visitors, we've childproofed our homes, just like the parents of our grandchildren have done. We've covered outlets, wrapped up window cords, secured screens on windows, bought baby gates and bathtub mats and hidden our medications and more in cabinets where little ones can't reach them. But did any of us—parents included—consider the dangers of remote controls, key fobs, hearing aids, greeting cards, bathroom scales, iPods, iPads and more?

I sure didn't.

That's no longer the case, though. Not only will I have an eye on every remote and other button battery-operated gadget next time Baby Mac and Bubby visit my house, I've shared the videos with Megan and encouraged her to do the same battery-proofing at her house.

I encourage you to do the same, too: Share the warnings with the parents of your grandchildren, and heed the warnings in your own home.

Today's question:

What's your guesstimate of how many button battery-operated gadgets you might have around your house?

 

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