Skidding into the holiday season! We’re going to have all the kids and grandkids together for the first time since 2019. Throw in my parents and we’ll have 16 people in our house soon. Randy and I are looking forward to it, and freaking out a little bit. We’ve grown a bit reclusive. Fortunately, everyone in our family, except the baby, has been vaccinated and there is no dissent...

My title is both a tribute to Tom Petty and is relevant to this story. He sings “My middle name is Earl” in the song Mind With A Heart Of It’s Own. 
I will mourn Tom Petty until my last days.
But I digress.
I took a trip this weekend with my mother. My mom and I have never taken a trip together, just the two of us.

I love being a grams, mimi, and a gaga. Just because I love the names, doesn’t automatically make me a good grandma. I mean, I think it should, but apparently, it does not. Case in point. Okay, two cases in point. Or two points in one case. No idea. That got away from me. Bad Grams: Exhibit A My granddaughter, Madelyn, is 11 years old. She is funny, resourceful, and has an incredible...