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Guess who met her great-grandmother a few days ago! Yup, Connor Claire met my glam granny — her great-grandmother — last weekend at my parents’ house in Union City.
What a trip! It brought back so many memories of my childhood with my glam granny and made me realize how lucky Connor is to have both sets of her grandparents (hi, Nana and Grandpa El Hub!) AND a great-grandparent in her life. I can’t wait for her to make her own memories.
When I was a kid, my glam grandma was the only grandparent in my life. She came to the United States from the Philippines in the early ’80s a few years after my parents did and lived not far from us in the same town.
Up until she retired, she worked doing laundry at the local Holiday Inn. Every morning on her way to work she drove me to school in her red Ford Tempo — which she loved because it matched her glamorous hair, which she dyed red — and every day she said, “I love you!” when I got out of the car.
I remember one summer she took me and my younger brother on a day trip to Lake Elizabeth, where people have picnics and parties, in the nearby town of Fremont, but first we stopped at a pizza place and grabbed a pepperoni pizza.
We brought it out to the lake and dined al fresco, and while we were eating, granny noticed that some people were tooling around the lake on paddle boats (the kind you power with your feet). She asked me and my brother if we’d ever done it before, and when we said no, she took us over to the dock and rented one for us.
We spent the rest of the afternoon paddling back and forth across that lake and having a grand old time.
Come to think about it, Grandma was always pretty outdoorsy. She loved going for long walks and also loved riding her huge blue three-wheeled bike, which was essentially a tricycle for grownups, all over town.
Granny’s bike had a big silver basket in the back for carrying groceries and whatnot, and when I was very young, she let me climb into the basket. Then she’d ride around the neighborhood for exercise.
It must’ve been a hoot to see a glamorous older Filipino lady on an oversized tricycle with her tiny little grandchild in the back, LOL!
Yeah, my granny was always glamorous, even when she exercised. She always had her nails painted, her hair dyed her favorite color (red) and always carried a tube of Revlon lipstick.
It was a green tube — I remember — and the color was Orange Flip. I always wanted to try it but was too shy to ask.
As far as I know, she’s always been into makeup and beauty. Back when she was a young woman in the Philippines just before World War II, she competed in beauty pageants, which is where I’m guessing she learned how to pose, because she’s always been so photogenic (I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen her take a bad picture), and she still is today, even at 88 years young.
She even went to cosmetology school here in the U.S. to learn how to do hair and makeup.
In fact, after she learned how to do perms one day she came home and practiced on me and my mom…but that’s another story for another time, LOL!
I still have a business card she gave me years ago, and right below her name and number it says “Cosmetologist” in a scripty font.
I have a lot of great memories of growing up with my grandma, and now it’s time for Connor Claire to make some of her own with her grandparents.
This September 11 will be her first Grandparents Day, and her first time giving Grandparents Day cards, so I went to Walgreens this week to (help her) pick out her cards.
And for my grandma I looked for a card with a sweet message that also had her favorite color in it — red. This one with flowers was perfect.
Since Connor can’t pick out her own cards yet (she is a baby, after all!), I picked out these cute ones with animals for her.
They seem like something she’d like.
The Walgreens I go to has a huge selection of cards, so there was a lot to choose from, and shh! — while I was there, I may or may not have also picked up some beauty goodies for myself. 🙂
Hey, my grandma is a beauty girl! I’m pretty sure she would have approved. 🙂
Happy early Grandparents Day to all of the wonderful grandparents (and future grandparents) out there. Thank you for being you.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tatiana says
August 26th, 2016 at 11:20 amThis touched my heart. It’s so wonderful that Connor Claire not only has grandparents but a great grandmother.
I have fond memories of my grandmother living in the apartment above our house and going upstairs to watch her bake everything by feel. She never measured anything but it all turned out perfectly.
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:47 pmHi Tatiana,
How wonderful! It amazes me how some people cook and don’t have to measure anything. I bet you also have memories of her apartment smelling good! Mmm…
Tulipthecat says
August 26th, 2016 at 11:20 amThat’s a great post! Connor Claire has the best expressions in those pictures. I remember when my Lola (Grandma) went with us to Lake Elizabeth to feed the ducks. She use to braid my hair and walk me to the bus stop when I was in kindergarten.
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:45 pmLake Elizabeth was the place to go! Did you guys ever have parties there?
Happy Friday!
tulipthecat says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:51 pmI don’t remember if we had parties there. I do remember that we would go to O’Farrelles to have birthday parties.
Happy Friday to you too!
yelena says
August 26th, 2016 at 11:35 ambeautiful post Karen. your grandma sounds so sweet but also fashionable and cool! if u ever find a throw back picture of her with her red hair and red lipstick, I would love to see!
Connor Claire is so lucky to have all you ladies!
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:44 pmHi Yelena,
Aww, that’s a great idea! I know there’s one around of her posing with her red car. I’ll try to find it next time I visit my parents.
Happy Friday to you!
Kim says
August 26th, 2016 at 12:08 pmThis is so sweet. I love all your pics – everyone is so happy! 🙂 Your Glam Gran still looks glam (and fabulous at 88 – wow!).
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:42 pmThanks, Kim. She’s SO fab at 88. I love that she showed up to the house with pink lipstick… Maybe it’s a genetic thing? LOL!
Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
LindaLibraLoca says
August 26th, 2016 at 12:13 pmI never even heard of grandparents day, but I am so happy that we decided to move in with my parents, so my children can make as many memories with their grandparents as possible.
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Three looks – Orange lips
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:41 pmThat’s wonderful! It must be so nice to have the help. My parents don’t live far (about 45 minutes away), but I wish they lived closer. It would be so nice to be able to just pop by so they could watch her and spend time with her, ya know?
LindaLibraLoca says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:47 pmIt is amazing, both for the help and for all the things they can teach her. And, not to forget, my husband and I have been out for a whole night twice since we moved in, something that hasn´t happened within the last two years before.
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Three looks – Orange lips
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:49 pmI bet it is amazing! You’re so lucky, and so are your kids!
Lorraine says
August 26th, 2016 at 12:21 pmawwww…. so much love for this post! what amazing photos- and you are right, your Grandma is super photogenic. what a beautiful lady, inside and out! She must be busting her buttons proud of you and of her new great-grandbaby. Thank you for sharing your family with your readers. These are such great stories that Connor Claire will love hearing again and again.
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:40 pmHi Lorraine,
You should see her whenever there’s a camera around. She could give Tyra a run for her money, LOL!
I hope that you’re having a wonderful Friday. Got any fun plans for the weekend?
Florence says
August 26th, 2016 at 12:33 pmYou have a beautiful family and your granny is amazing!I hope you and Connor claire could have a long experience together with her,so she could talk to her about the world,the Philippines,her history.And your daughter could talk about beauty with 3 generations and it’s a chance too.Conner claire is really lucky. Have a nice day.
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:38 pmThank you, Florence. I hope Connor gets the chance to make memories with her, too!
Happy Friday to you and have a wonderful weekend. Do you have any plans lined up?
Jennifer M says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:33 pmKaren your family is beautiful! Such a heartwarming post! I too have such fond memories of my Lola! So happy that you are able to share that with your daughter!
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:36 pmHi Jennifer M,
Thank you. 🙂 I can’t wait for Connor to make memories with her Lola and her Nana.
Did your Lola live with you guys?
Happy Friday to you!
Jennifer M says
August 26th, 2016 at 2:50 pmHi Karen!
My Lola didn’t exactly live with us, but she stayed at our house often, for extended periods of time. She had 9 children to constantly visit between the states and the Philippines throughout the year, so she was always on the move. I was told that she especially liked to stay with my family because we lived around the most malls (New Jersey) where she loved to shop! lol!
Probably among my most heartwarming memories was waking up to her reading/writing/sewing in my room in the early mornings of my childhood! She always stayed in my room, and I can still remember watching her sleep peacefully every night.
Thank you Karen for reminding me of this!
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 3:08 pmGURL there are so many Filipinos in New Jersey! I have aunts and uncles there, and a bunch of my cousins went to Rutgers. Have you lived their your whole life?
How sweet your memories are of your lola. 🙂
Jennifer M says
August 26th, 2016 at 3:37 pmYes there’s a good amount of Filipinos in the area – in North and South Jersey. If I’m not mistaken, you are near the San Francisco and Daly City area, which also has tons of Filipinos lol. I’ve lived here for all 31 years of my life. Rutgers is where the majority of people in my high school went to college. My husband also went to Rutgers! I would not be surprised if I bumped into any of your relatives over here!
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 1:51 pmHi gals,
A couple questions for you. Are you grandparents still around? What are your best memories with them?
Lulle says
August 26th, 2016 at 2:01 pmI have one grandpa left, he’s going to turn 95 this year! I spent a lot of time with both sets of grand-parents when I was a kid, they basically took care of me and my brother through most of the summer breaks. I learned a lot from them!
Lulle recently posted … #FrenchFriday : Lancome x Sonia Rykiel Fall 2016 Eyeshadow Palettes
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 2:05 pmWow, Lulle. 95! That’s amazing. You gotta ask him what his secret is to living a long life one of these days!
Lulle says
August 26th, 2016 at 2:00 pmYour grandma is so elegant! I hope I can still bother with lipgloss when I reach her age!
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 2:04 pmSeriously, me too! Oh, and since by then science will have figured out how to extend the lifetime of cats, Tabs will be with me, of course…
Chelsea says
August 26th, 2016 at 2:44 pmI’m tearing up, I love your grandma. It’s so nice to have those memories.
My grandma passed away last month, I spent so much time with her growing up. She lived about 5 miles from my parents so I was there all the time. She was a seamstress and a paramedic. Always wearing bright colors, talking to everyone you meet in town, and getting into mischief.
She made me a quilt for my wedding where every piece is a different fabric, and I love it because I recognize so many of the fabrics from spending so much time with her! The fabric from our childhood clown costumes, things she had shirts made of, fabrics she had tablecloths out of… It makes me so happy.
She had a roll of purple sequined fabric in her basement the last time I saw her (we had made a vampire costume out of it when I was 11), a few weeks before she passed, and I took it to use for costumes for circus, which she loved that I did.
Chelsea says
August 26th, 2016 at 2:45 pmMy grandpa is still around, so I’ll be sure to send a card, probably from Walgreens because I’m there all the time. So convenient.
Karen says
August 26th, 2016 at 3:08 pmI bet he’d like one. How old is he?
Chelsea says
August 26th, 2016 at 3:11 pmThat’s a good question, LOL. 76 I think? Somewhere around there. My grandma was 73.
Chris25 says
August 26th, 2016 at 4:23 pmI tried not to cry. Couldn’t do it. I’m blubbering!
It’s so magnificent to see four generations in one photo. I hope you frame this photo and put it in CC’s room.
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Michaela says
August 26th, 2016 at 4:40 pmConnor is so blessed to be continuing the legacy of beauty and makeup in the family! Thanks for sharing your grandmother’s devotion to make up and lookin’ good! Connor’s got good role models from the family.
Lisa says
August 26th, 2016 at 6:26 pmGrandma is gorgeous! I ‘m always a little sad my kids didn’t get to meet their grandparents.
Icequeen81.ma says
August 26th, 2016 at 9:02 pmwat a great opportunity. Love the pics and the story. Love connor dress
and her light hair looks amazing with her skin and lovely eyes.
Jen C says
August 26th, 2016 at 9:49 pmThis is so sweet! Your grandma looks so gorgeous, love that she looks after her appearance so well. Hopefully this means many more fond memories for Connor!
Savannah says
August 26th, 2016 at 11:37 pmI never got any special words or treatment from my grandmother (even though all my other cousins did) … So, cherish that, cherish that relationship.
Gina Bullard says
August 27th, 2016 at 7:36 amBeautiful Post Karen!!! You are so blessed my friend… cherish every moment – I adored my Grandmothers— and your’s look so precious. I am so beyond happy for you that you have such a lovely family. Family is everything Karen – trust me when I say…. cherish every moment that you can – these times are priceless!!
Grace and Peace,
Gina and Gracie.
Judy Attai says
August 27th, 2016 at 8:22 amAww it’s so nice that your grandma is still around, loved your story. Omg I too used to love that lipstick & matching nail polish Orange Flip, I always had an extra just in case they discontinue the colour- that’s too funny. Your grandma reminds me of my Lola – always done up, never left home without looking proper. Connor Claire is so cute just like her Mama! Thanks for sharing your pictures
hanna says
August 27th, 2016 at 5:12 pmThis is such a sweet post.
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Stephanie L. says
August 27th, 2016 at 6:36 pmWow, you have a baby! Congrats!!! LOL, I’m very late to the game. I used to read you religiously and then went to medical school. I’m almost finished with residency now and getting back a little more to my interests, but still not much time bc I have 3 kids who keep me busy. Anyway, glad to see that you have a beautiful family and still making great posts. I hope to be reading more often. I’ve certainly started buying more makeup again 🙂
Lorraine. E.R says
August 27th, 2016 at 7:37 pmPlease tell your glam Grammy that if she would ever like to share some skincare tips it would be much appreciated! I know I would be here taking notes. She has the prettiest skintone and it’s so clear and smooth. I can only hope mine looks that even later in life.
Thank you for sharing, this was very sweet and it was really cool to see your family.
Erica says
August 28th, 2016 at 7:52 amOne of your best posts Karen. Connor Claire is obviously the youngest in a line of pretty women. Special Shout Out to your Grandmother! Queen Diva is rocking that pink lip gloss!
Bebe says
August 29th, 2016 at 6:34 pmHi Karen
This is such a lovely story, touched my heart, my goodness your grandma looks AMAZING!! what a lovely lady, now I know where you got those good genes from, lol
God Bless Connor Clair’s grandparents and great grandparents.