The Braley Blog

“Pete’s Daily Connection”

  • Did You Ever Stop To Think….

    Did You Ever Stop To Think….

    A few years ago, okay many years ago, I had a very good friend give me a piece of advice that came to mind just the other day. My daughter, Sarah, was getting frustrated with my grandson, Liam. He was just being a toddler but I was reminded of what my friend told me years…

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  • Doesn’t Anyone In This Generation Iron?

    Doesn’t Anyone In This Generation Iron?

    As you may or may not know, I’ve been in Virginia Beach for over a year now taking care of my grandson. I spent the first eight months at my son’s house because his wife was deployed and then moved over to my daughter Sarah’s place. I like to wear these button down, long sleeve,…

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  • Mind If I Vent?

    Mind If I Vent?

    I’ve heard so many stories from some of my family members over the past few weeks that I finally have the need to vent or rant or whatever you want to call it. Of course, the people that need to hear this won’t, or they won’t believe it’s about them. Or they will say, “But…

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  • How Do You Know?

    How Do You Know?

    I find myself wondering, “How do you know when the timing is right?” “Have I waited long enough?” “Am I ready?” “How do you know when you’re ready to get a new dog?” Our Beagle, Oscar, died last May. His buddy, and our awesome friend Baxter the Golden Retriever, crossed the Rainbow Bridge near the…

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  • It Was The Last Normal Week

    It Was The Last Normal Week

    If you were on Social Media yesterday you might have seen a post that said, “A year ago this was the last normal week and nobody knew it.” It’s true, even though it seems like it’s been more than a year at times. On March 6,2020 we were still living what, at the time, was…

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  • Oh Why Didn’t I Buy Two?

    Oh Why Didn’t I Buy Two?

    I found myself asking that question this week, “Why didn’t I buy two?” Two what? That would be stuffed bunnies of course. If you’ve been with me on this journey through life, you know I bought my grandson, Liam, a stuffed bunny when he was born. Get them all! When I posted that picture on…

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  • Is There Anything Better?

    Is There Anything Better?

    Seriously, is there anything better? Maybe it’s been a crazy week with so much to do that you don’t even know where to start. Or, if you’re still in a self-quarantine, it can be a way to make the time to go by. It can be a great escape from the cold and snow up…

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  • Staying In The Moment

    Staying In The Moment

    The most important thing you’re doing is what you’re doing right now. That has been one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned being Grampnanny for my grandson. I really got a glimpse of that this week. How’s the weather? While you have been having cold and snowy weather, we’ve had rain. And more rain. And…

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  • Baby Talk: I Finally Get It

    Baby Talk: I Finally Get It

    It has only taken me about thirty years to understand. Somewhere between my oldest daughter, Sarah, and her brother, Doug, my wife became a stay-at-home mom. It just made more sense and it was better for the children. Things were tight but we managed. Then when Kat and Matt came along, Priscilla was there for…

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  • Have You Made Any Plans?

    Have You Made Any Plans?

    Have you made any plans? Have you thought about all the things you want to do when this pandemic is over? Of course, first of all — take off this damn mask! Actually I think the masks have helped this to be a quiet cold and flu season. Maybe we should keep them handy for…

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