Yep. My mother was diabetic. So if momma couldn't have any sugar, nobody could. We also weren't allowed to add salt to our food because she was concerned about my father's heart. All of his brothers had heart attacks, and she blamed it on the salt-pork they added to their vegetables.

Dessert for us was fruit, whatever was in season at the time - but we couldn't overdo it with fruit either. I remember eating an orange and asking mom for another one. She said I didn't need another orange, so therefore I couldn't have one. Dad agreed.

We also weren't allowed to have any soft drinks or Koolaid. Whenever I'd complain to my dad, he'd point to the faucet and say "Are you kidding? That's Lake Michigan water - the most refreshing drink possible!"

Whenever my sister and I spotted a bag of potato chips in the house, we knew we were having company, lol. We were also allowed to bake brownies or make Finnish pullaa (coffee cake) for our guests.

I was always jealous of my friends who had grandparents living with them, even the ornery grandparents. Their insults were funny. It served to make my friends a little more colorful out on the streets. I know now some of those ornery grandparents were a little more than insulting - what a shame.

I suspect you are a very good grandmother, even when you get ornery - because of all the love in your heart.