Drinking with grandma and Downton Abbey but for real.

I had Friday off of work with no plans.  I slept in, did some laundry and went for a run.  My cousin was going to stop by my grandmother's house so I decided to head over to Waltham with her.  My grandmother loves having us over.  We ordered some Chinese food, drank some white wine and painted our nails.  When asked how much wine she wanted in her glass she replied "oh I fill it up to the top".  Clearly we are related.

There was a special on tv about the old estates in Waltham.  There are three - The Gore Estate, The Lyman Estate and The Paine Estate.  All three are historic landmarks and you can tour the estates.  I've been to all three and our high school graduation was held at the Gore Estate.  I would love to get married at one of them but the wait is insanely long and well I'm not getting married any time soon.

My grandmother noticing the Paine Estate being shown on tv told me that her mother use to work there as a maid and then as a cook.  Her father was a chauffeur for a wealthy family in Weston and that was how my great grandparents met.

photo credit

The Paine Estate is the smallest of the three Waltham Estates but it's still quite large.  Our high school senior social was held here.  I love the idea that my great grandparents are part of the history of this house.  It's like Downton Abbey but in real life!  I try to imagine my great grandfather driving his employers to the visit their friend's the Paines, and then meeting my great grandmother.  It all sounds very romantic in my head.

I've been trying to spend more time with my grandmother.  She's the only grandparent I have left and she keeps talking about how she feels like her age is catching up to her.  I told her I don't want to hear that.  She's still active and can take care of herself.

 My cousin painted our grandmother's nails.  She now thinks Alexis could be a professional.

I've always loved my grandparent's backyard.  It reminds me of being a little kid again.  I spent a lot of time running around here and it still pretty much looks exactly the same.

Tonight I'm going to see New Kids on the Block and Back Street Boys at Fenway with Germana.  Boy band pelvic thrust!  (that's instead of a fist pump).  By the way if you have not seen Germana's 20sb vlog.  WATCH IT.  I was cracking up.