Jill Vanderwood's Blog

Hi, I'm Jill!

I'm the award-winning author of nine current children's and YA books, plus one adult book, so far.

My blog features some fun trivia about my books and information about my writing journey. It includes my Ask Grandma advice column and shares information about writing and self-publishing. This is also where you will receive a sneak peek of my future book projects. Read more about me

Is This Really Love?

September 28, 2019
Love written in sand

I have been married for forty year. I am a wife, a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I have been thinking a lot about what makes a good or bad relationship and I want to share something with you about finding love. Ask yourself, is this really love?

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Off Target 1,000,000 A Million Broken Hearts

September 14, 2019
Jill Vanderwood Off Target

A Million Broken Hearts: A Grandmother’s Campaign for the Awareness of Violence and Suicide

The Goal: To put up monuments in communities to bring violence or gun violence and suicide awareness to communities.

The City of Malad, Idaho has approved the monument for victims of violence and suicide to be placed in the Malad City Cemetery and dedicated around Memorial Day in May, 2020.

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1st Abundant Garden

August 29, 2019
1st Abundant Garden 1

Last year was our 1st abundant garden, since we moved to Malad, Idaho. The ground was tilled, but it was already June and my husband Bill was busy putting in a sprinkler system, there was no sign of a garden.

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Watch Your Mouth! Using Bad Language

August 14, 2019
Angry Texts

Swearing, Bad Language and The Insulting, Harmful Way People Speak to Each Other

This morning I was at the park, picking cherries, when I heard someone swearing and using profanities. The bad language continued and I figured it was coming from the park restroom, where I could see a mop bucket by the door. This was a Parks and Recreation worker speaking this way, in a public park where preschoolers come with their parents.

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Camping With Kids

August 3, 2019
Camping With Kids 2

In the Middle of Nature

Jill Vanderwood at jillvanderwood.com

When my husband was away with the Navy Reserves, my sister-in-law Jean and I decided to take our kids camping without the help of our husbands. Together we had eight kids between the ages of 1 and 12–four each. We would have so much fun! After all, how hard could it be?

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Being Older–A Surprisingly Joyful List of 25

July 14, 2019
Being Older--A Surprisingly Joyful List of 25 3

Twenty-Five Reasons to Enjoy Being Older

I’m Only One Grandma

Jill Vanderwood at jillvanderwood.com

What could be better than getting a senior discount at movies, getting paid for staying home, and being able to drive like a grandma? Getting older definitely has it perks!

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I Found Santa Claus!

July 5, 2019
Santa Bill and Jill Vanderwood

Santa Bill and I went on a summer trip to Universal Studios. There are many characters walking around this land of movie and TV magic. One of these characters, that day was Santa Claus. He was wearing his traditional red, summer outfit.

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May I Ask Who’s Calling? One Grandma’s Unusual Escapades

June 24, 2019
Hands holding iPhones

The Phone Bandit, Being an Absent Minded Grandma

At times I may seem like the typical absent-minded grandmother. I have had the same hairdresser for years and we are very good friends. The only problem is that I have moved two hours away. When I’m in Salt Lake City I make an appointment for a haircut. We sit and chat and catch up on what’s going on with each other’s families. Terri was showing me pictures of her grandchildren, her husband, and her grown kids. Then we chatted and I paid her. She showed me the new colors of nail polish she had. Then I noticed that I had been an absent minded grandma. I had picked up the money I had already paid her. Shaking my head, wondering what I was thinking, I paid her again.

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