Halloween 2011

Today is one of my favorite holidays.  We've glued and cut and sprayed and stapled and Rapunzel's tower is ready for tonight's "trek" and treat.  We haven't quite got the logistics down for the trek from the Modern Market to the 4-Town building but it'll all come together by 6 p.m. 
This morning, the cutest pumpkin in the patch headed to school for a day full of fun.
Tomorrow we'll have a photo journal of Rapunzel's quest for candy and her night on the town.
A BIG Halloween get well wish for one of our favorite people, Stella!  Must be she wanted Covert to dress up as a Doctor and he said, "No!" .....so off she went to the hospital to find one of her very own.....Hope you feel better today....we promise all treats and no more tricks for you today!!!..
                                  Have a fun day and a safe night everyone!!

First Snow

There's something magical about the first snow of the season.  No magic yet for EIEIO though! The surrounding hills were coated with the white stuff yesterday but for those of us in the valley... we're still waiting for our magic.  All of the pictures on Face Book did, however; spark me to wrap myself around the upcoming holiday.  I wrapped all the ornaments for the annual Thanksgiving paper identification tradition..(Everyone gets their ornaments for the year wrapped in the paper that their gifts will appear "in" under the tree.) For those who peek and still keep a running talley, Jess... this helps spot their packages easier.... Anything Santa can do to help!!! The colder temps have arrived too. Bailee donned her new hat that Papa brought home from Alaska and the gloves made the trip to the expedition....just in case.  I'm not a big coat wearer but my old, wrinkled pinkies do get pretty cold. Soon the clocks will fall back into their depressing winter mode and there will be no fighting the fact the season number four in good, ole, upstate New York is upon us. It's really not that bad and I guess if you don't like it you could always move....and it does give some something to bitch about...like they need any help....It's pretty simple, it's winter, it's cold and it snows and as Bailee would say.... "Deal about it!"

Just read!!

You know me!  Reading is on the top of my list....I really don't care what you read......a book, a magazine, a newspaper or even a cereal box....or where.....a chair, your desk, in bed or even the bathroom......
                                           Here's a humorous example:

Never Argue with a Woman! (shocker)
One morning, the husband returns the boat to their lakeside cottage after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap.
Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, puts her feet up, and begins to read her book. The peace and solitude are magnificent.
Along comes a Fish and Game Warden in his boat.
He pulls up alongside the woman and says, 'Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?'
'Reading a book,' she replies, (thinking, 'Isn't that obvious?')
'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her.
'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading.'
'Yes, but I see you have all the equipment.For all I know you could start at any moment.I'll have to take you in and write you up.'
'If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault,' says the woman.
'But I haven't even touched you,' says the Game Warden.
'That's true, but you have all the equipment..
For all I know you could start at any moment.......................'
'Have a nice day ma'am,' and he left.

Moral of the story:

Never argue with a woman who reads.

It's likely she can also think.

I rest my case!!

A new neighbor

This past week-end Lee excitedly came in the house having captured a photo across the road by the "Barge Canal." (ok, it's a field drainage ditch but we beautify all we can). "What kind of bird is this?" he chirped.  Not knowing, we headed to the living room and our bird book. (I know, how freakin' old are we that we even have a bird book much less excitedly went to it?) There, right on the front cover was our new neighbor. (notice the yellow page markers that fill the book so we don't have to squint through the index each time we want to find a particular bird).  A Belted Kingfisher was sitting proudly on the same kind of branch that Lee had photographed his bird.  Our book  gives a summarized description of each bird, it's native surroundings, it's food source and even it's song. Lee couldn't wait to push the button and hear exactly what Mr. Kingfisher sounds like.................Lee is deaf!!!!  His disappointment when he couldn't hear the Kingfisher's call was replaced by excitement when we explained that the batteries in the book were dead!  We replaced them and positioned the book in close proximity to his ear.....pushed the button and saw the delighted look on his face.  We now know how Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller felt at the well:-)
Such little pleasures here at EIEIO♥

Sights of the Season.....

Other than Mike Nye's monthly Christmas update, there have been a few more reminders that the Big Guy is only 8 weeks away!  I just watered my plants and saw this beautiful blossom on my Christmas cactus, Bailee chose a Christmas book to read to me last night and my Santa (who has been hanging on the door since last December) finally feels more in place than out.  Of course in the stores, the Christmas decorations are in the aisle directly across from the Halloween ones and my prep work for my annual, always welcome..yeah right, holiday jingle, prose or poem is in progress.  My shopping is 99% complete and I'm just waiting for my ship to come in to grab the last two..just my luck it'll be the Titanic...I have managed to secure a date for our Hatfield Family Christmas that I think will make almost everyone happy...There are days when I think we surely must be related to the Griswolds.  Now, to get through Halloween, Bailee and Jeff's birthdays, a safe hunting season and Thanksgiving and  we'll be on track for some holiday cheer....hey what am I thinking, we're Hatfield's, we've never needed an excuse before.

Family Feud:-)

Who better to enjoy a game called Family Feud than a Hatfield!  Yesterday was definitely Sunday Funday....I enjoyed a day laughing at the Betty Blue (our favorite local watering hole).  It was tournament style with 6 teams from local bars participating.  Our emcee was our local, Syracuse meteorologist, Matt Stevens.  If anyone could surpass Richard Dawson, it was Matt..... and he did just that. There  Joanne, the owner, explained that the questions were all clean cut questions....................the answers ...were up to us! You can imagine some answers with questions like, "What one thing, if offered to you, should you never turn down?" and "Name something big and yellow".......
It worked out great for me as the Buffalo Bills had a bye week and my recliner gave me the Sunday off.  The weather was perfect for fall outdoor activities but those of us feuding, enjoyed the afternoon indoors. 
I did notice that there were no McCoys playing ...... Guess we did our job!!

You'd love this one Art!

Remember Art Linkletter's, "Kids say the Darndest Things" ?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCHIM-bGiTI    Well someone should revive it. Our dinner conversations are often the "funnest" time of my day.  Last night was no exception.  We had been talking about Christmas and how Santa was busy keeping his eye on all the boys and girls.....and the ones who ate their dinners with no grief when Bailee commented to Papa that he would be getting presents this year. "Because you quit smoking and are doing better stuff Papa, you'll get presents this year....not like last year when Grandma said you'd be getting coal!"  And then she said, "Aren't you proud you don't smoke Papa?...I am!!"  OK, that was Heart Melting 101 !
Then we got into the syllable game.  She still has a tough time w/ her r's.... That's the only sound left that her speech therapist is conquering.  Warm...is warem and car is carer.....always that extra syllable. So, we often play the clapping/syllable game....One clap for those words....and that works!! Last night Bailee said, "I'll say the word and you clap the syllables and tell me how many!"  We started with two syllable words and then she gave me Thanks-giv-ing...clap,clap, clap.  I searched for a big, long word.... Got it!  "SUPPOSITORY".... she clapped out the syllables and said "5!"  Yep, you're right.... do you know what a suppository is?  "Sure", she exclaimed, " It's the room at school where they keep all the computers!"....... Well I always knew it to be the computer laboratory but from now on you can bet ....it's the computer suppository!!!
We keep saying we need to write these down so!!!  Here it is!

Geriatric Zumba

oops.. can't make her upright!!

Had an interesting day with Mom yesterday. She has decided to form her own vocabulary.  "Where's my shoo shoo?"  "You're what" "My shoo-shoo?"  "What's a shoo shoo?"..... she laughs..."I don't know!"  She smoked a pretend cigarette and was miffed when she couldn't find an ashtray...so she put it out in her hand. She said she "told Mother that she'd stop and see her this afternoon!"  I explained that that was a trip I was not yet prepared to make.  She was fine with that!  On our way back to Walden Place she wondered why I was the one who always had to drive her...That explanation was bit tougher....  Finally we arrived back at W.P.  When we were securely back in her neck of the woods we realized we were just in time for Zumba.  Zumba for seniors is just as tiring as Zumba for me..Oh, I am a Senior. The gals that were "teaching" the session were such great sports.  Just picture 8 -80+ ers shaking their booties... Music is amazing.... Their eyes sparkled and their bodies moved to the very best of their abilities. I took a video with my phone....well I thought I did and I was going to share it this morning.... Unfortunately, my technological skills suck as badly as my Zumba ones... I had captured about 3 seconds!!!  I did realize, once again, that Mom was exactly where she should be....She is coaxed, challenged, coddled and cared for in this wonderful place. I'm so thankful for that.....I could just dance!

Your Occupation/Employer ?

How many forms have we been asked to fill out?  Most questions are relatively simple.  We know where we live, what our phone number is, who our next of kin is and we can easily fill in our education or past surgeries.  But if you're a "stay at home Mom", there generally isn't a box to check. For some reason, you almost feel depressed just marking the not employed box.  There should be a  "damn right I'm employed box!!" and extra lines to explain just exactly what you contribute to your family, your community and your own self-worth!

Personally, I'd take this job over any other offered.  I think the pay is extraordinary and the benefits are amazing....

RIF

Reading is FUNdamental........ It's probably not appropriate to brag too much but I've had a few problems with appropriate before..... and if you can't brag about your grandkids, who can you brag about?  Miss Bailee is back at school and healing wonderfully.  Prior to her surgery she was tested for reading and math levels. (I'm not a big fan of testing but I do understand the "wealth" of that tool...literally!) I am so proud and pleased to share that she is reading at a 2nd grade level.  This is the little girl who so many said should wait a year before Kindergarten as she was a mid November baby.  I attribute much of her ability to her 2 years of speech therapy.  She was visually and orally introduced to flashcards and word sounds during her sessions for all of that time......PLUS we have read to her since the very day she was born.  I'm hoping her love of reading and the fact that it isn't something she struggles with will help her flourish in all aspects of her education.  She also tested in the top of her class for math. 

I know brag was a good ole dog but this Grandma is barking out the good news to my bloggin' pals.  Way to go Miss Bailee!!  ♥ you!

When did etiquette die?

Occasionally I find it necessary to hop up on my soapbox.  Each time it gets harder to make the step up and each time it seems (to me at least) that it's more important. Thank you has always been an important word for me but as we've been taught, (well at least some of us were) actions speak louder than words.  I was taught table manners, respect for my elders, and what I always thought was too much etiquette. It wasn't.... you were right Mom.  I taught my kids, from a very young age, the importance of thank you notes and showing appreciation for what was given to you and done for you.  Nobody has to buy you a gift..not even Grandma!  When nice things are done for you.....the nicest thing you can do after verbally saying thank you is sending a personal note.  I recently gave the gift of money to a friend and a gift card to a family member.  I'm quite sure each was appreciated but..............I'm not even positive the cash reached the recipient.....I would be if I had received a note.  I may be in the minority as I was raised by a writer.  I have a box of notes written to me by my Dad...that's something tangible I will always have.  Some were loving, some were scolding, some had "gift's"inserted with just a note..Love, Dad!  Of course, I was luckier than most as he was the consummate giver.  He gave us gifts on his birthday! 
It really doesn't take a gifted writer to write a thank you note.  Here are a few tips....
*  mention the gift
*  mention why you like it...it's soft, I love to read, pink is my favorite color, etc.
*  make the giver feel good
* write your note in a timely manner
* include a photo of you w/ your gift

* it doesn't need to be fancy or from a store...make your own.

It's making the effort. People really appreciate getting mail that's not a bill, for one thing, and just taking that extra bit of time to write a thank you note really means everything!

Bailee was given some "get better" (as she called them) gifts when she had her tonsils out.  She composed her Thank You to her classmates.  "Thank you for the get better book.  It worked!"  ....................................It doesn't get much better than that!

It takes a village......

Hillary Clinton's African proverb, It Takes a Village to Raise a Child, is spot on.  We often hear criticism about living in a small town...everybody knows (or think they know) everybody else's business.  OK, maybe a slight downfall of small town America....But I've always tried to look at the glass (of beer) half full.  ANYtime I've needed a helping hand or a brainstorming session on how to get something accomplished.... our small town pals have been there.  When we needed a bookcase put together..they were there. When we needed a huge outdoor playyard put together...they were there. Today we "turned on our thinking caps" (as Bailee taught us to do.....I guess teaching strategies have have held firm throughout the years) and constructed Rapunzel's tower for Halloween. Uncle Jon began the ball rolling with the perfect medium for the tower itself.  Grandma located the perfect size. "Uncle" Mike (Powers) used his construction mind, Grandpa wisdom and executed the openings and the cushioning. Jayson offered moral support. Papa provided the tools and Grandma found the flagstone paper covering, giant braid and ivy to wrap around the tower......Not only only does it take a village to raise a child....it takes one to make their Halloween costume too!!!
more pictures to follow.....
Have a great week-end and GO BILLS !!

It's official

It's official....Lee's old! ( I already knew I was)  This week-end while heading to camp at Sampson, we stopped in Union Springs for gas.....which happened to be right next to a produce market.  Lee remarked that we should get some pumpkins to dress up our site. OK, who are you and what have you done with my husband?  I told him we'd be fine without pumpkins but he insisted.  So over to the market we drove... He wandered through the quilt of colors (they were beautiful) and found 2 pumpkins and 2 huge mums.  Couldn't go wrong as the mums were only $5.... I pay more for a bloody mary!!!  Off we go loaded for bear with landscaping and holiday decorations.  Now, preHA (heart attack), flowers would be the last thing he would worry about transporting for the week-end.. Scotch maybe, but flowers....no way.  In fact I would have been harshly criticized if the idea had originated with me...but I have big shoulders (and everything else) and had I wanted them....they'd have been loaded in Jerome before we departed.  We arrived at our site (#69 btw) and set up our decorations.  He was quite proud of how spiffy we looked.... and I was slapped with the realization that we're indeed getting "up there."  We didn't have a sign to hang on our week-end digs but I'm thinking I'll find one that says "Two old grumps live here...speak up!"

Another Full Moon

Wouldn't you know that for the past 4 nights we've had clear, perfect for star gazing, nights.  Tonight, when the full Hunter's Moon is upon us.....in roll those good ole NYS clouds. Near midmonth, on October 11, shines the full Hunter’s Moon, which follows autumn’s Harvest Moon.In pioneer days, after the vegetables were stored for the winter, it was time to go farther afield looking for wild game. Deer were fattening, and Native Americans and farmers sought a store of good venison for the cold winter days to come.Unlike the buffalo or the antelope, the white-tailed deer is estimated to be roughly as numerous today as it was when the Pilgrims joined the Native Americans on this continent.  Many of them live in the woods surrounding our home.  With the leaves falling quickly, I'm approaching my most favorite time of the year.  Soon, I'll be able to see into the woods and watch the deer (ok, not the antelope) play.  On nights with clear skies and a glowing moon, I can watch them descend the hills and head across the road for a midnight snack.  Unfortunately, a few don't always make the trip but there are plenty left.  Personally, I'm not an avid fan of hunting. I understand the concept and the reasoning behind diminishing the herds but they are such a beautiful animal it makes me sad. I probably married into the wrong family to be a deer lover but I put the "other side" of my brain into action during hunting season and remember that it brings Jeff home for a couple weeks......I still have a month to enjoy the beauty of fall before the gunshots interrupt my life @ EIEIO and wreck havoc on my sanity. What little is left.............

                                             

Off to Sampson

Off to Sampson State Park for the week-end.  Should be a fun week-end with lots of family and friends. Joy extended her visit for a day so she will be coming along too. So, we'll have 4 of the 6 "kids" together. I think Wendy is off camping w/ Jill and Jim and who knows where Kim is??? :-)  The weather has cooperated and we're to have sunny skies and temps in the 70's.... Sounds perfect. Taking Jerome and going "away is the only stress-free time Lee seems to get.  We should really be getting things winterized but what the heck.... it'll get done!! I don't believe I've ever been to Seneca Lake so it will be a fun new venue and mini vacation.

Bailee did well yesterday. She played Barbies with me yesterday and a few games of Candyland and we read some books.  Her tummy is still off a bit but Dr. suggested she pass on the Tylenol w/ codeine and stick to rotating Ibuprofen and reg. Tylenol. She's such a good little patient and apologizes each time she throws up....Hope she's better by Sunday so she can help me cheer on our Buffalo Bills!  She's become their number 2 fan:-)

Happy Indian Summer

Tonsils are history

The only ones stressed out by today's tonsillectomy were Mommy and Grandma.  Bailee was a trooper !!!  No tears when they wheeled her into surgery and none when she came out.  She even told her recovery room nurse (who will remain nameless)that she didn't want her IV taken out.  They'd never heard that before..... She was; however, a but miffed at her Mommy for bringing her there.  She felt good when she got there and crumby when she left.  Isn't a hospital supposed to make you better????  I'm not sure but I think my kiss that she "hid in her ear" last night made things all better... That's my story and I'm stickin' to it ♥♥

Words with Friends......

There are certain things that people in their 60's need to sustain life.... water (or some form of drinkable fluid), food (whether it be pizza or hummus), sleep, grandchildren (family, if you're able to pick and choose) and technology.  At least those are the things that sustain me!  If someone were to take away my T.V., my computer, my phone and my Kindle, I would be in a Kevorkian state of mind.  I've extolled what I believe to be the virtues of Facebook and I stick by it.  I don't usually care who's going to bed when or who's made at whom but I love the connection and the equal ground on which it puts us all. I justify the games I've recently begun playing as my form of use it or lose it!  I can sit in my jammies with my diet soda and be stimulated.......above the neck at least.  Other parts have seen far less stimulation in the last few years..(TMI).  I play Family Feud with friends and a few months ago began playing Who Wants to be a Millionaire too....My new brain tease is Words with Friends!  Not once in 60 years did I play Scrabble but this game, which is virtually the online version, is fun.  You can have as many games going as you choose and it slips your brain in overdrive.  I have vowed that I will not use a dictionary so I am somewhat limited to my gray matter vocabulary and I do believe that some of my opponents do peek but I'll remain true and reach into the storage compartments of my cerebellum in hopes of bringing out something usable worth as many points as possible.  I have relagated myself to a few "hi's and to's and if's" and even marveled that il and phi and id are indeed real words. I shamelessly might add an "s" or an "ed" to someone else's word while remembering that an old brain gets tired too.  I thouroughly enjoy playing Words with Friends, even if I can't remember their name!

No Place Like Home

 

Saturday morning was the formal dedication of the new Millard Fillmore Elementary Gymnasium in honor of Lloyd VanNest. Lloyd was a Phys. Ed instructor and coach in Moravia for over 30 years.  He was also a neighbor and family friend.  Shirley, his widow, has been a dear friend of mine since my memories began.  We have campaigned, travelled and "exerted our public opinions" together for nearly 35 years. She taught me when to properly use effect and affect and that only living "objects lie down..all others lay down.  She taught me to always place myself second...(Shirley and I...not me and Shirley.)  She was always my "go-to" grammar gal!  Not slighting the dedication, it also facilitated Shirley coming home!  Since 1997, Shirley has lived in Boston. She sold her home in Locke and moved to be nearer her son Jeff and his family.  Jeff and Anne have 2 gifted and talented boys....both in the academic world and the sports world.  Andrew is a student at Harvard and is 7 feet tall....He comes from it naturally. Duncan is over 6 feet and graduated his high school with the highest cumulative average ever accomplished.  With the boys being off to college now, Shirley wanted to come home...... and that's just what she did... All of her family was on hand Saturday for the dedication and then spent time settling Shirley's apartment at Walden Place in Cortland....yep, the same place my Mom lives!  Already she's had visitors from Locke and Moravia and I think she will be one happy camper back here in New York State.  There really is No Place Like Home!