April Showers

April showers bring May flowers and I think we may need the Mayflower pretty soon.  This is ending up to be one of, if not the rainiest Aprils on record.  Our falls are running so hard they sound like Niagara Falls.(.they keep us "Up" at night so I'm thinking of renaming hem Viagara Falls).. it's awesome really. Sleeping with the windows open and hearing that is an amazing way to fall asleep.  Even the punctuated sounds of thunder and flashes of lightening are pretty cool... Of course, we're inside and high and dry.  The horrible news from the mid west and south sure puts a damper on any spring beauty we may be having though.  We have had confirmed tornadoes here in upstate New York too... one near Rome on Tuesday and one in Tompkins County yesterday.  The creeks are over their banks and the cornfields across the road have been transformed into acres of new duck and goose ponds.  The trees have popped, flowers have blossomed, lawns are ready for mowing and even the ice cream stands are open for business.  Spring has sprung!!

Terrible Tuesdays

Lee always says that Tuesday is his worst day of the week.  Yep, he's right!  Yesterday morning was an unplanned trip to Mom's Doctor.  She has been very lethargic to the point of falling asleep in her breakfast and a bit loopier than normal to the point of wanting to eat her napkin.  Her legs have been a bit more swollen too so just to be on the safe side, we traveled to see THE DOCTOR... ("which Dr., Do I know them, have I been there before, why am I going, Is it a man or a woman, I've never been here before. What's the matter, don't you feel good?")  Good thing we did.. She had gained 12 # in 2 weeks.  Back on the lasix twice a day... maybe a little infection which tends to make the loopy, loopier.  When we left she wanted to know where the guys had been that we just picked up at the airport?  Darn..I didn't see any guys but the idea was a good one!!! We got back to Walden Place ("where she'd never been before") and she said she hoped Lee and I had a good trip. (another good idea, Mom).
In the afternoon, we traveled to Auburn for calling hours for one of our good friends, Buz Clark.  He passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday from the same heart ailment Lee has.  Not a real "pick me up" kind of afternoon.

Around  5:00, as I was thinking about how nice my rocker on the porch felt as I watched the northern skies for the approaching thunderstorms, the phone rang with a crying Bailee on the end and the news that stitches might be in order for her heel. Dancing in bare feet with a plie' under the fridge grate produced some a nice, little bloody and meaty cut.  Once Mommy got the bleeding stopped, it was decided that a trip to Convenient Care was in order. Three and a half hours later  we were on our way home in the pouring rain, thunder and lightening. Grandma's eyes aren't what they used to be so I just trudged along hoping that living through stitches didn't end in driving off the road I could barely find.  We made it... Bailee was fine, I was exhausted!
Next week we're just skipping Tuesday and going straight to hump day!

Easter 2011

Easter 2011 is in the can.  Bailee was feeling better so the Easter Bunny hid all the eggs outside. She did a wonderful job and located each and every one.  Always good to be outside and history reminds us that an unfound egg will lead old bunnies on a wild goose chase to find that horrid smell a few weeks later. The giant eggs with the smiley faces each held a clue to a sentence that led Miss B to her Easter Basket in the dryer.  I'm not sure how the Easter Bunny always knows just the right things to put in that basket but she does.  Bailee's favorite this year was her new Dr's outfit complete w/ embroidered name Dr. Bailee E. Brown..she even has her own clipboard with charts ready for her new patients.  Papa got to be the first appointment of the day. After getting down his name and age, she questioned his "symPtoms" followed by queries of other body parts. "How are your eyes?" OK, "how are your ears?" - So so. "How about your heart?"- So so. "Your lungs?" Better, "Your arms?" - Skinny.... "Oh, I'm sorry, we don't do skinny here!"
That's my kind of Doctor!
Later we all met at Aunt Kim and Uncle Vic's for Easter dinner. She had set a beautiful table dressed in yellow daffodils and fine silver and china.  Her table always looks so nice!  We had a wonderful meal followed bu delectable desserts and stimulating conversation.... Yes I said stimulating.. even the Hatfields can be stimulating.  We were happy that Delores and Gramp could join us but we missed our N.C and CA. contingents and those that were in Rochester sharing Miss Adrianna's very first Easter. Each holiday seems more and more special!
It really is beginning to look and feel like spring. We all forget that it takes awhile to really find its way to upstate New York.  Next week is May Day, Turkey season, Kindergarten registration, birthdays and maybe even time to mow the lawn.   That's really my favorite spring activity.  For 2 hours it's peace and quiet and for $4.27 a gallon for diesel, I'll take my time.....

Birthday and Bonnet fun

Well Grandma made it through day one of being 89.  When I arrived, they had just finished making Easter bonnets.  They were having a ball.  All of the gals were eager to pose for pictures with their new chapeaus. They'll be wearing them Sunday morning in their Easter parade.
We meandered down the hall to Grandma's room to open her presents and cards. She loved Bailee's handmade card that sported a beautiful rainbow that Bailee knew "Great Grandma would love!"  She was a bit confused at first thinking it was my birthday, the my anniversary and finally realizing it was her big day!. We hurriedly  opened her gifts as she appeared to be in a yank to get someplace. Finally she said she was so glad I had come, loved her presents and cards but she "needed to get back down there for the wedding."  She explained that she was a bridesmaid and it was so thoughtful of them to ask her that she didn't want to keep them waiting.  So we hurried down the hall to meet the guests.  Sometimes we just need to take what we're given in stride and play along!

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy 89th Birthday to my Mom.  Wow, that sure is a milestone.  She is still physically healthy and  nicely settled in Assisted Living at Walden Place in Cortland.  It's a wonderful place that provides everything she needs and peace of mind for me.  There are many things planned for each and every day and today is especially busy. I see by the daily calendar that she will be exercising with noddles (the swimming kind not fettuccine) as I type and then she'll be decorating Easter bonnets.  After lunch she'll be playing Bingo with jelly beans (hopefully she won't eat just the one that would have given her 5 in a row) and filling Easter eggs. Tonight is Movie Night too so her birthday will have her all tuckered out by bedtime.  Now we know that even heading into her 90's, she can have full days that are fun and enjoyable.  In Mom's case, she can do all of those things tomorrow too and have just as much fun... There is a brighter side and with that we rejoice!

Project Sputnik

Project Sputnik is underway.  I'm not sure why all our projects need to be named but they are so ,"deal about it!"  Our house was dubbed, EIEIO, our media room, the H.U.T..  and today begins Project Sputnik. As some of you will remember, pretty much only the +50 crowd, Sputnik was a satellite launched in 1957 to orbit the world.  A pretty big thing way back then when we still weren't sure the earth was round and still couldn't figure out how anything could actually stay up there without falling back to earth.   Ok, so why Sputnik? Sputnik is a satellite and our garage (or a small portion of it) will be our satellite kitchen (as interior decorators like to call it).  A little history....our "house kitchen" is part of the great room and is not ventilated well..ok at all. I didn''t want a vent sticking out the front of the house and "code" didn't want it going anyplace else.  I never liked "code" very much!  Now that our eating habits are turning over a new leaf, literally, we'll be cooking more at home (she said begrudgingly) and we'll need to broil more healthy foods....like fish... (fish belong in the ocean or an aquarium, not in my stomach. Unless, of course, they have a shell and then they should be swimming in butter and salt just prior to meeting my digestive tract.) Anyway... broiled foods are being shoved to the top of our menu. We're trying to eat the items that are accompanied by the little red heart on the menus. I thought it meant we'd love them.......it doesn't!  So, the bottom line is, Project Sputnik is underway. A brand new 6 burner, 2 oven, raised broiler with griddle (for my pancakes) is on it's way.  Josh will be retrofitting the entry to nowhere to accommodate Sputnik and I'll be finding a nice new counter top to hide "garage stuff". After all, this will still house my vehicle... that's what a garage is made for. I just may have to name my vehicle Endeavor to accompany our out of this world new project.

Monday morning revelations

I always welcome a new week, even if it means that another 7 days are gone.  It gives us perspective on what we might do differently to make the next 7 better.... maybe.
My Monday revelations:

• Motorcycles and alcohol NEVER go together.....ever
• $4.00 for a gallon of gas is beyond my scope of acceptance.
• There will never be enough money or enough time
• Kissing is worth the risk..even with 4 year olds w/ mono:-(
• No one can celebrate too many birthdays
• You can't say "I Love You" too often
• Spring and Fall trump Winter and Summer
• Technology rocks
• You MUST know and enjoy reading and writing
• Friends aren't optional.. you'll always need them

The Class of 2024

I vaguely remember Kindergarten.  I do remember that my teacher was pregnant so we had a new teacher after Christmas. That was 1957-58.... WOW. My early school years were in transit. K - Moravia Elementary (Church Street), 1-4 - Locke School, 5- Locke Firehouse, 6- back to Moravia Elementary and then 7-12 at the High School.  Now, the new elementary auditorium is about the size of our entire Locke School.  That;s OK, we always hope for better things for our kids and grandkids....but who the heck thought it would get here this quickly. OK... I guess 45 years isn't really quick:-(  I was perusing the registration forms Jess received  last night.. It was quite interesting that there are forms to fill out titled "Home Language Questionnaires".. from the Dept. of Defense Education.wanting to know the languages spoke by family, relatives and caretakers.... and a Racial and Ethnic Identification form and a Residency Questionnaire that doesn't want to know your address.. they want to know if you live in a shelter,w/ a relative, in a hotel/motel, a car, park, bus, train or campsite, other temporary situation or.....in  permanent housing.  Also, there are forms to be filled out and accompanied by court orders so the school knows who can and who can't have info on the child, who can pick up the child and what the family situation is.  It was refreshing to see that they were, indeed, interested in the what the child has been introduced to in their short life and what they enjoy doing. Oddly (and sadly) a one family home where all siblings and parents live together and speak English and have the same last name is the exception rather than the rule....

I guess that's why grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins play such a valuable part in the family dynamic. There were many Dads there last night. Some were home with other children, some were working and some should have been home in the shower but at least many were there. I'm trying to see the glass as half full and I hope I can contribute, in some small way, to the mental, physical and fun nutrition that Bailee will need to fill that glass..  Let the next 13 years begin.....








































































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fense Education Activity...      

The Games We Play

In our Great Room we have a long,15 foot rug .  It's been used for tumbling, landing make believe airplanes, a bowling lane, a golf course, volley ball court, expressway and now the perfect hopscotch venue.  This week we're promoting agility, coordination and exercise.... and that's just for Lee.  With his irregular heartbeat, exertion scares us a bit so when Bailee wanted Papa to play hopscotch with her.... Jess and I held our breath. As any hopscotch aficionado knows, this game involves hopping on one foot, then two, then one, then two, etc. Bailee gave it her best shot and Papa decided he'd show her how it was done correctly. He made it all 15 feet, Jess and I peed our pants and Bailee was thrilled to have someone to play with.  It's amazing how a health scare can make even the littlest of things sore to the top of your "Important List."  Not long after the game ended, Jess thought she should listen to Lee's heart.....it actually sounded to be back in a regular rhythm.  Hmmm, maybe there is something to this exercise thing.  Needless to say, Lee was a bit tuckered out after their game.  We made a family decision that Hopscotch would be our new, favorite family game... Bailee will hop  and you know the rest..... Lee will handle the Scotch !!!!

Wainy Wednesday

It a pwetty, wainy Wednesday and all I weally want to do is sit in my wecliner and wead.  See you tomowwow!

Everyday Book Club

For years I was a loyal member of the Doubleday Book Club....The above books have become my new Everyday Book Club selections.  The Low Cholesterol book is pretty informative... explains what is is, how it's formed and how to reduce and/or fix it.  Crestor will help but it doesn't come without it's side effects and the fact that it's another pill forever... and we do want forever to be a long time from now.  We did learn that anything derived from anything with a heartbeat has cholesterol so we're back to eating peanut butter again. It's a little indulgence that Lee enjoys.  We sat down on Sunday and perused the recipes. They're really not too bad and we can still eat most of the same things we like... it's pretty much all in the preparation.  No more fatty oils, we're on to olive oil (which we've always enjoyed) and canola oil. No more REAL butter.. that one hurts!!!  Red meat is a weekly treat on cheat night and fish has been added to our menu. :-(.. We like haddock and we did enjoy some tilapia the other night but most other fish, like fresh fish, is at the bottom of our food chain.  Shellfish we like too... but without all the dripping butter it's like eating just the stick of the fudgesicle.  I just returned from the Modern Market and my grocery bill for the next few days was $100.50. Holy cow, that's a lot for us...Cereal is nearly $5 a box and boneless, lean chops and lean burger aren't cheap.  I hit the vegetable aisle pretty well but with fresh veggies, comes fresh flatulence.  A meal of venison and broccoli is now followed by open windows and copious sprays of lilac air freshener.. to the point where, I'm afraid, lilacs will now smell like farts... My mind and nostrils are so confused.  Our new eating lifestyle has provided us with our new spring project.  We're turning part of our garage into an "adjacent, well ventilated, extra" kitchen.  I know, I barely use the one I have why in the hell would I need two I don't use?   Lee will use it...  You know the old saying from Field of Dreams...If you build it, they will come... Well If he cooks it, he will eat it  !!!

Wouldn't it be Nice.. and ooo it was!

Oh my, Saturday night's Beach Boy show was wonderful. The minute the music started, I enjoyed the best 2 hours I've had in months!!!!! We had great seats just in front of the stage and were surrounded by a few thousand baby boomers dressed in their Hawaiian shirts and carrying beach balls.  As I looked around, mid concert, there were as many men as women clapping,  tapping and singing along. They're still led by icon Mike Love..all 70 years of him.(Forever) one of my favorites  His side kick on the keyboard and vocals, Bruce Johnston, was celebrating the anniversary of his very first Beach Boys debut back on April 9th, 1965 in New Orleans. Joining then on stage at The Stone were Mike's son Christian, who sounds remarkably like his cousins' the Wilsons. Also on hand Saturday night, was guest drummer, guitarist and Beach Boy belter, John Stamos... yep Uncle Jessie. He was really good too. They played, interrnission free, for 2 solid (gold) hours....Thanks to my iPhone, I have several of my favorite songs recorded for instantaneous pickmeups whenever the need arises.  We also enjoyed a great "cheat night" at the Forest Grill inhaling beef, salads,drinks and warm carbohydrates smothered in butter.  Yes, the venue was a casino. No, craps didn't provide us any "pin" money.  I did not partake. I have no trouble spending money but I must have something tangible in it's place when I leave the building. I did...a ticket stub from an awesome show and a huge chocolate stain on my clothes from that giant creme puff (In My Room).  God Only Knows....it was a wonderfully, relaxing week-end!

To the Beach......

Tomorrow we're headed to the Beach.... Boys.....There will be a whole room of flabby armed, tummy tucking, off key, baby boomers in the house.  Some of us will be wearing our Hawaiian beach shirts, others will don their best elastic waist pants and , if we're lucky, we'll be able to spot a few middle agers who enjoy singing along with icons just because they know the words.  The "Boys" on stage will have us clappin' and singing with their very first tune and there won't be a self-conscious bone in our bodies. Last year when the show was over, we followed Mike Love down the hallway of the hotel... it was all the poor guy could do to stand up... He's older than we, needed a cane and his body guards were mainly there just to hold the old guy upright.  They're playing at Turning Stone so we may go up a bit early so Lee can lose a few bucks at Blackjack or Poker and I'll donate my usual $50.00 on the slot machines.  They won't get any more than that even if I'm winning... I don't really care for the slotless slots...  no noise, no coins clinking into the tray when you manage to hit 3 cherries in a row.  There's a lot to the atmosphere that is lacking in their casinos.  They can pump all the oxygen they want in there, they're still just gettin' 50 bucks! We will, however, have a great meal (Lee's cheat night) and we'll spend the night, take the shampoo, conditioner and lotion, use every towel and washcloth and rifle a new pen or two...what night's sleep is really worth over $200?  God Only Knows :-)

Another 'ology.....This one helps us get through Springology....  Phenology....

Phenology

Look to animals and plants to tell you how the seasons are progressing! This is called phenology, derived from the Greek “phaino,” which means “to show” or “to appear.”

Watch plants leaf, buds burst, trees fruit, animals hibernate, birds and butterflies appear, and insects emerge, and you’ll find that nature tells you what time of year it is—which affects this year’s planting dates, wildflower viewing, beekeeping,  allergy season, and more!

For example, here are ways in which we plant by nature's signs in our neck of the woods:
• Plant peas, beets, and lettuce when the first leaves appear on the lilac bush.
• Plant corn, beans, and squash when the lilac blooms.
• Plant cabbage when the dogwood is in full bloom or when apple tree blossoms bud.
• Set out tomato transplants when the first ladybugs appear.
(Thanks Farmer's Almanac)

Well our snow is finally gone..even the plowed up, dirty piles. My daffodils and tulips are "up" and I'm going out to check the blossom progress on our lilacs.  The sun is actually trying to shine and I hear we're in store for one day in a row of the bright, yellow stuff. They're saying 73 for the beginning of next week but I'm not falling for it. I think they got their April 1 and April 7 forecasts mixed up.  April Fool....not me!!! (well actually, it is me ). Anyway, it's time for the golf cart to come out of hibernation, the rake to come out of storage and the seeds to hit the soil.  Bailee even learned in school this week that if you mix "soil and water you get mud!" Genius!!!  Today I'm getting out my beautiful, plaid L.L. Bean  barn boots and hit the Walnut Grove and the back yard for some signs of the season and some waterfall photos.  I love my backyard!!!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Jess.... Wow, TWENTY-NINE.. where did that time go?  Starting her 30th year on this screwed up planet.  She has made such strides in her relatively short life.  She's made some lousy decisions that turned out great and some great decisions whose outcomes remain to be seen.  She is trying so hard to follow her goals!  She wants a solid, healthy, financially stable life for them (she and Bailee) and is right on track.  If it takes her 5 years to finish her classes because her number one priority is Bailee....so be it!  She is an amazing Mom. So much more patient than I ever was....maybe she made that decision when she was little and said, "Crap, I can do better than that!"  Well, she sure has.  Bailee is smart, well mannered,  a good reader (@ 4), humorous, fun, grounded, loving.....OK, I could go on but you get the point!  Jess's doing a great job raising her and trying to put life in perspective for both of them.  As I look back, thankfully it is Jess who blessed us with a grandchild and not Jeff.... I would hate to be 700 miles away from a grand baby and on top of that he puts girl's underwear on his dog.!!!!!!!! Just sayin'  

So, I'm off to pick up Miss B from school as she and I have a couple of birthday projects to complete.  Tonight we have a birthday supper planned for Auburn and maybe even a birthday cake. (Oh darn, note to self....get a birthday cake!)  We might just have a couple of pictures to share tomorrow.


         HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA ANN HATFIELD BROWN

You're never too old to learn

Yesterday morning I received the spring and summer edition of "Adult Continuing Education" catalog.  Wow, it's a prime example of never being too old to learn or maybe it's having way too much free time or even Help, I need to catch up to the 21st century.  Here is a sample of some classes that are offered:

• Quickbooks for beginners or intermediate or even advanced learners...3 worthless classes for those of us in our "Golden Years". Nothing is ever "quick" anymore.
• Exploring computers for Senior Citizens...$95 to learn how to turn on your computer...For $95 I'd rather  learn how to turn on my spouse!
• Medical Terminology and Basic Anatomy... Now, there's one I could use. I know where most of my parts are but I can't remember which pill makes which part work.
• Beginning Swing Dance... their idea and my idea of swinging are entirely different verbs...mine involve a rope or another couple.
• Your Master Plan..... isn't working all that well
• Your Inner Guidance.... more often sends me to the bathroom than to peace
• Your Soul's Journey...just plain makes my feet hurt!
• Soap makers for Gardeners...  What the hell does that mean?
• How Money Works.... I've got this one.. You make $500, your bills are$450 and your taxes are $55,, Ok , maybe I don't have it!
• Cake Decorating... I barely know anyone left whose candles would fit on anything I'm capable of baking... or that would fit in my oven.
• Creative Writing...It's summary begins...Are you writing regularly?........Hallelujah... I finally found one think I do do regularly!!

So, needless to say, I probably won't be continuing my education outside the home any time soon. Although, I'm thinking I could maybe teach a few classes.... We'll talk about those another time. My inner guidance is sending me in another direction right now!!!

Monday - catch up.

This morning finds me sitting at my desk, lights on, listening to the first "April Shower" accompanied by wind and thunder.  I think I can actually see the grass growing if I look closely.  Our back yard is beginning to look springy and the squirrels and chipmunks are quickly trying to relocate their stashes from the snowbank pantries they have made over the past month to someplace a little more secure. Turkeys were here this morning and the deer stopped in for a visit last night. A busy time at EIEIO.

Heart beat -  We're settling in to our new prescription regimen.  I put Lee's morning and evening pills out for him along with a detailed description of how many, when, what they look like and what they're for posted on his dressing room mirror. (just in case I drop dead).  He's acclimating pretty well and appears to be taking it all in stride.  Our menus are beginning to change.  I think I'm missing the salt as much as he is but we're "dealing about it!"  We are looking forward  to the addition of a new garage kitchen in the near future.  We need a change of venue for our broiling facility and the great room/kitchen is NOT the place.  We've been checking out some pretty fancy stoves...those of you who know me well, know that a stove has never been a priority much less a necessity. We went to the store the other night and it took us forever as Lee thought he had to read the saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol and calorie content on each and every item!  By the way, eating healthy is not synonymous with eating cheaply. This is not what I thought the Golden Years meant!!!

I made it through my 59th birthday.  Now, I get to begin my 60th year and I'm seeing some big changes.  As long as we're all around to implement them, I'll be happy.  As I said on Friday, I was nonplussed with the birthday wishes I received. I had 152 well wishers on Face Book alone along with many cards, text messages, phone calls and gifts. Thank you all so much... After a few stressful weeks, it was a welcomed day!

This week brings Jess's birthday. She'll be 29 and starting her 30th year. My Mom will celebrate her 89th birthday in a couple of weeks and that will begin her 90th year. Wow,,,,, we'll be having some milestone birthday parties next April. Where in the world did all that time go? We have lots of April birthdays. As one of our cousins remarked this week-end, there must have been some great 4th of July celebrations in years' past :-)

That about wraps up our Monday morning "catch up."  I'll try to scrape up some words of wit or wisdom for the rest of the week. Sometimes it seems like they're both on sabbatical. Have a great week everybody!

Happy Birthday to me

                                                                               TO ME

Well yesterday wasn't the best day ever but that's a "story" for another day. Today..it's my birthday and I can't remember a day when I have been so humbled and happy and smiled so much by noon!  I awoke to 12 early morning text messages... expressing wonderful, sincere words of love and joy. I have received 10 phone calls, 24 emails, 27 cards,  flowers, balloons, mouse pads, kisses, hugs and mugs. I have even had 87 "happy birthday" posts on Face Book. EIGHTY SEVEN.( I didn't know I knew 87 people)... once again, I LOVE Face Book!!!  Tonight we're celebrating at one of my favorite restaurants, Balloons (where else would you celebrate a birthday?) with some of my best buds!  One of them even shared the nursery with me when we were born 59 years ago...WOW.... I must say I have the best Hatfield family and the best bunch of friends... They always say you have only a few real friends but you sure couldn't prove the few part by me today.. I have MANY and I am thankful....I know it sounds trite but every day IS a gift and I accept each     humbly and with love!