Over the river and through the WOODS

Yesterday was a woodsy kind of day.  It began with tons of sunshine and some picture taking...shocker!  This was actually the professional kind.  Bailee donned her farmer attire and photos commenced at the chicken house.....we moved on to the tractor, the pitcher pump, the woods and then returned for a "costume" change.  The transformation from farmer to fairy was effortless.... a pair of wings, some antennae and she looked tu tu cute!  After some action shots we travelled to Lansing for the Woodland Fairy Buffet.............yum!!Whether you were glittered in pixie dust or not, it was perfectly enchanting.  During part of our photo shoot, we discovered that our hills were alive with fiddleheads.  Before last week, they would have merely been an interesting looking weed.  I read an article about the wonderful seasonal delicacy of fiddleheads....and low and behold they were right in our own backyard. Upon returning from the buffet, Jess ventured out to collect our new found greens for supper and sharing.  She may have gotten into the pixie dust as she seemed to want to fly....As she was fiddling around, a log crumbled and she came rolling down the hill.... It made my day way more than hers!!!  Long story short... we had fiddleheads for supper.....end of the story...there will be plenty for all those fiddlehead fanatics next spring....as they will not be appearing in our woodland buffet anytime soon..... or ever again...Not everything green is good!

Love the trillium though!!!!  just not for supper:-)

Tiny Dancer

OK, if a picture's worth a thousand words, here's 8000.... All of the kids did an outstanding job.  It began on time, lasted only 45 minutes and every second was priceless.  One little girl shook her booty and her skirt fell off, one walked center stage during the dance to shout out to her Grandma and one gave a big thumbs up at the end of her first dance..(thumbs up to you too, B)  Gabrielle Amos has the patience of Job and did a super job with all her students. We're all looking forward to dancing in the fall:-)

RIF

Yep, reading IS fundamental..... Last night Bailee and I were reading the BIG book of Dr. Seuss.. She is such a good reader... no monotone for her and if she gets to a word she doesn't know, she sounds it out and goes back to read the sentence again.  I explained to her how proud I was of her reading ability and why!  "You read so well Bailee because you read with inflection."  "Infection?..no, inflection."  "Projection...no inflection..." Injection?..no INFLECTION.....Oh....inflection...what's that mean?" She heeds the punctuation, adjusts her tone for situational changes and even modifies her voice for character changes.  What 5 year old does that? Yes, yes I'm bragging... deal about it or move on!!

It's a joy for me as I love to read.  Neither Jeff nor Jess enjoyed reading:( That was a bummer for me. I am content no matter where I am if I have a book. I think girls enjoy reading more than boys..which is a shame but understandable.  If you dislike reading or struggle with it....everything is an uphill battle. If reading isn't your thing, than neither is writing or math word problems or history or...........anything. Jeff was a good listener.  I remember in early elementary school he would write sentences and end them with tiny triangles.... Finally his teacher questioned him... His reply, "I thought you said we had to end a sentence with a pyramid!!!!"   OK, maybe he wasn't such a good listener:-(
I'm glad that Bailee is an avid reader! Today's world of technology can be a blessing or a curse. TV and video games can be a nasty diversion but also kindles, leap frog devices and nooks can be amazing tools. The world is at their fingertips, literally!
   And I say with inflection... reading is FUNdamental..  Way to go Miss B!!!

Bird- Brain

I'm hooked...no wait, that's fishing....I'm feathered!!  I have been watching a robin find the perfect location to build her nest and lay her beautiful, blue eggs.  I have faithfully been watching 2 nest cams from Cornell...one inhabited by red tail hawks and one by blue herons.  Thankfully I have no real job or I would have been recently laid off.....Watching the hawks last night saw the minute hand travel completely around  my clock...and then some. I seem to be developing a rather disturbing pattern... I enjoy watching dead animals being ripped apart to feed various winged creatures.  Some folks go to a nursing home or assisted living in their old age.... I may be going to Sapsucker Woods!!! I do prefer my meat just a little more well done but give me a comfy nest and someone to bring my meals and I'll be a happy camper.  Last night as I watched the new newly hatched hawks, the eldest was pecking the heck out of the youngest...It felt vaguely familiar! The hawk nest cam is on top of a light pole on one of the athletic fields at Cornell. The camera operators do a magnificent job managing the cameras as well as the dialogue with viewers. Here are a few of still shots taken from the web cam....Mom is Big Red and Dad is Ezra... they are very good parents:-)

http://www.livestream.com/cornellhawks

Rules... to live by

A friend of mine told me this morning that in the year we were born (1952), life expectancy was 68.6  years... I have way more than 8.6 years of bitching yet to do. I have had much advice given to me in the past 60 years. I listened to all of it, followed some of it and disregarded most of it! I think the words I heeded most came from those whom I had solicited. I still take advice from my financial and legal advisors. After all, I pay them and would be a fool if I didn't.  This morning I came across 18 rules that are pretty straight forward, helpful and can simply make life easier.  I thought I'd share them with you...This is not advice from me :-0

•A sharp tongue can cut your own throat. (been there, done that--it hurts, I heal))


•If you want your dreams to come true, you mustn't oversleep. :-) ZZzzzzz

•Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. (and the price is right)

•The best vitamin for making friends...... B1. !!!!!!

•The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. (SHIT!!)

•The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge.. (and it's usually NOT your fault)

•One thing you can give and still keep...is your word. (#1)

•If you lack the courage to start, you have already finished. (head to OZ)

•One thing you can't recycle is wasted time. (pretty important)

•Ideas won't work unless You do. !!

•Your mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open. (An open mind is far, far from an empty one)

•The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.

•The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime! (Only YOU can make you happy)

•It is never too late to become what you might have been. (unless it was a stripper)

•Life is too short to wake up with regrets, So love the people who treat you right, Forget about the ones who don't.

•Believe everything happens for a reason. (kind of a toughie)

•If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it.

•Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Pretty good rules.....if you're into rules;-)

90 and counting

Well we made it through our April birthdays... We're all official 30-60-90 :-)  Grandma was sure it wasn't her birthday because her birthday is in April.......;-)  We told her we were celebrating anyway.  One of the gals at Groton made a birthday suggestion that Mom might enjoy an MP3 player with headphones...Why hadn't I thought of that??  So, I bought one and had my in house technology expert help get the songs loaded.  Every one I was looking for was on Amazon and easily loadable.  Some of her favorites were In the Mood, Mares Eat Oats, Onward Christian Soldiers and some tunes from Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams and Mitch Miller. I knew her very favorite would be Dark Town Strutter's Ball. Her Dad used to sing it to her, she to me and I to Jess.  I asked her if she remembered it and she told me to sing it... I started and she immediately joined in, clear as a bell, knowing the tune and singing along... It was amazing.. I have always sung the praises of music and it's memory and healing powers.  She loved all the songs and clapped, tapped and sang to each and every one... Yay Liza, Yay Jess and Yay me!! We did good!  My sister had sent flowers which Mom thought tasted particularly yummy :-0............... and we decorated with a banner and cards and cutouts.  It was a memorable birthday....at least for us!!

A walk, with my ears, down Memory Lane

I'm not usually one to wait till the last minute.. but , with a little help from my friends & Jess, I've figured out the perfect gift for a 90 year old with dementia... not an easy feat!
I purchased an MP3 player and a headset and we're going to load it with songs I think Mom would love.  Her dad used to sing Dark Town Strutter's Ball to her and she in turn to me, so that has earned the opening tune spot. Mares Eat Oats was a favorite as was Onward Christian Soldiers. Mom has a great ear for a beat (she played the drums in high school) but can't carry a tune, no way, no how!!  We'd go to church and all be excited when Onward Christian Soldiers was on the bulletin for the hymn. It was a favorite of hers and she'd belt it out like she was Ella Fitzgerald singing on Sunday in Harlem. After the first verse, we'd all look at my brother, he'd nod and we'd STOP singing....Mom would continue and boy did she turn heads.... ours were bowed in shameless humor!!  We always would sing together when we "Sang along with Mitch" Miller.  One of our favorites was "Ramblin Wreck from Georgia Tech!"  I still have the albums and Bailee and I belt out tunes now that she reads so well... all the lyrics were included with the albums.  Show tunes from South Pacific, West Side Story and Sound of Music will be downloaded too.  Glenn Miller (my fav too) and Jimmy Dorsey will make the hit parade as well as Johnny Mathis and Andy Williams.  To finish up, there'll be some old standbys like You are my Sunshine, Blueberry Hill and My Bonnie lies over the Ocean.  Last but not least will be- I Believe.... That was my brother Steve's Graduation Song and the song sung at his funeral...  I believe she'll love her birthday gift!!!! Happy 90th Mom ♥♥

Yummm..... bacon

I love Bacon......but I'm not sure I love it to death!!!!  There is a Seattle based company that is actually marketing.. the Bacon Coffin. See for yourself!  It has an adjustable bed and mattress...like you're going to get bigger in there?  It ships complete with a bacon memorial tube... whatever the hell that is and..... wait for it.......................a bacon air freshener, "for when you get that buried-underground, not so fresh feeling!" The company suggests that buying a casket can often be a hard thing to do... ya think? and this helps the fun loving, albeit a bit eccentric folks, make it more of a celebration.  Well I've already decided that underground isn't the place for me to eternally rest so I just may write the company and see if they have a bacon style, fat dripping urn...That way, the frivolity will still exist, I can remain on the kitchen counter for a few more days and be used again to cook home fries. Now, that's not any nuttier than the bacon coffin and it's much more practical.....as it can be used for generations to come! Sizzle on my friends!

Big Day

Today's a big day... The 2012 NFL football schedule is announced. I know, what woman actually gives a hoot about that?  That would be this woman!!!  I always thought I was blessed with an over abundance of testerone...my love of football and my mustache confirms it! I'm very hopeful that the Bills will actually complete a successful season.  Williams could be the guy to actually spur on a winning run.  Jet's camp in Cortland should prove to be a big economy booster for the city.  They skipped camp there last year and maybe a whole lot of "Tebowing" will make up the difference this summer.  The Giants will start out on a winning note and hopefully continue their stellar streak in Superbowl fashion. Can you tell I'm a New Yorker?  We're pretty fortunate to have 3 NY affiliated teams...now if one or more can show a little defense and a whole lot of offense, we'll be good to go.  Even a bad football game makes me happy.  Bailee watches with me and even has the offense/defense straight, knows a few referee hand signals and can appropriately chant the cheers on cue...  I'll have her into Fantasy football in no time! Nobody else in the family gives a hoot about my favorite past time.  Lee prefers sports with engines which is OK. I love to watch motocross and supercross too! Jeff's new passion is golf...which is right up there with paint drying ....unless it's the Skin's Game and I do enjoy that as well.  So, tonight at 7 p.m. I'll be ready to print out the new schedule and mark off the days on my calendar until the first pre-season game.  I'm having withdrawals on Sundays.. I miss Terry, Michael, Howie and Jimmie ( Curt, not so much) and I just can't do another Meet the Press or Sunday Morning... I am so over the November election already.  I much prefer to watch Frank Caliendo pretend to be Mitt Romney or even Obama than to sit through the real thing...

Only 4 more months till I'm once again happy in my recliner watching my troops on the battlefield!!!  I can handle that!

Chick, Chicks Here

There are some things I had hoped I would never have to say.... One of them is: "My granddaughter's in love with a brown chick!"  but she is and it appears I was a contributing factor....All in the name of love.  Saturday afternoon we took a field trip..the whole famdamily....We must have caught Papa in an exceptionally weak moment.  Off we drove to Tractor Supply and Country Max.  Home we drove with 18 chicks and $200 worth of "Supplies!"  We have three different varieties, all layers.  If all goes according to plan, we should have three different colored eggs this summer....blue, lower in cholesterol, eggs and brown and white. I, personally, will be tickled "chicken sh--less" if they stay alive long enough to grow feathers.  That brings me to chapter 2 in "Which came first, the Chicken or the Egg."  The girls, Jess and B, cleaned out the smoke house and transformed it into the new chicken house.  They swept and shoveled and layered the floor with woodshavings.  Bailee hauled water and chicken feed and Papa rigged the heat lamp to keep the little pullets toasty.  Word is that 98 degrees is the optimum temp for brooding little chicks.  We attained the high 80's on a fairly warm, spring night.  Papa decided we needed to switch the bulb to a heat bulb....done.... After a few hours of yard work on Sunday, a chick check was performed.... Holy Smoke, literally... we had the light a (chicken )little too close to the woodshavings and a few were smoldering and BLACK.... I know, it is a smoke house but we weren't prepared to actually have fried chicken...and Miss B would likely never have forgiven us had we had a BarbBQ so soon....after all these are layers not meat chicks. Disaster averted and this morning all 18 were present and accounted for and near perfect temperature.  If we make it through the next couple of weeks, we may add a few pheasants to the mix and maybe even a couple of turkey chicks... Wouldn't the old McDonalds be proud of us.... and Grandma Iva too.   The fence will be going up soon and that will be the real test. We do live in the country and we do have foxes and hawks and all the things that like to prowl.  Bailee has assured us that she understands the "circle of life" and won't have the big one if we have a bit of attrition.... unless of course it happen to be that brown chick she's in love with.  We may well have a meltdown if a chick, chick here and a chick, chick there becomes a chick here and a chick there... Time will tell, we'll just keep our feathers crossed!!

Village Spring Clean Up

You've heard of dirty, four letter, words..well here are four dirty words.....Village Spring Clean Up....  Can you hear the sound affects?  This is the most dreaded week-end of all for me.  I am not a hoarder.....my husband, on the other hand, has a masters in hoarding....and he's not fussy about hoarding other people's stuff.  He's the only man I know that used to go to Dump Day in Locke and come home with more than he took. True story......Now, we don't live in the village of Moravia but he drives through it numerous times a day. This week-end, all the villagers will drop their junk (treasures) on the curb for Lee to view in depth on each and every pass through.  I, undoubtedly will be the proud co-owner of a new cooler or table or shelf or lantern, fishing pole, gas can or grill. I not only guarantee it but I'd make wagers (and I'm not a gambling gal.) I would wager that if I were to take things to the village and place them on a curb.... by Sunday night, they'd be returned without the slightest knowledge that they ever lived here in the first place.  Lee's toying with retirement.  It's made me nervous but now, as I think about the skills he has for "junking," we may be able to eat through our Golden Years after all.... it'll just be on somebody else's plates:-)

Fine Line

An arrest in the shooting of Trayvon....Did the media and the vocal minority (now majority) leave room for anything less?  I have so many mixed feelings.....I guess my most feared is the fact that the line between justice and the law is so very fine.  There are lots of discussions about guns, who has them, who should have them, what's their ultimate purpose and the laws surrounding them. I know guns don't kill people, people do but it's all about the fine line.... If someone's breaking into my house I can shoot them..legally (we all know they're safer than in church with me behind the trigger).  And the the jokes about shooting them outside then dragging them in abound.  Self defense is big.
I also strongly believe that racism is alive and well....racial profiling is still prolific and stereotyping will continue for eternity.  I have a son who has a sleeve....( an armful of tattoos) and I believe, no finer a young man... He works hard, he's not afraid to show he loves his parents and his family, he's loyal and he looks different than a college preppy who might very well be a serial killer .....and the last to be pursued for crimes.
I have absolutely NO clue what the answer is and our lifetime won't provide one.  I do know that Trayvon will never have the opportunity to be anything more than a teenager in a hoodie....that's a shame.  Whether or not he was up to something or had been a less than stellar student is pretty much irrelevant..especially if you're his Mom.  I think she has shown an acute sense of decency and is quite articulate. She will also forever have a hole in her heart.  Where to draw that darn fine line:'(  

I'm back... kind of

Well those last 5 days sucked!  Barking cough, nagging headache, stuffy nose, upset tummy, light headed (more than usual), and low-grade fever.... UGH... I missed Jess's 30th birthday celebration, Easter dinner, Easter Egg Hunt and my chance to perform the 2012 inaugural mowing of the lawn :-(   I do have great caretakers (Jess and B).....Poor Jess must think her existence is to care for the young ..........and the old!
Grandma is settled... I think we made a great decision with Groton.  Grandma is happy, clean, safe, nurtured and regaining her physical health.  Bailee was a little taken back on her first visit yesterday as the venue is more hospital like and less Walden Place but she wanted to go back today so all is well.  Jess even got a phone call from "Grandma" on Friday night wishing her Happy Birthday.  One of the amazing aides knew it was her big day and helped (prompted) Mom express her wishes...  Meant so much to Jess.. and to me for even thinking of it.  Mom had her hair done Monday and must feel like a new woman.  She hadn't been coiffed for 3 weeks..... this is a gal who has had her hair done every week for nearly 70 years. Her hair dresser Audrey, said she did well, talked all the time and also shared that she "does not remember that Lee and I were ever married!"  Hmmmmm:-)
Today is catch up day.... mail, FaceBook, laundry, blog and maybe the swipe of a dust cloth...

Whew

Whew!!!  Finally a few minutes to relax...and I'm getting a good cough and cold :-(  Mom made the move very well.. Much better than I had hoped for.  It was a bit of a struggle getting her from bed to chair to wheel chair to car and reverse but we (Jess and others actually) got the job done.  She seemed to be very relaxed when we arrived. Her room was a bit different but the "fixin's" were familiar.  She has a very nice roommate, Irene.  Irene likes to watch her TV and is deaf... thankfully....Mom is too :-)  We were visited by all of those who will be attending to Mom from Nurse Julie (family friend) to Alec the PT guy, Ginnie the dietitian, Liza the social worker and Elaine, the money gal!!  We were even treated to lunch...It was liver day and I actually LOVE liver....(Yeah, I know).  The food was yummy!!!  Mom enjoyed lunch with the other residents in the dining room.  I called this morning and she had slept well and was even showered, hair washed and dressed.  She's not a shower fan but the girls got her through it by singing "Take me out to the Ballgame"...  Yesterday they had asked ALL about her from birth to now and I had explained that she had always loved sports and music.....they obviously had listened to me...Yay them♥  They came through at the eye Dr's office and her new glasses have arrived as well... (hospital seems to have lost them!)  If I already told you all that.. well the apple doesn't fall far from the tree:-)
Today is Jess's 30th birthday.... We splurged at Mickey D's for lunch and tonight, after B leaves for Dad's:-(, we're all going to Ichiban.. crap, I think I told you that too....
I'll try to get back to some normal prose next week....Hopefully, like Jesus, I'll rise to the occasion!!   Happy Easter all.... Happy Day, Happy Family and Happy Ham!!!

tying up loose ends

One again, Jess is in Cortland on Grandma duty.  She is my soldier of mercy:-)  Today is detail day.  Tying up loose ends!Glasses still a no show so the hospital staff did one last room sweep and they are filing a report.  I called her eye Dr. to order a new pair, in a frame I don't need to pick out and easy enough for me to adjust as she won't be physically visiting the office. The gal I must speak with, Cinnamon was unavailable (probably making rolls) and would call me back. (Really, who names their Caucasian baby daughter Cinnamon?) When I asked the hospital staff who I was to send the glasses receipt to for reimbursement.... there was dead silence on the other end of the line.... Guess they'd never been asked that before....Chances are if they don't respond quickly, they'll be asked again!

Hoping to get to GNF (Groton Nursing Facility.. short for all future blogs) this afternoon to set up Mom's new room... I'm actually quite excited... I hope all goes as planned!

Hit the new Dollar General this morning.  very bright, roomy and clean...as all new brooms sweep. We'll see if it stays that way...It seems that Moravia is becoming a bit of a boom town.. Hearing rumors of Dunkin Donuts across from the Elem. School. Also, they're working on the new bar/restaurant in the old Main Street firehouse, a new burger joint in the old Deli and maybe a change of venue for the pizza shop.  I know, I sound like the Republican Register.... hmmm Republican... now there's a blog for another day!

P.S. I'm thinking about walking in the Alzheimer's Walk... I made myself a note to:
             Sign Up Now, Before You Forget...... I think that's a pretty good slogan for  Alheizmer's Assoc. activities. Maybe I'll suggest it:-)

SONshine

The sun  is out and it's a beautiful, upstate, spring day:-)

My son is back in Charlotte and it's the pits:-(

We had a great 4 days (almost) but it went way too quickly!  I am such a wimp when he leaves. Luckily it was 5:30 a.m. and I could have my mini meltdown in the dark. I can still smell his aftershave in the house....My Lord, you'd think he went off to war...
I did get good news this morning though!  Mom is much better and we're looking at a move to Groton on Thursday.. I almost hate to say it out loud for fear it won't happen.
They're moving some people around there and we're literally waiting for paint to dry:-)
I feel like I'm sending her off to camp... labeling her clothes, packing her favorite pillow and blanket and photos for her wall.  I'm hoping for good things even though I know it won't be good forever! The hospital has lost her glasses so that may be tomorrow's project.
Friday, Jess turns 30 and the family is all gathering at Ichiban's for dinner.... Ahh So!!Should be interesting..... 14 Hatfields eating Japanese......
So, all in all, 60 is beginning pretty well... a visit from Jeff, a new home for Mom, Jess hits the big 3-0, the sun's out, Easter's on the horizon with another family gathering...I do, however; have my work cut out for me! Since Bailee will be at her Dad's Easter morning, she's asked if I would "try really hard to get a picture of the Easter Bunny" as she's never seen the real one. Papa told her, "No problem!"  ( we'll see how he looks in those ears!!!!)

What a week-end!

If you're sick of getting my rants and updates.... hit the big X and come back another day when my brain and keyboard is more entertaining.


For those who stayed:
Friday morning Jess and I went to Walden Place to clean out Mom's clothes, pictures, etc. We got a phone call from the hospital explaining that Mom had a severe rash over 95% of her body....and because she'd been "swung" the day before, she was virtually an outpatient and needed to go to the ER for the latest development.  7.5 hours, 3 doctors, no food or drink and the eventual re-admittance, she was moved back upstairs to the exact same bed she left from at 9 a.m. WTH... To say I was not a happy camper is more than just an under statement.  Midday, I excused myself to the bathroom for a mini meltdown...Feeling a bit better, I resumed my best hurry up and wait position and tried not to physically or verbally attack any health care worker.  As I was mentally feeling a bit sad and sorry for myself, I looked up and standing in the doorway was, Jeff♥♥♥♥ A YouTube moment it was... He was a sight for sore, red eyes.  I'm not a big surprise fan but this was monumental!!  He was my human can of red bull! I was re-energized and ready to take on the world...and the establishment.... and I wanted to get Mom settled and go home...  After verbally assaulting a couple of nurses who came to get Mom's history (remember, she'd been in this hospital for 12 days), I think they may have huddled and decided they should get rid of us....they had told me 2.5 hours before that her bed was ready.   Upstairs we went...back to the EXACT same bed she had come from nearly 8 hours before, my WTH's were rapidly turning into WTF's..  I got her settled and headed home to peace, quiet and Jeff.  BTW, they've lost her glasses!!
Yesterday, I quietly jumped into another decade.  Jess took over Mom duties for the day and made me breakfast. I was gifted with homemade fudge, homemade cinnamon rolls and homemade choc. cupcakes, and never left the house or better yet, never wore a bra! Happy birthday to me..... and the girls :-)  Bailee arrived at 3:30 and all was well with my world for the rest of the day/night.
I get one more day with Jeff. Tonight is everybody's favorite supper...chuck roast and mashed potatoes and we're coloring Easter eggs!  I'm slowly learning to take what you can get when you can get it and enjoy the hell out of it... That's my plan for tonight!!!
Thanks for listening those of you who stayed....it'll get better..I promise!