On Guard

I now totally understand the saying about the "Fox guarding the Henhouse!"  Not the best idea.  We're down a couple more girls.  I told Lee we really needed to put them in at night and he feared they'd be too warm....instead.. they're too (two) dead!  I'm thinking they'd rather be warm!  So tonight, I guess I will be the keeper of the gate and make sure the remaining 14 girls and 2 boys can safely sleep through the night.  I also think I might put up a trail cam and see just exactly who's been the culprit.  We see no signs of digging so something is able to manage itself through the fence , make the kill and get back out...with the victim.  Some say weasel, some say fox.... I have this burning need to know.  Not so much that I would stay awake but enough to set up the camera. We have a lot of evidence from the scene but the majority of it appears to be from the victim and not the unsub (unknown subject for all you non CSIers). Time will tell!

I was hoping that the two men we recently added to the family would have protected the girls a little better....... I guess they're .......chicken!

                          To our 4 deceased girls.....RIP.....rest in piece(s)

Supreme mistake:-(

I've often been disappointed in our local government. I'm usually disappointed in our state governement. I'm always disappointed in our federal government and now I'm royally disappointed in the Supreme Court. Obamacare upheld.....really?  I understand those who argue that we are required to carry automobile insurance...I get that.... that involves others.... I also understand the need for health care... I understand it to the tune of $1057.00 A MONTH!!!!... The government doesn't help me, my employer doesn't help me ( that's me), I won't be reaping any benefits during my retirement and now I MUST have it.  I've never been one to do something because someone tells me I have to (shocker).  Rebelliously, that's often given me reason not to do it!  Unfortunately, many Americans will now be making choices, heat vs health care....food vs. health care and even medicine vs. health care.  I know that many provisions included in O-care will not be put into place until 2014...and I actually think a few of them are good.  Insuring with pre-existing conditions is a plus.  The Medicaid debacle and states opting to say NO with no repercussions is confusing to me...well actually the entire thing is confusing to me.... which is exactly their objective.  I know that many Americans are incapable of making wise choices...well aren't they lucky... they don't even get the chance anymore.

Where there's a will................

This pretty much says it all.  I'm not sure it's exactly what health care officials or my lawyer were looking for.....but it works for me!!

A Contest

Life is not a contest. It's really not who has more money or who has a bigger house. It's certainly not who has a nicer car or who goes where on vacation. It absolutely isn't who gets better grades in school or who can read better, run faster, sing louder or hit the ball the farthest.  It isn't even who is more successful.....Success is relative!  A man who works each day digging ditches, has a healthy family and whose bills are paid is far more successful (in my opinion) than a corporate exec who sits in a big office with credit cards maxed to the hilt, mortgages he may never pay off and stress that's slowly killing him. It really isn't "he who dies with the most toys wins!"  We, as parents and grandparents, have the ability to instill our kids the basic equality in us all.  I'm not sure we're doing such a hot job. Our educational system is based on test scores...Bullshit.. (sorry)...Now we're going to share our teacher evaluations with the world.  That kind of turns teaching into a contest.  We all learn differently.  I know I'm guilty of bragging up Bailee's reading ability...but the poor girl has trouble skipping......... I guess when I brag, I'm probably not doing anyone a favor...least of all Bailee.  I think what I love about 5 year olds is their lack of stereotyping... They really don't see black or white, smarter or slower, ugly or beautiful......We are the ones who plant those seeds.... I'm sure not purposely but these little minds soak up everything they see and hear.  Whether it's a joke that Grandpa tells or a comment made about how someone looks....they're learning that from us!  Life may not be a contest but we're responsible nonetheless for the rules.  They see things through us... scary as that might be if you think about it.  Bailee and I were playing Guess Who the other day.  My question was, "Is your person black?" Her reply, "what does that mean Grandma?"    There you go!

Cock a Doodle-Two

Yep, we brought in the boys.  Saturday night we were discussing the pros and cons of adding a rooster to our poultry family.  Sunday morning I got a message that there were two available from a local family, if we were interested.  Personally I'd have been happy with just the girls but it never hurts to have a couple of guys around to remind "us" how exceptionally talented and hardworking "we" are.  After all, they don't need a rooster to lay eggs. A fact that my husband just learned despite being raised on a farm.

So, off we journeyed, with dog crate in hand, to adopt some more critters to join us at EIEIO.  Bailee has named them, Steve Harvey (her favorite "funny guy") and Dufus.  They both have the gnarliest feet we've ever seen....since Great Grandma's that is:-/  We figured we might as well just let them loose in the chicken pen and see what happened.  A few pecks here and there and a few flying feathers but they seem to have adjusted and are all still alive and pecking.  Only a few cock a doodles last night and no wake up calls this morning.  We made a family decision, if problems arise, we can always eat them.....( OK maybe all the family wasn't in agreement but majority rules!!!)

Look out first grade...

And a celebration it was.....even if I did get fresh batteries for my camera and FORGET the memory card.... Luckily Papa saved the day by sharing his..(which he always keeps handy in his truck in case he needs a photo of a recently killed woodchuck!) The kids did a wonderful job with all their great songs and they were happy to be moving on to first grade. After the celebration, we enjoyed ice cream, "great report card surprises" and then a movie in the H.U.T. where it was cool and comfy (95 outside:-( 
Bailee's report card was wonderful.... All 4's (above average) for her language arts and math and was given awards for Homework completion and Responsibility.  Her teacher remarked that she was "gifted!" and would do well in school.... Whew! We will be working on letting others finish talking before we add our opinions.....I cannot, for the life of me, figure out where this trait might have developed???
We have lots of fun things planned for the summer and I'm sure it will fly by. We're going to spend time in the woods and outside, work on our "101 things to see before I'm 12," build some candy construction, swim, visit Great Grandma, read lots of chapter books and spend some time at Daddys. 

Our first GRAND graduate

Today is Kindergarten Graduation..I mean Celebration....and Miss Bailee is ready whether you see her coming or see her going!  Thank goodness the new elementary auditorium is air conditioned as the temps are expected to be 95+.  I just love how our Kindergarten families are so excited about this day.  Small towns really do rock.  A couple of local fire dept. families even surprised their graduates with a "Last day of Kindergarten" ride to school.  I think that's pretty awesome.  It will be a fun afternoon with singing, report cards, pictures (of course) and the joy of seeing the anticipation of who they'll share the next year with..both teachers and classmates.

Congratulations all you Miniature Adults... I think the next generation (The Class of 2024) will be in pretty good hands♥♥♥

Things I've learned....from "Fifty"

Well, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is in the books...so to speak! My Kindle is happy to actually be out of my hands for awhile and take a well deserved rest.  It was an interesting trip. One I wouldn't have made if it weren't for all the hype and publicity.  We all know that's one of the glories of reading... you get to travel to places you normally wouldn't have the opportunity ( or maybe even desire) to visit.  I had never thought of going there but I must admit, I enjoyed it!  It was, however; a learning experience and here are some souvenirs from my "Journey to Greysland!"

10.   The only Sub I'm interested in is Subway!
9.     The only Dom I enjoy, is Dom-Perignon!!
8.     If I never hear the word gape again....it will be too soon!
7.     I will never, ever call my granddaughter's toy room a playroom again!
6.     I now more fully understand the meaning of GRAND PIANO..
5.     Painting a room red won't happen.
4.     I never knew that eating ice cream could be such a pleasure.
3.     I will never even whip cream again...Maybe just beat it by hand:-o
2.     I knew I loved Vanilla for a reason.

And the number one thing I learned from this trip.....This year, I'll be decorating my Christmas tree with silver balls.......lots and lots of little silver balls!!!

Post-Father's Day

If a picture's worth a 1000 words, here are 6000!  We had a great afternoon at the pond at Grandpa Wendell's.  The weather was perfect, Bailee was with us, Papa took the golf cart up and we had a sumptuous chicken Bar BQ.  We were missing some of the crew but it's pretty tough to get everybody together in the same spot anymore. This kicks off the summer with lots of events on tap.  Allison's birthday always welcomes us to summer on the 21st (Kay's too) and then we head right into graduations, reunions, camping, birthdays and before you know it, weddings and we're "back to school!"
This week is also Kindergarten Graduation...oh, I'm sorry "it's not a graduation Grandma it's a celebration" and Gabby and Emily "move up" to Middle School.  How the heck did that happen?
It sounds like we're going to usher in summer in fine fashion with a 3 day, 90+ heat wave.  I could probably survive without that but so many enjoy it that I'll just take one for the team and sit under a fan!
Jess and I visited Grandma this morning. She was in rare form. She was doing exercises and was looking forward to a visit from her Dad who was "coming down the hall."  Maybe this nasty disease isn't so bad if you can conjure up past memories and enjoy them over and over.  She didn't, on the other hand, know Jess or me but our names sounded "familiar!"  She was looking forward to making lemonade and as the saying goes, if life hands you lemons.......................................:-)

A Day for Dads

This week-end we celebrate Dad's.  For the most part, Dad's get the short end of the recognition stick.  Often times, no matter what they do...it's wrong.  They either work too much or work too little, don't pitch in at home , golf too much, "babysit" (that term always irked me..babysit.. they're your damn kids too) too little or complained too much. Whatever they did, it just wasn't enough.  To me, fatherhood is generational.  Expectations were different when we were kids and the generations preceding were even stranger... Take the Hatfields and McCoys, I doubt anyone recently sat on a riverbank contemplating shooting their son... OK I take that back..it might have flashed across their mind!  Lee swears (brags) he never changed a diaper. Believe me, he did... his subconscious just erased unpleasant events...amazing how the male brain functions....or doesn't!  Emotion was nothing in prior generations like it is today. "I love you's" didn't run freely.  Today it's as common as hello....at least with our crew.  I wish I'd said it more.  It seemed that maybe our growing up years were more respectful than touchy-feely. Not a bad thing really but our relationships with our kids just feel a lot better. 

Nonetheless, celebrating Father's Day began over 100 years ago.  Mothers got their day first and that's OK. In fact Father's Day wasn't given National Holiday status until 1972........by none other than Richard Nixon........and we all know what an upfront, teddy bear he was!  Other countries celebrate Dads on different days for different reasons.

*In traditionally Catholic countries such as Spain and Portugal, Father’s Day is observed on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph. (sounds like a chicken Bar B Q to me)

*Taiwanese celebrate Father’s Day on August 8, the eighth day of the eighth month, because the Mandarin Chinese word for eight sounds like the word for “Papa.” (Another day to celebrate Bailee's Papa)

*In Thailand, Father’s Day occurs on the king’s birthday, which for current King Bhumibol Adulyadej is December 5. ( This hits home.... On my Dad's birthday, he would always give us gifts. He was a firm believer in it being more fun to give than to receive.)

So this Father's Day... I salute my Dad... who I miss more than I can say♥

                                  I salute Lee... who I never dreamed would be such

                                  a remarkable Dad and Grandpa♥

                                   I salute Jeff...who I know will one day be an awesome Dad

      AND                     I salute Bailee's Dad.... but.... with an entirely different 

                                   finger and for entirely different reasons:-/          

                                  

HAIR

After 2 weeks of Christian and Ana Grey, I was lying in bed last night thinking about....wax!  I do my best thinking at night...in bed!  That's all I do the best there anymore... it's actually ALL I do there anymore..except sleep of course. Anyway...wax....waxing??? WHY?  If I were supposed to be hairless...anywhere, I just naturally would be.. You know like those disgustingly ugly hairless cats.  Nobody waxes them! Or handsome, bald men like my hubs.  Nobody waxes him! I know that being vain often brings out the masochist in all of us but really?  I haven't even had the guts to wax my eyebrows or my mustache.  I'm a wimp... I do know there isn't a man alive..or dead who is or was worth that. Take me or leave me as I am... What you see is what you get in all my hairy glory!!! In my book, WAX should:

Be used to shine your car, your boat, your motorcycle or your floors

Be used to make red, fake lips to be worn at Halloween and then chewed vigorously and spit out before bed

Be used to fill long tapered, wick filled molds and then scattered about the house to invoke romance and/or alleviate fart odors.

NOT be used to slowly and methodically pull out pubic hair follicles while scalding that precious area that NO ONE, with the exception of your under paid OB/GYN, will ever see again.

As we sang in the 70's...

He asks me why, why I'm just a hairy gal.


I'm hairy noon and nighty night night, my hair is a fright.


I'm hairy high and low, but don't ask me why, cause she don't know.


It's not for lack of bread, like the Grateful Death.


Darlin'


Give me a head with hair, long beautiful hair.


Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen.


Give me down to there hair, shoulder length or longer hair


Here baby, there, momma, ev'rywhere, daddy, daddy.

Goin' West

Tonight I'm off to Dallas.  At 9 p.m. I'll be reclining in my seat ready to depart.  It's been 21 years since I've been there but I think I'll be right at home.  You guessed it....The new Dallas premiers tonight at 9 p.m.  I was an avid fan.  My Friday nights weren't terribly exciting for those 357 episodes with the exception of that one hour.  Tonight, Bobby, Sue Ellen and J.R in all their splendid "Grayness" (hair, not 50 shades) will join me in my gray haired splendor to see what their next generation has in store.  We've been treated to a few interviews that tell us that John Ross hasn't fallen from the J.R. tree and Christopher..handsome, handsome Christopher, is pursuing an alternative energy source and will undoubtedly be the mild-mannered, sensitive cousin. I see some feudin' in the future....

The cast was on "The Talk" this afternoon and when the curtain rose, JR, Bobby and Sue Ellen appeared and the theme song began...I had goosebumps.  Sad but true.

There are ten episodes filmed and hopefully it will be grand... after all "Everything is bigger in Texas!"

Readkiddoread

I love to read. Bailee loves to read. Jeff and Jess do not love to read.  That makes me sad.  I tried to empower them both with a love of reading but I failed. I vowed to succeed with Bailee and I'm thrilled to report....I have!  Seldom is there a day that she doesn't come to me with a book. Sometimes she wants me to read, sometimes she reads but most often we share... Page one for me, page two for her!  She came home from her last book fair armed with reading material for the summer..............or maybe just the week.

One of my favorite authors is James Patterson. I have read every book he has written, with the exception of the two books he has written for "middle schoolers."  I will read those too!  Recently, his son Jack interviewed him about his love of reading and his latest tween novel.  Here's the link.... http://jamespatterson.com/books_middleSchoolTwo-webcast.php 

  Well worth listening to. James explains the value of reading and it's relationship to almost everything...  He is an accomplished suspense author and has now written a novel geared to teens......Confessions.  His two middle school books have been "best sellers" in the tween genre of literature.

I am so pleased that reading is still a priority in school.... Book Fairs, book challenges, integrating books with history, art and music, local book readers and even free books at our local thrift store.  I love my "library" of hard copy books and I will admit I'm having a tough time adjusting to not adding to my collections.  My Kindles are amazing though and I always have something at my fingertips to read.... Lately, I'm liking the anonymity that my Kindle provides.. I probably don't need to flash about all my 50 Shades.......of red!  I can also get newspapers, (Wall Street Journal) and magazines and even word documents directly from my K.  Reading anywhere, anytime and anything.  Yep, I gave Bailee a Nook for her 5th birthday.... spoiling her?  Some may say absolutely...but at 5 she can fluently read "absolutely" and spell it too!!  So you girl...and  Readkiddoread!!!!  You're making James Patterson and Grandma very happy!!!♥

It's the Principal of the thing:-)

Back to my favorite day of the week.  I had just finished opening the mail, folding the laundry and tending to Monday chores when the phone rang.  Just prior to that, I was  mentally going over a short list of topics for this morning's epistle.  Ding Ding Ding.... here you go.

Just to preface my story, almost every day, someone inquires about my Mom.  Thankfully, I can answer that in the grand scheme of things, she's great.  She's 90, has Alzheimer's and lives as if each minute is her own personal Groundhog's Day but she's "good!"  She sings, she smiles and she laughs....Life is good! (there are so many disconcerting affects of Alzheimer's that she's in fact stellar)  The phone rings and the caller ID flashes Groton Nursing Home. Always a little catch in my chest when I see it but so far no calls have been bad or sad.  This morning it's Julie (head nurse manager and old neighbor and friend) who is her usual cheery self. "Just thought I'd call and fill you in on Mom's activities yesterday." (so far, so good)   "She pulled the fire alarm............TWICE!" Being the twisted sister , or daughter as the case may be, laughter erupted...the snorting kind!  It seems the second time was at 8:50 last night and of course, there's protocol.... fire trucks, evacuating residents etc...It was also reported that the second time was accompanied by giggles.....from Mom. Julie did say that in her defense, it did say "Pull here!" After composing myself and apologizing, I did say that maybe they should put the alarms in plastic boxes or little wire cages so those that wander the halls aimlessly for hours, days and weeks aren't tempted.  Who would think I'd be defending my Mom for pranks.... I hope Dad's chuckling up there, the Groton Fire Dept. will forgive her and the Nursing Home Buildings and Grounds staff can rectify the temptation.  After all, what am I to do....send her to the Principal?

Empty Nest

Once again, we're suffering through empty nest syndrome.  This time our four fledgling robins have flown the coop... two yesterday and two this morning.  I have surmised that they went in pairs so Mom and Dad could each have a visual on one for their first flight and night on the town.  This morning the last one was perched on the transom window trying to deal with his fear of flying.  I had walked on to the porch to photograph # 3 working on his take offs and landings.  Mom and Dad were not happy with my proximity to # 4.  Dad randomly dive bombed me while Mom loudly ran her beak.  Finally the last flyer got up the courage and flew right over my head... thankfully it didn't scare the shit out of him or I'd have been the recipient. 

It's sad to see them go.  Another clue in our case of old age.  A year ago Lee would have shot most anything dressed in fur or feather.....Yesterday he wanted me to lay a perfectly good blanket on our concrete porch floor in case one of them fell out of the nest or was unsuccessful on his first flight..... REALLY?  At least I can now remove the nest and wash the windows.... my very last excuse has flown away.  My only hope is they get this flying thing down fast so I don't run over them with the lawn mower.  My eyesight isn't what it used to be and I've been known to run over a rock (or whatever) in lieu of climbing off and moving it.  We did get word today of a nest of turkey eggs that was in need of nurturing.....I'm hoping I don't see Lee drive in with an incubator...I'm afraid the attachment would be more than this  birdbrained Grandma could handle.

If you need anything........

Here I am again..back on my soap box.  My kids say I'm up here a lot... They say I'm preaching. I say I'm teaching!  I guess once you're headed into that 7th decade priorities become a little different..even skewed maybe but all in the name of love.  We'd like our kids to learn from our mistakes and be ready for what's down the road.... and hopefully that road is very long!  We want to make our demise as easy as possible for them and for them to, in turn, do so for their kids.  I saw an article in the paper about everyone having a "legacy drawer."  In my case it's closer to a legacy cabinet."  There are 11 essential contents to your drawer.
1.  Cover letter           Just a simple letter letting everyone know what's in the drawer.
2.   Will                       A copy of your will and the name of your executor and the person who has your power of attorney*          (very important*)
3.   Financial Accounts  List anything in your name...bank account, credit cards, retirement accounts
4.   Funeral Plans       Your wishes, as simple or as eloquent as YOU'D like.... any pre-paid info and cemetery info. (You'll be hearing Beach Boy music at mine @ EIEIO)
5.   Insurance Policies All policies: health, vehicle, home, life, policy #'s and who's covered.. also the phone # to call is very helpful (been there, done that)
6.   Vital documents    Birth certificates, death certificates, deeds, titles, abstracts, military records, mortgages.....
7.    Legacy Letters      Personal notes and letters to loved ones.  This one is especially important to me.  I have letters from my Gr. Grandfather to my Dad, my Dad to my Mom and my Dad to my children and to me.  All irreplaceable and heartwarming♥
8.    Monthly budget     Just a list of what you pay out monthly to help your family tie up household expenses.
9.    Tax returns           In case of an audit, these can act as an insurance policy... 7 years is still sufficient.
10.   Safe deposit box  If you have one, indicate where it's located and who has access..keep a copy of the above cover letter inside...
11.   Passwords         Write down all passwords, usernames, PIN numbers and emails so your family can access computer, cellphone and financial accounts.  (If you have email folders such as "dysfunctional family", you may want to delete if you have a pain in your left shoulder radiating down your left arm and shortness of breath:-)

This can all be as painless or as complicated as you choose to make it.  I HATED talking about all of this with my Dad but how much easier it was when the time came. Ok there was some stress but that's all in my "DF" folder.  I think one of my favorite stories is about when Humphrey Bogart passed away.  In his urn of ashes sits a small, gold whistle. His loving wife, Lauren Bacall, had it engraved with the words she spoke to him in their first film together "To Have and Have Not.
                             "If you need anything, just whistle!"

                            Maybe I'll put a whistle in my legacy drawer!!

Dear Lord

Dear Lord,

So far today I've done alright. I've kept my mouth shut. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish over indulgent. I'm really glad about that!

          But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed.
          and..........from then on I'm going to need a lot more help!!

                                                                   Amen:-)

Pet Peeves

If David Letterman can have his top ten lists, so can I. It wasn't difficult compiling it either.  Believe me, there are more but here are my top ten:

10.   Bad coffee - If you sell coffee, don't make it too strong, too weak or leave it around too long,
9.     Salvation Army drop - If you're going to ask for people to leave their used belongings for other's use, provide a dry place for it to be dropped or pick it up daily and remove it from the inclement weather.
8.     Driving in the left lane on a 4-lane highway - It's the passing lane (Lee)...when you have finished passing and are sufficiently by the vehicle(s) your passing, GET BACK IN YOUR LANE.....
7.     Nosey People - They're the folks who have facilitated the saying..."If you live in a small town and don't know what you're doing, just ask...everybody else thinks they know."
6.      Hanging Pictures -  When you hang a picture on the wall, it should be eye level (approx. eye level of a 6 footer).  Nearly everyone hangs them up where you need a ladder to appreciate them.
5.      Silk on sweet corn -  It does not belong there!  You aren't supposed to eat it and it's gross.  Silk belongs in underwear NOT corn!
4.      Poor Grammar - If it doesn't sound right, it probably isn't.  Work on it people...Face Book has really shown how poorly the general public, young and old, has grasped this concept.  It just "ain't" right :-)
3.      Stupid People - I have no control over this age old phenomenon!
2.      Poor Spelling - Once again, it appears not to be a priority.... Definitely has no "a" in it and many differences exist in the words, there, their, and they're, your and you're and to, two, and too. Help your children or grandchildren with their homework and you can all learn together!
And my number 1 pet peeve or peeves in this case...All things fake, from flowers and friendships to knockers and knowledge.  If it's not real..forget about it!!!

Here's a handy tip to alleviate number 5:  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=YnBF6bv4Oe4&feature=youtu.be

Growing up

Growing up...you think it's easy? I'm beginning my 7th decade and I can absolutely tell you, it's not!  Now let's look at just the first 5 years.  If an adult's brain collected and learned all that a three year old learns in those 36 months, it would burn itself out... I know, we all know people who did just that and it wasn't from intellectual intake.  All of a five year olds core values are learned in those 60 months. Speaking, walking, singing, dancing, manners (hopefully), respect, anger management, values, reading, writing, coloring and even love....unconditional love for most.  It would seem those things would come easily... wrong!  I guess it depends on the teacher (and I don't mean just the school teacher.)  Here's my latest example... and of course the five year old is Bailee.  Children are taught early that it's not really a good thing to tattle. Nobody likes a tattle tale!  In Bailee's classroom they have a dog, I believe....(not sure whether it's stuffed or paper or plastic but he lives in the corner of their room and his main purpose is to allow the students to get little things off their little chests....to tattle, if need be without bothering the teacher, the aide or the other students.  I guess the gist of the story was a classmate of B's was hitting her (not knockout punches but annoying ones.) B didn't tattle, at least to a human but she and her Mom were summoned to the Principal's office (hear the Law and Order sound affects?).  He explained to Bailee that no one should ever hit her and if it happens, she should tell her teacher, her Mom or him!.............Well, "wait a minute" this little 5 year old brain thinks.. "for 5 years I've been taught not to tattle...  The explanation came that if it's a matter of safety for you or others, you should tell someone.  This makes perfect sense to my 60 year old brain but a tad confusing for 60 month ones!!! So whoever coined the phrase Growing Pains must have known that the mental ones were going to be as tough as the physical ones.... Nothing is easy..even growing up!