Appreciation

We made it through Christmas and New Year's Eve is seldom celebrated (awake) at this house.  I'm usually awake but about 50 years past kissing myself in the mirror...I might send a few texts at midnight and a few wishes to friends on Face Book but that's the extent.  I'm never quite sure if I'm happy for all the great things that happened in the past year or thrilled that it's over.... probably a little of both.  I always like to think that I've learned new things and grown (in more ways than out) as a person in the past 365 days.  In that respect, I'm happy but still a tad disappointed that not everyone was as fortunate as I was (am.)  With age comes a great respect for appreciation.   I've decided that being appreciated is almost better than being loved, respected or successful.  All of those things are measured differently by each of us but appreciation can be given and received by every single person regardless of age, income or education. It's pretty much a global virtue that many never articulate or reciprocate.... pretty sad actually! Maybe that's what my New Year's resolution will be.  I try valiantly to never make promises I can't keep so resolutions are generally few and far between.  This year, I will be more appreciative of what I have, who I have in my life and the ability I have to pay it forward.... (no money involved in this resolution.... That I can afford !)

So, as I hopefully move ahead and continue to wake up at least for the next 3 mornings......In 2016, I will appreciate more, let people know that I do, take less for granted and hope that those whom I love, will follow my example.

Week in Review!

For someone who doesn't have a job, I seem to have trouble eeking out some blog time each day. Not that the world couldn't live without my musings but it gives me time to contemplate world views and home views and practice my keyboarding skills... (which if I were to go blind, would be tragic.)

Also, for someone who has been  ready for Christmas for a month, I seem to still have endless little things to complete.  After Bailee's letter to Santa, this elf was scrambling but successfully rounded up some wants.  I've enjoyed a few Christmas lunches and some of Julia, Alli and Gabby's sporting events. I really enjoy them and I have hopes that Bailee and Jett will enjoy sports as much as I do.  I won't let the fact that Bailee's only 2 on her report card was in gym......As Jeff would say, "I don't believe that being great hop and skipper is a qualification for college."   I will still go and watch whomever might be playing...... until I can no longer make it up the bleachers...

We're in the throws of an illness with Aunt Wendy and hoping that today's surgery is successful. Fingers crossed and a few messages to the big guy (or gal) upstairs.... (No Bailee, not Papa!)  Many of us have scratchy throats and coughing jags but we'll make it through the holidays.  This crazy weather has our bodies (and minds) confused. Fifty today, 60 tomorrow and predicting 70 for Christmas Eve.  I hope Santa has sleigh runners that will transform into pontoons and tires.... It will be quite a journey for him in 2 days!

Baby Jett is still heads up and interfering with his Mom's breathing apparatus. She's got it figured out for now and we're hoping he does some tumbling exercises in the next few weeks.  If not, he may get the zipper exit...we'll see.  This is the week of the jicama fruit but we had no idea what the hell that was so we opted for celery.  It's about the same length 16 3/4" that a week 32 baby should be... So we're "stalking" him instead.  It will soon be shower time and another fun celebration.

That's about it for today..I'm never sure when I'll get back here but soon...Christmas Eve and Christmas morning will suck here as all the crew will be with other family...:-( but by 1:00 p.m. the house should be full and the presents disappearing from under the tree. I'll adapt but under protest!

The Talk

"It's always time for "The Talk"!  That's what the gals say on the afternoon talk show. With kids, The talk is usually about the birds and bees.  After last night with Bailee, I realized The Talk was of larger proportions. It all began when she decided she'd better get busy and get her letter written to Santa.  After all, there were only nine days left till Christmas, yesterday's mail had "gone", and really he needed to have it before Christmas Eve...... (WAY before Christmas eve if there was a prayer for him to even locate ( I mean construct) half of these requests.
First, we talked about not just asking for things (toys, etc.)  She mentioned she'd like some snow, she's a cold weather girl!  She wanted him to bring something nice for her cousin Jett.. (That warmed my heart) and she wanted her Mom to not be so grumpy and "distressed!"  I explained that Santa could only do so much and wasn't a miracle worker. (Ha - she has a bit of my sense of humor so she got that.)  I said there are some things that Santa can't do that we have to ask the guy "up there" (pointing up) to help us with. She said, "OH YOU MEAN PAPA?!"  ...............................I guess our "TALK" needs to be less about the Birds and the Bees and more about The big G!  That might be a whole lot tougher then the sex talk.  I'm pretty much a hypocritical Christian.  I have faithfully said my prayers since I was able to advance from "Now I Lay me Down to Sleep" to "Our Father Who Art in Heaven"....60+ years.  Way too many times, he hasn't been a very good listener....but I keep asking.  We're not church goers!  We try to be believers! It's a lot to ask. So, teaching it is even harder... Kind of like a Common Core lesson.. Most of it makes no sense but we're hoping we'll learn a little something......someday....even if it isn't the way we're used to learning. Hard to teach something though when your whole heart isn't into the lesson.  (Poor teachers) :-(  We made a little progress and the talk went well.... but soon turned back to , "The Letter!"

Bailee settled in to actually pen her requests and this was the finished product!  Needless to say, Sandy Claus weeded out the unnecessary, sorted out the bizarre and once again showed her unending appreciation to the folks at Amazon.  For those who might need a bit of interpretation:
1. A 4 wheeler....not
2. A mustache garden   .....WTF...she'd like them growing so she would have a "fresh, new one every day") Told her to wait till she was 60 and she'd be good to go!
3. Minecraft Legos ...check
4. Minecraft Storymode for PS3....check
5. Zombie Apocolypse Survival Kit ....it exists and Amazon had it...WTF
6. All the Star Wars movies.....Grandma already had and just needs to re-wrap in Santa paper......check
7. Unicorn Apocolypse Survival Kit......NFW
8. Ghost           "                   "         "........now we've hit, bizare!
9. Prank Master Kit......not
10. Something for my cousin Jett.....♥almost re-thought the 4 wheeler but regained my composure and sanity.
11. A CSI briefcase......Guess what? I have Great Grandpa Hewitt's and that will be a treat to gift...
12. Beginner Spy Kit
13. Master Spy Kit..... I questioned beginner and master.... "I'm a quick learner!!"
14. Mason Jars.....didn't think mustache garden could be trumped...I was wrong. " I want to fart in each jar, put the top on and open them in front of people I don't really like!" WTF
15. Snow for Christmas... I wholeheartedly concurred!!!!!!!!!
16. A tracking device...."to keep an eye on the girl that always hits me" :-(
17. (my fav)  A lifetime supply of CLONE.. (mens).... translation is cologne and she much prefers men's to women's! I'm not really sure what to think of that.  It could go in the direction of Heidi Fliess............................or Caitlyn Jenner...I think I'll just get her a bottle of "Let it go!"

8 days a week...

I'm no Beatle but I'm almost wishing there were 8 days a week!  It's actually been 8 days since I relaxed enough to blog.
Another successful, fun Hatfield Christmas on Saturday.  Thanks to family members for pitching in for goodies, Lee for cooking 25 rib eyes to perfection, Jeff for hauling in chairs and Grandma Iva for the foundation and traditions. Oh yes, and thanks to Tylenol for all your help as well!  Just to hear the little girls giggle and big kids step up to play our silly games made every plate worth washing and each crumb worth picking off the floor...!!!
Also, another week in the books and in the belly for baby Jett.. We're down to single digit weeks heading through week 31.  He's thinking he might want to walk out rather than plunge head first but Mom (and the midwife) have some thoughts on that one. We'll see how the next few weeks progress.  I know they'll fly by (at least for the ones not carrying around a Jett) with Christmas next week, the shower soon after and then....February.... Mother Nature has been giving her gift of good weather..Let's hope it holds for the ride around Cayuga Lake to meet our new little Jett.
Holiday lunches and dinners are keeping me busy but I love seeing all these gals. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful groups of gals to share stories, pictures and memories with.. ( I know... I ended a sentence with a preposition...............deal about it for now!)
Just to catch you all up.. Wendy is back in the hospital with a foot infection. (MICU at University) Hopefully she'll get the antibiotics flowing and some breathing issues tended to as well.  Our nephew Brian is having a do-over on foot surgery today. Almost a year ago he had it originally repaired...Let's hope the second time's a charm!!!!
Now you have the  "rest of the story."  I'll try to get back here in a more timely fashion.... We haven't even touched on politics lately.....but I guess we have another 11 months to debate....Oh yes, that's tonight too!!!

Too soon?

Yep, I start shopping in early September for birthdays and Christmas.  I take my helpings of  "Are you freakin' crazy?" with a grain of salt.  (taste better that way)   You know I'm a list maker and here's my early why list!

I shop early because:

I have listened intently all year long for little hints of what EACH and every one of my recipients might like.

I can google and search and price each idea and generally purchase for the best price...(even with holiday sales)

I am not one who likes to be rushed...for anything...ever!

I like to save my holiday time for enjoying my friends and family...not shopping.

Holidays actually come and go pretty quickly... I'd rather be ready and not go than to go and not be ready....you all know that!

This year I have a shower to plan for too and all good things take time!

It actually saves me money....I'm not getting gifts at the last minute with money I don't have.

Proof positive, I have 5 free days (with nothing planned) out of the next 18.

FYI... Shower is under control and I only lack a couple of big projects to be completed. The abrupt closing of the Lake Side Grill put a hitch in my "get-a-long" but because I planned early, we were able to switch lanes without a total meltdown................................or burn down (which crossed my mind)  The arrival of Jett's flight is still on time!   It's never too soon!!!

Dads

http://www.littlethings.com/dad-daughter-touching-note-v6/?utm_source=bam&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=inspiring

Once again...copy and paste. A wonderful, eye-opening story:-)

Dad stories always make me smile... especially Dads and their daughters. As we're nearing the 9th anniversary of Christmas Eve and the morning my Dad left, these stories bring me back to 55 years ago just like it was yesterday.  My Dad and I had our Sunday morning rides.  Sometimes we'd hit a fire department's pancake breakfast but usually just touring the countryside looking at his farmers' crops or some new construction.  It was our time! Occasionally we'd bring home some fresh veggies or eggs from a farm or maybe even a kitten or two.  Mom always loved those homecomings ;-)
We always had that special something between a Dad and his daughter.  In later years we realized that that special something wasn't perfect enough for us to work together although I gave it that old college try.  We decided our car rides that had morphed into breakfasts were a much better fit.  Those are my best memories and still solidly in tact!

I so wish my Bailee could have that.  Let me take a few minutes to whine to my loyal blog followers.
Bailee's Dad has never praised her for her exceptional report cards, never been to a parent conference, never been to a soccer game, dance recital or Christmas program. Seldom, possibly once, called to wish her a Happy Birthday, never given her a birthday card and seldom...if ever, a gift. every other year he has her for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and since she can remember, she's never awakened to a Christmas tree at his house.  Last Christmas, she was given a candy cane Christmas morning. Many times he has forgotten her on holidays (which we all think is a blessing) and never calls between visits.  Last year, he got her her own bed. Before that, it was the couch or his bed that seldom even had sheets.  Now let that all sink in and understand that the COURT says she must go there every other week-end.  The morning she is to go, is generally filled with tears, hiding and an occasional run around the yard.  How would you like those for memories?

I don't tell this story to make you feel sorry for us but to give everybody a little insight into what's really important in life.  Time is what's important!  Spend it wisely....it's free!  My heart aches as once again this Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, Bailee will go to bed without the cookies left for Santa and the anticipation of presents and a tree.  NO child should dread the times with their Dad:-(

The Heroes

Sixteen people are senselessly dead today. Another mass shooting in the state of California this time.  The "new normal"....I certainly hope not.  From our vantage point, it's surreal.  It plays out on our televisions and computers like a bad episode of Law and Order.  An episode that you want to turn off but something makes you stay glued to the TV for every tidbit of information that might bring some sense to this horrific scene.

For the past several years, our law enforcement has gotten a bad rap for the actions of a few.  Itchy trigger fingers, racial biased, inexperience and stereotypical behavior have all been blamed for the shootings of unarmed "suspects."  Let's walk a mile (or a block) in their shoes.  When did the good guys start being known as the bad guys.  Human error is part of existing...whether you're a teacher, a doctor or a law enforcement officer.  Quite bluntly, SHIT HAPPENS! A perfect society we are not!

This latest massacre will continue to fuel the gun issue, the mental health issue, the immigration issue and most assuredly, the terrorist issue.  In all of the blame game, we seldom hear of all the good things, the brave, selfless things, that every single law enforcement officer does daily. 

If we take nothing good away from yesterday's terror, let's remember the words of this one officer who was leading a group of folks to safety

https://www.facebook.com/ksltv/videos/10154033376753676/ (you may have to copy and paste.)

This is what he said:  "Relax, just try and relax. I'll take a bullet before you do, that's for damn sure!!!!"

Those are the words and actions of 99.9% of our nation's law enforcement officers... Let that be what we take away from this!

A Womb with a View

Two birthdays and Thanksgiving are the "done" list.  Now we can anticipate holiday lunches, concerts, dinners and the associated festivities.  November comes to a close today and December will be in full swing tomorrow.  This is the busiest time ever.  Not only are we anticipating Santa and the trimmings but showers and a Jett.  The timing is really perfect as a generally cold and blustery January and February turn most people off and inside.....  NOT this year!!!!

For the past 7 months, we have had just a taste of what size our Jett might be.  We've gone from a grain of rice to a full blown holiday, butternut squash today.  Next Monday will be week 30. I still marvel at the fact that a human can be grown (from what I used to think was) a pleasurable activity. Trying to catch a glimpse of him moving and wiggling in his Mama gives me more joy than anything I've seen to date.... with the exception of Bailee's birth which was my showstopper!!  Jeff is getting excited which is fun to watch too.  He has completely redone the nursery and it's looking spectacular. This is still a bit foreign to him but I can't wait to see him with their creation... Emotional doesn't even cover it.  I can't express to him how much this will be a life changer.

So, being the end of the Thankful month, I will give my final 2015 TIATF:

Jeff's decisions...he returned home, found an amazing woman to spend his life with, gave us a new "granddaughter" to marvel, the best in-laws we could ask for and now, our first grandson. The anticipation makes me literally giddy!

So to all of you who follow me on Face Book, if you think my Womb without a View Veggies and Fruits are driving you nuts each week, Look out...............The Jett's landing in 10 short weeks!

Suits me just fine.....

Last night I was watching Jimmy Fallon.  He was hawking a new product from JCrew called, The Pocket Dial.





I thought, how clever is that.... covers your phone and gives you a pocket hankie all in one..  "Hmmm, now who could I get one for?"..............Sadly, absolutely no one!  Nobody I know still wears a suit or sport coat to work.....NOBODY :-(  My Dad wore a shirt, tie and jacket ( pants too) to work every single day!!! Who's to say whether he would have a cell phone or not....I'm pretty sure that's a big NOT! It took him 20 years to give in to computers at Hewitt Brothers....but back to my original whine!  Every day in our lives in 2015 seems to be casual Friday.  That's not a bad thing really but it's more a sign of the times, at least in my mind, that a little bit of respect is gone.  Not saying that folks should be judged by the way they dress but somehow a smartly dressed man (or woman) demands that touch of respect.  When I was in school, male teachers wore suits and jackets and always wore a tie.  Female teachers didn't wear pants and certainly never wore jeans.  Now, don't send me dirty looks...I know it's an entirely different time ...and century but I'm still entitled to my "remember whens!" 
We live in the country in small town America where we know everybody and everybody knows us.  I guess we're all just a little more laid back then we were in the sixties...shocker.  Today, about the only place to find a suit is the bank or maybe your lawyers office. That's it!!!!  Maybe my lawyer needs a Pocket Dial....Where else can you buy a little respect for $48?

All Hands on Deck!

Family dinner to celebrate Bailee's 9th birthday.  We got a chance to feel that Jett was celebrating with us too!  Great evening with our whole, little family together, happy and safe.  Baildini also entertained us with magic tricks that were unbelievable...... I mean really... we didn't believe it!!  Ended the night with cake and Uncle Jeff's show-stopping card trick!!!!!  (Grandma Hewitt only showed him)

Told you!

Today is my sweet, sassy, smart, stylish, stinker, Bailee Brown's NINTH birthday.  Hard to believe that 9 years have passed since we rushed to the hospital that night.  I got to watch you enter this confusing world ( a first for me!)  I got to be the one to separate you from your Mom who had done such a good job keeping you safe and healthy for 9 long months. From day one you were on time.... arriving exactly on your due date!  Good job!!! You were slippery, yellow and looked a little Chinese but you were beautiful.  You were, and always will be, my first grandbaby!  No one will ever replace you in my heart ....or my chair.  I am so proud of the wonderful girl you have become.  You love to read, sing, dance and cuddle.  You are a good student and almost always do your best... I think you've realized that listening facilitates learning a little more than talking but you did fall from the "talking tree" so we'll blame some of the constant chatter on heredity and your volume of Papa's hearing...or lack thereof ;-)

Your sense of humor makes me smile out loud....a lot. You have given us more Baileeisms than we can count... I guess we'll just have to "deal about it!" Your wisdom at such a young age makes me proud.  Your compassion often calms me and you handle adversity pretty well too.  You'll have disappointments that will make you appreciate your successes, struggles that will make you summon patience, discretion and logic and sadness that will let you revel in your happiness! All are part of making you the very best girl you can be....

You'll always be "my girl".....this proves it....

Happy Birthday my love!

Murder Mystery #9

Nines are wild this year.  We all enjoyed Bailee's 9th birthday party last Saturday.  She had 9 folks watching a movie in the theater when suddenly the power went out...When it flickered back on a few seconds later.... one of the movie-goers was DRT (dead right there.)  The rest of the night provided a Murder Board with 9 clues to "whodunit!"  What a fun night! All the party goers joined in to guess who did it, how they did it and why?  Thankfully, the culprit has been apprehended and sentenced to a lifetime of brotherly love!!!!  Yep, it was Jeff.....not even one of the intended suspects.....but then, when is it ever one of the original suspects.

We all feasted on test tubes full of specimens, urine samples, jello hearts and brains and a skull and bones cake.  Everybody left with bellies full of evidence!

Bailee loved all of her gifts from all of her friends and family.  She was the best CSI on the case.  Nines definitely were wild and I must have swallowed a big gulp of Love Potion # 9 because I love this gal...to the Crime Scene and back ♥

Time to talk turkey

It's nearing time when tables are filled with the best of everybody's recipe boxes and a big, fat turkey.  Lee insists that we should eat Original and Crispy but I doubt he could ever bring himself to sacrifice them.  He was so proud the first day that Crispy puffed out those beautiful white feathers and assumed his role as dominant bird of the entire flock.  He insists on buying them delicious treats that actually smell good enough for us to eat and proudly takes their pictures....often... !  The only thing these two will be stuffed with this Thanksgiving is feed and corn and leftovers. BTW, they're not an attractive bird.  Especially with all of those "hang me downy things" which I today learned is called a "snood."  Here is some more interesting turkey talk:

• There are several theories about how turkeys got their name. One story claims the Christopher Columbus heard some birds say “tuka, tuka”, and his interpreter came up with the name tukki, which means “big bird” in hebrew.
• Ben Franklin thought the turkey would be a better national symbol than the bald eagle. According to the Franklin Institute, he wrote in a letter to his daughter:
  “For my own part, I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country; he is a bird of bad moral character; he does not get his living honestly…like those among men who live by sharping and robbing…he is generally poor, and often very lousy. Besides, he is a rank coward; the little king-bird, not bigger than a sparrow, attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district…For in truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America. Eagles have been found in all countries, but the turkey was peculiar to ours…”
• The average person in the United States will eat 15 pounds of turkey this year.
• The loose red skin attached to the underside of a turkey’s beak is called a wattle. When the male turkey is excited, especially during mating season, the  wattle turns scarlet. The fleshy flap of skin that hangs over the gobbler's beak is called a snood and also turns bright red when the bird is excited.
• The wild turkey is one of the more difficult birds to hunt. It won't be flushed out of the brush with a dog. Instead, hunters must try to attract it with different calls. Even with two seasons a year, only one in six hunters will get a wild turkey.
• By the 1930s, almost all of the wild turkeys in the U.S. had been hunted. Today, thanks to conservation programs, there are plenty of wild turkeys—they even invade cities!
• A male turkey is called a tom, a female is a hen, and a youngster is a poult.
• The domestic tom can weigh up to 50 pounds, the domestic hen up to 16 pounds. The wild tom can weigh up to 20 pounds, the wild hen up to 12 pounds.
• The wild turkey can fly! (It does, however, prefers to walk or run.) The domestic turkey is not an agile flyer, though the bird will perch in trees to stay safe from predators.
• The average life span of a domestic turkey, from birth to freezer, is 26 weeks. During this period of time, it will eat about 75 pounds of turkey feed. The average life span of a wild turkey is three or four years. It generally feeds on seeds, nuts, insects, and berries.
• The wobbly little thing on the turkey’s chest is the turkey's beard and is made up of keratin bristles. Keratin is the same substance that forms hair and horns on other animals.
• Only male turkeys, or toms, can gobble, and they mostly do it in the spring and fall. It is a mating call and attracts the hens. Wild turkeys gobble at loud sounds and when they settle in for the night.

A night and day at Grandma's

Today, I have a ghost writer!!!  Introducing " Bobby Joe! (her/his "go to" name) 


It was a dark and stormy day.  I woke up and wondered what kind of day it would be. I knew Mom would have three kids at the house today. It was a happy day when Grandma called and said I could come over.  She picked me up and we went back to her house.  Uncle Jeff came to visit too.  We decided to see a movie.  We saw the Peanuts movie in 3D.  Grandma didn't like it . She thought it was "dumb!"  I liked it because it was funny. Then we went to Dollar General.  Because I was hungry, we bought macaroni and cheese, a monster (drink) and cranberry ginger ale. All things that a kid must have at Grandma's. We also bought a puzzle and handcuffs so I could practice arresting people.


We took pictures for Grandma's Christmas card.  We made Papa take off his suspenders because they made him look like a grumpy old man. ( Mom said he looked like Great Grandpa or Uncle Arbie.)  I worked most of the night on a puzzle. I was almost done but decided to take a break and watch "Impractical Jokers" which is a pretty funny show. Grandma and I laughed our butts off. Why? Because we could!


It was bedtime and we kicked Papa into the guest room. One of the treats at Grandmas is to sleep NAKED. I crawled into my sleeping bag and went night night.


This morning, I had breakfast in my underwear...... fresh, scrambled, yellow, chicken eggs. They were yummy.  For breakfast dessert I had chocolate soup...which is really just melted vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce.  This is the life.... I would never be able to do this at my house....too many kids there that are boys.


I get to spend time with Grandma which is fun. Peace out dudes.


                                                                                       From,


                                                                                             Bobby Joe....... (he doesn't love, he froms)




A side note... "Don't you want to say, love?"    Thus, "no, he doesn't love, he froms)???????

I'm on drugs!

I always used to pride myself on the fact that I took very little in the way of medication.  The occasional headache remedy, acid reducer when necessary and the blood pressure medication they started giving me when the kids were teenagers (no correlation, I'm sure :-/ ) 


I recently consolidated all my drugs into a drawer in my desk.  It was a rude awakening to say the least.  I now fully understand the necessity of routine in my golden years (that's a crock-o-shit.)  In the morning, after I go to breakfast club, I take my new cholesterol med (which I ultimately realized is laced with a diuretic,) an over the counter joint and cartilage pill which "promotes better joint health and more comfortable movement," and one liquid-gel Motrin.  I also take 2 gummie, women's One-a-day vitamins... Confusing in itself as it says to take two, one a day, daily...A geriatric oxymoron for sure.
That does it until bedtime when I take my low dosage blood pressure pill which I now continue to need as I have grandchildren and live with another aging sexagenarian.... which by the way has absolutely NOTHING to do with sex and everything to do with "agen!"  Along with the BP drug I take one or sometimes two Aleve PM.... my miracle drug.  It generally provides me with 6-8 hours of peaceful sleep.  Without it, I'm awakened hourly by a wheezing, coughing, farting, moaning and often conversing old man.


Throw in an occasional Pepcid AC or swig of Pepto-bismol and I'm generally good to go.


Ashamedly, (kind of) healthy eating habits do not exist here.  Our diets generally consist of meat, potatoes, cheeses, pasta, shellfish and an occasional vegetable and leafy something.  I prefer eating things that had a mother!  Lee was never a sweets kind of guy and now he can empty a cookie jar in 2 days flat.  The candy box needs regular refilling and I always have a stash of smarties next to my remote. I'm pretty sure that chocolate is a nut and sugar was originally a grown in a field...somewhere which makes that a plant.. I hear plants and nuts are good for you.


Hopefully my drug drawer will remain as it is now. Two prescriptions is doable and keeps Obama and Blue Cross Blue Shield happy.  My out of pocket is slowly necessitating larger pockets but so far I haven't reached that dreaded donut hole.... I prefer to only eat donuts!  My drug of choice!

What a difference..............

What a difference a day makes.........or a decade....or four!  This meme (now there's even a new word) appeared this morning on my Face Book feed.

Pretty sure my reply would be a lot different.

                HOW TO PLEASE A WOMAN:

Love her                                               that can stay!

Die for her                                            scratch that one...too close to reality

Take her to dinner                                That one absolutely stays!!!!!

Miss the game for her                           Leave her alone during the game!!

Buy her jewelry                                    Not..too expensive and already has what she likes to wear

Be interested in what she has to say    Way past the "even hearing" what she has to say..

I would add:

Acknowledge birthdays and anniversaries

Enjoy the grandchildren

Try and retain any and all bodily gaseous escapes from any orifice

Help around the house without requesting an audience and applause

                HOW TO PLEASE A MAN:

Show up naked                                      With plenty of advance warning as things take time these days

Bring Beer                                              Preferably scotch!

Wash, Fold and return clothing to

      it's prior spot                                    So he can wear the same 7 outfits and never touch the new

                                                               clothes received as gifts for the past 5 years.

It's simple really!

Grandma Rules.......

I treasure absolutely every second I have with Bailee.  If I could keep her at any particular age, it would be right now....8-9.  It helps that she is bright, has a wonderful sense of humor, gets my jokes and even trumps them with her own and has returned to the snuggly phase.  She is not a real junk food junkie. Her drink of choice is almost always milk and she'd rather snack on cottage cheese than cookies.  She does love treats from Papa's candy box and sneaks them occasionally.. although she knows that I know, as the candy box talks when it's opened.  We both pretend the other doesn't hear it;-)
Unsolicited hugs, pats on the arm, a head on my shoulder and "I Love You(s)" literally bring tears to my eyes and take my breath away.  Sounds pretty Hallmarkish I know but non-fiction through and through.  In the back of her mind, there's a little trepidation about sharing me with her new cousin but I think deep down she knows that she will always be my first, true love and we'll always have that special something.  I'm hoping that there will never be a time when she'd rather go on a date than come to Grandma's, spend time with her friends than with me or make fun of the wrinkly, old lady in the chair but I know that time is right around the corner.. But for now, I hope she continues to stay on course, smile when she hears my name and remembers that she'll never be too old to lay her head on my shoulder......or mine on hers♥




                                                         






                                                               

The Big C

The Big C... That's what my brother used to call it......................and then it killed him!  That was 46 years ago and it's still going strong............or is it?  People are diagnosed earlier, living longer but still a staggering number are dying daily. Just this past week, three wonderful women lost their battles. It knows no race, no age, no gender, no stature, no worth but I am as sure as anything I believe in, that there is a cure.........................and it's known.  It just plain isn't financially good business to dole out the remedy.  Every single thing in today's world is generated by capital.  Who rules the world?   Big business ...and what businesses are bigger than pharmaceuticals...Not many...maybe some media giants or automotive top guns but think what drug companies control.... the health care industry and the insurance industry for starters.....very big starters!


I fall, once again, into hypocrite status.  I have stock in companies like Phizer.  They make money, I make money but I'd be more than willing to shift my dollars to other endeavors if it meant I no longer had to attend 3 funerals a week, stand in the cold, calling hour lines for 3 hours or mourn with grieving families.  What price are people willing to pay to thrive in business while dying at home?  It won't happen in our lifetime but I believe that if we can walk on the moon, live in space, clone a sheep, scan and print body parts, transplant a face, grow babies in a petri dish and reattach severed limbs, we already have the capacity to cure.  What price are we willing to pay for that?  I could survive without the butter!


t? 
                                                                       

My Mark

I always planned on leaving my mark on this world in ink........................little did I know it would be this kind.
Flash back to the spring of 2015 (like it was aeons ago.) We had gathered for a week-end Bar-B-Q and were leisurely sitting around the picnic table.  Somehow, the subject turned to tattoos.  We were surrounded by ink as Lee and I (and the kids) were the only ones who sported no branding. I endured several minutes of shaming and coaxing and finally, to put an end to the entire discussion, I made a proclamation, " If you two (Jeff and Lace) have a baby, I'll get a tattoo!"  About the safest bet I'd ever made.  Jeff is not a "baby man" and they'd only recently bought a house and moved in together. In my mind, the whole inking conversation was now a moot point.
Fast forward to Father's Day, 2015 (not really all that long after the spring of 2015 :-/  The announcement was made, in the very best way, that I was actually, for real, going to have another grandbaby..In my mind, I had relegated myself to the one and done club but was content to have my Bailee♥   I'm pretty sure someone, sometime throughout that day, mentioned the fact that I was now totally obligated to fulfill my part of the bargain.  In one ear and out the other!  Confident that the kids knew my feelings about tattoos and how wonderful theirs would look during old age.... License plates crinkling, anchors heading to the ocean floor and footprints walking south.
But if I had hoped to teach my children anything, I must live by example and by my word. So, for several months, I mulled over the options, the visibility and the worth.  After months of prudent planning, I decided, "what the hell!"  I set out to design exactly what I had in mind.  Hmmm, a jet and the letter B.  That would cover the two loves of my life.  I found the perfect plane that even had the flight trail of a heart. (Every tattoo wearer has a heart somewhere)  The letter B was cool but just then a Cheerios commercial came on and there was my "bee."  2 things that fly connected to my heart.  I researched a tattooist and sent out a message..... Next Thursday at 2p.m.
The day started off with the loss of a very dear friend which solidified my decision to never put things off.
The next day we were celebrating Jeff and Lacie's first anniversary of homeownership. The "rents" pitched in and made dinner and took it to their house.  The menu was posted on the fridge listing all the items served:
Turkey
Asparagus
Taters
Titos and cranberry
Orange Glaze
Olives
After dinner, I asked the kids how they liked their gift. Assuming I was referring to dinner, they thanked us and said it was great.  "It wasn't  dinner but it is here in the kitchen."  .................................
"Check out your menu!"  There it was, spelled out with the first letter of each dinner item.  Still no light bulbs were clicking on....Jeff really IS Lee's son ;-)  Greg got it and gave them a clue.  "No way," they said in unison.  "WAY!!!", as I rolled up my sleeve!!  GOTCHA!
Absolutely sure that inking is love in liquid form...a commitment to last a lifetime!


                                                             

A New Shade of Sad

I have lost my brother, my Dad, my grandparents, aunts, uncles and classmates.  Losing a friend who fought so hard takes my breath away.  My dear friend Teresa fought the fight big time!  I really don't think I have ever known a kinder person.  She lived her life to the fullest right up until her very last breath.  Her concern was always for others and she struggled with what they were going through.  She was the single Mommy of beautiful Isabella and the very best Mom any child could hope for. She had grandiose hopes of sharing a trip to Italy with her, magic wishes to take her to Disney and the simplest of expectations, taking her to her first day of school.  None of those things will happen. My heart aches in a way that it never has before.  I try so very hard to believe....it's not working so well today. 
Never a better Mom, daughter, sister or aunt and certainly never a better friend.  I will forever miss her beautiful smile, her genuine warmth and her courageous approach to life.....and death.  They don't make women like Teresa much....maybe that's why He needed her... That can be the only answer.
Rest in Peace my sweet friend.  You live on forever in your sweet daughter♥

Grandma's Jewels

Some of my favorite memories of my Grandma Hewitt take place in her bedroom. Spending the night there was always a treat.  There was always cheese flavored popcorn and a bottle of coke from the bottom shelf on the refrigerator door.  The handle on the fridge pulled down....odd now, not then!  If you were lucky, there was warm chocolate pudding for dessert. It would sit on the metal pull out shelf of the Hoosier style cabinet in the kitchen covered with wax paper. Grandma would pour some milk on it and sprinkle it with sugar. I'd eat it ever so slowly so it would last as long as possible. (I think my mouth is actually watering right now)  After watching TV for an extra 1/2 hour than I was supposed to, we'd head upstairs for our "sleep over ritual."  First I'd peek in the twin bedroom and my bed would have the blankets turned down into a triangle with the sheets crisp and white.  The blankets were wool and itchy but that was just Grandma's. When I crawled in, I would pull up the yellow chenille bedspread and keep it tucked between my chin and the blanket.  My next stop was Grandma's bedroom... It was huge!  First, I'd ask if I could wear "the nightie!"  It was coral, worn and the softest thing I'd ever slept in...(that I could remember.)  Once I had sufficiently donned my night clothes, I could continue on to the good stuff....... Grandma's jewelry box....my favorite place , next to the kitchen, in Grandma's house.  I would slowly explore all the pieces with Grandma's watchful eye beside me.  She would tell me stories about some of the necklaces and pins....she had lots of pins. It soon became "bedtime" and I would get to choose my favorite piece to wear for a few seconds... It was always the same piece, an opal ring.  There were 3 opals with 2 small diamonds on each side.  As always, I'd ask if I could have that ring someday and as always, she'd shake her head yes!   The day came when I got that ring!  As an adult, I'm not much of a jewelry wearer so I made earrings for Jess and a necklace for me.

Fast forward, a half century!  Bailee stays at Grandma's.  What a difference 50 years makes.  She has no interest in wearing my nightgowns. In fact, her treat at Grandma's is to sleep NAKED!  However, the jewelry box adventure still takes place.  "This was Great Grandma's nursing pin, this is a cameo from Great, Great Grandpa Tice's jewelry store during the Depression and that?  Oh that's a necklace that Gr. Grandma had made from a silver dollar dated the year she was born...1922." Her Dad gave it to her.  Would you like to have it?"  Eyes sparkling and an affirmative nod sent it on to live in another jewelry box waiting for the story to be told yet again.  "All things old become new again!"

Color my World

What can possibly be better than fall in upstate New York! It doesn't get much better than jacket weather and a morning ride through the cornfields.  The wind through the corn is a sound like no other.   The swooshing take off of a brace of ducks or the rhythmic honking of a gaggle of geese can only be topped by a couple of black otters swimming bank to bank on my favorite watering hole  (some call it a ditch....it's way more than a ditch)... Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder.  Folks get excited about touring the world....seeing the Eiffel Tower or the Matterhorn, the canals of Venice or Niagara Falls.  I have all those beautiful sights right here at EIEIO.  I go to bed listening to the roar of the falls, I wake up to the sun shining on the orange and yellow trees with a pileated woodpecker almost always singing his distinct song.  I can look out to the east and see waves of color or trees coated in snow with the reality that sometime during the day the chances of seeing an eagle are optimum.  I have my children close and my grandchildren closer.. There is NO Place I'd rather be.
Color me blessed!

Settling In

Leaves are falling, cool temps are slipping in and the days are growing shorter.  I really dislike that last part as I'm ready to drift off to sleep way before my favorite shows even start.  I was never a chair sleeper until I got old...that, along with the wrinkles, kind of pisses me off.  There doesn't seem to be enough lotion or daylight to make things better so I'll just have to "deal about it!" My fall and winter routine is settling in though.  I'm thinking a little bit more about a nice, warm supper (cooking is not my favorite pastime.)  I have several new books loaded on my Kindle and the charger is near my recliner.  I am in the midst of watching a new (to me) series on my Kindle as well.  I watch an episode a day (weekdays,) usually as it drifts from late afternoon into darkness.  I am programmed now to TiVo all my favorite shows that air between 9-11p.m.  Inevitably, I miss the end ...or beginning of both.  Once settled in my chair (with my heating pad..how pitiful) I make sure that the remote and my phone are close by.  I usually go through a few rounds of Words with Friends and Trivia Crack ( all purely for the sake of brain stimulation.)..............sometimes I actually beat somebody!  I still enjoy my cherry popsicle around 8:30. I am so old and finicky that I buy the box of 3 flavors from Schwan and throw away the orange and grape.....because I can!  I know there are starving children somewhere but they'll melt...get over it!  I'm beginning to understand those ridiculous routines that Mom and Dad favored. Mom's diet Coke at 4:00, cocktails at 5:30 and dinner in front of the TV at 6. Saturday and Sunday noon welcomed Buzzy-burgers and bloody marys and sports were the highlight of every week-end.  Maybe the apple didn't fall from the tree.  Dad hated Florida, Mom loved it. Traveling farther than a half hour away was out of the question for Dad and if you did, you made sure that the majority of your turns were right hand.... I'm just figuring that one out but Dad professed it was a safety issue!!
Anyway, I'm finally getting the fact that routines come with age. ........and with age comes the freedom, crankiness and time to do whatever the hell you wish when it best suits you!  Like that's really any different than the last 60+ years.... but now I can settle in and feel little guilt.  I have the time to do whatever...I just need to muster up the ambition...I wonder when that settles in?

The Fruits (and veggies) of Labor....and God's plan;-)

It is an exceptionally beautiful fall day. I have an exceptionally beautiful (almost) daughter-in-law and an exceptionally handsome squashed grandson.  Every week since he was the size of a pea, we have taken a picture of just what size our baby Jett is.  We've been through peas, lentils, beans and blueberries, grapes and lemons.  He grew slowly to the length of a carrot and banana and now is showing his heft resembling (in weight and size,) a spaghetti squash. Six weeks ago, he was  swimming around heading south. Today, he's heading north.  I know he has 18 more weeks to get his bearings but walking out seems unacceptable....as I'll only be watching, pretty sure participating will be a tad more uncomfortable.


I think God has a hand preparing Dads for delivery.  Moms endure the actual physical pain but Dads  sit nearby and bear the reality of their role in the process.  Recently, Jeff has drilled his finger, nailed his finger and last night pretty much tried to research the bone, muscle and nerve placement of his ring finger.  Six stitches later, he is learning to live with pain.  All, I believe, part of God's plan to bring a more compassionate father to the stirrups.  I think it's working. Let the class be over!!

Planning 529

Good morning, Good Monday, Good planning.  By now, you know me. I'd rather be ready and not go than to go and not be ready!  Just completed transferring Bailee's savings (from me) into a 529. A 529 is an educational savings account that is tax free upon use......if it's used for education. I think I just might have her textbooks covered for semester one.... yikes!  There are some really good perks though. It keeps hands out of the till, it can be added to for as little as $25 as many times as anyone feels the need (or want), it comes with a deposit/gift code so anyone, anytime can contribute if the mood strikes them or the holiday gift idea alludes them, it offers a tax deduction to the account owner (that would be me) and it lessens the burden of the parent, grandparent or student when the time comes to further their education. I actually can't find a downside...and you know I looked!!!! I've always tried to instill in my crew that saving half of a gift and spending the other makes sense.  It's hard at any age to receive money from those that care and just put it all in the bank to save. This tried and true theory makes sense and keeps everybody (mostly) happy. Kids buy toys, teens buy gas and iTunes cards and adults.....well, who gives adults money....(ME!!) they can do whatever they see fit....maybe a dinner out and a well deserved cocktail.


Soon, Baby Jett will appear and it will be time to get him started on his very own 529.  I've already told his Mommy and Daddy that a social security # is one of their first parental, fiscal responsibilities for him. They rolled their eyes until I rolled out the costs of education today and added on 18 years. I think they got it!


So, if anyone is contemplating ideas for their infant (or not so infant) grands for the upcoming holiday, I suggest you plan ahead and get the ball rolling.  If nothing else, it lightens the load and brightens your day. 

The Pony Asspress

Government irks me. ALL government irks me...from Congress to the US Mail.  Last week, Jess got a notice that her September mortgage was late.  It had been paid in a timely manner and sent through the USPS.  Her tenant had confusingly driven through the garage door and the pertinent papers to file the insurance claim had been filed in a timely manner and sent through the USPS.  Our second installment of our property taxes had been filed in a timely manner and sent through the USPS. You can probably see where this is headed. Two of those documents (checks) never arrived at their destination. The mortgage check arrived 3.5 weeks late!  The property taxes then involved $100 penalty., the mortgage, a $25 penalty and we incurred the insurance penalty by waiting 3 weeks for our claim to be paid.  I know I'm up on my high horse but I never realized it was one from the Pony Express.  I am completely on board with these 3 entities not giving a hoot about anything short of the fact that they never received the proper documents... not their fault...I get it.   Our government's total mismanagement of nearly every single facet of operations is just a tad out of hand. ...and folks wonder why Donald Trump and a neurosurgeon are garnering the vast majority of our support. It's not rocket science folks......We're all just a little pissed!!!!


I finally delved into the whole Planned Parenthood fiasco.  I support Planned Parenthood......but I now don't believe that they need over 1/2 billion of our hard earned dollars to sustain them.  $500,000 is a pretty hefty salary for a non profit head. Let them cut her salary by 1/2 to 1/4, fly coach and spend those funds on women in the UNITED STATES.  A little off track but the more I type, the angrier I get.  Generally I get pretty agitated at election time, especially if there's this much whoop la and we have a year to go.....but this time around, I'm quite enjoying it...I hope the Trumps and Carsons really stir up a stink...I can manage that a lot better than the smell of those ponies at the USPS!

The Harvest Moon eclipse.  Last night was a photographer's dream.  Full harvest moon, lunar eclipse, clear skies and mild temperatures.  All fell into place nicely.  Low clouds hung over the horizon just enough to make the rising of the moon bless us with some wonderfully eerie fall photos.  Shortly thereafter, the moon rose above the clouds and the shadows began to fall. Right on schedule at 9:07 a reddish haze began to slowly march across the craters, one by one. It's really quite spectacular how the astronomers know the exact second these phenomenons will occur but they were right on the money. Now, if I could get just one of those fellows to come to my house and fix my computer, all would be right with the world. I spoke (and I use the term loosely) with a gentleman whom I quite sure is a wonderful guy, loved by his family and friends, intelligent beyond his years and was sitting behind a desk in Bangledesh. Pretty sure I've never said, "excuse me" so many time in a 60 minute time period.  Then a couple of times HE actually said, "excuse ma'am but I can't understand you very well!" seriously..WTF, YOU can't understand Me? I glanced in the mirror and saw no dot on my forehead so I quickly deduced that this conversation was going absolutely nowhere and I had just totally wasted 58 minutes of my Sunday morning. Shouldn't he have been kneeling on a mat somewhere instead of trying to fix my computer 7000 miles away?
Anyway, my point being that some huge things are unfathomably accomplished while seemingly tiny problems can't be solved. I can't seem to get a call returned from 20 miles away. Thank God for my iPhone!

All Hands on ........D-ck!

Hear ye, Hear ye.....calling all Hatfield men (and women.)  It's time to dispel all rumors.  Here we have proof positive that:


It does not make you go blind


Practice does make perfect


Only frustrated people masturbate.. (Jett might be a bit frustrated and confined)


It does not make your hair fall out (or does it...Lee?)


It does not cause hair growth on your palms...


You will not run out of semen


Everyone does it.... even in the womb  ( seriously, what else is there to do in there?)


It will not stunt your growth... This guy is already 10 inches long  (in body not penis)


It does not lead to psychological problems ( it may however, lead to writing your feelings in a blog)




You probably will never see these on Mythbusters....You're welcome!

New Ventures

There is no end to the services provided here at EIEIO.  My newest chicken residents are silkies by breed.  I have always loved their beautiful feathers, tufted heads and furry feet. I got three silkie chicks in the spring with two of them being roosters.  One chicken ranch does not need an abundance of roosters.....no place needs an abundance of males...period.  We were fortunate to be able to send one of the roosters to a neighboring farm leaving us with a pair.  It's been my goal to have a male and female of all our critters to procreate and save the world in case of flooding.  I may have to make an exception to my rule with Mr. Silkie.  If they had a chicken porn industry, this guy would be their leading cock...(sorry!) He chases Miss Silk-Worm around the pen, around the yard, around the patio till he can nail her about every 10 minutes.... I am not exaggerating!!  Listen, NO woman wants that... He has become abusive to the point of tearing her feathers from her back, grabbing her "crown" and yanking her head back!  She refuses to go into the pen at night (can't blame her) and hides when it's time to secure all and close the gate.  It's so bad that she has opted for sleeping outside surrounded by luring and hungry coyotes, weasels, hawks and owls. She will sleep on the stoops of our front or back doors in hopes that her humans will protect her.  We now have opened a shelter for abused hens in our garage.  She will have her own nesting box, food and water and an occasional snuggle with Lee....true story.... She was in the house with him the other night...."Isn't she cute?" "Yes dear, but remember she shits and has even less control over her sphincter muscle than you do!"   The end!



This guy needs to Cock a Doodle Don't !!!

Early Birthday

At our house, we love birthdays... early ones, late ones and sometimes we even celebrate birthdays of people we don't know.. it's just who we are!
Saturday we celebrated Jeff's birthday...2 months and 8 days early...but who's counting. There was a bit of method to my madness as I knew that he should take a bow hunting course prior to getting his license and they are usually given right about now! So, it seemed prudent...and necessary that we celebrate early.  Nobody said that we won't do it all over again come November 27th. In fact, I'm pretty sure we will! Birthdays are pretty important around EIEIO.  Even the chickens have them!








I had no idea what this bow looked like or how it worked. I was picturing the old fashioned type "Robin Hood" bow. I was mistaken (write that down)....this beauty works pretty much like a gun...scope and all. I feel a little sorry for the neighborhood deer who I have stalked all summer . I have beautiful pictures of them and now I'm afraid they may appear in their obituaries:-(  I must muster up the thought that this too, is a sport and at least the family is doing something outside together.  I prefer the sport of football but I would never dream of eating one..... different strokes for different folks.

Fantasy Island

Week one is under our belts and I squeaked it out.  Each year I keep thinking that I should be becoming more skillful in my picks and each year I realize that this "fundertaking" is 90% luck and 10% skill. When I first began playing, I chose with my heart... Buffalo this and Seattle that..(my two favorite teams.)  Then one year I actually bought a Fantasy Football magazine and started reading about the players...both veterans and newbies. I should have gotten better.  The next year I chose my picks carefully and had them all listed for draft day.  I should have gotten better! This year I actually Tivo'd and watched Fantasy Football shows on the sports networks and decided I would go in with some knowledge. I should have gotten better.  In fact, I nearly forgot about the draft time and only squeaked in by the hair on my chinny chin chin (a blog for another day) with a text from my week one opponent and the Commish. (Thanks Resa Dee.)  I wasn't even at home and had to use Jeff's laptop and my memory to compile my draft list... Thank God that Jeff's girlfriend's daughter's father (whew) had wheeled in and given me a heads up on a couple of rookies. (no, that's not cheating... that's research!) I should have gotten better.


Regardless of my prowess...or lack thereof...Fantasy Football makes the season even more fun..if that's possible.  Now, I'm rooting for players I don't even know, for teams I don't even like to score against players I have chosen because I like them versus their age, their skills and their records.  We'll see what the rest of the season holds but it sure is exciting...especially when I have nothing invested but recliner time and high hopes! On any given Sunday.....I should be getting better!!

You must be nuts!

As I sit at my desk, I'm watching the leaves come sailing across the yard. We are blessed (or cursed) with a multitude of black walnut trees.  They are the last of the trees to get their leaves in the spring and the first to lose them in the fall.  The falling walnuts are a hazard to the lawnmower and really should be gathered and given to someone who will use them.  They would make a wonderful cake or beautiful black stain for basket weavers. I do understand that they, however, can be harmful to my feathered family.  Hopefully I can keep them full of nutritious treats so they leave the green, fuzzy nuts alone.. If it were me, I'd certainly stay clear of green, fuzzy nuts...just sayin' !!


Nuts are pretty popular this fall. I even have a picture of tiny little nuts sitting framed on my desk. They are our newest favorite nuts...Jett nuts!  I must admit that I look at them several times a day. I don't think that makes me strange!  Do you?  I really never thought that little nuts would excite me quite this much. I mean it's been years since nuts were even on my list of favorite things much less at the top of the list.


One thing is for sure.. I am NUTS about fall and all signs point to it being right around the corner. I think I'll go make some brownies to celebrate....with nuts of course!!!

Sad - Glad

Old memories of September 11th make us sad but since we have Lacie Walter in our lives, it makes us glad.  Today we celebrate Lace's birthday....32 years old.. the youngest of my kiddos. It has been such a fun 2 years since she joined our family.  Jess has gained a sister, Bailee an aunt and we have gained another daughter, granddaughter and grandson......not to mention how she's brightened Jeff's life.


We're hoping for a wonderful year ahead for all of us.. Thanks Lace for giving us something awesome to look forward to. ( I know, I ended the sentence with a preposition!)


Happy Birthday and many more:-) ♥♥♥

Boy oh Boy

It's official.  It's beautiful, it's busy and it has a penis.  What a spectacular day we had on Saturday.  Lacie and Jeff, Julz, Pam and I ventured to the Baby Moment Spa in Rochester to see what we could see.  We arrived on time and found out that Saturday's babies were all hiding and a bit uncooperative. We settled in for a wait!  Our turn came and we anxiously took our places in the viewing room. The gal who owns the Spa was the technician and immediately we loved her.  She wanted to know what our best guess was as to gender and we all, but Julz, said girl....we'd have bet the farm on it.  She carefully began searching for baby parts and then asked, "Who were the psychics that predicted girl?"
We all nodded in the affirmative, except Julz.  "Well, this girl has a PENIS!" I'm pretty sure you could have heard us whooping and hollering for miles.  High fives, huge hugs and lots of tears all around.  There was absolutely no denying that picture.  He may have been covering his face but his other parts were there for the world to see.  I haven't cared anything about seeing a penis for years but I couldn't stop looking at that one!!!  In fact I have it framed on my desk....Slutty Grandma that I am!!!!  We continued on to see perfect little hands, tiny little feet, a sucking little mouth and even a smile....Yes, we know it was a smile.  We even got a little wave!  He's not a docile little boy. He enjoyed moving those legs and waving those arms.  Jeff loved that he had his penis thrown over his shoulder.. we all knew it was the umbilical cord but we hastened to burst his bubble. 
Their plan was pink or blue bubble gum to announce the gender so we stopped at 5 different stores finally finding it in Moravia.... They all chewed a lot of gum but the announcement was made and the world rejoiced,,,,,well at least our world did.  Papa, PopPop and Julz knew all along but the rest of us were over the moon to be wrong!!!!
Jett Hewitt Hatfield is a handsome, healthy little boy and content to just lay in there and grow. We'll see you in February little man....the Hewitt name...lives on♥♥♥

1st Day of 4th Grade!!

What a busy week it's been... So much wonderful news but today will be ABC day.. All Bailee Conversation!  This morning it was pictures, new clothes, heavy backpack, new teacher and the beginning of 4th grade!  At the end of 3rd grade, she was a little unhappy as she didn't get her teacher of choice.... even an 8 year old must learn about disappointment!  After a few months of pep talks, I'm sure all will be fine and she'll love 4th grade.... maybe not quite as much as 3rd grade but that kind of teacher often only comes a long once in a lifetime.   Mine was Mrs. Maroney...2nd grade, in the old Locke school! And yes, I do remember.  I can see the school, the cafeteria, the gym (same place) and my classroom.  ( I can't remember much of yesterday but Mrs. Maroney is clear as a (school) bell!)  It doesn't seem possible that we'll only have one more photo session in front of the elementary school.. Thank Goodness that another grandbaby is coming along.
Fourth grade will be a bit tougher.  The coddling days are over, the printing must be neat, play time is at a minimum and then there are those state tests..... you know how I feel about those!!  There will also be new experiences as this year there are clubs to join, instruments to play, choruses to sing and art to enjoy.
I've decided that if I could freeze time with B, it would be now.  I love her wit, her knowledge, her sarcasm, her honesty and her love of learning. Our one on one time compares to nothing! I hope this is her very best year ever and that she'll always remember that she's my very favorite granddaughter ;-)

See you in September

September is here and I'm thrilled.  It's always been my "first day of the year."  From the time I can remember, the first day of school was my new beginning.  It used to be that the Moravia Fair was held around mid August and it seemed to be the first time you grabbed a sweatshirt or sweater.  Labor Day was the official end of summer but not really for those of us on the lake.  We lived at the cottage from May to October and we had plenty of lake time left...without everybody there. There were no sports for girls then (no Title 9) so only my brother Steve had practices of any kind. The first day pictures were always taken by the steps leading to railroad tracks...the steps with our hand prints ceremoniously placed in the concrete,  Nobody complained and we all looked pretty sharp with our new clothes, fresh haircuts and polished sneakers.
The tradition continued as Jeff and Jess, often reluctantly, stood tall for their pictures on the stairs at 929 and then more on the porch and even more on the steps of the bus. Now it's Bailee in front of the Rose of Fuzzy bush and another in front of her classroom with her new teacher.  Even typing, I have a lump in my throat thinking she'll be a 4th grader with only 2 more picture days at the Elementary School. Time flies! Thank God that I can do it all over again when Baby Hat reaches school age.
This year will go fast as we have much to look forward to.  Bailee will be learning to play the saxophone,,more than just the 3 notes she's mastered now, Baby Hat will be here this winter preceded by holidays, birthdays and showers and then spring will burst through again. 
I love this time of year for so many reasons....I hope it lingers for weeks , then covers us with a blanket of nice clean snow.  (no haters)...just Happy New Year to all!

Take your best SHOT!

Yesterday I headed to the new "protocol" BP check that I ranted about last week.  I figured I might as well see exactly what I needed in the way of immunizations. I've been walking around guilt ridden since the new whooping cough commercial began airing a few weeks. I'm pretty sure they were talking directly to me..  "Would you put your new grandchild at risk of the dreaded whooping cough virus?"  So, I got the new booster that's generally given to kids, DPT.  My one time dose of prevention against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.  You're welcome Baby Hat! Shots don't bother me but this morning I'm sure I was whacked in the arm by a wrecking ball. Old muscles don't tolerate sharp objects quite as they used to.
I then asked about these other well advertised booster shots.......most are aimed strictly at Senior Citizens.  A shingles shot? ( I'd rather do the reminiscing with Terry Bradshaw)  A pneumonia shot? ( I'm cold tolerant) A flu shot? ( never had it, don't want it) Opted out of all but did take the script for the shingles shot.  I was mulling them all in my head but all I could see was my arm flapping in the wind riddled with needle holes...A butterfly net came to mind!
Today I'm good to go if I travel to a 3rd world country, step on a rusty nail or encounter the nasty cough virus.  The others will just have to wait...I am, however, considering a shot of Baileys!

Expert's advice or idiot's retort?

Yesterday was indeed a day of mourning and eye-opening realities that we're surrounded by insane individuals.  Unfortunately, some of them are authors.  The deliberate murders of two young, bright, vivacious reporters on live television yesterday was reprehensible. The idea of even watching a murder on live social media is more than we can wrap our brains around.....way more than surreal.  Thankfully, Face Book took down the shooting immediately!  Later in the afternoon, I decided to tune into CNN and get the latest facts as known.  (I have found CNN to be the most compassionate and factual in these horrendous, murderous events) A fellow was stepping in for Anderson Cooper (sorry my days of remembering names are few) and was interviewing David Cullen, the author of the defining book about the Columbine killings.  Mr. Cullen began to slowly blame the media for sensationalizing these (and all) mass murders.  He named Matt Lauer and others for reporting the information (backgrounds, families, etc) of these murderers.  A modicum of truth hides in his comments...but then he begins to embellish how these killers can really make it big.... You need to kill en masse, you need to pick greater venues like churches and theaters and you need to think big.... WTF... The commentator reminded Mr. Cullen that they were live on the air (hoping, I believe, to squelch his Murder 101 class!)  Becoming so blase' about mass murders makes me just a bit nervous.
Please judge for yourselves and let me know if I'm way off base on this interview and Mr. Cullen's "on air" comments.


http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=David%20Cullen%208%2F26%2F15%20CNN&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=david%20cullen%208%2F26%2F15%20cnn&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=0D0D5B9B7E3449DEBCFC0D0D5B9B7E3449DEBCFC

Protocol

Official Mid-Week Rant:


Monday a.m. -  Stopped at the drug store to pick up a script I had "scanned" last week.  I knew it had no refills but they always call the Dr.'s office and get a new refill.  "Sorry Sandy, nothing here for you. Insurance won't pay till your due date of the 27th."  Well, I'm out and exclaim that I'll just skip taking them for the next 4 days.  They give me a 30 days supply... again with no refills.


Monday p.m. -  Receive a call from the Dr.'s office saying that I need an appt. so they can refill my prescriptions.  I explain that I was just there and can't imagine why I need to come back so soon.  "It's protocol and actually you were here last in March, so that's nearly 6 months....minus one!   Seriously, who's protocol I ask.... Some hemming and hawing and virtually no answer. I then contribute my 2 cents explaining that I'm none too happy.  It used to be you had a physical every year, then it became 6 months and now it appears that it's 3 months....I take little in the way of meds and one is for blood pressure.  I wonder if it ever occurred to the doctors, pharmacies and insurance companies that if things were actually performed correctly and in a timely manner...most of us wouldn't be stressed and need the damn medicine to begin with....?  Well, of course they did...they know exactly what they're doing and they all have us directly by the short hairs... sorry for my crassness..... not!


So, I make a damn appt. for Monday...after being told there was actually little available for open appointments.  She knew she had herself in a pickle and couldn't have it both ways so an opening miraculously appeared.    Hanging up and still stewing I remembered that I had a bum knee the last time I was there and Mashelle had mentioned it.  Well, I hurt my knee on May 4th.... pretty hard to talk about a knee injury in March...2 months before it had happened. Being the mild, mannered gal that I am, I called back and mentioned the conundrum.  Yep, right again... it was May 11th I was there last. Once again, the new protocol is 3 months so I kept the appt.  By all means, let's pay for 4 appointments versus one.  I have come to the conclusion that where protocol's concerned, I'm too old to adhere and too young to adjust! We'll see who wins this battle...

WWW.fun.calm

Wonderful Walter Week-end at the river! What a relaxing and enjoyable week-end spent on the St. Lawrence River.  We drove up Thursday night in torrential rain but it was worth the trip. Each day was filled with only what we wanted to do and only when we wanted to do it.  Now, that's a vacation!  The kids enjoyed swimming, fishing, boating and an occasional movie on their DVD's.  The adults enjoyed reading, boating, kayaking, an occasional adult beverage. Lee made his vacation trip to WalMart, the liquor store and to find worms, naps in the hammock and early bedtimes. Pretty sure he never made it to the nightly bonfires!  The giant freighter ships were fun to watch and I was able to check off "listening to the loons" from my bucket list.
Next year, we'll have baby Jett(e) with us and Greg will be running around upright.  He practiced a lot this week-end and when he got home, he was on his feet and walking!!!!!
Thank you Walter family for allowing us join in the fun and relaxation at your family resort♥

Family.....

First, let me say that my Hatfield family is the very best!  They are my family!  Now let me tell you that family has absolutely nothing to do with genetics, bloodlines, DNA or lineage. Anybody can reproduce....well, almost anybody.  As you all know, I gave birth to no one (which after hearing some stories and watching videos, does not disappoint me.)  I do, however, have the best kids ever.  From the very second I laid eyes on them, they were mine and I was theirs (they had no say;-).  I was fortunate that they had caring, educated, biological mothers who knew that too.  Their foster-folks, who got them to sleep through the night, eat calmly, socialize with ease and enjoy traveling, were the best and most loving people.  That 30 days, when the legal right to change your mind was a factor, was worth the wait.  I knew that I would never be able to take them and lose them...So I waited.  It was worth the wait and when they came home it was amazing.... In 48 hours........ I was waking them to make sure they were breathing, over feeding them until they puked, making them cry daily and barely daring to take them out of the house.;-)  I figured it out pretty quickly and we all lived happily ever after. They are my family!


Now, I am gratefully blessed to have a new family.  With Lacie came her family. Old friends became new family.  What a treat it is!  We have so much in common beyond our friendship.  Now, we'll be grandparents together.  If I thought I spoiled Miss Bailee, look out Jett(e), your flight's about to land.
I was pretty sure that Jeff would remain single and I would be a charter member of the "one and done club!"  Surprise, surprise!  This week-end, we're all heading to the St. Lawrence to the Walter family resort on the river.  Jess will stay behind this trip as EIEIO's flock and Max will need a caretaker.  Bailee is coming with Papa and Grandma though.  I love these people!  They are my family!


So, all those sappy Face Book sentiments of family this and sisters that are really just lip service. Just as life, family is what you make it...Thankfully, I chose every single member of my family.... I did good!!!!

Settling In

Well, the new critter pens are in place and all our feathered friends are residing (nearly) together in the Walnut Grove. We have a little more "security" work to install and everybody should be safe and sound.  The ducks and Baby are now closer to the creek which has its pros and cons.  Water is now readily available to keep their pond filled but also the bad guys can sneak up the creek bank and attack easier.  We need to get the aviary netting up across the top of the pond pen and secure the bottom of the run with rocks.  Daisy and Donald (un-original, I know) are loving the pond. They can dive and run and jump into the pond at their leisure.  Baby is a bit skeptical and I think liked being the big goose in the little pool. Hopefully, he'll get used to it and join in the fun.  He really liked being loose and roaming EIEIO.  I will let him wander with the chickens and ducks every few days as long as he goes in at night!!!! He's quite fond of me as I am of him!!! (not sure how grammatically correct that statement is.) 

The chickens and turkeys are enjoying a new, clean pen with some grass and a much bigger condo.  I have caught the egg breaker (one of the older gals) and may have to send her to the pot.  Everything I read says that they may lack in protein and to feed them some scrambled eggs...Hmm.... not sure that's an answer but I'll give it a try.
Our little peacock is growing very long tail feathers.  We're presuming it's a girl as she's sporting a crown (males do too though.) Lee is fond of her and brings her in to visit each night.  Hopefully, she'll be grown up enough to survive the move to the big house before winter!  The plan for spring is (if everyone survives...including me) to find a mate for Baby and a one for Penelope.  Two by two is how we roll here at EIEIO.

Politically Correct

Politically correct......If I never hear this term again, I'll be just fine!  Heading into, quite probably, the biggest election since we elected a black man from somewhere to lead our country, the 2016 presidential campaign has been anything but presidential....or politically correct. We have nearly a dozen and a half candidates vying for the Republican nod and only one viable (and I use that term  lightly) running on the Democratic ticket.  All candidates to date have been less than politically correct headed by The Donald.  So far, he's been the only one gutsy enough to say what he thinks and offensively correct.  No one likes what he has to say (candidate wise) but everyone likes to hear it...  It's totally the wow factor!  He made it to the top of the polls. He made it through the first debate and has made headlines in every news venue every day. Nobody's sure they like his style but everybody marvels at his lack of PC.  There's even controversy over firing (or did he quit) one of his top advisors.....but, that fellow is still backing and defending The Donald to date.  All well and good! But now's the time to shit or get off the pot.  We all know what's wrong. We all know that something has to be done or we will no longer rank as the number one country in the world. We all know taxes are too high, the poor are literally bleeding to death. We give more money to other countries than we spend on our own. We send jobs away while supporting those who have finessed the art of bilking our welfare system. Our leaders are on their knees to appease lobbyists.  Pharmeseutical companies are holding us hostage while thousands die daily waiting for answers that are safely tucked away. College costs are booting our brightest and delegating their graduates to decades of debt.  This is not a time for Political Correctness.  This is a time for those who are saying it like it is to telling us how to fix it... NOBODY has told us how to fix it.  It won't get fixed in my lifetime but if it doesn't for the next generation, our grandchildren are in serious trouble. 
I think maybe Dr. Ben Carson (another Republican who's thrown his scrubs in the fray) put it as simply as possible.  "What bothers me is when people say, you know, 'You can't say this word, you can't say this phrase, you can't even think that, you can't express this.' And it's very difficult for people to have an honest conversation if they can't express themselves. But in no way do I advocate, you know, saying mean things about people. That has nothing to do with political correctness," Carson said. Being smart and being mean probably won't cut it this election. Think before you speak, have a reason for what you say and how you make your point and have a plan, albeit long range, for fixing it. We all know we're in a boatload of trouble.  Now we need an intelligent, articulate man or woman to keep us from sinking and set our sails for calmer seas. It can be done....................correctly!