All Fours!!!

He's crawling.............!!!!!

Good Guys?

The court system is a jumbled mess of bureaucratic big shots; some elected, some appointed, all over paid and mostly in a hurry to kiss the asses of those who supported them and backed their elections or appointments.   Crooks like Hillary are given a pass, Assassins like John Hinckley are freed from mental institutions and deadbeat fathers are given a multitude of chances to reform and "get their act together" while fines and arrests are made for fishing and hunting without a license, mediocre tax evaders are often imprisoned for years and little girls are forced to visit the fathers who have struck them, been arrested and had orders of protection issued against them.  There is absolutely no balance or fairness in our world today.  That probably seems like comparing apples and oranges but how can we possibly begin to teach our children (and grandchildren) about life when they're constantly ducking from curve balls thrown at them at every step and they never even realized they were "in the game!" The lines of political correctness and right and wrong are blurred into a massive black bar code of misconduct.

I am deeply sad for those caught in a system where fairness isn't even a consideration anymore. A black robe should be traded in for a white hat..... They're supposed to be the "Good Guys!"

Fall cleaning?

I've always heard the stories about spring cleaning.  For years, I thought it was the only time I really needed to dig in and move stuff.  I would open the windows, shake and wash the throw rugs, actually move the stuff off the bookcases and tables and other areas of catch-all clutter.  I would even wash some of the curtains and give the windows a Windex bath. That part was much easier for the short time at 929 after the new windows were installed and forever here at EIEIO.  Second story windows at 929 were only washed on leap years.....so 7.5 times I would hold my breath with one leg firmly planted behind me in case I accidentally fell through the window and wash the 17 windows (upstairs)... I am NOT a fan of heights....The only favorable part was that for 4 years not only could I not see out, but nobody could see in.
Now that I have become wiser with age, I realize that it might be prudent to clean a touch more often......like when the sun shines in the windows and the dust sparkles like fairies invaded.  Sometimes, if I'm wearing long sleeves, I just pull them over my hand and give tables the once over.
Living in upstate NY, the chance of the sun shining on consecutive days or even weeks was iffy so I was usually good to go till the next high came through.....(weather related of course!)
Since Jett and Paisley arrived in the same cleaning cycle. once in awhile.....seldom, I realized that shedding from one might be unhealthy for the other.  I fastidiously cleaned Paisley pup accidents and burned aromatic candles.  The diaper thing was working so well for Jett, I actually momentarily considered it for Paisley......too expensive and I'd still have to change her :-/  Now that Paisley is gone and Jett is really ready to travel the hardwood, I've decided that a good Fall cleaning is warranted.  That and if I don't keep busy, I get all teary and want to play tug of war or fetch...alone.  That might be grounds for some kind of therapy if someone were to actually see me throwing a ball and retrieving it myself.
So, fall clean up it is! Carpets steam cleaned, everything dusted, black fur balls are tucked in my pocket and Fall decorations are slowly making their way here and there.  Fans and air conditioners are ready to hibernate in the utility room and windows are open, which I realize just allows more fairy dust inside but the days are shorter and there's less chance for it to show.
I don't allow white glovers in my house anyway so the only reason for the sweeper to hum is to keep Jett's knees from looking like he just visited the scene of a Hoarder's episode!  It's therapeutic for me too..... Busy hands and legs keep me from missing my morning playtime.  It's literally time to Fall into step and usher in a new routine! I can do this!

Paisley

It's been a LONG few days.  On Friday, Paisley was on the porch with me and decided she wanted to explore the east side of the road.  She had ventured there earlier in the week and when she returned, her outside trips were on the leash or her chain.. (which was really just a thin plastic coated lead.) I assumed because I was with her that she would stay with me or nearby in the yard....NOT!  My worst fears came to fruition due to my lack of judgment... I didn't call her for fear she would dart in the road into traffic..........................She did anyway and was hit immediately.  I did my best, along with Jess, to get her to help but she had internal injuries that she couldn't overcome.  On our way to Ithaca, she died on the Creek Road. I was, and am, devastated!  I can't remember the last time I cried so hard for so long.  She was only with us for 4 short months but she was my girl.  We had our simple life down to a routine. Her crate experience lasted about 3 weeks and one night she got her foot caught in one of the crate holes and rolled over.....she was hurting and woke us up with her crying.... From that night on, no crate.. free reign of house.  She had a few favorite spots, mostly on the cool marble entryway or the tile bathroom floor.  She mostly loved my chair... whether it was empty...or not. All 50+ pound would hop up and nap on my lap.  We had some of our best talks in that chair.  Never argued once!!  We had play time when from breakfast and then it was time for a nap.  She was still a baby and naps were still a part of her daily routine.  I was so looking forward to watching football with her, playing in the snow and even maybe some sledding.  She had just decided she liked to ride in the car and would nicely sit in the front seat and navigate for me.  We had a fly with us one day and that significantly detoured her attention but she "got it!"
Lee would grumble when she scratched him with her nails or nipped when they were playing but he was as attached as I.  She loved him too and sometimes I jealously thought maybe a little more than me at times!!  He buried her with tears!
I have had a dog for most of my 64 years.  Our tenure here at EIEIO has had a few critters and I thought it was time for a canine addition.  Lacie found me the perfect pup and in early May, she came home.  She was smart!  She house trained fairly easily, would sit for treats or in anticipation of meals. She knew when it was time for breakfast, dinner and bed. She was also extremely skilled at eating the insoles of any random shoe, pulling anything rippable out of waste baskets and eating wicker....ahhh she loved wicker....real, expensive wicker.  The one thing she was just getting was to come when called.  We almost had it  :-(
There is a small, inexplicable hole in my heart. Tears are still really close to the surface when I do the littlest of things...like sit on the john....alone...with no furry, black head in my lap waiting for me to get moving and throw that ball or her beautiful little face waiting at the door when I'd come home from breakfast knowing that the next 1/2 hour was our time! At night, on my way to bed, I'd scratch her neck and kiss the top of her amazingly soft puppy head and tell her I loved her... everybody should hear that just before bed.  I do it now by the window as I look toward the falls where she rests...at Paisley Point..♥♥♥♥♥♥

5th Grade ♥

She's off to 5th grade.  One of two opportunities to be one of the big fish in the little pond.  I'm hoping she has a wonderful year. It appears that she has a great class with a wonderful teacher... Before moving into 7th grade, I only had one male teacher and I learned a lot from him.  Men just seem to have a different style of teaching that I enjoyed.  Mr. Hall was strict but I remember the year well.....not sure what I did yesterday but I remember 4-5 grades. We were moved around a bit back in the "old days."  Kindergarten was in Moravia on Church Street in the back of the Elementary building, 1-4, I attended the "Old" Locke School on Rt. 90, 5th grade (my favorite) was held at the Locke Firehouse and finally 6th was back in the Elementary building on Church Street.  The "new" elementary school hadn't yet been built.  5th grade was very cool!!  Unfortunately, our teacher, Mrs. Sawyer,  fell and broke her hip so we had a sub for a bit... When she returned, the big boys, ie: Paul O'Connell, would carry her up the inside few steps to our classroom. When Paul wasn't in trouble for swearing, I think he was really her favorite :-)  I hope Bailee learns as much as we did and enjoys every day!♥

The End of the Summer.......The Beginning of much more!

Here we are at the officially unofficial end of summer.  This has always been my favorite time of the year....especially this year.  It has been a wonderful year of weddings, parties, babies and more but today we're putting on the brakes and parking for a bit. (I always liked parking;-)

Jeff and Lacie's "Happily Ever After" party is now in the books and I think everyone enjoyed their day.  The venue was perfect, the music rocked, the food was scrumptious, the weather glorious and the company absolutely on par!!!!  We were surrounded by the perfect group of families and friends!

Just to list a few Thank Yous:

Jeff and Lacie: For giving us the reason to celebrate!

Pam & Greg: For all you did and all you gave!

Paul Manzari: For making Bailee into a blossoming DJ and keeping the feet moving!

Groton Rod and Gun Club: For providing us the perfect spot to party!!

East Side Bakery: For the delicious cakes and cupcakes... We asked, you delivered!!

Central City (Catering):  Everything was perfect.... You will be our "go to" Meatball guys forever!!

Xtina Knowlton: For providing entertainment for the kiddies to bounce out all their energy!

Our Friends and Families:  For taking the time to spend the day with us♥

And finally to our amazing grandkids, Julia, Bailee and Jett for always giving us something to brag about... Love you all!!!!!