Friday, December 28, 2012
I love good grammar...period!
You all know that good grammar, punctuation, spelling and structure are pet peeves of mine (although at times I error as well.)Thankfully, my little apple didn't fall far from the tree. Occasionally, I fear that it skipped a generation but I see improvement daily:-) On Christmas day Lee made a remark using "ain't!" Bailee positioned her hands on her hips and questioned (in her outside voice), "Doesn't anybody in the United States speak correctly?" I rest my case!
CASE CLOSED!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Oh the weather outside is frightful.............
Frightful.....Not so much...Delightful..Oh SO much!!! If it's winter, there should be snow. A nice foot fell on top of the 6 inches that fell just before Christmas. It's beautiful. I even put on my boots.....which haven't been worn since the winter of 2010-11. I haven't yet gotten past the vest into a winter coat.....they're too heavy and uncomfortable. Papa did mention that snowmobile chances were pretty good. That too, never moved last winter. The only downfall of that is it messes up the pristine front yard and my picture postcard scenery.... I guess I'll just "deal about it!" The birds are ecstatic that Jeff filled the feeders.....all except the ones who haven't perfected their winter flight paths and keep crashing into the wall of doors...A couple of dark-eyed juncos have had to shake off some crash landings:-( The deer have been visiting nightly. Last night 5 of them roamed the backyard and one little doe even dared approach the bird feeders.....till she saw me in the window..The only fear she should have had is me shooting her...............with my brand new camera:-)
The falls are beautiful with water still falling under the frozen, fallen trees. To wake up to that each morning is more than anyone could ask for. As my good friend said the other day, "Looking out here, all is right with the world!"
night snowfall 12/26
looks like an angel guarding the cottage!
Our lower falls
Our backyard beauty
Snow picnic
The falls are beautiful with water still falling under the frozen, fallen trees. To wake up to that each morning is more than anyone could ask for. As my good friend said the other day, "Looking out here, all is right with the world!"
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Over..unfortunately
We made it through the holidays. Jeff arrived safely. The girls are on the mend. Hatfield Christmas was a joy with lots of little, big and in between ones. We had pictures planned and they were awesome. Resa brought FUDGE....YAY !!!! Christmas Eve served up "Green Arch" spaghetti, meatballs and presents. Santa arrived (proof positive, I even snagged pictures) and filled all of our stockings and brought "just what I asked for" for Miss B. A nice visit with Mom yesterday..she looked great!! Jeff safely back in Charlotte and readying for their trip to Vegas this week-end. Awaiting a big storm tonight...time will tell but we're ready...Scotch, diet pepsi, milk and munchies on hand. Kindles charged and blankets ready.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are anticipating a great 2013....Hope it's full of luck, laughter and love!!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Merry Christmas
So many unspeakable acts in the past couple of weeks....even this morning a deranged gunman horrifically murders first responders..... husbands, fathers, maybe even grandpas...right in our own backyard of nearby Webster, New York. I have people I love in Webster, N.Y.! It's almost more than a sane individual can fathom.
Today I'm home, in the place I love most, with my kids, the hubs and my Bailee. I will take each day as they come and be eternally grateful for each and every hour. I will smile when someone needlessly yells or complains (oh yeah that even happens at Christmastime). I will walk by the end table that was overlooked during dusting. I will look the other way when the tissue doesn't hit the wastebasket and grab it on my next trip by. I will photograph most anything and anybody doing even the most mundane things.....because they're here and because I can. I will post them to Face Book because I know maybe one or two or more of my friends will enjoy them as I will enjoy each of their photos. And I will be thankful for each second we have together. Tonight I'm hoping Santa remembers us and
we'll be ready for him. I might even make a relatively useless attempt at catching him on film. So far, it's been 60 years and I've failed miserably...but who knows...it's a new year, a new decade and a new night.......Time will tell.....
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of my family and my friends. As my Gramp used to say, "Never put off until tomorrow what you're supposed to do today. You might like it so well today, you'll want to do it AGAIN tomorrow:-) Hug those you love the most........and do it again tomorrow!!
Today I'm home, in the place I love most, with my kids, the hubs and my Bailee. I will take each day as they come and be eternally grateful for each and every hour. I will smile when someone needlessly yells or complains (oh yeah that even happens at Christmastime). I will walk by the end table that was overlooked during dusting. I will look the other way when the tissue doesn't hit the wastebasket and grab it on my next trip by. I will photograph most anything and anybody doing even the most mundane things.....because they're here and because I can. I will post them to Face Book because I know maybe one or two or more of my friends will enjoy them as I will enjoy each of their photos. And I will be thankful for each second we have together. Tonight I'm hoping Santa remembers us and
we'll be ready for him. I might even make a relatively useless attempt at catching him on film. So far, it's been 60 years and I've failed miserably...but who knows...it's a new year, a new decade and a new night.......Time will tell.....
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of my family and my friends. As my Gramp used to say, "Never put off until tomorrow what you're supposed to do today. You might like it so well today, you'll want to do it AGAIN tomorrow:-) Hug those you love the most........and do it again tomorrow!!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
The sun is shining this morning and I'm off, again, for lunch with the girls in Skaneateles. Yes, my social schedule does revolve around eating......deal about it!
Hopefully my nest will be full again tonight. I'm always at my lowest stress level when I can see, hear and touch my kiddos......and watch the snow fall on our waterfall :-)
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
First and Last..
This will hopefully be the first and last time I will express my opinions on this issue and devote my precious space to the "whys." I don't like guns! We (Lee) own many guns. They're used for enjoyment. Lee shoots trap and deer and geese............oh and woodchucks.....many, many woodchucks. I see no need for us or anyone (outside of law enforcement and service men and women) to own an assault rifle! I do, however; believe we have the right to bear arms. I do not blame the gun for Friday's massacre. This morning I read a Face Book post from
author Andrew Gross. I would like to share it here:
The horrible events in Newtown hit home in a very personal way in my family. As some of you know, my nephew Alex was a highly medicated, bi-polar schizophrenic who was in the process of trying to buy a rifle in California when, providentially, his mother discovered the bill of sale among his belongings and insisted that the store terminate the sale. There is no doubt in my mind, had that sale gone through, there would have been carnage. Her actions provoked a violent reaction from Alex which led to his arrest and subsequent incarceration in the psychiatric wing of a local hospital for 72 hours, the maximum allowed since Alex had reached his seniority and was somehow judged not to be a public threat. A day after his ridiculously-early release he climbed a well-known cliff in Pismo Beach and threw himself off. Ever since, his mother has blamed herself for her son's death, but in light of what has taken place in Newtown, she comes across to me as a bit of a hero. (Not to push my own books here, but anyone interested can read the larger story behind this tragedy in EYES WIDE OPEN.)
I will buy his book although I do not believe he was shamelessly pushing that by sharing this post.
Herein lies the problem, in my very humble, uneducated, unresearched opinion. The answer or understanding of these horrific tragedies lays not in the method but more the methodology. I do believe that laws and regulations must be changed....but not the ones pertaining to guns (with the exception of assault rifles.) Someone should not have already harmed another before they can be treated, incarcerated or detained. It's no different than it being wrong to wait to install a stop light until there have been a significant number of deaths and casualties. In hindsight, maybe federal, state and local governments slashing monies for mental health was NOT the place to begin tightening the belt. There was a wonderful letter to the editor in the morning paper from someone who explained he would be more than happy to sit with someone who could professionally ascertain his competency to own and carry a firearm......much like a "Brownie" ascertains your competency to drive a motor vehicle.
The time will soon be here to have these discussions. I hear them in full swing already in diners, on Face Book and even local watering holes but soon the "big guys" will have to tackle the big issues. I hope they don't all revolve around guns. There are many methods of carnage ( knives, drugs, vehicles, war) and maybe it's time to look at the who and the why rather than the what. I'm hoping the almighty dollar isn't used as a scapegoat and that all of these beauitufl souls have not died in vain. This is a nation of talkers...Let's start the discussion and not end until agreement is reached on where to start...and how to fix!
author Andrew Gross. I would like to share it here:
The horrible events in Newtown hit home in a very personal way in my family. As some of you know, my nephew Alex was a highly medicated, bi-polar schizophrenic who was in the process of trying to buy a rifle in California when, providentially, his mother discovered the bill of sale among his belongings and insisted that the store terminate the sale. There is no doubt in my mind, had that sale gone through, there would have been carnage. Her actions provoked a violent reaction from Alex which led to his arrest and subsequent incarceration in the psychiatric wing of a local hospital for 72 hours, the maximum allowed since Alex had reached his seniority and was somehow judged not to be a public threat. A day after his ridiculously-early release he climbed a well-known cliff in Pismo Beach and threw himself off. Ever since, his mother has blamed herself for her son's death, but in light of what has taken place in Newtown, she comes across to me as a bit of a hero. (Not to push my own books here, but anyone interested can read the larger story behind this tragedy in EYES WIDE OPEN.)
I will buy his book although I do not believe he was shamelessly pushing that by sharing this post.
Herein lies the problem, in my very humble, uneducated, unresearched opinion. The answer or understanding of these horrific tragedies lays not in the method but more the methodology. I do believe that laws and regulations must be changed....but not the ones pertaining to guns (with the exception of assault rifles.) Someone should not have already harmed another before they can be treated, incarcerated or detained. It's no different than it being wrong to wait to install a stop light until there have been a significant number of deaths and casualties. In hindsight, maybe federal, state and local governments slashing monies for mental health was NOT the place to begin tightening the belt. There was a wonderful letter to the editor in the morning paper from someone who explained he would be more than happy to sit with someone who could professionally ascertain his competency to own and carry a firearm......much like a "Brownie" ascertains your competency to drive a motor vehicle.
The time will soon be here to have these discussions. I hear them in full swing already in diners, on Face Book and even local watering holes but soon the "big guys" will have to tackle the big issues. I hope they don't all revolve around guns. There are many methods of carnage ( knives, drugs, vehicles, war) and maybe it's time to look at the who and the why rather than the what. I'm hoping the almighty dollar isn't used as a scapegoat and that all of these beauitufl souls have not died in vain. This is a nation of talkers...Let's start the discussion and not end until agreement is reached on where to start...and how to fix!
Monday, December 17, 2012
My heart hurts....
It's been 3 full days of sorrow. As I said on my Face Book wall, I could barely stand to watch and I could barely stand not to. Friday morning I watched one of Jess's daycare kiddos so she could help at a nearby cafe for the holiday rush. At 11:30 we loaded up and headed across the street to our elementary school and his UPK classroom. Upon arriving at the door, I pulled the handle......."No, Grandma Sandy, you need to ring the buzzer!" All second nature to him and a new experience for me. I hadn't been to the school in the daytime since the entry buzzer protocol had been established. I was immediately buzzed and in and chatted with the secretary whom I had known for years (she actually watched my kids 30 years ago.) I didn't really give much thought to the new entry system until I returned home and turned on the TV...............The news was just updating..... and it was much worse than they had earlier reported.... Yes, 3 were taken to a nearby hospital but an entire classroom of 6 year olds (my Bailee is a six year old) had been viciously murdered along with several adults. I actually found it hard to breathe for a second and my heart literally hurt. That alone frightened me!
A few deep breaths and I continued to watch and listen in complete horror. An elementary school of 600 in a small, fairly rural town........We are an elementary school of 600 in a small, fairly rural town!! ......and I had just dropped off a 4 year old in that building.... leaving him with a hug and a "have a good afternoon!" Our kids came home! I sent a message to Bailee's teacher , a friend of mine, and said today of all days, I just wanted to say "Thank You!" She replied expressing her fear and worry about how she would cope with the possibility of the same scenario here.... "I hope I would make good decisions!" I have no doubt that any and all teachers would make good decisions. The majority of teachers have chosen that profession for the love of learning and the love of children. We know they aren't there for the love of money!!!!
We have not discussed this with Bailee. I'm not sure if that's right or wrong, it's just the way it is. I do not know the decision of administrators about discussions but I'm hoping they have addressed the issue and that faculty and staff will answer questions openly and candidly if students broach the subject. So much expert advice was given over the week-end about how to answer such questions.
The resounding answer was to hold them close, tell them they are safe, tell them that you love them and move on. We should not feel guilty that we try to move on and think about the holiday and Santa and family and even such mundane things as cooking, decorating and wrapping. I like to think of one of my favorite quotes from Robert Frost (is that Jack's brother Bailee asked me?) "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."
One of our favorite traditions is the Elf on the Shelf. Each morning she/he appears after travelling to the North Pole to report on their child's behavior the prior day. (Hey, it works) Bailee's elf is named "Marvy!" This photo was posted and is particularly poignant. Even the busy elves are taking time to remember the 27 tiny and huge souls that won't be on earth to celebrate this year!
A few deep breaths and I continued to watch and listen in complete horror. An elementary school of 600 in a small, fairly rural town........We are an elementary school of 600 in a small, fairly rural town!! ......and I had just dropped off a 4 year old in that building.... leaving him with a hug and a "have a good afternoon!" Our kids came home! I sent a message to Bailee's teacher , a friend of mine, and said today of all days, I just wanted to say "Thank You!" She replied expressing her fear and worry about how she would cope with the possibility of the same scenario here.... "I hope I would make good decisions!" I have no doubt that any and all teachers would make good decisions. The majority of teachers have chosen that profession for the love of learning and the love of children. We know they aren't there for the love of money!!!!
We have not discussed this with Bailee. I'm not sure if that's right or wrong, it's just the way it is. I do not know the decision of administrators about discussions but I'm hoping they have addressed the issue and that faculty and staff will answer questions openly and candidly if students broach the subject. So much expert advice was given over the week-end about how to answer such questions.
The resounding answer was to hold them close, tell them they are safe, tell them that you love them and move on. We should not feel guilty that we try to move on and think about the holiday and Santa and family and even such mundane things as cooking, decorating and wrapping. I like to think of one of my favorite quotes from Robert Frost (is that Jack's brother Bailee asked me?) "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."One of our favorite traditions is the Elf on the Shelf. Each morning she/he appears after travelling to the North Pole to report on their child's behavior the prior day. (Hey, it works) Bailee's elf is named "Marvy!" This photo was posted and is particularly poignant. Even the busy elves are taking time to remember the 27 tiny and huge souls that won't be on earth to celebrate this year!
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