Hope for 2011

Up bright and early to another sunshine filled, upstate morning.  The birds are singing, the geese are feeding (and very noisy), the Christmas decorations are down and very close to their resting places for the next 11 months. The tree is sitting barely by the window waiting for some brawny men to take it on its last journey outside, then back inside to storage.. (everything has a pre-planned pathway and destination here at EIEIO).  Doesn't take long to de-Christmas anymore....The more effort and planning I do when things get packed away, the easier it is to decorate next holiday.  I'm usually planning for Florida in this week but I've been able to push that back for a few weeks (months maybe).  Stacks of books always sit patiently waiting for the move to Jerome but w/ my new kindle.... I'm perplexingly (new word) paper-free.  I do have a new James Patterson book and a couple Sandra Brown waiting to be read but the new ones will be "whispered" to my Kindle.  I  may have a bit of trouble parting w/ the hard copies...hard to break old habits at my age and I love the look of shelves lined with reading material.  I seldom reread a book but I have made one of my resolutions to go back and soak in Sidney Sheldon.. He was the writer who enticed me to to sit and absorb intelligent, mysteries.  That was about 35 years ago.  I do love technology but there's a bit of old school left in me too. I have much on my computer but I'm a copy maker too.  Someday, maybe I'll trust innovations a little more but for now it's about 50/50 for old habits vs.exciting advancements.
My hope for 2011 is that I'm around to complain about what I don't like and probably don't understand, that I have time with my granddaughter to teach her how wonderful reading and writing is, that my family is healthy, happy and understands that nobody makes them happy but themselves and most importantly that you never get everything you want but it's ok to dream that you might!
Happy New Year to all of you who take the time ( you must have something better to do)  to read my rantings, complaints, and joys and share my photos.  You all provide me with much needed therapy via prose. 
See you next year!

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow.”- Helen Keller

No problem with this Sasquatch shadow.  Today has reaffirmed my belief that it's not warmth I yearn for.. it's  sunshine.  A renewed energy accompanied the sunrise this morning. EIEIO is glorious in any weather but exceptionally on a sunshiny, winter day.  Our resident hawk was back this morning, obviously hungry and knowing there was an abundance of appetizers on site.  The birds were busy avoiding his glare and sending out the warning to cancel needless flights. I feel badly that my feeders are virtual fly through restaurants for "Red" (tailed hawk) but once again, I'm learning survival of the fittest lessons every day. I do see some unusual tracks to the main feeder so I'll solicit Lee's help tonight to move the trail cam from tree stand views to the patio.  They're bigger than a deer but not really sure what they are....Maybe tomorrow, we'll know. We have 4 evergreen kissing balls hanging on the porches. I'm trying to dream up something useful for them.  I'll remove the Christmasy balls and poinsettias and maybe attach some peanut butter laden pine cones.  Some birds have already used them for asylum from the snow and wind (and maybe "Red" too).  It will be a fun project for Bailee and me when she returns home from her "sentence" at her Dad's this week.  A week is a VERY long time for dependent Grandma.  That's party of my reluctance for an extended southern stay. I like Home!  I know, I'm old!  Christmas is mostly down and removed.... Looking forward to a healthy, happy 2011...... Isn't that a decade more than that Space Odyssey tale?  WOW

Just living is not enough...One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower-

Hans Christian Anderson

Whew....only 4 more days

Only 4.5 more days until 2011.  I'm not sure whether that makes me happy or sad.  2010 was a year of some moderate change but as they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.  A very strange but true adage.  Jess, Bailee and I went to visit Mom yesterday...........an interesting visit, as always.  When we arrived, she was sleeping in a chair in the kitchen/activity area.  She woke easily so I'm thinking maybe she was just resting.  The entire memory wing was recuperating from several days of the stomach bug with Mom as it's first casualty.  The nasty germ forced them to cancel the Christmas party which, in that wing, was not an issue as most didn't realize it was Christmas-time.  We brought Mom/Grandma/Gr.Grandma her Christmas gifts. Her bright green stocking was decorated with a sparkly, red butterfly. Butterflies are her favorite.  Inside she found some essentials like deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, Fixodent, etc. none of which she recognized.  Her first question was "How do I use this" and then "What's this for?"  Another lightening bolt announcing a jump to another phase:-(   She had asked for a new watch with bigger numbers so Sandy Claus had found a nice digital one with numbers she can hopefully recognize.  She will now be wearing TWO watches....just cuz!  S.C. also brought her a new pair of slippers.  Her only shoe of choice is the pair she got last year from Jennings. She wears them every day, everywhere!  Jess managed to get them on and I think she liked them.  She said, "now what are these called?"  I answered, "Slippers!"   "No" she said shaking her head.  I finally figured out what she was thinking (that in itself could be the scariest event of the year).  I said, "Moccasins?". She nodded.... They did have a nice rubber sole, fleece lining and were made of suede with a bow made from a  shoe lace.  Sometimes that glimmer of "recognition" (and hope) shines brightly.  Bailee is pretty intimidated by the attention from Mom's neighbors so we put her in charge of photography to take her mind off the glares and comments.  One gal did ask how old "HE" was.... Bailee, with her famous stance of hands on hip and head cocked and scowly, powly face, let her know, in no uncertain terms, "I AM NOT a boy! After a few minutes, Mom once again picked up the stocking announcing, "this is just like Christmas"......("Yep, it is Mom":-) and proceeded to look at each item and ask "What's this for?".... I smiled at Jess and whispered, "It's Groundhog Day." 

Our visit was short and sweet and probably forgotten within seconds of our departure but we'll soon be back for next week's visit. She's happy, content and we couldn't wish for more to end 2010.  Nobody knows what 2011 will bring but we'll handle it the best we can.  Every day is gift so we'll open it with pleasure even if we sometimes say, "what's this for and how will we use it!!"

Merry Christmas Memories

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Mixed Emotions

It's Christmas Eve!  Exactly 4 years and 4 hours ago I physically lost one of the smartest, most wonderful human beings that graced this earth.   Once I was told the end was near, it was an excruciating 4 hours.  I remember sitting on the ER floor.  I was by myself but I wasn't alone.  I would never have made it through those hours or been able to make the decisions I made without Audrey Sharpsteen, the crew of 4-town (who stayed with me to the end) and Ray who was only a phone call (or 2-3 or 4) away.  Lee stayed home w/ Mom and Jess was at home in Cortland with a new baby. Dad never wanted to have a debilitating illness or be a burden to anyone. He was always looking for his own personal Doctor Kevorkian.  When the Dr. asked if they could intubate , hopefully giving them time to put in a pacemaker.....it became a decision akin to, do I jump off the Brooklyn Bridge or not?  I knew what Dad's answer would be but...............could I be responsible for saying "no" when it could have given me more breakfasts w/ him?  I said, "Ok" and within minutes.... he was gone anyway. As if to say, "Listen Missy, what part of DNR didn't you understand?"  He always had the last word!  Miss you like crazy Dad.....How you would love Bailee and how she would love you...How proud you would be of Jess... Going to school, owns her own home and is a remarkable Mom.  Jeff is doing better... and successful at his job too.... he has a great girlfriend and makes us proud and makes us laugh!  I'm doing my best to take care of Mom... I believe she's happy and content and still physically healthy.  I'm not sure why I'm writing this as you can't read blogs on a typewriter and I'm fairly certain (like positive) you don't have a computer up there.  Just wanted you to know, we're OK... Have a great Christmas w/ Steve... See you one day!

Love,

  San  (Peanut)

Ho Ho.......

Ho Ho Home for the Holiday....Jeff and Heather arrived safely last night.  They caught an earlier flight so they were in @ 6:15 rather than midnight.. Thanks Santa for the special delivery!   We're all geared up for tonight's arrival of Santa.  He's been notified by mail, email and in person that we really want him to make an early run to upstate New York tonight (and then again on the real Christmas Eve if he'd like to). We had a great visit from Resa and Michelle last night.  They came bearing three gifts.....no gold, frankincense and myrrh for us....even better....no- bakes, trail mix and FUDGE!!!  Who needs three wise men (like there even ARE that many) when we have two wise women!!!  Mom's mac and cheese tonight and maybe even a few games.... then to bed for Miss B so Santa can arrive.  Little does she know that we have real deer in our yard most every night...well we would if her Papa and Uncles would stop murdering them :-) (Another story for another day). Tomorrow will be a day of food, presents, maybe some alcohol and lots of bonding....Christmas for us is whenever we're all together. Chances are good for a few pictures on Thursday or maybe Friday.... Merry early Christmas everyone!

Raymond Lyrics - Brett Eldredge

I'm not a country western fan BUT....I love this song. My SIL Lisa told me about it yesterday morning at breakfast.  Thought you all might enjoy it.  After-all, we all know someone who is suffering through this complex disease!