I'd rather be Ready.......

The sage advice I've always remembered.......I'd rather be ready and not go than to go and not be ready.  Mentally, I'm not ready, Physically, Meh! but financially...Take that Medicaid!!! I'm ready!  Jeff is now the sole owner of EIEIO.......with lifetime use for his aging parents, of course! Now, when the eaves need cleaning or the patio furniture needs to be moved, I'll just make a call and remind him...."It is your house!"

Along with the property transfer, we have new wills, new POAs and new Health Proxies.  We're good to go, literally!

What really amazes me is the number of folks who have no exit strategy.  It really makes no difference whether you have a lot of money or just a little. What matters is the fact that you will make your demise a little less stressful for your family that stays behind.  If you have small children and you have no will, you're just plain an idiot.  If you're comfortable with the courts and a judge dispersing your assets and placing your children, then skip all the hoopla and go ignorantly into the world.  Every day I sound more like my father... (that's not such a bad thing!)  Along the way, I'm trying to teach my children the process.  50% isn't bad :-/ You can lead a horse to water............but if outside influences bullshit the horse into thinking it's not thirsty..... oh well...dehydration begins.  Maybe the drinking the kool-aid will work for them!

I'm completely comfortable with my decisions. I made my pros and cons list, consulted those in the know and signed on the dotted line....a lot!

Now, to enjoy what comes next.  I think it involves water!

The Blame Game

Another school shooting:-(  Life goes on but this came closer.  Seventeen people, students, teachers and innocent bystanders, were murdered in cold blood on Valentine's Day.  One of these victims was a close friend of a friend.  Chris Hixon was the athletic director of the High School in Parkland, Florida where a crazed teenager murdered 17 with full premeditation!  For a grueling hour, children were barricaded in their rooms, under desks, crammed in closets listening to the deafening shots that murdered their friends and teachers. The killer had pulled the fire alarms and thrown smoke bombs to draw the students and the faculty from their rooms.....grouping them into running, accessible targets! One student was atop a pile of others and bled out while another had their face blown off. Graphic, you betcha!!!!! and so much so that we should not forget....not next week or next year or ever...The number of shootings has almost become normal...It should never be accepted as anything but violent and murderous and certainly not an everyday (or month) occurrence!

Then as quickly as the shooting stops, the blame game begins.  The media, who I've grown to almost hate throughout the last 12 months, cries on screen and pleads with the President and lawmakers to "Do something about it!"..."Save our children!"..... If there were a horrendous plane crash, they'd be pleading for more air safety measures. If there was a tornado, FEMA, climate gurus and lawmakers would be chastised for not predicting or preparing or allocating enough funds.  IT'S ALWAYS SOMEONE ELSE'S FAULT!  Uhn uh!!!!   It's our fault.  We wait for others to take a stand, we wait for others to donate, we wait for others to fix it..... The ones we're waiting for are the ones we elected.  Forget party affiliation, forget "sides", forget finger pointing.... Look in the mirror, stand up tall and blame the one who can ALWAYS make a difference..... US!  We can't and won't change the world but we can help to change NYS, we can help to change Cayuga County, we can help to change Moravia and we can help to change the focus around our very own dinner tables.  Harry Truman was a pretty smart fellow. He knew the blame game was played without rules and never had a winner but always had a loser.  Let's remember "The buck stops here!" 

I'm back!

Somehow.......I have managed to regain my google account!  Since someone used my computer a few months ago, I had been unable to sign in with my google password... After many times trying...I was just unable to delete that account and regain mine. Hallelujah!  It seemed I had lost my only avenue to vent, be mad, be silly and maybe even a bit profound at times.  I'm not a good loser!  I am, however; a good winner.....and I'm back in the game.

Catch up could be lengthy! It's been a long, often tedious, two months.  The holidays were great. Bailee was staying with us so we were able to have Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with her.  You're never too old to read "The Night Before Christmas," fill stockings and leave goodies for Santa and the reindeer.

Now, back to Bailee staying with us.  As parents, we hope that we will make the best decisions the majority of the time.  We often find those decisions might not be what we hoped for or what is "right for us!"  The day we chose parenthood, the right to choose for what we thought was our joy first, was sent to the back burner.  I do believe strongly the correlation to the airline instruction for oxygen.......use first for yourself so you are then able to sustain your children......but......in everyday decisions, those breaths become long term.  If a decision you are making is undermining your family, it's most likely the wrong decision.  I'm sure I've discussed the "Buzz List of Pros and Cons!"  You have a major decision to make, you list the good things about that possible move and the bad....then you work the list.  What cons can you live with, how will they affect everyone, can you change a con.  All puns intended! 

Bailee chose to be with us for several weeks as she was unhappy with circumstances at home.  Stability, role modeling and work ethic are all things learned by a child.  Formative years only roll around once in a lifetime.  Having an outspoken, intuitive, bright child is sometimes a piece that doesn't fit into your puzzle.  When that happens, as it did with our situation, that piece stays at Grandma's!

Making good choices is tough.....Often times situations seen through different eyes become blurred. What should never be fuzzy is what is best for those who are unable to make their own decisions.  What Grandmas can do is steer the course, teach the lessons, calm the seas and provide the anchor.
That bridge over trouble water can ALWAYS lead to Grandma's where the noise is white, jovial and crystal clear!

The Reason for the Season

Another 10 days have passed and it's now just two short weeks until months of planning comes to fruition...  The very best part of the year!!!!!  I've enjoyed many great lunches and dinners with gal pals with a few more still on my calendar.  Last week was Bailee's first Middle School Christmas concert and it was wonderful. They sang and played to a packed house.  Small towns really do rock for their kids and grands....

We all went to have breakfast with Santa yesterday.  Jett was less than impressed but at a distance, the guy all dressed up in red was...OK!  Next.... Project LAP!

This week I'll be touring McKenzie Child's house and dining at the Fargo with some pretty cool grannies. Saturday will find us hosting the 2017 Hatfield Christmas.  Looking forward to some laughs as we'll play a few silly games including "Poop the Potato!"    ..........seriously!  Our gift exchange should be interesting... Each person is bringing a gift that when opened, the recipient will immediately know who the giver is......hopefully! We shall see! If they're right, they'll get one chance at the Christmas Tree Punch board.... some good gifts, some zonks!

Looking forward to Christmas Eve this year as Bailee will be spending the night and sharing the excitement with us.... Usually Lee's asleep by 8 and I reminisce and revel in the night by myself. It will be 11 years since we lost Dad on Christmas Eve....no more plaid pants, no more Christmas breakfasts, no more goodie boxes....but this Christmas Eve will be full of cookies for Santa, The Night Before Christmas, stockings by the fire and snuggles with an 11 year old who gives no tells that she doesn't believe.......although she is a very good, little actress.   

All great reasons for the season along with knowing the real one!!!  

November gone in a flash!

I can't believe my last post was November 6th and today is the last day of month # 11.  It has been a busy month to say the least. Bailee has been staying with us a lot. Her Mom is working extra hard (someone has to) and B is not a fan of the BF so opts to be with Gram and Papa. A win-win for us!! It has been so much fun helping with homework (which she really needs none but I think wants to make me feel good by asking me to check it.)  She has learned a few things..... (so she says!)  "Always say your prayers at night and make your bed in the morning!"  She's a smart girl.  I've been relegated to the Elf whisperer which is a bit more fun than a pain.  She delights in looking for her each morning.  Pretty sure she knows it's me moving Marvy around and spending time thinking up ideas but once again, she's believing for me.She is wise beyond her 11 years!  I hope when she heads back home this week-end that Marvy continues to make her smile.

Jeff got a nice 8 pt buck on opening morning.  It happened to be on his land across the road and one we'd captured on trail cam!!!  He was a happy hunter!!!

We celebrated Thanksgiving at Wendell's on Turkey Day eve.  It was a great meal and no one went away hungry. Jett managed to touch one of the wood stoves and had blisters for days but he was a trooper and handled it well past the initial touch. We were once again included in Walter Thanksgiving at Lacie's uncle's house. A fun, relaxing day with another wonderful meal.  We returned to Jeff and Lacie's for Ornament Night.  Grandma is learning to not go overboard.. as soon each family will need 30 foot trees...

Jeff turned 39 (although he was sure he was turning 38) and we feasted on prime rib and mashed potatoes. I managed to get him something he already had....so much for planning!

We had family pictures taken on the 27th for our Christmas cards. The weather cooperated as did everyone in following directions for attire, time and temperament!! They turned out beautifully!!

Bailee has auditioned for the High School production of "Catch Me If You Can" to be held in March. We'll know Tuesday if it's a total rat race for the next few months.  She really enjoys the plays/musicals even though she carries a tune like her great Grandma Hewitt...(who gave us many laughs at church and around the "Organairre" at Christmas time!) Hopefully the angels have adjusted her volume and tweaked her key!

We're all decorated at EIEIO, presents are wrapped and under the tree and now I can enjoy my lunches and dinners with friends and Hatfield Christmas here on the 16th. B gets to stay with us Christmas Eve so will be here for Christmas morning.....the best gift ever!!♥

Hello Holidays!

Last week was a long, hard one. Crises make for the aging process to speed up. Something none of us wants. Even on  Halloween night, I was pursued by the Grim Reaper.  He thought it was fun and I was trying to be jovial....I really wanted to trip him but he was enjoying following me from house to house and traversing the street as well.  All in good fun!  Jett was adorable in his Mima built bulldozer and would have stolen first place (I'm biasedly sure) if he had gotten to the judging on time.  Bailee shined as "Star" in Star vs the Forces of Evil....whoever the hell that is.  That costume was a nightmare on Main Street from the get go but thanks to a talented seamstress and Grandma's wallet, we (re)made it....Papa joined us and we all trick or treated and ended up at Subway (where else) for supper. We were even treated to Great Grandma's popcorn balls thanks to Gary and Faye!

Another Halloween in the BOOks and we're on track for birthdays, Thanksgiving and then the Big day in December.  Shopping is a wrap....literally and Thanksgiving decor is up.  Lots of holiday lunches and dinners are on tap and we'll throw in Bailee and Jeff's parties for good measure.  Eleven and thirty-nine..who'da thought!?

We did turn back time last week-end which is the most depressing part of my year. Lee went to bed last night at 6:45 and I made it until somewhere around 8:30 when I watched the first 5 minutes of "Wisdom of the Crowd" and from then on..... the back of my eyelids!

It's that time of year.................colder, darker, sleepier but more festive.... I'll deal with it!

Put on a happy face....................

Put on a happy face....Sometimes Tony Bennett, that's easier said than done.  The last few days it's been tough. I know that every day won't be a happy one and not everyone will attempt to make it that way........so, why do I?  My ultimate goal in life is to try and make things easier for my kids and grandkids.....but what happens when it is taken for granted and unappreciated? That's a rhetorical question folks. I don't really expect an answer and I wouldn't want to hear it anyway!  I give advice all the time to do the best you can to make yourself happy and then others will be too. Sometimes that's just a bunch of hogwash. It's kind of like the airplane analogy that you give yourself the oxygen first so you're able to then help others. I'm struggling with that this week. 

My life seems to be a series of peace keeping missions and my diplomacy genes are growing old. Sitting at the table facing hostile fire while attempting to limit collateral damage is pretty tough. Generally my verbal filter is turned off and I tell it like it is!  Lately I've had to swallow my words in an effort to maintain some semblance of sanity....I understand that everyone chooses their own path and has to deal with what pops out of the trees but dragging others with you down that rough road isn't always the best choice.

Aging while staying happy shouldn't be this difficult.  It's time for the holidays and for giving thanks. I wonder if Amazon sells gratitude?  I need to grab a couple gift cards and have them delivered ASAP!