I Believe It's Thursday

I have not been out to the grocery store since last week. Yesterday I went to see my chiropractor and followed that will a very cold walk with my friend Chris.  We took a walk in a newish nature preserve in Williamson. The preserve hugs the Pultneyville Cemetery (both sides and around the back) and skirts the edge of Lake Ontario. Yesterday was not only sunny, it was cold and windy too. It was not a day for ice cream no matter how much we love Yia Yia's. We decided to grab some coffee at Dunkin Donuts and socially distant visit at her house. A word of advice- Make sure your bladder is always empty if you plan to be out for any length of time. The places that have public restroom (like Dunkin) aren't letting people in, and this is why we ended up at Chris's house.

Like I said, I haven't been shopping for a week now. Hannah took my car and went to Wegmans this morning, and I thought about going out for a few things myself, but my brake light came on yesterday and I can't take the risk. I called someone who knows more than me and in the course of our conversation found a few leakage spots where I've been parking my car. Boo! I called my mechanic again and he will take a look at my car on Monday. In the meantime, I guess I will have to walk if I want to get somewhere.

It's been a lazy week. Sunday's walk was wonderful, but since them I've been pretty lax. I've not been getting up early enough, and I've stayed up too late. I'm not meeting my own expectations in being disciplined and productive. In spite of this, I am okay. Tomorrow is a new day and more is being accomplished than meets the eye. I've had some really great snuggles from Number Nine recently, and that is a great accomplishment.

 In other news, my little friend Sofie, the puppy I brought home 12 years ago and gave to a friend in 2015, is not doing well. My friend Lia says she cannot last long now. I found myself teary when she said, "She is honestly the sweetest dog we have ever had." I am thankful for this friend who gave my dog a loving and devoted home when I no longer had the time she needed, and yet I still feel sad.

Just Some Stuff

I have managed to fill up my days off. Had my teeth cleaned this morning. They conveniently added a "periodic oral evaluation" charge and added $32 to my bill after I'd already told them I didn't want any more "cavity check" x-rays because I didn't have the money. I had x-rays done in September. I've told them I'm self-pay and I am annoyed at the fact that I'm not told up front of any extra charges. Of course, I'm not smart enough to complain while I'm still in the office, so what do I do? Come home and send them an email. (Blah.)

I have a haircut appointment with an old friend. this afternoon We knew each other once upon a time in what feels like a different life. She and I once volunteered at a Crisis Pregnancy Center together almost 30 years ago. She also used to cut my hair but I haven't seen her in quite some time. We have been playing Scrabble on Facebook. I decided to give her a call last week.

This evening I will be meeting another friend for a light meal and a bit of a visit. We both missed a Community Bible Study lesson and thought we might go over the missed one together. It makes a good excuse to catch up.

Tomorrow my sister and I will be meeting with a surgeon to discuss our brother's possible future hernia surgery. It's not an emergency, he just wants us to be informed in case it comes to that point. I am not in a hurry to subject him to any unnecessary procedures, especially something major that he may not understand. But, we are his advocates and we are the ones who will give consent if it comes to that end. Maybe when we're done with our meeting we can go on a nice long walk. I've been needing one of those.

And because I need to post photographs, a few more from the backyard last night.

Kids and the Puppy

We had visitors last night, three more grandchildren and their sweet mama. Grandpa set some rules and let the dog out of her crate to play. "Lay down on the floor," he told them, "and put your face down on your arms." The dog went crazy, running circles around them, hopping across their backs, and stuffing her nose into their faces and under their necks. Giggles erupted from the boys which just made the dog run faster.

Jilly was a little overwhelmed and kept her distance, especially after the puppy jumped up and nearly knocked her over, but Jakie decided to become a puppy himself. He grabbed Nassa's stuffed dog with his teeth, like little boys will do, and had a good old fashioned game of Tug O'War with her while his  mother said, "Jake! Get that out of your mouth!" Yeah. Good luck with that. The game was just too fun to give up. Ha ha!

It was a nice evening. We ate ham, broccoli, and cheese soup, which the boys declared "delicious," munched on soft, crusty bread, and doled out lavish amounts of love and affection. When it was all said and done the little dog was more than ready for a nap.

Thursday

I usually stay home on Thursday mornings, but I typically go out on Thursday nights. Out to Community Bible Study. Today I stayed home and sorted through old papers I had dragged out of my dresser drawer. I threw out about a million old church bulletins that years ago had been stuffed into my Bible and once removed, popped into a drawer. In old notebooks, I found lists, stories, notes, and prayers. How about a story? Or at least a partial one...

Average longed to be special, but she was just an average girl.

She had been an average baby and had an average childhood.

She had average brown hair and brown eyes. 

She was average height and made average grades in school

Her average family lived on an average street in an average neighborhood. 

Her house, though very nice, was still average... 

My inspiration? A five year old girl named Emma (story here) who kept me entertained with her ability to entertain herself with imaginary friends. I loved listening to her play. Now, when my nursing home friend has "one of her days," I listen to her and find myself almost as entertained as I was with Emma.

She was wound up the other day and talked almost nonstop...

"You are the smuggest thing I've ever seen," she told me, although she can't see me at all.

During her nap she was anxious about getting home to her mother. "You can stay here," I told her, and she replied, "Oh, thank you. I promise not to be a bourbon..." and then she realized she'd said the wrong word and we both laughed.

She is constantly asking for help with things that I am not able to help her with. It's not an unwillingness on my part, but liability on the part of my company. The job is hands off but she has a million and one reasons why I should "help" her. And "help" usually means either take her to the bathroom or get her into bed. On Monday it meant get her out of bed and so we had these  mini conversations.

"I love you and I love all your friends. Most of them. Will you help me?"

"Can you please help me just a little bit?"

"I love you. I want you to be my friend. Will you help me? It's not a big deal."

"I love you and I love everyone that's been nice to me. And not anybody foolish."

If I don't remember to entertained, I will end up extremely frustrated, but I also must try not to smile when I answer because, although she may not be able to see me, she can hear it in my voice. And let me tell you, she is not entertained if she thinks I'm laughing at her.

* Puppy photos because I am not allowed to take pictures at the nursing home. Her name is Nassa (nah-sah).

What is This?

I told him I wouldn't be mad if he got a puppy. So he did. I came home from work and there she was.

She is a Boston terrier/border collie mix and pretty adorable. She doesn't have a name yet.

Chickens and the Littles

Packing my entire kitchen into boxes while simultaneously packing for my trip across the country (I'm flying) is proving to be an overwhelming task. The remodel won't be finished by the time I return, but a big chunk of it should be done. I did not take a "before" picture and now the upper cabinets are without doors, which is really weird and makes me want to close the cupboards every time I walk into the kitchen...

There were four grandkids here yesterday. Spencer was happy to show his cousins the chickens. He really does think they're the best pets. Aside from The Naughties, of course.

Speaking of Naughties, one of them followed us down to the chicken coop for a look of his own. There was a bit of flapping and flying about with four children and two adults in the coop and Naughty One found it quite alluring. He reached through the chicken wire in hopes of catching an early lunch (or second breakfast) but sadly for him the chicken escaped his clutches.

He was sorely disappointed and I was thoroughly satisfied to catch it all on camera. If you wondered why we aren't free ranging, this is just one of the reasons, this and his striped brother along with foxes, coyotes, neighborhood dogs, and the hawks I saw circling overhead on Wednesday. Once I return from California and work on the kitchen slows down, we'll build them an enclosure under the old trampoline frame where they can scratch in the dirt, fertilize the lawn, and remain safe from predators.

For now they have a bit of dirt in an old tire, and an enclosure safe from hawks, foxes, coyotes, cats, and hopefully, kids. We may need to install a padlock to keep naughty children from trying to get in when we aren't looking. Yes, they did make an attempt, which was thwarted by Aunt Sabrina who came around the corner and spoiled the fun of one little boy who will do what he wants if he thinks it's a good idea.

My husband thinks getting a dog would be a good idea, but I'm thinking chicken manure is a whole lot easier to clean off the bottom of shoes than dog poop. Of course, chickens aren't quite as cuddly and they don't make the best orchard walking buddies. In spite of my love for dogs, I don't think I'm ready to have another just yet. That is why I have The Naughties. A little snuggling, a smidgen of company, and good entertainment. It's working pretty good right now.

A Little More Naughtiness

You'll very soon be sick of The Naughties, but because they have been so entertaining lately they are what I have to share.

Baby reads a book. (He's growing up...)

Naughty Too decides a book makes a comfortable place to take a nap.

Baby does not agree with this plan.

Baby gives the cat a nudge.

He attempts to explain the problem to Mommy.

Getting desperate.

A desperate plea for help.

Assistance attained.

Satisfaction.

:0)

The Naughty Files

My husband does not find this near as amusing as Sabrina and I do...

The cat was hopeful, after all she was sharing with the baby every time he came over and asked, but it wasn't working for poor Naughty One. When he moved in closer, rather than getting a spoonful of milk, he was pushed away. I had to laugh because it looked like he played a trick on her. He looked away as if he wasn't paying attention and when she turned her head, he stuck his paw in the bowl. (Of course I missed that picture.)

A Naughty Update

The Naughties are living up to their reputation. Yesterday Naughty One was locked in our bedroom for hours. At one point Naughty Too was trying to open the bedroom door but I missed the underlying message and his brother remained imprisoned until I heard his cries and went searching.

Josiah, my own number four child, was out trimming dead branches and came upon the missing collar of Naughty One. He called me over to see. There it was hooked on a sassafras branch by the ring that holds the bell to the collar. The foolish feline could have hung himself, but knowing the danger, I made their collars out of elastic for this very reason. The cat escaped safely, leaving the collar to dangle in the tree and him free to once again silently sneak up on unsuspecting birds and squirrels.

This evening one of the Naughty Cats played a dirty trick on Amy, the friend of my daughter in law. She was pulling out of the driveway and heard a thud on her car. Sabrina, who was about to get in her own car, saw a look of horror come over Amy's face as she thought she had just run over one of our pets. Sabrina burst into laughter because she had seen what really happened. The crazy animal had jumped onto Amy's moving car and there on the roof, chilling out on his side, was a Naughty.  There must be a way to cure cats of getting into and on top of cars and vehicles...

The Neutralization

The Naughties went in for "minor adjustments" early yesterday morning. Secured inside a small kennel together for transport, one of them yowled a time or two on the way practically scaring me out of my skin, but over all the ride to and from the vet went smoothly. When I returned in the evening and told the receptionist I was there to pick up The Naughties, she smiled and said, "Oh, they're not naughty."

I was told they did well, and one of the girls remarked on how she didn't think they'd stopped purring all day. They'd been playing together and grooming each other and generally making themselves endearing. How could anyone ever think them naughty? But "naughty" doesn't mean not lovable and so the not-so-terrible two have been officially been dubbed "The Naughty One" and "Naughty Too". I think I've been forgiven because one is purring by my side as I type.

Now I have to recover from the bill. Do you think a gofundme page for cats is a bad idea? I kid, really I do... kind of. 

Sofie Update

A few weeks ago The Cabinet Maker's friend came to the door with a delivery. Sofie, all excited to find a visitor outside, wagged her tail and jumped about as he tried to pet her. I casually remarked how I should have let him take her home while I had the chance. "Yeah," he said, "We already have two dogs and a cat." Off he went and I thought that was the end of it, but when the Cabinet Maker returned an hour or so later, he said, "Hey, if you're really serious, Jose says they'll take Sofie."

I'd struggled for a long time with how to best meet the needs of this small creature who desperately needed company and yet was left home alone so often. The kittens weren't doing the job, and even on my days off work I found myself running out for one reason or another, I hardly had time to meet her need for company much less keep her bathed and groomed. I knew Jose's wife would love her and give her a good home, so I agreed.

Sof already had a date for a check up and shots with our vet, so we waited until Thursday evening. Lia was anxious and excited to introduce our little dog to her family. I packed a bag with Sofie's leash and dish, her bag of dog food and chewy sticks, and tossed her favorite Beanie Baby in too, just in case she should feel lonely. I thought of how much my Mom had loved the little white dog, and what good company Sofie had been for Mom, and I knew I had to do what was best for Sof, so when Lia and the boys came to the door, I smiled and reminded myself that this was a good thing.

I've been blessed with Facebook photos that show my little friend settling into her new home. She has friends now, doggy friends, instead of the feline variety that like to jump on her head. She has a hand-me-down sweater from her doggy friend Gracie, in case it should ever get cold outside... and for the first time in her life, a Christmas stocking with her name on it. She has really moved up in the world!

When the craziness of Christmas is behind us, and the dust has settled a little, I'm going to take a ride out to the Lake Bluff Honey Bee Farm and visit my little friend.
:0)

Suff, Just Stuff

It was cold when I left the house early this morning, but not as cold as when I came out of Wegmans several hours later. I actually checked my glove compartment to see if I'd left any mittens in there last winter. Yup, a nice pair of pretty red ones. Of course, I'm a little reluctant even yet to put on that winter coat. My mind is stuck somewhere in July.

I stopped in Walmart today too, in search of an electric can opener. It's not that I mind the manual kind that fit in my silverware drawer, but the tendinitis in my thumb balks and screams while I twist the handle and then sulks for days afterward. Unlike the usual Martha, I picked the most expensive contraption on the shelf. It takes the entire top off the can leaving smooth edges and cans good for baking Boston Brown Bread.

The Naughties are growing up. In another two weeks they will be 5 months old, and a month after that I will be dragging them off to the vet in an effort to keep them tame and sweet smelling. They still don't have individual names, but that will come in time. I've always wished we'd taken a little more time when naming pets as the "perfect" name typically comes along when personality and habits become evident.

The Naughties vs The Nephews

Sleep doesn't come easy when the sound of your own blood pulsating through your body is echoed in your ear every time the room gets quiet...

Our Indian Summer is almost over, and though I missed the first three days, I did get outside for a while yesterday. Hannah came over with "the nephews" and they were eager to play in the cars, which I had lined up under my naked sassafras trees to wait for snowman season. They got one more good workout from three energetic little boys and are now parked once again under the trees to await a good packy snowfall.

The Naughties enjoyed our visit from the nephews and didn't mind at all when they were chased across the yard and up into a tree or behind some bushes. I think they were excited to be out running through the leaves.They're growing up, those Naughties, and I'm beginning to think upon that fateful day when I will need to cart them off to the vet to be "neutralized."

Sadly, we do not qualify for all those wonderful low-income spay/neuter programs offered to the "less fortunate." There goes two weeks of sitting on my rear end just to pay for a few quick snips. (Anybody got a strong stomach and a nice pair of clippers?)

Speaking of the nephews, Hannah's little nephew Leo has taken to calling me "Granny." He must have misheard them saying "Grammy..." I had to smile a little bit. My daughter gets married and I inherit some more grandchildren. How cool is that?