Family dynamics

I got an email from my younger brother. He is developmentally delayed and our older brother and his wife are his guardians. Older bro does a darn good job seeing to lil bro's needs in a very caring, but also very straightforward, way. Lil bro has a way of pushing our buttons something awful, and I am not sure he knows how truly thankful my sis and I are that he was willing to step up to the plate on this. I am not really even sure how it all happened. It just did. I suspect big bro did it for Dad when he decided to move from the area. They had a very special bond that I was always a bit jealous of.

The email was quite simple. It seems that his new fancy cable system router for his computer has died. New and fancy can be tough. It is a whole new system that needs to be taught. But lil bro eventually turns it into his routine and life goes on. I think part of his "delay" affects his expectation level. I guess that may be part of the buttons that he pushes, and that he likely doesn't even know about. Things are just to "be." On his time schedule, and fitting appropriately into his routines. I think all those years of "there's nothing wrong with your little brother" comes into play a bit here. Funny how the uglies can rear their heads at a most inopportune time. Anyway, this nice little email, about four lines long, seems to be a bit of a breakthrough for lil bro. One simple line said it all: "What a great brother we have, if it weren't for him i don't know what i would done you know what i mean?"

Pretty cool. I forwarded it on so that on those down days when big bro is tired and gets the third or fourth phone call of the day, he can read it and know how appreciated he is. Of course I added my own line of thanks as well. In all those growing up years, this part of the picture never surfaced. It was never something that was planned, or even considered. I am so grateful to have a brother that was willing to take on the role. It would have been taken care of but no where near as well as is happening now. I guess some of us never have the luxury of having the kids raised and out of the house. I am grateful that I have that.

So, thanks big bro. And thanks lil bro as well, for recognizing all that is done for you. Life is just not automatically placed in your lap with all the fancy wrappings intact. You do seem to be getting that, and that is a very good thing.

Reminder to self: Christmas is coming...

G2

A crazy sad day

Today, November 6th, 2009.

My family (both birth and "choice") is full of police officers and teachers. Two of the three toughest jobs (military making up the third). It seems that babysitting the communities has become tougher and tougher. And scarier and scarier. As a firm believer of the right to bear arms, and a concealed carry permit "owner" the latest event in the Seattle area, as well as the Texas massacre, has really shaken me. Not in the way that one might assume, as I contemplate my "accessories" each day. The sadness I feel is deep. Down to my core. The idea that a person can open fire on someone, unprovoked physically, is frightening. Even more humbling for me is the thought that had I been in the area I would have been morally forced to draw my weapon and fire it. Could I have done it? Absolutely. Would I be able to get on with life as usual? My usual would be forever changed. Yet I think the senseless shooting death of Officer Brenton has already changed my "usual." You see, I was raised to respect people in uniform. I am actually in awe of them, and have been since I was a tot. It saddens me when a bad apple is discovered, but it doesn't mar the respect I feel, as I know those are the minority. Even in my days of rebellion I could never disrespect police officers, or teachers.

As the city begins to shut down streets for the funeral procession of Officer Brenton my tears begin to fall. For his young family. For his fellow officers. For Seattle. For that tad bit of innocence that was taken by a yet to be found gunman. For those of us that choose to legally carry, and the ramifications that doing so may hold. Sometimes life is just so very sad.

Rest in Peace, Officer Timothy Brenton. Take care, Officer friends and family.

G2

Once a diva

forever a diva. What have I created??

Last night I went to conformation class. (That's DOG handling, you weirdos.) From the second we got out of the car I knew it was to be a handful of a class. One hour is a bit more taxing than two and a half minutes. I need to start bringing the diva's crate. Kate did NOT want to sit and discuss anything. She wanted to play, she wanted to strut her stuff, she wanted to "pose." It was pretty funny, actually. The instructor took to using her for demos, which was more than fine with me. Kate quickly got tired of being "baited," and would spit it out, which drove the other dogs crazy as they wanted it. I mean REALLLY wanted it. How exactly does one tone down a diva? We went around the ring in a group. Kate was trotting up on the heals of a young Rottie. We finally passed as the poor thing was spending more time worried about the stumpy little dog behind her. She was happy. And crazy. And a tad out of control. Correct her? Nope. I spent way too much time dragging her around. There is nothing sadder looking than an unhappy Cardigan Corgi. The ears droop, the tail sags, the eyes look like a Basset Hound who is down on his luck. So, the trick that worked? Her beads. I had them in the bag. I put them on Kate and she suddenly turned into the reserved and very in control diva. Coincidence? Maybe. With this pup I think I will take what I can get.

So she lays quietly on the couch behind me. Muddy from our recent jaunt out to the pasture. Diva beads still in place.

I love this dog!!

G2

(Hey S2, if you tried to call the cell phone you need to turn off your ID block. You are listed on my friends and family for free plan, but "Blocked call" is not.)

Not quite 60, but nice enough.

The neighbor's water main project went off without a hitch, almost. His Dad, another friend, and his self were all out shoving the one inch line through the five hundred feet of two inch line and it seemed almost too easy. The first 350' feet went in quite smoothly. However, a Kitsap potato caused a bit of fear for this neighbor, who went out to chat with the "boys" and found one laying in the driveway. It seems that he went to take a step away and his toe caught on a rather big chunk of rock (potato) and down he went. I grabbed a chair and made him sit for a bit once he was up (I think he was a tad embarrassed by my attention to him). He bruised his hip on his keys when he fell, and that seems to be the extent of his injuries, thank goodness. The pain was dealt with via beer. Hey, whatever works, I guess. They then hooked up the second roll of pipe and began slowly pushing it through. Soon enough Scott drove the tractor down to the main road and announced that it was through. Ten minutes later it was hooked up down there, then flushed and hooked up here. I think the whole project took about an hour, maybe two if you count beer breaks. Calls were made and it was found that the line will not need to be replaced. 3/4" is often used for mains now. I am eager to follow them down to revel in the fact that with the water off his meter is no longer running...I think he will revel in the fact that $600 water bills are a thing of the past.

So I will now get a change to wash and wax the truck. Kate has been bathed and groomed. She needed the bath and it was really the only way I could tell if she would be showable in two weeks. The shedding has dropped down now and while she certainly doesn't have a nice full coat, I think we will enter the ring anyway. She looks good enough. Henry will get his chance after the truck is washed. We have dog class tonight, so he may not get his bath until tomorrow. I don't think he will mind.

So I am off for now. I will enjoy the last hurrah of summer...(Make note: change wiper blades)

G2

Oh wiper blades! Good thing you reminded me~

S2

A pet peeve

Musical blogs. I love music. I love all kinds of music. (OK, almost all kinds.) I have music playing everywhere. When I don't have it turned on the stereos, it is playing in my head. I cannot stop the music. Sometimes it makes me a bit lulu. With that said, and having set the stage, so to speak, I get REALLY crazy when I open a blog and music comes on. It rarely matches either the music in my home, or the music in my head. Most is quite pleasant. Most, if not all, would be quite enjoyable if I had the choice of timing. Knowing that I write for myself, and not others, I do not expect people to bag their music because I like to read their blogs. Yeah, like I think I have that kind of power! So I have resorted to turning off the speakers on the computer. It ended the crazy game that I was playing; that game being to find the little music player doohickey on the side bar and hit the pause button before the first note came out. Now, however, I often forget to turn the speakers back on when I want to watch a little video that someone has posted. It is humorous the little things that can set me off on a bit of a rant.

So, dear readers, you now know one of the reasons that S2 and I do not have music on our blog. You also know why we chose instead to list the "Song of the Day."

I love music; really I do.

Song of the day?

"They're Coming to Take Me Away" LARD

And they're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho he he ha ha
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
They're coming to take me away ha ha...

G2

Monday, Monday

so good to me.

Indeed. I slept last night. This time change thing has all three of us messed up a bit. I think I was in bed around 7:30 and up by 4am. I remember waking up at one point and looking at the clock. To my disgust it was 9:40pm!!! I was afraid it was going to be another very long night, but t'was not to be, thank goodness. It was quite cold. I hear in the 30s again. There was no frost this morning, but now, at almost 1pm, I am still only contemplating washing the truck. It is the idea of a wet foot that keeps me in here. I am sleep deprived enough that the idea of being cold is almost more than I can handle.

There is also the fact that my poor neighbor has a huge mound of dirt in the driveway, and the water from washing the truck would likely flow right to the pile. The poor man is having to change out his water pipe. 550 feet of water pipe. In an effort to get through the winter he is hoping to shove a one inch poly pipe into the two inch PVC pipe; like a liner. This summer he would change it out when all is nicely dry again. He finally had to call the water company in to find the leak. Sadly they found "a lot of small leaks." He says he was down looking at the meters. Mine was not moving. His was. And there was nothing turned on, and he had pulled the sprinkler system off the main. There are three people and a dog that live there. Hardly worthy of a $600 monthly bill; unless the dog sneaks in and takes extremely long showers each day, which she swears she doesn't.

I've finished wiring up the doggie motel. I have developed a strange joy in playing with electrical. I cannot explain it, perhaps it is just the challenge as it really is like a puzzle. A more active puzzle. I need active right now. I am very slowly trying to build back up to the activity level I was on when the surgery knocked me for a loop. I am just not a patient person, and perhaps that is my lesson in all of this. I love that the dogs are back into their activity niche. I could really see their lack of conditioning beginning to show. It didn't take long at all to get it back and I can only hope for the same for me. We are back to four trips out daily during which they run non-stop for about twenty minutes. It sure helps my house to have them tired. We spend a total of three hours out there. If the weather is decent we will get in another hour.

I never did figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. While I shudder to think of myself as a "grown up" I must say that I am pretty darn happy with where I am in my life. I can pretty much do whatever I want to do; albeit oft times in "different" ways. The people that I have met, and the ways they came into my life only makes the adventure more fun. While I care deeply about many things, I pick and choose what, and how, that occurs. My dogs are extremely important because they make me laugh. It is impossible to stay angry when I look down at these two little stumpy dogs with the laughing faces. They are both extremely driven. That drive seems to be to pull "fun" out of everything. It can be a bit obnoxious at 4:30am when they are fighting over my right foot, which I am trying hard not to move. Once they know I am awake they are quick to dig the covers off and vie for the between the toes morning bath ritual. One morning I tried throwing a pillow at them. A new game was born as the two ran happily down the hall with the pillow carried by both. Within five minutes the pillow was "dead" and the innards everywhere. Kate even had a tuft of fluff on an eyebrow. I am pretty sure the two planted that tuft precariously on the eyebrow. They knew I could not stay mad when she stared at me with the eyebrow she must've borrowed from my High School History teacher. Needless to stay, I do not throw pillows anymore.

I do choose to focus on the humorous as much as possible. The world is too scary and I refuse to go there. Politics? I think not! It is not that I don't care, it is that I don't feel I have time to be giving even minutes to things out of my control; things that might depress me. Besides, when I am "off" the two dwarfs get testy with each other in an effort to be the one that makes me feel better. Who needs a Mom, Grandma, friend, who is suffers from "Eeyore syndrome?" We all know one. You know the type. "Woe is me. Life sucks. No body loves me." Oh go eat worms for heaven's sake!! So I am off to the post office. I may stop at the park on the way down or back. Then to WallyWorld to return some parts I didn't need for the wiring project. It is always enjoyable to wander Walmart and people watch. Is this what "they" call the simple life??

G2

Of ghosts, goblins, phantoms, and headaches

First the good:

Last night I spent with four beautiful young princesses (OK, the smallest was actually a monkey) at my son's church harvest festival. The kids got to play games, cake walk, ride ponies, sing songs, and just plain enjoy a bit of cousinly fun time. It was also my son's wife's birthday; how nice to see him doting on his wife. He cooked her dinner and baked her a cake. How come I never got that? I'm thinking she did a better job picking...and he got pretty darn lucky. What a gem I have as my second daughter.

The ugly? Hmmmm. I guess the sticky syrup I kept laying my arm in. (Did I mention that the son also cooked his wife French Toast for breakfast?) Then there was trying to understand the very complex card game he was trying to teach me as we waited for the cake to bake. Perhaps the flightless fruit flies that he seems to enjoy breeding for his fish to eat. Weird child, that one. Did I mention how wonderful his wife is? I'm not sure I would be as willing to deal with multiple bottles of maggots in various stages, tucked away in cupboards. EWWWWW.

The bad: The phantom returns. I'm thinking it is related to either a prosthetic fit issue because of the surgery, or a back alignment issue due to all the recent poor sleep. This is new, however. It is the top of my foot that is electrically firing off messages to my body. It has always been under the arch. Neither is fun, and I am ready for it to be over. I will schedule appointments at both the chiropractor and the prosthetist for next week.

Now to end on a good note: I am signing up to do the Jingle Bell Run to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. I have brought the bike back in the house and will be settling it back on the trainer. My house will once again look like a gym, but it is MY house. Why do I need it to benefit any one but myself? With a bit of furniture rearranging all will be fine. I do look forward to getting back on the bike. I do not know if I will be running or walking. I do not know if I will be just doing the kiddie walk. It all depends on how the healing goes, and how the leg is fitting. I can be perfectly happy doing the 1K with my two, or three, grand kids. Heck, maybe Kira will join us with little Violet in the stroller. What do you say, Kira? I think Miss Lilly would be interested in your response...

Tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow begins a new week. It is a new month. All the discomfort that happened today is soon to be over. Isn't it brilliant how this all works?

G2

Of helicopters

and six year olds.

Yesterday we had a doozy of a windstorm. I was outside with the critters and the leaves were blowing like crazy as I attempted to rake them. Almost as quickly as I could get them into a small pile either the horse or a dog would scatter them. I decided it was fun for them and exercise for me. Win-win! At one point all activity stopped as the dogs noses went almost straight up in the air. At the same time a gust of wind went through. I looked up in time to see what almost appeared to be a gigantic hoard of insects flying through the air. The sky was filled with these dragonfly sized bugs, wings spinning. Suddenly I realized what I was seeing. The wind had released the seeds of the big leafed maples that surround my field. Helicopters!!

A couple of weeks, or so, ago my oldest grand daughter was over. I spend most of my daylight outside, and much of that is in the pasture. She was with me. The sun was out and the ground was drying a bit. I reached down and took a seed pod and instantly transformed to six years old. I threw it into the air and delighted as it spun its way back to earth. Soon we were both sending the "helicopters" spinning. Something as simple as a seed pod quickly strengthened our bond to one another. This is the kind of little thing that I get to share with my grand kids. Life is so busy for them and their parents. With cars now costing what I paid for my first house it is no wonder that some of the little things fall between the cracks. Mom and Dad are tired from just trying to stay afloat. It is my job to share the little things. The simple little things from MY youth. It has become my mission to explore beyond electronics with the girls.

I think a piece of my legacy will be wrapped in brown fuzz, spinning slowly back to the dirt.

G2

Welcome to the World

Welcome to our family's newest little tomato, Violet Hope. Violet, I love your name! Your grandmother is the sister I always wished I had, so yes, our family. I can't wait to meet you :) Amelia, you are so lucky to have a sister, and Violet is luck to have you.

G2, your blog about blogging has finally explained to me why I haven't been blogging very much. You blog to get things out of your brain; lately mine feels foggy, as though there just isn't much in it. There's not much in the brain, so I've been cleaning the house, really it's a major mucking out. Preparation for a new shelving system, and good therapy just in general. I goggle at what is in the big box (it's a really big box) that contains everything that I swept into it in preparation for the last surgery. I can shred all the bills in good faith, knowing they've long been paid. Old magazines, bunches of books, many of Ramona's drawings and 'birthday lists', a stack of business cards and flyers, the partial remains of several 'projects begun and never finished', and the list goes on. My project of carrying out at least five times the amount I've carried in each day is in full swing.

I've spent quite a lot of time working on genealogy, as well. I've finally done something there that I have always sworn I would never, ever do (not since a distant relative had the whole family tree inducted into his religion's ranks, without asking)(I tried to imagine some of the divorced couples that I know of in that are in that family tree, sealed together for all eternity, now THAT is actually funny.)(In fact, it would make a good story): I signed up with Ancestry.com for a two week trial period. Ancestry is run by that same religion...I swore they would never get me on their site...but I have succumbed at last. That is one cool website, I gotta say, and yes, I will probably pay money to stay on it.

And now I'm taking care a houseful of developmentally delayed young ladies for a couple of days, so the brain must be full ON. I shall further return to the land of thinking, and take a whole bunch of photos this weekend. I've nearly missed fall We've had a windstorm going on today, so it's likely that all the fall leaf photos will be of the piles on the ground, but at least I won't have totally missed it.

Congratulations again, Amelia and Violet, at your new sisterhood. Lucky girls!

S2

Hey, hey, S2. It is great to see you! (You haven't been giving out my address have you?) It is fun having two little flowers in the family. I suspect I will be planting plenty of lillies and violets in the spring. Let us know when you are back and we will arrange for little Violet to meet her Auntie.

G2

Twarn't me, McGee. The few times I send you a contest it's directly to you and about NC. I think somehow someone accessed the blogspot data base...it even could be an offshoot of blogspot, if the email that went to the 2Grandmas email address is any indication. How could ANYONE have gotten that email address, which we only created and use for the purpose of this blog? Makes you go hmmmmm. I have next weekend to myself :)

S2

Hairy dream'n

I haven't a clue why I suddenly awakened in panic mode, but this morning my brain is filled with little dog grooming details and near panic about the next show, which is in two weeks. Silly little things, like when, where, and how. It is perhaps easier when there is a home base involved at the show. This time I will be commuting. This time, also, there will be less hair attached to the dog, and more on my clothing. Perhaps it is that I was eating and breathing the hair in my sleep as Kate blissfully slept on my head; unaware of the workings going on in my brain, just under her left armpit. While winning is great, it also puts a bit more stress on me. I liked it. I want more. Arghh!! Kate? She seems to just have a blast out there being a diva. (Make note: Mardi Gras beads into show bag.) We will be going early enough to get the jitters from the car ride walked out. Then add an hour for me to get the grooming jitters worked out, and walked out. THEN I can gimp my way to ringside. I think it is time to watch "Best in Show" again and get myself back together. Anyway, today will be the grinding of the toenails. I missed a week, so they are talons. (I think my girl communicates with the eagles overhead.)

On the topic of communication: I blog to get the things in my brain out. I do it for myself, mostly. It is an online diary of sorts. WHY do people think that I need to enter contests or write articles and books? Attention, all who read this: NO THANKS! I do not (nor have I ever) want to write for money. Deadlines make my brain shut down. Is it just me? Are there recruiters out on the world wide web that spend the day reading blogs? How the heck do they get my personal email address when it is not used in my profile? While I am flattered, again, no thanks.

OK, that said, I need to begin my day. It is a warmer 54 this morning. Almost balmy. The dogs are gearing up for the first run of the day. I am killing time to let the neighbor sleep a bit longer. It can get noisy out in the field as the diva dog begins her first workout of the day. No, I don't mean me, with my creaks and groans, I mean Kate as she frantically tries to figure out which ball to chase. Her eager "jelps" as she attacks the tether ball, followed by the anxious barks at the flat basketball. Henry's "yipes" as I step on him. He hides underfoot as Kate gets more and more excited. She is the quiet one in the house. The Jekyll/Hyde thing still freaks him out. It is pretty black and white with the fur kids.

Right now I am wearing that black and white. Wearing it. Breathing it. Eating it. Will there be any left on the dog in two weeks? EEEEK!!

G2