papa's birthday celebration...

Papa's birthday is on Tuesday!!!!! But since it's a week day... AND.. he has a date with the kidneys stone doctors (to blast two big stones that he is dealing with)... we decided that we should celebrate his birthday a little early. So, Sunday afternoon, the grands arrived ready to party. 

Since there is no snow down near the coast, Reagan brought his sled to have a few runs down Holdsworth Hill. Seems he did the same thing last year, just days before his little brother was born. Last year, he wasn't so keen on the idea of sledding but this year, he's a little more into it...

He made a couple runs down with Nate, and then go brave enough to go on his own. It's a big hill and with the bit of ice we have had, the sleds really go... Reagan really isn't a dare devil, so he was happy to use half the hill and just get a nice little ride that way. But the day was quite cold, and it was windy, so after a few runs, he was happy to head to the farm...

Livy was so excited to see the boys, she loves the idea of Calvin being just at her level.... and not sure what the tongue is about, I think Cal was trying to copy Livy...

I put the grands in charge of decorating the cake.. and told them they could do anything they wanted... because I knew we would have the best decorated cake that ever was.

And so... we did!!!!

Reagan asked if I would be putting the cover back on the cake... I told him I didn't think it would fit... which was just the answer he was hoping for, because I turned around and found him getting every last bit of frosting he could off the cover. 

Smart little chap, he knew exactly what he wanted when he asked that question...

It just melts my heart when I think and see how blessed we are with our family. Moments like this I don't take for granted....

Kass, Nate, Reagan & Cal... Sadie, Jessie & Abi... all were there. We had a great supper together, and then the cake... with all the singing and excitement that one should have on their birthday... I love how the kids make sure that we do it all right.

And after cake comes presents.......

As it turns out, tomorrow is a school holiday, so Abi asked she could spend the night with us... (Reagan was invited but he's not into over nights just yet)... of course we were thrilled to have Abi. Kass had given her Dad a board game that included several games in one, and Abi challenged Ed to a game of checkers. We didn't know she knew how to play, but she sure does, and did a nice job of beating Papa twice.!!!! Kass thought this board game would be fun to have at camp next summer, and that was already proven right. 

So, with kids and grands, a nice dinner, cake and presents... and a sleep over.. I think Papa would say that his birthday - early - was a great one!!!!

therapy dog testing day

Every two years, Livy and I need to re-certify our Pet Partners therapy dog certificate. We don't run out until June of this year, but I heard of a test being given not too far from home. Since we have to get it done sometime this spring, we opted to go to today's testing. On top of being tested, we were also asked to be the "distractor" dog for the others who will also be testing that day. When I asked Livy if she were ready to go... this is the answer I got....

I guess it's... "have bowl will travel"....

There were seven teams that came to be tested. Livy and I were the first (since we were needed for the rest of them)... Livy did well, and passed, though she wasn't as serious about it as I would have liked. She can be rather silly at times, and today decided that being silly would be fun. She did everything she should and needed, but it wasn't as precise as I would have liked. But everyone laughed and thought she was cute, so... what's the trouble with that.  Six of the teams, including Livy did pass, one team did not, and I'm not sure if they didn't understand how high the standards are, or if the dog was off (really off), but the moment they came threw the door, you just knew they wouldn't cut it. 

I felt bad for the owner, you could tell they really wanted to pass... and the elevator did everything he could to help them, but really the dog was not in control. It worried me a little when it was time for Livy and I to step out and play distractor dog, because truthfully Livy doesn't put up with foolishness from other dogs, and I didn't need her telling this dog off. She was good, and I could see her giving that dog the evil eye, but she held it together. I hope they can get some training help and improve on that dog's skills.... all dogs have the skills, but they need to be brought out...

All the other doggies did well... most of them were recertifying like Livy and I... but it doesn't mean anything, a dog can already have its certification, have a bad test and fail. Which is why is it wise to give yourself plenty of time to do your testing...

but, my favorite team to watch was Brenda and her dog. Brenda's dog is actually her service dog too, and I had wondered how it would be with a duel purpose. There were no fears there... in cape, the dog was all business, all service dog... ready at a moments notice to do as Brenda needed. But, once she took her cape off, she became all therapy dog... greeting people, wagging her tail.. getting everyone to smile. 

Brenda is an amazing person, and I learn a lot from people like her. She likes to take her dog into the rehab where she has been to cheer people up who are in the same sort of situation that she is in. I can only imagine the thoughts of the folks when they see Brenda, her service dog and wheelchair arrive.... and how she adds smiles and encouragement to their day. The work that Livy and I do just seems so easy compared to what Brenda does... but each person, each dog has a gift... and not using the gift is where the wrong is.... 

There are so many wonderful venues for therapy dogs these days... that anyone who wishes to do it, can have a place to go and "work"... from the way the other handlers were talking there is alway a need for more therapy dogs.

So, the little brown dog and I continue our work as a reader dog team... she loves the kids (as do I) and I feel we're doing our own bit of good in the world... and.... we're good to go for another two years!!!!!

winter weather....

And so, it's winter... in it's true form... cold, wind snow... but then we have days that are almost warm, which might be nice, expect that when things melt... they freeze again. And I don't feel like we have had many "just snow" storms... there seems to be a lot of icing this year. It's pretty in a way, and makes the trees and everything look like they're made of glass

but, its down right dangerous !!!! and more than once the barn yard has looked like this!!!! Fortunately I have the gator and I run back and forth to the barn in that. I feel a little bit lazy not walking down to the barn, but I am not about to run the risk of falling. A friend of mine did fall in his yard and has broken his shoulder... I simply can not be put of out life with something like that.  I also have my "grippers" on my barn shoes.. which help a lot, but I still go very carefully...

The horses are doing well... Tonka is settling in as an only horse. We are looking for a buddy, but finding exactly the right one for all of us is going to take some time. 

Looks like we have another snow clean up to do. This is what comes off the barn roof.... just glad it's not right in front of the stall doors, they horses wouldn't be able to get out. 

The hay supply is holding up very well... we had planned to be feeding more horses, but with Lucky and Duke gone... it has made a big difference. That's OK... I like the idea that I can feed out as much as I like or want, and I probably won't need to buy as much hay next summer. 

So, winter continues on.. and already I'm thinking about the spring weather, but we have a ways to go. Time to do quilting projects... blogging, and all the other things that we do this time of year. I like the seasons and how each one has their own projects.. but it doesn't mean I don't think of the ones to come.

20.........17

Happy New Year!!! 2017 has arrived!!! And in colonial style celebration, we have lit the basket and a bright flame welcomes the New Year!!! We got our little basket in Colonial Williamsburg years ago, but just now have found the perfect spot (and time to enjoy it). As I have in the past, today we are hosting a holiday open house. It just seems like such a nice way to welcome the new year with family and friends. 

The house is warm and cozy... lots of good food to share, and a nice way to bring the busy holiday season to it's close....

Last night, though, we traveled down to be with the grands and the family. It's hard to bring us all together now, with the families getting larger, so to spread out the time together is always fun. The evening was take out food, and games!!!! Lots of laughter and just the joy of being together. 

These two  little chaps stayed up way past bedtime, but did not make the "midnight" time frame... actually neither did I....

The open house this year did not have as many guests as usual. My Mom and Dad were not able to make it. Dad's health is fair and he now tires easily.. I think the Christmas fun took a lot of out him. I worry about this and miss them not coming, but as Dad wishes, we always continue on as we have. 

We didn't do any sleigh rides this year  ... but the day was good and those who came seemed to enjoy their time here. I loved visiting with everyone and seeing the house dressed up for today. 

Tomorrow, it will be time to pack things away for another year, and see what the year ahead brings to all of us. I so appreciate all the blessings in my life, and have come to learn (in my "older" years) that each day is such a gift and to enjoy all those we have around us. 2016 leaves bittersweet.... I still cry when I think of the losses of Hunter dog, Dear Camille, and our beautiful Duke .... but I still have so many wonderful things around me and know that I need to celebrate the here and now....

here's onto 2017......