celebrating....... THREE

I think we'll all agree that time has a way of flying by. For me, some days seem slow, but then, we are at the end of another week, and I'm thinking .. where did it go. However, I can "see" where the time has gone everytime I look at Abbie.... she's THREE... (or nearly).. and I just don't believe that. I took this photo at Kass's last night.. here Ab is showing Meme how to play "angry birds" on the i-touch. She's a whiz at it and my Mom just couldn't believe that Abbie knew just what to do.

Then Sean challenged her... I don't think he made out any better than Meme did... and don't even ask me to play, I don't think I even know how to turn an i-touch on!!! She also can run the dvd player at home and loves to look over your shoulder when you're on the computer.....








And... she was the one invited to go to the ultra sound with TeeTee and Krunckle., and got her very own picture of her baby cousin. (no, Kas didn't tell  her "what" the baby was.. guess Kas knew that we would try to ask.......)

We celebrated her birthday today... she was so excited to help decorate.. this year's theme was "Hello Kitty"....

Have to have birthday balloons!!!!!

And a crown, of course.....

And look at old pictures and blogs of when you were "little"  (didn't we used to look at photo albums???)

Family and friends arrive for the party!!! Abbie loves having cousin Naomi over.... they really do play well together and since both are "singles".. this will be as close to a sister as they will get!!!!!

After some food and visiting, everyone always likes to go to the barn and see what we have there. My sister Becky always loves our smaller animals... (she misses Beeker as much as I do).. but she found Lucille very sweet.

My Dad always enjoys talking with the horses... Duke was quite taken with his attention....

Then it was back to the house for presents and more fun times together.... love having my house filled with people!!!!

So many wonderful things, we are very, very blessed.....

Would love to know what this conversation was all about!!!!!

Cake time..... with a "Hello Kitty" cake made by TeeTee... which wasn't only cute, but very good as well....

Two years ago, she was just walking and smashing into her first cake...    now she's the one that cuts the pieces for everyone else..... Happy Birthday Abbie....... we love you more than you can ever know!!!!

it's called "fall"...

We are well into the fall season... had our first hard frost, which "kills" everything - good and bad. The flowers look kind of sad in the garden, but the flies are gone in the barn, so it's a trade off. We have had the most beautiful weather, and I feel like I need as much outside time as possible, storing it away for those cold winter days when I would rather be in.

The trees all around the pasture are just amazing (this picture doesn't nearly do them justice) and as the fall, I am beginning to see our neighbor's again. I like seeing their homes in the dark days of winter... it feels less lonely that way.

There are lots of beautiful places in the "US".. but somehow fall in New England beats them all......

Our old home town hosted it's annual Harvestfest, and I couldn't wait to be done with work so we could attend. It's a fun time with lots of good food and crafters.....

Great place to work an up and coming service dog. And since "dogs" aren't allowed... she certainly gets special privileges.....

Since the day was so pretty, there were lots of people. Which makes it a little hard to "see" all that is there, but it's all a part of it.











Rylie got a lot of attention, for a number of reasons.. first people always like a puppy... second the "service dog vest" always is noticed and thirdly... with Sesame street having just come out with "their" service dog.. a number of the kids recognized her right away. When the puppies are little like this, it's OK for them to socialize (with permission) with the public... but, I like to keep it at a minimum--- it's hard enough to walk around with her. 
 

Aside from the festival itself... our good friends were there with the Belgians... and we always try and hook up with them whenever we can.... (Sadie and Abbie got a front row seat in the wagon!!) 

And of course, you know that I had to take a few trips with Butch myself.... 












Rylie was funny, when she was on the ground beside the  horses, no big deal. She's used to being around our guys, so that didn't surprise me.. but once we got up on the seat with Butch and the team began to step up... she wasn't so sure she liked that idea. It took her a couple of trips and then she was comfortable and actually took a little nap.





I'm usually behind two big black horses.. but the "blonde's" are pretty  nice too..

One thing I will never get used to.. with riding with Butch.. is how people behave, or rather don't behave around horses. I can't tell you the number of times that the team is going along and people just step out in front of them. Mind you, they don't go that fast, but they also can't stop on a dime with that great wagon full of people behind them. Fortunately, Butch and the team take in all in stride, but it's all I can do to hold my tongue and not yell..."get out of the way you st****p people!!" Really, if you saw 4000lbs of horse coming at you.......

 
 
It was overall, a very fun day... Rylie made lots of new friends, and was one tired puppy at the end of the day. But, the day isn't over yet...





we're heading to Kassy and Nate's... read the next blog!!!!!

 

and the big news is......

Last week, Kas and Nate found out "who" baby Flagg is..... they wanted to let us all know, but in a very special way. So, we went for a supper together and a very special dessert....  

Baby Flagg, are you a boy or a girl... that is the question. We had a little bet going, Abbie and I voted for a girl..........

Kassy said we had to eat our dinner before dessert... we ate as quickly as we could, and finally... it was time to cut the cake. Was it pink or blue inside... (Deb tried to peek)....

Ok... so did I........

The Grand "moms" to be had the honors of cutting the first piece.... can you tell yet what the outcome will be.......

Well, it's pretty certain... "we" are having a little grandson in the spring......

Friends and family couldn't wait to hear the news... the wonders of modern technology!!!! We're so used to knowing it the moment it happens!!!!!










The proud and happy parents to be.... Kas and Nate, and baby boy makes three....






(spring seems far away!!!)

One thing, about having a puppy in the house, AND covering a few extra days at the post.... you get to see some pretty amazing sunrises around here. I appreciate seeing them, but there is something pretty amazing about my comfy bed and quilts too..... at least there isn't a foot of snow and wind .... right now....

We have fired up the "little" stove a few times, the weather has been on the damp side, and this certainly takes the chill off. Actually, by the time the evening is over, we are usually opening the windows, because it's too hot in the house. But, something about the first "fires" of the season......

Rylie is growing in leaps and bounds, and her puppy look is fading fast. She's doing very well and loves to go to puppy school. She's a little "worker" for sure and just wants to learn what you have to teach....









Kas and I saw this "dress" a few weeks ago, and nothing doing.. Tee Tee just had to go and get it for Abbie. Needless to say, Abbie was more than delighted when she saw it and put it on right away. That was on a Saturday night.. the next morning as we were getting ready for church.. Abbie announced that she was ready to go.... in her "weddin' " dress. At first Sadie said no, but really what's the harm.... so off we went to church, bride in tow. I can't tell you how many smiles she brought the to folks at church... and out right laughter when the kids headed to Sunday school and Abbie ran up the isle "yelling"  -- "come on, let's get to church!!!" She brings smiles to us everyday........ 

I've had a hankerin' for turkey these past couple of days. "Sadly" the gobblers we are raising aren't "ready" yet... so, one rainy afternoon, I ran down tot he store to buy a turkey to cook......

Wouldn't you know, on the way home... these two crossed my path. Now, I have never had "wild" turkey... don't really plan on having any.. but I thought it was ironic.. that I have a "store" bought in the back.. and a "real in the front"...

Actually, these are too pretty to eat.....

Keep a low profile, guys... it's bird season afterall.......

Hello October....

Happy October...... my favorite month, actually, it's the start of my favorite season... from now until January, this is when I am the "happiest". I love the weather, the changing of the seasons.. the approach of the holidays... it's all good. I have always loved this time of year....

so, it was (is) extra special that Kass was born on October 1st!!!! I loved having that little baby to take dog walking the first fall that she was here. And I have never missed one birthday with her... even when she was married and moved away... we spent everyone of her birthdays together. So, I wasn't about to break "tradition" this year, and on my way to teach dog classes, I popped by her work to deliever a little cake.....

And check on grandbaby #2.......

Happy birthday Kass..... we love you!!!!!

NEADS time!!!

"Life with Rylie" is going very well.. and it's so much fun to have a puppy in the house!!! She's growing fast and it amazes me (still) at how quickly puppies learn.. and how much time is often wasted when they are so young and can be learning...

She had her "first" vet visit this past week.. (first with me, she has seen a vet before).. and the wonderful people at Down Maine Vet Clinic have (yet again) agreed to sponsor my service dog. (Which means.. all vet care is donated)... I love these folks, not just for the care of the service dogs.. but for the care of all my pets... they are so welcoming and very clever when it comes to the care of animals!!!!!

Now, somewhere under this big (wonderful) lug of a dog is my little Rylie. Her new friend is "Monty" and he's just a little St. Bernard puppy (about 10 months old)  weighing in at about 130 lbs. He's a real sweetie pie...

Good thing when you see him next to his "daddy" and know that he's not done growing   yet!!!! The first dog that I can remember is a Saint, his name was Cesar, and there are tons of photos of me as a small child with a big Saint at my side. I loved that dog, and can remember the day we had to say goodbye to him. If it weren't for the slobber... I would have another....

Hard to believe that this was also our week to check in at NEADS.... another whole month has come (and almost) gone... Rylie got to meet up with her brother, Norton when we arrived. They were so happy to see each other again. There is one more pup related to these two being raised as a service dog.. but that one has gone into the prison program....so, we more than likely won't run into her, but it will be fun to watch these two together.

First part of the day.... the "round table"... where Dave goes over the "how has the month been". This was hard for little
Rylie to be still for so long, but she did a pretty good job of it.

And look who joined the party.... "muppet boy"... Dave is really enjoying him and he's doing good work with all the service puppies in training. So nice for me to be able to hug him once a month.......

Rylie, waiting to get the show on the road.....

EEWWWW.... who or what is this creepy guy???? Actually none other that our Dave!!! Test for the day... how do the dogs react when "something strange approaches the car".... happy to tell you, the puppies just looked at him like "really Dave...."  (whew test, passed!!!!)

Into the city we go. It was such a pretty day, that we took advantage and made some trips around the park. I think the dogs did better than I did... the park was pretty crowded. But not even that so much as the language that I heard. Ya, know, I just not used to hearing such fowl language used as everyday words... it was appalling... I didn't want my puppy hearing such words....sad to think that this is the "road our young people are on"....

Rylie looks so little in the big city.......

but, I have to say, she trucked right along and did everything that was asked of her. She also was the star of the show and drew alot of attention... which she took all in stride.

We camped out for awhile near a bus stop. Good exposure to sounds, smells and sights.... she was as "cool" as she could be ..Dave is very happy with her. My prediction is... she'll be a service dog without any trouble....

Because we spent time in the park, we missed out on the train this visit. And by the time we got to the hospital for a bite to eat and a little rest... this little girl was down for the count. One thing about puppies, they either running or sleeping......

Couple of quick trips in the elevator....














Which, for the older puppies is old hat, so Rylie thought "no big" deal... and then we were packing up and heading north. Another day, gone zooming by. There's hoping that next month's visit, we might be able to  see one of the prisons and meet some of the inmates that are in the puppy training program. For us who raise these little guys, it would be nice to see the next step that the puppies go to...but, we can't just walk into the prison, there are steps that have to be taken..so we'll wait and see if it can be worked out. And more than likely photos won't be allowed, but we'll see how it all goes.

And September comes to an end.. with the "fear" that October will zip by just as quick... we still have lots of projects to finish before the snow flies... it might be a race to the wire!!!!