Grammy Camp!

I am sure you are wondering how we at our advanced age could manage four active youngsters here at the lakehouse! Let me just tell you, it wasn't hard at all.

Our Rhubarb Visit

We went by Joel and Christine's to pick rhubarb a few days ago and found children scurrying around. The clothesline had fallen dumping all Christine's freshly washed clothes onto the ground and some into the muddy brook runoff . The big girls had picked up the wet clothes and Gracie had decorated herself with lots of clothespins. Obie was busy with his tools working to fix the broken line. It was quite a cute picture.

Hike

This morning Edwards and I were invited up to Sue's to go on a hike. Before we set out we all admired Sue's new raised bed garden! She is done with on the ground weeding, DONE! It would appear that she does not plan to share with the rabbits. . .I am sure the deer can leap that fence and Mr. Moose will just walk through it if he wants to.

We were joined on the hike by Iris, whom I picked up as I drove by, and Joyce and her dog, William. Joyce lives over on Perch Pond. So we four ladies and three gentlemen dogs set out. There are wonderful ATV trails down through Sue's property.

Sue had strategically placed political signs along the route which made me laugh. Take a look at these three relatively clean dogs. . .when we got to the end of the trail they looked like pitiful mud wrestlers. . .

At one point on our hike we spied what looked like bear tracks in the clay. There were definite claw marks.

The going was not very easy in places. Road pretty rocky and did I mention it was muddy.

In jig time we turned in at our old red gate up back and came down the trail and there was our outhouse. Next stop was a swim in the lake before these dogs could become part of civilization again.

Such a handsome William, despite the mud.

Edwards is ready to take the plunge.

Dripping wet and mudless!

A happy swimmer.

Good dog!

A True Team of Servants

Job and Jamin Peck gave up a beautiful week in Vermont to go to Idyllwild, California to help Job's brother, Josh, and the rest of the Camp Maranatha Staff during an intensely busy week. They have worked hard and are at this time at the Newark Airport waiting for their delayed flight on to Albany. Praise the Lord for willing workers.

More Cruise

This is a picture of a picture so not too good. Back row: Linda, Kendell, Kim, MomZup, Nikki. Front row: Susan, Tracy. This picture was taken on Mother's Day.

At dinner that night all the mothers were given this special dessert and a beautiful pink carnation.

The three of us were in one cabin and the other four were in another. Our cabins had balconies and were very nice! Looks like Tracy was really stepping out in style!

A Few Cruise Pics. . .More Later

This picture is of Miami Beach as we were pulling out of the Port of Miami. Doesn't it just look so inviting. It sure did to the seven of us winter weary Vermont gals!

More shots of Miami.
That building in the foreground is the Port of Miami. Those elevated walkways were what we traversed after we had cleared customs and walked onto the ship. Let the cruise begin! Of course I uploaded my pictures in the order they were taken and so they are in reverse order once I am ready to post them.

More Miami skyline. We set sail at 1600 on May 9th.

Before the ship could leave port we had to do the mandatory life jacket drill. This is Linda and Tracy my fellow cabin mates enduring the longest half hour of the whole trip!

Ben Franklin in Fair Haven is going out of business!

I was out on the town today with my very own, favorite JMF (that is Junior Mint Fairy for those of you who are uninitiated) and we came upon the Ben Franklin going out of business sale. 20% off is 20% off! Pretty exciting stuff so all you bright eyed little searchers keep your eyes peeled!

Last Day at Sea!

Will not be able to post pictures until I get home but we are having a wonderful time. Weather has been gorgeous and we are all a little sun shy today as we spent a good part of yesterday aboard a catamaran as we swam with the sting rays at Sting Ray City off of Grand Cayman. You would all pay money to see the picture of me cannon balling off the back of the vessel in my bright orange flippers with my snorkel equipment around my neck!!! We also were able to snorkel over the coral reef being very careful to not even tred water in that spot and definitely no standing up in that vicinity.
When we were in Ochos Rios, Jamaica we swam with the dolphins and that was absolutely the greatest. We were able to say "no" to most of the vendors/beggars. Jamaica was much worse than Grand Cayman in that respect. Grand Cayman seemed much more wealthy. Just wanted to check in. . .home tomorrow evening!

A Late Afternoon Stroll

A beautiful day for a walk.

One less big old tree to have to worry about during a wind storm!

Looking for ticks!

Found a tennis ball instead. . .also found several skeletal fish left by eagles or osprey. . .yummy!

Lots going on at the Sawyer place. JET and I checked it all out. The young couple have an old black lab named "Lucy" and are going to have their first baby in July.

We Have Too Much Stuff!

We are pooped tonight after a long day of packing. Transporting. . .carrying stuff down to the cottage. . .you get the idea! Barry has been bringing loads over all week so he is really pooped. All the things we brought over are still right where we set them down when we got here except for the frozen things which are in the freezer! We went to the West Haven Historical Society potluck tonight so I did not have to find a usable spot in the kitchen to make dinner. Loretta at the Benson Village Store made my salads!

Edwards has been alarmed to find that after dark this house is surrounded by dogs peering in the window at him. They bark when he barks and that makes him go nuts! The dog outside the sliding glass door is very scary. . .but when I let him out to confront the interloper the other dog disappears much to Edwards consternation. We are thinking he will get used to this. . .he is curled up in the crate. . .the one constant in his ever changing world. Now to rest my weary bones! We will take less stuff next winter. . .remind me come October, please. I would post some pictures but that would require finding my camera and all the requisite cords etc. Ah, home sweet home!

Glorious day after a dubious rainy beginning. We had such gusty wind overnight that all outdoor furniture rearranged itself. The overturned hammock up by the apple trees was really scary to Edwards!

Today Edwards spent the day playing at Wundrland. . .they say he is one of their few sociable chessies. His special friend today was a black lab and they played long and hard. I will post some of his mellow pictures from this evening.

Barry took Edwards for a walk this afternoon knowing he would be leaving him in his crate when he went to the evening service in North Chittenden. On this walk Edwards managed to rip a gash in his head and proceeded to bleed all the way home. I did get the call in the ER! Holding pressure did not seem to be an option for Barry as it just seemed to keep bleeding. So he piled the dog into the back seat of his car, which by the way now looks like a crime scene, and came to the ER. Miraculously, my friend, Linda happened by at the exact moment I was heading out to clean him off and see what we were dealing with. The PA in Fast Track had told me the best option was probably going to be staples and so that was what Linda and I did. I held Edwards head once we got him cleaned up and Linda stapled him back together! Thank you, Linda!

I think we did about 8 staples in all. He was probably just going for the sympathy factor at dog school tomorrow night!

Joel and Obadiah

I love this picture of Joel and Obadiah. Obadiah is very fond of gymnastics that involve his dad!

Taps for this loyal toy

This dog toy was made by Joel and the kids for Edwards on his first Christmas. It has logged many hours being gummed, chewed, shaken, and tossed. It has been lost and found, been on car journeys and entertainment in the crate. It finally has earned a well deserved rest.

Thank you North Chittenden Tates!

This via Job's cell phone. You do the math!

Edwards and his raccoon which is now in several pieces. The head still squeaks but the squeaker from the tail is out and gone. Right now he is working to get some treats out of his aqua blue kong. He keeps dropping it in the hopes something will fall out.

Tate Family photo: Velma, Joe Tom

Roxanna, Peggy, and Barry Joe

This weekend was very pleasant in the ER which was truly a gift as we have been having horrible days. I actually felt good when I left work which usually is not the case.

Tomorrow is a day off for me and I have more than enough chores to fill my day. The Bannermans are due back on Tuesday so Fred will be a very happy dog. He has been very good, except for the deer leg episode. All Bill's exotic plants have survived and the blooming ones are still blooming.

Our road is very soft and squishy after some warm weather and rain. I would be glad to have it freeze up to make the travel a little easier.

Coyotes!

This is the prize Fred brought home from a recent walk we took up the road. Edwards was on the leash and so was not able to accompany Fred on his little foray into the woods where he obviously found a recent coyote kill. Once Fred found this he headed straight for home intent on finding the one spot of magic ground here at the Bannermans that was not frozen solid. After several trips all around the grounds Fred was looking a little dejected.

About this time Fred decided the only solution to his problem was to take the leg into the house with him. Now, that would be a lovely surprise for the Bannermans when they get home in a few weeks. Such a yummy treat!

Once Fred trudged to the door and I was able to get my hand on the prize it was all over for the springer spaniel. He did take defeat graciously.

Taxes are Done!

Our friends at Turbo Tax have helped us once again to settle up our balance sheet with Uncle Sam. It is such a good feeling to have it done and not at the 11th hour to boot.

BJT and I went to church in North Chittenden this morning. JET went along with us and slept in the car during church. Kind of like a crate on wheels. He was able to visit with people before and after church. Much better than leaving him home in the crate for all that time. He still chews and so is not save to leave unattended outside the crate here at the Icehouse. JET is scheduled for surgery this coming Tuesday. He will be sad when there is no bedtime dog biscuit tomorrow night. (NPO after 2000)

He will have to be on a leash for the next 7-10 days. . .no free running. That will be a punishment for us. . .more for Barry than me but punishment nonetheless!

We had a little snow overnight and so BJT and JET are outside working on paths and porch clearing. I am hoping they walked down for the paper. I am thoroughly enjoying this day off. Still savoring my coffee. Today is ultrasound day in California. . .maybe we will know boy or girl. . .maybe a due date will be projected. . .

We have been so busy in the ER that I pretty much come home and crash. Edwards is not a fan of the laptop or my attention that it requires. . .he usually drops a toy on the keyboard or a 10 pound foot which is not good for my connection with the wide wide world!

He received some new gifts from Quincy, my friend Betty's adopted lab. Quincy chose a very colorful plush toy with a wonderful squeaker within, some healthy dog biscuits with cranberries in them, and a doggie lollipop made of rawhide. Edwards polished the lollipop off in about 5 minutes!

We aren't going to talk about work. . .horrendous about sums it up!