2 Days and counting!

Guess what?



Only 2 days left until the beginning of Grandma and Grandpa Camp  2014.
From what I understand the moms and some maybe the dads are more nervous about the kids being away from them than the kids are themselves.

I have it on good authority from young son that he will be relieved to have a break from his littlest child simply due to the fact that they are expecting another in September.

Maybe I am a bit nervous also.  It has been a few years since I've had this many children all under one roof.  But the old skills of wiping up baby drool, and handling all the demands of children will probably come back just like riding a bicycle.

I do however think that being a Grandmother has its advantages.  I can recall my grandmother Pearl with great fondness.

She was pretty cool.  But then again that is because she was not my mom and that makes some strange odd difference in children that I didn't understand before but do now.

Tomorrow will be the big shopping day for groceries and the last clean up and pick up of the house.

I leave to get Elena and Lily on Thursday.

Grandpa is going to get Dennis and Ariel on Thursday night.  Their trip is much shorter than mine.
My drive is 4 hrs one way.

So I will be staying Thursday night and bringing back Elena and Lily on Friday morning.

Let the fun just be great!

Happy Father's Day

To my Dad.  I miss you ... you wonderful fun guy.

To my youngest, Happy Father's Day.

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To Hubby...Happy Father's Day.

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To my eldest.  Okay you really are a Dad.  Just ask Teslin!

Dear Ariel

Dearest Ariel.

I got your letter last night when I came home from work at 1am.

Sorry I couldn't talk this morning but chores were waiting and I know you wanted to chat.

I loved your letter and the idea of creating a Morris Book Adventure with your input.  That would be fun!

The Dexters are on summer pasture so they have plenty of grass.

Houdini, Bunny, and Whodunnit are having a blast in the meadow.

I have the blocks of wood tipped up by the watering tank behind the shed so you can sit and watch them.

We can move them when you come for other places to watch the herd of donkeys and horses...and mules.

Fried potatoes will be on the menu for you to try and we can go and find some weeds to cook.  They are called Lamb's Quarters and you don't need to eat them, but if you want, that is okay.

Sounds like you are having good summer fun already.
I wish I could teach Dixie to retrieve a ball so you guys could throw it and she'd bring it back.

Cricket is pretty but I don't know her well enough yet.  You can certainly keep an eye on her.

Lily will probably enjoy finding things out about being on a farm and it helps that she would have someone close to her age to do it.

Morris says that he is anxiously awaiting you and the many adventures you all can have.

Princess is in the big meadow now and I have not been working with her as I want to work harder with Siera.  But she will be the greatest donkey ever.

If you want to be a vet, ... awesome!

I just thought you'd want to know that.

Love you.

Your Grandma Val

How Many More Days? 7!!! Until Grandma & Grandpa Camp!

Oh my.
How many days?

Long hikes, short hikes, playing in the meadow. Looking for butterflies.
Playing in the stock tank?

Picking wildflowers.
Fishing with Grandpa.
Picnics?

I think I am just about ready.
Whew, I think I'm nervous and excited at the same time.

Tick tock, it is getting close.
Beautiful sunrises and sunsets if we can stay awake for them!

Scenes from today.

Yarrow.

Sky

Peonies

Yes I love my point and shoot.

Fine Tuning Siera

Siera is still somewhat of a mystery to me.

One day she does absolutely perfect.

Two days later she is cranky and doesn't want to listen.

Last night we went for an early evening ride.
She was all over the gravel road, trying to turn back home.

I know it probably is due to the fact that she is now pastured with Cricket, a pale beautiful palomino mare that is in raging heat right now.

But Siera needs to learn that she can leave others behind.  Or maybe I have to learn that Siera is always going to be a bit herd sour, especially if there is a light colored mare involved.

We had some issues and struggles with the ride, but Siera did not do anything bad.

While out on the road though, I felt as though I was just pushing her face into the directions I wanted to go and not getting gentle cooperation.

So we came home and I took her into the empty winter lot.
We started to work on subtle things like neck reining.  Stop.
Stand.

Stand.
Patiently stand.

Back to the basics.
In fact Siera relaxed and started to respond very nicely.
So much so that I thought I was riding a different mule.

I guess if I get the chance today, she will start her ride in the winter pasture and we will progress to the woods where she has to think.

This summer, I may just put her in with the donkeys.  They will keep her a bit lonely and she won't be quite as attached to them.

I have a very cool mount in Siera.  She is excellent on the wooded trails and is almost the most spookless mule I have ever ridden.

Her brain has to get off 'mares' and home. 

She definitely is a good constant challenge.
Part of the reason I like her so much. 

The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease -- or the Air Conditioner Saga

My mother in law purchased an air-conditioner from a local appliance store in town.  It stopped working and was covered by warranty.

A service person came and tried to fix it but said it had a bad part and the warranty from the store stated they'd give her a loaner meanwhile or replace it.

Two weeks have gone by and Mom in Law has had nothing but the run around, so I decided to check into it myself.

Here is how it happened:

Me. Walk into the store.

Manager Jason:  Can I help you?

Me:  Oh yes, I'm going to remodel my house and I want new appliances so I thought I'd do some local shopping.  You know, new stove, new fridge, new washer and dryer...oh and an airconditioner.

Jason [gets his large self puffed up]:  Well, we can help you with that!

Me [pull out a pad of paper]:  Good, I have some questions.  Do these come with warranties?

Jason:  Yes they do.  You can buy a 5 yr warranty too that covers these items head to toe.  [Big proud man thinks he's getting a huge sale.]

Me:  Really?  That is so great!  5 yrs!  I live out in the country and if something happens how long before a service person gets to my place?

Jason:  1 to 2 days and we get it taken care of.

Me:  Oh wow, that is fast!  Let me ask you another question.

Jason [Big smile]:  Yes, go ahead!

Me:  My mother in law purchased an air conditioner here, has your 5 yr warranty, it took 5 days for your service person to get there and it is now almost 2 weeks and she still doesn't have A/C!

Employees in the backround sneak to peek around the big appliances.  Hanging back but peeking anyway.

Jason [steps back looks around, sees this little whisp of a woman staring up at him ]:  Um, well, is this about the ---- place in Readstown?

Me:  As a matter of fact it is.  She is in her mid 80's and it is going to be hot this weekend, she has medical issues and frankly you folks have given her nothing but the run around.

I stand quietly while Jason mutters and sputters and then says:  Well, we had to call the manufacturer and get an okay...we are kinda busy and um,...

I put my hand up:  I'm not here for excuses on your end, is the warranty good?  She is getting a replacement today right?

Employees are now ducking in and out of my peripheral vision.  Jason is doing some funky little foot to foot dance in place.

Jason:  Well we just got her replacement this morning and my guys are going to take it to her.

Me:  Great, do you need me to follow you to Readstown to make sure you do it?

Employees are now stock still.  As is the customer he'd just been talking to that was leaving.

Jason:  Um, no.  Um, guys get that air conditioner loaded onto the truck...

I smile sweetly:  Let me see it.  I will follow it to the truck and call her after I'm done with errands to make sure everything is okay, right?

Jason [waves his arms at employees]:  Ah.  Well.

Me:  I am remodeling my house, but I don't think I'll be shopping here.  The GreyHaired Grapvine says your house calls are pitiful.  You should respect your elders.

Jason:  Well, we are kind of busy.

Me:  So you don't sell good products?

This floors him and he waves frantically at his employees to grab the A/C and get it into the truck so I will leave.

I turn to follow the employees:  By the way Jason, do you have a business card?

Jason is totally unerved by now.  And just shakes his head.

Me [Leaving the store]:  You all have a nice day. 

Mom in law is comfy with her new replacement.

Me?

I have the inner meanie is satisfied for the moment.

I was very happy being nice to a 6' 4" man who stand clearly over a foot taller than me and reducing him to squiggly melting jelly.

Crap, I had so much fun I should be an advocate for the GreyHaired Clan.