Going Back to Work!

-Going back to work- Those words by themselves don't sound too ominous. But then when you consider that the person Going back to work is me - what did I call myself recently? Oh yeah - it was, "An older reliable, responsible female" - then someh0w Going back to work takes on a whole new dimension. And whats even more interesting, I will be working with 3rd graders. Guess I better be on my toes now.

I start bright and early tomorrow morning - 7am - at Harris Elementary School here in Greenfield. I will be learning to function as an Instructional Assistant to the third grade teachers. Even the names of positions have become 20th Century. When I was in 3rd grade....well that doesn't even count anymore. But when my children were in 3rd grade, this position was called a "Teachers' Aide". Instructional Assistant sounds more important. I kind of like that. If I am still upright after the first two days, I'll report back and let you know how this is progressing. Maybe I should say, if I am still employed after the first two days. Anyway, catch you all later.

Bette's Stadium Chair

I love going to football games and watching my Grandson's play football. I really don't like sitting on the bleachers. Last year the G-CHS Booster Club were selling stadium seats. They are extremely comfortable for sitting at a football game. So I purchased one. I thought I was being quite an intelligent, informed Grandmother.

Well.....carrying it from the car to the bleacher is not FUN. I weighed it thinking it must be enormously heavy - only 7.5 pounds. But my story is that it must weigh 24 pounds, and I am sticking to that story.


So what to do....I found a shoulder strap that would work perfectly if only I could attach it to the seat without it looking dorky. I took the seat and the unattached strap to Lee's shop and left it on the workbench as you can see.



I didn't see the man of the shop immediately, so I went looking for him, told him what I needed and where to find the product and came back inside. A little while later in came my stadium seat with a shoulder strap and I will tell you, that 24lbs. doesn't feel at all heavy over my shoulder and behind my back. It probably feels more like 7.5 lbs. Doesn't it look good? I am one happy Grandmother.

I don't think it looks dorky, but if it does don't tell me. I would rather remain happy with my results. Now I can sit in comfort on the bleachers and enjoy watching my Grandson's as they play football.

Mr. Snapping Turtle is back!

Many years ago we met a turtle in our yard. Not just a turtle, but a large snapping turtle. You may wonder how we know that it was a snapping turtle. Well .... here is Gene testing to see if it will snap at him. Yep, it did




Several years later, I looked out the front window one fall day and there was that turtle again. I sent Lee's cat "Skippy" out to check it out. As you can tell, Skippy was just a tad bit hesitant about this strange creature. Shortly after this picture was taken, the turtle snapped and Skippy made a quick dash for the front porch.




Mr. Turtle appears to be looking for Skippy, like maybe he would like to check out that yellow cat a little closer.




Well. now 15 years after the first sighting of this snapping turtle, Lee came in to get me and told me to bring my camera that the turtle was back. Sure enough - there he is. Lee only touched the back of his shell and he snapped big enough to make me jump back and I had to take another picture, the first one was blurry - you know, due to the photographer jumping backwards.

But what an interesting creature.


There is a pond across the street in front of our house and a pond in the yard of the people behind us. I guess Mr. Turtle goes back and forth between the two ponds depending on the time of year, or maybe the amount of water in the ponds or the food available. Anyway, he travels. And I find it fun to keep track of his adventures.

Birthday Time!

August is a wonderful month for a birthday. Well there are other months that are just as nice, but, since August is my month, I think August is a great month for a birthday.

Lee and I have 3 sons, and 1 daughter as many of you know. That means that we are blessed with 3 lovely daughter-in-laws, but our one and only Jay. Here is Jay with our grandchildren, his wonderful kids, Jason and Jayde!

Today is Jay's birthday. Our wish is that you have a very special day, Jay. Don't know if Jay will have to work on his birthday - Maybe his boss will give him the day off, but if you work, Jay, we hope it is a special day for you.

You’re always very special
And you should know today
That you are wished the nicest things
That life can bring your way

Like warm and loving wishes
And happiness and cheer
And everything you need to start
Another happy year.

So Happy, Happy Birthday, Jay

Love,

Lee and Bette

Happy Birthday, Lee!!!!

If you see this man today, wish him Happy Birthday. This is 4 year old Lee feeding the pet deer at Baldwin's Store in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. Yeah I guess that was quite a few years ago.

Just wanted to let everyone know today is the day - it's Lee's birthday.

Sooo, if you don't know Lee by the Pittsburg image, maybe you will recognize him like he is sitting here in my kitchen. Yes, this looks a lot more like the Lee I know and love and I want to wish him the happiest of birthdays.

You can wish him Happy Birthday too, - if you see him today -...

Lee, you have been the most patient, loving husband a girl could ever ask for and I am so grateful for that. You are the best inspiration to anyone facing a difficult day or situation. In all of the past 14+ years of (almost total) blindness, I have never heard a word of complaint in dealing with your disability. I am so proud of the example you live every day and I thank you for it.

So Happy, happy birthday, Rob. I love you!

August is here!

One day this week was August 7th. That won't mean much to a lot of people, but at our house it means the female in this particular house turned older. I know making the type smaller doesn't really change the effect, but it was worth a try.

I keep saying "it is just another day" and it really is. But in my journal from 2006, a quote I have says

"Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved"

Some people may know that Lee has written me poems since we were first married in 1960 and living in the Boston, Massachusetts area. In the last 14 years since he lost his eyesight, the poems have been more scarce, therefore they are that much more precious. This morning he brought in my latest poem shown here with some beautiful roses I received from my best friend.

As you can see, the poems come now on large pieces of cardboard, (Lee's favorite writing paper) and they can not be saved in my book, but are saved just the same. This particular poem reads......

-Happy Birthday-

-2008-

August 7th is here again

It's a very, very special day.

How many years have passed?

We are not allowed to say.

But one thing is quite certain,

Something has turned her hair grey.

But don't worry my dear,

It happens to all of us anyway!

Yet with artificial knees & a broken foot,

I am sure you won't run away.

So be happy, look up, & celebrate...

You see I love you, so everything is ok!

Love, Rob

Happy Birthday, Scamper!

Thank you, Rob. I love you.