Lily's Graduation

Last night Lily graduated from her Novice class at Sandia Dog Obedience Club. This was the best program I've ever been to for dog training. Her instructors were great with the dogs (and the people) and as a result, every "student" made incredible progress. Even Lily! In fact, they liked her so much that they made some recommendations for some new training events like rally and agility that I think she'd really enjoy!

Lily's Instructors

We played some "games" before the diplomas were handed out (along with some doggy treats for a job well done)!

The Obstacle Course

Lily, Come!

She did a great job with this command. At one point I was in the adjacent room where she couldn't see me and called her. She came running and started to go to Jay (he was in the room with her) and then, when I called again, she made a sharp left turn and came galloping to me!

Down!

She did it! Finally graduation and her diploma!

You're Never Far Away From Home

Ashley has the flu. Yesterday our doctor had me take her to the lab for a couple of tests. So we were in the waiting room when a lady sitting behind us tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Are you from Jamestown, NY?" What? Do I look like I'm from Jamestown? What does someone from Jamestown look like? Ok, I am part Swedish, but I don't have blond hair or blue eyes. Then I looked at Ashley and realized she was wearing a sweatshirt that had "Park 60 Drive-In, Jamestown, NY" on the back! So the lady wasn't really a psychic. We did have a nice chat, turns out she's from Little Valley (Pattie said, "So is there a Big Valley?") and went to JCC. Oh, and we haven't gotten Ashley's test results yet but she seems to feel better today, at least her fever's down.

Today my oldest grandchild is 20! I can't believe it. Look at that face. How can she be 20? Oh, that's the wrong picture.

I guess this is the right one. But I do love the other one! Anyhow, she's celebrating her 20th birthday by going oryx hunting with her Uncle Jeff and his dad, Paul, on Ted Turner's ranch. I guess this is a big deal, but not my idea of fun! Can't wait to hear all the stories.

Off to China

Last night Mike and Lisa left for China. Mike and I got to the airport first and decided to go ahead and check in his bags. We had just started the process when Lisa showed up--with one huge bag (which weighed exactly 50 lbs, the "free" limit, not sure how she did that), a smaller bag, and two large boxes. When we got them on the scale, the agent told us it would cost an additional $125. He was great, though, made some suggestions on what to do. They ended up putting Mike's laptop in his other carryon so he could take Lisa's smaller bag as his second carryon. It all ended up with no extra charges and only four checked "bags." Oh, and before it was done Lisa's friend showed up and proceeded to orchestrate the whole thing! It was so funny to watch. They were taking a small Canada Air jet to LA and Jay and I were wishing we could see how they would accommodate all their not-so-small carryon's on that little jet! Anyhow, they are winging their way on KoreanAir now to Seoul and eventually to Shenyang, China.

Sisters

Yesterday I went to lunch with my friend Jan and her sister Bette as well as another "sewing friend", Karen. Jan and I arrived first and were at a table chatting when her cell phone rang. The caller had gone to the wrong restaurant and Jan was giving her directions to the restaurant where we were. When she hung up, I said, "You were talking to your sister, weren't you?" She said, "Yes, how did you know it was Bette and not Karen?" I told her I could tell by the tone of her voice and the way she directed her to where we were. She said, "you mean a motherly tone?" (She told me that she was nine years older than her sister, and whenever her mom wanted Bette to do something she'd have Jan tell her to do it.) But it wasn't just that--there was something in her voice that was very familial--when we talk to our sisters rather than close friends, there is just something different there.

It made me think about my own sister and our relationship. I don't remember our mother ever having her get me to do things (although she might remember, since she was 9 years older and remembers things I don't), but I do relate to the older sister in a motherly role (in the best sense of the word). I have always looked up to my sister and respected her advice (although I don't always take it!). I envy Jan and Bette who live only a few miles from each other in the East Mountains and spend a lot of time together, while my sister and I usually only have two weeks together in the summer. Thank God for email and phone calls. At least we can keep in touch as often as we want that way.

Dolores, Mom & Mary

NM Fall Evenings

I know, it's still August. But the kids have gone back to school, there's the smell of roasting chiles in the air, stacks of pinon and juniper add to the Fall NM potpourri, and it's almost State Fair time! I love Fall in New Mexico. Even though we don't have the brilliant red leaves of the Northeast, we do have golden Aspens, and the world-famous Balloon Fiesta! And spectacular evenings like this:

As the sun goes down, our Watermelon Mountains (Sandias) turn a beautiful pinkish purple.

And the view to the West....

Speaking of Food

Last night Jay and I went to see "Julie & Julia." Of course, I didn't tell him what it was about beforehand. As the theater started to fill up, he said, "there's a lot of women here." I said, "Yeah, but there's a few men, too." So he did have a clue that this probably wasn't an "action" film. But we both enjoyed it, and he told me he thought I probably related to it (whatever that means)! I guess I won't think about that too deeply.

Speaking of cooking and food, Lily decided it was time to try something new:

Lily decided to check out the pantry, and thought potatoes would be a good addition to her diet.

Lily munching away on her new menu item.

Please Don't Stop the Rain

Rain. It rained all night and is still raining. Ashley expressed it best when she got home from work about 9:30 p.m. She said "I had a great day at work, closed by myself (she works at a deli) and still finished two minutes early. And then when I went out to my car, it was raining! I love the rain."

Maybe you Easterners don't quite get it (you get more than enough rain) but when you only get 10 inches a year, and that comes in a couple of "gully washers", a nice gentle, steady rainfall is a treat.

Doggy Paddle

Pattie and Dustin decided it was time for Lily to cool off with a swim!

Lily and Dustin going for a swim!

You go, Lily!

Here's a towel, Pattie, could you dry me off?

There you go, that should feel better.

Puppy Kindergarten

I don't have any pictures of Lily's puppy kindergarten since I can't train and take pictures at the same time! (I tried to talk Pattie into coming with me, but no luck there.)

First of all, we were about five minutes late and Diane trains the dogs in her garage. She already had closed the garage door so we had to knock to get in...then the first thing she tells me is, take Lily off her leash. REALLY? Are you sure? So Lily quickly (warp-speed?) made the rounds, introducing herself to the other students. And there were some real cuties. Her best friend is a male Mastiff puppy who was really adorable...very laid back, but they did get some playtime in.

Then we had to get to work. Sit, down, and settle...hmmm. It was kind of fun, since we all worked with all the dogs. Lily decided she liked the Mastiff's treats the best, so she performed repeatedly for his human. Those were the high points. The low points were (1) when we had to do the settle command which consisted of sitting on the floor with the dog nestled against you and we were supposed to calm our dogs by gently massaging them. Yeah, right! Lily decided she'd rather munch on her human (me) instead. So we've got some work to do there! Number 2 low point was when she decided to empty her bladder in the middle of class. I guess I should be used to that by now.

I told Diane we're considering changing Lily's name to Mar-Lily (Marley?). She agreed saying that the first time she saw her she knew I had a Marley.

I can hardly wait for next week's class.

The Pool is Open!

Well, the inspection with the county was a snap! After worrying about what they might want us to do (when we were building our house, it was an unwritten rule that they never passed you on the first inspection!)we lucked out and got a very nice inspector who looked at the pool, asked if we had a removable ladder, noted that the pool was 4' high, and promptly gave us his blessing (signed the permit).

So Pattie and I added the salt, turned on the pump, and this morning I started the chlorinator. Krista and Lorenzo were anxiously waiting all day for the pool to be ready, and it finally was, just as Dustin got home.

Lorenzo, Krista, and Dustin enjoying their first swim!

What's down there?

Hi Grandma! Krista being friendly and Dustin acting cool!

Dustin swimming like a fish.

Krista's imitation of an airplane or is it a bi-plane? That's the one that goes on water, right?

Today was my first day back at Curves after about a month. It was a struggle but I made it! It was good to see all the ladies again. Unbelievably, I didn't gain any weight(or lose, but who loses weight on vacation??). I couldn't believe it given the great food I had...hamburgers and corn on the cob, pulled pork sandwiches and corn, and the best fish fry I ever had (at The White Horse in Cassadaga, NY). I always want haddock when I go East since I thought it was the best fish for fish fry but this was walleye--delicious! Maybe it was the glass of Chautauqua-Niagara wine that went with it! I should have brought a bottle back home with me. Oh well, there's always next year.

We almost have our pool ready for swimming (finally). Tomorrow is the final inspection from the county, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. More on that tomorrow.

Vacation to NY

Vacations are great but the transition to normal life--not so great! It started with the flight back, since it's not my favorite mode of transportation. Can you say turbulence? But at least it wasn't as bad as the Continental flight from Brazil to Dallas! However, it did make me vow to give up planes for trains! It was good to be home again, but going from rainy weather in the 70s to unrelenting sunshine in the 90s takes a little getting used to. I definitely need to find my sunglasses again.

Today was the first "real" day back with Jay and Pattie back to work, and Dustin with his dad. The first order of business was to restock my empty refrigerator and pantry (it kind of resembled Old Mother Hubbard's). Then the unpacking, which I finally got finished today. Next order of business is paying bills, reconciling my account, doing laundry, and cleaning house.

But it's all well worth it to spend time with my sister and her family. We really had a wonderful time. Especially watching our respective grandchildren play together and get reacquainted. I wish it didn't have to just be once a year. And we got to spend time with Jay's cousins and their families, as well as an old friend from Warren, and my Aunt Frannie and her daughter Ann and family.