Thursday, September 30, 2010

Good Cats

I have very good cats. I am home sick with a bad cold. Yesterday, Callie was my little nursemaid-sitting on my lap most of the night, checking in to see I was OK, and sleeping close to me all night. Seneca, meanwhile, is making sure the house is OK. I intended to go to work last night, I even made a sandwich to take for lunch. I didn't go to work, and today I decided to have my sandwich for lunch. However, instead of just eating a cold sandwich, I decided to put the salami and cheese in my George Foreman and grill it. As it was cooking I went to the basement to get some ginger ale. While there I got distracted by the dirty lint catcher for the washing machine and was cleaning that out. I was surprised when I saw Seneca. Now, Callie regularly plays in the basement, but Seneca rarely goes-when she does she usually just hangs out on the top of the plastic storage pantry. Instead, she came out and mewed at me. That's when I realized-she came to get me as my sandwich was done. She followed me right up and I was able to save the sandwich. No burned lunch for me. Yes, I have very good cats.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Football

The other day I posted about my little cat, Calumet being a footballer. She has a multitude of toys, but lately that soft little football has been her favorite. The other day I went down to the basement and saw it laying at the bottom of the stairs. The next day I saw it on the second floor, in the library. Today, it's on the first floor near my computer-but close to the kitchen...and not far from the basement stairs. Where will it turn up next?

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Sick

Last night was my first night back at work after vacation. Things were OK. Then about 4 hours in, I had a sore throat. I was told-you got the gunk-it's been going around. Ugh. I felt fine, other than the throat. But then I had sweats and chills-nothing new, that's the way the heating/cooling system is at work. I went home, did some things and went to bed. I kept waking up and within an hour I knew it was true. I'm sick. I have a tiny fever and a sore throat. But, I'm not feeling too horrible. At least I wasn't sick during my vacation!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Last Few Hours

I'm entering the last few hours before I have to return to work. Sigh. Since I stayed up late-trapped watching The Haunted on Animal Planet (they need to wait that in the daytime, not late at night) it was difficult to get up on this grey morning. When I left the house for the barn it was drizzling-though it had stopped by the time I got Harley tacked up. He was a pain as I was getting him ready-but once we were in the indoor arena and ready to go-he was ready to work. He was a very good boy, walking with purpose, paying attention at the trot, and getting all correct leads at the canter. We worked doing circles at the canter and he did very well, even though we missed a few cones. After cooling down and brushing off he got to go out in the pasture. I came home, fixed lunch and had a glass of wine. Soon it'll be time for a bath, a nap, and then work. Too bad vacations...paid vacations, mind you...couldn't last forever!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Last Day of Vacation

Today was the last day of my vacation. I didn't set my alarm, but managed to wake up at a decent hour. After eating a piece of grape pie (yummmmm) with some grape juice from Hunt Country Vineyard (yummmm) I went shopping. I had some coupons about to expire so I went to the Mall. I rarely go, but the independent Hallmark stores I usually visit have all closed (boo). I got some things there and then went to Yankee Candle-a dangerous place. I've been wanting to get a food processor and found a fantastic deal on one at Macy's. Then a stop at AC Moore to pick up some paper for a project, Mr. Dollar for some inexpensive wrapping paper for my goddaughters. I stocked up at PetSmart (another coupon) and got a great deal on some hoodies for work at JoAnnes. By then I had worked up an appetite and stopped at Taco Bell. Imagine my surprise at about 2 paragraphs into my book I felt a presence. I looked up to see my friend Kim, from the barn. She and her husband had stopped in for a bite before their shopping. We chatted for a while as we ate. I then stopped at the barn to give Harley an appetiser (it was almost his suppertime) and a pet before heading home. Now I'm wrapping presents and relaxing. I sure to hate the thought of going back to work, but tonight I'm going to snack on jalapeno hors d'oeuvres, drink champagne, and enjoy the scent of my Yankee Candle, Cranberry Harvest.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Naples Grape Festival

The Naples Grape Festival is a major event in this neck of the woods, and up until this year, I always missed it. This year I made sure of the date and off I went. I had a grape time! I spent most of the day there, arriving just after 10 AM and leaving just after 3:30 PM. The entire valley was filled with all sorts of booths and by noon it seemed as if half the universe had descended into it! Yet, for all the crowds, things ran absolutely smoothly. For the most part, people were patient and courteous. As much as I loved checking out the craft booths, and I got even more Christmas shopping done!-I was really happy about the wine tent. For a fee you were able to get a glass (yes, another to add to my collection) and sample the wines from 13 NY wineries. I was excited to see several wineries with which I wasn't familiar so I could try their wines. I was also pleased to see wineries I know and love. These wineries served a mob today and I have to give a major hand to all the servers. I also met a lovely fellow from GRROWLS, a NY Golden Retriever Rescue. Oscar is a wonderful dog who loved his pets and wasn't shy about pulling me closer for more! If he hadn't already been adopted he may have come home with me! All in all it was a great day and I'm glad I finally experienced the Naples Grape Fest!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Photo Phriday - The Mansion

This is just a detail of a mansion I've always admired in Buffalo, NY. It was recently sold and they were having an estate sale today. The line was too long though, so I didn't go in.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Footballer

I was at the computer earlier when I heard quite a ruckus. It was coming from the hallway to the basement. BAM! THUD! BAM, BAM THUD! It sounded like a herd of elephants running up and down the basement stairs. BAM BAM! I peeked into the kitchen to see Callie, my smallest cat, emerging from the basement throwing her toy football ahead of her. Yes, my littlest girl is a football player! And this dainty 10 pound girl sounds like an entire offensive line!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

I'm Approved

I got the paperwork today. I've been approved for the refinancing of my house. I just have to sign a few papers, write a letter explaining my name on my parents' house, get some info about my window loan and send it all in. I'm just thrilled that I'll be able to pay off my home in 15 years!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Winery Animals

One of the things I love about visiting wineries is meeting the winery animals. So many of these places have pets that enjoy meeting the visitors...or at least tolerate them. There are winery dogs, winery cats, some wineries have dogs and cats, Swedish Hill even has a donkey! After a few years of meeting them, I decided to start taking their pictures. Hmmm. That would make a great book. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that someone beat me to the punch. Sure enough there's a book-Winery Dogs of New York. They don't cover all of the wineries, or even all of the dogs...and there needs to be a Winery Cats of New York. Heck, Marjim Manor has 7 all on its own! At any rate, on the Keuka trail yesterday I met 4 winery dogs, Xena from Barrington Cellars, Max from McGregor Vineyard, Poncho from Yates Cellars, and Hedy at Hunt Country Vineyards. Max and Hedy vanished before I could get photos-but I was able to grab a shot of Poncho and Xena. Max is the only one of the bunch that is in the book. Hunt Country does have a spread, but Hedy isn't pictured. Sadly, Gus, one of the dogs mentioned crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Like Gus, Heddy is a Bernese Mountain Dog and is the official greeter. Aside from the fact that I enjoy their wines, I also love the fact that they support many animal causes. Hedy was adopted from a local rescue, there is an annual walk among the grapes to benefit the Yates County Humane Society, and they also donate a portion of proceeds of their wine Sweet Gus to the Shelter of Hope of the Humane Society of Yates County. So, when you go for that wine tasting, don't forget to keep an eye out for your furry hosts!  

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Keuka Lake Wineries

I discovered more wineries today as I participated in the Keuka Lake Wine Trail's Harvest of Food and Wine Event. There are only 8 wineries that participate in the Wine Trail-but there are several others around the lake. Trying to keep to my schedule, I only visited 1 non trail winery, although I had visited another in the past. I had a good time and enjoyed some great food. I'll detail more of my adventure tomorrow.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Always Different

There's always something different every time you ride a horse...even the same horse. Three rides ago we were lousy at the trot-great cantering. The next time, I decided to work on our trot. This time the trot was great, yet I was flopping around like a fish at the canter. Harley, however, was wonderful, knowing what I wanted and doing it, even while I was messing up. Then there was today. It started when Harley started messing around at the mounting block. Oh, it's going to be one of those days. I got on and we started to walk...as if we were in a funeral, it's going to be one of those days. We went outside and started to trot. Harley decided to have a coughing fit, mayhaps just trying to get me off balance. We continued to trot-he continued to goof around. I could hear him flapping his lip, he'd break for no reason, generally be a pain. We had been at it for about 10 minutes when I said, out loud, "Forget it-canter!" He immediately stepped into the correct lead and cantered beautifully. From then on, he listened perfectly. We cantered courses, changing leads-he got the correct one every time. He wasn't breaking either...til I started getting tired and my heels started coming up. He, however, was wonderful. So...I started out wanting to clobber him, but he redeemed himself and I again had a most wonderful horse.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

A Year

Today got off to a pretty good start. Although it took a while to get out of bed on this gloomy morning, I got up and went straight to the barn. Harley and I rode inside as it had just started to pour rain. He actually wanted to work today and we had a good time of it. I really have a wonderful horse. I was a mess at the canter-flopping around like a fish. But Harley just did his job-and helped me out, knowing what I wanted to do. He got lots of treats afterward! A bit later I took Aleister to the vet for his annuals. (Aleister got a good checkup. He has these weird polyps in his ears, but they don't bother him and they'd be painful to remove and come right back. Doc suggested trying some hydrocortisone ointment, so I'll pick some up.) While we were waiting I realized the date. Today is September 16. One year ago today I took Barrett to the vet and helped him cross the Rainbow Bridge. The tears started then and continue now. Barrett was a wonderful dog and I still miss him.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Books

I love books. I always have. I'm a voracious reader too; so much so that I'd go broke if I bought all the books I read. Thank Heaven's for the library system. I still used to buy a lot of books though. Due to space, and budget constraints, I now, generally, just read library books. I feel bad though, for the authors I love trying to make a living and periodically I do buy books. Generally, I will go to book signings and buy the book while also getting it signed by the author. I think it's pretty neat. I was out and about today, looking for a gift for my goddaughter and I decided to go into Barnes and Nobles. I found a neat book for her-a mystery with ghosts as well as local history! Then I thought I might pick up a new mystery by an author who befriended me on Facebook. They had one copy left...but as I was reading the back...and the intro...and, OK the first page, I wasn't sure that I'd really like it. There are so many books I truly love that I don't own and I wasn't sure if I'd like this one. Plus, it wasn't signed...so I decided I'd wait and hope a local library will carry it...or perhaps she'll include my area in a future book signing tour. I will admit that I did buy a new mystery. It takes place in a cheese shop-now, how could I refuse that?

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Computer Knowledge, or Lack Thereof

I wish I was more computer savvy. I downloaded these pictures, but they are a very high resolution. I want to get transform them to a lower resolution so I can put them on a blog (which limits picture size) but I don't know how to do it. It's very frustrating as I want to get on with this project, but don't have the know how to do it! Ugh.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Faker

Harley is such a faker. I rode him this evening. He was fine walking to the indoor arena and walking around with me riding. Then we started to trot and he continued to break and periodically limp. He had new shoes put on this morning were his feet sore? Nope, he was faking as he didn't want to work. He was perfectly fine walking and cantering. The goober was faking it, trying to get out of work. I made him work a bit and he finally gave up the "poor me, my feet hurt" routine. He is really a good boy, so I can't get mad...the big faker!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Worn Out

I have presents to wrap, things to stamp, recipes to write, loads to clean...and I don't feel like doing anything! The great thing about vacation is that there's always tomorrow...although I hate wasting time. I guess I've done so much these past 3 days that I've now crashed. I will wrap the gifts as I have to mail them tomorrow, but other than that...

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Friday, September 10, 2010

Vacation!

Hooray, Hooray, I'm on vacation! Vacation actually started yesterday at about 7:06 AM as I nearly ran getting away from work. It was so busy, I didn't even post a blog! The day was cool, dark, and rainy-perfect for sleeping-which made it very hard to wake up and get out of bed early-so I didn't. I called the folks to wish them a happy anniversary (49 years!), thought of my friend who was celebrating her 50th birthday!, and remembered my sweet Barrett-who came into my life 14 years ago, also on September 9th. Then I was getting ready to go out. I met my friend Kim and we went out for dinner, then to her ceramics class. We had a great time-I worked on a new project, not ceramics, but it requires firing in a kiln. You'll see the results some day...but not soon, they'll be Christmas gifts. Anyway, by the time I got home it was after 10, I had a headache starting up, and I decided to just take a hot bath and get to bed. So I did. I'm off to start today's round of fun, so I'll post again later!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Almost There

I just have to get through one more night at work...then I'm on vacation. Woo hoo!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Little Rolls

I love artisan breads. The only problem is that I hate to eat a whole loaf of the stuff. Wegman's has solved that issue...at least with some flavors. I bought some pre-made burgers and went to get 2 rolls. I glanced over and saw multiple little rolls, in wonderful flavors. There were kalamata olive rolls, rosemary, and today I saw pretzel rolls. These little guys are absolutely delicious. And they make for a nice taste, without worrying about eating a whole loaf of bread before it goes stale, nor deciding only one flavor!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Appraisal

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm refinancing the house. As part of that the house had to be appraised. The appraiser was late, but did come out and was quick. He was concerned that there was no railing on the roof of the sun room since there is a door to it. He said that banks get nervous that a little kid could fall off and sue. No kids here. He did like it better since the door has a bolt and there's a storm door as well. I asked him what the value was and he said he couldn't discuss it at all. He did say that he has to do research yet too-I guess see what homes are selling for here. Oh well, nothing to do now, but wait.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Spending Mood

I'm in a spending mood. Yankee Candle is having a sale online...another site has body sprays and such on sale, I want, want, want. But...I just spent over $300 on that stupid bagger (which I may try to return) and I need to buy a new wine fridge. At least I was good at Walmart, I just got what I went for-flavored water for work, some make up that I was running low on, (OK, plus a new eyeliner) toilet paper (always good to have on hand!), and sandwich baggies. OK I did get some little storage containers for my rubber stamping supplies as well as a pencil holder and binder clips for the rat cages-but they were on clearance! So I think I did quite well!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Frustrated

I am frustrated. Lately I seem to get frustrated quite a lot! I tried to mow the front yard, so my Dad wouldn't have to do too much tomorrow. Apparently, my mower only likes to run in drought conditions. Even though the grass was dry-it had rained last night, so my machine thought it was too wet and everything clogged up and the stupid thing decided not to run. Of course, this happened at the front far corner of my house-so I had to push it all the way to the back. The addition of the bagger makes pushing very difficult. Anyway, it's a big pain. Now it's 6:30, I feel like I've accomplished nothing and have a ton left to do. FRUSTRATED!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Busy Busy

I am busy, busy, busy. My mortgage agent received the last of my paperwork, so that's done. The appraiser is coming Monday, so I need to clean, clean, clean. The good thing-I asked about how long he'd take and he said "30 minutes". So that's quick! I had to pick up Cabot this evening and I need to mail him out tomorrow-so he gets to the ship in time to see Alaska! I'm late making a birthday card for my friend in Tokyo-it's her 50th, so I need to do something special! I also have to make another birthday card and an anniversary card. And clean. And mow at least part of the lawn. And I MUST work Harley this weekend. And clean. Sigh.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

First of the Month

It's another first of the month. September...autumn is coming, and coming quickly. It works for me as fall is my favorite season. Still, time is passing quickly. I'm trying to clean in preparation for the appraiser. He called today and set the appointment for Monday. I wasn't thinking (he woke me up, of course) and after I hung up I realized that Monday is Labor Day. It makes no difference to me, but he may want to reschedule. My mortgage agent says she won't her from the underwriter for about 2 weeks. So things are coming along.