On the lighter side.  I thought we would compare Brandy when she came to live with us in February and today.

She was about seven weeks here and not much bigger than your two hands together.

Today she hangs over that same pillow proving what a big girl she is getting to be. 

A little story concerning Brandy and the deck that wasn’t there.
I had her on a leash that extends when I went to look over the side of the hill to see if the garage door was closed when Brandy jumped up on the deck that wasn’t there.  Down she fell as I thought I’m going to hang her.  But the leash broke after slowing her fall and she landed on all four feet.  Thank goodness she is fine but we call her Brandy the flying dog now. 

She also has started inspecting Jay to make sure he still had something inside his head.

When I see this picture I think—I don’t know Dad—It looks pretty empty in there!

So Friday they started taking the old deck down. 
So today they came back but the honeybees were active and they had to leave.
So we called the Bee man but he wasn’t available.
So we called a pest control company who said we will have to tear the wall out amd remove the honey, and the nest to get rid of the bees.  They also said our home owner’s insurance should cover it.
So we called the insurance man who referred us to the claims Department.
So we called Claims who took the information and said an adjuster would call us.
So we called the builder’s office to explain what was going on.
So in the meantime we needed to see the doctor about Jay’s arm swelling.
So we went to the hospital and saw the Dr.
So in the meantime the adjuster called.
So when we got home I called the adjuster back.
So he said he would be out tomorrow at 10am to look at the problem reminding me that I had a $500. deductible on my policy.

So my only comment is when the heck does the madness end and sanity begin?

Update:
Insurance doesn’t cover damage by bees so we will go it alone.  The pest control person will be here tomorrow and hopefully in a week the builders can return. 

Today is Courtney’s day.  Our Granddaughter is 16 today.  Here are a few of her younger days !

At age one she was a little beauty!

At three she knew how to blow out those candles with charm!

She had some training as a dancer at around seven years old.

One of my favorite pictures was when she wanted inside the bird cage.

As the years pass my young lady grows more lovely.

So Happy Birthday Courtney!

And many,many more!

Just checking in! 

Jay’s surgery went very well but he had a reaction to the anesthetic.  He still can’t see, has a catheter in the bladder, and a very sore arm. 

My clowning partner and dear friend lost her husband in an accident last Friday and we are trying to get down to see her. 

The deck people were to start this mid-week but nothing yet.

I sit here not knowing if I should cry, be grateful, or wait for what comes next.

All is quiet today after six days with the Grandchildren here.  Brandy is taking time to rejuvenate.  Running , jumping, chasing, and just teasing three teenagers takes a lot out of even a young dog like her.

Greeting SEB yesterday when he and Anne brought KFC, and chocolate cake for an early celebration of Courtney’s up and coming 16th birthday was Brandy’s job.

I honestly believe that she could smell the chicken and was trying to get on his good side.

With mashed potatoes, gravy, slaw, cheese macaroni, and biscuits it was a feast for a king!  Wes and Deb joined us when they came up to pick up Jasmine and Dakota.  It was a great lunch and we thank you for it.  The kids loved the cake as you can see!

On Friday Jasmine and I started a jig saw puzzle as is our habit when she visits.  Courtney tried to help us but it was Brandy who gave us the best luck at finding pieces.

This ia a true statement as you can see by the finished product!

For Courtney a little money and her shrug to wear this fall.

Thusly we returned them to their respective parents with all appendages in tact, just a little worse for wear, and ready to return home.  We will take today to rest up for Jay’s surgery tomorrow.  Hope your week weekend was enjoyable also!

Cooking with Grandpa again this year.  Cortney , Jazz, and a ‘can’t see” Jay discussed the new recipe for Chicken Enchiladas made with corn and spinach.  They tated very good but we all agreed the other recipe last year was better.

Then today the tractor came back from Keene’s and it was mow the yard time.  Dakota was first ,assigned to the ‘back 40’ as we call it.

Next came Courtney who was assigned the side yards.

Then Jasmine finished up with the front yard.

We are all trimmed up and pretty now!!

When it is 90+ and no air conditioning you have to improvise at Grandma’s house which is what they did!
With Courtney on the hose and Jazz and Dakota on the tarp it worked very well towards cooling off.  The slope of the hill added a little extra to the slide!