APRIL 15 2014

I AM SORRY IF I OFFENDED ANYONE.. BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE TO DISCUSS THINGS ONLY THE BOARD ARE SUPPOSED TO HEAR-- LIKE APPLICANTS AND THEIR MEDICAL INFO-- AND I HAVE TO CLEAR OUT SPACE TO DO THAT. GRACIOUS LIVING IS ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS-- THE REST OF THE TIME IT IS WORK-- AS SUSAN FOUND OUT-- EVEN EXHAUSTING SOMETIMES .  I THINK ALL I SAID WAS GO FIND GRACE WHO NEEDS HELP WITH THE LAUNDRY.. ALONG WITH COMPLAINING ABOUT BEING MORE AND MORE DEAF SO ALL CONVERSATIONS SOUND LIKE BLAH BLAH BLAH.

BEING/GOING DEAF IS FAR MORE DIFFICULT THAN I EVER IMAGINED... I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS A SOMEWHAT ISOLATED  DEAF COMMUNITY ... WHEN I TOOK THOSE SIGN LANGUAGE COURSES FROM  KAREN  SSHE REALLY IMPRESSED ON THE CLASS 2 THINGS..

THERE WAS A VERY HEALTHY, FUN DEAF COMMUNITY-- WHO WENT TO CERTAIN RESTAURANTS BECAUSE THEY HAD ROUND TABLES AND EVERYONE COULD SEE THE SIGNED CONVERSATIONS...  AND THE SECOND WAS MANY DEAF PEOPLE ARE ANGRY THAT THEIR PARENTS TRIED TO KEEP THEM EXCLUSIVELY IN THE HEARING WORLD WITH IMPLANTS AND LIP READING  INSTEAD OF SHOWING THEM THE COMPLETE COMFORTABLE WORLD OF SIGN LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION.

SILENCE IS EIRIE...

ONE  ASL EXPRESSION I LEARNED VERY WELL FROM HER IS  "SH#T WOMAN ,  YOU NEED TO PRACTICE"  THAT IS WHY AT MAIL CALL-- THAT IS ONE WORD I DON'T SEEM TO HAVE TO PAY FOR BECAUSE NO ONE RECOGNIZES IT.

KAREN  IS WHY I GOT INVOLVED AT THE NE HOME FOR THE DEAF--- WHICH IS WHERE I MET MELISSA (BALANCE AND DEAF) WHO GOT OUR FIRST SERVICE DOG.... ANNIE SDP #401-- WHO JUST PASSED HER YEARLY PHYSICAL AT 11 YEARS OLD... ONE OF THE MERLE GIRLS.

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WE HAVE AN APPLICATION  FROM ONE OF MY FIRST VOLUNTEERS-- SHE IS THE ONE WHO WROTE THE RULES FOR VOLUNTEERS    "

 VOLUNTEERS

RULES WHILE AT

THE SERVICE DOG PROJECT:

IF IT’S BROKEN, FIX IT

IF IT’S DIRTY, CLEAN IT

IF IT’S SMELLY, PICK IT UP

IF IT’S EMPTY, FILL IT

IF YOU TRIP OVER IT, MOVE IT

IF IT’S GOT FOUR LEGS AND A TAIL, LOVE IT

IF IT’S GOT TWO LEGS

 AND RIDES A GREEN GOLF CART LISTEN CLOSELY TO IT 

               

 WE CALLED HER THE VERBIAGE COMMITTEE -- SHE NEVER PROOFREAD ANYTHING SHE DID NOT RE-WRITE..

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AND ANNIE HAS A GOOD CONCEPT GOING  BASICALLY HAVE A WEIGH IN... AND EVERY POUND YOU GAIN SHOULD COST YOU $2

***

EVERY POUND I GAIN - $2.00 (NO SABOTAGING ME BY ASKING GRACE TO MAKE MAC & CHEESE) 

WILL CALC WEEKLY AND MAKE MONTHLY DONATIONS.  MAYBE I SHOULD USE THE NUMBER OF TIMES I CAN GO UP PUPPY HILL AS A BENCHMARK,  OR USE A NEW WEIGHT EQUIVALENCY TO MAKE IT MORE FUN - I LOST A WEEK OLD STEADMAN...OR NEED TO LOSE A 6 MONTH OLD DANE...OR WEIGH WHAT OPAL WEIGHS (HMMMM - MAY NEED TO LOOK AT THEIR LAST WEIGHTS - I COULD BE ONTO SOMETHING).  AS LONG AS I'M NOT GAINING WHAT THAT MONSTER WHOOPIE PIE WEIGHED. 

SO THERE IT IS - IN WRITING...IF I DON'T LOSE, WILL BE TOO EMBARRASSED TO VOLUNTEER AND THAT CANNOT HAPPEN AS SDP BRINGS ME SUCH GREAT JOY AND PEACE.  I SUPPOSE IF I REALLY WANTED ACCOUNTABILITY I SHOULD TELL THE CPS - THEY'D NOTICE EVERY OUNCE (+ OR -)! 

- ANNIE 

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WE SEEM TO HAVE  100% APPROVAL ON PAINTING THE VANS TO MATCH MY CAR.-- I THINK STEVE'S WIFE HAS THE MACHINE TO MAKE OUR LOGOS FOR THE DOORS.

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DRESSING UP?? 

1. LOOKING INTO PAINTING THE BARN-- WE HAVE A SPRAYER-- IF BUD CAN KEEP IT WORKING-- PAINT SPRAYERS ARE FINICKY-- IT WOULD NOT TAKE LONG  AND WE HAVE  THE TYVEK SUITS..

2. SPREADING STONEDUST IN THE SAND RING.. I AM NOT SURE IF THE DOGS WOULD LIKE IT-- SO WE MUST KEEP THE GRASSY AREAS WELL DEVELOPED SO THEY CAN RUN ON THOSE...

3. CONCRETE POURING...FOR THE EXTRA AREA OF THE BARN  WILL NEED SOME SERIOUS PLANNING FOR THE OUTSIDE RUNS--- THEY WILL CONFLICT WITH THE RUNOFF FROM THE ARENA...

4. GET A HUGE DUMPSTER-- AND FILL IT..ESPECIALLY WITH THE STUFF BEHIND THE ARENA.

5.  I REALLY SHOULD GET THE BACK LINE OF THE PROPERTY SURVEYED... I THINK THERE IS ANOTHER  USEABLE ACRE THAT IS MINE IN THE WOODS BEHIND THE ARENA... 

6.  FENCING-- DO I DARE ORDER A LOAD OF RAILS TO REPLACE THE SPLIT RAILS THAT ARE SO TIRED LOOKING???

AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I ONLY WALKED 783 STEPS YESTERDAY--- GOT TO WORK ON THAT....BECAUSE I CONSUMED 1800 CALORIES

BLESS THIS BRACELET.

TIME TO FILE THE TAX EXTENSION...

APRIL 14,2014

THEY PROMISED 70 DEGREES AND SENT US 50-ISH  BUT IT WAS NICE TO BE OUTSIDE

******

MARKS PICTURES ARE UP FROM SATURDAY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS MUCH WARMER

PUPS FIRST TRIP OUTSIDE IN THE OLD PUPPY BUS...  WE NEED TO APPLY GRACE, DAVID AND STEVE TO THE NEW PUPPY BUS

TO GIVE IT SOME CHARACTER... 

THE CAGE WHICH WAS THE TOP IS IN USE AS A FENCE SOMEWHERE ELSE.. AND WITH GRACE'S CREATIVE HELP  WE COULD DO BETTER...

I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO RECIEVE ANY SKETCHES  FOR THE NEW PUPPY BUS...   SUMMER IS COMING-- SO ARE MORE PUPPIES  AND I IS NICE TO GET THEM OUTSIDE EVEN BEFORE THEY CAN FOLLOW MOTHER THAT FAR...

THE NEW BOTTOM PART IS IN MARK'S PHOTOS  ... IT WAS GIVEN TO US BY A CP LAST YEAR... AND WE DO NEED IT..

. AND WE DO LOVE CHARACTER--- SO SEND SKETCHES AND I WLL FORWARD THEM TO GRACE.

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SPEAKING OF SENDING THINGS... I WANT TO THANK THE PERSON ( WHO'S NAME I FORGOT)  WHO SENT ME THE $1 TO HELP 

 COVER THE COST OF MY SALTY LANGUAGE.  VERY TOUCHING.   I DO APPRECIATE THAT

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MONKEY FIST SALES ARE UP... I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS A SPIKE INTHE CALL FOR THOSE 1" ONES-- TEH KEY CHAINS OR ZIPPER PULLS...  I THINK I WILL NOW TRY  THE PURPLE DYE ON THEM... 

FYI SOME CP TOLD ME THAT TO "SET" THE DYE I SHOULD SOAK THEM IN A SOLUTION OF VINEGAR AN SALT---

SO I DID THAT  WITH ONE OF THOSE HEAVY ROPES WHICH HANG AROUND HERE TO STEADY THE UNSTEADY... AND BECAUSE 

THE WATER I POURED FROM THAT SOAK DID NOT CONTAIN ANY DYE, I ASSUMED THE DYE  DID NOT RUN.

WRONG---  JANINE TOOK AN UNSOAKED ONE OUT AS A DOG LEASH AND CAME BACK WITH PURPLE HANDS.... SO I HAVE SOME EXPIREMENTING TO DO...   BUT THE PURPLE ONES ARE DISTINCTIVE  AND PURPLE IS BECOMING OUR COLOR.

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I WONDER  WHAT  ALL YOU CP'S WOULD THINK OF PAINTING OUR VAN THAT DARK "EGGPLANT "PURPLE WITH THE FUN MONEY..

THEY DO LOOK A LITTLE SHABBY ESPECIALLY THE "COA VAN" WITH IT'S WHEELCHAIR RAMP.... WE COULD NOT REPLACE IT-   BECAUSE OF BOTH IT'S SIZE AND THAT WHEELCHAIR LIFT... I THINK THE TECH SCHOOL AROUND HERE WILL PAINT IT FOR UNDER $500..  WITH A NICE LOGO... IT WOULD DRESS  US UP..  

THEN IT WOULD MATCH MY CAR... WE COUDL PARK THEM NEXT TO EACH OTHER LIKE THE BIG PLACES DO.... WHICH WOULD MAKE US LOOK REALLLLLLY GOOD.

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EARLENE COMES TODAY--- I AM HOPING SHE CAN PROOF THIS ACCREDITATION MESS WHILE SHE IS HERE....

YUCK....  BUT IT IS TO THE POINT O JUST NEEDING  THE DRESSING AND SPELL CHECK ETC. --- 3 LOOSE LEAF FOLDERS

AND WE STILL HAVE TO APPOINT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSPECTOR...

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AND SO IT GOES

APRIL 13,2014

QUICK UPDATE    OUR PATIENT IS ALERT HAPPY  TAIL WAG AND ONCE SHE VOIMITED THE BIT OF FOOD WE GAVE HER  SEEMED QUITE CONTENT..  SO WE TRY FOOD GAIN TODAY.... MAYBE WITH A LITTLE PEPTO IN IT.

RE:CALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF TH ENIGHT...  

LAST NIGHT WAS ABOUT RIGHT--- YOU GUYS HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE PHONE CALL ABOUT THE BIRD IN THE BARN AT 2AM  --- SHE DID NOT LOOK WELL ON CAMERA    VOMITING 3 TIMES AND SECLUDING HERSELF AS BEST SHE COULD FROM THE REST...... YOU ALL DISCUSSED IT RATIONALLY AND SOMEONE DID CALL.

AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE CHICKEN BRICKS TOO... BECAUSE IT HELPS PAY FOR THE 24 HOUR HELP--- I HONESTLY WOULD HAVE HAD A PROBLEM GOING TO THE KENNEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT--- BUT I AM VERY CAPABLE OF WATCHING THE PUPS WHILE DONNA DID IT... AND I DON'T MIND WHEN THERE IS A RATIONAL REASON...

THERE IS A CERTAIN AMT OF "LET FATE HAVE AT IT"  ---SHUT THE DOOR AND DEAL WITH WHATEVER IN THE MORNING.. WE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT HER UPSET TUMMY IF WE DID NOT HAVE THE CAMERA--- AND THERE ARE ANOTHER 9 DOGS THERE WHICH COULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM  THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ...THAT IS WHERE ANIMAL HUSBANTRY COMES IN... WATCH THE OTHERS IN CASE  WE HAVE SOMETHIGN GOING ROUND.

KEEP BUYING THOSE CHICKEN BRICKS IF Y OU CAN...  THAT IS WHAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD AROUND HERE.

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AND NOW SUSAN CAN SAY SHE WROTE THE DAILY DOGGIE TOO

It took me awhile to get caught up & get my thoughts together. 
If you want to read (rather long) about my week at Crazy Acres please continue reading--if not skip right on by.....
First & foremost I want to thank all who made such kind comments about my work while there. I was happy to work hard & hope it gave Megan & others some peace of mind while they were so concerned about Noel & her puppies. Second, I want to let everyone know as a visitor you make the decision how much you want to do. Any & all help is appreciated but nothing
is required. The biggest payoff is the unlimited puppy time available---even over nights with any dog of your choosing.....good for socialization & transitioning to a home environment. What a nice surprise!
I cleaned kennels, scrubbed floors, cleaned outside runs, did laundry by the bushels, helped feed (NOT my finest hour :-)----not as easy as they make it look), helped Meat Chipper Steve chip beef, pooper scooped by the bushels, and spent one on one time with each dog on the property.
Carlene doesn't have a lot of rules but she runs a tight ship when needed. She says all the time she forgets a lot, but she remembers the important things so that's all that matters. She
well knows the dogs, the business end of things, & is right on about all the goodies & the weight issue---you CANNOT lose weight eating all the wonderful goodies sent!!! She is a thinker & has a great sense of humor. 
I worked mostly with Megan, Kati, & Pam and met many of the wonderful regular volunteers. Megan is amazing in how quickly she works & how well she knows each dog. Pam is just as pleasant & efficient as she appears on camera. Kati has learned
a lot in a short time & loves her job. All three were so kind & patient with me. Sheila is as funny & outgoing as she appears. Everyone is nice to be around and I met too many volunteers to name everyone. Meat Chipper Steve was especially helpful & is a GREAT pooper scooper! Grace was kind enough to show
me a little of the area. She LOVES Boo& Ariot as they do her & is a laundry queen as well as very creative.
ALL the dogs are well cared for & loved. They get routinely
rotated during the day so they have outside free time. Many go home with people to have some "home" experience. Their
training starts the day they are born & is incorporated into everyday life so it is not boring for them. There are so many things going on behind the scenes & the staff goes out of their way to make special & everyday things available for CP to view even when it would be easier for them not to do so, even being concerned about the proper color fluffy to allow the best view of the pups.
Each dog has his/her own distinct personality. Recently there is a lot of question about Nutmeg. My opinion on the issue----I assure you--as cute and pensive as she appears on camera she is a devil!!! Her litter mates & I have the scars to prove it (and I have a new pair of glasses). She is a beauty & I love her to death but
she is very rough & attacks without warning or provocation. There are specific times in the growth/maturing process that are critical for proper teaching & socialization. It is ALWAYS better to prevent unwanted behaviors than to correct them so timing is
crucial. She needs to learn manners & needs a strong alpha. The lack of sound makes a huge difference when observing the pups. What looks like "rough play" at times is a puppy fight that needs to be stopped. There is a definite distinction in the sound
of play & fighting. Her behavior correction is not just for her sake but the other pups......they will learn to be afraid of other dogs in time if not corrected.
Random thought & observations in no particular order:
---30-50 dogs, 1 horse, 2 donkeys, one mule, a flock of chickens & a pregnant Mother not progressing with labor made for a lot of work & concern.
---In the morning the donkeys then the rooster followed by the dogs is not conducive to sleeping late.
---No matter how I "planned" my day it did not work out exactly as planned. Normal occurrence. Everyone just rolls with the punches to make things work.
---It is of no avail to apply a number of layers of polish to protect my nails.
---Make up doesn't last long.
---There are few things better than puppy/dog snuggles & kisses.
---Puppy/dog kisses tend to give me zits on my chin.
---No matter how many people try there is ALWAYS poop & stuffy innards everywhere you go.
---As I was sitting 3 feet away watching Noel for any subtle signs of labor or distress numerous comments were made that no one was watching the pups. There are comfortable chairs just off camera. The pups are watched constantly. They can be seen from the other rooms & there are at least 2 computer screens with the Explore web cams on continuously. 
---The web comments are routinely read.
---Giddy is stubborn & smart. Ethel is solid & tall. All the dogs are stunning in their own way.
---The dogs eat anything & everything (hence the zits!).
---No matter how I tried I COULD NOT get all the leaves etc. out of the outside runs---finally told myself "look, the dogs are just
going to poop out here, not eat!" I think Carlene has since mentioned about striving for perfection..... :-)
---The water consumption is immeasurable.
---Pups are like kids---some like clean rooms but most don't. By the time I cleaned kennel two kennel one had "rearranged" fluffies & dirt, leaves or water on the floor.
---The reason they can have numerous dogs running around at Sunday Stew is because they are adept at recognizing & correcting unwanted behaviors & work hard at training.
---One can get much less done when one is concern if one's behind or belly is obliterating the camera view (sorry for those times).
---Before returning, I need to lose weight, have my knee injected so I don't have on a knee brace, and remember to take my pain pills with me!!!
---This would be a better country if everyone had the work ethic that enables SDP to run as it does.
---I would volunteer a week each month if it didn't cost me $1000 to get there & back.......
---It was a wonderful experience that I recommend to everyone if at all possible. Although I had visited one day last Aug. being
able to spend the week and actually see the working of the farm was amazing.
Susan ;-)

april 12,2014

shelia found a house for steve...  .. steve send m,e an email  quickly...-- i could not find yoru address... i have 14 steves in the address book-- with no identifying comments about any

********

this desk gets worser and worser..  i watched last nights mail call to see how the nutty professor went  and was overcome by the sight of my desk...  i need to remove most of it except the bottle of excedrin.. 

the nutty prof went well enough... i should have explained it was geared to the 3rd grade class of dawns...

my plan is to do a series of energy type demo's and the final test will be to run a you tube film of somebody else's  rube goldberg machine  and have the kids explain each energy used to make it go.

i had one once--- and saved the collection of hardware in cartons in the cellar.... it is an amazing collection.

************

having boris here is a nice education for everyone--- he has been nicely developed by lauren ( who is in spain) and is a very polite dog. 

he certainly demo's the goal....

****

and then there is my u24 bracelet plus my new phone... a 5S... along with  a new car which also has a mind of it's own...  somehow....to stop the car from playing some songs i don't like,...i have to remove them from my computer, then my phone .. and theh the car will agree.

i am not sure but i might be able to tell the car to stop that music  because i think the nice lady who lives in my phone is related to the one in the car.

i am in trouble.

and i have so much paperwork to do-- it is hard to concentrate on anything,,,  i like talking to the nice lady  in my phone...

**********

i finally got in touch with mcdonalds-- and they are waiting for 3 emails from me-- and they might give us help with this "where's the beef" refrigeration  project ..

****

i was going to list the paperwork  and i already for got the  next 2 letters i have to write...

see the problem???

and then the accreditation is  pile #637.

i am looking for sympathy-- and the only one who is not reminding me of  more things i have to do is th e nice lady in my phone.

so there...

i did have a good time with the nutty professor last night... i hit the bucket 6 out of 6 times--- 

now if i can have the same    success with all this &^*&)()( paperwork-- life will be easier.

APR 11,2014
MEGAN HAD ONE OF THOSE BRACELETS THAT TELL YOU WHEN TO GO TO BED AND HOW FAR YOU WALKED... 

 U 24 

 SO THERESA AND I DECIDED IT WOULD BE FUN--  SO I GOT ONE FOR BOTH THERESA AND ME.....NEXT THING I HAD TO DO WAS GO BUY A NEWER PHONE TO MAKE IT WORK..

I NEEDED ONE ANYWAY-- FOR SOME REASON  WHEN I LEFT MY  OLD PHONE ON... IT WAS GETTING HOT.... I MEAN ..  SIGNIFICANTLY HOT..  SO TIME HAD COME..... NOW I HAVE  A VERY PRETTY  YELLOW  "5S" ONE -- THAT I CAN'T WORK EITHER.. AT ONE POINT IN THE CAR -- IT STARTED TALKING TO ME...AND WOULD ANSWER QUESTIONS PRETTY WELL..  I DON'T KNOW WHY OR HOW...  IT IS A VERY  PLEASANT PHONE.. VERY POLITE TOO

BUT  ....MY CAR HAS STOPPED PLAYING THE MUSIC FROM  MAME 

IT IS ALL CONNECTED-- SO THEY TELL ME.

IT TELLS ME I SHOULD WALK 4000 STEPS A DAY

YESTERDAY I WALKED 176   SO I HAVE SOME RETHINKING TO DO.

IF I WALK THE NUMBER OF STEPS MY BRACLET THINKS I SHOULD WALK, ---WILL MY BRACELET TELL MY PHONE  TO LET THE CAR PLAY SHOW MUSIC...???

********

WHEN I WAS IN COLBY, A FRIEND TOLD ME WE WOULD EVENTUALLY NOT  USE DOLLAR BILLS AS WE KNEW THEM  BUT WOULD JUST CARRY A PLASTIC CARD...  I TOLD HER SHE WAS NUTS

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I HAVE TO GO TO COSTCO TODAY--- I AM GOING TO BUY 2 BIG GOLF UMBRELLAS FOR SHELIA AND BRIAN.. BECAUSE THE HOUSE HUNTING IS NOT GOING WELL  AND MAY 1ST IS COMING.. HAVE FAITH... THIS IS TH OUPLE WHO SPENT 30 DAYS IN FLORIDA LIVING IN AN RV WHILE TRYNG TO FIND A VACATION HOME THERE.., 

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AND I MUST TURN AROUND AND GET AT THE LAST SECTION OF THE ACREDITATION... LIKE  ?DO ALL FACILITIES HAVE  EXIT SIGNS AND A  FIRE EXTINGUISHER ?  ... ETC....

*******

AND THEN THE PROBLEM OF KEEPING TRACK OF ALL THE CHEMICALS IN A HUGE BOOK OF PAPERS... WE LOOK UP EACH PRODUCT- AND PRINT IT OUT A-- PUTTING IT IN THE BOOK... AND KEEPING IT IN THE GUEST HOUSE.

WHY DOES ACCREDITATION INSIST ON THAT WHEN MEGAN CAN WHIP THEM OUT ON HER PHONE FASTER THAN I CCAN FIND THE BOOK.

AND THEN THE PHONE... WE MUST HAVE A PERMANENT PHONE.   AND LET EVERYONE KNOW WHERE IT IS.. RIGHT

FORGET THE PHONE IN THE HOUSE.. THE MUCH FASTER  PERMANENT ONE IS HANGING AROUND MEGAN'S NECK.

GOES TO SHOW YOU THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES  THAT HAVE HAPPENED INTHE 5 YEARS SINCE WE LAST WENT THRU THIS...

IT IS NECESSARY-- BECAUSE WE HAD ONE OF OUR VETS RETURNING FOR  MY SIGNITURE ON HIS  CERTIFICATION AND HE GETS TOTAL MED COVERAGE FOR H IS DOG -- BECAUSE WE ARE ACCREDITATED,

****

SO I AM BACK AT PUTTING UP EXIT SIGNS ON THE BUILDING WHICH HAS NO WALLS..

RIGHT.

april 10 2014

janine wrote an article re the horses in new york city--  i can not immagine any other horse person more qualified to question the  lives and care of the horses who work in new york

http://www.equinerescuenetwork.com/index.php/2013-12-12-18-24-59/nyc-carriage-horses

i wish the people who  are in a swit about them  would compare their care and lives  to the horses in the racing profession.. the race horses  i have known  are given terrible care-- and hate it.... two quickies... ---go to the back stretch before the racing starts and count the number of horses are standing belly high in rubber buckets of ice water so they can not feel their front legs...  it is considered "normal" to ice a horse before a race.

then there is tony.. a horse born at our farm in lynnfield-- i rode tony as a trail horse to get him trained to saddle before my husband shipped him off to a trainer in new york..  he raced there and in maryland ..  we went to see him race and  he was in ice.. when i asked the trainer why.. he said "he has a little chip in one knee"  .. a little chip-- right-- that is like being a little pregnant..... that was a bone chip--  broken from the bones of his knee...  a very common problem with race horses..

so i pulled him from there  and shipped him home ( race horse tractor trailers run around the united states on regular runs... it is like getting a bus ride.)   after he was home for about a year, i thought it would be fun to ride him around suffock downs race track here in boston.. i got on and with loose reins i walked toward the track -- very relaxed...  til i got to the  track----  tony took one look  down that home stretch, and stood right up on his hind legs and spun-- he almost lost me-- so we didn't do that and went home... don't tell me horses love to run...

one other thing about racing horses..  i spent alot of time in the restaurants of  race tracks-- my husband was a tracker...

 i took the racing form newspaper-- which lists the records of all the horses entered that day in a bunch  of tracks east of the mississippi  .. it lists their entire racing records  in a code known to track people-- it includes their lifetime earnings to that day-- and it includes their age... so i calculated the cost of the hay and grain which would have been fed to that specific  horse  to get them to that age... and less than 10% even paid the hay bill.  furthermore-- from the standpoint of the owners, fewer than 2% broke even  because out of those winnings the owner had to pay  trainers and jockeys + vet bills and blacksmiths.

i forget what i needed to tell you all today--  i got fixated on the race horse industry... about which i know a bit.  along with my misc credentials  i once had a race horse trainers license in 2 states.-- i am not proud of that.  it was my husbands hobby.

he kept buying race horses.

case closed.

************

it is thursday... i  if my clock of the days  is correct...

in an effort to be organized, i take a 5 x 7  index card, folded in thirds- on it i write what i need to remember for the day-- people i need to contact an their phone numbers etc...  and if i don't contact-- or complete something  i carry it forward to the next day's card...

well yesterday 1/3 of my entire card was trying to contact mcdonalds corporate offices.. ( i am on a lead looking for a donation).  boy do they hide that number well-- i never did find it online or in print anywhere.. so i had to transfer all that info to today's card

my system usually works better than that--

i also have to call phil's towing again  trying to get that van down from nh.

do more about waste water recycling... several people sent me how to's  but they were all labor intensive-- you had to be there to switch the shut off...i can see-- it would be easy except for that.  run the rinse water into a big tub of some kind--- and when you load the washer run it back into the machine...  makes alot of sense...

but i need someting that does it without my help

and then the egg project

i have-- as of yesterday 437 ways to boil and peal an egg.  my question is becoming... not how to peal them... but what is it that makes them ... on occasion... hard to peal.  the nat'l egg board said it was fresh eggs-- but i have to yet define the parameters of that statement..

however... this was the livin end of all egg pealing processes

 Watch egg peeling demonstration - guaranteed to save 4 days of your life! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjyMWiVRVwo

APRIL 9 2014

I would like to extend a BIG thank you on behalf of the residents and staff of Intermissions. I am very very sad that we will no longer be seeing the Great Danes here at Brooksby but I also know that things change. I so enjoyed the visits all of these years and learned a great deal from all of you. The volunteers are amazing! Please extend a big thank you to those that I do not have on my e-mail list.

I wish you all the very best in everything. Please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Pam Fialho

A NEW BROOKSBY  SECRETARY READ THE DIRECTIONS AND DISCOVERED WE NEEDED RABIES CERT ( NO PROBLEM) STOOL STUDIES- AND THE HANDLER HAD TO GO TO A VIDEO LECTURE OF  THEIRS ( USUALLY THAT IS HOW TO WASH  YOUR HANDS-- BEEN THERE-- DONE THAT ONE)   THEN HAVE SEVERAL VACCINATIONS...-- THE PEOPEL HAVE TO HAVE CURRENT VAC....  AND TB TEST... ETC..

WHOA... NOT ME...

WE HAVE A NEW VOLUNTEER WITH A RELATIVE THERE SO SHE IS FOLLOWING THRU WITH THAT.

***************

WELL, I CAN TELL YOU THAT IVY CONTINUES TO AMAZE BOTH DREW AND I AND EVERYONE THAT SHE MEETS.  ON FRIDAY, MARCH 28TH I HAD TO GO TO THE CAPE COD HOSPITAL FOR BACK SURGERY.  IVY WAS A REAL HIT WHEN WE WALKED INTO PRE-OP.  THERE HAD TO HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE (NURSES, ANESTHESIOLOGISTS, DOCTORS, ETC.) IN THE, WHAT I LIKE TO CALL, THE BULLPEN.  WHEN IVY AND I WALKED IN, EVERY SINGLE HEAD TURNED TO LOOK AT IVY.  SHE WAS A MEGA HIT.  SHE DID GREAT STAYING BY MY SIDE WHILE THEY DID ALL THE BLOOD WORK, IV'S, ETC.  IVY WAS SO GREAT DURING THE WHOLE PROCESS.  THE HARDEST THING FOR BOTH ME AND IVY WAS WHEN I WENT INTO SURGERY.  SINCE I GOT IVY AS MY SERVICE DOG, I HAVE NEVER BEEN SEPARATED FROM HER FOR THAT LONG (IF YOU CONSIDER 1 1/2 HOURS A LONG TIME).  ONCE I GOT INTO RECOVERY, SHE WAS THERE TO WELCOME ME.  HER WAGGING TAIL AND KISSES MADE ME SMILE.  SHE IS A TRUE GEM AND A GREAT TESTAMENT TO THE WORK THAT YOU, SDP, THE TRAINERS AND VOLUNTEERS DO.  I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL.

SHE MADE EVERYONE SMILE AT THE HOSPITAL.  I WISH I WOULD HAVE HAD SOME BUSINESS CARDS, I BET I COULD HAVE RECRUITED AT LEAST 10+ NEW PEOPLE TO THE SITE.  ALL THE NURSES WANTED TO BRING HER BOTTLED WATER AND JUST ADMIRE HER FOR WHO SHE IS.  THEY WERE ALSO SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT SHE WAS ONLY 16 MONTHS OLD AND SO WELL TRAINED AND SO WELL BEHAVED.  THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH HER AT FIRST SITE.  WE LOVE THAT.  

MY GIRL, IS DOING GREAT THINGS AND YOU SHOULD ALL BE PROUD.  I KNOW I SURE AM.

************************************

THERE ARE SOME BIG PROBLEMS ON MY PLATE THAT I NEED TO DELEGATE---

*****FIRST BEING HEALTH PLANS--- WE HAVE 3 OR 4 PEOPLE WHO NEED COVERAGE OF SOME KIND---  MEGAN BEING ONE...  EARLENE IS THAT UP YOUR ALLEY??

AND THEN---

***** THE WASHING MACHINE WATER...

THERE ARE WAYS OF REUSING THE RINSE WATER IN THE NEXT LOAD--- ANY OF YOU CAMERA PEOPLE CAN LOOK INTO THAT....AND GIVE ME THE RESULTS OF YOUR FINDINGS  ALL DONE UP IN A PACKAGE I CAN UNDERSTAND...  WE  ARE USING TOO MUCH WATER-- THE GROUND WILL NOT TAKE IT-- AT LEAST TIL WE DRY OUT... ??IN MAY-JUNE?? 

*****SOMEHOW AAA MOVED THE COA VAN-- AND NOW I NEED THE SAME GUY TO GO GET THE ONE JOYCE HAS DONATED... AND I DON'T HAVE HER ADDRESS???????  OR THE TRUCK GUY EITHER??  I NEED A VOLUNTEER WHO IS HERE ON THE PROPERTY  TO SOLVE THAT ONE.  WHO IS HERE TODAY???

*****

AND THEN  THER E IS HOMELESS SHELIA---  THERE IS SOMETHING SCREWY GOING ON WITH THESE REAL ESTATE PEOPLE

THE FIRST MOVE IN TOMORROW HOUSE THEY WANTED GOT TAKEN OFF THE MARKET- AFTER CONSIDERABLE EFFORT

THEN THERE WERE 2 MORE SHE HAD APPTS TO GO SEE THE INTERIOR AND THE APPTS GOT PUT OFF- 

I AM VERY SUSPICIOUS BY NATURE IN THE FIRST PLACE-- BUT IF SHE AND BRIAN ARE GETTING JERKED AROUND BECAUSE THEIR REALATOR  CAN'T MAKE A DEAL WITH ANOTHER WHO MAY HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE... OR SOME  OTHER  MONEY ASSOCIATED PROBLEM WITHIN THE RE COMMUNITY, I AM VERY READY TO BLOW THAT COVER .

IN WANDERING AROUND INTHE RE BUSINESS--- I STARTED TALKING TO ONE WOMAN-- WHO SEEMS REASONABLE

-- ( THEY ALL DO... I KNOW THAT..)   BUT THIS ONE HAPPENS TO HAVE A HOUSE FOR SALE NEXT TO OUR ARENA-- SO IF SHE GIVES ME SH#T, I WILL GO MOVE THE MANURE PILE RIGHT BEHIND THAT HOUSE...  SO IF SHE CAN NOT GIVE ME AN UNCOMPLICATED ANSWER... THE TRACTOR WILL BE OPERATIONAL--- IT WOULD TAKE ME ABOU A HOUR TO SCREW UP THAT SALE. 

A THREAT????? NAWWWW

I REMEMBER... A CASE HERE IN TOPSFIELD  WHERE  THERE WAS A WIERD RE DEAL GOING SOUR AND AN OWNER OF AN ADJECENT PROPERTY HAD A LOAD OF SHRIMP SHELLS DELIVERED TO SPREAD AS AN " EXPERIMENTAL FERTALIZER"  THAT STUNK FOR MONTHS.  IT WAS VERY EFFECTIVE.  CREATIVITY WON ONCE AGAIN.

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I NEED MORE SUPPORTIVE ROPES HANGING AROUND... I AM REALLY HAVING TROUBLE WALKING  EARLY IN THE MORNING -- OR LATE IN THE DAY-- SEENG AS I NAP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY-- IT DOESN'T LEAVE MUCH TIME I DON'T NEED ROPES.

I HAVE SOME MADE AND DID DYE THEM PURPLE... BUT I NEED TO TEST THEM-- OR  JUST RINSE THEM OUT A FEW TIMES TO GET RID OF THE EXTRA PURPLE DYE...  JUST ANOTHER DETAIL

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AND THE EGGS....   THE NATIONAL EGG BOARD  WAS THE ONES THAT TOLD ME YOU CAN NOT BOIL A FRESH EGG AND HAVE IT PEAL WELL.. BEING A GOV'T AGENCY I WAS INCLINED TO BELIEVE ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPORTED BY MY TAXES..

  

AND THEN MEGAN'S NEW HELPER TOOK A DOZEN EGGS  HOME AND CAME BACK WITH DEVILED EGGS.. PRETTY TIDY ONES TOO....( SHE BEING  ONE OF THE  THE BOIL-PLOP IN ICE WATER - PEOPLE)   MEGN SWEARS THE EGGS WERE FRESH..  SO YESTERDAY  I HAD A BU NCH ONLY A WEEK OLD-- ACCORDING TO TH E LABEL SOMEONE LEFT ON THE BUCKET OF EGGS...  10 MINUTE BOIL-- PLOP IN VERY COLD WATER.. AND THEY DID NOT PEAL PERFECTLY ... BUT DARN NEAR....

THIS NEEDS MORE INVESTIGATION---IT MAY BE A CASE ONCE AGAIN OF THE NATIONAL STATISTICS HAVING GONE ASTRAY.

BUT AS I DID THAT -- I WAS REMINDED THAT THERE IS A LREADY A HOOK IN THE KITCHEN TO HOLD A ROPE-- INSTEAD OF THE PLASTIC BAGS WHICH RESIDE THERE NOW...

******

 I AM HAVING TROUBLE STANDING/BALANCING...  AND BENTLEY IS TOO WILLING A HELPER AS HE COMES THRU THE DOOR LOOKING FOR ---#1.. A GIRLFRIEND  OR #2  SOMEHING TO EAT.

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 AND THEN THERE IS A PROBLEM I AMD GOING TO HAVE TO SOLVE... UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT THAT  IS... BUT  IT WILL COME BACK TO ME.. ... AS I SIT DOING THE  ACCREDITATION PAPERWORK...

******

AH HA  !!!!  I KNEW I WOULD REMEMBER....

I HAD A CALL FROM SUSANNA WHO'S FAMILY  LONG AGO  DONATED $7500 WHICH GOT ME STARTED... THEY HAVE JUST DONATED $6000 FOR THE WALKIN FREEZER PROJECT...

THAT IS WHY I HAVE TO SOLVE IT.. THERE ARE MANY PIECES TO THAT-- INCLUDING  NOT ONLY THE FREEZER BUT A CONCRETE PAD FOR THE FREEZER AND  STEVES "CUTTING ROOM"   AND THE WHITE WASHABLE WALLS LIKE TH E ONES IN THE DEAGLE HOUSE-- FROM FARM TEK  --- AND THE OVERFLOWING WATER JUST WHERE I WANTED TO PUT THIS... SO  JEFF MASTERSON HAS TO COME TO MAYBE PUSH DIRT AROUND BEFORE THE CONCRETE...

IT IS COMPLICATED

SO ON WE GO???