Memorial Day Weekend- Meet Rei's Puppywalker and family!!!! Friday

Friday-
Got up and rushed around to leave to meet Libby (Puppy Raising Group leader for GDF & for both Rei and Honey, as well as now the raiser for SAM, the golden retriever that was sponsored in the memory of the Matthew Thomas)
Then Libby called and said she needed to meet later instead of earlier, so we went up the hill to Erin's family's house and met most of the family. Rei remembered everyone and we took some pics of Rei with part of the family and together with Erin and I. :)

Rei and I on Erin's front porch, (Rei standing in harness waiting for the command forward) and waiting to head up to Erin's family's house.



Rei with most of her puppy raising family:


Erin on the left with a big smile and pink shirt, Kacie on the right also with a big smile and a pink shirt, Rei in front of the two of them, tongue lolling out and looking at the camera.




After visiting with the family, we took off bringing Eden with us and drove 1 1/2 hr to Asheville, NC where Erin and her family were living when they had Rei, drove by thier old house, then went to Libby's house.

We visited with Libby for a couple of hours, all of the dogs- Rei (black lab), Eden(goldendoodle), SAM (golden retreiver), Deca- Libby's vizla, Libby's black lab, and Astrid- female yellow lab gdf puppy she was sitting for the weekend, all got to run around the 2 acres fenced in that she had.

Here are some shots of the dogs as they were running about and visiting with each other:

Left to right- Rei and Sam sniffing at the ground- Deca coming up to see what's so interesting and Astrid in the back not wanting to be left behind. LOL!



Astrid taking off, saying "WAIIIIIITTTTTT for MEEEEEEE!!!"



Sam walking down the drive with tongue lolling out and has such a beautiful reddish color to his coat!



Rei with nose down and looking at the ground, checking things out:



SAM & Eden down the hill by the fence. Eden checking out something in the grass, SAM in mid stride coming up from the fence:



Eden sitting in front of Erin, being petted and tongue hanging out:


Erin and Libby talking to each other, Rei in front of Erin and being petted:



We then left Libby's and went back by Erin's neighbor and visited with her for a while, Rei remembered her and her big fenced in yard and wanted to go play. !

After our stop there, we went to walmart to pick up a few things needed for the house and was stopped a LOT asking about Eden and Rei being together. Eden was not fond of Walmart at all, so we made it as quick as we could. We loaded the stuff and the dogs into the car and they quickly curled up together and conked out for a nap.

Rei with her head laying on Eden's rump, snoozing:


We made the drive home and crashed for the evening, letting the dogs play and Erin and I talked all evening as she worked on finishing up the slide show for the graduation ceremony on Saturday.

Memorial Day Weekend- Meet Rei's Puppywalker and family!!!!

Each year my Aunt N and Grandmother take a trip down to TN for Decoration Day and for my grandmother to stay in the old home place where she was raised. This is essentially a two room house, back in a stand of woods without running water. As a child, I had such fond memories of the times staying there and being out in the woods, taking sponge baths from the old metal wash basins, going out to the old well house to go to the Porto pot that was always set up there, and such. I loved sitting on the front porch with my elders and listening to the stories being told and the chit chat between everyone relaxing in a quiet that I've never found elsewhere.

My fondest memories are of sitting on the front porch with my grandmother's brother, Uncle M. He used to tell the wildest stories and would whittle with his pocket knife some of the neatest things. I don't know what it was, but the fact that he would sit and talk with me for the longest time intrigued me to fascination. I treasured these days and couldn't wait to go back and spend the time there in the nature and quiet and to be able to explore the various things around the house that once was the home of my grandmother's mom and the 9 kids that had lived there.

These days however, the mosquitoes, bugs, and having to check and remove any found ticks, along with not being able to get a shower each day, makes staying there less than desirable. Inside the house, the lighting is very poor and the walls and floor are a grey hue and make it very difficult for me to see much of anything. I do still like to go visit and see Aunt L as she comes up every year and stays with my grandmother there in the old home place as well. Seeing her reminds me of the days of spending with her late husband, Great Uncle M.

Thus we started our trip early on Thursday morning, which Uncle M came out to our place to pick me up and get back up to Castleton and ready to take off for TN by 8-8:30am. We headed off quickly, Aunt N driving and Rei and I n the front seat, Grandmother n the back seat. Within a few minutes, Rei shifted her position and must have caught her toenail on the tract for my seat and she let out a loud yelp and came up into the seat with Aunt N and I. So we thought to try to see if she'd go into the back seat, which she quickly did and settled down, her head snuggled against Grandmother's leg.

We made our way down through KY, stopping at a rest area and then again in Glasgow for a break and lunch. We really made good time going down, knowing we were on a time schedule to meet up with Erin. We got down there to the home place about 1:30 and was able to visit with the family there for about an hour before heading into Cookeville.

We then met up with Erin at 3pm and Rei immediately recognized her as soon as she got out her car. I let Rei out of the car and tail was wagging so hard she sounded like she was beating a drum against the car next to us. LOL!

Erin knelt down and Rei excitedly licking her and saying hello, with her whole rear end wiggling.



Rei jumping up to give Erin a "kiss" as she affectionately loves to do. :)


After our initial hellos, we loaded both dogs- Rei and Ben, a yellow lab in training as an assistance dog with Erin, into the car to drive the 1 1/2 hr to Knoxville, TN. We ate dinner at a Firehouse Subs, which was a first for me and really good. :)

After this, we went down the road to the park and met up with a puppy raiser for Wilderwoods Service Dogs for Erin to have her meeting with J- Erin is an advanced trainer for WSD and is the manager of the foster family/puppy raiser program there.

At the park we got the dogs out and while waiting for J to arrive, Erin and I walked our dogs, Rei doing leash guiding, around the whole park on the walk path. It did good to burn some of the energy off before we started trying to work with them a bit. J arrived with Hope, a beautiful 5 month old golden retriever female that reminded me a lot of Honey. It was all I could do to keep from reaching out and petting her, but I knew better! LOL!

Erin & J walking with Ben and Hope ahead of Rei and I:


Hope sitting still and looking back at the camera:


Ben with his tongue hanging out happily as he alertly watches the dogs that were walking behind me, thus the direct look into the camera!


After the meeting was over we drove to Erin's house before dark to introduce all the dogs to each other-
Bubbles- standard dachshund
Texas- mini- dachshund
Eden- Golden Retriever/Poodle cross
Ben- Yellow Labrador

The dogs all said their hellos and quickly worked out their pack order.


Ben and Rei wrestling together on the floor, Ben on his back, Rei laying beside him pretending to go for the jugular...



Bubbles snoozing on her bed, a Tigger flip couch for kids:


Rei and Texas wrestling:


Ben laying down and being good, looking at the camera:


Rei happily chewing on her present from Erin- a large nylabone. :)


Erin sitting at her computer desk over looking the dogs, Bubbles asleep on the flip couch, Eden under the desk at Erin's feet, Ben stretched out on his side, Texas in the middle looking for something good, and Rei chewing on her nylabone, the three of them amidst the litter of destroyed dog toys, thanks to Rei.


~ To Be Continued ~Well All, I'm exhausted so I'm calling it a night!

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Access Pass

Hello all!

I thought I'd share this info as we came across it while looking up some info last night. We are planning some family trips for the future, one being to go out west, hopefully to the Badlands and Yellowstone national park and as we were browsing the website, we came across this info about a lifetime pass for all those who have permanent disabilities. It provides free access to all US national parks that charge for entrance and gives some discounts on other things too. You have to apply for it in person at the park you go to, but they issue a lifetime card, much like a credit card that you keep from there on out.



I've attached the link and text below. Hope it can help some of ya and please feel free to pass on the info!


Kacie & Rei
Vice President ~ Indiana Deaf Blind Association
IN Partners In Policymaking: Class of 2009


http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Access Pass

This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is required to obtain the pass. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by a Federal agency such as the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency.

The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Access Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

Please, Please consider supporting InDBA!

Dear Friends and Family,

As you know, I am actively involved in the Indiana Deaf Blind Association as the Vice President and that we are working hard to grow into a strong and resourceful organization.

This summer, the InDBA will be hosting it's first weekend retreat for the Deaf Blind throughout the state of Indiana. One of the challenges of being Deaf Blind is that many become isolated without the means to communicate with those around them.

This retreat will be a weekend of fun, workshops with lots of information, and lessons on how to advocate and empower ourselves for the things we need to be active members of our communities. This weekend will bring Deaf Blind people together to be able to socialize, sharing thier stories and experiences, as well as to learn with the barriers that are normally encountered removed.

With hosting this retreat, InDBA is raising funds to provide transportation, interpreters, bring in key note speakers from organizations such as the American Association for the Deaf Blind, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, InTRAC/Indiana Relay, and several others. We also plan to have some fun activities such as an exotic animal show, which the Deaf Blind will be able to tactilely feel the animals, a dance, and tandem biking on the lovely Monon bike trail. To host this type of event, we are needing to raise several thousand dollars and thus need your support!

We are holding this fundraiser of beautiful Silpada Jewelry, belts, and watches with the gracious help of a good friend of mine, who is donating nearly all of her commission to this cause.

Any purchase that you make, 20% of of the sales will go to InDBA. There is a flat rate shipping price and all items will be shipped directly to the customer from Silpada. Please do not feel pressured to make a purchase, however any purchase made will be sincerely appreciated!

Please take a look at the information below and if you are interested in ordering, please email me at my email listed below and I'll send you the order forms. We hope that you will consider supporting InDBA and have some beautiful new jewelry for you or your loved ones to wear!

God Bless!
Kacie & Rei
Vice President ~ Indiana Deaf Blind Association
IN Partners In Policymaking: Class of 2009


Indiana Deaf Blind Association Silpada Designs Fundraiser


Please support InDBA with your purchase of fine Silpada Designs Jewelry or Gift cards for Birthdays, Holidays, and Graduations!

20% of all sales will go to InDBA!


~ What is Silpada Designs Jewelry ~

Silpada Designs offers a unique and exclusive line of fine sterling silver jewelry, belts and watches. Our jewelry is the highest quality and is not painted or plated, it is not costume jewelry, and it contains no nickel fillers.

Each piece of Silpada jewelry is stunning, unique and handcrafted by artisans all over the world. Each piece varies . . . just like the hands that make our unique jewelry. The quality of Silpada Jewelry is impeccable and the benefits for hosting a fundraiser are extremely generous. These qualities are what our customers have grown to love about Silpada jewelry.

View Catalogs here:

Silpada Designs 2008-2009 Catalog:


Silpada Designs 2008-2009 Fine Sterling Silver Jewelry Sterling Additions

Orders will be taken through June 15th, 2009. Must be placed via email or regular mail to:

email to: kcweldy@yahoo.com for the order forms.

If for some reason you would rather not purchase anything and would rather just send a tax deductible donation, please email me at the above email as well and I'll send you the necessary form for that as well. :)

I sincerely thank you all in advance for your help and support!

Rain, Rain, & more Rain and Dining out with Milk allergy...

Well, everyone knows the saying- when it Rain's it Pours and that's been true this spring in IN.

We had a group garage sale, where we sold all of our baby gear and several people brought stuff to sell from our bible study group. This week too, since Hubby had taken the week off work to get a few things done and to prepare for the garage sale as well.

On Wednesday of this week, we took Rei to the groomer to have "the works" done on her, nails trimmed, bath, earls cleaned, and all that. That night however, she started favoring her right front paw and by the next day was refusing to put weight on it. We think she must have sprained it somehow, but it took an afternoon stay with the vet so she could be sedated and x-ray'd to ensure that there wasn't anything else going on. With the sprain, she was off duty for a few days on rest, so I went to the soccer fields hanging on to hubby's arm and used the cane for a couple of days, which REALLY stinks after being used to a good dog!

Soccer was WET, WET, WET! KT's field was a mud bog and is emphatically called "The Mud Bog" for it's name and even the 4's had a really wet field that they were putting sand on and trying to minimize the wetness on. Had they not already had to cancel games twice already, I'm guessing they probably would have cancelled this weekend, but since we didnt cancel, it made for some fun pictures and some REALLY muddy kids!

Coach Hubby gathers the team around him, standing in the mud puddle to get thier feet dirty and to stress that during the game it is OK to run through the mud and get dirty!

\

Fighting for the soccer ball in the mud puddle, water splashing everywhere!



KT sandwiched between two opponents and working the ball through the water.



KT passes the ball back behind her to a teammate and away from the opponent.


KT's second dive into the mud this season, where she has her head up trying to stay out of the water splashing up that can be seen coming up in front of the blue team's player that went down too.



Wet kids walking away from the mud hole. LOL!



The game goes on, KT watching a teammate drive the ball down the field:


A REALLY dirty teammate! :)


More fun splashing in the water to get the soccer ball:


There's a ball here somewhere... two kids, opposing teams, water splashing up above thier heads.


KT diving to grab the ball and protect it as goalie:


KT throwing the ball back into the field of play and away from the goal:


The two very wet, very muddy, and very tired teams pass each other tapping hands and saying good game!


We headed to the van and KT stripped out of her wet soccer shoes & socks and we put a towel over the booster seat for her to sit on for the ride home. She got home and changed into dry clothes and then she and MD helped run the garage sale with the X's and McK's. We all ate lunch and then it was time to head back for AC's game. We got out to the field and it was misting just enough to make everyone and everything wet. Then the winds picked up and with umbrellas and the goal nets inverting, both coaches decided to call it and everyone hurriedly made thier way to thier cars to head home.

We came home and while a nap was really wanted, we went to church and took Rei with us since she seemed to be feeling pretty good. It may have been a bad decision, as while she did her guiding well, she seemed a little sluggish and slow. For dinner, we came home trying to figure out a restaurant that we could take AC to with his newly dx'd milk sensitivity. As we searched sit down chain menu's, we came across a blog post that said that Red Robin had individual menus for the 8 top allergen products for those with these allergies to order from. So we decided to give it a try.

We went to Red Robin and we were VERY impressed with how they handled things and the menu we received. The manager brought out the dairy free menu and explained to us they'd mark our order check, they'd fix things on a separate cooking surface and we were able to just select what we wanted off the menu or if those didnt work, they'd be happy to sub other things as well if they were dairy free. So it was a very enjoyable evening of good food, bottomless strawberry lemon ices, and so forth. So they definately gained a new loyal customer here! Too bad they aren't a little closer, but then maybe its a good thing so we arent going out to eat all the time! LOL!

So we ate well and came home and went to bed.