The Dackel Princess

TBT: Queen of the Ball

Long ago and far away, in a place called Massachusetts, I was growing up. At the time I belonged to The Rainbow Girls, and although I never did as well as my sister did in the organization (she went all through the chairs and became Worthy Advisor), I did hold several offices, and I sang. Yes, yours truly, who is quite nervous about singing in front of people actually used to sing for large groups at our local organization as well as get loaned out to other chapters.

The year I was 15, I was the only girl going to the Rainbow Ball in Boston from our Chapter in Falmouth. Thus I was entered into the Pageant to see who would be crowned Queen of the Ball.

When I arrived, I was given an entry number of 13. Yup, 13. I remember thinking that I sure was sunk now, as 13 was an unlucky number.

My date that night was my ex-husband, and as we danced he joke about it a little, trying to get me to relax. I did and I recall there being a lot of fun and laughter that night.

My sister had attended this Ball in the past but had not won. So, I knew that I didn’t stand a chance. Melodie is delicate and beautiful and everything a fairy princess should be. At 15 I was awkward and big-boned and totally unsure of myself!

The evening wore on and I danced in the beautiful yellow gown that my mother had made for me, and I talked to my date and laughed and had a great time.

After all, I wasn’t going to win!

Eventually, we were all called to line up with our dates and promenade around the dance floor. A person would come up and tap your card and you would go to sit down.

Well, we walked and walked and walked, and other girls were removed from the line-up. Then there were probably three of us left. They called the second runner-up, then the first runner-up, and then that left me!

I was escorted by my date to the dais where I was crowned the 1973 Queen of the Rainbow Girls Ball!

Looking back I still cannot believe that I won. My escort always claimed it was because he was my date that night.

Whatever the case, it was the first time in my young life that I truly felt pretty.

And for one night I truly was, Queen of the Ball, just like Cinderella!

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

Since I have not done a Wednesday Hodgepodge in a while, I thought I might join in this week! Here we go!

1. What’s one part of your everyday routine you’d be better off without?

I wish I did not have to make two breakfasts. I am an early riser, and Jack often sleeps in until well after ten o’clock. So I make my meal at 7:30-8:00 AM and then his late morning!

2. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. So what did you/will you do?

Well, I made a nice dinner for the two of us. I had some Turkey Cutlets and made Jack fries in the Air Fryer.

3. What question do you hate to answer

How many children do you have? It’s always tough. Do I tell a complete stranger about Katie or simply omit it until I know them more? I used to tell everyone two, but now I say one and two fabulous grandchildren. If I get to know that person better down the road I will tell them about Katie.

4. Do we have control over technology or does it have control over us? In that same vein, have you watched The Social Dilemma (available on Netflix), and if so what did you think?

I do not have Netflix and actually, I probably won’t. Happy with all the TV stuff I have.

That being said, I do think that technology is taking over. I force myself to learn all the new programs simply to keep up.

5. What are three small things that make your day better?

Arnie, Anneliese, and Lili. Every moment of every day. I am grateful for my furry friends and their unconditional love!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

As Autumn comes to us, I truly wonder what it will bring. I hope people are getting their flu shot, to help in preventing a Regular Flu Pandemic. I also worry that if someone gets a normal case of the flu and then contracted Covid they’d be a goner. I guess all I can do is take care of myself and hope for the best in the world.

I wish you all a good week with a lot of sunshine!

What Could Have Been…

Last night I had written a post about my computer woes and how I have learned to fix them over time. Ah, the words flowed from my fingers onto the keyboard, as I composed sheer poetry! Never have I explained a situation with mere words in such an expressive manner.

I knew I would surely win the Pulitzer Prize for Blogging, so I asked Jack who is an English Language/Grammer enthusiast, to go over this masterpiece and correct it for me, before I posted it, and likewise to send a copy to Columbia University for Pulitzer consideration.

I went into the kitchen to start dinner and he sat down with a glass of wine to begin the task at hand.

Then I heard it! Those fateful words. “The post has disappeared!” I ran to the computer, took it from his hands, and I looked. Gone! Gone! All my hopes of International fame and fortune! Gone!

Jack apologized over and over, but I knew in my heart that life would never be the same.

When I die now, my obituary will read…” and she would have won a Pulitzer Prize for Blogging, but her husband accidentally deleted the post”.

The Weekend Wrap October, 5th

Now that I am back home, I can write about my visit with Mandy, Matt, and the kids and my trip home. It was all pretty interesting, so here we go!

After getting my prescription I headed to Mandy and Matt’s house. The kids were so thrilled to see me and to introduce me to their new puppy, American Eskimo Puppy, Winter.

I will say that Winter is one of the sweetest puppies ever and of course, I am already crazy about her

Naturally, since she is not quite 12 weeks, we spent a lot of time taking her outside to learn how to do her business there, before coming back in for more love and cuddles.

I offered to watch everyone so Mandy and Matt could go on a date. Restaurants here are allowed to serve outside and with social distancing. I think it was their first date night since February.

I also was able to ask Matt some questions about my Amazon Echo. I was not getting the coverage from my Wifi with it and I wasn’t sure what was going on. Matt had some good suggestions.

So while their parents were out, we watched Frozen 2, which I had not seen, and I made dinner for them.

I also brought with me Mickey Mouse Ice Cream, like they have at the Theme Parks and they both enjoyed that!

Savi and I talked and played word games and Quinn got into my lap and cuddled quite a bit. It felt wonderful!

Soon, I crawled into bed with them both and fell asleep almost instantly. There is no better feeling than snuggling with your grandbabies!

The next morning, Mandy made an awesome breakfast and we sat talking for a long time. She is such an amazing woman and I am so proud of her.

Before I knew it, I needed to start my journey home. I needed to stop at the grocery store closer to my home to stock up on food and drinks.

The trip from Mandy’s house usually takes me 45 – 50 minutes, at the most to a good grocery store called Market Basket. But as I got onto the highway, I drove less than two miles and came to a dead stop! Seems there were many people from Massachusetts coming up here to New Hampshire to go Leaf Peeping. The trip took me two hours and fifteen minutes! I don’t think I drove over 15-25 miles per hour the entire way. It was grim!

While shopping I discovered that two of my favorite items are back in! Koru Apples from New Zealand and a cold cut called Cranberry and Sage Turkey Breast! I also got a Roast Beef, which I am currently cooking.

Soon I was home and Jack helped me carry up the sacks of food, and I got everything put away. I was feeling pretty tired by then and so I had picked up a frozen stir fry meal, which I cooked at the appropriate time. It was just okay.

Soon I collected Arnie and went to bed. I was still having trouble with the Echo Show. It was not connecting to the Wifi. I was simply too tired to care and I fell asleep.

Today (Sunday) I woke up and noticed the Echo was sending me messages. So I stopped what I was doing and sat there and entered my Wifi password and then my Amazon password and now it is working fine! I swear to God that if I sleep on a problem with a computer or it’s peripheral, the next day it fixes itself!

So, the weekend was a very interesting one, and despite the traffic jam yesterday, I have been able to kick back and relax and work toward recovery from my UTI.

Here is hoping the week ahead will be calm and relaxing. Something I think we all need during this time of Covid.

Being Sick In The Time Of Covid

Summer has completely disappeared now and our temperatures have dropped to the thirties at night and fifties during the day. When I woke on Sunday morning it was a chilly sixty-two degrees in the house. As much as I hated to, I turned on the heat until I brought the temperature up to 69. Then I shut it down. The sun is up and shining on our house, and it will sustain the temperature for the rest of the day.

On Friday I woke feeling sick. I had a slight fever, but I knew I had a UTI. I called my doctor. I needed a urinalysis and antibiotics. I was not sick with the Covid, it was a lady problem, UTI and I mean, come on. I needed some simple doctoring!

Well at the Women’s Clinic I go to they would not see me because I was sick, and I had run a slight fever of 99.6! I needed to find an Urgent Care Center and go there, lest I bring the Covid to the Women’s Center!

My feeling is this. I was sick with what I knew to be a Women’s issue and needed some simple care. Sending me to an Urgent Care Center was almost more dangerous as they do see Covid Patients there!

I was perplexed. What do I do? In the end, I decided I had no choice. I selected an Urgent Care in an area with no new cases of the Virus. I wore a mask, used hand sanitizer, and prayed a whole lot!

I tinkled in the cup and then waited to see the Nurse Practitioner. Sure enough, I have a raging UTI, which required antibiotics and a drug to coat the urinary tract and help with the pain.

I asked if they’d had any positive Covid patients recently and he told me the last one had been over two months ago. I felt slightly better. However, when I got to my car I washed down with disinfectant wipes and changed my shirt.

After finishing up there, I drove to the Pharmacy in my daughter’s town, as I was on my way to see them. Their Pharmacy was a nightmare and I am glad I live in a small town.

Tomorrow I will write about my visit with the kids and my new grand-dog, Winter!

The Friday Five

Welcome to October, Ladies, and Gentlemen! Here we are in the rather beautiful month of October, just eighty-four days from Christmas! Now that we are well into Covid, the year is going by rather quickly. So, here is this week’s Friday Five.

Since WW (formerly Weight Watchers) has abandoned us up here in the wilds of New Hampshire, there were friends of mine from class who decided that we needed each other. We needed that support. What we have learned is that WW actually doesn’t get it anymore. Covid or not, they have let each and every one of us down.
So, I went to my Ladies meeting today and I have to tell you, meeting outside, socially distanced with each other, talking about our wins and losses with the scale have helped us so much. Our little group is about more than just the scale and I feel so blessed to have these twelve women in my life.
Tomorrow I am going to see my grandchildren. We are all Socially Distancing and keeping a very small bubble.I will be meeting my new grand-dog, Winter Molly, and of course seeing my wonderful first grand-dog, Freya.
So my little Echo Show 5 arrived and I set it up. It is wonderful! The clock part is just what I wanted. Now I know it will take me a while until I figure it all out, but so far, so good!
Well, my Steak Fajitas came out okay. Really, it would have been better if we could have grilled the steak, but it was fine. I think I actually enjoyed the Chicken Fajitas more.

So that’s this week’s list. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are!

Music & Sleep

Today was the day that our big rain arrived. We have not had any measurable rain for some time, and right now we are hoping that the forecast of 2 inches of the wet stuff is true. Personally, I do not think it was.

I have planned Steak Fajitas for tonight’s dinner, but I did need some Fat Free Sour Cream and my low-calorie Wraps. I was amazed at how diet-friendly I can make these.

Again, the day yesterday was sunny and pretty and the ride to the store and back was a nice one, but there was something new to enjoy.

Amazon offered me 4 months of Amazon Prime Music for 99¢. I felt like I needed to try this, especially as I made the leap and ordered an Echo Show for my bedside.

The Echo will allow me to have a good size clock, one that resets automatically, one I can play music on, and even watch videos.

It wasn’t terribly expensive and I am looking forward to having it by my side. So often at night, I have trouble sleeping and the TV lights up the room. If I can just listen to soft music I think it will help.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

Happy Birthday, Uschi!

Today is the birthday of my best friend, Uschi!

Oh, how I wish she lived just down the street and I could bake her a special cake and bring it over, with a bottle of champagne, and celebrate the day of her birth!

Friendship

There’s a miracle of Friendship
that dwells within the heart,
And you don’t know how it happens
or where it gets its start…
But the happiness it brings you
always gives a special lift,
And you realize that Friendship
Is God’s most perfect gift.
-Jean Kyler McManus-

So Happy Birthday, my dearest friend and sister!

Sending you all of my love!

This & That

Life is full of a series of this and that’s and so today I thought I would put together a Bulleted Entry of the weird things that are either going on, or I am thinking about. Trust me, these things, although not connected, are all spinning in my mind. Here goes.

I was driving to the store today to buy a few items. I noted how really beautiful it’s getting to be.
Autumn is certainly my favorite time of year.
After all the negative crap on Facebook, I joined two lists. One is for Wire-haired Dackel owners who want to share their pictures of their beloved pups.
My Anneliese.

Every day I am deluged with adorable dog faces! It has made my day every day! The other is a list for Air Fryer Owners. People share recipes and tips for using Air Fryers.
I have purposely unfollowed anything political on Facebook. It all started when I did read things people were posting. They were hateful and horrible and I do not need that in my life. I did not unfriend one person, but I did snooze a few for 30 days. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t people I actually knew who wrote the hateful things, it was forwards.
The French Open Tennis is now being played. Usually, it is played in the Spring, when Paris is lovely. Not in Autumn when it is cold and rainy. It’s a challenge for the players.
We have a Foliage Train that goes by our house for six weeks in the Fall. I always know their schedules so I can keep my dogs in and away from the train tracks. Sadly, we have not had one train. I think between Covid and the cost, people have opted out. And this year is going to be such a splendid year!
I hit a plateau with losing weight. So, I decided to get back to basics. I started on Saturday to really watch that I was eating and I hope that either this week or next I will get going again.
I have just 14 pounds left to lose. I know that the last few pounds are often the hardest to lose.
Today I decided that I had stared at the Dust Bunnies long enough and I got out my vacuum.
I did the kitchen and family room before putting it all away. My back and shoulders do not do well for long stretches of vacuuming. But today, I did get that much done!
With the wildfires on the West Coast of the USA, we have been having very odd skies. Even though it has been very dry, with no rain, we have had this haze over us. The light is very different than it usually is. Strange.
We had a large bowl of peaches in our fridge. Yesterday I cleaned and sliced them up. They are so delicious! It was a small crop this year, but at least we got a good number to make Jam and enjoy it!
I’ve really been enjoying watching The Dog Whisperer in the morning with Cesar Milan. He is such an amazing man and has so many tips on how to handle problems with pooches!
I have a new grand-puppy.
Her name is Winter Molly and she is almost 12 weeks old!

She is a sweet and cuddly little American Eskimo puppy!
I ordered several things from my Pampered Chef party. The Air Fryer is fun, and I am getting used to it, and I do like the oven rack covers, so I am not burning myself, but the two things I’m loving the most is the set of glass mixing bowls and the wire whisk. Both are things I use daily and I just love them.
I will say that the items I got from Pampered Chef are all really good quality items. After thirty-three years of marriage, I really needed to upgrade a few things.
Lastly, I am planning on getting out a bunch of yarn that I have and make a lapghan. A Lapghan is a small throw blanket for your legs in the winter. Some people use them while sitting in their chairs in the evening, some use them in their car. I shall report in as I go.

Coffee, Peaches, & Beauty!

Yesterday I woke up and made the coffee, and as I went to prepare my cup I noted I was out of Splenda Sweetener. That’s okay, I thought, because I had just purchased a box of Splenda packets to carry in my purse.

So, I got that out, added it to the coffee, and took a wonderful sip. Oh, yuck! It tasted like cardboard!

Thinking I may have added too much, I poured a second cup and then tried it. Yuck!

Then it hit me. The lack of taste! Oh my God! I’ve got the Covid!

I ran to the fridge, grabbed a peach, and bit into that. Sweet, delicious, yummy, and with taste! Oh, thank the Lord! No Covid here!

I went back to the grocery store and brought the box. I explained the situation, and they refunded my money, while I picked up fresh, loose, store brand, Sucralose. Happily, I drove home and made fresh coffee and had a cup.

This morning all is well. The coffee was good and the temperature outside is actually warm. The sun was rising and I snapped this picture looking across our Lake.

It’s a wee bit cloudy and we are all praying for rain as we are in a drought right now. We need rain. A lot of rain!

Happy Sunday everyone!