Growing up I was very lucky to have a big sister who took care of me. She loved me, nurtured me, and made sure my needs were met. And she was just 5 and a half years older than me.
Yet, all my life, she has been there for me, as a sister, substitute mother, and best friend. How lucky I am!
So today, on her birthday, I want to make sure you all know what a wonderful sister I have and how much I wish her a very Happy Birthday!!!
Mel’s Birthday from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.
With the continued absence of hot water in our house and the fact that it has been hot and humid, I decided drastic measures needed to be taken. Friends have offered us their shower and I appreciate that, and eventually, I may take them up on their offer, but on Sunday morning I had a light bulb moment!
I set about boiling water to add to the cold water in my bathtub. I took 4 lobster pots full of water and set them to boil. I then integrated them with cold tap water, to give me enough water for a nice bath. I’d watched countless episodes of Little House on the Praire and watched Ma Ingalls boil water for baths. Surely I too could do this for Jack and me.
Once the tub was half filled I climbed in and I soaped up. I used a scrubby brush, I scrubbed and then rinsed myself. I enjoyed every wet moment of my bath! And it went pretty fast because I knew I needed to share the hot water with Jack.
I called Jack into the bathroom and helped him into the tub. For him, I made two pots of rinse water and then helped him out of the tub. This is no small feat for an eighty-year-old! But we managed to do this and now, as I sit here writing, we are both clean, happy and smelling fresh!
To explain a little about the hot water situation, you see it has almost nothing to do with our hot water tank. What it does have to do with is our Tekmar Control Center. This Controller runs the hot water to each faucet in the house, as well as running the under the floor, radiant water heating system. It’s not the furnace, but this Controller is nearly as pricey and as difficult to get and set up.
We did speak with a company on Saturday and they will arrive first thing on Monday to evaluate the situation. Meanwhile, we wait, and enjoy any hot water we can boil up and use!
I have very mixed feelings today. So much has been going on since I got home, and sometimes I’m not sure if I should be happy/sad/or somewhere in between. I guess somewhere in the middle is just about right. But it leaves me feeling out of sorts. Here’s what been happening here in New Hampshire.
In the last couple of weeks, I have lost two friends. One I had not seen in a while but remembered fondly, and the other one, lived just up the hill, and she passed away from breast cancer.
My friend was such a lovely lady. She made me laugh and smile and was so gracious. Being her friend was a pleasure. I will really miss her. Her service was beautiful, and once again I was crying.
I do believe in Heaven. A place beyond this, where we are reunited with our loved ones. But these partings on earth, I find really difficult to bear. It brings back many of my own heartbreaking losses and I find I start to feel down and sad all over again.
I try to snap out of it, to pick myself up, but that is also hard. I guess I need to do what has worked in the past. Step back, catch my breath and then tomorrow, when I wake up, I will put one foot in front of the other and go on.
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We still have no hot water. Which is a drag. I’ve been heating up water to use for washing, but I am missing showers like you would not believe. I can do dishes in my dishwasher because of the heating water cycle, but I cannot take a shower. I did try. But taking an ice cold shower is like being stabbed by a thousand icy knives! Eeeeek!
A Heating/Plumbing Specialist will be coming on Monday morning. It will be a big job and will be very expensive. VERY expensive. Why couldn’t it have just been a blasted hot water tank?
Oh well, after twenty years I would guess that some things just plain wear out.
I returned home from the Beach Trip with Savannah, only to find we have no hot water. Now, I wish it were as simple as the need for a new hot water tank, but alas, that is not the case.
We have under the floor, radiant, hot water heating. This is run by a Master Controller, made by Tekmar. It’s a great system, or should I say, it was until the Master Unit died. And when it is dead, it is really dead!
The unit is almost 20 years old, so I cannot fault it for its demise, but…have you ever tried to live in a house with 4 dogs and a husband, and no hot water? It’s…ah…unpleasant!
Now our system isn’t the easiest to work with. Most people say, Tekmar? What’s that? So we were lucky enough to get three names of people who do work on our system. The thing is, by the time we got those names it was late in the afternoon on a Friday, and so…no hot water for us for probably a week.
I’ve been heating water for sponge baths, and for washing my hair, I heat several containers to just wash it and rise. Then, I use a leave-in conditioner. But people, I am telling you, I am ready to run away from home!
Meanwhile, our dishwasher has a water heating setting, so at the very least, our dishes are clean and sanitary.
I’m only just slightly stressed but will feel so much better when we can actually reach a person to fix our system. Being in limbo is no fun at all!
Sometimes life happens, and you just sort of have to go with it. Here is my Friday Five explaining what happened to Savannah and me on Thursday morning.
So, although the trip did not end exactly as planned, it was good and perfect just the same. I think both Savannah and I are looking forward to our next trip!
The second day of our grand adventure started with a breakfast here at the hotel. Savannah had scrambled eggs, pancakes and apple juice and I had some eggs and a raisin bagel. Oh yes, and lots of coffee. This proved to be a good thing, as this is probably the most active I have been in a few years!
We decided to do the tourist thing and shop around the town. I wanted Sweatshirts for Savannah and Quinn that said Falmouth, and I wanted one for myself. I wanted them in Falmouth High School’s colors of maroon and white. I found them for Savi and myself, but I was having trouble finding one for Quinn. In the very last store, we went to, I found one and I was thrilled!
We met the Chef at my favorite restaurant while we were walking uptown, and he promised to cook especially for Savi when we came on Wednesday night!
We also wet to Walmart, where they were having the end of summer sales, and we got several things for Savi, such as 2 dresses, underwear, socks, and a few toys and sneakers.
Then just before lunch, we went to the beach When we arrived at the parking lot the young man announced that parking was $15.00 a day. OK, I said, “Do you take Visa, American Express or Diner’s Club?” I must be getting old because he did not get the joke!
We set up our chairs, our umbrella, got out our swim shoes, and then enjoyed the day. Mel and Ron arrived and helped me with my umbrella and we swam with them too. Seagulls tried to get food from Savannah.
We swam and swam, Savannah more than I, and Savannah made a ton of new friends We stayed most of the day until it was time to go back to the room, shower and get ready for dinner.
Dinner was magnificent! I had a stuffed quahog and scallops with a mushroom souffle! I also got an India Pale Ale on tap from Salem, MA. It was very good! And as promised Chef Ricky made Savannah her Parmesan Noodles!
After dinner, we went to the Carousel, where Savi had a great time riding the horse and then we went to the playground where Savi met a new friend. It was almost instantaneous, but she and this young man became instant friends. It was wonderful! His name was Aran, and he was just the nicest young man.
They played until darkness began to fall, and then we walked back to our room. Right now we are winding down before bed. Tomorrow we go to the beach after breakfast, bringing along clothes the change into at the beach house, and at about 1 PM we will head home. Too soon. But maybe we will stay longer next year!
I picked up Savannah pretty early on Tuesday. Mandy and Matt both advised me to wait an hour before heading to the Cape to avoid the traffic. So we left at 9 o’clock and moved right on down the road.
The Adventure Begins!
As we drove along Savannah sang her songs, and played with her iPad, and I could hear her sweet voice. It was that very moment that I decided that Savannah is the perfect riding companion. Part of me fell in love with her all over again.
Her sweetness, her funny jokes, and her laughter were wonderful. I listened, I marveled, that I was lucky enough to be Savannah’s Oma. And that she is my granddaughter.
We arrived in Falmouth about 11:15 and since I was passing the Town Hall and knew I would need a notarized Birth Certificate, as well as Marriage Certificate, I swung in and got copies of both. An old friend, from long ago days is the Town Clerk and it was so fun to see Suzanne after all these years.
We checked into our hotel room and unpacked. And then, met up with my sister Melodie and her husband Ron for lunch. It was fun and we enjoyed seeing them.
Mel mentioned that some old friends of ours were meeting at their rental house at 3 o’clock. Bob was my Guidance Counselor in High School. I have not seen him in years and it certainly was fabulous to see him and his wife.
We stayed for not quite an hour, and then we left, stopping briefly at a few places before returning to the hotel to change into our swimsuits. We decided to sit for a bit and unwind from our busy day.
Then we were there. At the beach of my youth, Surf Drive Beach. Looking out over the water, I could see a lifetime of moments spent there. And then, there was Savannah.
Running in and out of the small waves. Laughing in the surf, talking to the late afternoon seagulls, and building a sand castle with me. Those were quickly knocked down, as the tide was coming in. New moments being made in my life, with my dearest granddaughter.
Our day ended with a Happy Meal for Savannah of Chicken Nuggets, and a “Happy Meal” for me of Fried Whole belly Clams! We picked everything up and came back to our room where we ate, and talked to Mandy on the phone. The first day is going down in the books as an amazing success!
Footnote: While we enjoyed a hot sunny day here on Cape Cod, most all of Massachusetts and New Hampshire had flooding rains and high winds! I had asked the Weather Gods to bless me with good weather for my trip with Savannah and it seemed that they worked their magic!
Have any of you ever opened your fridge and not recognized any of the contents? Honestly, this morning I opened the door to get some cream for my coffee and it looked like a bomb had blown up in there.
I have several household chores that I really hate doing. I really dislike filing, scrubbing the toilet, and dusting. All are Ugh! chores. But at the very top of my list is thoroughly cleaning the fridge.
Today, since things were in such chaos, and I leave Jack tomorrow for a few days, I decided that a thorough cleaning had to be done! I pulled absolutely everything out of the fridge. As I was pulling each item out, I opened and check it out. I checked for mold, date of purchase, etc.
I will not give you the number of items growing mold, after all, who knows, perhaps I have science experiments going on in there. I also will not reveal how many items had expired. *Groan*, I will say that is was a very good day to do this, as it will make my absence easier for Jack to handle. He will be able to find foods that are not going to poison him!
I washed each shelf and drawer and carefully put the fridge back together. This time I left a little more room on the middle shelf, as this is the one that is easiest for Jack to see.
I bought him some Hungryman TV Dinners, and he has some Frozen Breakfast Meals he likes too. I also purchased some fresh P&P Loaf for sandwiches, oh yes, and fresh bread.
So, the fridge is clean, and now all I need to do is clean and organize the Freezer Compartment. That’s on my list for this afternoon. Crazy, yes. But I guess it simply must be done.
Pass me my mittens!
I’m taking a trip, in my car, to Falmouth, on Cape Cod, with my granddaughter, Savannah! I am very excited about this trip and have planned for every contingency. Sun, sand, cloudiness and rain. (Bite your tongue, it will not rain!)
I have my beach cart, beach chairs, umbrella, beach blanket and towels, cooler, sandwich fixings, (PB&J) drinks, (water and apple juice boxes) and best of all, beach toys for Oma and Savi to use while they play in the sand!
My super duper beach cart. Proving I am getting old and can no longer function like a pack mule!
Now you all know of my great love of Falmouth, and the beaches, especially Surf Drive Beach, so this trip is a big deal for me, and I hope for Savannah too!
Me at Surf Drive a few years ago. My how I love this beach!
I have side trips planned to the Woods Hole Aquarium, a great playground at the Mullen-Hall School, where I actually attended grade school, as well as to a special candy shop, where a good friend works. I will not go crazy, but I will allow Savi to pick out a couple of pieces of candy. Not much. Maureen, here we come!
There is a great Crepe Shop in town and I think I may take Savi there for a meal. What’s better than a nice thin pancake spread with peanut butter and jelly? Their crepes are so good and I think she will love it! There is a crepe there with brie cheese that is to die for, and Oma shall have that one! There is also a Dairy Queen and I can see at least one ice cream cone in our future.
My sister Melodie is down there right now and we will be spending beach time with Auntie Mel and Uncle Ron as well. They have plans each night, but that is fine. Savannah and I will do our thing and then we will go back to the motel for sleep.
So Sunday I plan to pack my suitcase. Making a list, as I put each item into my duffel bag. I must make sure to pack my rash guard shirts (these keep you from burning) hats, sunglasses and most importantly sunscreen! On Monday I will take the list and add to it as I put things into the Highlander. Then first thing Tuesday morning, I am off to get my girl!
Let the adventure begin!
I was thinking about family recently. Growing up, I recall that my mother’s family got together a lot. When I was very young, we all met up at my Grandmother’s House in Brighton, Massachusetts. She had a three-story home, that at one time or another had housed Grandma and PapaFred; her parents; her sister, Tilly, and Tilly’s son, George; Papa Fred’s sister, Hedwig and her husband Abert; my Mom and Dad; and my Uncle Bob and his wife Cynthia and their two children Carl and Erica.
Now, these people all passed through the house at one time or another, never all at once, but somehow, Murdock Street was the home base for many years.
Family always gathered at Grandma’s house to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. It was always so much fun. Good food, a lot of laughs, and a lot of hugs. My memories of those long-ago days are still very strong. I recall each family member, be they my Mom’s brother and his family, or all of Papa Fred’s family, as he had many brothers and sisters.
Papa had a heart attack when I was about 10 years old and Grandma and Papa move closer to us in Falmouth, on Cape Cod. They moved three streets away from us, and I remember running through the woods to their house. The door was always open and they were always happy to see me.
Grandma Honey & Papa Fred
The family parties continued, although I admit, they’d gotten smaller because slowly, the family was dying off. Papa was the youngest in his family and I recall his brothers and sisters passing early on. All except the eldest in the family, Hedwig, and she lived to be very, very, old.
In any case, after a few years, Grandma and Papa needed more help and so they bought a house with my Mom and Dad. It was a beautiful big home. Which meant, the family parties continued.
It was great because All the cousins were getting married and having children, and suddenly the parties were filled with babies, toddlers, and children! There was a small lake down the road and in the summer, during the cookouts, this meant swimming times too!
When parties were planned, everyone came. They came to see Grandma. She really loved family and would plan everything and call everyone. Mom would do most of the cooking, with Uncle Betty by her side, and Uncle George and my Dad were great at flipping burgers and hotdogs.
I can still taste my Mom’s potato salad! And why is it that the watermelon tasted so much better when we were all sitting on the fence spitting seeds?
I miss those days. I miss all those people. I miss the family gatherings when we all were together. They do not happen anymore. My sister Melodie and one cousin, Janet and I get together twice a year. But gone are the days of those big family gatherings.
Right now I am trying to establish a time each summer when I share beach time with my grandchildren. I want them to have the Cape Cod experience. I want them to know salty air, sunsets into the ocean and cookouts that last forever. I want them to spit watermelon seeds while they’re sitting on a fence and Dairy Queen runs on a hot summer night!
So many wonderful memories of my own childhood.