Dackel Princess

The Friday Five!

Well, here we are again! Another week has come and gone as well as the summer. Welcome Autumn, as today is the first day of my favorite season. So many things are happening right now, but here are this week’s top five!

Our dear friends from Massachusetts are coming up today to go out to lunch with us. So, what does this mean? All the little jobs I’ve been putting off in the house got done on Thursday. Things like vacuuming and washing floors and dusting….but it all got done. The house looks and smells great!
I went and had my hair styled yesterday. It’s slowly growing out, and I love how my new stylist is helping me achieve this. She is also a master with color, and I feel so fresh and rejuvenated. The new style is in the side bar to the right.
It looks like it will probably be too cool to wear bathing suits to the beach next week when my sister and cousin and I go to the Cape. But that’s okay. Our alternate plan is to go to the beach, in jeans and a sweat shirt, sit on our beach chairs and enjoy the ocean.
I am so looking forward to our girls weekend. It’s our first one ever! Sort of odd thinking about this, as Melodie and I grew up in Falmouth on Cape Cod, and Janet came down all the time. And here we are grown adults, and we’ve never done this before. I guess there is a first time for everything!
I started working on a Christmas gift. I would really like to make several Christmas gifts for people this year. I want to personalize things a little more.

Well, that’s it for this week. I hope your week was a good one, and that the start to your Autumn is full of bright skies, colorful leaves and happiness!

TBT: Baby Shubi

Our darling Shubi, our first wire-haired dachshund, was born in Landshut, Germany. She was the light of my life and although she has been gone ten years, I still miss her very much. Here is a picture that was taken the day we brought her home from the breeders.

And here she is with Jack during her later years.

Shubi only lived 10 years, due to a terrible illness called Granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) which is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. We treated her with chemotherapy pills and prednisone, until we knew it was time to stop.

But she sure was a special dog and we enjoyed each and every day that we shared with her!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s something you’d rate a 10/10? Tell us why.

Oh definitely my grandchildren, Savannah and Quinn. They put a smile on my face each and every day. When I am able to actually be with them it is even better! Love being an Oma!

2. What job would you be terrible at? What makes you think so?

Principal at a high school. There is no way I could handle difficult situations with hostile kids. I’m just not tough. I wish I was, but I am just not.

3. When did you last take a fall? What’s something you’re falling for (in a good way) these days?

Last fall? Well, I actually fell in the shower about 6 weeks ago. Thankfully I got nothing more than a small bruise.

What am I falling for in a big way? Aside from my grandchildren, I am falling for The Pioneer Woman. Now I am not like many of her fans, who have purchased every bit of kitsch that she has in the stores, but I do enjoy her shows and the cooking. I have tried a few of her recipes and all I can say is, the girl can cook!

4. According to the Travel Channel here are some of America’s best fall festivals-

National Apple Harvest Festival (near Arendtsville PA, close to Gettysburg), Harvest on the Harbor (Portland Maine), German Village Festival (Columbus Ohio), Wellfleet Oyster Fest (Cape Cod), and Wine and Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe NM)

Have you ever been to any of the festivals listed? Which one appeals to you most? Does your hometown have any sort of fall celebration, and if so will you make it a point to attend?

We have a chowder festival in the Autumn and many Farm Festivals, as I live in Farm Country, here in New Hampshire. Although I have not been to the festivals mentioned I have been to Apple Festivals, and German/American Festivals, in this country and in Germany, as well as Lobster and Strawberry Festivals on my native Cape Cod.

5. What is your goodbye message to summer?

Let’s do it better next year! This was a rather challenging summer, and next year I really want to get to the beach and spend more time with my grandchildren!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I came across a video on the Internet made by a nurse on Facebook. (I have included the link for anyone who is on Facebook, so you can view it) The Nurse had just come off of a long shift at the hospital, where she comforted a man as he passed from this life to the next.

She talked about the beauty of this experience, but also encouraged people to live our lives to the best of our abilities! Enjoy life, find happiness, do what you love! Life is so short! Don’t waste time!

This & That Tuesday

After a somewhat challenging summer with Jack’s toes (foot), I am finally happy to report that things are healing up. I have learned so much during this time, throughout the long process of recovery. I have learned the correct way to treat sores and splits, and when to call it a day and get him into the doctor.

During our last visit to the doctor, he commented that I have done an amazing job caring for Jack. This made me feel pretty happy. It is not easy work, and there have been times, I felt like I was failing. But in the end, I have done well, and for that I am proud.

I am getting ready for my second High School Reunion. You see, I officially graduated in 1976, a year ahead of my actual class. I wanted to get married to my High School Sweetheart, and so I went to summer school and got all the credits needed to graduate a year early.

Last year I attended The Class of 1976 – 40th reunion. That was a lot of fun. I have so many long term friends in that class as well, and had a wonderful time. This year is the 40th Reunion for The Class of 1977. My actual class. These are the people I have known since I went to Nursery School.

I looked at the RSVP list and I can honestly say I know each and every one of these people and had many classes with them during those years.

My sister and cousin are coming down with me. Although they won’t go to the Reunion, we are planning to do some fun things around Falmouth, the town I grew up in.

One thing I hope I can do is go for a long walk along the beach. For me, tasting the salt on my lips, and feeling the ocean air in my face and hair, makes me feel like I have come home.

The Friday Five

The leaves are starting to change here in my part of the world. I love it. At first the green leaves look just slightly off, and then the trees start to get tipped with yellows, red, orange and coral colors. The apples are ripening on our trees and that is beautiful as well! Autumn truly is, my favorite time of year!

It’s been a rather busy week for me, although most of my week was spent at home. Here’s what’s happening in my world.

The week started with me having a touch of Vertigo. I’ve had it before, but not in a long time. The first day was the worst, but as the week wore on, I found I got progressively better. Here we are on Friday and I am fine!
I made two stir fry’s this week. A Chicken and a Beef stir fry. Both were so easy to make, tasted great, and we both really enjoyed them. I am finding that we like lighter fare more than we used to. Anything super heavy and neither one of us feels well after.
Jack hates the new flip phone I got him when his old flip phone died last summer when he was in the hospital. Frankly, so do I. I cannot hear in it and find it difficult to open. So, I was playing with his old dead phone, and I cleaned all the contacts and I actually got it running again. Not only that, but I switched the number from the bad flip phone back to his much loved flip phone, by following Verizon’s instruction page. My hope it that I can teach Jack to use my Samsung Galaxy S5 so I can get the new Galaxy phone for my birthday!
Jack is doing okay, although he does have two places on one of his toes that are concerning me. I have doctored them and kept infection from setting in. We go to the Podiatrist today, and we will see what he says. Hopefully, we have done everything right.
I met the two new Veterinarians that are taking over the Practice of my much loved Vet. Now she will work for them part time, but they not only bought her Practice, but her big old farmhouse and farm as well. They seem very nice and it’s my hope they will care for my pack of hounds with the same love as Julie always did. Especially my Greta.

So that wraps up a rather crazy week. But in the end, it was all good. Enjoy your weekend, folks!

New Glasses!

My new glasses arrived today. After a year and a half with pink metal frames (what was I thinking?), my new glasses came. They are gold on the top with no bottom frame. I think they pretty much melt into my face.

I did wear contact lenses when I was younger, but after the retina surgeries, I can no longer do that. So….I will continue to find frames that I like, or at least try.

On the left are the old pink metal frames. On the right are the new golden ones, with just a touch of bling! I thought I liked the pink frames. Something different. But I found that it only drew attention to the glasses. I really like me in gold.

Honestly, I am just thankful that I can see perfectly with my glasses and my vision for reading is 20/20 too! I am so grateful to Dr. Chapman, my Retinal Surgeon for repairing both of my retinas and restoring my vision!

With my glasses I can see my beautiful daughter and grandchildren, my husband, our dogs, and the glorious world around me! In fact today as we drove to pick up our glasses (Jack was with me, as he got new glasses too!) I could see the leaves that were just starting to turn color, the brightest, cloudless blue sky, and the apples growing on our trees.

So much beauty! Life is good!

Remembering September 11, 2001

I think we all can tell you where we were, and what we were doing on that fateful day, ten years ago.

September 11, 2001

It was a beautiful day here in New Hampshire. Sunny, bright, clear with blue skies. I was taking a shower getting ready for a dental appointment, while Hubby was working on shingling the house. It was a day like any other here.
Hubby had the TV in our bedroom pointed out the window so he could listen to the morning news.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my arm and Hubby told me I had to get out of the shower now, something was happening. I was a little dazed and confused. I shut the water in the shower off and grabbed my towel.

Hubby and I sat in our family room watching Fox News, ABC, and CNN. A plane had hit one of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in downtown New York City.

While we watched, suddenly another plane came in and hit the other Tower!
We were both in shock. We listened to reports. No one was saying terrorism, not at first. But both Hubby and I knew.

I look at this picture, and I know that none of those innocent people got out alive. That thought brings me to tears each time.

We watched the Tower’s come down, one and then the other. We knew people had died. We just didn’t know how many.

At 12:30 I drove to my dental appointment. There was not another car on the road. Not one. I got to my dental appointment and found that I was the only patient that hadn’t cancelled that day.

When I got home we watched the TV all day. I called my family and my close friends. Just to hear their voices.

It doesn’t matter your political affiliations, or how you feel about the war. What matters is on September 11, 2001 innocent people died in New York City, In Washington, DC and in Shanksville, PA.

People like you and like me. Just because they were Americans.
That was the day I learned that we are no longer safe here at home.

I also learned that when our country is attacked in such a manner, we pull together and unify.

God Bless all who lost their lives that day, to their families, who will never be the same, and all who serve this country each and every day to protect and defend us.

September 11, 2001: Basic Facts

Chronology
8:46 AM Plane crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
9:03 AM Plane crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
9:17 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shuts down all New York City area airports.
9:21 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halts all flights at U.S. airports. It is the first
time in history that air traffic has been halted nationwide.
9:38 AM Plane crashes into the Pentagon. Evacuation begins immediately.
9:45 AM The White House evacuates.
10:05 AM The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
10:10 AM A portion of the Pentagon collapses.
10:10 AM Plane crashes in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
10:22 AM The State and Justice Departments, as well as the World Bank are evacuated.
10:28 AM The World Trade Center’s north tower collapses.
10:45 AM All federal office buildings in Washington, D.C. are evacuated.
1:44 PM Five warships and two aircraft carriers are ordered to leave the U.S. Naval Station
in Norfolk, Virginia to protect the East Coast.
4:10 PM Building 7 of the World Trade Center collapses.

The Flights
American Airlines Flight 11
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 92 people on board
Crashed into North Tower of World Trade Center at 8:46 AM

United Airlines Flight 175
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 65 people on board
Crashed into South Tower of World Trade Center at 9:03 AM

American Airlines Flight 77
From: Washington, D.C. (Dulles Airport)
To: Los Angeles, CA
Lives: 64 people on board
Crashed into the Pentagon at 9:38 AM

United Airlines Flight 93
From: Newark, New Jersey
To: San Francisco, California
Lives: 44 people on board
Crashed into rural Pennsylvania (southeast of Pittsburgh)

Victims
Victims came from more than 90 countries around the world.
The following are the number of people who died at each site:

World Trade Center 2,823 (includes airline passengers)
Pentagon 125 (not including plane victims)
Flight 11 – 92 people on board
Flight 175 – 64 people on board
Flight 77 – 64 people on board
Flight 93 – 44 people on board

The initial numbers are indelible: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m, the times the Towers were hit. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. From there, they ripple out.

Fact Sheet
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
August 15, 2002

Mandy

Recently, I scanned a few pictures I had of a very young Mandy. Back then, there were no digital cameras, where you keep shooting until you got the picture you wanted. But somehow, I did get a few good ones back then.

So here we go. My daughter, Amanda way back when…

I can see so much of Savannah, when I look at Mandy’s pictures. The same little round face, and chin, and happy, easy going smiles. Mandy has grown into a beautiful woman, with a lovely family of her own.

Mandy and Savannah

Mandy and Quinn

Mandy, Matt and their beautiful children.

The Friday Five

Another week has come and gone, although this one seemed to go by much faster. Perhaps it is because of Labor Day having been on Monday, and thus shortening the week. Despite that, here are the five things on my mind, as the week closes.

Jack was in to see his foot doctor on Wednesday. The infection has pretty much cleared up, (thanks to my excellent nursing care!) and the ulcer is almost healed and gone. This is such good news! The flip side of this is that the toe is a hammer toe, and eventually will have to come off. But just not yet, and that is a very good thing!
I got a letter on Tuesday telling us that our much loved Veterinarian is retiring and selling her practice to a young, married couple. They are both Veterinarians who graduated from Tuft’s Veterinarian School. On Saturday there is a party to celebrate her retirement and to meet the new Veterinarians. I am so sad to see Dr. Julie retire. She has been with us through so many tough times. And she has also been with us through those really happy times too. Pets are such a blessing!
I finally got down to making my tomato sauce. I got my 15 pounds of tomatoes at the Farm Stand, and also my vegetables, and then picked up my ground beef and Italian sausage.
While the tomatoes were cooking down, I sat down an started chopping vegetables. I chopped and chopped and chopped. Then began sauteing the vegetables, and in another pan, sauteing the meat, and eventually putting it all together to simmer. You can get the recipe HERE.
We’ve really been enjoying the corn this summer. We eat corn two or three times a week. Our local corn has simply been the best! YUM!
Yesterday we got home after a long day. I’d quite literally run through the grocery store, so I could get Jack back home and off his feet. In any case, when we finally got the groceries put away, I went into the bedroom and put on my pajamas. When I was done I slipped my clogs back on and went out to make dinner. I did that, and the dishes and then finally, sat down. Then, as I sat there Jack looked at my feet and said, “Look at your feet.” Which I did, and then burst out laughing! I had one gray clog on and one black clog. And I had for almost 2 hours, without even noticing it! It’s still making me smile and laugh just a little today!

Have a great weekend Everyone!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When you think about your future what do you fear most? Hope for the most?

I fear being separated from my family. But my greatest hope, is that my family will enjoy good health and long, happy lives!

2. September is National Chicken Month. How often is chicken on the menu at your house? What’s a favorite dish made with chicken? What’s something you’re a ‘chicken’ about doing or trying?

We eat chicken a couple times each week. I love chicken, really! So good!

My favorite chicken meal is “Julia’s Roasted Chicken”. You can get the recipe HERE. What am I a chicken about? Not too much, probably going into crowded places.

3. What are three things you don’t own but wish you did?

About the only thing I wish I had would be a fenced in yard. I have wanted that since we built the house, but it’s one thing that Jack and I could never agree on.

4. Would you rather be a jack of all trades or a master of one? Elaborate. If you answered one, which one?

Well, since I am, sort of, a “Jack of All Trades” I will simply have to stick to that answer.

5. Ketchup or mustard? On what?

I like ketchup but not on too much. I used to eat it on everything. But got away from that. Now I use it, on fries, but just a little. Mustard? Great on hotdogs and Reuben Sandwiches!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I woke in the night and noticed our automatic outside lights were on. I looked out the window and saw some small critter eating an apple in our driveway. I think it was a ground hog or larger possum. But they certainly were enjoying the apple.