Dackel Princess

Happy Birthday, Grandma Honey

February 4th would have been my Grandma Honey’s 119th birthday. It’s difficult to imagine her at that age. She passed from this world into the next over 31 years ago. She was a very important woman in my life, and taught me so much. Even now, I miss her like crazy!

Here she is, Mary Frances Daniell the day she married my Papa, Frederick Carl Prussman.

Here is a picture of Mel and me with our much loved, Grandma Honey, at Goodwill Park.

Grandma Honey and Papa Fred. Theirs was truly an epic love story! They met when they were less than ten years old. Grandma was friends with Papa’s sister, Katchen, and spent a lot of time at the house teaching Katchen to speak English. The family had recently arrived from Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, and aside from the eldest sister, Hedwig, who worked as a Nanny, no one spoke a lot of English.

Anyway, Papa always said he fell in love with her then, and as a teenager, he would chase off any beau that tried to court her. My great grandfather eventually allowed them to become engaged, but insisted that Mary finish college before they married.

They were married until Mary eventually passed from this life to the next. He joined her 8 months later.

The Friday Five

Another week has come and gone. We are now down to the two weeks and counting for my surgery. I am happy and pretty well prepared and looking forward to getting this done. Not much else on my list, but here are the five things I need to do before I go to Boston on the 16th of February.

I need to get my hair cut and shaped. I really wish I could grow it out, but since I am having the surgery through the back of my neck, I need to have my hair cut shorter back there. As I am hoping that this will be my last surgery, I am hopeful that after this I can start the grow out process.
I need to get my nails done. Not like you may think. I need to have them cut and pared. You do not want long nails with sharp edges after this surgery. It’s sad really. I was a nail biter as a child, and managed to quit that. Right now, the nails are naturally long and beautiful. I hate that I have to cut them off.
I go to Boston early next week for my pre-operative testing and a Spine Class. The class I attend will tell me all the things to expect after surgery, and during the months following. I think this will be interesting.
The Dackels all need to get their shots, and Greta has had a little problem and lump. I will have my Vet check this all out. I’m really trying to keep Greta happy and comfortable.
I also need to do one last big shopping. Lots of dog food, paper towels, etc. All the things that we will need for the first few weeks I am home and unable to get out. Hubby can do bread and milk, and odds and end, but the other things must get done.

TBT: One Year Old Me

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Can you believe it’s the end of January? What was the best day of January 2017 for you, and why?

January 3, 2017. It was the day I met Dr. G. down in Boston, and he examined me and found out that I did need more surgery, because the other surgery had failed. I think you believe that being in pain is all in your head. Although the surgery will be extensive, I am confident that this will end the pain.

2. What sounds make up the background noise in your life?

Barking dogs, the low hum of the TV, (I watch movies again and again, not really watching, but just because their familiar words are just background noise in this crazy world) and music, always music. Of course, it is best if this is not all at the same time!

3. I read on the Power of Positivity website a list of ten things to drop from your life right now. They are-

anger outbursts, people who put you down, regret, negative self talk, being a people pleaser, the notion you need to be perfect, the past (but keep the lessons learned!), gossip and judgment, comparing yourself to others, and the word hate (focus on what you love instead)

Which thing on the list do you most need to drop? Are you trying or will you try?

I have been working on this already in the New Year. I tend to have a wicked temper, so I have been trying not too. Regret and negative self talk? Well, I am sort of the Quess of that and I really need to stop.

4. What is sacred to you?

My faith, my family and my friends. God knows that I have a deep and abiding faith in him. I hope my family and friends realize that my love for them is also deep and is sacred.

5. January is National Oatmeal month. Are you a fan, and if so how do you like it?

Oatmeal is okay. Not a super big fan. I can eat it, but I don’t enjoy it. Sort of like eating wall-paper glue unless you doctor it up with brown sugar, etc.

6. What feelings does twilight stir up in you?

Hope. At the beginning of the day, it is the hope for the day. That good things will happen and that beauty will be all around me. At the end of the day, Twilight reminds me that this day is over, and I can relax and enjoy the night.

7. Something you’re looking forward to next month?

I know this is going to sound weird, so just be prepared. I’m looking forward to my surgery! I know initially it will be uncomfortable, but then the healing begins.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

In the last couple of weeks I have been taking roasts, chickens, and such, out of the deep freeze, cooking them up and making casseroles or soups or stews. Then I portion them out for meals, label and freeze them for Hubby to serve during my recovery. Yesterday it was the Cabbage Meatball Soup and today I am making a roast beef, and after I will make beef stew. Preparing helps me stay positive.

Cabbage Meatball Soup

Cabbage Meatball Soup

Slice into bite size pieces:

2 – 3 large onions
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
4 stalks celery
5 carrots
2 garlic cloves
1/2 a head of cabbage cut into bite size pieces.

Meatballs:

1 pound minced beef
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbs parsley

With your hands mix it all up and then form tiny meatballs.

Saute the vegetables (except cabbage) in olive oil, and then add:

One-28 ounce can of diced Italian tomatoes
2 tbs Parsley
1 tbs Italian seasoning
1 tbs Oregano
1 tsp Basil
1/2 tbs salt
12 cups of beef broth
cabbage pieces

Bring to a low simmer and add the meatballs. (Do not precook the meatballs, they will cook in the soup). Add 1 zucchini cut into quarters. Correct the seasoning to taste.

Simmer medium low for 2-3 hours or until all vegetables are done. Serve with crusty bread.

Busy-ness!

I’m trying to get things in order before the surgery. I amaze myself at what I have been able to get done. The biggest thing was to be able to sit and go through clothing and items around the house to donate to our local Charity shop. You should see how much I have to go, but oddly my closet, and house shows no sign of having been gone through! I just have too much crap!

Next week is getting my hair done, then my pre-op, and then the dackels go to the Vet’s for their shots. After that we will do a big shopping for dog food and doggy treats. Little by little we will get things taken care of.

I decided to get out our GPS last night and update it. It took forever, but hopefully all the maps are updated. I need to sit down with Hubby and show him how to recall different addresses and favorites. I am usually the co-pilot and I do the programming, map-reading, and follow along with directions. While I am in the hospital in Boston, it will all be on him.

Hubby is staying just outside of Boston, with our friends, so he can be with me each day, while I am inpatient. I’m glad about this, because last time, I was alone and had no one to advocate for me. Let’s just say, things did not go well.

We have a dog/house sitter coming and so the pooches will all be cared for. I am very happy about that.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Friday Five

I’m down to three weeks until my surgery. I feel like it should be less than that, but then January is a long month. In the next three weeks I have appointments each week that I must get to, for pre-op stuff, and getting my hair done. That is very important because I need the back of my head to have slightly shorter hair so it won’t be near the incision. Anyway, here are the things I’ve been thinking about this week.

I’m ready for Spring. It’s been cold and icy and gray and I have simply had enough of it. We still have snow in the yard, and ice everywhere as well. I know it is only January, but really, I’m done!
My 5 year old love-seat/recliner had a problem. The handle you pull to lift the feet, started to break. I heard a weird noise and stopped using that side of the recliner. The only problem is I am right handed and when I sit on the left side there is no place for my right hand, no place for my right hand to hold a mouse. I also had no table for my cup and no place for my phone. I know, wah, wah, wah! But it just seemed like the one thing I didn’t want to think about right now.
So I got up after breakfast and announced I was going to look for a new chair. I needed something before the surgery that I can sit in comfortably.
Hubby got right up, flipped the chair and spent about 2 hours until he found the problem and fixed it. We ordered a new pulley, (for when the current one does break), but for now we know why it had so much pressure on it and how to keep it from happening again.
And lastly, a fond farewell to Mary Tyler Moore. I loved watching all her shows and thought she was an amazing Comedienne. She also seemed to be a nice person. Rest in Peace, Mary. may you find the happiness and joy that often eluded you on this earth.

TBT: Greta’s First Dog Show

Here she is. Greta. Way back when she was just 2 years old. (She will be 13 in March) This was at her first North American Teckel Club, dog show. (German dog club) She came in second behind the sister of the dog she eventually mated with and had both her litters with. Bernie’s sister, Britta was a beauty, but I felt Greta was far more special. Ah well, Greta got an Excellent and so she and Bernie went on to have two gorgeous litters of puppies. Which gave me Arnie and Anneliese.

Here is Greta with her prize. After the awards, they had toys for the dogs and allowed them to select one out of the box. True to her nature, she went right for the Opossum toy! Gosh, she loved that toy, and had it for a very long time.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. “The cure for anything is salt water-tears, sweat, or the sea.” (Isak Dinesan) Would you agree? Of the three, which has ‘cured’ you most recently?

The ocean has always been my cure all. Having grown up on Cape Cod, it always seemed there wasn’t anything that the grand Atlantic Ocean couldn’t solve.

I still feel that way, despite the fact that I live in the mountains now and don’t see the ocean as much as I once did.

2. What’s something you can’t eat without salt? Do you normally salt your food a lot, a little, or not at all?

I salt my food a little. I like the taste of salt. I love salt on fried eggs, on grits, and baked potatoes. I also love salt on German Pretzels!

3. Sands of time, bury your head in the sand, built on sand, or draw a line in the sand…which sandy phrase could best be applied to something in your life right now?

Ah, the sands of time, as I sit here waiting for my cervical spine surgery. Just a couple more weeks and I will have the corrective surgery that, I hope will end my pain!

4. A favorite book, movie, or song with an island setting or theme?

The Descendants, by Kaui Hart Hemmings. It is both a book and movie. And I loved both. I think this was George Clooney’s best movie ever. It is set in Hawaii and the movie’s cinematography is spectacular!

5. Yesterday-did you run your day or did it run you? How so?

I made a list of everything I needed to do on Monday and get before Tuesday’s ice storm. One by one I checked off the list. Then this morning, sure enough, there roads are terrible. So glad we can stay in.

6. You’re on an island holiday. Will I most likely find you parked in a beach chair, shopping in town, on the back of a jet ski, or snorkeling off the back of a catamaran?

50/50 at the beach and shopping. After all, I need to protect my skin!

7. What do you think we humans most take for granted?

Other human beings. Especially the ones in our lives. The ones we love.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I had an amazing thing happen yesterday. I was out in the driveway, and I called for Lili who was at the top of our drive. She stopped, looked down the hill at me, and when I called again, she can running full speed, and stopped and sat right in front of me! It’s taken me two years to get her to do that! I was so proud of her!!!

And It Was Monday…

First thing on Monday I called our oil provider and asked for a delivery. We were down to a quarter of a tank, and we have an ice storm arriving tonight. Our driveway is 500+ feet downhill, with our house at the bottom. An oil truck trying to get down has no problem, but on a slippery surface, those trucks really have a tough time getting out. As soon as they knew it was for us, they made sure we got oil today, as their drivers really hate our driveway.

Later, I had a list of things I needed to do, and I asked for help with all the driving. So just after noon today we set off to the Pharmacy for cough drops, the grocery store for their great sales on Brussel Sprouts, Eggplant, Liverwurst and soups, the bank to order more checks, and the Post Office for the mail. By the time we got back, I was a little tired, but still had two things on my list. Dinner and laundry.

I had two loads of tough stained laundry, but this wonderful washing machine cleaned them right up with their soak and second rinse cycle. Sweet!!!

Dinner is Unstuffed Cabbage, which is cooking in the oven right now in my Dutch Oven. It smells amazing! After dinner, I just need to do the clean up and then collapse in bed! But I did get a lot done.

Tomorrow I plan to watch movies and enjoy the weather. Since it is supposed to be a combination of ice and snow, I plan to go no where! Quite happily so!