Dackel Princess

The Friday Five

Life continues to fly by and this week was the return to a real spring! Yesterday our temperatures soared to nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with thick gooey air. So here are the five things going on in my life.

The apple blossoms are out on the trees. They’re so beautiful and fragrant. Truly one of my favorite times of the year in my back yard orchard!
I learned a new way of cooking a thick steak. Salt and pepper the meat. Sear it in a hot cast iron pan for 4 minutes on each side and then stick the skillet in the oven for 5 minutes. Done! It was so good!
My other great meal of the week was Scallops, Mushroom Risotto, and Corn on the Cob. Yes, I think I am finally getting back into my cooking groove!
With the temperatures close to 100 yesterday, I was so happy to have all the air conditioners in the windows. It kept the house nice and cool and the air fresh.
We are looking at attending Hubby’s Army Aviators Reunion in Kansas City, Missouri, in October. I think it would be fun. Anyone know of things to do in Kansas City, MO?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. May 17th is National Pack Rat Day. Sidebar-should we be celebrating this? Hmmm…

No, no, no!

Are you a pack rat? Even if you’re not a full fledged pack rat, most people have one thing or another they struggle to part with. Tell us what’s yours.

Hubby is a pack rat. His motto is, “I might use this before I die!” I am more of a thrower. But gave up long ago.

2. What are two things you know you should know how to do, but you don’t?

Change a tire and bake a sponge cake.

3. Do you crave sugar? Do you add sugar to your coffee and/or tea? Do you use artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes? When dining out is dessert a given? Are you someone who has slain the sugar dragon, and if so tell us how you did it.

I use Splenda. I try not to give in to sweets, but it is hard. I do have a sweet tooth. When I go out, usually I am too full for dessert.

4. What’s a trend it took a while for you to come round to, but now you can’t imagine living without?

Prescription sunglasses. I knew I needed them, as clip on and sunglasses that fit over my glasses were uncomfortable. Finally I splurged and when I got my last glasses I picked out a funky frame (deep purple!) and had them made into “el cheapo” sunglasses. I love them!!!

5. What’s a song that reminds you of a specific incident in your life? Please elaborate.

This song makes me think of my older brother and sister. My brother had many handicaps and challenges and he was born on the date mentioned. My sister was born next on the dates mentioned and the whole song just reminds me of his battles in life.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Today it is supposed to be like the middle of the summer. Our temperatures are due to soar into the upper 80’s and the sun will shine brightly! I am so ready for this!!!

Mother’s Day

When I think about Mother’s Day, I do think of my own Mom. Ours was a very complicated relationship, but in the end, there is love and for that, I am grateful.

But Mother’s Day also reminds me to thank God for the blessings in my own life that made me a Mom and an Oma (grandmother).

I have been blessed! I gave birth to two beautiful, intelligent, fun, and adventurous daughters. Amanda came first on December 20th, and the feeling of profound joy that I felt with her birth is something I can never fully explain. Looking into her tiny face, knowing that she was made from our love, was amazing!

Next came our Katie, on November 8th. What a surprise she was with her fiery, red hair and green eyes! She was a sweet, loving, child, and her loss is something I will never get over.

Time passed, Mandy grew up, and then on the 31st of May in 2012, my first granddaughter, Savannah Rose came into our world!

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A beautiful, loving, talented, imaginative, girlie girl! I look into her eyes and I see pure love and my heart swells with joy. Every day, I thank God for this blessing.

And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, on the 7th of March, 2016, my grandson, Quinn Wallace arrived!

What a handsome little dude he is! Since I had never had a son, this whole boy thing is new to me, and I am just loving it.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings in this life. For my Children and for my Grandchildren. Life is, so very good!

The Friday Five

Another week has come and gone, and here I sit waiting for the warmth of Spring. It seems we are stuck in eternally gray skies, 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and rain. Not my idea of Spring weather, where flowers bloom and my fruit trees blossom. Ah well, here are the five things going on in my life.

I’ve been trying to get my Infectious Disease files moved to a new doctor here in New Hampshire. I’ve been waiting for an appointment. I called on Tuesday and discovered I needed to have the doctor in Boston refer me and send her notes. Fine, sent her an email, and waited.
Wednesday I learned that my Primary Care doctor had to also refer me to this doctor as the Insurance Company requires this.
After paying $1360.00 per month for my Insurance, all I can say about Insurance Companies is that they are not there to help you, but they are there to put so many hurtles in your path that at the end of the day, you cry in frustration!
Although in Round One, paying for my antibiotics, found them covering those, now they do not want to cover the special supplies needed when you receive antibiotics through a PICC line. I am appealing their decision. Wish me luck!
The weekend looks like a quiet one for us. Maybe I will take out a small Prime Rib to have on Mother’s Day.

TBT: My Girls & Me!

This was at the wedding of two of our friends. Mandy was 4 and a half years old and Katie was 2 and a half. I have always loved this picture.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Share a favorite memory of your mother or share a favorite something from your own life as a mother. If you’re a mother (or stepmom) tell us how your experience as a mom differs from your own mother’s experience.

My mother, Rosamond, was a sweet, kind and loving, woman, who lacked self confidence. This was too bad because there were so many things she was really good at. Cooking, acting, in her youth, dancing, and taking care of her parents in their last years. Here I am with her at the age of 12 when my kitty had babies!

My daughters. Katie and Amanda. Katie was almost 5 here and Amanda almost 7. Amanda has gone on to do many wonderful things in her life. She is bright, funny, hardworking, and an amazing mother to her two children. I am so proud of her. Katie, passed away at the age of 6 and a half after we were hit by an impaired driver. I miss her every day of my life.

These two are the smiles and bright spots in each and every day of my life! I am so blessed!

2. In May we celebrate teachers (May 9) and nurses (May 6) both. Most every family has at least one in their midst, so tell us something (or a few things) you appreciate about the teacher or nurse on your family tree.

My Dad was a teacher. He taught music in the school system, and gave piano lessons for as long as I can remember. At school he also helped many of the junior high and senior high kids find their way in life.

I have two friends who are registered nurses. They are hard working, caring, ladies, who have stuck by me all of my life.

3. Chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad…which would you go for if all three were on the menu? On bread or a bed of lettuce? If you answered bread, what kind of bread would make it the perfect sandwich?

Here in New England we have what is called a tuna melt sandwich. Usually I get white bread, and the cheese is a mild cheddar. It is grilled so it comes to you toasty and warm! It goes especially good with some fresh french fries!

4. Do you have a desk? Is it organized? If so, share your secret to keeping it that way. If you don’t have a desk, where in your home do you take care of family paperwork and business? Where do you normally sit to blog?

I have two desks, but do not use them. I sit at the kitchen table to write out the checks for bills I do not pay online. When I work on my blog I sit in my chair and put up my feet and laptop in my lap and type away.

5. When I was nine years old….

I rode my bicycle all over Falmouth. I tied a jump rope on the handlebars and pretended that my blue Schwinn bike was a wild horse. I would sit on the jetties on the beach, climb the trees in my yard and pull up the inner window in my bedroom (remember when we had exterior “storm windows”) and play Barbie Dolls on the window sill. In the summer I would swim all day and sleep gently at night. And in the summer I was one very brown bean due to my tan from being outside all of the time.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I made Hubby a nice big pot of Lentil soup. Good thing! I woke this morning to 30 degrees with a stiff wind. Lunch for him today was a big bowl of this soup, and a heart roast beef sandwich. Poor Hubby has a lot of yard work to do on the fruit trees, so he will be going out in the 50 degree weather to work on them this afternoon.

Weekend Wrap-Up

The weekend was a busy one for me. I did a little laundry, a little cooking, and quite a bit of resting.

I also went out with Arnie on Sunday, when it wasn’t raining, to take a walk by the Big Lake. Lake Winnipesaukee.

My darling boy, Arnie, walking along the path beside the Lake.

The waterfall across the street is from my lake, Lake Waukewan and it is flowing into Lake Winnipesaukee.

Now before I go further let me tell you a little bit about Lake Winnipesaukee. It is located in Central New Hampshire, USA. The area of water surface is 72 square miles. And it has, 262 islands. The total distance around lake is 182 miles. The height above sea level is 504 feet. It is the largest lake in New Hampshire.

A cruising vessel named The Mount Washington, with a capacity of 1250 passengers, is a popular venue for school proms, college gatherings, and large corporate celebrations, not to mention all the tourists visiting New Hampshire. The Mount is a true fixture in the Lakes Region. I love going on it, just to relax, and enjoy the views.

The Mount Washington!

Okay, back to my weekend. After our walk, I drove to the grocery store and I put the windows down slightly, to give Arnie a breeze. When I came back I went to put up the windows and the passenger side rear window made a weird noise, and went down and there it stayed! Holy Moly! It happened on the drivers side front a few years back. It is just such a pain because it takes the car out of action for 2-3 days, while it gets fixed!

I hope that you all have had a good weekend, and managed to enjoy the brief sunshine, or if in your part of the world you had nice weather, then I am incredibly jealous!

The Friday Five

The first week of May has flown by. My lawn is getting greener and the first blossoms are out in our orchard.

Truly my time of the year. I just wish that the temperatures would be a tad warmer. In any case, here are the five things that I was thinking about this week.

I’ve been trying to walk each day to regain strength. I started out in my driveway just walking a few steps. This week I did a half mile! I know that does not sound like much, but after being so ill, a half a mile is a long way. And I will keep working on it until I can do several miles!
We went out for Chinese food at the beginning of the week. A few hours later, I was so sick. So no more Chinese for a while. Today Hubby wanted Mexican. I tried to eat blander things, but within an hour, I felt pretty yucky. So no more Mexican for a while either.
I had my first appointment with my Primary Care doctor since this whole thing began, and I had written down everything I wanted to discuss with him. The appointment went well and we got everything covered in 35 minutes.
Yesterday was Hubby’s birthday. First I thought I would cook Lobsters for his dinner, but no one had them! Weird. Next I thought we would go to Canoe for lunch, and when we arrived, they were closed. It turns out they are now only open for lunch, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Woops! That’s when Hubby decided on Mexican.
Our old station wagon did not pass inspection. Junker city here it comes. Hubby was upset, but what are you gonna do? He would like to find a used pick-up truck, so we are now on the lookout!

Happy Birthday Hubby

Life goes by so quickly, doesn’t it. One day you are 16 looking at the world ahead, the next you are 21 and starting your life, 50 and half way through and then 79. How on earth did that happen?

Hubby has lived so much. He has been so many places and done so many things. More than I could even write about here. You see, he is 20 years ahead of me, and so much of his life happened before I was even born.

But for the 30 years I have had him in my life, we have traveled and raised puppies and shared so much.

So Happy Birthday and may you have many more!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Can you tell I’m embracing a Cinco de Mayo theme here this week? Do you like Mexican food?

I love Mexican food. I especially love a good Taco Salad! Or nice spicy salsa with warmed nacho chips!

How about on the side-black beans, pinto beans, refried beans, rice?

If I have to have a side it would be rice. Not crazy about the beans.

What about heat-mild, medium, hot?

Medium. I cannot take it too hot, as my stomach just will not handle it.

Will you celebrate with Mexican food and drink on May 5th aka Cinco de Mayo?

YUP! I have all the makings for Tacos!

2. Ever been to Mexico? For work or holiday? Love it or no? If you haven’t been is this a place you’d like to visit? Can you speak Spanish?

I have been to Mexico several times. I am always so careful about water, etc. But all the times I have gone I have gotten sick. So, I’ve decided never to return. I can enjoy the wonderful food on this side of the border, without getting seriously ill.

3. What’s one thing you may accomplish this month?

Physical Therapy. I need to get it for the cervical spine and on my body in general.

4. If you were mayor of your village, city, or town, what’s one thing you’d like to see changed, done away with, revamped, or accomplished? Is serving in public office something you’ve ever seriously considered?

I was a Library Trustee and it was a tough job. I tried very hard to protect my town’s citizens, but in the end I left public office after several years because I became very frustrated by people who wanted to spend, spend, spend!

I love my town, and there is very little I would change.

5. What’s something that may be popular, but that you just don’t get?

Meals that come in a box. I guess I do not get it because I cook. But I read about these people who order meals that they get all the ingredients in a box and then they still have to cook it. It’s so expensive! But I guess if everyone is working, it is easier for them.

6. Can’t let this week slip by without mentioning Thursday May 4th is Star Wars Day. As in ‘May the 4th be with you’ ahem. Are you a fan of the Star Wars series? Exactly how much of a fan are you? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being ‘I’ve seen every film, own the action figures, might have dressed as Darth Vader for Halloween one year’, and 1 being, ‘what’s a Vader?’ -where do you land?

I loved the original Star Wars, but not the gazillion sequels. Sadly, the last one will never be the same without Carrie Fisher.

7. Scroll back through your blog posts and in three sentences or less tell us the general theme of your fourth blog post. Does it still ring true today? Is it a topic you re-visit on your blog from time to time?

May 13, 2005. The post was about my love of coffee, especially that first cup of the day. Yes, it is still true! I love coffee, especially that first cup of the day. I think the thing that blows my mind is that I have been blogging since, May 11, 2005. Twelve years! Wow! My cousin, Janet suggested it as a way to tell my story in life. I still enjoy it after all these years.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I read that Erin Moran died from Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma. I stopped and my breath caught in my throat when I read that. This is the type of cancer I had in my nose. If it weren’t for my Mom bugging me about my red pimple that wasn’t going away, I would have ignored it until….

Squamous Cell Carcinoma can kill. It does have the ability to spread and before you know it, you are gone.

So, I am feeling very lucky, and I want to remind you all, a tan is great, but use tons of sunscreen! If you notice any changes on your body, skin color or a new bump or pimple, get it checked out. If you are concerned, ask for a punch biopsy. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances are.