Dackel Princess

Savannah & A Movie Review

So again, I am off. Poor Hubby is home with the beasts, and I am off to have fun with Savannah. My bag is packed, and come morning, I will be off to Savannah’s dance class and then it’s time for the two of us to have some Oma and Savi time!

We went to see The Bridge of Spies, with Tom Hanks. It was a slow movie, but the subject matter intrigued both Jack and I.

It has to do with the Spy swap for Frances Gary Powers in 1962. The trade takes place at The Glienicker Brücke, in Berlin, Germany.

When we had our daughters living with us in Berlin during the summer of 1989, West Berlin was still a closed city. We traveled all around West Berlin, showing them the wall. We also went into East Berlin and showed them the difference at that time.

Amanda is in the white skirt and Jessica is in the pink top. I think they would agree, this trip really opened their eyes! I learned a lot that summer.

Back to the movie. It was well acted, and the last half an hour, you will be on the edge of your seat!

One must wonder, is there anything that Tom Hanks can’t do?

Friday Five

Well Thursday turned out to be the busiest day I have had in a very long time. It didn’t start that way, but somehow, as the hours passed things popped up!

I was in for my yearly physical. Everything is good, and really, I wish I could share my low blood pressure with everyone. I am so grateful for that, as I know many people who are fighting, trying to bring their blood pressure down. I got my flu shot, and found out that last year when I had my tetanus shot it was actually a combo tetanus/whooping cough shot, so I am all safe for all the babies in my life!
While I was out shopping, I got a call from Hubby. Could I get everything I need to make the Cabbage Soup that he loves? Well, yeah, except I needed to go to another grocery store for zucchini and celery because the shop I was in the produce was terrible!
So off I went to another grocery store and I got the needed produce, and a few other things. $45.00 later, I was out loading the car with all those bags.
I came home, made my lunch and then started peeling, chopping and preparing the vegetables for the soup. Trust me, it take a while when you make a triple batch!
Lastly I had to feed the dogs and prepare our dinner. Their dinner was easy, and try as I might to keep our dinner easy, I feel like I failed. On a positive note…I did not eat anything that I should not have. And for that I am grateful!

It’s now nearly 8:30 on Thursday night, and I still must put the soup in containers for storage in both the fridge and the freezer. Then I think bed will be on my list. I am tired, but this is a good tired, as I got so many things done!

TBT: Working On A Whole New Me

This weeks TBT is me a few years back, when I turned fifty. I had reached my goal at Weight Watchers and just loved the way I looked. I felt great and really was proud of myself.

Somehow things got messed up when I was diagnosed with cancer and I ate my way into oblivion! It seemed no matter what I did the weight kept piling on.

After our trip to Dayton, Ohio I promised myself that this was it…I was going to change the way I was living.

I returned to Weight Watchers and changed my entire outlook about food, the way I was eating and where I was going.

Last week I lost one and a half pounds, and this week I lost 3.2 pounds! I am doing it. I’m working the program, exercising, and making big changes in how I eat!

I sure hope that in another year I will look as good as I did when I was 50!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. October 21, 2015 is Back to the Future Day. Did you see the movie? The sequels? In the second film, Doc takes Marty into the future to prevent Marty’s future son from making a mistake. They leave 1985 and land on a ‘skyway’ on October 21st, 2015. So tell us, what were you doing in the fall of 1985?

I did see the movie. Where was in in the Autumn of 1985? Healing after a very bad car accident.

2. If time travel were possible, would you want to go to the future? The past?

Past. If possible I would change one day. Just one.

3. We’re not flying cars, but some of the technology imagined in the 80’s film has indeed come to pass in real life 2015-flat screen TVs on the wall, tablets, fingerprint recognition, video conferencing, online banking, 3-D movies, motion controlled video games, drone cameras, and smart glasses (Google glass). Do you worry technology is growing at a rate so fast we’ll soon be unable to keep up with it’s demands? Do you think the Internet does more harm than good?

I love the internet, and although at times I worry about our safety, for the most part I feel pretty comfortable. There are times I have trouble keeping up with the latest geek stuff, but usually I can figure it all out.

4. Your favorite dish prepared in a slow-cooker? Your favorite fast food?

Pork, apples and sauerkraut. The recipe can be found HERE. It is so easy and very delicious!

5. No time like the present, down time, face time, pressed for time, in the nick of time, make time, mark time, or just in time…which timely saying most relates to your life right now?

I don’t know. Face time? Make time? I’m spending Saturday with Savannah, so I am making time to be with her. (Really, is there any other place I would want to be?) And Face time, because I will be face to face with my sweetie!

6. Tell us about a place you went as a child or younger person that’s no longer there or is now something else. How does that make you feel?

Benson’s Wild Animal Farm. It was here in New Hampshire and it was a nice small, fun, Zoo/park.

There were animals, and rides and it was a fun time. Makes me sad that it is gone.

7. Describe your comfort zone.

A cup of tea, a quiet song or movie and my pups all around me. Yes! That is when I am relaxed. My comfort zone is any time and any place I am with my family!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Tomorrow is Weight Watchers and I am a nervous wreck! I have worked the program so well this weekend. I’ve carefully written down what I have eaten, and weighed and measured all foods. I sure hope I have done well.

Life Is Good

Life is truly good. Not always, but right now, life is really good!

There he is! My new grandson! Yes, he is still in the Mommy incubator, eating, floating around, and getting bigger and stronger.

My daughter is feeling well, and aside from being tired, this pregnancy seems to be very low stress and finds her in very good health!

See? Life is good! The as yet to be named baby boy, is due in early March. Actually, I’m finding that this pregnancy is really flying by.

Savannah is so happy she will be a big sister, and I bet she will be a big help to Mandy. It’s just the way it is with Savi. She loves doing things and being helpful.

Speaking of Savi, I am going down this weekend to take care of her and have some fun Oma and Savannah time! I can hardly wait!

Life is beautiful!

Weekend Wrap-up!

Wow! What a weekend!

On Friday I got up early and drove the four hours down to my sister’s home! Part one of the drive was in the pouring rain, yet through it I could see beautiful foliage. Not spectacular, as it has been in the past, no bright reds, corals, or flame colors, but the yellow, oranges and burnt orange colors, sure were pretty.

I arrived in exactly four hours. My best time ever on this drive. I was very lucky to get behind a truck and I allowed him to pull me along and hide me from radar. I think that is why I zoomed along, mostly at 80 miles an hour. Something I seldom do.

I arrived to the open arms of my sister, Melodie. I am blessed to have a sister that loves me unconditionally and looks forward to every moment we can spend together. I adore her and cannot fathom a world without her in it!

We waiting a bit, and then we went over to her daughter, Jinny’s house and I met my new grandniece! April Miran is a month old, and lucky for me, she is a real snuggler! I sat holding her after she was fed for a couple of hours.

That was simply the best! I feel such love for this baby girl and her parents!

We eventually came back to Mel’s house and had dinner. I have to say, my sister was so supportive all weekend of me, and I was not even tempted to cheat on my diet. In fact, I was so baby crazy, I actually forgot to eat enough, and on Friday night I suddenly felt a little dizzy and needed to eat some protein. So I had a fat free yogurt and went to bed. Saturday started early. I was so excited because we were babysitting my sister’s twin grandsons! Gabe and Nolan. They are two and a half and just the cutest little guys around! They are both bright and interested and want to know how everything works. They love to be read to and sit with their Grandma!

Yes, the boys are identical, and yet their personalities are very different. It was cute, we were eating our lunch and Gabe looked at me and said, “I’m Gabe”. I think they must meet people who do not know who is who. I admit it is a challenge, but I think as I spend more time with them I will be able to tell them apart better. Surprisingly, all through my life I have been friends with several sets of identical twins. And I’ve always reached a point where I knew who was who.

After sitting for the boys, and also getting to see my beautiful teenage grandniece, Abby, we went to BabiesRus, for some retail therapy. It’s pretty funny because they have so much stuff for babies, new mothers, family stuff, I could not believe it!

In the evening, I opened an early Birthday gift from my sister and brother inlaw. What is truly interesting, and special, is that Highfield Theater, was where I acted in “The Sound of Music” at the age of 8 years old as Gretl. And the even more special part about this book is that the picture of all the captain’s children (in the production) is on page 104! And I am right there.

I was so surprised and my brother inlaw was really happy, as he was the one who found the book and my picture! I was amazed! And thrilled and happy. When Savannah is a little older I can actually show her that I was in a special play!

Dinner last night was Alaska Wild Salmon and fresh Asparagus. Ron’s mother, Nan came over for the meal. It was so nice to see her. I have known her since I was eight years old. So, to me, she is family.

I drove home on Sunday morning. It wasn’t nearly as pretty as on my ride down. Many of the leaves had been blown off. And you will never guess what I saw! SNOW!!

Yes, the first light dusting of snow had fallen overnight. All I can say is, bring it on.

Friday Five

By the time you read this, I will be down at my sister’s house in Connecticut. I’ve left Hubby home to care for the doggies, and I’m off on my own. Before I went I thought I would write down a few things that I have been thinking about this week.

Do you remember a musician named Harry Nilsson? I loved his music, back in the day, and I found this great video of him playing a cute little diddy, that seems easily played on the piano at the start, but ends with quite a flourish. Hubby asked, “So what’s he doing now?” I looked it up and discovered he had died in 1996 of heart failure. Drugs and alcohol lead up to this, and another life ended far to soon. He was only 52.

Take a minute and enjoy this piece. It wasn’t famous, like his song from Midnight Cowboy, “Everybody’s Talking At Me”, but I love it.
Thursday found Lili being tormented by a bunch of rotten squirrels and chipmunks! During our walk, it seemed they were all out and the poor girl was being driven crazy. So was I, as Lili is 77 pounds and it is all muscle!
I’ve been making baked apples about two or three times a week. Oh they are so good. I use a little bit of light whipped topping and it’s basically a points free dessert!
I also made a “Curried Squash Soup” that is points free and out of this world!
My new find for the diet is “Flatout Bread”.

It is as thin as a tortilla, but it hold together well. It also has 9 grams of protein, and is loaded with fiber. Points Count? 2!!!

So you can see that I am trying to really work the program and make next Wednesday’s weigh in a good one. Onward and upward! Or should I say downward, as I lose this weight!

TBT: Mel & Ron

My sister and her husband met when they were just kids. I think they’d just turned 13. They met at Briarwood Conference Center, during a religious camp week for teens. They’ve been married since 1971 and remain as close as they were when they were kids!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s something that has recently ‘tried your patience’?

It’s been pretty calm and not much has been making me crazy. Now that Lili is walking so nicely on her leash, we go out every day and have a good time. If I could just break her of using her mouth to get my attention I would be very happy. (She will gently grab my hand. It’s not terrible, but it annoys me.)

2. Do you think patience comes to us naturally or is it something you have to learn as you grow? On a scale of 1-10 generally how patient are you? (1=I blow up at the drop of a hat and 10=I’ve got all the time in the world).

I had to learn to be patient. I used to have a very quick temper. As I have aged, the temper has gotten more under control. I’m probably an 8 now. It takes an awful lot to make me pop my cork!

3. Share about a time when you felt like you could fly. Or a time you wished you could fly. Or a time you felt like you were flying.

Well, here is my story. I dream I can fly all of the time. I mean, I’m not in a plane or anything, just me soaring up into the skies. It’s such a freeing feeling and I love those dreams.

In life I have flown a lot with Hubby. He was an Airline Pilot, and I flew all over the world with him. I am grateful to both Pan Am and Delta for that opportunity.

4. Your favorite song with the word fly in the title or lyrics, or your favorite song that relates to flying in some way?

Hummingbird, by Seals and Crofts. Here it is. Enjoy!

5. What’s in your fall picnic basket and where are we picnicking in your neck of the woods this time of year?

People come from all over the world to enjoy the Fall Foliage in The White Mountains of New Hampshire. It truly is beautiful here! Picnic? Well, hot soup and a good sandwich.

6. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping…which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

Electrical. There are so many little jobs I would like to do. Change sconces, wire up some outside lights, and fix a few lamps.

7. What’s something you think is too expensive to justify buying lately?

A new sofa. Currently Lili and her mouth have done in my 25 year old sofa, but I don’t want to replace it until she is over this gnawing phase of her life.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am off on Friday to meet my new grandniece! April is a month old now, and just a total doll! I can hardly wait to hold her in my arms!!! Here is a sneak peak of her precious little face!

Happy

We have been blessed to find a fabulous house/doggy sitter. K. is one of those people that seems to have a knack with animals. I offered to write her a letter of recommendation and this is what I wrote.

“My husband and I wanted to go on a week long trip to a reunion in Ohio. We were very concerned about leaving our dogs, as we have a high energy German Shepherd named Lili, and three older, well-mannered dachshunds.
When we met K, Lili seemed to bond to her right away. So we made our plans and held our breath, hoping all would go well during our trip.
K was here bright and early to start her work with our dogs. As we drove to the reunion we received updates and pictures of our dogs on our cell phone.
K even started to train Lili to walk on leash, something that we had not been able to do.
K knows a lot about animals, and it is obvious that she loves them. In turn, they adore her. My three dachshunds, climbed into bed with her and slept like babies.
I had cleaned my house before we left, but when I came back, it was even cleaner and our sheets had been changed. I cannot tell you how pleasant that was after a two day car trip. We arrived at home with no house work to do!
I feel like we have made a new friend. K is sweet and kind and diligent in all she does. I highly recommend her and I will continue to use her as my pet sitter. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to find someone that can be trusted with your pets and your home. In the past we have not always been so fortunate.”

Since being home, I have continued Lili’s daily walks, that K started on, and the difference in Lili is amazing. I had not had any luck before this, but somehow, K broke the ice and Lili is a pleasure to walk!

Should anyone in our area need a dog/house sitter contact me and I will hook you up. K is a great woman and you will not be disappointed.