This & That…

The Saturday Edition

I planted my garden last week, and all was well. Then we had close to three inches of rain, and yesterday Hubby and I agreed, all the cucumbers (pickling and regular) are dead! I think today we will go out and see if we can find replacements, but I am slightly annoyed.

Today is the Belmont Stakes horse race. Do you think American Pharoah will win the Triple Crown? It would be thrilling to watch! Also I think Bob Baffert, who trains the horse (and has trained so many in the past) would be thrilled to see this horse do it all!

Meanwhile, the French Open tennis tournament ends this weekend. I’m pretty sure Serena Williams will win for the women, but who will win the men’s match, now that Nadal is out? I really hope it is not Andy Murray, as I find him generally annoying.

The Weight Watcher diet continues to go well. I am writing down everything I eat, and trying hard to make good choices. I would like to be at least half way to my goal by my birthday in November. That would be so nice!

TBT: Anneliese & Arnie

It’s hard to believe that Greta’s first babies are now eight and a half years old! I was looking back at pictures and came upon this one of Anneliese  (L) and Arnie (R), as 10 week old puppies. I had the puppy room all set up for Greta’s litter of 5, and they would come to the doorway and all line up and watch me as I cooked or made their meals. It’s amazing how fast that time went.

Jan. 29 Anneliese and Arnie 001

Sept. 15 004

Anneliese

Nov. 1 004a

Arnie

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s something you’re looking forward to in the month of June?

I am looking forward to warmer temperatures, sunny skies, the growing in my garden, and the continued success on Weight Watchers!

2. In what way have you come full circle?

Thirty years ago, I was lost, didn’t know how I could live, or go on. I wandered, I struggled and with the love and understanding of my family, I found peace and love.

3. Lonely Planet lists 10 spots in America you should see in 2015 and the reasons why. How many on the list have you seen? Which one on the list would you most like to see?

Queens NY, Western South Dakota, New Orleans, Colorado River Region, North Conway NH, Indianapolis IN, Greenville SC, Oakland CA, Duluth MN, and the Mount Shasta Region CA

I’ve seen all but New Orleans. And I’ve got no great desire to see it. I mean, if I got a free vacation to NOLA I would go, but I’m just not into that. In fact, Hubby likes NCIS New Orleans, and I can’t stand it!

4. A song that describes your mood right now?

5. Strawberry ice cream, strawberry short cake, strawberry pie, or strawberries right off the vine…your favorite?

Off the vine!

6. Aesop’s birthday is celebrated on June 4th, although there is some disagreement as to whether or not that’s accurate, or if he was even a real person. Regardless, the name Aesop is associated to this day with many well known fables. Which of the following best applies to something in your life right now? The Tortoise and the Hare (Slow and Steady wins the race), The Ant and the Grasshopper (Be prepared), The Fox and the Goat (Look before you leap) or The Crow and the Pitcher (Necessity is the mother of invention)?

Tortoise and the Hare. Trust me. I just need to follow this course right now.

7. The answer is yes…what’s the question?

Do I love my family with all of my heart and soul?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I stepped on my scale this morning and I think I have finally lost some weight. Of course Wednesday is WW Day, so I will see shortly!

Inside The Pretty Package

So, I was sitting here this morning, thinking about love. How people meet. How sometimes you know, this is it, while other times, it’s just a friendship that happens.

I love to people watch. I do this whenever I am out alone, shopping or stopping for a meal. I just watch.

I have seen beautiful women with a frog of a counterpart. I have seen a drop dead gorgeous man with his average female mate. And I have seen two average people just so deliriously happy, that I began to understand the real truth of love.

Listen up, kids. This is important stuff here.

You see, it matters not what is on the outside. Sometimes the best presents in life come in plain packaging.

My grandmother used to tell me all the time, that eventually even the most beautiful face fades. The real key, the real trick, is to remember to always look inside the package for the truth.

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A beautiful soul can brighten up a life. That loving soul, can see beyond the shell and life can be even more wonderful than one can ever imagine.

I wish my Grandmother was here and I could tell her that I finally, honestly, understand what she told me, all those years ago.

I get it, Grandma!

Weekend Round-Up

The garden is planted, Savannah turned three, and laundry was done, rounding out the rather full weekend! I actually got out my swim suit yesterday and got into Mandy’s pool.

I’m currently not thrilled with how my body looks in a swim suit, but I am doing all I can to bring my weight down and under control.

The gift I wanted to purchase for Savannah, a child’s easel, was finally purchased at ToysRus. They had a really cute one and I was very happy with it. More importantly, Savi liked it.

But the real stroke of pure genius goes to Hubby, who picked out an alphabet dachshund, that sings the ABC Song, and then barks. Savi loved that. I think because she loves animals.

It was absolutely perfect timing to have her party yesterday, in the bright sun and heat! Sunday was cold and rainy. It would not have made a good pool party weather day.

Welcome to June first, and have a great week everyone!

Third Birthday-Pool Party

Today is Savannah’s actual birthday, but we celebrated it yesterday at Mandy and Matt’s with a cook-out, pool party!  The weather was perfect, and since it was really hot, almost everyone jumped into the pool!

I loved watching Matt, as he is slowly teaching Savi how to be comfortable in the pool. He is so patient and loving, and she holds on tight. What a great Daddy he is!

Unfortunately, there are not many pictures of Mandy in the montage, as she was running about making sure that everything went along smoothly. She is such a terrific hostess and a fabulous Mommy!

The family was there, as were friends with kids. I think birthday parties are even better when there are kids with cake and ice cream and delightfully messy faces!

So here we are, with this years Birthday Video. Savannah Rose, Third Birthday Pool Party Video!

Savannah's Birthday Party Age 3 from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday, Savannah

Tomorrow my darling granddaughter, Savannah Rose turns three years old! Wow! That sure went fast. She is such a delight and makes every one of my days special just by being the wonderful little girl that she is. How lucky we all are to have Savannah in our world!

Today we are having her Birthday Party! I think that May is the perfect month for a birthday. Warm, sunny and with flowers blooming. Beautiful. Just like Savi!

A Crazy Thursday

Thursday was a crazy day. I got an email from Walmart announcing that they could not deliver Savannah’s birthday gift today because of an out of their control delay! What!!!

Since we really needed to start planting the garden, we directly planted the seeds for the peas and beans and beets. We’d hoped to do more today, but it was so crazy hot, and we knew we had to be off to the big city!

I cancelled the order for Savi’s gift with Walmart, and then Hubby and I took a road trip. We stopped at a Chinese Buffet, and he ate normally and I, bringing my Weight Watchers books with me, planned what I would eat. I had Hot & Sour Soup, millions of steamed vegetables, vegetable egg foo yung, with no gravy (not a big gravy fan anyway), and then some melon. Oh yes, and I drank two tall grasses of water and 6 cups of green tea! (My teeth are still floating!)

We stopped for gasoline at Sam’s Club, and also found some great lamb chops, chickens, and ground beef. Since I try to always plan ahead, I had a cooler and ice packs with me. It was so necessary as we had another 90+ degree day.

We stopped briefly at one other store, before heading back home. Hubby wanted leftovers for his dinner, but I made some salmon, boiled potatoes and beets for my dinner.

I sure am tired tonight, and I know tomorrow I must get the rest of the garden planted.  After that, I need to go out and buy all the fresh vegetables to make an awesome salad for Savannah’s Birthday Party!

I cannot believe she will be 3 years old this weekend!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Did you do anything ‘memorable’ this past weekend?

No. Took care of Anneliese, did laundry, and cooked meals. You know, the usual.

2. Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying-

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

Your thoughts? Do you somehow acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms you enjoy? Did your upbringing contribute to that sense of appreciation? If you’re a parent, are there specific things you do to pass on this sense of responsibility and appreciation to your own children in regard to the freedoms they enjoy?

I was raised in a very patriotic household. Several cousins served in the military and many gave their lives during World War II.

One who served, was the son of my grandfather’s brother Herbert, Private First Class Ernest Prussman, 13th Infantry Regiment.  PFC Prussman took over his squad on 8 September 1944 during the advance on Les Coates  in Brittany, and disarmed several Germans, including a machine gun crew. Shot by a German rifleman, his dying act was to unleash a hand grenade that killed the man who shot him. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously.

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Tomb_of_Ernest_W._Prussman_at_American_Cemetery_in_Saint_James,_Normandie,_France

A street at Fort Benning, Georgia was also named after him. As was a a square in Boston at the corner of Faniuel and Goodenough Streets.

3. Loudest noise you’ve ever heard?

I was napping on my sofa when we lived in Florida. All of a sudden there was an extremely loud explosion! A bolt of lightening had hit the phone pole transformer at the end of our driveway, which was very close to the house! I literally fell off of the sofa!

4. What was the last thing you ate that might be considered ‘junk food’? Did you enjoy it?

We are into week two of the Weight Watchers plan and I have not so much as had a potato chip or a french fry or a cracker! Let’s not talk junk food….

5. When was the last time you were somewhere the crowd felt ‘packed in like sardines’?

At the airport in Boston, last time we went on a vacation. I avoid crowds at all costs.

6. Are you organized when it comes to packing for a trip? Do you make a list weeks in advance or toss items in last minute? Are you a carry-on only sort of packer or do you need an entire suitcase for your shoes?

Oh, I am an over-organizer for sure! My lists have lists! But in many ways this is good. I learned after getting to Germany one time and not having packed socks for Hubby. And then there was the cruise where it rained every day and we had no umbrellas or rain jackets!

7. What was the last sporting event you attended in person? Did your team win? Did you care?

I don’t go to sporting events much. Probably it’s because of the whole crowd thing. Mostly it’s just a real pain to get there from where I live in the mountains of New Hampshire!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Anneliese is better, I’m still waiting for Savannah’s Birthday gift to arrive (not happy about this!), Wednesday is weigh in day at Weight Watchers, and Thursday is planting day for my garden. Busy, busy, busy!