Back nearly 11 years ago, Miss Greta came from Germany to our family. She didn’t like the rain as a puppy, and I got her a little rain coat. Still Greta didn’t like to go out in the rain…alone. Eventually she did come around, and has learned to go out quickly and then come right back in. But this picture of Greta in her rain gear still brings a smile to my face.
1. Have you ever written a love letter? Have you written one recently? Had one written to you? Did you keep it?
I haven’t written one recently, but I have written them. I wish I could say I have received them, but alas, I guess I haven’t stolen anyone’s heart enough, that they put it down in prose!
2. What’s a movie that ends in a way you especially love?
“It’s A Wonderful Life”. Quite wonderful when you get a happy ending like that.
3. Something that makes your heart sing? And for those of you who are parents, I mean something besides your children that makes your heart sing?
Grandchildren! Ah, the best. When I see Savannah, and I listen to her talking away, or she helps me cook lunch, well, my heart sings!
4. What’s the last event you had to attend, phone call you had to make, routine task you needed to complete, or meal you had to prepare, that you did do, but only half-heartedly?
I went to the dentist today. I knew I had to go (pain), but I really did it grudgingly. Root canal is scheduled for the 24th. Yuck!
5. Tuna fish salad-yay or blech? If you said yay, how do you like your tuna salad prepared? Hey, this is the Hodgepodge, right?
Love Tuna! I make my tuna salad with a tiny bit of diced onion, sweet green relish and mayo. Love it!
6. What’s something you ‘know by heart’?
The lyrics to most Beatles songs, how to boil and egg, how to make potato salad and how to build a fire in the fireplace. I know there are many more things that I have memorized, but these are a few.
7. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, what two or three word phrase would you write on a conversation heart for someone you love? That someone could be a spouse, child, parent, cousin, bestie…anyone at all whom you love.
Love truly does make the world go round!
8. Insert your own random thought here.
We gave Lili an old hard plastic bone today and she is beyond thrilled. It is her bone, and no other pups and she is one very happy dog!
Have you ever wondered about the people in your life that are your support system? I’m lucky to have several people who can really talk me off the ledge, when my emotions get the best of me.
Most of the time, I’m fairly level, and I try hard not to let things bother me, but sometimes, something will throw me and Manic Maribeth is off and running.
My daughter, sister, cousin and certain friends, all have the ability, of helping me chill. Theirs is not an easy job, as I can over-think anything, and they must be on the ball in order to stay one step ahead of me!
I like to think that it’s creative minds, such as myself, that keep the world turning and perhaps contribute amazing things, although I am still not sure what mine is.
I know that many creative types, also have over-thinkers syndrome. Some of them, sort of go off the deep end, and then you have people like me who have worked hard to stay this side of the sanity line.
Yes, I know I am one of them. The over thinkers, over worriers, over wondering people. Perhaps it is because I am a caring person. After all, if I didn’t care, I would not concern myself with all of this. And yet I do.
Am I overthinking this?
Life is full of surprises, and this winter, in New England, certainly has been one surprise after another! It’s been snowing since the middle of the night and we have probably 5-6 inches with about 10 expected tomorrow. Schools are closed, visibility is not so good and it seems winter has us in it’s firm grip.
I like snow. You know the first snow fall of the season, but this is getting to be ridiculous! I saw a post on Facebook that read “It’s like living in a snow-globe, and some jerk keeps picking it up and shaking it!”
Lili loves it. She leaps through it like a deer, ad I swear I can see a smile on her face. The dackels, however, go out, find a spot quickly and run back in! I can’t say I blame them. If I was in their position, I might go on strike completely!
It’s not supposed to end until Monday night or Tuesday morning, and even then, we may have some snow showers.
Ah yes, winter in New England! Gotta love it!
Yesterday, February 4th would have been my Grandma Honey’s 117th birthday. It’s difficult to imagine her at that age. She passed from this world into the next 30 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.
1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your emotions tucked in tight?
Oh I tend to be an open book. Although, as I age I realize there are times I have to tuck it up, and be the one who doesn’t flip out.
When Katie died nearly 30 years ago, people came to the house to bring food, and they would come in and fall apart. Oddly enough, for the first 6 months, I was comforting them. Looking back, I think that is so strange.
2. How did you meet your closest friend?
I am lucky to have several amazing women in my life.
My sister, Melodie, cousin, Janet and daughter, Amanda are all special family members and friends as well! I am so lucky!
Uschi, I met online on a German Dog Web Page. We’ve been email friends ever since, and have been so lucky to spend various vacations together.
Gail, I met when I was 13 at Summer Bible Camp. It was strange because we never imagined we would be life long friends, but here we are and I am so grateful to God!
Candy, I met in Church in Florida. We share a great love of music. Singing in the choir together while I lived there.
Carol 1: I met in Florida, as we both were Lay Eucharistic Ministers. She is an amazing woman.
Carol 2: I met when I joined Weight Watchers. She is very much both friend and mother to me. I am so blessed.
3. Pink lemonade, grilled salmon, cotton candy, pink grapefruit, a strawberry milkshake, or raspberry sorbet…of the pink foods listed, which one is your favorite? Least favorite? Which one have you most recently consumed?
Are you kidding? I just listed myself as a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. I love them all!
4. When were you last ‘tickled pink’ over something? Explain.
Perhaps this past weekend. I babysat my favorite little girl grandchild, and had the best time playing with her, eating lunch with her, and watching her nap. Then in the evening, Mandy and I went to dinner with my cousin, Janet, and her sister in-law, Sue. We had such a great time! After dinner, we went to a painting class! That was so much fun!
5. Are you a fan of television talk shows? Daytime, nighttime, or both? What’s your favorite?
I used to be. I loved Regis and Kathie-Lee. Now I occasionally watch Kathie-Lee and Hoda. But mostly, I don’t watch them anymore.
6. When was the last time you wanted to ask a question, but felt too foolish to do so?
Long, long, ago. In my 30’s I finally got it into my head…the only stupid question, is the one you don’t ask!
7. My favorite evening treat right now is Klondike Sugar Free Ice Cream Bars .
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I’m in the process of making fresh blueberry muffins for breakfast. Hubby is still sleeping, (It’s 9:45 AM on Tuesday morning!), so I thought I would spoil him with some sugar free muffins!
As I was driving home from time spent with my daughter, Mandy, I was feeling so very blessed. Mandy and I, along with my cousin, Janet and her sister in-law, Sue, went to a painting class on Saturday evening. We had a blast and although the greats like Monet and Renoir will never be challenged by me, I must say, my enjoyment, perhaps exceeded theirs.
The setting was a small river, with a cabin setting amongst the snow. It was fun to watch us all interpret the same picture in very different ways. I am also the most vocal, and critical of the four of us, so their was a lot of gasping and eeking on my part, which caused my family great laughter. I am glad. It was great to hear them laughing with me, happily!
I also spent time both before and after at Mandy and Matt’s home. I have to say that my daughters touch, as she and Matt set up their new house was all around. Mandy has such a good eye and gentle heart. I felt so comfortable, so at home. I sat there yesterday while Savannah was napping and Mandy and Matt were at the movies, feeling so proud of my daughter and Matt and the home they are making for Savannah.
I slept over, as I don’t see very well in the dark, to drive at night. I fell sleep almost instantly and slept really well, until I heard Savannah calling to her Mommy. That, was such a sweet sound. I am so thankful that I was there to hear this endearing exchange.
We went out for breakfast and shared pancakes, french toast and oatmeal. And I mentioned to Mandy that it was time for me to stop looking at my scars and start taking pictures of me with Savannah again. Life it too short. So she took this one.
Ah we are so blessed in this life. Sometimes we just need to look around us. Blessings are right there!
Once again, the New England Patriots Football team, are the Super Bowl Champions! What a game! So for all of you in Patriots Nation!
In honor of the most recent snow storm in New England, I think they called it “JUNO” I am posting these photos from my past.
Here I am with my sister standing in front of a huge mound of snow at the Stop & Shop Plaza. I think I was just six or seven years old.
This was our German Shepherd, Lorelei (Siren of the Rhine). She was trying really hard to make it through the snow.
Many people think you can move to Cape Cod and somehow it is like retiring to Florida. Not really. Cape Cod can get just as much, if not more snow than New Hampshire. It’s just the summers there, can be Heaven!
1. When did someone last suggest you ‘chill out’? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to ‘chill out’? Or, when did you last tell yourself to ‘chill out’?
Yesterday when I woke up and was all stressed out about the impending blizzard. I told Hubby I needed to shop and stock up, and how would I ever get it all done before the snow flew! They were forecasting 1-2 feet of snow for us! Yes, on Monday afternoon, I was flipping out! Hubby did, what Hubby does best, and just let me go. By dinnertime, I was exhausted and somehow fell asleep pretty quickly.
Today, I sat watching the snow, telling myself that I could now chill out. Not a darn thing I can do now about the snow. We have 8-10 inches and it is still snowing. But my daughter got the jackpot!
Savannah and her kitty
See the snowbanks?
A real New England baby!
2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?
See the above photos of Savannah Rose! She simply melts my heart!
3. “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.” G.K. Chesterton
Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience? Does it feel the same in hindsight?
Getting ready for this snow storm. Definitely an adventure! Not an inconvenience at all. Actually, I felt a true sense of purpose and accomplishment!
4. A Wendy’s Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake…of these three, which one is your favorite ‘frosty’ treat?
What about a Rootbeer Float? That presented in a frosty mug is darn good!
5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.
A Circus I think. It’s been a wee bit crazy, with both Hubby and I getting the flu, despite the flu shots we both had. Things are looking up, and getting back to normal now.
6. Since it’s a ‘snow day’ here, what’s your favorite song containing the word ‘white’?
7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?
I think the small town atmosphere that we all share. I go out to the Post Office or grocery and I see people I know and have known for years. I will miss that.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Hubby has been working on keeping the driveway cleared and the path for Lili and the dackels. Tonight he is really tired. I think I will just let him dose in his recliner.