Author: Dackel Princess

Me & My Sis

I had a great visit with my sister this weekend. As always, I wish it could have been longer, but at least we had a chance to settle down and talk and share some things.

We had not seen each other since our mother’s memorial service. First her twin grandsons were too fragile, and I didn’t want to chance exposing her to a cold or anything, during a time when she was helping out with their care.

Then I had a tough winter, where I kept getting high fevers that left me weak as a kitten. Thankfully, I am doing better and since Hubby did the driving, It was easier for me to make the long trip!

We went out to eat at a Chinese Buffet down the street from her house and that was not only fun, but delicious! However, when I stand next to my very petite sister, I see how much my weight is out of control and I know it is time to increase my exercising, and watch my diet.

Mel & Me

Starting tomorrow, I am back to Weight Watchers full time. I told Hubby to get ready for low carb, light vegetable meals. I found a great Diabetic Cookbook that had a lot of recipes, and each one had a picture of the finished product. This I like as I have a hard time seeing what things look like.

The pups are glad we are back. Although I have to say, they love our house sitter, Carolyn! This is great as I never worry when she is here.

It’s a busy week a head for me, and of course next weekend is Mother’s Day. The first without my own mother. We had a difficult relationship, but now she is gone, there is no way to ever go back and make things better or different. Yes, I do miss her.

In Melodie’s back yard she has a bird box and a cute squirrel Mama has taken up residence. My sister loves all of nature and so naturally, the squirrel found her!

squirrel

Happy Monday!

The Start Of Something Great!

Tomorrow we are going on a ride. A long ride. We are going to meet some people who have some White German Shepherd puppies!

They are six weeks old and there are two girls who are not claimed, and may be right for us. I am so excited, although I try to keep myself from getting two excited.

We have missed our White Shepherd, Fritzi so much. Shortly after his death I decided that I was ready to commit myself to another pup. I searched for a while, and then I found these puppies.

After we know for sure that everything it set, I will tell you the rest of the story about these babies.

Meanwhile, the dog/house sitter is set to come and stay, and I’ll be packing a case tonight. You see, besides meeting the puppies, we get to see my sister and brother in-law!

After we get done with the puppies, we will drive to my Sis’s house and have dinner with them, and a visit!

I’m so excited, as I have not seen her since my mother’s memorial service. So, things are happening!

Being There

I went to a gathering yesterday at our State House. They had speakers and burgers and hot-dogs. Did I mention it was freezing cold and drizzling?

Well, they passed out fabulous jackets (to keep) grocery totes, umbrellas and I had my picture taken (candidly) with a Senate Candidate. (Picture should be in the paper tomorrow)

Then, I met a woman who had just lost her step dad and was still mourning his passing. I spoke to her for a long time. (Forget the gathering) When she left I squeezed her hand, and then gave her a hug. I felt that if I did one thing right today, it was being there for someone in pain.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Are you blooming where you’re planted as we begin the month of May?

Hardly. We are nearly a full month behind. Yes, a very late spring. I can hardly wait to get to our real spring.

2. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being no big deal, and 10 being full scale panic, rank your fear of spiders.

No big deal at all, so give me a one. I do, however, have a cousin and her dog that are terrified of spiders and bugs! Good thing they have me.

3. May is National Salad Month (who knew???)…besides lettuce, what are two must-have ingredients in your favorite salad?

Tomatoes and blue cheese. I also like chopped up bacon and this makes a great lettuce wedge salad.

4. I mentioned on my blog last week that my Daughter1 will be moving to Washington State after she is married. Of the following sites in the Northwest, which would you most like to see in person-Crater Lake (Oregon), Seattle (Washington), Vancouver (British Columbia), San Juan Islands (Washington), Mt. Rainer (Washington) Oregon Coast (Oregon), Mt. St. Helens (Washington), or Olympic National Park (Washington)

Lucky for me, I have seen most of these places. We even hiked on Mount Rainer. It was beautiful there.

5. This coming weekend marks the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby…when did you last race (literally or figuratively) to cross a finish line?

I think it was my last reconstructive surgery. It really felt like crossing the finish line for me.

6. What is something little you love?

My three little dackels!

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But most of all, my beautiful little granddaughter, Savannah Rose!

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7. Would you say you are more of a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? Elaborate.

Visual. I keep instruction booklets on everything. Pictures are my friend!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

In a month Savannah will be turning two! I cannot believe it. It’s gone by so fast. I can also not believe how much I love that baby girl! I am just crazy for her. The last time we got together I was waiting for her and when she arrived I stooped down and called her name and she ran full speed into my arms. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

Ahhhhhhhh

Today I was more energetic than I have been in well over a year. I think depression will do that to you. After my cancer surgery and then the plastic surgery, I fell into a deep depression. Worst of all, my doctor had decided to decrease the medication I take for depression.

So I kept falling, deeper, and deeper into depression. It’s sort of like trying to swim in molasses. You just don’t get anywhere, and before you know it, you feel like you are sinking.

Well about 10 days ago my medication was adjusted and I woke up today and I met myself again. I made breakfast, (with gusto), I planted all my garden seeds in their little pots, I washed the floor in the kitchen (twice) and made a nice dinner.

And at the very end of the day I took a hot shower and got ready for “Dancing With The Stars”! And best of all, I feel good. Peaceful. Finally, like I can take a deep breath and relax. Life is good.

Sunday Weirdness

Happy Monday morning everyone. How was your weekend? Mine was actually not too bad, right up until dinner on Sunday night.

Hubby had gotten a fresh pork butt roast for me to cook. I looked up how to cook, and did everything that was required, but when I took off the netting and cut into the roast it was almost all fat! We were both very disappointed. And needless to say we didn’t eat too much of the roast. Who would eat roast fat?

I didn’t get my seeds planted as it was cold and rainy and I felt like working inside. So today (Monday) I will be planting my seeds. Stay tuned for information about my emerging garden.

My cousin gave me a present of seeds for antique tomatoes, and of course today I could not find them! I looked and looked. Then came in and sat down and prayed.

“Somethings lost, can’t be found, please St. Anthony, look around” And a moment later I just knew where I had put them, and it made no sense at all. So thanks St. Anthony for the help!

For those that do not know, Saint Anthony is the Patron Saint of lost things. A fine Saint he is too. My prayers to him are almost always answered.

Have a happy Monday, and a great week!

Life

This morning was bath morning for all three dackels. Hubby was playing with them this morning and they didn’t pass the smell test, so into the sink they went! They’re all pretty good, with the exception of Greta who let me know she wasn’t happy, by talking to me all through her bath!

This actually is a good thing because they are due for their next flea and tick application on May first and they tell you not to bath them a few days before or after. So I am all set!

We will be bringing up the potting soil that we got yesterday and despite the cold weather I will plant the seeds today for the garden. I think I may very well put the seed containers on trays that I can move inside until it warms up. Right now, even my green house is cold!

I made a ham steak last night for dinner. I love ham, but with just two of us, it doesn’t make sense to buy a whole ham. Anyway, it was so good, served with spicy German mustard, and Bratkartoffeln (German fried potatoes like homefries).

After a long, cold, and dreary winter, I am starting to feel better, brighter. This despite the fact that I had an interesting encounter last week.

I was out to lunch with a friend of mine named Laurie. We spotted a woman we both know quite well, as we were leaving the restaurant. We stopped to say hello and Ann acted like she didn’t know me. Finally Laurie said, “You remember, Maribeth?” and Ann said “Oh my gosh, I would never have recognized you!” I smiled, trying to be gracious, and said “Oh, it’s probably the longer hair.” Now that gave her an easy out. “No” she said, “That’s not it!” Okay I thought, what do I do? “Well I had a lot of plastic surgery last year”.

Then she gave me a little bit of a smirk, like I had been caught having a face lift. “I had facial cancer, and after they removed the cancer I had to have reconstructive surgery. My Boston doctor is so gifted and I am grateful”. And at that, we left.

I felt a little bad at first, but then I thought of her rudeness. I know she knew who I was. We were on the same committee here in town for three years. We met twice a month and in a town of 6000 people you see each other all the time.

The I remembered the song from “Frozen”. “Let it Go!” and that is what I have done. (At least now that I have shared it all with you.)

Arnie, Fruit Trees and Sneakers!

What a beautiful day! The sun shone, the air was warm and the wind a distant memory. The sky was robins egg blue, and shortly after lunch Hubby and I took Arnie out in the yard and played fetch with him.

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The two girls run after the ball and then hide with it. Arnie gets the game and now plays quite nicely with us.

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Tonight he is exhausted.

Hubby finished pruning the fruit trees and clearing up the brush. It’s amazing what a difference that makes.
One of the ornamental apple trees he hadn’t pruned for a while, and I was looking at it today and WOW does it look different.

Tomorrow I am off to find a new pair of sneakers. My good pair are no longer “good” so off to the store I go.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Windy

I went to the therapist today for the last of my physical therapy. I’ve made great strides and the pain level has been greatly reduced. So, for now, I have been discharged from his office and will continue my therapy at home. I have some flexibility exercises for the hand, wrist and fingers and then a brace to wear during the day, and another one at night. However, things are so much better!

We had a wind storm that lasted for about 24 hours. The wind blew straight out of the north and just whistled like you would not believe! All day yesterday, all night and then all day on Thursday. I feared the dackels would be blown away when they went out to tend to their business!

Poor Hubby was outside trying to prune our fruit trees during this wind storm and this proved to be a real challenge! I felt bad for the poor guy, out in the cold wind, trying to prune the trees, while the cut branches blew back in his face!

Arnie tried to keep him company for a while, but even his couldn’t take the wind and retreated to the house!