Dackel Princess

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s the best and worst thing thing about growing older?

The best thing is knowing so much more than you did in your twenties. What is important, what’s not. Knowing yourself. The worst thing…that’s easy…”Hot Flashes”!

2. Autumn arrives this week in the Northern Hemisphere…what one thing do you love most about the fall season?

Soups and stews. I don’t make these in the summer, it’s just too hot, but in the winter, I love to make beef stew, chicken soup, or butternut squash soup, etc. You name it, I soup or stew it!

3. Speaking of fall…pumpkin seems to be flavoring everything these days-are you a fan? What’s your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage?

This is funny. Although I love pumpkin pie, bread, and muffins, I do not care to drink pumpkin anything, with coffee being at the top of my list!

4. Since we’re on the subject of fall…what’s the worst fall you’ve ever taken?

I’ve had two bad falls in my life. Last year I fell down the cement steps on the side of our house. I was black and blue all over. Thankfully I did not break anything!

The other bad fall was six years ago when I was skiing and took a really bad tumble. I injured my Meniscus, and had a Medial Collateral Ligament injury. I was laid up for some time and worst of all…I had Greta’s 5 puppies that I needed to tend to each day! (That was the litter of pups with Arnie & Anneliese in it!)

5. If you could own a prop from any film what would you choose?

The “Ruby Slippers” from “The Wizard of Oz”.

6. What’s the most interesting word you’ve read or learned in the past week?

Okay the word is “chuffed”. Which means blissful, glad [British], delighted, gratified, happy, joyful, joyous, pleased, satisfied, thankful, tickled. Using it in a sentence “I was feeling rather chuffed with myself, having competed in a cricket tournament with some of England’s best.”

7. When was the last time you locked yourself out of your house, car, or office? Was it a big deal?

A few years back. Thankfully our neighbor and I exchanged keys a few years back and so we can each get into our houses should we need to.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I looked out across our lake yesterday, and it is starting to pop with orange colors on the trees. Yes, Autumn is upon us, and soon the trees will be turning yellow and red and the leaves will be falling. I love this time of year. I love fires in the hearth in the evening, to take the chill off the house. I love the smell of a fresh apple pie baking in the oven and beef stew simmering on the stove. Oh yes, and I love the fact that my birthday creeps in mid November! I never mind birthdays. They remind me that I am alive!

Snacks

Have I ever mentioned that I am a Hostess Snack Cake Addict? Well I am! I admit it here and now. I love Little Debbie too, but Hostess will always come first in my book!

It all started with the Twinkies, when I was in pre-school, and then went to the Ho-ho’s and cupcakes. I didn’t go on to the fruit pies until High School, and then when I was a young Mom drinking strong coffee due to sleep deprivation, I began hitting the donettes! Nothing could put a smile on my face faster, than a sugar filled treat!

There was a dalliance with Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls! Oh how I love those cream filled delights!

little debbie swiss

They were do wonderfully delicious, but “Little Debbie” didn’t make a little Maribeth!

In fact I have not had a Hostess treat or a Little Debbie since 2008! Yeah not since then!

Now I eat “other things”. Healthy things. At least, most of the time. Occasionally, I do splurge on something sweet or nice, but no longer do I eat junk food!

Consequently, this morning I heard that Hostess Foods is looking at Bankruptcy! See? I stop my patronage, and all their business is shot to heck!

What’s your favorite junk food? Chips. Sweets? Ice Cream? Okay gang, time to confess? What is your favorite snack?

What I Did This Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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My weekend began on Friday with a trip down to see my girls, Mandy and Savannah! Mandy had two doctor’s appointments, and so Grandma got to play with Savannah and take pictures, and even work with her to vocalize.

Yes, I know babies cry, but this is different. I would make a noise like “Ahhhhhhh” and then tap my mouth like a little Indian. At first Savannah was curious about this, and then when I stopped, she would go “Ahhhhhh” and I tapped her lips so she made the noise too! This made her laugh! What fun!

After I left, I went grocery shopping and home, where my day ended nice and early.

Saturday I decided to really kick back and relax. I think some days you just have to say, “Okay, I need a break!” I watched movies, I watched the Carly Simon Concert I had ordered from Amazon.com,

and made Hubby a thick spaghetti sauce to top his pasta for dinner.

I really am enjoying the Carly Simon music. So much of it brings me back to when I was a teenager and it seemed I related my feelings of the moment to a song. Her songs always touched me.

Sunday we were lazy again, just watching TV and reading the newspapers. I changed the sheets and walked dogs, and did a little house work before we went out to a cook-out (barbecue) honoring a friend, who is running for State office.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Random

In the last few days I have been thinking about some things and I thought I would share them with you. One of those things just happened a minute ago. Hubby’s cell phone rang, and it was a wrong number. I said to the man, who was looking for Tony, “I’m sorry, but you have the wrong number.”

Then the man just hung up! Just like that…he hung up. No apologies, just hung up!

Where are people’s manners? Tell me, if you get a wrong number, don’t you say, “I’m sorry.” for bothering that person, or is it just me?

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Then there was yesterday. I’m still not sure if I should be speaking to Hubby. Here is what he did to me!

I’d been with Mandy and Savannah all day, and when I headed home I needed to stop at the grocery store. I was just exhausted, and it took me an hour to do the shopping. I was just getting onto the highway when my cell phone rang and it was Jack.
He said, “Where are you?”
I said “Just getting on the highway, why?”
and he said, “Oh I am in Isle 6 in the grocery store!”
I said, “WHAT!”
and then he said, “Just teasing! I am at home!!!

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Although I think of myself as being a shy person, it sort of dawned on me that, given the right situation, I am an incredibly social person.

Take yesterday in the grocery store. The place was not mobbed at all. The summer crowds are gone, so as I wended my way through the store I kept seeing the same people, over and over. Of course the ones with babies drew me instantly and heard all about our Savannah. But there were other people, and each time we passed each other, we spoke.

I realized then, that I was actually enjoying the little conversations. Are you the type to rush in and out of the grocery store, or do you talk to strangers as well as the employees?

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I know this picture is small, but currently we have three Ground Hogs living at the top of our driveway! I took this picture with my cell phone.

Rotten little rodents! In case you live in a country where you have escaped them, here is a little background on these beasts.

The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but the woodchuck is a lowland creature. It is widely distributed in North America and common in the northeastern and central United States. Groundhogs are found as far north as Alaska, with their habitat extending southeast to Georgia.
Mostly herbivorous, groundhogs primarily eat wild grasses and other vegetation, including berries and agricultural crops, when available. The groundhog is the largest sciurid in its geographical range, typically measuring 40 to 65 cm (16 to 26 in) long (including a 15 cm (6 in) tail) and weighing 2 to 4 kg (4 to 9 lb).. (Read this as, my garden and our fruit trees are it’s favorite eating place! Our Ground Hogs are very large, as they eat very well!)

I borrowed this, so you can see in detail, what they look like!

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I have several items in the fridge that need to be used up. Chicken, tomatoes, and some broccoli. I’m thinking if I chop up some onions, peppers, and saute it up, and serve it over noodles, that this might be a nice and easy meal!

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Happy Sunday!

Savannah Rose

On Friday I went down and babysat Savannah Rose while Mandy had two doctor’s appointments. She had grown so much and changed too! No longer a little baby, she is now more aware and alert!

We watched a little Sesame Street, rolled around on the floor and I played with her trying to get her to make vocalization noises. I would say “AHHHHHHH” and tap my mouth like and Indian. Then when she started to do it, I tapped lightly on her mouth so she made the sounds too! Oh she just loved that!

She is totally beautiful and very sweet! You should have seen me, on the floor crawling around and then this little gal must be going through a growth spurt because she is just chugging her bottles!

As you can see, her eyes are staying light blue and gorgeous! I am simply a sucker for blue eyes!

Well, this old Grandma needs to get a nighty on and go to bed.

Friday Fill-Ins

And…here we go!

1. Sunshine, blue skies, and a life of good things.
2. “That is a great story in the newspaper”, is the last thing I overheard someone say.
3. I found a recipe for meatloaf and it really tasted good!
4. I’m looking forward going down to see Mandy and the lovely Savannah Rose! I haven’t been down in two weeks and I have really missed them.
5. Right now the dishes are done, the dogs have been walked and I am waiting for the “Big Bang Theory” to start.
6. Gurgling, laughing, smiling, babies make me smile makes me smile!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to putting my feet up and watching a movie or two, tomorrow my plans include going out to the movies and Sunday, I want to go to a party for my friend, Jeanie!

Thursday Thirteen

First the free vacation contest is still underway. Please remember to go HERE and look for my funny face under Mcewan and vote for me. That would be terrific. And have your friends vote too! I sure could use a vacation! You can vote once per day until September 20th.

Here we are…another Thursday! There are days I feel pressured to try to come up with something that makes sense, and this weeks Thursday Thirteen is no exception. I think I am a little burnt out from the last week and all the writing I have done. So today I am winging it. Here goes!

Thirteen things that have been going on in my little town, and my life.

We had the local election primaries on Tuesday.
My friend won her primary for State Senate.
Now it is on to the election in November!
I was down another half a pound at Weight Watchers!
The local paper printed a story about Hubby’s Orchard on Tuesday!
There was even a picture of my guy holding an apple, with Fritz in the background.
That picture is how I will always think of my sweet Hubby!
He is truly a man of the land!
I’m trying to get caught up with my laundry, but I keep getting side tracked!
Today I go to have my tooth measured for a crown.
Then Friday I get to go and see my Sweet Savannah Rose!
Oh, I can hardly wait for that!
Being a Grandma, is the best thing in the world!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? The NFL is back in action along with all the college teams. Are you a fan? Who do you root for? If you’re not a fan what do you do while the rest of America watches Saturday, Sunday, Monday night, and now Thursday night games?

I’m not into it like most of my family is. So I read or write or cook while they watch. I do love the Super Bowl, and will usually have a team picked out.

2. What’s something I’ll always find in your closet?

Next years Christmas presents! Starting the day after Christmas I buy little trinkets for the next year. I also have my daughter to buy for in December, as her birthday is December 20th.

3. Share one of your earliest memories.

I remember having my appendix out. It was just before my fourth birthday. I vaguely remember the pain. I do remember watching Captain Kangaroo through the bars on the children’s crib they had me in, and I remember missing my sister a lot.

4. What circus act best describes your week so far?

A Juggler. I am so busy this week and I feel like I am juggling to keep everything going.

5. What’s a food you disliked as a child but you love now?

Creamed Herring. I hated it as a kid, but when I married Hubby and we went to Germany I learned all about good Creamed Herring! Hmmmmmm!

6. Describe your summer in three words.

Wet, wonderful, wild. (Wet because it rained a ton and ruined my garden. Wonderful because of Savannah Rose and Wild because it seems I just get busier and busier!)

7. Where were you on September 11, 2001? Will you do anything special to mark the day this year?

My post yesterday tells exactly where I was: the shower, and where I went later in the day: the dentist. I pray each year for the people who died that day, and for their families and then for all who have given their lives in defending our country.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

A woman I knew back in High School thinks we should just forget about 9/11 and go forward with no memorials for those who lost their lives that day.

I was pretty upset about this because I thought of all those police and firemen and women who lost their lives, and about all those innocent people! I thought of the families who sit down to dinner with an empty chair at their table. I know how it feels to lose someone so quickly, and senselessly.

Of course, Katie did not die due to a Terrorist, but how many of those men and women on 9/11 woke up that day thinking “today I will die?”

On 9/11/01 I was preparing to go to the Dentist. I was having two teeth capped. Jack pulled me out of the shower and we watched the after affects of the first plane hitting the first Tower. As we sat watching, the second plane came in and hit the second Tower. Hubby is a former Air Line Pilot and after the first plane went in, he turned to me and said, “That was a big plane, and that was no accident”.

I cried almost all day. I did actually get to the Dentist, and I discovered that everyone else had cancelled that day. But the thing I remember the most was that no one was on the road. The town was deserted as people stayed in to watch what was happening.

I hugged and held my husband, realizing that had he not retired a few years before, he would have been vulnerable to this sort of Terrorism.

No we must never forget what these people sacrificed.

God Bless them all.

Remembering September 11, 2001

I think we all can tell you where we were, and what we were doing on that fateful day, ten years ago.

September 11, 2001

It was a beautiful day here in New Hampshire. Sunny, bright, clear with blue skies. I was taking a shower getting ready for a dental appointment, while Hubby was working on shingling the house. It was a day like any other here.
Hubby had the TV in our bedroom pointed out the window so he could listen to the morning news.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my arm and Hubby told me I had to get out of the shower now, something was happening. I was a little dazed and confused. I shut the water in the shower off and grabbed my towel.

Hubby and I sat in our family room watching Fox News, ABC, and CNN. A plane had hit one of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in downtown New York City.

While we watched, suddenly another plane came in and hit the other Tower!
We were both in shock. We listened to reports. No one was saying terrorism, not at first. But both Hubby and I knew.

I look at this picture, and I know that none of those innocent people got out alive. That thought brings me to tears each time.

We watched the Tower’s come down, one and then the other. We knew people had died. We just didn’t know how many.

At 12:30 I drove to my dental appointment. There was not another car on the road. Not one. I got to my dental appointment and found that I was the only patient that hadn’t cancelled that day.

When I got home we watched the TV all day. I called my family and my close friends. Just to hear their voices.

It doesn’t matter your political affiliations, or how you feel about the war. What matters is on September 11, 2001 innocent people died in New York City, In Washington, DC and in Shanksville, PA.

People like you and like me. Just because they were Americans.
That was the day I learned that we are no longer safe here at home.

I also learned that when our country is attacked in such a manner, we pull together and unify.

God Bless all who lost their lives that day, to their families, who will never be the same, and all who serve this country each and every day to protect and defend us.

September 11, 2001: Basic Facts

Chronology
8:46 AM Plane crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
9:03 AM Plane crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
9:17 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shuts down all New York City area airports.
9:21 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halts all flights at U.S. airports. It is the first
time in history that air traffic has been halted nationwide.
9:38 AM Plane crashes into the Pentagon. Evacuation begins immediately.
9:45 AM The White House evacuates.
10:05 AM The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
10:10 AM A portion of the Pentagon collapses.
10:10 AM Plane crashes in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
10:22 AM The State and Justice Departments, as well as the World Bank are evacuated.
10:28 AM The World Trade Center’s north tower collapses.
10:45 AM All federal office buildings in Washington, D.C. are evacuated.
1:44 PM Five warships and two aircraft carriers are ordered to leave the U.S. Naval Station
in Norfolk, Virginia to protect the East Coast.
4:10 PM Building 7 of the World Trade Center collapses.

The Flights
American Airlines Flight 11
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 92 people on board
Crashed into North Tower of World Trade Center at 8:46 AM

United Airlines Flight 175
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 65 people on board
Crashed into South Tower of World Trade Center at 9:03 AM

American Airlines Flight 77
From: Washington, D.C. (Dulles Airport)
To: Los Angeles, CA
Lives: 64 people on board
Crashed into the Pentagon at 9:38 AM

United Airlines Flight 93
From: Newark, New Jersey
To: San Francisco, California
Lives: 44 people on board
Crashed into rural Pennsylvania (southeast of Pittsburgh)

Victims
Victims came from more than 90 countries around the world.
The following are the number of people who died at each site:

World Trade Center 2,823 (includes airline passengers)
Pentagon 125 (not including plane victims)
Flight 11 – 92 people on board
Flight 175 – 64 people on board
Flight 77 – 64 people on board
Flight 93 – 44 people on board

The initial numbers are indelible: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m, the times the Towers were hit. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. From there, they ripple out.

Fact Sheet
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
August 15, 2002

What I Did This Past Weekend

I just found out that my entry is in the running for a free Princess Cruise. If you go to this page:

http://photocontest.brandmovers.net/gallery

and look for my funny face under Mcewan and vote for me that would be terrific. And have your friends vote too! I sure could use a vacation! You can vote once per day until September 20th.

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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The weekend always seems to speed by, and this last one was no exception.

Friday found me at the Dentist again, getting a temporary crown on the “bad” tooth. We are hoping that once the tooth is covered it will stop hurting. As of 11:30 AM on Sunday, it is not going well, and I fear that I may actually lose the tooth.

Saturday was the weirdest of days. It was so humid that you could have cut the air with a knife! I went out to do a few errands, and I saw the most beautiful eggplant at the grocery store for 99¢ a pound!

Since I had thawed my last spaghetti sauce from 2011 to use up, I thought this might be a good day to make Eggplant Lasagna. Only this time I omitted the sausage and just had a ground meat base along with the eggplant. It came out really well, and we will have some for lunch today (Sunday).

Of course on Saturday, we also had the wild weather, when the cold front blew on through. We did not have any Tornadoes, but we did have heavy rain and hard winds. Our lights blinked a few times, but luckily, we did not lose power.

Sunday morning found us waking early, as my face was hurting, and the dogs (read that Miss Greta), wanted to go out. So, up we got, and I grabbed a jacket (the temperature had dropped to 59 F or 15 C. And the air was dry!

Yes, I have opened my windows and I’m enjoying the fresh air!

The week ahead is a busy one. Hubby goes for his physical tomorrow, Tuesday I go to have my retinas checked, and also to vote in our State Primary’s. Wednesday is Weight Watchers, Thursday is back to the Dentist and Friday I go to babysit my darling Savannah Rose!

And then…it will be the weekend again!

My life is flying by!

How about you?