Dackel Princess

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things About Abby

Family Party June 26, 2010 082

1. Abby Elizabeth was born in Connecticut on March 25, 2003.

2. Abby’s brother weighed more than she did at birth. He weighed 9 lbs 12 oz.

3. Abby has been playing softball for 4 years.

4. She plays all the different positions in her baseball team

5. Her favorite dinner is spaghetti with tomato sauce and cheese.

6. Her favorite dessert is fudge bars.

7. Her favorite subject in school is science!

8. She has blond hair and bright blue eyes!

9. Abby loves to swim and jump into the pool.

10. She also loves to boogie board.

11. She also loves the computer.

12. She has two cats and a dog and fish as pets.

13. She will be a flower girl on Saturday in her Daddy’s wedding to her new Step Mom!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you think the world became a more dangerous place on September 11, 2001 or did we just become more aware of the danger? How has your own life changed as a result of that day?

I think we became more aware of the danger. At least I did. I’m afraid I wore rose colored glasses much of the time. Especially after the break-up of the USSR. Having grown up during the Cold War, I always considered them the enemy. But as I sat in front of my TV set on September 11, 2001, I felt battered, bruised and as if part of me died too.

2. Did you think your parents were too strict when you were growing up? How about in hindsight?

My parent’s did the best they could. I did an awful lot to escape their notice. As I was an after thought child, neither one of them quite knew what to do with me.

3. Share one random but candid fact about yourself.

It is hard for me to get close to people, as I fear losing those I love, more than anything else.

4. Would your nearest and dearest describe you as simple or far too complicated?

Oh, way too complicated!

5. What is your favorite stadium or carnival food?

I totally love hot-dogs with mustard and relish. I also love fried dough, and kettle corn! Did I mention I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers?

6. Tornado, hurricane, earthquake…how many of these natural disasters have you experienced? Which event do you think would be the scariest?

I was in a minor earth quake, a no-name hurricane and lived in an area with tornadoes. I say I’m afraid of all of them. I am a big chicken! I would far rather be in a blizzard than in any of those.

7. Labor Day weekend is approaching so a work related question seems appropriate. Growing up, did your parents assign you regular chores? Were you paid for doing those chores? If you’re a parent do you assign chores to your own children?

I did dishes, by hand, usually with my sister, before we had a dish washer. I did not get paid. I also did laundry for the family, and no, no payment. I did have the girls do chores and they got a small allowance.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am on my way to Connecticut to my nephews wedding. I will also be spending time with my sister, mother, and nephews and nieces and grand nephews and nieces! What fun! I’m giving myself plenty of time for the drive as many roads are washed out, or closed due to Tropical Storm Irene.

I’m really excited about the wedding, and having sister time with Mel. Hubby is staying home with the pooches, and will keep the home fires burning until I return!

Are We Cookin’?

The day after a Hurricane is filled with a gigantic let down, if you are in an area that sustained no damage. In a way it’s like postpartum depression, without the baby.

Our winds topped out at 25 miles per hour and our rain was only 5.1 inches. Thus, I felt like this was just one more rain storm.

However, as I made our breakfast, I realized that my gas stove front burner was now in the “not self lighting” mode, and although I can light it by hand with a match, it no longer ignites on it’s own.

Hubby and I looked at it together, trying to figure out how to fix this, when we finally gave up, and decided to call in our repair man, Barry. As it turned out, he was in the area, and came right over.

The diagnosis is that I need a whole new ignition system on that burner and perhaps the one behind it. And the clock and thermostat which has not been lit for some time, also needs replacement.

Now here’s the part that floored me! It will actually be cheaper to buy a new stove than to fix the one we have! No, I am not kidding!

Our stove is almost twelve years old. People tell me that this is old. I have gotten good use out of it. I say, 12 years isn’t all that old! Certainly not for a failure of this magnitude!This was a top of the line model back then, so it is hard to believe that it is failing!

I was telling Hubby that the stove doesn’t get much use, and he looked at me like I was crazy. He said I cook more than most women. Perhaps that is true. I know, I certainly do enjoy cooking, and so my stove does get used every day, at least for 2 or 3 meals.

Tonight over another sumptuous dinner, Hubby and I agreed to watch the sales, and plan for a new stove. I simply cannot believe all the changes since I purchased my last one, and I want to get one that will fit the sort of cooking I like to do.

So, I’ll continue with the stove for a wee bit longer, and then perhaps by the end of the year I’ll have my new stove!

What I Did This Past 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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It’s amazing how much of the weekend was spent getting ready for the Hurricane that never was. On Friday I went to the grocery store and picked up the last few things that we might need, and on Saturday I was looking forward to the calm before the storm, attending the Craft Fair.

Now I have to say, I understand why so many people stayed away, both Vendors and Tourists, but it was disappointing none the less.

Sunday the dogs let us sleep in. I was a little perplexed about it, until I got up and found that the rain was simply pouring down! In fact, the dogs did not want to go out at all! They stuck their noses by the door and ran in the opposite direction!

So I took each one of them and brought them to the door and gave them a little encouragement. They quickly ran out, did their business and ran in. Fritz, God love him, was resolute, and I was proud. The rain was coming down that hard!

We lost our power for the blink of an eye. Just enough to have me resetting clocks all around the house! However, we only had 25 mile an hour winds, and got 5.1 inches of rain. A fair amount, for sure, but nothing that damaged the fruit.

One thing Hubby and I noticed was that with the enforced isolation in the house, by the end of the day, we were driving each other crazy. Hubby is used to being out in the yard with the fruit trees, and I am used to time alone.

The day ended with a nice dinner, a friend calling to let us know that he is okay, and me switching pocketbooks for what seemed like the millionth time this month. After all I am three days away from my trip to see my sister and enjoy my Nephew/Godson’s wedding!

Getting Ready For Irene

The day dawned warm and with a fair amount of sunshine. I felt this was a good sign, that at the very least, we would be spared the outer bands of the Hurricane for at least one more day. My cousin, Janet and her Dave, came over after a Doobie Brother’s Concert last night, to enjoy the end of the season “Craft Fair” here in The Lakes Region.

The problem? Well, many of the merchants decided to stay home instead of traveling to the Fair, so the event was VERY SMALL!!! Since the TV was touting the Hurricane, the Tourists had all gone home. I stood in the middle of the festival and felt very sad. For the merchants and for those of us that enjoy the event.

I had my charcoal grilled hot-dog, and after that my ice cream, and called it a summer, but I didn’t take one picture of the event, as there just wasn’t anything to take pictures of.

Thank you, Hurricane Irene!!!

Sunday we will actually get the winds and the rain, so I will do some laundry and some cleaning as I prepare for my nephews wedding, next weekend.

Ah well, despite what the TV is saying, life is good and I think New Hampshire will be just fine!

Prep Work

This morning Hubby and I were sitting in our pajamas wasting time on our computers, when the dogs went ballistic! A few people had stopped by to buy our peaches for making jam and eating. I went out, as my pajamas are slightly more acceptable in public than Hubby’s are, and he raced off to get dressed.

The ladies bought their peaches and I shared my recipe with them for my jam. It’s sort of funny, but many people have trouble with the recipe, but it always works for me.

Later on, after our lunch, I told Hubby that I needed to go to the grocery store to get the last few things before the storm arrives on Sunday. You see, tomorrow is a huge craft fair in my town and they quite literally, shut down the down town roads!

Not a problem, we would go together as he had a Peach Delivery to make, and gasoline to get for our generator, in the event that we lose power. So I helped Hubby with the peaches and he helped me with the groceries. A fair trade.

I must say that today was a beautiful day. It’s hard to believe that on Sunday we will have a tropical storm that will bring high winds and a lot of rain, but having grown up on Cape Cod, I have lived through these storms before, and I imagine I will again.

I was able to buy farm fresh vegetables, as my own are now pretty much done for the year, and tonight we will eat corn that Hubby picked out himself. It’s just great when you have a farm this close and know the owners like this.

Friday night’s dinner is my own Pork Loin Roast in the slow cooker. You can find the recipe HERE. It is so easy and so delicious!

Have a safe and happy weekend, everyone. Especially those of you along the east coast.

Friday Fill-Ins

And…here we go!

1. How in the world did I ever survive.

2. I looked for love and it was right in front of me.

3. Life’s full of challenges. What matters most, is how you deal with those challenges.

4. A bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, cheese, meats, and fruit make an awesome picnic lunch.

5. That was where we had the time of our lives….

6. Bermuda and Barbados, I think of as “our places“.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to getting ready for the hurricane, tomorrow my plans include putting all our lawn furniture inside and Sunday, I want to ride out the storm with Hubby and the Pups!

Thursday Thirteen, Hurricanes & Earthquakes

This weeks Thursday Thirteen has to do with Hurricanes and Earthquakes, or why I decided to move back home to New England after living in Florida for six years.

This map shows that the state of New Hampshire may very well get some rain and wind come Sunday or Monday.
When we lived in Florida, I did not go through a named hurricane, but rather a “no name” storm that went through in the spring and flooded everything and caused damage with high winds. I sure was scared.
Hubby was away then. He was still working, and I was alone with the two dogs, (Max and Shubi) and the TV set, until the lights went out. I did not sleep that night!
Hubby and I are hoping that we do not take a direct hit from Hurricane Irene. It would seriously reduce our crop of apples, by forcing them off the tree.
Sadly, Hubby has experience with that, as a terrible storm went through his larger orchard years back (before me) and most of his crop went on the ground and were sold for apple juice.
As a child on Cape Cod, I do recall some really bad storms. I was in awe of them.
For those wondering, we did not feel the earthquake on Tuesday. From what was said, I believe the fact that we live surrounded by mountains shielded us.
I have only felt one earth quake. years ago, Shubi stood up in bed and began to howl. I felt a slight sway and that was our earth quake. 2.9
A few weeks later, The Old Man in the Mountain, fell from his lofty perch. You can go HERE to read more about the Old Man.
Hubby and I have been thinking that this is turning into one really weird year weather wise. Add to it the earth quakes in Japan and the eastern part of the USA, and then you have truly bizarre happenings.
I used to think that New Hampshire was a good choice. Far enough away not to worry about Hurricanes.
And no problem with earthquakes!
Boy was I wrong on both counts!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is something that bothers you if it’s not done perfectly?

Having my bed made. I like things tucked and smoothed just so.

2. Do you think a 6th sense exists? Explain.

Yes. I just seem to know some things without being told, or without actual proof. I just know.

3. Do you say your goodbyes slowly, quickly, or not at all?

Good-byes are hard for me, so I tend to say them quickly and then go off. If you have seen the movie, “The Blind Side”, at the end, Sandra Bullocks character has to say good-bye to her adopted son Michael at college. She say good-bye and then goes and sits in the car. You can tell she looks uncomfortable. The feelings of saying good-bye, yes, they are hard for me.

4. On a scale of 1-10, with ten being hot hot hot, what level of spice do you like in your food? What’s your favorite ‘spicy’ dish?

Hot

5. What is one of your all time favorite commercial jingles?

6. Plane, train, boat or auto…your preferred method of travel?

Any of them are fine. It would depend on the reason for the trip.

7. What is something you take for granted?

I hope I don’t take anything for granted. Having lost my daughter, I no longer take for granted the members of my family. I used to. I thought that everyone would be here for their entire lifetime. Boy, was I wrong. So I hope and pray, that I am sane enough to always appreciate those I love.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

A few months ago, my comment section on the blog stopped delivering the comments to my inbox! I tinkered a bit, but noting worked. I just tried to go to my own blog and read and answer as many questions as I could when I had time. The this morning, I woke up, turned on the computer and checked my email and I had 347 messages! Some from recent posts, some from months ago! It appears that Dackel Princess is burping out comments at a rapid pace! So, if you wondered why I haven’t answered your question, it’s probably because I didn’t see it.

Summertime…..

You’ll never guess what I did on Monday? Well if you guessed that I made Plum Jam, you were right!

Hubby and I had to go down to the next town to the store where they sell canning supplies, and when we returned I made my first batch of Plum Jam. I’ll be making batch number two tomorrow.

The Plums are ripe and delicious, and so the Jam is coming out very well, but the tips of my fingers are slightly discolored from the purple plums!

Hubby and I actually had a lot of fun this morning before I got to work in the kitchen and he got to work in the yard. While we were out we stopped and had lunch at a great Chinese/Japanese restaurant. The food was great and for about 45 minutes we enjoyed each others company, while having lunch.

We also have a new tenant living in our stone wall! His name is “Chip”! “Chip” makes me and the dachshunds crazy!

I don’t worry that I will be tempted to chase “Chip”, but I sure worry that the dackels, especially Anneliese, will chase “Chip” and end up in trouble!

I’m hoping to evict him soon!