Dackel Princess

Motorcycle Week 2008

Yes, it is Motorcycle Week here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Motorcycles of every shape and form are roaring the streets of our community. I think this year is not quite as crowded as last year, due to the cost of fuel, and perhaps also the cost of food. Have you noticed how the two have both increased?

Anyway, during Motorcycle Week, I try to stay in and not venture out too much. There is a lot of traffic and you just cannot get the hum of the motorcycles out of your head.

Today while getting the mail I saw the best bike couple yet. Mr. Biker had a dew rag on his head, a gray beard that grew half way down his belly which was sticking out of his pants. He had tattoos that covered his body so I wasn’t quite sure if he had a tan or not. His Biker Babe, was sitting behind him with a tube top on. She had breasts to rival Pamela Anderson, and a belly nearly as big. She had a couple of rather tasteful tattoos on the top of each breast and shoulder. Her hair was bleached white blond, with black roots and she had pale lipstick on and was smoking a cigarette! Oh yeah. They sure made me smile!

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Today was Weight Watcher day and so I HAD to go out, and I HAD to drive the busiest road between two towns. *gasp*

I made the trip there rather uneventfully and had the best news. I lost another 1.8 pounds bringing my total to 40 pounds lost! Needless to say after the meeting I was on cloud nine!

Then I decided to go to the grocery store to get some fresh vegetables. This required me to drive another 10 miles on a very busy road (also under construction) to our market.

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I was driving quite carefully and was caught up in traffic when I noted a box van truck on the other side of the road. Almost before I could think about the space in back of it, some genius on a motor bike raced out in front of my car. I slammed on my brakes and pulled over into the brake-down lane. I missed him!

Just as I let out a sigh of relief, he turned and flipped me the bird! I wanted to run after him. I wanted to remind him that when a motorcycle goes up against a car, the bike usually loses. I wanted to tell him that life is precious, but he was gone in a flash.

I was shaken, but continued on my journey and actually got all my shopping done. Despite the influx of tourists into our area, it seems none of them were shopping today.

I got home, put the food away and then, finally took a long, deep breath.

I’m not going anywhere now until Sunday. Hopefully by then the crazy ones will have departed.

Not Too Much & A Bath

So what’s new?

Today was one of those days that I can safely say, not much.

Oh, I did the usual three meals, and the cleaning up of them. I fed the dogs and walked them when they told me it was time, but for whatever reason, I just didn’t feel like doing much.

It could be the headache I have had most of the day, or perhaps the hot-flash that started at 1 AM and lasted until nearly 5 AM. Oh I just love menopause! (She says, words dripping with sarcasm.)

Last night before bed I was watching reruns on the tube when I noticed that the three ~~dachshunds~~ Amigos all smelled extremely foul. So there I was in the shower with three stinky fur children, at 7:30 last night, giving them all baths. Thank goodness I did, as they all decided to cuddle up to me last night in bed. (Yes, this did make the hot-flash much, well, flashier!)

I guess everyone needs one of those days once in a while. A day when you just lay low and chill out.

I must note here that the day was not a total loss. I found my first eggplants on the Japanese Eggplant plant (redundant, yes?), and here they are.

My tomatoes and peppers are doing well, too. We have been having afternoon rain showers that have really helped the garden. Some of our plants we have kept in large pots on the patio, and then of course we have the regular garden. That seems to be quite a bit behind the potted plants. However, I’m really pleased with the results, especially the eggplant!

Tomorrow is Weight Watchers day and perhaps a trip to the grocery store for some fresh vegetables. I think this will have been a good week weight wise, which makes me want those fresh vegetables all the more!

Top Ten Things I Am Looking Forward To This Summer

I was tagged by Miss Fabulous, regarding the top ten things I am looking forward to this summer. I will tag anyone who wishes to join with us in the happy anticipation of warm weather and sunny skies.

Here, is my list.

1. Swimming! In our Puppy Pool.

2. Swimming in our lake.

3. Grilling our meat, chicken and fish.

4. Playing with the dogs in the yard.

5. Gardening.

6. Canning the things that we grow.

7. Hiking.

8. Playing in the rain.

9. Beautiful Sunsets.

10. Cookout Parties.

And what are you looking forward to this summer? Whatever it may be, I hope you enjoy your summer as much as we hope to enjoy ours!

Wenn ich mit meinem Dackel

I found this on You-Tube and wanted to share this with you all. For those of you that speak German you will understand the lyrics. For my non-German speakers please go to the extended entry for the translation.

My dackels truly are the lights of my life! Apparently I am not the only one!

Continue reading “Wenn ich mit meinem Dackel”

Stuffed Peppers and Mashed Potatoes…Does It Get Any Better?

I decided today to make something special for dinner. Hubby loves to eat, and he loves foods that are more typically found in Diners. I asked him if he might be interested in my making stuffed green peppers for dinner and his smile told me all I needed to know.

I had found a recipe a while back for a Weight Watchers version of Stuffed Peppers, and I played with the recipe and today made up a batch. Aside from using ground turkey instead of ground beef, this is pretty much the same recipe I have been making for many years.

While the peppers cooked in the oven, I peeled some Yukon Gold potatoes to mash. It all came together and at six I set Hubby’s meal before him. The sounds of his delight made me happily realize that my choice for tonight’s meal was a good one. It was delicious and I also enjoyed it.

Who says that dieting can’t be fun?

(The recipe is in the extended entry.)

Continue reading “Stuffed Peppers and Mashed Potatoes…Does It Get Any Better?”

Saturday Scavenger Photo Hunt

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Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

~Emotions~

I have said many times how happy Hubby makes me, so many of my pictures of emotions have to do with my sweet husband. The first was taken when I took Hubby to meet my parents the first time.

This picture was taken after we said our marriage vows twenty years ago. That was such a happy day and full of emotion!

Remembrance

23 years ago today I was involved in a terrible car accident. I have written about it here. It’s a time of my life that I no longer dwell on (not too much anyway) but it is always with me. The accident claimed the life of my 6 1/2 year old daughter, Katie.

As I put together this montage of her pictures, I noted with great sadness that there are no more new pictures of Katie. Amanda and I have grown and changed over the last 23 years. Life has gone on for us, but sadly, not for her.

I live in the present now. I allow myself two days a year (the anniversary of the accident and the day of Katie’s birthday) to remember, to grieve and to wallow just a bit, but it is hard.

She had the most beautiful red curls and dancing green eyes and a little voice that made one think of Leprechauns. She wasn’t perfect, but she was special and sweet and she was my daughter.

The accident forever changed me, and Amanda, but from the ashes of our previous lives, like a Phoenix, we have risen to make a good, happy life in the present.

But you just never forget that time, those events…

or that beautiful little girl!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kathleen Alynne

Thursday Thirteen #79

Thirteen Things I Did Today

1. Went to Weight Watchers and I lost another 2.4 pounds!!!

2. Came back home, stopping at the Post Office to get our mail, and found I’d gotten a box from Amazon.com with a new book, and a recipe book!

3. Picked up Hubby and we went out to lunch at the Chinese Buffet.

4. Stopped to get dog food and gasoline. The gasoline was depressing, but we are still paying under $4.00. At least this week.

5. Did our grocery shopping.

6. This was actually a big week for that because we wanted to do a double shopping so we don’t have to go next week.

7. That’s because it is Bike Week in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and they expect the area to be flooded with motorcycles!

8. Came home and spent about an hour unloading and putting all the groceries away.

9. Talked to my daughter. That was the highlight of my day.

10. Made baked scallops for dinner.

11. Cleaned that up quickly.

12. Went to a community movie that I was supposed to “help” with.

13. No one else showed up on the committee, so guess who did all the work?

Time for bed!

A Meme

Got this one from Melli yesterday! I’ve done it before – but not for awhile… soooooo… here goes!

It’s all about Meme!!!

Two Names You Go By:
1. MB
2. Mari

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. white top
2. jean shorts

Two Of Your Favorite Things:
1. Newborn dackel babies
2. Watching the dogs play

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:
1. Cooler temperatures (It’s nearly 100!)
2. A new pair of shorts. (Only have two pair of shorts that fit)

Two Favorite Pets You Have Or Had:
1. Shubi
2. Do I have to pick? Ah, FritzGretaArnieAnneliese!

Two People You Hope Will Fill This Out:
1. Janet
2. Renny
(but that’s NOT a tag! Anyone else is welcome to do this too.)

Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Made a Weight Watchers Potato Salad!
2. Grilled a couple of steaks.

Two Things You Ate Last Night:
1. Steak
2. Potato Salad

Two People You Last Talked To:
1. Hubby
2. Mel

Two Things You Are Doing Tomorrow:
1. Weight Watchers
2. Shopping with Hubby

Two of Farthest Trips Taken In The Last 5 Years:
1. Alaska Cruise
2. The Panama Canal Cruise

Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving

Two Favorite Beverages:
1. Coffee
2. Tea

The Polka Dot Queen

It was recently pointed out to me that I wear a lot of polka dots. By this I mean that my usual bland wardrobe of blue jeans, black pants with solid colored tops, are contrasted occasionally by polka dots.

I am not a super fashionista. In fact I am afraid of bright colors or wild prints. My dressing motto is, “wear whatever will get you noticed the least”, so polka dots, small sedate polka dots have been safe.

Let’s take a peek in my closet. You see the two bathing suits and the numerous shirts with the polka dots? You see the two shirts hanging behind the ones I set out. Yep, I missed those when getting my line up ready.

However, now that I am losing weight and starting to buy some new things, I want to develop a new style, but the question here is, what’s my style?

Am I a floral or funky pattern girl? Do I want tartans or leather? Would paisley do me justice, or perhaps lace?

I’m just not certain, but I have promised myself one thing,

No More Polka Dots!!!

I got an invitation from Coldwater Creek to attend a sale that they are having. I think they see a woman losing weight in need of clothes and figure that they can sell me some. Since they sent the invitation I should go and at least look, right?

I wouldn’t want to be rude!