Dackel Princess

This & That ~ November 23rd

In the last few weeks, I have gotten tired of my hair. I mean, it’s nice hair and I am not intending on pulling a Brittany Speers and shaving it all off, but after a lot of thought, I decided to do something amazing and go a wee bit shorter!

I had previously worn this style many years ago, and it looked good and was easy to care for. So while you read this, I will be getting my hair shaped and colored. Hopefully, I will look and feel like a new woman afterward!

In the mail, on Monday I received a notice that my Health Insurer was rejecting the claim for my recent surgery! We are talking about close to $4000.00! I immediately called the Liason for the company Jack previously worked for and she is helping me put together an appeal. It’s my hope I will prevail, but the one Insurance Company is simply the worst I have ever dealt with!

I will keep you posted.

On a positive note, I was able to get our trash to the recycling center with almost no one else there, I fixed a great lunch and I was able to actually sit down and plan my time from now until I put that big bird into the oven on Thursday morning!

Maribeth

The Weekend Wrap November 23rd

Well, we don’t have snow yet, but we are expecting a “wintery mix” today. So I decided to break out my snow and Hairy Woodpecker header to start this post.

The weekend began with an announcement that we now have a mask mandate. We are all supposed to be staying at home unless there is a need for food and prescriptions.

On Sunday they announced food shortages. Well, whoop-di-do! Do you know what that means? Everyone and their brother were at the grocery store trying to get food so that they don’t starve while they shelter in place.

The hardest thing for me today was watching several elderly people trying to get food and drink at the store. I could see the fear in their eyes and a sense of being lost.

I tried to help when I could. One old man literally was so upset he couldn’t figure out where to go to check out. I gave him my spot and reassured him it was going to be fine.

Meanwhile, as of tonight, we have 493 new cases and one new death. Things are grim. Our Thanksgiving holiday is Thursday. A time usually spent with family and friends. This year, people will be alone. The celebrations will be small or nonexistent.

I’m still cooking. I enjoy cooking. So I will be roasting a turkey, stuffed with chestnut dressing, serving up mashed potatoes and gravy, butternut squash and green beans and pearl onions. Dessert will be apple pie and mince tarts served with hard sauce and champagne.

It’s started to snow (Sunday night) and I am sure it will not amount to much. It’s just a reminder that winter is on its way.

The Days Before Thanksgiving

As I sit here on Sunday morning, the temperature is a cold 29 degrees with mixed precipitation forecast for in the next 24 hours. Well, why the heck not? I mean right now it seems everything is going downhill, so why not the weather?

I was just watching our local news and I am sure that this will cause panic in the streets. They are telling people that shortages abound, and if you do not have your holiday foodstuffs now then you are up the creek.

About a month ago, I could see the writing on the wall. people were being careless with their masks, and I also saw groups at gatherings and knew it was not good.

I told my family and friends to buy extra canned food and boxed foods, and any paper products they might need. I myself would buy canned soups and vegetables, paper products, and cleaners each time I went. Today I feel like a genius!

I do not need another thing in order to make a Thanksgiving meal for Jack and myself.

On Monday I do plan to go to the recycling center to get rid of our trash and stop both at the Grocery Shop and at the Post Office. Then I am in until after the holiday unless important mail is awaiting us.

So, gentle readers, please wear your masks. Wash your hands often, and stay away from people. And remember, if you can’t have the exact meal you want for Thanksgiving, it’s okay. Better to eat meatloaf, then to be in the hospital for Christmas because you kept shopping for the perfect turkey.

The Friday Five November 20th

Here we are 35 days until Christmas. It sure is feeling like it as our temperatures plunge. But, all in all, the past week although crazy busy has been good and I am so grateful. So without further ado here is this week’s Friday Five!

As you know we have been battling doggy illnesses. I think it’s almost to be expected at their age. Arnie and Anneliese (whom I call the twins), will be 14 years old on December 10th. They’re no spring chickens, that’s for sure. Right now Arnie’s back is amazingly better, and Anneliese is comfortable.
I needed to give Lili a mini bath. There were parts of her that were just plain gross. Since it was 15 degrees when we got up today, I took a bucket of warm water to our basement garage, bathed her, and then rinsed her off with another bucket of warm water. The best idea Jack had when we built the house was to slope the basement floor to a floor drain. It worked like a charm.
I was so happy to see that many of my family and friends have donated to my Birthday Fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where no child is ever turned away, no family is ever billed and St. Jude takes care of the child and the family during treatment. St. Jude, It’s the very best charity I know of where the money actually goes to care for sick children. I am very close to breaking my record for fundraising!
On my birthday I was blessed to hear from so many of my much-loved family and dear friends. So many birthday wishes sent so lovingly. I felt a great deal of love around me.
Lastly, I want to add this. It’s a saying that I repeat whenever I am having a down day. It’s from one of my favorite movies, “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

I remind myself of these words regularly.

Have a safe, wonderful, weekend. It’s my hope that one day the Covid will be gone and life will get back to normal.

A Busy Birthday!

My Birthday seems to have stretched into a nearly one-week long celebration. Not bad really. I think when you get to be over sixty you should enjoy these monumentous events as much as possible.

Of course, I had a great celebration with Mandy and family, but then, on my birthday I got up with Arnie to discover that the boy had something very wrong, which led to a bloody mess on my bed.

At first, I blamed Lili. I thought perhaps she’s played too hard with Arnie and bitten him.

However, after I cleaned Arnie up and actually used the doggy clippers to remove the hair on his back (A small area mid-back) I saw what appeared to be a really bad “hot-spot”.

So I quickly showered and dressed, as I knew I would be driving Arnie out to the Vets. Which I did later in the morning.

Yes, it’s a mean “hot-spot” and he is on meds for that. I also picked up more pain medication for Anneliese to keep her comfortable.

Coming home, I bought the last things for my birthday dinner, which I cooked, and came home.

What did I cook for my dinner? Vidalia Onion Swordfish, Roasted Herbed Potatoes, and Brussell Sprout Saute. Dessert was a Strawberry and Cream Ice Cream Cake served with Champagne. All in all, not a bad meal. Definitely not diet-friendly, but what the heck, it was my birthday.

In 24 hours Arnie’s back is looking better. I think he is feeling better too. Thank goodness.

On Wednesday it was my last meeting with my ladies. It was 22 degrees with a stiff wind and snowing lightly. But we all showed up, wearing multiple layers of clothing, and stayed for nearly an hour. When I left my nose was bright red, and my fingers and toes were frozen! But I wouldn’t have missed this for the world!

So now we are back to reality here. I’m only going out when I have to, and I’m being cautious. Our Covid numbers are climbing and since it is that time of year when colds and flu abound, I figure it’s best to isolate at home.

I have everything to make a nice Thanksgiving dinner for the two of us. And I also will have my favorite thing that evening. A nice warm turkey sandwich.

It’s a strange time right now, around the world. So many people are sheltering in place. Families are divided and kept apart by this virus. Memories are not being made, and it’s just plain not fair.

But such is life. I hope and pray that soon a vaccine can be made and once again we can go about living our lives.

Happy #62 to Me!

I started my life sixty-two years ago on a cold and blustery day. I weighed 9 lbs and one ounce and my (not even 5 foot tall), mother swears I nearly killed her.

Cute, huh?

Of course, being born at noon meant that she was back in her room in time for lunch. Lunch that day was a turkey sandwich! So I didn’t wreck her day completely.

I was the youngest of three children and you know what they say, the youngest is the most spoiled.

I didn’t feel that way, of course, as there seemed to be an expectation to excel. I did try for a while and then when I hit my teens I went in the opposite direction and rebelled!

I may not always have made the best choices in my life, but somehow I made my way and I was blessed with two daughters, Mandy and Katie,

and now my grandchildren, Savannah and Quinn.

Hmmm! Sixty-two! Imagine that? I remember as a kid when my grandmother and then my mother were this age. Somehow they seemed like old ladies! I certainly don’t feel like that. There is so much left that I want to do!

We have so much fun together and these two are the light of my life! I am so very blessed!

So, Happy Birthday to me!

The Weekend Wrap ~ Good Things!

My weekend was a good one. On Friday I went down to see my daughter’s family and celebrate my birthday a little early.

What this means to a person who has been so very good on the Weight Watcher program, is that for that one day I would eat meals that I really enjoy and have not eaten in nearly a year.

It all started at lunch with a yummy real cheese pizza! It was amazing! I truly enjoyed each bite!

For dinner, I asked for steak! Matt is an amazing “Grill Master” I asked for him to cook steaks for me and for him. I mean, WOW! The steaks were the best I have ever had! I adore baked potatoes, and for dessert, I wanted a Dairy Queen Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Cake!

During the last year, I have learned that I really am not a big cake fan. But I sure do love my ice cream. Now, I just don’t eat cake. But an ice cream cake? Oh yeah! Mmmmmmm!

During the meal, we enjoyed a delicious Cabernet Wine, and for dessert, Matt made me an Irish Coffee!

Since I have also not been drinking during this time I will admit to being pleasantly toasty!

This was the most amazing meal I had had for a while, and I enjoyed every sinful bite! (Which included a second piece of the ice cream cake!)

Savi and me playing around!

I got to play with my two grandchildren and the new puppy, Winter, as well as their two-year-old dog, Freya.

Quinn and Freya!

I must say, both dogs are real sweeties and they also love their Oma!

Quinn and Winter.

Oma and Winter!

Oma and Savannah!

Needless to say, I slept well, and when I did get up in the night, Winter always greeted me when I returned to bed with little kisses and her demand for belly rubs!

In the morning we all had things to do, so I left early to buy a few groceries, fill the car with gasoline and stop and shop for some new clothes. I had some wonderful coupons, a birthday discount, and a gift card.

When you have lost a lot of weight, I will tell you that you don’t see yourself as you are. I went through the shop selecting items at a size I thought I was. I got into the dressing room and started to try things on.

I came out to show the saleswoman (who I know well) and she looked me over and said, “Maribeth, those things are too big on you!”

Then she had me stand in front of the mirror and asked me what I saw.

Well, I saw a little bit of fat I hope to lose around my waist. I saw the baby belly I have had for over 40 years. I saw the hips. A little too curvy I think.

She giggled. “Okay,” she said. “When I look at you I see an amazingly slim woman in clothes that are too big.”

So off she went to get me items I’d selected but in a smaller size. She came back and I started trying them on. I zipped up the corduroys and put on a top and I was shocked. They fit!

Then I tried on a pair of black slacks and a white top. I looked at myself over and over, realizing that I really could see the 60-pound weight loss.

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I am wearing size 12’s!

The sales were great and I bought 5 pairs of slacks and a bunch of shirts and sweater shirts. I filled two shopping bags with lovely new clothes. But looking at what I have here at home, I really did need new clothes!

Suddenly, sixty-two doesn’t look too bad to me!

Covid in New Hampshire

There are times in our lives when it seems that there are only complications, illnesses, and problems around us. Some days seem eternally long. Like one is stuck on this merry go round with no way off.

Such has life been since earlier this year when the Covid came to call. In the beginning, not knowing too much about the virus I was scared to death. I remember clenching my teeth so tightly that my jaw ached, and made it difficult for me to eat a simple salad.

But as our numbers went down, and we understood more, I began to relax and my jaw stopped aching and although I still was conscientious wearing a mask and practicing good high gene, I did not live in fear.

About a week or so ago, our numbers began to soar. For my little old State of New Hampshire to have between 350-450 cases per day is dramatic. We are a small state. and my small town is registering higher rates too.

The Covid Virus is back and in so many ways it is worse than it was at the start.

As I drove home from my daughter’s home yesterday I looked at the cars around me. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut plates abounded. I found myself being annoyed, as these people are only supposed to come if they Quarantine for 14 days here. And of course, when they return to their own States, they are supposed to quarantine there too. But as I pulled into The Outlet Mall I noted all the out of State cars and it made me both angry and paranoid.

I did my business there and pulled across to BJ’s and got gasoline. Then I hopped on the highway and went home.

I will be going into a lockdown here with Jack as long as our numbers are so high.

The Friday Five November 13th

Here we are, mid-November, the leaves have now dropped, providing work for Jack each day.

We had warmer than normal temperatures early this week, but here we are on Friday, with more normal, cooler temperatures. So as the week closes, here are my Friday Fives.

I have spent this week trying to get my mind in order. I have finally gone through my pots and pans, weeding out the old and replacing with my new Pampered Chef pots.Have I mentioned how much I love these cooking pots? For someone who enjoys cooking like me, these pots are really beautiful!
I think after the next few days I will be going back into lockdown. I have two places to go on Friday and Saturday after that, it’s back to restricting my time out. Our numbers have sky-rocked here in New Hampshire, and for the sake of my health and those I love, I know I must do this again. Today we had 323 new cases of Covid in New Hampshire.
I listened to the Governor and our State Epidemiologist and they were calm but warned about the climbing numbers.
My gathering with my ladies was really good this week. We spoke about the pressures of the holidays with our dieting, and how to enjoy our holidays and then get right back on the wagon. For me, it’s always a bit tricky as I have my birthday, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. All major food fests! But I know I can do it!
Here is my new New Year’s Resolution. I’ve decided to start weeding through my house getting rid of things I do not use and never will. My old pots, which are still very usable, are going to our Recycling Center. I also plan to bring all sorts of old things there. I can hardly wait to keep going. A load a week until it is done!

So that’s this week’s list. I wish you all a wonderful weekend filled with joy, good health, and much happiness!

TBT: My Papa’s Family

I’ve been totally immersed in genealogy the last week or so. It’s amazing how difficult their lives were back at the turn of the century for my Papa’s family, who immigrated from Germany to the United States. They did not have much money, but as soon as they arrived the older ones all got jobs to help to support the family.

Here is a picture of them taken either just before they left Germany or shortly after they arrived.

Left to right is Herbert, his sister Hedwig, my great grandfather August Prussmann, the little boy sitting down is my Papa, Frederick, then there is Henry, sitting down is the youngest Kätchen, then my great-grandmother, Elizabeth, and Herta. All lived to grow old, except Kätchen. She died at the age of 22 during the Spanish Flu Epidemic in Boston.

My great-grandfather August Prussman died after 1 year here in the USA. He suffered from terrible Asthma and died during a severe attack. He was just 48 years old.

The ones I knew best were Papa Fred and his sister, my Aunt Hedwig. Hedwig lived a very long life, and we got together with her often.