Dackel Princess

The Weekend Wrap

Our weekend was a full one. Part frustrating and part wonderful.

The frustrating part was about our TV. Or should I say our satellite coverage?

On June 1st our provider could no longer provide us with the networks from Los Angeles and New York. The Congress in all their wisdom decided that people outside of those viewing areas had no rights to the coverage. Even though we were paying for it and had this service for over 20 years!

Have I mentioned that I think we need term limits in both the Congress and Senate? These jokers make laws with no input from all of us.

I digress.

I had heard from a neighbor that he had the local stations (networks) out of Boston, Massachusetts from our same satellite provider. So on Saturday, I got all our information and called the Provider.

The first woman I reached kept telling me it couldn’t be done. She argued with me, and after a half an hour, I asked to speak to her Supervisor!

She said she didn’t have one, but would put me through to programming.

I will just tell you that this is where I should have landed all along. This nice young woman, had us all signed up for the Boston package and reduced our fee for the next 24 months for everything we’ve been through. Yay!

Problem solved!

Then on Sunday, I was walking around in my favorite Merrell Clogs, which I use as slippers, and the sole came off one of them! These lasted just about 4 years. Ugh.

Now I am online to find a cheap in price, but comfortable Merrell Clogs to replace these as my slippers.

The week ahead finds me meeting up (and social distancing) with a few of my dearest WW friends. We have not seen each other since March 11th. I’m so happy about this.

I hope you all have a great week ahead. I hope this finds you getting your life back to what might be termed as normal.

Maribeth’s Italian Meatballs

I played around and made these for Jack’s dinner. I did not eat them, but I did a quality control taste test and these really are good! If you give it a try, let me know what you think!

Preheat Oven 350 degrees F

Ingredients:
2 slices Italian bread, stale
1/3 cup cold water
1/2-pound ground pork
1/2-pound ground beef chuck
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 medium onion, grated (about 1/4 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg, beaten
Freshly ground black pepper
A little olive oil
¼ tsp red pepper flakes.

1.    Break up the bread or pulse into crumbs in a food processor. In a small bowl toss the breadcrumbs with water to re-hydrate.
2.    In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, pork, and beef, Parmesan, parsley, salt, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, and egg and mix until combined. Season the meat mixture with pepper.
3.    Using your hands, gently form the meat mixture into slightly larger than golf ball-sized balls. (Packing the meat mixture too tightly together will result in tough meatballs). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
4.    Spray with non-stick spray a glass dish. 8 X 12 and place the meatballs into this.
5.    Cook in oven 30-40 minutes or until meatballs are done.
Serve with spaghetti and a nice sauce over this. A great Saturday night meal!

35 Years

It’s hard for me to believe that it has been thirty-five years since the car accident that took the life of my six-year-old daughter, Katie.

It seems like so long ago, another lifetime. And yet, it also seems like just yesterday and I remember each and every detail.

The accident happened on June 13, 1985, and Katie passed away a few days later on the 19th. I’d prayed she would come back to us and wake from her coma. But, sometimes prayers are not answered.

Each year I have felt such pain. And guilt. Guilt at having been the survivor of this great tragedy. One that was entirely the other driver’s fault.

However this year I have a feeling of lightness. I will try to explain, but I am sure many of you will doubt what I am about to write.

My daughter, Mandy gave me a wonderful Mother’s Day gift. She gave me a psychic reading this Spring. I am a great Doubting Thomas, but this man was amazing and spot on.

Mandy & Katie 1985

I will not go through all he told me, but he did tell me that Katie was telling him that she did not blame me, that it wasn’t my fault, and that she is fine!

There was so much more. He knew things that no one else did, but the healing words he spoke, how it all happened, helped me to finally heal. Finally, I was able to forgive myself.

Me & Katie November 1984

So on this day, the day that changed my life forever, I am able to know that my dearest, sweetest daughter, Katie, is resting in peace.

November 8, 1978 – June 19, 1985

The Friday Five June 12, 2020

This week sped by for me, as I found myself unusually busy. Between the mouse eating our water pipe/hose, the mountains of laundry, and getting ready for my doctor’s appointment today, I was really kind of going here and there all around the house. In any case, here is this week’s, Friday Five.

The leak is fixed and now I just need to get a sheet rocker/plasterer in here to repair the wall. Meanwhile, I need to completely clean my basement laundry room. It’s kind of a disaster. Picture all the sheetrock dust and bits, and my shelves are jammed because I had to stack everything to avoid my valuable paper towel and toilet paper from being ruined.
I was all set to go to my Primary Care Doctor’s appointment today. On Tuesday I called to make sure the appointment was still on? Yes, yes it is. Then on Wednesday, I got a robocall reminding me of the appointment and I confirmed by pushing #1. On Thursday I got a message on my answering machine informing me that they are still not open for appointments! I was not able to reach the office to find out any more but hope to later today.
I refuse to watch the news. I have been watching movies, Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet, The Incredible Dr. Pol, as well as my Air Line Disaster shows. The news upsets me and right now life is upsetting enough. I simply cannot deal with it all.
Jack looked over a few minutes ago and was talking, I pulled out my earphones and told him I will not listen to any news. So, he put on a movie. Nice.
Lastly this week, I am now 42 pounds down. It’s funny because I think the mind plays tricks on you. I still see myself as I was until I do side by side photos. Then I realize, I see how much I have accomplished.

Amazing, isn’t it? And I am still going strong and I know I will make my goal.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Strange Day

Most of my days since the Pandemic started with the, Stay At Home orders, were quiet and not too busy. Today (Wednesday) was not one of those.

I had laundry to do, and cleaning to do, as well as cooking. This meant that the only TV I was aware of was on in the background.

I did set aside time to go to a WW Meeting. I really live for those because they help me to stay strong about my healthy eating.

I felt good about this until tonight when I saw on the Massachusetts WW Group page someone remarking that they feel like my little New Hampshire Group is taking over. And since I know I tend to be an over-share-er, I took the remark very personally. Then I stepped back.

I do not know the woman who made this comment. Perhaps she doesn’t like anyone from New Hampshire. So I decided to not respond and to just let it go.

Those of you who know me well, know that this is big. I think I am overly sensitive and being a Scorpio, when hurt I tend to come out swinging! But, not this time.

The beautiful sunset last night.

The end of my day was spent cooking and cleaning up yet another meal. I do try to make it interesting, but there are days, like today, when I have no desire to cook. Still, I pulled it off!

Have a great Thursday and stay happy, healthy, and safe.

The Mouse, The Leak & The Plumber

My usual posting was interrupted yesterday by the plumber.

A few weeks ago I noticed a little puddle on the floor under the sink in the laundry room. I mentioned this to Jack and he said he’d reseat the pipe.

Unfortunately, this did not work. By Sunday we had a lot of water on the floor. And no bucket or anything was clearing it or holding it.

So on Monday, we called our Plumber. He has done odds and ends for us for years now, and he came along with his apprentice.

Next, I heard drilling. That is never a good sign. But I didn’t want to know until it was over.

We have under the floor heating, with rubber-type piping. This same kind of piping/hose goes to the sinks, washer, dishwasher, etc.

A little mouse had managed to squeeze through an infinitesimal hole around the drain pipe.

Then the little bugger was hungry and chewed a small hole in the pipe/hose. It is my greatest hope that this gave the rodent indigestion which led to his demise!

So, the leak is fixed and now we need to get a sheet rocker in here to repair the hole left by our plumber!

The joys of homeownership!

The Weekend Wrap

Crazy things can happen on weekends. Usually, I try to catch up on odds and ends, but Sunday found me cut off from my local world. Well, sort of.

When I got up on Sunday morning, we had no local cable TV nor did we have Internet service.

I tried to call the Service Provider, but they have now done away with all real people and all you can get is this perky automated voice that leads you round and round and then hangs-up on you!

Fortunately, when I got my Tablet I got the one with access through our Cell Phone Company. So I was able to monitor things with that.

Our service did not return for 10 hours! But, at least it did return.

I made a nice dinner but was fretting about the leak I discovered in the laundry room. I have the plumber’s number all set to call tomorrow so we can get that fixed.

So, despite all the events of the last few months, life, regular life, goes on.

Here Comes The Sun…

It was hot, humid, and hazy a large portion of the day. This caused me to spend a lot of time outside and in the water.

After being cooped up for so long, it felt good to feel the sun on my face and the wind on my back. Unfortunately, I forgot the golden rule. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!

It’s my face and the tops of my shoulders. A bit sore and up close my repaired nose looks really funny!

As you can see, the stitched up part burnt in a strange fashion. I’m sure it will be toned down by tomorrow. After this, I will be sure to use sunscreen again, all the time!

The Friday Five June 5th

Well, here we are on the first Friday of June. In so many ways, I am hoping that the year 2020 goes by us quickly and that the year 2021 will be much kinder. Here is what’s happening at the end of this week.

I’ve started to attend at least 2 WW meetings online per week. It is so helpful to me to hear other women and men and how their weightloss battle is going.
Thursday was also the first time that someone noticed my weight loss. I was in the grocery store wearing clothes I haven’t worn in a very long time, and a lady I know exclaimed, “Wow! You’ve lost weight!” Yes, it made my entire day.
The produce man knows I am addicted to eggplant and when he saw me he called me over and told me a new shipment had come in. Beautiful eggplant and I have enough for a week!
I think I have decided to get Emeril Lagasse’s Power Air Fryer. It seems to fit the bill for all the things I need it for. I just need to make the order.
I have been thinking about life. How fragile it is, and how most of us have taken it for granted. I have always believed that Love was the most important thing in life, I still believe that this is true, but I need to add a few things to that list. I think people need to be Kind, and Honest, and Giving. These four things cost nothing to give but mean everything to lead a good life.

At the end of your life, no one will remember how many arguments you won, or how many things you have, but they will remember how kind you were (or weren’t) and how you made them feel.

Hopefully, they will remember you as a kind person who made them feel loved and valued.

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

A Random Thursday Thirteen

Back when I first began writing Dackel Princess each week I did a Thursday Thirteen. I was new to Blogging, and finding things to write about in this format was easy. I think people probably got to know me and the pups pretty well.

I haven’t done one in a while because I didn’t think I would have much to say. Then I thought I would do it and make it all random, so that really, none of this is connected to anything.

It’s a little bit how my brain has been functioning during this whole Pandemic thing!

So here we go. Thirteen Things on my mind, that have nothing to do with each other.

I wish you could all see how excited Anneliese gets when I bring her food dish in and set it down. She leaps in the air and dances around. It’s the cutest thing in the world!
I have this flock of blackbirds and starlings that have discovered my bird feeders. They empty the suet feeders every day. I have feeders that make it difficult for them, and I will start using those exclusively.
I’m becoming an expert on Airline Accidents. In my efforts to avoid the news, I’ve been watching “Air Disasters” on Smithsonian TV and it is amazing how the experts figure out what went wrong.
I was chopping vegetables for my lunchtime salad and since I knew I was making a Stir-Fry for dinner, I decided to cut those vegetables up then too. So dinner is actually nearly prepared.
I vacuumed today. One of my least favorite jobs to do. Why? Well, it seems like I just get it done, and then Lili sneezes and the house is covered with her hair once again!
I need to pay my Town Taxes and my Mailbox Fee tomorrow.
Do any of you rewatch movies that you liked because it’s nice to have friendly noise in the background? I will put on a movie like “Sleepless in Seattle”.I have seen the movie a million times, and I don’t really have to pay attention, but as it plays softly in the room it’s comforting.
I’ve decided to get an Air Fryer. I think it will be fun and of course not using any oil, helps me with my diet. I am still researching.
I ordered new sheets from Amazon. In the reviews, a person wrote that when she took them out of their packaging the smell was awful. So she had to wash them twice. But she wrote, they are great sheets. Well, they came and I brought them down to wash and I opened the package and OH, MY, GOSH!!!! It smelled horrid! I got them in the wash, with detergent, a deodorizer, and a fabric softener. I ran a heavy cycle in warm water and did a soak with the deodorizer. The end result was good and the sheets are ready to go on the bed!
I ordered the cutest mouse pad for my armchair. It arrived and wow is it great.
However, Jack liked it and so I gave it to him and ordered another for myself. They’re USA made by a woman in South Carolina and you can guess why we both loved them.
I love having a satellite dish, but occasionally, like right now, we lose reception due to heavy rain.
I tried a new Frozen Yogurt Pop called “Fudge Brownie”.

All I can say about that is that it does not taste like “Diet Food” at all. But I also promised myself not to buy that one too often, as it was just too good!
On Wednesday a dear friend was feeling low. I stepped outside of myself and my own sadness and I ~~think~~ hope I helped her. She is such a sweetheart and I understand her feelings and wanted to be there for her, even if it was just in a little way.

So there you go. 13 unrelated things happening around me or in my head.