Life – Page 31 – The Dackel Princess

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The season of Lent begins on March 9th this year…do you participate and if so, in what way?

I used to, but since joining Weight Watchers, I sort of feel like I’ve given up most of the things I would ordinarily have given up. Perhaps I will use the time to be contentious with the plan.

2. Traditionally pancakes are eaten on the day known as Shrove Tuesday which is the last day before Lent (March 8th this year). So….butter and syrup? Blueberry? Chocolate chip? ewww, no thanks!! What’s your pleasure when it comes to eating pancakes?

I love pancakes. I love blueberry the best, but with real maple syrup. I also love banana fritters, once again with real maple syrup!

3. Spring is coming. (It is coming, right?) What’s your favorite springtime flower and do you suffer from seasonal allergies? Two questions I know, but they’re lightweights.

I love Lilacs! Also Forsythia! I also love the greening of the trees. Do I have allergies? Oh yes, I certainly do!

4. “Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than upon what they make us see in ourselves.” Author unknown. Agree or Disagree? Why?

I actually don’t agree. I see people as they are. (At least I try to.) I do try to see myself apart from others. Now if I see a characteristic that I like in someone, I may try to determine how to change and incorporate that into my own personality. Likewise, if I see something I do not like, if it is severe enough then I would pass on the friendship. Mostly, (I hope) I am open-minded enough to enjoy all sorts of people.

5. Since it’s “March” and also the season of Mardi Gras….have you ever been in a parade? What’s the best parade you’ve seen?

Yes, I’ve been in many parades, when I was a kid. It was fun. Especially the parades I was in with my High School Band!

6. You would jump up and down and shout for joy right now if someone told you_

I was going on vacation to a warm and wonderful place. Or perhaps over to see my friend in Germany or another friend in Australia.

7. How clean is your car on the outside? Inside? Is there junk in your trunk?

My current car (the old Jeep), is covered with salt right now and looks terrible. I plan to wash it today. The inside is completely clean, even under the seats, as everything went forward Monday after I hit the snow bank. It was amazing all the stuff I found when I got home and was taking everything out of the car.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Joanne continues to amaze us all with her progress, but she has so far to go, and both pain and depression really get her down. Please pray for her to have relief from her pain (it’s a balancing act, because they don’t want to give her too much pain medication, as this will slow her recovery), and peace in her heart, mind and soul, while she recovers.She is such a brave young woman, and she is in the fight of her life!

God Bless you, Joanne!

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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This was a very strange weekend. I actually accomplished a lot of things, but the things I looked forward to the most, did not happen.

I did get some cleaning done, although not as much as I would have liked. I also watched a movie, but nothing that was new and earth shattering. “From Lark Rise to Candleford” was not on, and on Sunday morning we were in the dark (no power) for about an hour. Hubby went out and got our generator going, so I was able to make our breakfast and we watched TV until the power was restored.

We also did some running around getting groceries. Part one found us taking Arnie with us, and part two found us bringing Anneliese. It was so much fun traveling around with them.

We also saw our unfair fair share of rain. In the last two days we have had so much rain, and warm temperatures that the snow has melted into ponds in our yard. Amazing!

So the weekend was just your average taking care of business kinda weekend!

Saturday Happenings!

Something kind of wonderful happened today, and I can’t really talk about it yet. You will hear about it in the future, but for now, just know that I smiled most of the day with a special secret.

We had a day where our temperatures were high enough to allow for some melting, and the roads were clear. Hubby did some more snow removal in key areas, and once again I watched every cooking show known to man, as I did my house work. It helps to give me ideas for new meals to cook.

For instance, Saturday night I am cooking a meatloaf, made from a recipe I found on the Food Channel. Now I hope this is a good meatloaf, because it took me well over an hour just to chop up all the vegetables that go into this meatloaf. I like to think of this as the “Everything But The Kitchen Sink Meatloaf”! I really hope it is good. If it is, I will post the link to the recipe, as it is a copy write-ed recipe.

I was flipping through TV guide when I noticed that my new favorite TV show, “From Larkrise to Candleford” is not on tonight! What? They are having fund-raising TV crap on instead! I am not happy, as now I must wait until next week for another episode.

Okay, I hope you are all sitting down. Here is the up to date latest. I actually finished all of my laundry! Ha! I knew I could do it if I just set my mind to it!

Some good friends of ours slipped away and tied the knot! The bride and groom both wore flannel shirts and jeans and life is good! Congratulations to Lou and Mary and our wishes for happiness always!

Love is grand!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’s birthday so I’m wondering…do you like green eggs and ham? Okay-how about this instead…how do you like your eggs? Or don’t you?

I love eggs, any old way at all. I guess my favorite (if you force me to pick one) is fried with a slightly runny yolk.

2. Is March coming in like a lion or something less ferocious where you live?

Lion. So much darn snow! Really. However, they are forecasting some warmer temperatures for this weekend, so perhaps we will have a little bit of melting. Yay!

3. Do you work better or worse under pressure?

Worse. I really like things nice and calm and quiet. Then I can slowly go through things and get my work done.

4. March Madness-are you a fan? It’s college basketball in case you’re wondering. And if you’re outside the USA tell us-is there any sort of ‘madness’ taking place during March in your part of the world?

Hubby will be interested, but I think I will take that time and do some spring cleaning in other rooms in the house, with my MP3 player stuck in my ears! lol!

5. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?

When things are quiet and I am alone. I need the solitude, the stillness, to gather my thoughts.

6. What item of clothing from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

My junkie jeans. I love them. They are soft and fit perfectly and yet, if I spill something on them, who cares? Aside from the jeans, I love soft white cotton socks.

7. Do you use sarcasm?

Oh boy, I really try not to, but I am afraid that I allow myself to use it far more often than I should. I think I have learned to curb my tongue more now in my 50’s then I did when I was in my 20’s.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My regular readers know that since mid January I have used this spot to keep you all posted on the progress of my blog friend, Joanne. I’ve asked for your prayers for her, since she suffered a severe stoke.

The great news is that she is doing incredibly well and hopefully will go to the long term rehab center sooner rather than later. Currently, she is in a rehab center that is for really acute care, but since she is progressing so well, she will soon be moved.

Joanne is blessed to have a wonderful family and close group of friends, as well as all of us worldwide, who have been praying for her. Joanne still has a long way to go, but Joanne’s recovery is such a testimony in itself to the power of prayer.

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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Despite the fact that I was determined to have a quiet weekend, I am here to report in on quite a few activities that you too can do on a lazy day.

As far as going out went, we decided to stay in. It was very cold and VERY windy. The temperatures topped out at perhaps 18 degrees (F) and the winds shook the house and trees at 44-55 miles per hour! A friend of mine lost her windshield when a tree branch smashed it!

So, Hubby and I, along with the dogs, stayed in. We watched various movies and shows on the TV. We watched my new favorite show “From Larkrise to Candleford”, as well as the movie “RED” which I had gotten for Hubby.

Quite often he cannot make out what the actors are saying when they are speaking in hushed voices. So often he misses out on important dialogue. Watching a movie at home, we can turn on closed captioning, and get every bit of the conversations. Heck, at this point in my life, even I miss some of the words being spoken!

Then we watched another movie, one that I gave Hubby for Christmas. This one is called “Hachi”.

It is about a professor (Gere) who adopts a lost Akita puppy that grows up to be the most loyal dog ever (even after a tragedy that I will vaguely allude to). Both Hubby and I were so smitten with this movie that we began to read more on the Internet, only to discover that Hachi existed in Japan and the story, was basically a true one.

Both Hubby and I recommend the movie, but you will have to rent it or buy it as it was never released in the USA market. With all the crap in our theaters, it sort of ticks me off, that this gentle love story, was considered beyond American audiences.

Anyone who has ever owned a dog will understand the relationship, and if you are lucky enough, you will have had a Hachi of your own.

We even watched the Daytona 500, with all of the spectacular crashes! I’m so glad that it’s not me driving those cars! I also want to go on record that I am simply not surprised by all the crashes considering they are doing this new thing called drifting, where one car literally is pushing the other. (Or so it seems.) The winner, 20 year old Trevor Bayne!

Fritz was outside on Saturday and apparently slipped on the ice and twisted his bad ankle. He’s been hobbling around and we have spoiled him with extra attention and affection. On Sunday, we managed to keep him very quiet and I hope by Monday he will be back to normal.

The dackels are all fine, and we have now finished week one of Anneliese’s heat. Two more to go! Arnie is just starting to become annoying, I may need to use a little Benedryl to calm his nerves.

To wrap the weekend, even though we didn’t go anywhere, we certainly were well entertained!

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins are sponsored by my cousin Janet. Come on and join the fun!

1. Family FUN.

2. I have known many of life’s ups and downs.

3. Trust is something that is earned.

4. I guess I am an optimist because I always hope for the best.

5. Parents are difficult for me to talk about.

6. My wedding vows to Hubby are something so meaningful and special, I will always remember what was said.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to staying warm by my hearth, tomorrow my plans include walking around the Ice Fishing Derby and Sunday, I want to have a really great time with Janet and Dave and eat lots of Lobster and Steamers!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is more important-doing what you love or loving what you do?

I guess I sort of see that as being the same thing, isn’t it? I love being a Mom, Wife, Homemaker and Doggy Mama, and I love doing all the things that make those things part of my world. Am I simply blessed being able to do what I love in this world? Perhaps this is so.

2. Do you like bleu cheese?

Love, love, love, blue cheese. In fact I just made a lettuce wedge salad for lunch yesterday and that has chunks of blue cheese and drizzles of dressing. The recipe is HERE

3. What is the most difficult emotion for you to handle?

Sadness. I have known such great sadness in my life, and I find that the sadness of others touches me so deeply that I cannot handle it too well. A good example of this is, that I recently went to a memorial service for a person whom I didn’t know (I knew his wife), and I could barely contain my tears. I felt choked with emotion and after trying to blend in with the wall for a reasonable amount of time, I left.

4. Fresh flowers or a box of chocolate?

I love chocolate, but since chocolate goes right to my hips, I will say flowers. A beautiful bouquet of flowers always brighten my day!

5. What’s a song you love that has the word ‘love’ in its title? It doesn’t have to be a ‘love song’.

The Power of Love-Huey Lewis and the News, I Love You-The Climaxx Blues Band. All You Need Is Love-The Beatles here you are, three of my favorites. Can you tell, I am a golden oldie?

6. Are you the person you wanted to be when you grew up?

I think it’s very difficult to know who you want to be ultimately when you are growing up. I certainly wanted to be a mother, wife, home maker, but personally I don’t think I planned on being spiritually, who I am. All of life’s lessons have molded me into the woman I have become.

7. Any special Valentines Day plans?

My cousin and her boyfriend are coming up on Sunday to celebrate with Lobsters and Steamers! It’s always a great time when they come! Then on Monday, the actual Valentine’s Day, I will do something just for Hubby. Perhaps, Steaks with Baked Stuffed Potatoes and Asparagus!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Our blogging friend Joanne continues do do splendidly at rehab. So many people around the world sending their prayers have worked miracles for Joanne and her family. Please take a moment and stop over at Joanne’s Blog Her Blog, The Simple Wife for the latest on her condition. Keep those prayers coming! Also if you want to send a Get Well card, you can send them to Joanne Heim, c/o Kristen Haufschild, 11004 Grayledge Circle, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130 They have been reading each card to Joanne and decorating her room with them.

The Start To My Week

Monday found me being extremely productive. Not only did I get a ton of laundry done (6 loads washed, dried and folded and put away!), but I also scrubbed the baths (we have three of them, what was I thinking?), and mopped the floor in our family room.

By late afternoon, when it was time for me to start our dinner (a spoon roast beef) with roasted potatoes and broccoli, I was starting to get tired. I mean, this was one of those days where I was really active.

Many days I chastise myself because I get caught up in my computer and that just isn’t a good thing. I love the computer, and I know it’s not good to spend so much time on it.

Hubby went skiing, God love him, and enjoyed himself immensely. He called on his way home and I made up our lunch to share when he returned. After lunch he went out into our driveway to work on chopping up the melting ice. He got a lot of it removed, which is great, as we are now ready for the next snow storm tomorrow.

Since there is no general consensus as to how much snow we will get (anything from 1-6 inches?) it was good to get a lot of it cleared away.

I will officially state here and now. “Read my lips, Mother Nature, No More Snow!”

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 was very full. Perhaps more than I’d counted on.We shopped early on Saturday and yet, still got caught in a snow storm. The roads were bad and I was nervous, but Hubby is an ace driving in the snow and we made it home just fine!

It was quite a storm though, which brought more snow, and ice and, of all things thunder and lightening snow to our area! It doesn’t happen very often, in fact I cannot recall the last time it happened here, but the noise was loud enough to wake me from my slumbers and cause me to rush out of bed to get Hubby to turn off our new TV!

All was fine, but it was a fright, so when I went back to bed, I had trouble getting back to sleep.

On Sunday we discovered that Hubby’s 5 year old laptop had gone to computer Heaven. Nothing dramatic, I was able to recover all of his files and email, and here is the great thing.

Some of you might recall that a year or so ago, my Dell computer was diagnosed as being dead. However, after I’d gotten my new Toshiba, I was talking to a computer repair technician who took the one year old Dell laptop in and discovered that the machine just needed one new chip! So, we’ve had an extra laptop laying around for the last 8 months!

May 21 003

I spent most of the day on Sunday programming Hubby’s “new” computer. I’m grateful because we simply do not have the money for a new machine.

Meanwhile the Super Bowl was played and the Green Bay Packers won!!! Yahoo!!!

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins are sponsored by my cousin Janet. Come on and join the fun!

And…here we go!

1. We are on this earth to learn the lessons of this place before we pass to the next.

2. It’s truly an experience learning everything we must in this life.

3. One of the hardest things for me to learn to accept the love around me.

4. I dislike it when I am not connected.

5. I remember spinning around in my yard until I fell down into the fragrant grass, and stared up into the bright sunny skies, without a care in the world! Oh, to be 8 years old again!.

6. Having my children and their early years is one of the best parts of my life.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to fire in the hearth (It’s only -5 degrees F right now!), tomorrow my plans include probably shoveling snow and playing with the dachshunds in the falling snow. 5-8 inches are predicted and Sunday, I want to watch SUPER BOWL!