Category: My Life

Oh, Good Morning! You know, it is somewhat difficult to write my blog right now. Many of my stories are observations on life. However, right now, there is not a whole lot going on here at “Casa Dackel Princess”, which leaves me without much to write about.

I could complain about being cooped up and the lack of being able to go here and there, and see the people I love and care about. But quite honestly, I’m sort of afraid to be out for any length of time.

All that being said I thought I would scan in a couple of recently found, old pictures.

I got a rather large box of pictures from my Mom when she passed. I was so surprised by a few of them. I hadn’t seen them in years, and some I’d never seen at all. So, here is one, and the story behind it.

Here I am at the age of almost four years old. About six weeks before my fourth birthday. I remember the day before not being very hungry and not feeling well. I recall waking in the night with such pain that I couldn’t stand up straight. I walked to my parent’s room and woke them.

They thought I must have eaten too much junk but then Mom touched me and realized I had a fever. She jumped out of bed and tried to lay me down where she had been.

Dad woke, and he tried to get me to lie flat and when he did my knees came up and hit him in the face.

I guess they must have called the doctor and soon I was in the car with both of them racing towards Falmouth Hospital. And a very funny thing happened. Dad was so upset he turned to go to Highfield Theater instead of the turn to go to the Hospital! I recall my Mom chastizing him for the mistake.

Now it gets fuzzy for me after that. I recall the way the Ether Stunk. I recall trying to push the mask away and then nothing.

My memories of that time include feeling very sick after. They kept offering me things to drink, and I refused. They called my Mom and she said to offer me a cup of tea. They did and I said, “Yes please”.

I recall watching Captain Kangaroo through the bars of my cot.  I also recall my sister sneaking in to visit me. She and I are so close and she was frantic. I love that she snuck in to see me!

I also recall my Mom giving me most of my birthday gifts early. Especially the one toy I had wanted, “Digger the Dog”.

As you can see, I am truly, THAT OLD, when a toy like that only cost $4.99!

I also recall that my Mom was worried I would be scarred for life, and when she pulled back the sheets to see the bandage, there was simply a band-aid on the site!

I also remember that when I got home I slipped going up the stairs and fell down probably three steps and cut my finger just a little. Imagine my poor mother when I yelled to her, “I’m bleeding” after she heard me fall.

So that is the story of my appendectomy. Just a wee thing I was. And all these years later, I’m not sure I can even locate the scar.

A long time ago, when I was just a little girl, I lived in a time when we did not have to worry about letting our kids go out and play.

My Mom would finish feeding us breakfast in the summer and then shoo us outside to play. After my sister, brother and Uncle had taught me to ride my trusty Schwinn Bicycle, I would often take off to go see my little part of the world.

We lived near a beautiful beach, Surf Drive Beach. I’d grown up there, learning to swim, and becoming aware that no matter what, the Ocean would always be calling my name.

Me, about 8 or 9 years old with my kittens.

During the summer months, the trusty Lifeguards would blow their whistles if you ventured off onto the Jetties. But during the offseason, I would ride my bike to the beach and walk out on the Jetties to enjoy the sounds, the smell and the peace of the Sea.

Me at Surf Drive Beach. Still, my spiritual home.

I felt so free there. With no creature around except the Seagulls, the Hermit Crabs and the gentle lap of the ocean water against the boulders that shaped the Baby Pool.

I would sit there and turn my face toward the sky, feeling the sun beating down upon my face. I could taste the salt on my lips. For me, this was Heaven on Earth.

I would stay there until I started to feel hungry and then I would ride the five minutes it took me, back to our home. Mom would have sandwiches ready along with Kool-Aid, the popular kiddie drink of the 1960s. Occasionally it would be Hawaiian Punch or milk, but for some reason, Mom was a Kool-Aid gal.

After lunch, we were shown the door again and told to come home when the Bell rang. Mom had a big old Bell she would ring, alerting us that dinner would soon be served.

At times the Ocean would call me, but quite often I would ride my bike around town. I would ride to the Falmouth Harbor and check out the different boats. I would often see the fishermen bringing in their catch. So long ago, when Falmouth still had a big fishing community.

I loved to ride up and down Main Street. I knew most of the local merchants and if I saw them, I would give them a wave.

Sometimes when I would get home for dinner, Mom would tell me that Mrs. So&So had seen me out on my bike.

I loved the feel of the sunshine on my face and the wind in my hair. It was only much later that I realized that I had been given a great gift. I grew up on Cape Cod, in the 1960s before the year-round crowds and it was back when children had so much freedom.

I would arrive at home around 5 o’clock and would hear the bell gong announcing that it was time to come in. My bike would go in the back yard, I would come in, wash up and Mom would have the dinner on our table. Dad was usually there. (He was a Summertime Police Dispatcher, during those months. We brought his supper to him at the Station on a tin pie plate covered with foil.) Also at the table were my sister, Melodie, and brother Dickie. Mom was a great cook, and she varied her meals. My favorite was her Lasagna or American Chop Suey. She also made the very best Boston Baked Beans. Dinner time was family time as we all caught up on our day.

Baths were taken, TV watched and then I would climb into my bed. My sheets felt like cool cream. Soft and comforting.

I never had trouble falling asleep, probably because I never sat down during the entire day. I explored, I enjoyed, and I appreciated all that was around me.

Nobska Lighthouse, Falmouth, Massachusetts.

A little glimpse into what growing up on Cape Cod in the 1960s was like for me.

I’ve spent the past week stressing. Finally today I am able to sit back and rest. I do not need to “get” anything to keep my house in order for the next month.

I admit it though, I am weary. Running here and there, up and downstairs, and making lists and checking them, is craziness. I’ve never been in a situation quite like this. I am tired.

Now the 1918-1919 Flu that came through Boston and killed so many there and worldwide always did register with me. My grandfather’s sister was expecting her first baby and the Flu took them both. Katchen was a much-loved sister to Papa and best friend to my grandmother. They both spoke of this as a great tragedy and with much sadness.

And here we are 2020 with this Worldwide Pandemic.

WW (Weight Watchers) have closed down their Classes. They are offering a class on their website once a week. But we’ve been told to weigh in at home and they will open classes once they feel positive that they can do it safely.

I really need to chill out. I need to stop obsessing about this so I can move forward and be productive in the home. I would love to clean closets and go through rooms and de-clutter, but I feel oddly frozen in my seat.

I guess the good news is my new laptop arrives tomorrow and I will be busy setting that up.

For now, Gentle Readers, wash your hands, stay safe and we will get through this.

Things have been moving right along for me this week, but the biggest happening was at WW this morning. I was working so hard, hoping this day would come and it did. I lost my first twenty-five pounds!

I’m actually down 26 pounds now, but when I started to think about losing my weight I would tell myself to take it a day at a time, and only celebrate the big milestones. Twenty-five pounds is a big one.

Now I decided not to reward myself with food. That would be a bad habit to get into. But since I have been abstaining from all alcohol, I decided to enjoy a nice single-malt Scotch. Just one serving.

So I am happy and celebrating and feeling very good about what I am accomplishing. Life is very, very, good!

And yes, I did have my Scotch and it was delicious!

I’ve been thinking a lot about how I am doing with my desire to lose weight on the new WW Plan.

I chose the Green Plan to follow, which in short means I am counting my points and really working at preparing filling, yet low point meals.

I was so dishearted at Christmas when I was weighing way too much. I saw the pictures and I looked like the Pillsbury Dough Girl! I was so unhappy.

My New Year’s Resolution was to cut it out and just do it.

I went back to class and began, again, the long process of losing weight.

One thing I can say about being 61 is that this time on WW I am facing all this with reality. I know I cannot have “cheat” days. I know I cannot drink alcohol and expect to lose. And I know, deep in my heart, that I will be following WW for the rest of my life. I am not naturally thin, and never will be. Even when I get to my goal weight, my body will always want to take Pasta and make big hips! This is me and this is my life.

Strangely, I feel okay with all of this. I am not on the brink of cheating or stopping the diet, and I am content.

This is totally a new feeling. I was always great at sabotaging myself. But, no more! I will do this. I know I can!

Well, I wish I could say that the weight I am losing is just dropping off, but I’m in a “slow and steady wins the race” kind of game.

This week it was another 1/2 pound loss. But I can see it and feel it in my face and on my body. I know I must be patient.

Meanwhile, I also went and had my hair done today. I just love what Becca is doing with my hair. She has known me for a long time and she understands my wayward curls.

I switched from my previous hairstylist early last Autumn. My hair was breaking and falling out and I was having a hard time doing it myself.

Becca had gotten a job at a local salon and I made an appointment with her and over the last 5 months, we’ve worked together to repair my hair. Today it is healthy and full and I am happy. Well, more than happy! Thanks, Becca!

My plan for the rest of the week and weekend is to eat lots of vegetables and keep doing what I can to stay faithful to myself and this diet.

I know that I can do this, even though right now it’s all going slower than I would like.

What a full day I had on Wednesday. It started when I left the house at 7:45 in the morning, and it did not end until I returned at 3:30 in the afternoon.

First I had WW class and it was a bit of a frustration for me this week, but after looking back at the things I ate, I think a minor adjustment will help me for next week.

After class, I headed out for a day of shopping and doctor’s appointments.

I went to a discount store called TJ Maxx and found the cutest dachshund dish towels for my kitchen. Aren’t they cute?

Then it was on to the big Tanger Outlet Shopping Mall. There are several stores I really love there and I went looking for some good deals. I got a new tunic sweater and a pair of Yoga pants. Heaven!

I ran into someone I used to know too. It was fine, I guess, but strange nonetheless. She had once been a good friend, but one day she just dropped me. It hurt me a lot back then, but then I remember this saying and it is something I just have to let go.

After that, I pumped my gas at 202.9 a gallon and went grocery shopping. I needed so much and since I knew I was going to be out for a while I had thrown the coolers in the back of the car.

I had 45 minutes to get the groceries I needed and so I grabbed a cart and into the store I went. I hit all the places I needed to go, got all the foods we required and then got to the checkout in 35 minutes!

Then, off I drove to see my Glaucoma doctor. I got there 15 minutes early and I checked in and sat down intending to make a few calls, but as soon as my fanny hit the seat, they called my name!

The short story is that my left eye (which is horribly bloodshot due to sensitivity to the drops) had a nice lower pressure of 16! Yay left eye! However, my “good” right eye still had a high pressure of 24. I was disappointed, but apparently this is common in the early days of treating high pressures.

My doctor decided to order a new drop, which I will have to use twice a day. She called the prescription in. Great, I thought.

I drove back to Meredith and went right to the Pharmacy. Only to find out that my Insurance Company had denied the prescription! It’s too expensive they said!

Then I recalled that I also have prescription coverage through the VA. I gave the Pharmacy Tech my card and she looked it up and bingo! Approved! So the drops are ordered and will be in tomorrow.

I picked up the last few things I needed at Hannaford’s and then came home, exhausted. But I did feel rather good about all I accomplished!

We are supposed to get 5-8 inches of snow today. I wonder what it will look like? A small amount or a fair chunk of the white stuff. We shall see.

Today will be a busy day. I have a WW class in the morning, with a new weigh-in, and then in the afternoon, I will be going to see the Glaucoma Specialist, Dr. H.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about the eye doctor’s appointment. My stomach was in knots all of Tuesday. I’ve tried to remain calm, but it just isn’t working. Oh well, it will be what it is and I will simply have to do what I can to control it if I can.

The microwave is not too bad. I typed out a cheat sheet for the powers and the directions and so far so good. Because it is a higher-powered machine we will really need to be careful.

So, I am off to accomplish great things on this Wednesday. I am hopeful I will have great things to report tomorrow!

I’ve been back to WW for 2 weeks. Wednesday was my weigh-in and folks, I am not crying!

In the last two weeks, I have weighed, measured, planned my meals and tracked my food. The first week was much harder then the last one was. I swear I was going through sugar withdrawal!

Now I seem to be hitting my stride with the diet and I’m actually enjoying the planning and the cooking.

Most of all, I am really enjoying the fact that I have now lost 11.6 pounds in these last two weeks.

I know I will not lose vast amounts like this each week, but this certainly encourages me to stay on plan and keep up the good work.