Category: My Life

Wednesday found me pulling the covers over my head, not wanting to get up and face the day. I hadn’t slept well, and somehow thought if I just stayed in bed, I could avoid any further catastrophes! Lucky for me, Hubby didn’t give up and he smiled and the dackels kissed me and even though I admit to being a little grumpy, I got up.

It was my day to go to Weight Watchers class and weigh in.

**groan**

I made myself a low fat peanut butter and jelly sandwich on diet raisin bread, got my coffee in a thermos and kissed Hubby goodbye. I got in the car, and in no time arrived at the meeting hall.

I really expected nothing. As you know, I’ve done a lot of cooking lately, but I have also been watching my portion sizes. I weigh everything, and I even decided that if I really wanted to eat some potato chips I would get the low fat baked chips. One ounce, which is just the right size, is only one point!

Anyway, I got up on the scale and was talking and not paying attention and Tami announced, “Wow! you did really great this week!”

That got my attention! “I did?” I asked in shocked disbelief. She nodded and replied, “Two pounds!”

I was so excited and happy and wanted to jump up and down with joy!

After that, the minor annoyances of the day seemed slide away and I concentrated only on the positive feeling I had from accomplishing something this important. (Even if I didn’t realize it!) Perhaps sometimes it’s better not to dwell on the change in ones eating and just concentrate on living it!

So now I need to go out and grocery shop for cans of tuna, some eggs and a few other things. I’m incredibly lucky that our fruit has been coming in, and the vegetables too.

It all helps and it is all good.

1. What insect are you most afraid of?

Snakes and rodents.

2. What is the greenest/most organic thing about you or that you do?

My garden and orchard.

3. Tell me about a recurring dream that haunts you.

Being trapped in a car.

4. Have you ever missed a flight? What were the circumstances?

Since I pass ride, I can safely answer this question with a yes. Pass riders only fly if there is an open seat. Trust me, I have watched many planes take off and fly away with me still in the terminal!

5. What do you consider your best feature?

It used to be my eyes. But not any more. Now I would say it’s my ability to be a good friend. With age comes wisdom.

6. What was the last concert you went to?

I have a real fear of crowds. So I don’t go very often. I think the last concert I went to was at a church in Germany, Kloster Chorin. Volker and Uschi took me.

7. Describe the most embarrassing church moment you ever experienced.

My brother fell asleep during midnight mass and slipped down and under the pew in front of us!

8. Are you a whistler, hummer or singer?

Singer.

9. George Washington Carver said, “I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” What is God saying to you through nature today, or this very minute?

Make sure you have good air conditioning. It is pretty darn hot here already today!

10. On September, 1, 1752, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia. What memorable event will take place in your life on September 1, 2010?

Goodness, I go to Weight Watchers!

11. Taco Bell or the Liberty Bell? (You must choose.)

The Liberty Bell.

12. Do you believe men and women can have purely platonic friendships?

Absolutely. You know, a man with honor will treat a woman with true respect. I have many male friends and they are real gentlemen. I am treated like a sister and they do not hit on me for a date or more. If a man comes on to a married woman, then he is no gentleman at all.

And…here we go!

1. You do your thing; I do mine and sometimes _we get lucky and can do it together_.

2. _Anneliese_ is what’s been on my mind on and off all day.

3. Remember when _we were young and rode our bikes all day in the summer, ate frozen milky ways, swam out to the raft, felt the sun on our faces and spun around and around until we fell over in the front yard and no one thought we were crazy?_.

4. _Dachshunds, Dark Chocolate and Cooking_ are three of my favorite obsessions 🙂

5. During the last year _I have learned a lot about what is truly important.

6. _Seeing all the beauty around me_ puts a smile on my face.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _seeing my cousin_, tomorrow my plans include _taking Anneliese on a nice walk around the neighborhood_ and Sunday, I want to _enjoy my coffee, read the newspaper and watch a movie or two. I love lazy Sundays._!

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

1. What is your favorite Mexican dish?

I’m your typical Tacos girl.

2. When you were a kid, did you get started on your homework right away after school, or did you procrastinate?

Oh I am a life long procrastinator!

3. What is your favorite store for home furnishings?

I don’t think I have one. I have just purchased what I liked, wherever that may be.

4. When you were young, did you like school lunches?

Oh yeah, for sure. Many people cringed at American Chop Suey, or Friday Fish Sticks, but I loved them.

5. Is religion a crutch?

I wouldn’t say it was a crutch. However, my faith gives me strength and courage.

6. In your region, what is the “big” (most popular in the community or state) high school sport?

Football. Sadly we don’t have enough kids in our local High School to have a team.

7. Do you consider yourself rich?

Monetarily no. But I am rich in all the ways it counts. I am loved by my hubby, family and friends, I have food to eat, a warm place to sleep, and four dogs to snuggle with!

8. Which of these would you have the best chance for success in administering:
A) CPR. I do know CPR
B) Heimlich Maneuver. I also know the Heimlich Maneuver.
C) Changing a flat tire. Forget about that. I would call AAA!

9. Which dance would you prefer to learn & why:
A) Salsa. For fun and exercise!
B) Hip Hop
C) Waltz. Because it is beautiful!
D) Swing

10. What’s the worst news you’ve ever delivered to someone?

That my daughter had passed away.

11. Name something you learned in college that had nothing to do with classes or academics.

I never attended college. But in life in general, it has been the ability to get along with other people.

12. New variation on an old question: If there’s a song in your head that just won’t get out, what is your favorite (or most repeated) line in that song?

Usually it’s the refrain. The paragraph that is repeated over and over again.

1. What is your favorite fair/carnival food? Fried dough yum!

2. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Yes

3. What is your favorite gift to receive? Almost anything. I love to get presents.

4. When was the last time you tried something new? A few weeks ago I tried soft shell crabs and I LOVED them!

5. What is your favorite and least favorite book genre? Favorite are enduring love stories (hopeless romantic that I am) and least favorite are Science Fiction.

6.Silver or Gold? Gold.

7. What makes you sigh? A beautiful sight, a gentle hug, a peaceful melody.

8. If you didn’t know how old you are, how old would you claim you are? Very. I have often said I am an old spirit, living in a young person’s body.

9. Would you break a law to save a loved one? To protect a loved one? Yes. In a heartbeat.

10. If you had to teach something, what would it be? Cooking. I would love to be Julia Child! (LOL)

11. You’re having lunch with 3 people whom you respect and admire. They begin to criticize a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. What do you do? I would point out her strong points and if it didn’t stop them, I would explain that she is my friend and hope this would end the discussion. If it didn’t then I would leave.

12. Which of the 5 Love Languages is your prominent means of experiencing love?

Quality Time
Physical Touch
Acts of Service
Gifts
Words of Affirmation

The one I am least interested in are gifts. I know everyone loves presents, but I think it’s the least important. I love being with the people I love, I love hugs and kisses, and I never tire of hearing those three words, “I love you“!

Monday was the first day that I left Anneliese alone for a couple of hours. We desperately needed food, and as it turned out the separation was good for both of us.

Hubby and I had our breakfast and then headed for the grocery stores. I will tell you that I have never shopped as quickly and as efficiently as I did today. Although I was concentrating on getting all the items on my list, I was also thinking about getting back home to my girl.

I bought some special food items for her too. She needs them right now until she has recovered, and she ate a little this afternoon, which was really encouraging.

In fact, I think she has turned the corner.

Oh she is not completely well yet, but she is doing so much better and that makes me very happy!

Tuesday will find me baking and cooking all day. In the morning I want to make a couple more loaves of zucchini bread,

and in the afternoon, I plan to make Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon!!!

I am so excited about this and will be taking pictures and posting how it all comes out on Wednesday. Stay tuned!!!

The last couple of days I have found that TV has been painfully boring! Due to the fact that I am sort of house bound at the moment with Anneliese, I’m looking for something to watch and/or listen to. Reading is still close to impossible for me, as I cannot see most printed book fonts and even when I use large print books, my eyes tire pretty quickly.

I digress.

Movies. Yes, I have found that some movies I can listen to while I work, and since I have seen them waaaay more than just one time, I almost know the lines each actor is saying.

Take the movie “Julie and Julia“.

Right now they are really overplaying it on the movie channels, and as it is one of my favorites, I often tune it in just to listen to. My cousin and I love Julia Child, and we both are big fans of her PBS TV Series, which they still rerun, as well as this movie. Meryl Streep captures her perfectly. And unfortunately for my family, I am starting to do a killer imitation of Meryl Streep imitating Julia Child!

This morning I actually pulled out my copy of a movie that I hadn’t seen in a while.

“When Harry Met Sally“.

Now that is also an old friend sort of movie. No matter how many times I have seen it, that movie always makes me laugh. Especially the scene in the Deli when Harry and Sally are talking about sex.

Last night I watched a very old movie on Turner Classic Movies.

“Leave Her To Heaven” with Gene Tierney.

I’ve always loved Gene Tierney because of her role in:

“The Ghost and Mrs Muir“

another of my favorites, but in the movie last night, she played a very bad woman, and she did it so well! What an actress she was!

I’ve also watched “My Big Fat Greek Wedding“

and several episodes of “NCIS“

and “Bethanny Getting Married?“

I know. Reality TV, but somehow I’ve gotten hooked on this show!

Oh yes, and Julia. The real Julia Child in her old show,

“The French Chef“

and “Julia and Jacques“.

I have enjoyed some ‘watching’ of these shows, but more often then not I am ‘listening’ to them as I go about my work. They’re all sort of comforting old friends. You know things that make us feel like we aren’t quite so alone. I may break out,

“The Lake House“

tomorrow and listen to that while I fold the laundry that I plan to do. I think that is another one of my favorite movies and I really enjoy the musical soundtrack from it as well.

What are your favorite movies or TV shows? Are there any that seem like old friends to you? Or am I just crazy?