Just One Of Those Days

I got up today and started things off by burning my finger on the coffee maker. Don’t even ask me how I did this, as I am too embarrassed to tell. Let’s just say it isn’t a pretty sight and hurts like heck.

After that there was a series of unfortunate incidents that found me wanting to rush back to bed and hide there for the rest of the day!

Hubby joked with me about it all until he realized I was really feeling down. Then he asked me if I wanted to go out to lunch at the Chinese buffet before we did our weekly shopping.

He didn’t have to ask me twice.

I love eating at the buffet because I can always find a good selection of things to eat and stay within my points. Today they served Alaskan King Crab Legs, and so I was in heaven!

As we sat at the very end of the meal with our fortune cookies, I opened mine and this was what I read: “Very soon you will reach your goal”.

I smiled because I have just 7 pounds more to go on Weight Watchers and then I will reach my goal!

We shopped, fueled up the car, and then headed home.

The remainder of the day has been nice and a lot less stressful. I managed to cook dinner without burning myself again, and Hubby installed a great new light switch in our room that has a dimmer switch.

Five days until we leave for the Dog Show!

I’m Tired

I think somewhere along the Pennsylvania Turnpike I became old. It was around then that I realized that I was really tired. You know, the kind of tired that makes you want to get into your softest pajamas, curl up in your bed, with your own blankets and pillows and stay there for say, a week!

Despite the exhaustion I did get up this morning, showered and then hit the road to go to my Weight Watchers meeting.

Was I an Angel during my trip? Ah, no. I did try, however, to eat at least two meals on the plan and then choose carefully what I would eat for dinner.

Of course the Mexican Restaurant Madness wasn’t exactly my finest moment. Re-fried beans, cheeses of all kinds and tortilla chips just jumped down my throat and all I could do to save myself was to swallow!

The next night I had a salad, and the following night sliced meats and salads. On Saturday Hubby and I went to Dan Dierdorf’s Restaurant and while Hubby had Prime Rib, I had ELK! Yes, ELK! I like game, and I’d never tried ELK before and if Sarah can eat it, then so can I! Actually, in the end, the ELK was stuffed with boursin cheese and then served with a Madeira sauce. What a delight.

The banquet meal consisted of rubber chicken (they also had a beef tenderloin that I hear was excellent!), scalloped potatoes and cheese cake. I can proudly admit to sending my cheese cake back after a few bites.

But I just knew I was going to gain ten pounds, and burn in hell for my eating habits during the trip.

**A note here, I ate breakfast in our room and had Weight Watchers yogurt and a Weight Watchers breakfast bar, and lunch was almost always a salad or point friendly sandwich.**

This morning I was rewarded with a 1.2 pound weight loss! Could it be all the walking I did? Was I really more in control than I thought? I am not sure, but I do know that somehow I turned my first big trip away from my safe kitchen into a positive experience!

So now I need to catch my breath and rest up a bit. In a week and a half we take Anneliese to Pennsylvania for her time at the German Dog Show. Hopefully she will do as well as her mother and brother.

Pennsylvania Turnpike, here I come!

********************

(If anyone in the Reading/Hamburg, PA area is interested in attending the show and meeting Miss Anneliese, who will be signing autographs, please e-mail me and I will send you the directions. The show is on September 27th at 10 o’clock in the morning.)

1500th Post!!!

This will mark my 1500th post on Dackel Princess. When I started writing, I wasn’t sure I had enough inside of me to write 10 pages, let alone 1500. But, here I am, still writing and still thinking constantly, “Will this make a good entry on the blog?”.

It gets that way, you know. You are out somewhere, innocently shopping or walking, or whatever, and you see something or think of something funny and you begin to write the blog entry in your head. One time I even got out of bed and turned on the lights and the computer and wrote down my idea.

You just never know where or when it will happen.

Like today. We woke to hurricane-like weather in St. Louis. The rain was coming down in sheets, and the wind was blowing so hard that the rain was blown sideways into buildings and windows while the trees whipped back and forth.

So what did Hubby and I do? Did we crawl back into our nice big bed and sleep another hour?

No! We got up, had a light breakfast, and off we went to the St. Louis History Museum to view their Grant and Lee Exhibition on its last day in St. Louis.

Sept. 13 041

This picture was taken yesterday when the sun was shining!

For my foreign readers I will tell you that General Ulysses S. Grant was the commander of the United States Army during the latter part of our Civil War, and his opponent was General Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Confederate Army. They squared off in many pivotal battles until Lee finally surrendered at Appomattox, Virginia, in 1865.

The American Civil War has always been one of the most interesting periods that I have studied, and Hubby shares my interest, so today we really wanted the chance to see what had been put together at the museum.

It was well done, with many photo’s, journals, and letters written by each man. The museum also provided a little color, by having a local militia come in full period dress for the closing of the exhibition. Well, you know me. Before I knew it I was talking to them all and having a great time.

Sept. 14

(Perhaps the worlds worst picture of me!)

Tonight is our last night in St. Louis and there will be a banquet for Hubby’s Army Aviator’s group. Tomorrow we will leave and head back to our little part of heaven, also known as New Hampshire.

Getting Ready

I decided to attend a Weight Watchers meeting on Monday, as I will not be around on Wednesday to go to my usual meeting. Even though it wasn’t a full week, I’d lost 1/2 a pound. I was glad that I’d attended. So far, since I joined Weight Watchers back in January, I haven’t missed one meeting!

After that Hubby and I drove to the big city and picked up our maps and guide books for the trip. We also popped into LL Bean, my favorite back woods clothiers. We actually found a few things, jeans for Hubby, a couple of new turtlenecks for me and a laptop sleeve to protect my new laptop.

We had lunch, and headed back home, where I made my Fiber One Muffins to take on the trip, and then made stuffed peppers with peppers from my very own plant!

Our doggy/house sitter came over for dinner and we chatted about life, the dogs and our trip. The dogs were so happy to see her that I really think they won’t be missing us too much.

Tuesday will be my “finish things up here, do laundry, and pack the car day” for me and Hubby. Our big plan is to have it all set to go Tuesday night and then we will just get up early Wednesday, get in the car and go!

A Year Later

A year ago, Hubby and I attended his Army Aviator’s Reunion, which was held in Washington, DC. I hadn’t reached my highest weight, but I was certainly on my way. There was a woman there who told me I could have a good figure if only I had the correct fitting bra.

Quite honestly, at that point a good bra wasn’t going to do the trick and I knew it.

It wasn’t that I didn’t know I was too heavy last year. I just wasn’t at the point where I could dedicate myself to a new and healthier lifestyle.

Here we are, a year later, and I am nearly to my goal weight. I’m wearing a size 8/10 and while packing my clothing today, I was actually smiling.

This years reunion is in Missouri. Hubby and I have decided to drive out and back. We wanted to spend a little quiet time alone. (You can read here: Didn’t want to go through the stress of flying in.) It will take us a day and a half to drive there.

Our house sitter arrives tomorrow to get the run down on all four dogs. She has been with us since before the puppies were born, and the dogs all consider her family. Emily will also be around after school to check on them.

I shall have my trusty laptop with me and hope to send reports from the road!

I wonder if anyone will recognize me? Long hair, slender body…..I may be smiling like this all week.

The Big, Big City!

Today we had a meeting with our Investment Services down in the big, big city of Boston, Massachusetts. It meant we had to get up early, and then quickly eat and get ready before our 2 hour drive.

I decided I needed to look business like, and so I dragged out my “power suit”. A Jones New York black pantsuit that I wore with a white shell. I did my hair, put on full make-up and even had done my nails. I was feeling good.

Sept. ,2 a001

Just as we were leaving I noted that we did not have the GPS window bracket and I started wildly looking for it. I did finally find it, only to discover it had become broken in the car some time ago. (We almost never use this.)

I did get the GPS to work and since Hubby and I are not smokers I simply set it in the ash tray and it worked just fine. Eventually we’ll replace the bracket that we need, but for now, I was under time constraints and we just said good bye to the dogs and off we went.

The drive down was uneventful except we did discover that a GPS does not work in the “Big Dig Tunnel”. So, after turning us around we eventually got to our destination, “The Westin Waterfront”. What a totally remarkable hotel!

We checked in and walked down to the event. The firm had rented the Grand Ballroom for the banquet and presentation. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go, as a lot of this investing stuff is quite boring to me, but this year I decided to go.

As we neared the ballroom, I saw our Investment Councilor, Tom, and went over to say hello. It’s been about 2-3 years since he has seen me, and when I extended my hand and said hello I could see the surprise, and that look on his face that said, “I know I should know who this is, but….” and then Hubby came up behind me and Tom then knew who I was. He was dumbfounded! I just smiled and giggled!

Sept. ,2 001

It’s amazing what make-up, long hair and the loss of 40 pounds can do for a person!

We eventually went in for the banquet and the presentation. The food was excellent. A petite fillet Mignon, and broiled salmon portion served with wild rice, and summer squash. And dessert? Okay, this was where I really suffered. It was a chocolate mousse cake! I sat staring at it. It called my name. I said, no, no, no! And it called to me again!

Since it measured 2 inches X 2 inches I decided that even though it was a lot of points I had been good this week and I could claim this as my bonus points for the week.

So I brought the mousse cake closer. I stared at it. I let the chocolaty goodness waft into the air until I could nearly taste the cake.

But I waited for my coffee. Finally it came and I fixed my cup. Then I took three small bites. I set my fork down. I was dying there, with the goodness of that cake! I took a sip of the coffee. Then I took three more small bites. I set down my fork. A little more coffee. Three more small bites and it was done.

Now part of me desperately wanted to pick up the dish and lick the plate, but I remained dignified, hoping no one noticed me making love to my cake! I looked around and Hubby was laughing! (Quietly, thank goodness!)

Soon the event was over and we headed home. The traffic was just starting to pick up, but we still made good time.

Our dear neighbor had agreed to come and bring out the pups at noontime, for a walk. Well, when we drove in, there was Mr. Fritz sitting at the end of the driveway waiting for us. I said, “uh-oh” to Hubby, as it appeared that Fritz had been disobedient and refused to go back inside after his walk. Come to think of it, perhaps he felt the better course of action was to stay outside away from the dackels!

I called our neighbor to thank her and she mentioned that we had been bad dackel parents and actually closed Arnie in our bedroom when we left! You know, when I am trying to find things and get going and I am running late, I’m not always counting dackels! (LOL)

Tonight I am tired, but happy and a smile remains on my face. Okay, you got me. I’m still thinking about that chocolate cake!

Being A Mom

This will be short because today has been a long day and I am beyond tired, but here I go.

My daughter had to have some surgery today. It was difficult and truly unpleasant for her and I went down to lend moral support and comfort to her. (I truly hope I did both)

What I discovered was, no matter how old your kids get, they are always your children and that heart stopping, worrying is still there. Of course the easiest thing is that you get to ask them coherent questions about their pain and get straight answers.

However, I’m here to tell you that not matter what, you as a parent would gladly exchange places with your child to ease the pain they are in.

Mandy was brave, she was strong and she came through the surgery very well. I was so proud of the way that she handled herself and the position that she found herself in.

I was thinking about staying overnight, but then M. arrived and he took over the comforting roll, and I drove home.

Now it is bedtime for this Mommy and I know before I can sleep even a moment, it will be morning once again.

4, 4, 4, 4 Meme

Well, KT over at Baggachips tagged me for this meme, and since I haven’t done a meme in a while, I thought I’d just do this. It’s called the four, four, four, four meme. Which doesn’t make much sense considering there are six categories, but whatever.

1. Four places I go over and over: Grocery shopping, Weight Watchers, My sister’s house and a cruise.

2. Four people who email me regularly: Mel, Uschi, Janet and The Circle of Friends

3. Four of my favorite places to eat: Canoe, Hong Kong Buffet, My house, Applebees

4. Four places I’d rather be right now: A cruise to anywhere, the beach, Punta Gorda, and Australia.

5. Four TV shows I watch:Two and a Half Men, House, NCIS, Desperate Housewives.

6. Four people I will tag: Ayone who wants to play.

A Day In The Life

Saturday Janet and I went up town to the local Craft Fair. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed all the walking around we did. However, I was on my feet walking around so much that at the end of the afternoon I felt like I was walking like a drunken sailor.

Nonetheless, once home I made up 2 big batches of Heavenly Jam, made pulled chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, roasted egg plant and asparagus for dinner. We had Emily and her Dad here for dinner and that was a lot of fun.

Emily was playing around with Arnie, who has to be the most flexible and relaxed dog ever. I mean really, when was the last time you saw a dog falling asleep like this?

Aug 23 029

Aug 23 030

While cleaning up the kitchen, and washing a hundred and one pots, pans and dishes by hand, Emily snapped this picture. No make-up and I like it because it shows how well my nose is healing.

Aug 23 021

I also played with Arnie, planting a big smooch on his nose.

Aug 23 006

It was a big day and as the day is closing, I admit to being exhausted and needing just a little sleep!