My Life – Page 23 – The Dackel Princess

Oma & Savannah’s Adventure-Day One

I picked up Savannah pretty early on Tuesday. Mandy and Matt both advised me to wait an hour before heading to the Cape to avoid the traffic. So we left at 9 o’clock and moved right on down the road.

The Adventure Begins!

As we drove along Savannah sang her songs, and played with her iPad, and I could hear her sweet voice. It was that very moment that I decided that Savannah is the perfect riding companion. Part of me fell in love with her all over again.

Her sweetness, her funny jokes, and her laughter were wonderful. I listened, I marveled, that I was lucky enough to be Savannah’s Oma. And that she is my granddaughter.

We arrived in Falmouth about 11:15 and since I was passing the Town Hall and knew I would need a notarized Birth Certificate, as well as Marriage Certificate, I swung in and got copies of both. An old friend, from long ago days is the Town Clerk and it was so fun to see Suzanne after all these years.

We checked into our hotel room and unpacked. And then, met up with my sister Melodie and her husband Ron for lunch. It was fun and we enjoyed seeing them.

Mel mentioned that some old friends of ours were meeting at their rental house at 3 o’clock. Bob was my Guidance Counselor in High School. I have not seen him in years and it certainly was fabulous to see him and his wife.

We stayed for not quite an hour, and then we left, stopping briefly at a few places before returning to the hotel to change into our swimsuits. We decided to sit for a bit and unwind from our busy day.

Then we were there. At the beach of my youth, Surf Drive Beach. Looking out over the water, I could see a lifetime of moments spent there. And then, there was Savannah.

Running in and out of the small waves. Laughing in the surf, talking to the late afternoon seagulls, and building a sand castle with me. Those were quickly knocked down, as the tide was coming in. New moments being made in my life, with my dearest granddaughter.

Our day ended with a Happy Meal for Savannah of Chicken Nuggets, and a “Happy Meal” for me of Fried Whole belly Clams! We picked everything up and came back to our room where we ate, and talked to Mandy on the phone. The first day is going down in the books as an amazing success!

Footnote: While we enjoyed a hot sunny day here on Cape Cod, most all of Massachusetts and New Hampshire had flooding rains and high winds! I had asked the Weather Gods to bless me with good weather for my trip with Savannah and it seemed that they worked their magic!

Memories From My Youth

I was thinking about family recently. Growing up, I recall that my mother’s family got together a lot. When I was very young, we all met up at my Grandmother’s House in Brighton, Massachusetts. She had a three-story home, that at one time or another had housed Grandma and PapaFred; her parents; her sister, Tilly, and Tilly’s son, George; Papa Fred’s sister, Hedwig and her husband Abert; my Mom and Dad; and my Uncle Bob and his wife Cynthia and their two children Carl and Erica.

Now, these people all passed through the house at one time or another, never all at once, but somehow, Murdock Street was the home base for many years.

Family always gathered at Grandma’s house to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. It was always so much fun. Good food, a lot of laughs, and a lot of hugs. My memories of those long-ago days are still very strong. I recall each family member, be they my Mom’s brother and his family, or all of Papa Fred’s family, as he had many brothers and sisters.

Papa had a heart attack when I was about 10 years old and Grandma and Papa move closer to us in Falmouth, on Cape Cod. They moved three streets away from us, and I remember running through the woods to their house. The door was always open and they were always happy to see me.

Grandma Honey & Papa Fred

The family parties continued, although I admit, they’d gotten smaller because slowly, the family was dying off. Papa was the youngest in his family and I recall his brothers and sisters passing early on. All except the eldest in the family, Hedwig, and she lived to be very, very, old.

In any case, after a few years, Grandma and Papa needed more help and so they bought a house with my Mom and Dad. It was a beautiful big home. Which meant, the family parties continued.

It was great because All the cousins were getting married and having children, and suddenly the parties were filled with babies, toddlers, and children! There was a small lake down the road and in the summer, during the cookouts, this meant swimming times too!

When parties were planned, everyone came. They came to see Grandma. She really loved family and would plan everything and call everyone. Mom would do most of the cooking, with Uncle Betty by her side, and Uncle George and my Dad were great at flipping burgers and hotdogs.

I can still taste my Mom’s potato salad! And why is it that the watermelon tasted so much better when we were all sitting on the fence spitting seeds?

I miss those days. I miss all those people. I miss the family gatherings when we all were together. They do not happen anymore. My sister Melodie and one cousin, Janet and I get together twice a year. But gone are the days of those big family gatherings.

Right now I am trying to establish a time each summer when I share beach time with my grandchildren. I want them to have the Cape Cod experience. I want them to know salty air, sunsets into the ocean and cookouts that last forever. I want them to spit watermelon seeds while they’re sitting on a fence and Dairy Queen runs on a hot summer night!

So many wonderful memories of my own childhood.

New England & Cape Cod

Being born, raised and living in New England all my life, I just assume that everyone knows where I am. The fact is, aside from hearing about the Pilgrims, and America’s early history, much of New England goes unnoticed in World History.

After hearing that Cape Cod was a mystery to some, I decided to put up a map and a little history of the area, that I called home.

You can read about the history of Cape Cod HERE. It is quite an amazing piece of land, and I grew up during the prime part of Cape Cod’s amazing familial history. Falmouth, during my childhood, was simply an amazing place to be. The place was warm with friendship and community spirit.

Here is a picture of good old New England. Its history is old and great, with the very birth of our nation. You can read all about New England, HERE.

As I have written, I now live in New Hampshire, which is part of New England. I miss the ocean so much, but I do love the mountains of my adopted home State.

I guess no matter how old I get, or where I live, I will always consider myself a Cape Cod Girl. It’s where I learned about myself growing up and somehow it’s a place I go to refresh myself and catch my breath.

If you have any questions about Cape Cod, or Massachusetts or New Hampshire, leave them in the comment section of the blog. Or if my comment section is still acting up, send them to dackelprincess (@) metrocast.net and I will answer them as best I can.

The Weekend

Sunday was a very good day. I woke feeling a lot better after several days with the stomach flu, and actually ate a normal breakfast. By lunchtime, I was able to eat my favorite roasted eggplant, which was a very good thing, as I had purchased several on sale a few days ago.

I managed to cook three meals for us, and clean them up without having to nap in the afternoon. This is also a first since the flu passed by. I’m just feeling a little tired tonight.

Tomorrow will be a laundry day, and I really want to get the vacuum out and run it around the house. I would also like to make something nice for our dinner, but I am not sure what yet.

Today (Sunday) I noticed that Anneliese’s left eye is swollen and has a white area off to the side. I do not know what it is, it may be nothing, but I will be calling first thing on Monday morning to bring her into the Vet. I think it is better to go in and have them tell me it’s normal, then to worry about it and then have it turn out to be something serious.

Oh yes, and there is still Wimbledon Tennis to enjoy, and enjoy i will. I am amazed how many of the top players are out of it this year already. Still the tried and true Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are still in it for the men, and Serena Williams for he women.

I am happy to see so many bright, young, newcomers. It makes me happy to see this new generation of tennis players. Since I am a tremendous tennis fan I am really happy. And no, I cannot play tennis, but I do love to watch!

Happy Monday Everyone!

The Stomach Flu

On Friday my stomach decided that I had seen better days and rebelled. I looked at food and felt my tummy do flip-flops. Even the smell of food did not sit well. And I had a small fever.

Jack and I tried to figure out what was wrong. Essentially we had eaten the same things the last few days. However, the question remained, had I eaten something wrong? Food poisoning? Or, was this a summer type stomach flu?

I managed some Chicken Noodle Soup in the afternoon. You know, the old-fashioned, condensed soup? I threw into the mix some crackers, and that seemed to settle things down for a while.

I then went to bed and slept for two hours. Something I almost never do unless I am really ill. Bed felt wonderful, and Arnie was my nurse. He is such a wonderful dog. (I am still happy that the woman who wanted to buy him from me, all those years ago, changed her mind!)

I did eat dinner. Mom used to say that plain white baked fish, was good for bad stomachs. Along with boiled potatoes. So, despite feeling terrible, I baked some Haddock, and boiled some potatoes and ate that.

It wasn’t too bad, and I held it down. At 9 PM, Greta decided to go to bed, and so I also went and snuggled with her and Arnie. I had the TV on and wanted to watch a show, but my eyelids dropped and I fell asleep. And this morning, I cannot recall what I wanted to see.

Saturday morning found me still feeling pretty terrible, and I am not sure what I will do today to settle the old stomach. I’m out of soup so I’ll have to send Jack to the store, and maybe I will take some chicken breast out of the freezer to try to eat for dinner.

Meanwhile, this has to be great for my diet! After all, what did the late, great, writer, Erma Bombeck say about the being sick? I believe she said, “I am always one bout of stomach flu away from my goal weight.” And so it is with me!

My First Pedicure & A Manicure!

On Friday I went in to have a manicure. Now I have had a manicure before, where I had my nails filed and polish applied. Pretty! But I always would chip the polish, or mess up a nail before I even left the salon! What a pain!

Today was different though. These women carefully massaged my hands, shaped my nails, cleaned my cuticles, and then applied gel nail polish! Now I have to tell you, this gel polish is the cat’s meow!

I selected a light pink sparkly color. And layer after layer of base coat, color, and top coat was sealed with the ultraviolet light.

I was amazed and delighted! See?

I was not intending to have a pedicure. Quite honestly, I have ugly feet and I have never shown anyone my toes. However today, I was kind of talked into it.

The ladies were so nice, and before I knew it, my feet were soaking in a warm tub of moisture-rich water, and the fun began. My feet were cleaned, massaged, the nails were cut, shaped and then the same wonderful gel polish was applied to them.

But what I did not understand was a pedicure isn’t just about polishing the nails, but getting the feet and the calves massaged! Oh my goodness! I was in Heaven!

So Gail had her pedicure, and I had mine. My very first ever Pedicure! And I loved it!!!! I finally got to experience what I have been missing all these 59 ½ years!

Cleaning

I woke on Friday with all sorts of good intentions of getting things done around here in the way of housework. I’d recently seen a commercial that showed how easy it was to clean your outside windows using a product and a hose. I got everything all attached, but the only problem was that the water not only went through the hose and then the device, but a great deal of it went all over me. By the time I was done washing and rinsing the windows, I was soaked to the skin.

I came in, leaving my soaked shoes outside, and walked in front of Jack. “Ok. Now think about your response, before you answer. who wins the Wet T-Shirt contest?”

He did not answer correctly and I told him that he was simply finished! No lunch for him!

After working on the windows for well over an hour, and changing into dry clothes, I sat down with some coffee to take a break. Why is it that Jack always decides that this would be the perfect time to go to the Post Office?

I told him I needed rest! Just a bit. So we sat until I finished my coffee and then off we went to the Post Office and to the Town Hall to pay the Taxes on our house.

I really felt very tired and my neck was bothering me, (Wah, wah, wah), and I did not feel like doing anything else, but time is limited before my friend arrives on Monday. So, after lunch, I vacuumed our family room rug, got out the shampooer, and got it all cleaned. And since we live in our family room, I covered the newly cleaned carpet with sheets until it is dry tomorrow.

So now it is 3:30 on Friday afternoon and my plan is to make a cup of hot tea, put up my feet and relax for the rest of the day.

Very proud. Jobs well done!

Two Spirits

I was waiting to be called for my test on Wednesday, and a woman about my age walked into the waiting room. I was crocheting a blanket and she came over and sat down and started talking to me.

We had many things in common, both in our lives with our kids, and the health challenges we have both faced. She was a devout Christian, and we both spoke about our faith in God, and how that had gotten us through those tough times.

We each spoke about our grandchildren and how blessed we felt having these children in our lives. How each day, our lives are that much better because our grandchildren are in it.

We talked about the blanket and who I was making it for. How this person was so dear to me, and how I hope that it will wrap itself around her with love, even when I am not with her.

We both smiled and laughed and I felt as if I’d known her a very long time. It was very strange, and yet very comfortable too.

Two people, two spirits, meeting up today and sharing that time in the waiting room, for important tests.

When my name was called and I stood up, she stood too. “May I hug you?” she asked. I put out my arms and held her for a moment. I could feel every bone in her body, she was so thin. But her hug felt genuine and loving. And I needed that, right at that moment.

I’d planned to give her my name and website when I came out, but she was gone. I missed this opportunity. I go back next week, to the same place to see my doctor. I hope she is there!

Life

Well, the news is not so good for Greta, long term. At fourteen and a half years old, I have to prepare myself that time is limited on this earth for my sweet girl. For now, she is on medication to make her more comfortable, which she will like because she will get her capsule in a piece of hotdog. Heck, I’m going to let this girl live it up!

The day here was very hot and humid and we were told to expect thunderstorms, but none came. Just some brief showers that brought down the temperatures from 93-88 degrees,

Jack and I sat down to compare appointments. I think you reach an age, where doctors appointments have an almost weekly spot on your calendar. All I will say is, Thank Goodness for good medical insurance!

Luckily, my best friend from Deleware will be arriving one week from today for a visit. We’ve been friends since we were 13 years old and met at a Christian Camp run by our Diocese. We came from similar backgrounds, and in the good old days, we wrote letters to each other. Phone calls were too expensive, and there was no such thing as computers or cell phones with unlimited services. So, we wrote. Seeing that we were teenage girls, we wrote a lot. I recall my letters to her would be many, many pages long.

The letters continued during the High School Years when she went off to college and I started my life as a wife and mother of two girls. Our visits together were also infrequent due to the fact that we have never lived in the same town. She was originally from Salem, MA and I was from Falmouth, MA.

I moved to New Hampshire and she moved to New Jersey and after that to Delaware. But through it all, good times and bad, we have been there for each other. So her visit is something I am really looking forward to.

The Weekend Wrap

My weekend was a fairly quiet one. Which for two reasons was very good. First, I wasn’t feeling too well. Nothing I could really put my finger on, but I felt tired, washed out, and headachey. Second, it was so darn hot here! Just a hair under 90 both days and on Sunday, there was no breeze at all. Ugh.

I did manage to cook a steak on Saturday for dinner and Sunday was a rotisserie chicken. Nice meals and both fit in with my eating plan.

You know, I hate to say diet because I am not looking at Weight Watchers as a diet. It’s no quick fix. It is not going to miraculously turn me into a thin person. In fact, I will always be who I am. A woman who loves to cook and also loves to eat. So this new lifestyle is a way for me to learn about the good things to eat, while at the same time teaching me how to also enjoy a few treats occasionally.

It’s moderation, isn’t it?

I also got a little laundry done, and decided to clip Greta again as her hair had grown out. Poor baby, now with no double coat, her fur is almost like cotton candy and mats very easily. She has a little dry skin, and I am thinking a bath with a conditioning shampoo might relieve the dryness.

Monday’s Madness will find me bringing Lili in for her yearly shots, and Greta will tag along. She hasn’t felt well the last week either, so I asked if I could bring her in. I shall report in with the results tomorrow.

I have decided to start replacing the things that Lili chewed up during her first year with us. I know that she is now 4, but I was waiting until I was sure that her chewing days were over. I ordered a new magazine rack today. I’m looking for a new mudroom bench and moved my good dining room chairs into the kitchen to replace the four kitchen chairs that she chewed up. Oh my goodness, was Lili an aggressive chewer! My house may never be the same!

Hope you all have a great week!