My Life – Page 26 – The Dackel Princess

The Cold

What can I say about the start to my week? Not too much except that at 2 PM I lay down and took a nap. I felt tired and chilled and worried that the cold from hell was returning. I’m still feeling lousy tonight, and since there is nothing on TV I want to watch, I think I might just turn in early tonight.

The weird thing about this cold is, you just start to feel better, and WHAM, it comes back and hits you again. Jack has mentioned that he has felt the same way.

I have been taking multiple vitamins and Vitamin C and eating a lot of vegetables and drinking juices. But it doesn’t seem to matter what I do, the cold hangs on.

I truly am ready to feel better. I wish I could go outside and lie in the warm sunshine and feel the heat bake this cold out of me. Maybe if I dream about it, that will be enough. Because we all know that in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire right now the temperatures are still freezing.

Oh, to be able to jump on a plane and go to Florida or even down to my favorite Caribbean Island, Barbados! I just know all I need to do is escape the cold.

A Day In The Life

I woke on Saturday morning with a hankering for savory beef stew with fresh yeast rolls. I knew it would take all day, simmering slowly in my cast iron dutch oven, to make the stew, I set about cutting vegetables and getting them pre-cooked. Then I placed it all in my dutch oven, and put it in a 275 degree (Fahrenheit) oven to cook for 4 hours.

Meanwhile, I took the yeast rolls from the freezer and set them in my heavy cast iron frying pan, to thaw and rise. It took me about an hour to do all of this, but when I stood back and surveyed the food that would be dinner, I felt a certain amount of satisfaction.

Then I was onto my next chore. A few days ago I washed our bathroom curtains. After 20 years of washings and wearings, they simply fell apart. Holy Moly! I quickly found an almost identical replacement set and sent away for those. They arrived yesterday, and the first thing I noticed when I took them out of the package was that the lower panels were too long.

I admit, part of me wanted to ignore that and just put them up as it, but when I gave that a try, it looked stupid. So, I made a plan. I measured, I ironed seams and then got out my sewing machine and finished it up. When I hung the new curtains in the bathroom, I was so proud with the way they looked.

Meanwhile, dinner is nearly ready now. My yeast rolls, fell, but I have made a nice garden salad to have with the stew. One things for sure, we will be getting our share of vitamins with dinner.

A Little Tea

Growing up in my family, a cup of tea was probably the most important thing we shared. For me, our afternoon teas started almost before any of my actual memories do.

When I was not quite four years old, my appendix ruptured and after the surgery, my mother got a call from the nurses in the Pediatric Ward. Oh goodness, Maribeth is not drinking. They’d tried to offer me everything, and I refused.

“Offer her a cup of tea with two sugars and a little milk” my mother told them. So the nurse did and apparently I perked right up. Yes, me and my tea go back a long way.

All through my youth we drank tea in the afternoons. When I got home from school, while watching “Dark Shadows”, I would have a cup of tea and a few cookies. I sort of thought every one did, right?

When I was in 6th grade I moved in with my grandparents, and that’s when the real ritual began. I would go to school each day, and when I came home, after grandma’s soap opera was over, we would have our tea, some cookies and talk. I would tell them all about my day, school, what was happening, and what I thought. And Grandma, Papa and my Mom, always listened. When my sister was there, she joined us too.

When my grandmother got too old to leave her bed, and we knew her time was drawing near, we gathered our children together and had a tea party. Right there in her bedroom. It was the last time I saw her before she passed.

I continued the tradition of tea, with my Mom, my sister, my cousin, Janet and my own children. And when my Mom died, my sister had a tea party after her Memorial Service. Complete with beautiful tea cups and cookies. Mom would have loved it!

The other day I was watching Pioneer Woman on the Food Channel. Ree and her daughter, Paige were having a tea during the show. They had so much fun making up the treats to serve with it too. Eventually Ree asks her daughter how often she thinks they should do this? And her daughter smiles and says “Every day!”.

And that was when I started to cry. I suddenly missed all those afternoon teas we shared. I missed my Grandma, my Mom, Papa. Those moments, those sweet days have gone by. Aside from my sister, daughter, Mandy and cousin Janet, the people I shared those days with have gone too.

My love of tea, and of a few cookies or small finger sandwiches goes on. It’s my link to my past. I’m so very grateful to have it..

My Hobby!

I am really happy these days. What is contributing to my happiness? Well, this year I decided to take on two projects. These projects are for my daughter, Mandy, and for Gail, who has been my best friend since I was 13 years old. This year, I am crocheting them both afghans.

It all started out last fall when I decided to make Savannah an afghan for her Christmas gift. While I worked each day I found that the arthritis in my hands disappeared. As did the cramping I got in my fingers. The more I crocheted, the better my hands felt.

So at Christmas I mentioned this to Mandy and she said she would love an afghan from me. So I had her select the yarn and I started to work on it once the yarn arrived. It is beautiful!

Each afternoon and then in the evening, while watching the TV, I crochet. I’m happily loving this!

Something else came to light too. Because I am working on these afghans, I am not on my computer as much. And that feels really good. My mindless internet browsing is limited to the morning to answer my email from overnight, and then at about 8 PM when I check my email for the last time. Oh yes, and at 5 PM I sit and write to you all. Some could say that was mindless, but really I do try to engage my brain when I write. Although at times I go back and read what I’ve written and wonder if I’ve had too much wine while writing! Which is funny because I haven’t been drinking while I’ve been sick!

Mandy’s afghan is made from the softest, sort of bulky yarn. I’m using a chunky stitch and a large hook and so it’s also a little on the lacy side. Not too much, so it will hold up in her kid friendly home. It is so very pretty.

The one I am going to make for Gail is a ripple afghan with her favorite colors. Both beautiful, but both different. That will be so much fun.

After that, well I have a few things in mind. One thing is I would like to learn a variety of stitches. I am amazed at the number of stitches there are in crocheting. So, I want to learn more.

It’s kind of funny how I fell into a hobby I gave up a long time ago, and how very much I am enjoying it after all these years.

Life Or Something Like It

In an attempt to spread only happiness and positive things in the world, I have not wanted to write too much about Jack and I and the cold from hell. And yet, after suffering with this thing for over two weeks, I decided that it was best if I explained where we have been and why when I’ve posted, they have been very short.

The thing is, we’ve been amazingly sick. There have been days we didn’t even get dressed, but rather stayed in our jammies. And one day that I quite literally did not get up out of bed. I just didn’t have the strength. A 102.3 temperature just knocked me out. I tried to keep drinking, but food was the last thing on my mind.

Jack and I sat in our recliners with our blankets and when the dogs barked to go out I would say to Jack, I’ll let them out, if you let them in, of I’ll flip ya for it.

Today I woke and my fever had broken, so I actually got into the shower and scrubbed down and then got dressed! In clothes! I still have no voice, but I can honestly say I am better. Once Jack was up, I made a full breakfast for the both of us, complete with Florida Sunshine (grapefruit from my friend, Candy) and after finishing that, we both reclined in our chairs and fell asleep.

We woke in time to eat lunch and now the sofa is calling my name, so I think I will do the next smartest thing and take another nap. It seems the only way we will kick this cold is with plenty of rest and good food.

I’ve got my fingers crossed that we are on the right road now.

New Years Eve & The Year Ahead

Well, here we are, New Years Eve! Another year is in the memory book and tomorrow a new one will begin. This year I am full of hope, full of happiness, that 2018 will be a very good year!

In March, little Quinn will turn two years old! Quinn is so grown up that most of the time I think of him as already being two, or older. Then he falls asleep in Mandy’s lap, like he did on Christmas Day and it reminds me that he is still a little guy. Have I mentioned recently that I am totally in love with my grandson?

April finds Jack and I celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary! It’s hard to believe that we have been together that long, and yet, it seems like we have been together forever. Oh, he drives me insane sometimes, but I can honestly say, that over the last 30 years he has been my husband, best friend, and my rock. I’ve got to figure out some way to celebrate with him that will be fun and meaningful!

In May Jack will have his 80th birthday! I have used the word celebrate in connection with his birthday, but he growls back at me “what’s to celebrate about turning 80?”. Well, it beats the alternative! His health is better than it was last year and I am doing my best to make sure that he remains that way!

Savannah is another May baby, and she will turn 6 years old in 2018! This means that in September she will begin first grade. Now this year, (2017) she has been in all day kindergarten. Savannah loves school, and it is wonderful to see her starting her academic life. She is such a special little girl!

The summer finds us celebrating the birthdays of my cousin, sister and brother in-law and anniversaries as well. I’m hoping to get down to my childhood hometown of Falmouth with Mandy and the kids for a little beach time!

This fall I want to go with Jack to Newport News, VA for his Army Aviators Reunion. It is a one day drive from here, and I think it will be a really fun time. We have so many friends that we see once a year at this Reunion and we always look forward to it!

November is a special month for me in 2018! I will be turning 60 in 2018! Oh my goodness! Somehow that does not seem possible! I remember my mother turning 60 and I thought back then, that she was “SO OLD!”. Now that I am fast approaching this milestone, I don’t think it is old at all. At least, for the most part, I do not feel old at all! At least not in my mind.

I am not sure what I will do for my sixtieth birthday, part of me would love to take a cruise. Go somewhere nice and warm for a week. I guess we will have to see how the Caribbean has recovered by then.

And then there will be Christmas 2018 with a six and a half year old and a two and a half year old! It doesn’t get any better than that!

For now, as the New Year begins, I’ll be attempting to write on Dackel Princess each and every day, as I share this wonderful year with you all.

Happy New Year 2018!

My Birthday & Getting Ready For Turkey Day!

Life has been wonderfully, happily, busy. My birthday was the nicest I have had in a while, as I spent it first with Jack, and then the next day with Mandy, Matt and the children. My cousin’s Janet and David, also came, which just made the day even more special! Mandy and Matt worked really hard to make a lunch of shrimp corn chowder, and grilled chicken and steak tips. Also salads and wonderful, big, baked potatoes! And of course, my favorite chocolate cake with butter cream frosting.

But the best of all, was that I got to spend the day with Mandy, Matt and their kids. Savannah is now five and a half years old and incredibly grown up. I remember thinking that I could hardly wait for her to grow up so we could have real conversations. She tells me wonderful stories about her life and what she likes to do. She just lost her first tooth and proudly smiled all day to show me!

She enjoys dancing, singing and playing. Oh yes, and she likes dressing in dresses every day. She really is a girlie, girl!

Our darling Quinn is growing so fast. He will be 2 in March, and I feel like he is way ahead already. Physically he runs, jumps, and plays with toys that require manual dexterity with his hands. His vocabulary is broadening, and he speaks pretty clearly. And probably the most important thing about Quinn, is that he has a fabulous sense of humor! During dessert, he wanted to feed me my birthday cake. Oh yeah, when this kid smiles and laughs, my heart melts!

Sunday, Jack and I just hung out and did really productive things like take a nap. It’s funny how it goes, but the closer I get to sixty, the more I find that a one hour nap recharges my batteries.

Monday was the day. Shopping for Thanksgiving. We took our time getting things together for our trip to the grocery store, and headed out about 11:30. We entered the grocery store and the first thing we saw was real German Marzipan Stollen! Two boxes immediately flew into my cart and on we went!

They had beautiful fresh turkey’s for 89¢ a pound. We flipped them around until Jack found a 14 pound bird that had nice full breasts! As I am a while meat fan this is crucial! I also got extra turkey necks so I can make my own home-made gravy! I got my chestnuts. Real, uncooked, chestnuts. I will soften the shell, then roast them in the oven and then peel. These little gems will be added to my stuffing!

Vegetables and potatoes jumped into my cart, and before I knew it, I’d filled the grocery trolley with all my Thanksgiving food, while visions of recipes danced in my head.

We drove our car up, around, and behind our house to unload all the food. Neither Jack or I could have handled the number of trips up and down the stairs to unload the car. This worked, and the groceries got put away!

Today I start Physical Therapy on my neck and Wednesday is my cooking day. Pies and stuffing will be made, and potatoes and butternut squash peeled and chopped.

That’ll make Thursday that much easier for the Cook…Me!

It’s That Time Of The Year!

Today I turn 59 years old, as another year has passed and another birthday is upon me! Isn’t that great? I love having birthdays and I don’t even mind the fact that the number immediately following my name keeps climbing. You know, if there was ever a newspaper article written about me it would say, “Maribeth, The Dackel Princess, age 59…” No, it’s just fine that the number keeps gaining on me. I don’t mind at all!

As today is the day I am celebrating my life, I wanted to share with you all a short montage of me and the people in my life that make my life full and wonderful.

Thanks for watching!

Here, There, & Everywhere!

I raced around on Monday, as I had two appointments, both incredibly important and yet very close together. The first was with my hair stylist. What can I say? Almost any women will tell you that their monthly meetings with the hair stylist is at the top of their list of important things to do. And so it was with me. High noon!

My stylist worked feverishly fast, but some things take time, and I was out the door at 1:30 PM, headed to my next appointment, which was with my Primary Care Doctor. I raced to that, through the rain and fog, and was only 5 minutes late. Good thing he was running late too!

Since recovering from the flu, (and yes, he said it was the flu) I have one ear that is totally stopped up. Not infected, but the Eustachian Tube in my left ear is blocked. Giving me poor hearing and an altered state of understanding what people are saying to me. After all the probing, I now have an ear ache, which is just thrilling, (Not!).

So for now I am on two different nasal sprays, and if I am not better by Friday and appointment will be made with the Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors.

Meanwhile, as promised I went into the formal living room, and removed 4 boxes and actually threw out three things, and set aside a large bag of clothes to go to the charity shop! A great start!

My Spooky Encounter

I had an spooky thing happen to me today.

I’d ordered a small wallet/purse last week, in hopes I could lighten the load on my shoulders/neck and spine. It was so pretty, and even though it was a little pricey, I felt it was worth saving myself the discomfort of carrying a larger bag.

Well, I opened the box and sat down to transfer my stuff from my old purse to this new one. I started to take out the paper stuffing and I unzipped the inner pocket.

That’s when I found a bunch of personal papers from a woman named Ruth. She is 75 and lives in Charlotte, NC. The papers were her email and passwords, her eye glass prescription, and her United Healthcare Card. I tried to call her on the phone, but a recording announced that the number was no longer in service.

I stared at the papers and Jack and I talked. Did we think she had passed away? Had her family returned the pocketbook, without checking the pockets? The purse appeared to be in good shape, no nicks, scuff marks or any indication it had been used. But there were these papers…

I felt very unsettled. This was not a cheap bag. Did I really want to use a bag that possibly had been returned and maybe was the bag of a deceased woman?

Maybe it’s because today is Halloween, but I decided to return the bag to Amazon for a refund. After all, Christmas is coming, and I can use the money when I order Christmas gifts.

What would you have done? Am I being silly? Let me know what you think!