Category: My Life

This & That

1. I woke on Tuesday to lightly falling snow. As the morning went on, the snow got heavy for a while, before it lightened up.
2. The biggest problem for the snowfall is the Pond Hockey Tournament this weekend at the lake near my home.Here is a picture taken from an aircraft above my home. My house cannot be seen on this picture, but it is close!



3. We were thrilled to have the driveway clear, once again. But now, the driveway has three inches on it!
4. I watched “Say Yes To The Dress” today and there was this mother on it, who was just tearing down her daughter’s attempts to find a dress! Oh yeah, I wanted to slap that mother! How could anyone be that cruel to their child?
5. I cannot believe that today is February 2nd! Where has the time gone already?
6. Our vacation is just a mere month away! Woo-hoo!!!
7. Our new chairs should be here in another 3-4 weeks. I can hardly wait!
8. The dogs have all gotten bones and the dackels are happily gnawing them. Fritz, however, doesn’t like rawhide.
9. Are any of you as sick of politics as I am? We’ve already had our primary and yet we are still getting all the political ads on the TV. Give me a break!
10. Someone asked me the other day, “Why on earth do you have four dogs?” My answer was simple. “Why not?”
11. I also look at them and think, “Which one would I ever get rid of, anyway?”
12. I have decided I need a hobby. One that takes me away from the computer.
13. Shopping for a baby girl perhaps?

1. It’s that most wonderful time of the year…tax season! Do you complete your own returns or farm that job out to the professionals?

Hubby does that wonderful job, and I get all the paperwork together for him to use on Turbo Tax! We both hate this time of the year!

2. This next question comes from Kansas Bob…he posed it in his response to something I asked in an earlier Wednesday post and I asked him if I could add it to the Hodgepodge some day. Today’s the day.

Which do you think has changed you more-love or pain?

I think that it can be a combination of both. I loved my youngest child with every fiber of my being, and her death shattered me. However, I learned so much from this experience, and it changed me in every way that you can imagine.

3. Tangerine Tango has been named color of the year for 2012. Your thoughts? Would I find this color anywhere in your house? How about in your closet? If not, will you be adding this color to your life in some way in 2012?

Not a big fan of orange. So probably not. But, if I lived in Florida and had a pool area bath, then perhaps.

4. Are you a collector? What do you collect and does it get admired, used, and/or dusted regularly?

I collect two things. Red haired angels, and wire-haired dachshunds. Both are difficult to find, so I’ve kept my collection down. I look at them regularly and yes, they get dusted.

5. February is National Heart Month…besides a green salad what is one tasty heart healthy dish you like to prepare?

Baked Haddock. I love it and so does Hubby! Both of us enjoy fish, and also vegetables. I know many people do not enjoy vegetables, but we both do.

6. When was the last time you had car trouble?

A few months ago, I went down to go to Weight Watchers and the battery on the Jeep was flat, dead, gone! Hubby came and jumped me and I made it to class and back, but we have had to replace the battery since then.

7. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Is that a good trend?

I think more, and that isn’t always a good thing. I have wanted to lose those last 5 pounds before our trip and I’ve been trying so hard and not having any luck! I have gotten so angry with myself, and then I remember that I need to lighten up a little.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The Super Bowl is on Sunday. I am really looking forward to the game and the little party I am planning for Hubby and me. We decided that instead of a formal dinner on Sunday we will have finger foods. I’m making a clam dip, hot wings, blue cheese in celery, and perhaps some artichoke dip too, with vegetables. We’ll just munch on that and have a nice time. Of course, my favorite thing about Super Bowl Sunday are the commercials!!!

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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Okay, I’m going to start this, by going back in time. Right after Christmas Hubby was looking for our magnifier and it was not to be found. You can read about it HERE. I searched the house for a good two hours, but never did find it. I went out to the camper and got a second one that we keep out there. Still, the question remained, “where was the magnifier?”.

I cannot tell you how I have driven myself crazy the last few weeks during the times when I would search. I’d just about given up until today!

I knew eventually it would appear, but I was starting to feel that I was suffering from an early onset dementia! Perhaps I am, but at least the special (and expensive) magnifier has been found and I have promised Hubby I will not touch it or the other one again!

Oh, and where did I “hide” it? In the cabinet with my casserole dishes! Do I recall putting it there? No. So I remain concerned for my memory. Or should I say, lack there of!

The weekend also found me actually getting some cleaning done, reports written, and dackels walked! Especially Anneliese. Lately she has been sniffing something in our yard, and no amount of calling her, or bribery will get her in. This means that I have to walk her several times a day on a leash. It’s not too bad, when it is not raining, sleeting or snowing.

Have a great Monday, everyone!

Saturday was a wonderful day for me. I got so much done around the house, and I was able to take all three dackels for a walk! It all started way too early. I stretched in bed, and Anneliese jumped up on my shoulder and welcomed the day with gentle kisses to my nose. I stumbled into the bathroom, and Arnie followed me wagging his tail so hard it literally thumped the floor!

So I helped Greta off the bed (so she wouldn’t awaken Hubby), and got up to make the coffee. It wasn’t too cold, like it has been, but I still bundled myself up when I went out with the dackels. I no sooner got in then the coffee was made and I settled down to read email, and wake up with a cuppa joe!

I had peace and quiet for about an hour, and then Hubby got up. Breakfast was made, and the day began in earnest. I cleaned and vacuumed and made an assortment of meals, before going for my walk with the dackels to visit my neighbor. We were helping her with her cell phone, but I’m afraid that the ear piece is broken.

The day was another warm one, so Hubby cleared more ice and for the first time in a few weeks our driveway is completely clear!

We also learned that in two weeks the Pond Hockey Tournament will be on the lake in front of our home! They’ve already set up hockey rinks on the ice, and will be marking it in another 10 days. I promise full coverage of the event!

Yes, good day!

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

And…here we go!

1. It’s time to get up off my chair and do some exercising!.
2. Make sure to mix thoroughly … and don’t forget the blueberries!
3. I’m trying to catch up on my sleep. I’ve been so tired lately.
4. “You crack me up“, that was the last funny comment I received.
5. Please send sunshine and rainbows.
6. Relationships can be tricky, but when I said “I do” to Hubby it’s because I’m in it for the long haul.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a fire in my hearth, tomorrow my plans include clearing the snow and ice from the walk and drive with Hubby and Sunday, I want to prepare a nice chicken dinner for Hubby.!

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year’s Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define ‘patriot’?

The dictionary defines this as: A person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion. I would have to say, that I feel that both Hubby and I fit the definition. Especially since he served his country for five years.

2. What’s something in your life right now that feels like a ‘giant’?

Well, my office! It is a giant mess and I really have to get in there and get it straightened out! Hubby would say the driveway, as it is all ice! That is a giant mess too!

3. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?

Giving birth to Mandy. She was born a little more than a month after my 18th birthday.

I remember thinking that I had been waiting all my life for this beautiful baby! And there she was! Chubby, healthy and the most beautiful baby in the world!

4. Coconut, mashed potatoes, vanilla ice cream, mayonnaise…which white food would be the hardest to give up?

Probably mashed potatoes. I love them. I do have to measure them, but I do still eat them. I never eat coconut, vanilla ice cream and hardly use mayonnaise.

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you’ve ever experienced?

A few years back we had a January where the temperatures didn’t rise above -10 degrees for a week or more. Most days we were about -15 with a wind and we just didn’t go out at all. Thankfully, that was before the current fuel oil price rise, and we managed to make it through without going broke.

6. You’re hosting a brunch…what’s your favorite dish to prepare and serve?

Oh I love to serve bacon, scrambled eggs, perhaps a loaf of fresh, hot sweet bread, fresh orange juice, hot coffee, and also some melon. Remember, a menu or food preparation is easy for me, which is why I’m a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers!

7. How do you combat negative thinking?

I sit myself down and have a long talk with myself! I have been through the worst that life can throw at you and I simply refuse to allow myself to have a pity party for too long.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It’s slushy, rainy, and nearly 40 degrees (F) here today. What a mess! Even the dogs didn’t want to be outside. I cannot say I blame them! I do need to go out tonight (Tuesday) for a meeting, and it is my hope that Wednesday will be clear.

I got some new clothes today in the mail. Two pair of pants and a top and sweater. that I’d gotten them at an extremely low price as they were clearance items. Everything fit just fine, but the pants would look, oh so much better, if I lost 5 pounds. Just 5 pounds, I know. I said this to Hubby and he sort of snickered at me!

Now Hubby is really good about things. All the while I’ve been going to Weight Watchers, he’s been encouraging me and praising me, but I have to admit, I’ve been going no where fast since Christmas!

So, I started journaling my food again. Writing everything down, and weighing and measuring everything. And I know that I have to do this at every meal I prepare.

Oh why couldn’t I have been born with an incredibly fast metabolism?

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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The weekend seemed to speed by. On Friday I just hung out with the dogs, and tried to stay warm. I was feeling lazy and so aside from making meals and reading, I didn’t do anything much. Hubby had gone skiing, and he had some nice fresh powder to ski in!

Saturday, my sweet husband drove me down and we had lunch with Mandy and Matt to celebrate my Grand-daughter! They learned the baby’s sex on Tuesday and so we were celebrating a girl. Of course, we would have celebrated a boy too! We just want a happy and healthy baby!

Saturday proved to be a big day all around, but I will refer you to yesterdays post, so I don’t have to rewrite it. Between the snow and a few unexpected incidents, it was a very full day!

Sunday we woke to bitterly cold temperatures. It was -5 degrees (F)! I let dogs out, one at a time, and when Anneliese went out, she got stuck in the snow. She cried and tried to lift her paws and I ended up running outside in my robe and slippers to rescue her! Then I brought her in, wrapped her in a blanket and then held her until she warmed up. Brutal! I’m not a big fan of below zero temperatures!

I decided that the least I could do was get all the laundry together today and get it done. When I was folding the whites I was amazed to see so much of Hubby’s tidy, whiteys. My goodness, the man had no underwear left! Well, now he does!

We watched the New England Patriots play against the Baltimore Ravens, and it was a really stressful game, right up until the end! The Patriots won! 23-20! Now they will get to go to Super Bowl! Yay!!!!

The temperatures are dropping again, as I sit here writing. We’re watching the next football game, to see who the Patriots will play in the Super Bowl.

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

Friday found me hanging out inside, with Fritz and the dackels, in an attempt to stay warm and dry. We had 4-5 inches of snow Thursday night, and since Hubby didn’t shovel a path for the little ones, they cannot go far from the door. The snow is up over the legs. Greta tried to hop over the snow and failed miserably. She kind of did a flip and ended up on her side. Thankfully, the snow is soft!

Fritz loves the snow! He plays in it like a little kid. I stood at the back door today, watching him leap through the snow, smiling as he went along. Ah, yes. Joy!

Hubby decided that, despite his cough, he would go out to get a half a day of skiing in. He said the skiing was good and he had a good time. He must be getting into good shape because since he got home, he has not fallen asleep, like he usually does.

I am praying that this morning (Saturday), there will not be any snow. I am driving down to see Mandy and Matt and I really don’t like to drive in it. Last I heard we were only getting a dusting, so I will take the Jeep and get there!

Tonight (Friday), I have already made a fire in the hearth, and will make roasted butternut squash from my garden! You know, between the butternut squash and the green beans I froze, we have really enjoyed the ‘fruits of our labors’!!!