Category: My Life

When I was skiing the other day I suddenly had thoughts of my Grandmother. She would have turned 114 on February 4th if she were still alive. Grandma honey, was a great person to have as a grandmother. She was a tough, but tender, and loving woman. She would do anything for her friends and family!

When she still lived in Boston I remember going to her house. In my mind I can still see my grandparents house. It was large with a down stairs apartment and then their part of the house on the second floor and then on the third floor another apartment. In the down stairs apartment lived my grandfather’s sister Hedwig and her husband Albert. What I remember most about them was Hedwig’s fabulous cooking. It seemed she always had cookies and hot cocoa when I would sneak down the back stairway to visit her.
The middle floor was my grandparents part of the house. It was very large with a screened porch in the front, a phone on a table in the hallway, and then a big living room which led into a large dining room with a bay window, I often sat there looking out of the windows. This led into a kitchen with an old fashioned pantry. I loved this little room because I could climb up on the counter and find cookies. (yes, I admit, I am a cookie monster!)
Off the kitchen was a hallway that led to a big bathroom, and then my grandparent’s bedroom next to that. I remember going into their bedroom in the early morning and climbing into bed with them for cuddles. Papa Fred and Grandma Honey really loved their grandchildren.
Upstairs was where my uncle, his wife and their two kids lived. Originally this was where my mother and uncle had their rooms when they were kids. When we stayed there I would sleep in my cousin’s room.

But Papa had a heart attack and the doctors wanted them to sell the house and move to a one level . So they moved down to Cape Cod, near us and bought a little two bedroom ranch house.

I would run through the woods between our house and theirs and sleep over at Grandma and Papa’s. They would watch “Lawrence Welk, and I would watch them. Papa would gently hold Grandma’s feet in his lap. He would rub them, and she sat there, with an afghan over her lap, smiling at him and the music would play.

She would make us the best warm milk around. We had the whole milk (from a glass bottle. Fresh and whole!), honey and then a dot of real butter. Trust me, it was wonderful. Her hot chocolate was fabulous too!

I felt so safe in her arms, in her lap and I always loved having her as my grandma. Sadly, my other grandmother died when I was in third grade, so I never had a chance to know her the way I knew Grandma Honey.

I moved in with her at the age of eleven, and I lived in their house until I was 17, nearly 18 years old. She lived until I was 26 years old, and then passed from this world. But, my memories are good, and the impression she made on me will be with me for the rest of my life

And…here we go!

1. When it comes time to make a decision, I procrastinate something fierce. But eventually the decision gets made and most of the time I can live with my decisions even though they might not be easy to make.
2. “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make”., that must be the rule.
3. Ma says, eat your vegetables.
4. I’m working on losing a few more pounds at the same time I’m getting ready for the cruise.
5. I never saw the Beatles play in person, but their music is the music of my heart and soul.
6. The love of a person and their dog is not a new invention.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to I don’t know, probably relaxing and getting to bed early. I am so tired, tomorrow my plans include walking around the Ice Fishing Derby and Sunday, I want to pick up a few things at the grocery store, and perhaps stop at the Outlet Mall!

Hubby woke me early and asked if I could go skiing with him. Since I had no good read to say no, I got up, put on all my warm clothes and made our breakfast quickly, before we left the house at 8 o’clock. We got to the ski area and it was mobbed with high school kids who were there for ski races! (*groan*)

It was terribly difficult to find a spot to change into my ski pants, gloves, goggles and helmet. The high school kids were pushing me around and stepping on me. How rude! I listened to their rather foul mouths and I dreaded going off to ski, because the high school-ers tend to be inconsiderate skiers and will hurt you by running into you. I so wanted to share with them the sage advice my grandmother had bestowed upon me when I was their age.

“You are pretty now, but even pretty gets old with time. If you are not beautiful inside, then you have nothing to share when you are an old woman, like I am.” Oh Grandma, how right you are!

Anyway, we finished getting ready and then went off, where we got the first chair lift up the mountain to ski. On the first run, we just came straight down and there were several kids, but no one got too close to me. The second, I was still feeling tight, but we made it down without incident.

(Hubby in the blue jacket)

This is the view that we get from Gunstock Mountain, where we skied. I have to admit. It was a perfect day. All those pesky high school racers, stayed on the other side of the mountain, and we had the rest of it to ourselves. No lines, no one driving us off a trail, and absolutely wonderful conditions.

This is a small part of Lake Winnipesaukee. On the left where you can see all those white roofs, well, that is where I live. I wanted to post this because you can see why the beauty of this area has captured my heart and soul. I love it here!

I made eight runs down the mountain, which is the most I have made this year! Two hours of full cardio workout skiing. I’m really feeling it tonight in my legs, but I’m actually feeling proud of myself.

When we went back in the lodge to change, the kids were all in there eating lunch, racing around, teasing and joking, but in far better form, as their parents had shown up to watch the afternoon races! Nothing will clean up a teenager’s rotten mouth faster that a parent with the ability to ground them!

Hubby and I got our skis and poles, and bags and headed for the car. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it! Yes, I was that tired. But I did and Hubby started to drive to a little shop where we get the dogs their cookies.

Anyway, as we drove down the road, in the distance we saw wild turkeys! So I told Hubby to stop the car, and I put down my window, and snapped away. At first I couldn’t get a shot.

And then, there he was…Tom Turkey! Isn’t he handsome!!!

After they scurried away, Hubby and I drove off, picked up the doggy bones and then stopped to get Fritz’s canned food. I wasted enough time, so I was able to convince Hubby to go to a Japanese restaurant for lunch. We’ve been going there for years and have our favorite meals.

Well, today I thought I would have Hot & Sour Soup, just for a change! You know, live on the edge! Well, I started ladling it in and it was sort of hot. Not just temperature hot, but spicy hot!!! I had about half of the soup, and I then I switched to chugging the ice water. I went through two and a half glasses of ice water to quell the fire in my mouth!

My meal was served, and it was good, but I was so bloated from the water I thought I would pop! We finished it and then came home. What a day!

Now, it’s Friday night, and we’re watching mindless TV waiting for the clock to tell us it is time for bed.

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

And…here we go!

1. Go ahead, there’s some hot tea, all brewed, pour yourself a cup and make yourself comfortable.
2. There is a dog barking at my door. Don’t worry, I’ll get that soon!
3. Don’t worry, be happy.
4. I’m going off to walk on the lake and watch the pond hockey for the day.
5. Pretty much any slimming snack will be made for Super Bowl Sunday.
6. All’s right with me.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to some quiet and perhaps a fire in my hearth, tomorrow my plans include a Ricky Skaggs concert and dinner and Sunday, I want to read the Sunday newspaper, make some great finger foods and watch the Super Bowl!!!

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!