Amanda – Page 7 – The Dackel Princess

The Day After

Today I spent the day with my daughter and her daughter! Doesn’t that have a nice ring to it? Mandy is a natural. I know that she is still a bit under the weather from her c-section, but I am so proud of her! She just knew everything she needed to do, and didn’t need anyone telling her what to do.

I loved watching them, and oh, I tried so hard to be quiet and just watch, but I’m afraid I took too many pictures!

I couldn’t help myself! She is a real beauty and I just wanted to document her beauty!

By the end of the day, both Mandy and Savannah were exhausted. Looking back, I think they both could have used a good long nap in the late morning or early afternoon. Tomorrow is my last visit, and I will keep it brief. But I sure will miss both of them and Matt!

Friday Fill-Ins

And…here we go!

1. Hallelujah! Savannah is Here!!!!
2. Right now, holding my grand-daughter is where I wanna be!
3. When I was walking the dog this morning, I saw a handful of goose feathers in the road and I thought uh-oh, no pate (lol).
4. The sun came up and that’s how I knew it was time to head south to be there for Savannah’s birth.
5. What were once vices are now little gems..
6. A fried egg sandwich is what I’ve been having for breakfast lately.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to visiting with my daughter and then my cousin, tomorrow my plans include more baby time and then home to Hubby and Sunday, I want to collapse!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?

My husband is a Veteran and I am so thankful that he came home from the War in Vietnam. No one honored him at the time. In fact they called him names and the men that served so bravely, were spit upon.

Several years ago I started doing something that was hard for me at first because I was always close to tears. When I saw a man or woman in fatigues flying home or having a casual meal with their comrades, I would go over and thank them for their service to our country. I have seen elderly men who served in WW II with their battle ship’s cap on and I also will go over to them and thank them. With each handshake, each smile, it got easier for me not to cry. I cannot even begin to tell you how happy and surprised these men and women are.

One man asked why I was doing this. I stopped mid shake and responded, “You see that man over there? That’s my husband. When he came home from Vietnam, no one said Thank-You.”

The young man turned and walked over to Hubby and shook his hand and thanked him! Hubby was so touched.

2. Besides a flag what is something you own that is red, white and blue?

A dish set that my cousin Janet gave me a few years ago.

3. Does love really conquer all?

No. But it sure helps a lot.

4. Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?

Strawberry Shortcake!

5. Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?

Oh yes, we are very good friends. I have gone in on bad days and cried my eyes out, and even called her to share good news!

6. Does money lead to selfishness?

It can, if one is not grounded.

7. What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?

My mattress! It is older than it should be and lumpier than all get out. The next thing to get replaced is that silly, lumpy, thing!

8. Insert your own random here.

June is nearly here, and with that, time to spend with Mandy, the arrival of my granddaughter, and tending to the garden, Hubby and the pooches!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s something you miss about the 1980’s? If you’re too young to miss the 80’s how about the 90’s?

I miss my kids being little. That was such a great time. And I miss cheap gasoline!

2. Do you have a library card? If so, how often do you visit?

Yes and weekly. In fact, I am a Library Trustee!

3. What’s the secret to success?

Believing in God, yourself and your family. Also, never give up!

4. This is National Backyard Games week…what’s your favorite backyard game?

Throw the ball for the dogs!

5. If I dropped by today what would I find on your coffee table?

Just a few magazines. Recycling day was yesterday, so my table is quite neat!

6. Do you own a bicycle? When was the last time you rode a bicycle? Is that something you enjoy?

I do own a bike, but since we moved back to hilly New Hampshire I don’t ride. In Florida, I rose almost everyday, with Shubi in my basket.

7. What’s your favorite cheese?

It’s a tie. A good Tilsiter, or Vermont Cheddar!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The Baby Shower sure was fun! It was so nice to see my daughter so happy, and I couldn’t believe how generous everyone was!

What I Did This Past Weekend

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!

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

On Saturday, after weeks of preparation, Mandy’s sister, Ally, Ally’s mother, Di, and Matt’s Mom and I gave Mandy a shower for the baby.

I know that many countries don’t have baby showers, like we do in America, but they are so much fun, and a way for all family and friends to gather together, tell baby stories, labor and deliver stories and shower the baby with gifts of all sorts.

My gift was going to be a high chair that Mandy had selected. I went all over New England looking for this special chair, which you can use from birth until the baby is about 4 years old, and NO ONE had them! I finally called and found one in Parsipanny, New Jersey! They said they would ship it to me. Fine, but they couldn’t guarantee it would be here in time for the shower.

Oh dear! Here I am, the mother of the new Mommy, first time Grammy, and no present for my baby! It was really bothering me! One morning I woke and it hit me!

I had saved all the special dresses the girls wore, including the white dress I wore home from the hospital in 1958 (above), and the pink dress Mandy wore home from the hospital in 1976
(below)!

See the close up of the dress in the picture above? That was a newborn Mandy in her dress.

I knew right where the box was, and pulled it out of the attic! I washed the clothes carefully, and pressed them smooth. Then I found pictures of Mandy wearing the dresses, printed those out, pinned each to the dress and told the little stories behind them.

I put these dresses in 4 baby bags, and called them “Bags Full Of Memories”!

Savannah will not need clothes until she is about three years old! She has enough clothing, soaps, blankets, etc to last until then. She also got a Pack N Play (portable bed, playpen, changing table) and yes, the high chair arrived!

So many of our family and friends came. My sister, Melodie, My niece, Jinny, my cousin Janet, and my best friend, Gail.

Mandy was glowing and so happy to see so many loving faces. For me, it was wonderful to see so many people I had not seen in decades.

The Shower

It’s pretty late and I am exhausted, so I will post a couple of pictures and then write about the Baby Shower tomorrow!

Friday & Saturday Fun!

I had such a fun day on Friday. Between going to the German Deli and spending the rest of the day with Mandy, I had a great time.

At the German Deli, I was able to buy all of Hubby’s and my favorite foods. I’d brought a cooler with me, and I was able to keep everything nice and cold while I visited with Mandy.

I’d gotten, Hungarian salami slices, Leberkäse, Fleish Salat, German Potato Salat, Tilsit Cheese, Klosterbrot (a hearty rye bread) and some Weiss Wurst. My husband loves me right now!

My day with Mandy was super. I got to see the nursery.

I just love all the little animals and the crib is so beautiful! Later it will adjust to a youth bed.

I think the nicest part of our day was the fact that we got to sit and talk quietly. No rush, no clock pressuring us. I was so happy to share this time with her.

We went off to lunch at a nice place called The Homestead and we both had lobster rolls. Oooooh! They were so good! (Sorry I forgot to take a picture!)

We said goodbye and off I went to come home, while she went to an appointment.

Hubby and I watched another movie last night. We’ve really been watching a lot of Foreign Films and enjoying most of them. This was “Fraulein” and it was great! Thought provoking and well acted!

After a good night’s sleep I got up this morning and made Hubby his favorite breakfast! First you saute onions, and brown the Leberkäse.

Then you cook the eggs.

Make your Klosterbrot into toast, put the Leberkäse on the plate, and layer onions, egg and onions.

This is Hubby’s plate!

Well, that’s my report for Friday and part of Saturday. I hope you are all having a good weekend!

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Friday

I had a great day, on Friday with Mandy. I went to her place, and saw the nursery, all set up and ooohed and aaaahed over the beautiful clothes our little girl has in line for the first year of her life.

It was sunny and warm, and we drove off to have lunch, and then it was time for Mandy to go for an OB appointment, and for me to head home.

I left home at 8:45 and got back at 5PM. Long day, but since the days are longer now, I didn’t mind a bit!

We watched another German movie “Fraulein” and it was fabulous. Another win, win, in the free movie department!

Pictures and a better report on my trip south tomorrow. It’s late and I am one tired Granny!

“Lil Miss”

On Friday I drove down to have lunch with my daughter, Matt’s Mom and Mandy’s sister. It was a girls gathering, before her 3-D ultra sound. I was so excited, and we talked about all the things we were going to see, if….”Lil Miss” cooperates.

The sonography office was well appointed. In the examination room there was a sofa, bean bag chairs and a comfortable examination table for Mandy. We all took our seats, and then…

The sonographer put the paddle on Mandy’s belly and we saw, a beating heat! I also could see the baby’s ribs, spine and arms. She appeared to be sleeping, but then I think I saw her eyes open, and her little mouth too!

Baby balled up her fists and punched outward! she kicked, and then went back to sleep. Right now, life is on her terms.

The sonographer turned on the sound, and we could hear her little heart beating. The sweetest sound a grand mother can ever hear!

But this “Lil Miss” is a stubborn little girl! Every time the sonographer got near her face, she turned away! Ah yes, this whole birth thing, will apparently be on her terms!

My daughter’s little girl!

Back In The Old Days

In just three more days I will get a peak at my grand daughter. To say I am looking forward to this would be a gross understatement! I can barely contain myself, I am walking on air!

You see, I had babies back in the old days. You didn’t know what the baby was, sort of fumbled with charts to determine your actual due date, and the baby usually went into a dresser drawer until you could afford a proper crib. (Not really, but I loved a Prairie book that told that story!)

When I had Mandy, I mostly had hand me down clothes for her and I used REAL cloth diapers. I remember several older neighbor ladies commenting on my whiter than white diapers, and me smiling with pride!

Back in the old days, you had to buy film! So my pictures of her were few and far between. I did the best I could, but when you had to buy the film and then pay to develop it, it was expensive. You know the TV show “Two Broke Girls”? well, my first husband and I were “Two Broke Kids”. I didn’t care though, because I had Mandy, and this was our little miracle!

When I was 13 years old a doctor told me I would never have kids. Endometriosis. I suffered so every month, and then…there was Mandy. I never regretted her birth, or the fact that I was just past my 18th birthday. My former husband and I just made due with what we had.

We were blessed with a very happy baby and she was easy. Thankfully, since we learned everything about a child’s care, while she grew.

Now I will go on Friday and I get to see my grand daughter moving around inside her mother’s belly! How cool is that!

Oh, I can hardly wait!!!