The Dackel Princess

The Friday Five ~ July 1st

So here we are. July 1st! Summer. Today’s forecast is for very hot weather, so I guess I will be staying in and keeping cool with the air conditioning. Here’s this week’s Friday Five.

Tuesday was a busy day. Jack had appointments down in Manchester and Concord, so I spent most of the day driving. The day was beautiful, so the drive was a nice one.
I had a nice conversation with a New Hampshire State Trooper. I was sitting at the Registry of Motor Vehicles waiting to get Jack’s handicapped placard, and he was walking by, and I’m not sure how, but we struck up a conversation.
My Dad worked as a Summer Cop on Cape Cod and I was joking with him that every morning Dad would freak out my Mom about what had happened the night before. He laughed and agreed. Anyway, he was a nice man, and it helped pass the time.
I went to the Post Office on Tuesday and while picking up my packages, a man, a stranger to me, began to bully me for wearing a mask. He claimed that it was destroying my health. I did not engage him in conversation. But I thought, who does he think he is? Then it dawned on me that a large portion of our population has become bullies.
And perhaps he was fortunate that I did have a mask on, as I got sick later that night, and have been down and out since. Not Covid, but miserable none the less.

So that was the week that was. I’m still curled up with Heidi, sleeping and forcing fluids.

Have a great weekend, and to those of you here in the USA, Happy Fourth of July!

Changes

Lately, I seem to be in a learning mode. Life is ever-evolving, and as things around you change, so do you.

If you are over the age of 60-65 and not taking any medications, then that is wonderful! However, for me, I am on medications twice a day and recently, my medications went through an overhaul.

Just about the time that I started to feel better with that, things changed with Jack’s (who takes more meds than Carter has pills.) (This is an American colloquialism), care and I am just trying to keep up, and falling short every day.

This lead me to physically break down. Suddenly I have the virus that’s been going around the Lake. Cough, cold, fever, and exhaustion. I’ve been tested for Covid and it is not that, but there is a nasty Virus around, and apparently, that is what it is.

So, I’ve been sleeping and sipping herbal teas, and sleeping again. I’ve tried to make meals, but honestly, I have no appetite and no desire to cook.

I do walk the dogs in the yard, in my pajamas, which is quite a sight, I am sure. I also made a masked and gloved trip to the grocery store to buy emergency supplies. Ginger ale, crackers, and bread for toast. Then I came home and slept some more.

Today I plan to sleep, drink, and walk the dogs. Nothing strenuous. Just take care of myself.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom!

She was born Rosamond Ruth Prussman, to parents Frederick and Mary on June 28, 1929. She had a much-loved older brother, Robert, and a cousin George, (who grew up like a brother to her). In fact, until the day they passed, they really adored each other.

Mom’s brother, Robert, and his wife Cynthia.

Aunt Betty, Larry, Janet, and Uncle George.

She met my Dad when she was 13 and she was dancing and my Dad played the piano. I asked Dad once what made him look twice at Mom and he said “It was a bright red sweater that she was wearing! She looked so beautiful in it! I was hooked!”

A collage of their life together.

They married early on, and Dad finished getting his teaching degree. They moved to Monument Beach, Massachusetts,

and lived in a little white cottage in the Burtonwood section, where my brother, Richard, and my sister Melodie were born.

Then they moved to Falmouth, Massachusetts, and shortly after, Mom had me.

My parent’s stayed married for well over 60 years.

Mom was with him until the end of his life, and really until the end of hers too. She never remarried. I think in her mind and her heart she was always Jimmie’s girl!

Her last days were spent, not in fear of dying, no, Mom knew Jesus Christ and she knew she would see Dad again. She just worried about Mel and me and all of our cousins.

Me, Mel & Janet with Mom.

This was the last time we were together before Mom was diagnosed with Liver Cancer. It was a wedding. Mom was so happy to be with us all. I almost didn’t go because of my facial surgery, but I am so glad I did now. Seeing her so happy and sharing that day with her, left us all with wonderful memories.

The last time I saw her, at Hospice Care, Mel and I, sat there, with Janet and the four of us were talking quietly. I asked Mom how we would know if she was with us. She smiled and said, “You will see butterflies, and that will be me.” This really surprised me because she always related to beautiful flowers in the past.

But you know what? We see beautiful butterflies all the time. And we smile!

Family Party June 26, 2010 027

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We Love you and we miss you!

The Friday Five ~ June 24th

June is nearly done, and I have had so many thoughts on my mind. Good thoughts as well as sad. But mostly I am holding my own.

I am the luckiest woman ever. I have this delightful and perfect puppy, Heidi in my life, and without even working too hard at it, she makes me feel so loved and so important!
She is so adorable, but she has one thing about her that none of my other dackels have had.
A stripe like this is on both sides.

Just below each of her shoulder blades. Almost like Angel wings. In fact, I think Heidi is my little Angel.
I’ve been watching ER. With so many years, it’s kind of a binge-watching marathon! I remember almost none of it!
This weekend I plan to chill out. Do some laundry and try to get some rest. Recently I am not getting enough sleep and all of that makes Maribeth a cranky girl.
Last week I lost 4 pounds on my diet. I weigh in just before my shower on Friday. I hope that my weight loss is a good one.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Frustrations in Life

I am not one to complain too much…okay I am, but I’ve been trying to turn over a new leaf.

But today, when I received my sixth healthcare refusal from my governmental agency (the one that is guaranteed) I freaked out.

After pulling myself off the ceiling, I sat down with a pen, and paper, filled with determination to get answers.

I got my cell phone, and earpiece and I was ready to wait to be helped. The wait wasn’t as long as I thought it would be, and soon Victor came on. I told him that I was concerned because my guaranteed healthcare insurance was getting rejected all over the place. Why?

Victor explained that the current Administration had changed the ChampVA Healthcare payment protocols.

Okay, I understand people like to change things. But here is the deal. The Administration never told anyone! So, I am not the only person having this problem.

In the past when referring to a Primary Health Insurance the code was OHI. (Other Health Insurance). The current Administration decided to change this to Commercial Insurance. (No gray area)

I do not care what they call it. What I care about is that no one told anyone. They did not tell me, they did not tell the providers, and they did not tell their own people for over a year. Or in my case for almost two years. Some doctor’s offices still do not know.

I called one of my doctor’s billing departments today to explain it to her and she was shocked. But then, it all made sense to her as all of her governmental claims have been denied.

So there ya go. If you are disabled due to a service-related injury and your family has this insurance, be prepared. Be prepared!

The Price Of Life

I walked outside this morning to the cool temperatures. Again, I was wearing my winter coat. This made me laugh.

Coming in, I staggered over to the coffee machine, poured myself a cup, and thus, began my day.

I have to drive to Manchester today, and I have my drive planned out. After my appointment, I will drive to Market Basket in Tilton, pick up some staples and then get gas at BJ’s before driving right home.

Let’s face it. One must plan so as not to waste gasoline. I had a conversation with someone at the store. She actually thinks it’s a good idea (High fuel prices).

I bet she lives in a city with public transportation and that she has enough money to spend on fuel oil in the winter. If prices hold, I will be paying $1000.00+ a month to stay barely above freezing.

As it is, there is no public transportation here. We are on our own!

Oh well, that is that. Hope you all have a great day!

The Weekend Wrap ~ June 20th

I am always happy when I plan a weekend with nothing much going on. The ability to read, or binge-watch a TV show is a good thing. But although intended, there are weekends that turn out differently. So was the case with mine.

It was the end of motorcycle week here and since I live a mile from the Harley Davidson store and showroom, and the roads above my house and below my house leads to this store, I heard the hum of large groups of motorcycles from 8 AM until 2 AM each day. It’s rather like the drones of gigantic bees.
And I had tried to pre-plan my meals so I would not need to go grocery shopping, but I failed and ended up in the grocery store on Friday afternoon. It was crazy busy, but I did manage to get things and get home in a short period of time.
Since the news is too upsetting to watch, I turned on the tennis matches in Europe. These are the matches that are being played on grass as a warm-up for Wimbledon.
I also watched “ER“. Long ago, back in the 1990s, I watched that show. But with time, and other programs in my head, I really do not recall the plot lines of this show. So, needless to say, I have been enjoying the show as if it were completely new.
I have found a friend to dog-sit for me on a few of the days that I have doctor’s appointments.What I need to find now is a man or woman who will stay overnight with Jack and Lili so I can go and visit my family. I want to spend time with my daughter and grandchildren and then perhaps go to see my sister. I have not seen Mel since July of 2019.
I have also hired a woman to help me go through the house and get rid of things. I want to clear the decks! Having someone who can keep me on goal and not allow me to get sidetracked is essential!
I began my diet a week ago. People can tell you all the time not to call it a diet, but guess what folks? It is a diet no matter how you cut it. I had regained some weight after Arnie died and finally I reached a point where I sat down and planned what I was going to do. My first week back I lost 4 pounds! Yay me!
When I woke today it was 39 degrees. Yes, you read right. In order to walk the hounds, I put on my winter coat!
So that’s the weekend. I hope yours was a good one and that the week ahead will be filled with warmth, sunshine, and happiness!

The Friday Five ~ June 17th

Although I had nothing planned this week, due to it being Motorcycle Week, I have had a few things going.

There has been a constant drone/hum of motorcycles from morning until the middle of the night. The next day, it would start again.
I swear to God that most of the motorcycles need a new muffler! This is either very true or I am getting old and intolerant. It’s a total toss-up!
We had some sort of critter chase down and shred a deer. We are not sure if it was a Bobcat, a Fisher, or a pack of Coyotes.
At this point, I sing at night while walking Heidi and Lili, and use a strong flashlight. I admit to being a little nervous.
This past week I cleaned out all my old magazines. These magazines date back to the start of the Pandemic. That felt quite good to do. This weekend I want to tackle another closet or room. I need to get the house cleared for Heidi to go and run around. Now she is house trained, as long as the house is tidied up I can let her roam.

Have a great weekend!

My Life Lately

I will admit, in the last few months, I have not written too much. Of course, starting in January, I was sleeping with my boots on, so I could streak out with Heidi for potty breaks. I have also been working around the home/family, as Jack is able to do less.

The Pandemic has been hard for everyone. For me, it has caused a kind of isolation that I have never experienced before.

Because I am worried about leaving Jack, I have not seen my grandchildren very much. My heart aches about all of that.

I shop twice a week at the local market. I can zip through that store in 40 minutes and then high tail it back home.

Heidi and Lili are my refuge. They cuddle me, they give me a reason to get up, go for walks, and play little doggy games. I am not sure I could make it through the days without them.

My darling companions!

I’ve never really understood non-pet people. How can they live their day-to-day lives with no furry companions? For me, my fur kids have helped me to get through this time.

Katie Alynne ~ November 1978 ~ June 1985

I’ve been thinking a lot about my daughter Katie. After you lose a child, you learn to go on. Some days are better than others, and then a time will come when you are thrown back in time emotionally and the pain is overwhelming.

You all know that Katie lived. She was my youngest daughter, and a very sweet, kind, and funny girl.

Our Katie.

Most of you know that on June 13th, 1985, our car was run over by a box van truck trapping Katie and me inside.

I have no recollection of actually being in the car. I do not recall Katie being in or out of the car after the accident. In time I knew we were out of the car. But it just didn’t make sense. It was a warm sunny day and I recall seeing bright blue skies once the roof was lifted off of us.

Katie lingered in a coma until June 19th. Then Katie went home with God.

It’s been 37 years since that horrible day. One might think that the memories and the pain would not be as sharp. But it is. My arms still ache for her, and I wonder what might have been.

I’m allowing myself a little bit of grief before I pack it all up again and go through the motions of the days.

My life is a good one. I have many loves in my life. I am blessed. But until the day that I pass from this life to the next, I shall miss my girl and look forward to meeting up with her when I open my eyes in a whole new world.