Dackel Princess

The Friday Five

This week seemed to fly by. Probably because I slept so much of it away. But as we wrap up the week here is this weeks Friday Five.

1. Getting sick is not what I had planned on. But I have caught up on my favorite TV shows and learned how to use Amazon Prime Videos!

2. I also think that I have found a way to lose weight. I have eaten very little since coming down with this virus.

3. A friend in the know suggested that what I have is the Flu. But I have had the flu shot. Turns out you can still contract a different strain of the flu if you are unlucky. Isn’t “unlucky” my middle name.

4. I hope tomorrow to be able to be out of bed more. I am still coughing a lot and I don’t want to get Jack sick.

5. I need to make out my grocery list and my plan for Thanksgiving. I know by then I shall be completely well!

So that’s the week. It can only get better!

What To Do When You Are Sick

One thing that happens when you are ill and forced to stay in bed, is that you can binge-watch certain shows.

I have Amazon Prime plus certain networks and so yesterday while being stuck in bed I watched all sorts of shows.

I watched two BBC shows. One about Queen Victoria’s Grandchildren and the other one was about Princess Alice, the mother of the current Prince Philip of England. I’d read her biography and this show seemed to have been based on the book.

I also love the show “Chopped” where Chefs are given a basket of crazy ingredients.

Items that might be in a basket are like these.

There are four Chefs to start, and after each round, Appetizer, and Main Course a Chef, who did not meet expectations, is chopped. The last round, Dessert, determines who wins the ten thousand dollars, and is The Chopped Champion!

I went all the way back to Season One (there are like 34 or 38 Seasons!). It was fantastic! I love cooking shows and this one is amazing!

I managed tea and toast and some eggs last night, and by midnight my fever had broken and was back to normal.

I plan another quiet day today, with some crocheting, binge-TV-watching, and naps. But I am on the mend, and that is good!

Autumn Colds

On Tuesday I woke with a sore throat. Nothing too bad, but sore. A nuisance. I didn’t get dressed and I kind of sipped some chamomile tea with honey, hoping I would feel better.

By noontime, I was chilled and went to bed. I took my temperature and it was only slightly elevated. But I felt so sleepy.

At four o’clock my temperature was up well over 101 degrees. And as hot as I was, I felt chilled to the bone.

Since I am experienced with high fevers I sort of knew what was about to hit. At 2:00 AM my temperature hit 102.8!

I downed juice, Tylenol and more cough syrup, which probably explains my slightly sick stomach this morning.

My temperature is down and I am feeling slightly better. Enough so, so that I took a shower and changed my nightie.

I forced some toast into my body, and more water and juice, and in a bit, I will go back to bed for a nap.

My constant nurse has been Mr. Arnie Man. He quite literally never leaves my side. Even when I was in the shower he sat on the bath rug and waited for me. What a boy!

Now let the healing up begin! I simply detest Autumn colds!

My Sunglasses

A few weeks ago, during my daughter’s move from one house to the next, I came home from helping, in the rain and the next day, in the sun, I reached into my pocketbook for my sunglasses. They were not in my purse. I checked my tote bag. Nope, not there either!

Then I searched my car. Then I searched Jack’s car. Then I came upstairs and searched in the kitchen. I went to the lost and found at the grocery store, to the post office, and at WW.

I could not remember the last time I’d had them, and this really bothered me. We’ve had a lot of gray rainy weather, so I could have lost them anywhere!

These are not just any old pair of sunglasses. These are prescription sunglasses.

Meanwhile, I got out my old pair of sunglasses and used those. I was not happy and quite honestly, due to the fact that I was close to turning 61, I was afraid I’d developed some sort of memory problem.

Then on Saturday I got to my daughter’s and we went out to her car to go to Savannah’s play and as I got in I spotted my glasses case on the floor of her car! Of course, they must have fallen out as I either got in or out of her car. She drives a low sports car and I am always joking that I need a crane to help me get out of it.

So, the mystery of the sunglasses disappearance is over and I am once again driving with my favorite pair on my nose!

And I am so happy that I did not misplace them, but simply had them fall out of my bag! Whew! Another aging bullet dodged!

The Weekend Wrap

Since Sunday was my birthday, most of the weekend was spent celebrating my special day. And it was a very Happy Birthday!

It started on Saturday going to see Savannah is a play. “Lion King Kids”. Savi played a Wildebeast! And she did a fabulous job!

Then on Saturday night my three cousins, Janet, Dave, and Larry came to Mandy and Matt’s house and we had a full celebration meal, which included Surf (Shrimp) and Turf (Expertly grilled Steak!)

We donned party hats and acted silly.

Savi

Freya

Janet, Me and Larry.

The somewhat dented Ice Cream Cake. The box containing the cake was dropped (accidentally). It did not lessen the deliciousness of the cake!

The dented cake! Beautiful nonetheless!

I got a few lovely gifts, including two wintery nightgowns. Lucky for me as we’ve been getting down into the lower teens at night.

On Sunday morning, (my actual birthday) Mandy made me some breakfast and then I headed home. It was another stellar day and the drive went by quickly.

Then Jack took me out for lunch at The Common Man Restaurant, where we feasted on Mussels and then had Reuben Sandwiches. The restaurant treated me to a chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce for my dessert!

All in all, this was one of the nicest birthdays ever!

However, all that said, after all this wild eating, I am feeling stuffed! I may not eat until well into tomorrow!

Happy Birthday To Me!

I started my life sixty-one years ago on a cold and blustery day. I weighed 9 lbs and one ounce and my (not even 5 feet tall), mother swears I nearly killed her.

Cute, huh?

Of course, being born at noon meant that she was back in her room in time for lunch. Lunch that day was a turkey sandwich! So I didn’t wreck her day completely.

I was the youngest of three children and you know what they say, the youngest is the most spoiled.

I didn’t feel that way, of course, as there seemed to be an expectation to excel. I did try for a while and then when I hit my teens I went in the opposite direction and rebelled!

I may not always have made the best choices in my life, but somehow I made my way and I was blessed with two daughters

and now Savannah and Quinn.

Hmmm! Sixty-one! Imagine that? I remember as a kid when my grandmother and then my mother were this age. Somehow they seemed like old ladies! I certainly don’t feel like that. There is so much left that I want to do!

So, Happy Birthday to me!

I really do feel quite blessed in this life.

I’ve Gone To The Birds!

I’ve been sitting at my sliding glass door in recent days waiting for my feathered friends to come for a meal. They’ve all been around, as we have had cold temperatures and yes, even snow!

My little Downy Woodpecker female in the snow, having a snack!

They seem to be getting used to me now, as they often come to feed when I am outside. They allow me to get as close as three feet of the feeders before flying off.

And since I am getting more chances and have become more patient I am getting better pictures of my birdies!

This is a male Hairy Woodpecker. He’s quite an eater. He will peck away at the suet like he was working on a tree!

A Blue Jay flew in (I suspect this is a male) and after having words with the Hairy Woodpecker, there was a little standoff, before the Woodpecker flew away!

And here is Blue Jay. He is quite a character. If I am outside putting up the suet he will sort of screech at me to hurry up!

The Friday Five – November 15

So, here we are. November 15th, just a couple of days before I turn sixty-one! Where has the time gone? Well, I will tell you. It has gone by incredibly fast! It seems like just yesterday that I was a kid, and now my child has children of her own! WOW!

So, as I sit here looking back on my life and times, I really am so thankful to be right where I am in this world.

One of my happiest childhood memories is when my entire family, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins would all get together at my Grandmother’s House to celebrate the holidays.
Left to right. Four-year-old me, behind me, Melodie, My mother, and my Grandma Honey. I think this was Easter.How I wish I could go back and visit one of those holidays just so I could see everyone again. There was always a lot of laughter and joking around, and Mom and Grandma Honey were the best cooks ever! Janet, Larry, and I were the youngest kids and yet at these events, I always felt so grown up!
Being in The Sound of Music when I was eight years old was also more fun then I could ever say. Once again, I was the youngest cast member, but I felt quite grown up.I had lines in the play, many songs to sing, and several dance routines that I learned. I had adults who guided me and made me feel valued for the performances that I gave.
The birth of my first child, Amanda, at the age of eighteen was the most joy-filled event of my life. During pregnancy, I felt her moving and kicking and I was one with that baby.Of course, back in those days, you did not find out what your child was until they popped out! Amanda was an answer to all my prayers. Healthy, happy, and so beautiful. I have often told her that she was the best Christmas present that I ever got. This has remained true all of my life.
Likewise, the birth of my second child, Katie was also joyous! She came quickly into this world, with her flaming red curls and her blue-green eyes. I adored being a mother of two girls and we had so much fun.However, the loss of this beautiful girl at the age of six has been the great tragedy of my life. I was not sure I could go on after her death. But over time, you learn how to put one foot in front of the other and go on. Life is never the same, but you go on.
My last entry for today’s Friday Five is the greatest blessings in my life. My two grandchildren. Oh my goodness, it is hard to explain the love that comes when your grandchildren enter your life. I remember holding Savannah for the first time and looking into her eyes.Savannah on the day she was born with her over the moon in love, Oma! I whispered, “Oh my darling, I can hardly wait until the day when you and I can talk up a storm!” And now at the age of seven, Savannah and I talk to each other like crazy. I love to hear her thoughts, I love it when she reads to me, and I love it when she runs into my arms calling my name, “Oma!”I am also blessed with my grandson, Quinn. I have never had a boy in my life like this! I held him for the first time in the hospital and I remember thinking, “We have so much of the world to explore together!” And so it has been.

Me with darling Quinn on the day of his birth. It was instant love!Quinn, who walked at seven and a half months old, Quinn who refused to be stopped by a baby gate (he would simply climb over it!), and Quinn, who took his time to become my little cuddle-bug, now showers me with hugs and kisses! Being their Oma is the best job I could have at this time in my life. To love, and to be loved in return is the greatest gift of all!

So there you have it. This week’s Friday Five. So much to be thankful for, so much to love in this life.

TBT: Anneliese & Me

I was looking through pictures and found this one of a three-month-old Anneliese and me. She was such a precious little pup and stole my heart immediately. She still owns it today some (almost) 13 years later.

Anneliese and me March 2007.

Lucky Me!

First Snow

Tuesday found us getting our first measurable snow. It was quite pretty and really left only about an inch on the ground.

It’s just that time of year and we are forecast to have really cold weather for the next few days. (Between 15 – 20 degrees F) This is crazy and far too early for mid-winter temperatures.

I was worried about my fine feathered friends, and I made sure their suet feeders were full. We had a few come in quickly and get a little suet and seed and fly off. But my Downy Woodpecker came by and really went to town on the seed.

He really enjoyed the suet and seed and stayed for quite a long while. Ah, my little friend!

Meanwhile, I worked on washing sheets and cooking meals and repairing my old afghan that I crocheted thirty years ago! Then I sat down to drink a little tea but got preoccupied with a thought about dinner. I’m making Lamb Chops tonight with German Bratkartoffeln (fried potato slices with onion and bacon) and red cabbage. I figured if I go to WW tomorrow to start the new plan, I might as well eat my “last supper”!

Well, off to WW I go. I hope that the new plans make sense to me and that I can find one that works for me.