In 1989, Hubby had a temporary assignment in Berlin, Germany flying for Pan Am. Some of the trips I could take with him, others I didn’t. But here is a picture of the two of us in Warsaw, Poland. We sat outside and drank cold beer and enjoyed the old square.
1. Did you do anything ‘memorable’ this past weekend?
No. Took care of Anneliese, did laundry, and cooked meals. You know, the usual.
2. Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying-
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
Your thoughts? Do you somehow acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms you enjoy? Did your upbringing contribute to that sense of appreciation? If you’re a parent, are there specific things you do to pass on this sense of responsibility and appreciation to your own children in regard to the freedoms they enjoy?
I was raised in a very patriotic household. Several cousins served in the military and many gave their lives during World War II.
One who served, was the son of my grandfather’s brother Herbert, Private First Class Ernest Prussman, 13th Infantry Regiment. PFC Prussman took over his squad on 8 September 1944 during the advance on Les Coates in Brittany, and disarmed several Germans, including a machine gun crew. Shot by a German rifleman, his dying act was to unleash a hand grenade that killed the man who shot him. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously.
A street at Fort Benning, Georgia was also named after him. As was a a square in Boston at the corner of Faniuel and Goodenough Streets.
3. Loudest noise you’ve ever heard?
I was napping on my sofa when we lived in Florida. All of a sudden there was an extremely loud explosion! A bolt of lightening had hit the phone pole transformer at the end of our driveway, which was very close to the house! I literally fell off of the sofa!
4. What was the last thing you ate that might be considered ‘junk food’? Did you enjoy it?
We are into week two of the Weight Watchers plan and I have not so much as had a potato chip or a french fry or a cracker! Let’s not talk junk food….
5. When was the last time you were somewhere the crowd felt ‘packed in like sardines’?
At the airport in Boston, last time we went on a vacation. I avoid crowds at all costs.
6. Are you organized when it comes to packing for a trip? Do you make a list weeks in advance or toss items in last minute? Are you a carry-on only sort of packer or do you need an entire suitcase for your shoes?
Oh, I am an over-organizer for sure! My lists have lists! But in many ways this is good. I learned after getting to Germany one time and not having packed socks for Hubby. And then there was the cruise where it rained every day and we had no umbrellas or rain jackets!
7. What was the last sporting event you attended in person? Did your team win? Did you care?
I don’t go to sporting events much. Probably it’s because of the whole crowd thing. Mostly it’s just a real pain to get there from where I live in the mountains of New Hampshire!
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Anneliese is better, I’m still waiting for Savannah’s Birthday gift to arrive (not happy about this!), Wednesday is weigh in day at Weight Watchers, and Thursday is planting day for my garden. Busy, busy, busy!
Sunday was a good day. Busy, but good. I somehow managed to get a ton of laundry done, and that being said, I also managed to avoid ironing. That great pleasure will come tomorrow.
We watched the Indy 500 race on TV, a few games from the French Open, and a couple of movies. The most notable being, “Lost In Translation”. I’ve seen it a million times before, but I really love that movie.
I recall many years ago when I first went to Germany with Hubby. He had to go off to work and I was left to my own devices. I spoke no German and understood none either. I felt deaf and dumb, as I was unable to understand anything people said, or to speak with them.
Like Charlotte in “Lost In Translation”, I remember calling my mother and father, because I felt so totally lost in this new world. I didn’t know who I was anymore, or where I fit in.
Eventually I came to love Berlin, and explored the city. Although I never learned to speak German fluently, or even well, or let’s face it, most toddlers spoke better than I did, I did learn key words and I could follow along.
Ah sweet life. I would not have traded that time for anything. I learned so much.
Mostly I learned that no matter what, I could rely on myself.
Anneliese continues to do well, and I think she is on the right road. Thankfully! I’m not sure what I would do if she went down with a bad back and did not recover!
A Blessed Memorial Day to you all, and to the Veterans in your life.
Medical Report: Anneliese is doing much better today. She has not cried once in pain, and was able to go out to do her business without being carried. Very happy! Still keeping her quiet.
In other news, I have continued to write down everything I am eating, and make good choices, RE: no fried food, no junk food, and lots of vegetables and fruits, all weighed and measured. I mention this because I weighed myself this morning and I swear to God, I have not lost an ounce! Discouraging!
Yay, the French Open Tennis Tournament has begun! I love the summer because of all the Grand Slam Tennis matches! I cannot play worth a darn, but I do love to watch! It’s like Ice Dancing. I’m never going to be Meryl Davis, but I do so love to watch her and Charlie White skate!
I have started to look at cruises for either very late 2015 or 2016. There is one I saw out of Texas, and it goes to a few places like Key West (fun!) and the Bahamas (also fun!). We shall see. As in all other parts of our life, we only sign on with a good sale!
Today is also crystal cleaning day. I noticed that after a long winter’s nap, the crystal glasses I hang in the bar area of the kitchen need washing. The dishwasher is full of the wine glasses and I hand washed the champagne flutes.
As always, there is laundry to be done and today, my least favorite chore…ironing. Does anyone actually like to iron?
Off I go into the world of home-making. Have a great Sunday, everyone!
Currently, my little Anneliese is down and out with a sore back. I’m trying to keep her quiet, so everything can heal. I’m also keeping Lili away from her, as I believe Lili is the one who injured her.
Anneliese is eight years old. I know she is a senior doggy now, although in my mind she will always be my puppy-girl.
Anneliese is a real sweetheart. Especially to me. She picked me out of the litter when the pups were born. Funny how that works. I was looking at all the pups and wondering which of Greta’s babies I would keep, and there she was, having picked me out. How lucky was that.
Every night in bed, we snuggle and she is the warm reassurance that I am not alone in the dark. Each morning when I open my eyes, she commando crawls up to me, and showers me with kisses.
This morning she seems a tad bit better, although she is still having some pain. In some ways it is good, as it helps keep her quiet.
I do hope she heals quickly!
I woke up on Wednesday morning and had a spring in my step! I felt as though I had accomplished a great deal and that my weigh in at Weight Watchers would certainly show some sort of loss.
I made my breakfast to take along, as well as my coffee and water. Then after waking Hubby to care for the animals, I headed off. It was cool, overcast, and windy, but in my mind I felt light and sunny.
I weighed in and imagine my shock when I stayed exactly the same! I’m glad I brought my journal with me because I was able to go over it with the leader. One thing she said stuck with me. She told me not to be disheartened. To keep going and journal every bite and we’d go over it all next week.
I can’t say I am thrilled about this, but at least I feel I am moving in the right direction.
1. Did you make someone laugh yesterday? Was it intentional?
Let’s see, yes. I went to the Post Office and went to the window, where no one was waiting and just said hello to the postal workers I know. They laughed, saying that most people only come by when they need something.
2. What’s a simple question with a complicated answer?
How many children do you have. That just opens a whole can of worms. I have just one living, but I did have another wonderful daughter, so that makes two. But do I really want to get into how she died, and hear for the gazillionth time “Oh, I never could lose a child, I’d go insane!” Yeah, well somehow you do go on, even with a broken heart.
3. Rhododendrons or azaleas…you have to choose. Are either currently blooming in your yard?
We have both, but the Rhododendrons seem to be healthier.
4. May 21st is National Waitstaff Day. Have you ever worked as a waiter/waitress? How would you rate the experience? What was the best/worst part of the job?
No, never worked as a waitress. However, I’m a Mom and years ago, trust me, I was a home waitress. In some ways with a retired Hubby, I think I still am.
5. What fashion trend for women should be outlawed? How about one for men?
Short, shorts, with the word “JUICY” written on the butt!
6. Name a writer who inspires you….now tell us why.
Many years ago, I read all the books written by Leo Buscaglia. Also known as “Dr. Love,” he was an American author and motivational speaker, and a professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Southern California Here are two quotes from his books.
“Love is always open arms. If you close your arms about love you will find that you are left holding only yourself.”
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
7. What well known quote or saying sums up your plans for today or this week?
“Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.”
John Lennon (1940-1980) British musician.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
This morning I weigh in for the first time since I started to keep a real food journal. I am both excited and very nervous! I sure hope the scale shows a downward trend.
On Saturday I went to watch Savannah at her music lesson. It is so much fun to see parents and children sitting around, singing children’s songs, and the older kids, like Savannah, who have been coming for a while, get right up there and dance.
Savannah has a dress she loves, as she can twirl around and the skirt looks so pretty. Sadly, she is outgrowing it. We’ll have to look for another, or something close for her.
As I watched, my heart filled up with love and happiness. I look at my daughter, Mandy and Savannah and realize over and over, how truly blessed I am.
Here is Hubby holding 8 week old baby Greta! Our friends brought us down to Potsdam to tour the city, and poor Jack was really having trouble with the walking. That was before he had both of his knees replaced.
Now my bionic guy can walk around with no pain to his knees! That was all the way back in 2004. May 7th to be exact! So long ago now, but I can remember this day like it just happened!
She weighed all of 6 pounds then, and was as light as a feather. Now our Greta is eleven years old and a 24 pound senior girl!
That was such a nice day. The sun was shining, and we went to a little restaurant and had wonderful Wiener Schnitzel and German beer!
1. When is your next big deadline? What’s it for?
Savannah’s Birthday. I like to make a montage of events surrounding her, and all of her loving family members during the last year.
2. May is National Barbecue Month. Do you prefer cooking indoors or out? What’s the best thing about a barbecue? What’s the last thing you cooked on an outdoor grill?
I love when food is cooked outside. Mandy and Matt had a cookout on Mother’s Day and I had my first hotdog of the season as well as grilled shrimp. YUM!
3. What is one thing on your “never again” list?
No more big dogs. I love Lili, but she is so full of energy and at times hard for me to handle. Unfortunately, I am simply not strong enough for a big dog puppy! I think I will stick to the dackels from now on.
4. What’s something that annoys you about people your own age? Something you love about your generation?
Not much annoys me. Perhaps when I see someone my age trying to act like they’re still in their 20’s. What do I love about my generation? Well at this point, we know who we are (most of us) and have settled down.
5. Lilac, iris, hyacinth, pansy…your favorite purple flower?
Lilac. Always and forever. We had a whole hedge row of them at my childhood home. I loved to go and sit under them and smell the sweet perfume of the flower! Still do. I have them planted all around my house.
6. Whats a song that always calms you down?
I have always loved this music. I first heard it when I went to see “Somewhere in Time”. Then I searched and found more from Paganini that I loved. But always, this is the first.
7. What’s the last thing you donated?
Clothes and shoes. I try to bring things down to St. Vincent DePaul two or three times a year. Especially in the Autumn, I try to bring coats in that we no longer use.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I went to bed the night before last, during a rain storm. I woke the next morning, and my trees had leafed out and the grass in my yard is bright grassy green! I repotted some of my vegetable plants yesterday and the two tomato plants grew like crazy, just over night!