The Dackel Princess

Scenes From A VA

Thursday was just one long day! I was up at 4:15 with Hubby, and after walking the dogs, we grabbed our jackets and headed out!

We were “thisclose” to being out of gas, so we prayed a lot and headed to the nearest gas station. That’s 7 miles away. We managed to make it there, and when we stopped, Hubby filled the tank and I grabbed a coffee.

Traffic wasn’t too bad until we were in Boston and hit Storrow Drive. Then it came to a quick and long stop!

It took us 40 minutes to arrive at the hospital, which under normal conditions should only have taken us ten minutes. However, we made it in plenty of time, and very quickly a nurse from China took us in so Hubby could be prepped.

She was adorable! After getting him in she turned and asked if I was Hubby’s daughter. Now, you all know that this made my day! I told her he was lucky, to be married to a hot chick like me! lol

Soon they wheeled him off to the Operating Room and I was shown to the Waiting Room. I had some coffee, I spoke with another Veteran awaiting care and then I waited.

What I learned from this was that…I do not wait well. Finally a nurse came out and wanted Hubby’s clothes. He had told me not to give them to anyone, and I told the nurse no. I said I would go with her and assist my husband.

Well, she just got one giant goober on her about this and would not let me go in. I held my ground, and no clothes went in. Half an hour later a second nurse (I will call her the BULLY) came out and told me to give her his clothes. I tried to fight her, but frankly, I thought she could probably take me! So I kept his wallet, watch, cell phone and pocket knife and gave her the rest.

Half an hour later they showed me into his room. He still wasn’t dressed. So I helped him and after another half an hour they let us go with instructions to get his pain meds in the pharmacy. Great, but Hubby had a short appointment to get his hearing aids repaired.

When we got to the pharmacy we expected to glide on through, only to find out that he had to officially check in to get the prescription filled.

After half an hour the prescription was filled and we were on our way home! That is, once we found our way through the maze that is Boston!

And we both are exhausted!

Hubby Goes Under The Knife

I’m getting ready for Hubby’s Melanoma sugery today. Kindle, MP3 player, cell phone. All packed and I am ready to roll.

By this time tomrrow, we will be back home and Hubby will be cancer free! Yay!

I knew this was Melanoma all along. But you know, doctors think they know everything! Finally his VA Dermatologist tested it, and sure enough, I was right!

Wish him luck!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. “Summer is like childhood. It’s full of warm memories and gone too soon.”~Kellie Elmore Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood.

Agree. Now what did I love? A childhood memory? I loved cool crisp sheets on my sun kissed body. I loved the way the ocean softened my skin and the sun bleached my hair. I loved the way I always fell asleep exhausted from everything we did!

Melodie & Me.

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix, etc? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this? Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you’re out and about?

I’ve never been to a race despite the fact that Louden, NH Raceway is close by. I like watching from the comfort of my home.

3. What’s something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or do you think anything and everything is fair game?

I think people are too serious about most things. Right now I feel that Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza is nothing to joke about.

4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti?

I love lasagna! I love it more than I love spaghetti. I just kind of make it up as I go, with the exception of the zucchini lasagna that I make. You can go HERE and view my recipe.

5. What’s a simple pleasure you’d miss if it were not a regular part of your life?

My afternoon tea. It’s like a long held ritual, that I still keep. Growing up with my mother and grandmother, afternoon tea was a much loved rite of passage!

6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose?

An airline, and then I would fly all over the world, seeing my loved ones!

7. August is just around the bend…bid farewell to July in exactly seven words.

Family wedding was the best time yet!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This past weekend I also saw my beautiful, smart, enchanting granddaughter, Savannah! She sang to me, talked to me and hugged me! She also asked about her Papa, who was, of course, home with the dogs.

Moon Glow Pickle Day!

Today was “Moon Glow Pickle Day”!

Yesterday Hubby and I:

Ingredients:

Put in large pot cover with water and soak overnight.

6 quarts cubed cucumbers (ripe and yellow)
(cut into quarters lengthwise, peel and scoop out seeds and cube)
3 large onions cubed
1/2 cup canning salt
2 green pappers chopped
2 red peppers chopped

This morning I:

drained and rinsed everything.
then added:
12 whole cloves
2 TBSP mustard seed
6 cups sugar
1 quart cider vinegar
1 tsp. Tumeric
Cook until medium soft and kind of transparent.

Pack in hot sterilized jars. Yield 10 pints.

Larry & Cindy’s Wedding

My cousin Larry met the woman of his dreams and on Satursday they were married at The Cathedral of the Pines, in Ringe, New Hampshire. A totally beautiful place for a wedding provided the weather cooperated, and it did!

It was a perfect day for a perfect wedding. My cousin, Janet and her husband Dave, my sister Melodie and her husband, Ron and I, all witnessed the big day for our youngest baby brother/cousin!

Welcome Cindy! You have married into a truly wild and crazy family!

Me and my family! Love you all!!

Fritz

Today would have been Fritz’s eleventh birthday! Sadly, he made it to March 3 of this year and quickly passed from this life to the next.

We have said this before, we have had wonderful White Shepherds, but Fritz is in a league of his own! He was quite simply the best White Shepherd we ever had!

He was gentle and kind with all that he met, and he loved the dackels and was their body guard.

Most of all, he loved his Daddy beyond words! Following him everywhere that he went.

If I called him, he came, and was always happily wagging his tail! He loved me and I adored him too!

I cannot tell you how much you are missed, Fritz. Your little grand-niece is adorable too. She is starting to settle down and I can see that with training she will be great!

For now, Rest In Peace, Dear Fritz!

Fritz from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

What A Day!

Since today was such an eventful day, I thought I would sit down and write everything. I don’t often have such full days, and today has to be at the top.

I was up early and got ready for my appointment with my retinal surgeon. I even put on a little make up, as I realized I have known this man for 10 years. Ten very important years. If it weren’t for Dr. C. I would never have seen this:

And now two years later:

Anyway, The drive over was and hour and fortyfive minutes. Fortunately, the traffic was light, and I made the appointment on time.

Unfortunately the doctor was backed up. Or should I say the machine was. It is a 64 bit scanner for the retina, much like the 64 bit scanner using the CAT Scan Imaging.

Everything was great and once I remeniced with the doctor about the last ten years and I showed him Savannah. We all agreed that this was a gift.

The drive home was uneventful, and I picked up the mail and some groceries, before arriving back. All was quiet, which I always appreciate when when I am dealing with four dogs.

At 3:30 I left with Anneliese and Arnie to see the Vet. Anneliese needed her stitches out and she wanted to check both of them for their sneezing. They have a little virus, but nothing important.

Anyway, on the way over, I got to an intersection with two sets of traffic lights. I was going down a hill, when all of a sudden the car went dead! I went through a short trouble shooting session in my brain, but then said a quickie prayer.

“Dear Lord, please let me coast through the two lights, across the traffic and into the gas station!”

And I did! I couldn’t believe it. I know if I tried to recreate it, I would be unable to.

I drove home after the Vet visit, and when we got back, Anneliese was coming in and Greta came up to her. Well, Anneliese didn’t want her formerly stitched area sniffed and before I knew it we were in the middle of a dog fight! I kicked them apart and then Anneliese went back for more. I finally kicked them apart and grabbed Greta. That was when I saw the blood!

Yes, Anneliese had quite firmly bitten Greta. I held her paw with a clean towel until her bleeding stopped.

I whipped up dinner, cleaned it up quickly and I hope to get to bed by 9:30 as I am exhausted.

What a heck of a day!

Happy Birthday Melodie

Today is my sister, Melodie’s Sixtyfirst Birthday. She’s always been a very important person in my life, as well as my dearest sister!

It’s been both a tough and joyous year for her, with the loss of our mother, but she also has the greatest joy of watching her twin grandsons, Nolan and Gabriel grow, as well as her much loved Grandchildren, Abby, Taft and Luke.

Many people will never realize just how loved they are by Melodie. When she is in your life, you have a devoted family member or friend, who will do anything, and expect nothing more than a smile in return. My sister is a real gem!

Happy Birthday, Melodie!!! from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

I wish for you a Happy Birthday, today, Mel and a wonderful year

Saturday & Sunday

On Saturday I cooked literally all day. By the time I finished and got the dishes in the dishwasher, it was 8:30 and this granny was feeling every one of her 55 years!

Hubby is happy with his Cabbage Soup, and the small batch of potato salad that I made, came out so well! Yum! I also made roasted zucchini at lunch and then sauteed zucchini at dinner. Not to mention the Swordfish, which I broiled!

Don’t get me wrong. Aside from the zucchini, which I am getting sick of, it was great to cook up so much of what I have grown and what I enjoy.

I woke on Sunday to hear that James Garner passed from this life to the next. He was one of my favorite actors, and coincidentally I had just watched “The Notebook” on Saturday. He was amazing. I hope he rests peacefully!

Sunday was slightly less stressful except that Anneliese started sneezing! She is the bigger of the three dackels. Arnie and Anneliese are also sneezing. Just not as much. Lili is fine.

Fortunately, I have an appointment with my Vet in the morning to take out Anneliese’s stitches, so I will have her check this out.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Savannah Growing

There are times in my life, that I can think back to and the memory brings me a world of joy! Certaily the birth of my children, Mandy and Katie are at the top of my list.

I have to say that the birth of Mandy was probably more amazing and special than she knows. My mother, grandmother, and my ex-husband’s mother were all right outside the delivery room. My ex inside with me.

It was quite amazing that when Mandy took her first cry these three women heard it. Most especially, my Grandma Honey.

I remember a feeling, like no one had ever done this before. And it is amazing to me, how you fall, instantly and completly in love!

Isn’t it something when two people get together and make such a beautiful baby! I felt so blessed!

She was born five days before Christmas, at 9:15 in the morning. She weighed 8lbs and 13 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Such a miracle!

Then years later, Mandy presented me with a perfect little granddaughter, Savannah Rose.

And now Savannah is two and it just keeps getting better!