Category: Friday Five

So another week, another month has come and gone. It’s been a very mixed month for me, full of great happiness and great sadness. But that is life, right? One must go with the flow. And so it goes…

I could write a novel about the things that happened this week, but instead, I will sum it all up with the usual, Friday Five!

1. Well, I am still loving my new loveseat, and so is Arnie. He is right by my side almost all the time when I am sitting here. In fact, he is by my side right now. The seat is so comfortable and has helped with some of my back and neck discomfort!
2. I’ve been cooking a lot. Even last night after being gone all day, I came home and Jack asked for spaghetti and meatballs. He would have been happy with a jar of sauce and frozen meatballs, but that is so tasteless. So I chopped some onions and peppers and used some spices and before you knew it, a rather tasty sauce appeared on top of the spaghetti.
3. I spent the day on Thursday with Savi and Quinn.

   We had such a wonderful day. We played on the floor, Savi and I read some of her early reader books, and we worked with her flash cards, and Quinn and I had several long conversations.

   

   I was calling him honey, and he stopped me very sweetly and told me to call him Quinni. I nodded my head and assured him that I sure would do this! It was a wonderful day with the two children. These two, who I love with all my heart and soul.

4. Anneliese’s eye is not doing well. But we are stuck. If we agree to surgery, she will lose any vision she still has, plus the actual surgery only has a 50/50 chance of actually working. It would be better if we can keep her quiet, and allow more time for healing. Of course, we must watch for a problem with her eye where it may let go. We must watch and if this should happen, she will need immediate surgery and will not just lose the vision, but possibly the eye. We are praying that the ulcer heals up naturally. At 12 years old, we do not want her in pain. Most of all, we want her to have as much vision as possible for the remaining years of her life.
5. I had the joy of watching the documentary called “Mr. Rogers”. He was a man who worked for PBS on his own show, “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood”.

This show was designed to teach children to love themselves, other people, and to thrive in a crazy world with gentleness and with love. My daughter, Katie, loved this show. She never missed it. Fred Rogers was a beautiful man, and he truly loved and cared about the kids in the world.

So that was my week. Welcome to March.

Maribeth

I’m finding that the days are going along neither quickly or slowly right now. Each day comes and plays out. That’s fine. I do what I must and then try to take a little time for me. Here is how this week went.

1. Anneliese is doing very well. Her eye is looking amazing and she is running around like a puppy once again. I am so pleased that this is the case and so far we have avoided surgery.

Anneliese smiling! You can see the small ulcer on her eye, which really has shrunk and healed well. She goes back next week for a check up.

2. I’ve discovered the joys of making fresh salad dressing. So far I have two favorites. Blue Cheese and Greek Vinaigrette. Both are so easy to make and are a joy to use on a fresh salad! I will post the two recipes tomorrow.

3. I’ve begun to plan my trip back to Florida to attend Candy’s Memorial Service. Part of me still cannot believe my dearest friend is gone from this earth.

4. My cousin, Janet, was in a horrific accident on Thursday morning. A woman in an SUV broadsided her car after the woman ran a red light! I am so grateful to God that Janet was not badly injured. Her car, a Prius was totaled.  But, she was able to walk away with bumps, bruises, and scrapes, but no broken bones or serious injury.

5. Arnie has decided that since Anneliese has taken over his bed, he will simply take over the sofa! This is his winter look. I let both of the dackels have a bit more of a coat in the winter. Helps to keep them warm!

A little gray, but not too bad for an old man of 12 years old!

I’m not sure where 2019 is going, but so far the road has been bumpy and it vacillates between time going very slowly and then time racing by. It’s been filled with sadness, happiness, and incredible poignancy.

If I tried to write down everything going through my mind, I would fill a book the size of War & Peace! But for expediency, I will keep it down to the top five.

1. Since returning to New Hampshire, I have kept myself busy by taking care of the little things here. Making meals, doing laundry, and tending to sick pups. The meals have been good, the laundry got done, and Anneliese’s eye is so much better. Still, I admit to feeling just slightly off balance emotionally since coming back.
2. A young woman that I babysat for, many years ago, passed away on Sunday. In her youth, she was the twin of my Katie. Really. People thought they were twins as they both had the same beautiful red curls and blue/green eyes. She was a delightful child and an amazing young woman. At just 39 years old, her death was not expected and hit everyone she knew very hard. I am devastated.
3. I think that many people do not realize how very precious life is. How one minute all is well, and the next it is gone. I find the lack of caring and kindness difficult to understand or to take. A person I know is a member of the Clergy and recently that person exclaimed outright hatred of the Presidency, the New England Patriots and several other things, even calling for someone to just do them in. Whether they were serious or not, I do not really care. That type of hatred, I do not understand, nor do I need it in my life!
4. I’ve begun to read one of my favorite Authors. Dr. Leo Buscaglia. Or, as they called him back in the 1970s and 1980s, “Dr. Love”!
   Reading his words of love and how often love is lost in this crazy world, gives me hope. Hope that someday people will realize that hatred gets us nowhere, and real love and kindness will truly conquer the world.
5. My darling friend Candy passed away a few minutes ago (Thursday). She was one of the finest women I have ever known. She gave of herself constantly and never asked for anything in return. She was one of my constants in life. One of those people that I depended on just to be there.

Candy and her darling Aurora.

Candy and her beloved husband, DeVere.

I’m not sure how I will ever “get over” losing this wonderful friend, who was more like a sister to me. I think perhaps I will not. I will learn to live with it.

So that’s what’s happening right now in my life. I guess we all go through times when life is very hard, where perhaps we do not understand why certain things are happening, and when our emotions are pushed to the limit. Right now, that’s sort of where I am at.

If the last few days are any prediction for 2019, I can already tell that this year is going to fly by us! Here we are just one week away from departing for Disney! Then the adventure begins!

So, here we go, this weeks Friday Five!

1. 1. I guess the biggest news this week was our big snow storm and power outage. I won’t forget this anytime soon. As grateful as I am that we have a generator, it is so loud when one is attempting to sleep. Wednesday night I did not get much sleep at all.
   2. Anneliese and Arnie went in to get their stitches removed. Arnie was fine, pop-pop and out they came! Anneliese has a small infection and so she must stay on antibiotics and wear this cute little turleneck shirt I made for her, until Monday. Then she will be all set.

3. It is very cold here. It’s also due to get colder. It makes me yearn for the tropical warmth of Florida. I sure hope we have nice weather. Nice, warm, weather!

4. This weekend will be filled with laundry, cooking, and doing the last minute things getting ready for next week. Can you tell I am excited?

5. My friend entered Hospice Care. It is breaking my heart. I do not know if she will still be alive when I reach sothwest Florida, but I have faith in God. If it is her time to go home with him, then I will accept it. Meanwhile, I send her texts, and prayers and love.

Well, here we are the first Friday of the New Year, and here’s what’s happening here in my neck of the woods!

1. Today I sat down and wrote out a Packing List for my trip. It has been so long since I have traveled that I knew I needed to think, write it down and then print up a list. After I did this, I looked at it and wondered how I am ever going to fit it all into a bag or two!

2. I did pull out my two suitcases, and put them on luggage stands so I can slowly pack, check off the items, without having to move the cases back and forth on and off the bed!

3. I’m so excited about my trip and going to Disney with my grandchildren, and after going to see my friends. It will be in nice warm weather and hopefully sunny skies!

4. Arnie and Anneliese are off to have their teeth cleaned today and to have a few small tumors removed. They went in early and will be home by the end of the day.

5. I’m still not able to chew much on my right side. But I must say, my mouth is starting to feel better, finally!!!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

With all the wonders of Christmas Week, I hardly know where to begin. Since I did a Christmas Recap, I will leave that be, and go on to a few other things happening around here.

1. Just before Christmas, my tooth began to ache. It was on the upper right side and it was really painful!
   Naturally, everyone was closed for Christmas, until today, Thursday, when my Dentist returned. He examined me, but he was not sure what was going on. So, he sent me to the Endodontist.
2. Thankfully there was a cancellation and so on Thursday I went in and after a detailed exam, I had a Root Canal on my upper right Canine Tooth. As I write the Novocaine is just wearing off and it is sore. I hope not too sore!
3. My Disney Bands arrived! Now I have something, oh so wonderful to look forward to! In three weeks I will be in Florida with Mandy, Matt, and the kids and their other Grandmother, Nana Mary! What fun we will have!
4. Amanda gave me the greatest set of Luggage ever! Today I took all the little things that I have gotten to take on the trip and the Disney Bands and put those aside with my carry-on.

   I am so excited! Isn’t it beautiful!

5. Another great gift (from my sister, Mel) I got was a dachshund and doggy sleep dress.
   It is the neatest thing ever. It is so soft and cuddly without being overly warm I simply love it!

So that’s what’s happening here. I’m so happy the tooth is taken care of and now I can concentrate on getting ready for my trip!

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

There are several things that have been going on this week that are rather important and make me smile at myself. You will understand as you read on…

1. Jack’s computer died. Now I had backed everything up about four days before as his machine was acting wonky. It just seemed smart. Needless to say, I felt like a genius because when it died, his information was safe and sound!
2. We ordered a new computer for him, and I insisted he get a solid state hard drive. I have one on my laptop, and I love it! So that was first on the list. We put the other things he wanted too and found just the right machine for a good price via Amazon. It arrived yesterday morning, bright and early!
3. I set about setting up his computer, linking it to my subscription of Microsoft Office, and then setting up his browser and email. Then the big job, transferring all his files. I admit it took me most of the day to get it just right, but I did it, really, with very little trouble! I also set up the printers for his machine and linked it to our home network! Yes, I am proud of myself. I know just enough about computers to be dangerous! LOL!
4. At the start of the week, in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, I woke to hear the roaring of the wind outside. We had 45 miles an hour winds that night. It sounded like a freight train coming through the bedroom. I heard an odd sound, and I thought perhaps a branch had hit the roof. Not quite.
   The next morning we found the cap on the part of the roof over our bedroom had simply peeled off and was in the driveway! Those who have read my blog for a long time, will recall 2 years ago when we were going through a re-roof job, the roofer did not secure the roof at the end of the day, and during the night, when a storm hit us, I had Niagara Falls in my bathroom!
   In any case, I’d hoped he had fixed the job correctly, but we have since learned that the roofer did not use correct roofing nails and so, off they the shingles flew!
5. The good news is that by accident I called a man who is remodeling the house on my street and I have watched his work and I’ve been impressed. He came, looked at the problem, took pictures, secured the opening so that the rain tonight and tomorrow will not come in, and just after Christmas he will fix the roof! This was one thing we did not need right now, but at least it will be taken care of soon.

So there you have it. Kind of a good week, kind of a bad week, but I guess, in the end, it’ll all work out. The computer is great and the roof will be fixed. I’m ready for Christmas and I am thankful for all the good things in my life.

Have a Happy Weekend!

What a crazy week. Jack and I both had doctor’s appointments, another meeting that lasted a lot longer than we expected, and then in between all of this, Weight Watchers, a hair appointment and life.

But, as the week closes, here are the five things that are in my mind right now.

1. I am now on round two of antibiotics and finally, the infection in my thumb is going away! Yahoo!
2. I have just had the best time shopping for Christmas presents this year. I have had a better idea of what to do, and I feel such love in my heart for all that I shopped for.
3. I lost a childhood friend today. I had seen him a year ago at our Class Reunion. His birthday was two weeks after mine. I’ve known him since Nursery School and he was just one of the sweetest people around. Rest in Peace, Jeff. You will be missed.
4. I got all my documents ready and went to the DMV and applied for a Real I.D. Drivers License to replace my current one.I needed: My Drivers License. My Social Security Card. My Birth Certificate. My Divorce Decree from Hubby #1. My Marriage License to Hubby #2. & A Tax Bill for our property. Two Clerks went over all my documents and traced my name change from birth to first marriage to divorce and the second marriage! Sixty years of life. Fortunately, I had all the documents (Certified) that I needed and all went well. The new License should be here in a month.
5. I hope everyone in the USA will note that Real I.D. is here and must be complied with by 2020. Look up what your State requires, as this is a Federal Law that was passed back in 2005 and must be complied with across the country.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Another week has come and gone. There are eighteen days until Christmas and 43 days until I leave here for my trip to Disney. I feel like a little kid and I want to jump up and down and whoop it up! Christmas and Disney after, does it get any better?

So as the weekends, here are five things I am thinking about.

1. After my first and second cup of coffee today, I puttered around doing things that need to be done. I started a load of laundry, pulled out some fish for dinner, hung the Christmas Cards we gotten, put things away from the countertops and walked the dogs a few times. In other words, I have been productive!
2. I’ve been collecting items I will be needing for my trip. I have not traveled long distance for several years. So there are some things I needed, that I did not have. I got out a tote bag and have put those things into it, and parked it in my closet.
3. My plan after breakfast is to vacuum the house. That’s it. Just vacuum. I have a three bedroom, three bathrooms, large kitchen, large family room, and a living room and dining room to do. This is a very big house. I know by the time that is done, my shoulder will be aching, so I will take the afternoon off.
4. Well, maybe not completely off. I would like to do some gift wrapping too. But I can sit in the dining room and wrap up gifts. There are quite a few left to do. Make that a lot. I only have a few things done.
5. This weekend I would like to get out a few of my favorite Christmas movies and watch those. The Bishops Wife, Love Actually, and Miracle on 34th Street. I have already watched It’s A Wonderful Life, to start my Christmas Season.

Good Morning everyone! Here we are, the last day in November, and the first weekend in December! Wow! Did November fly by or what?

As the week closes, here are the five things that are the most prominent in my mind. In no particular order.

1. For those of you who do not already know, I am going to Disney in January with Mandy, Matt, Matt’s Mom, and Savannah and Quinn! The reservations are all made, and every time I look at what we will be doing, I smile and get excited and feel blessed that I will be sharing this special experience with the people I love. Look out Mickey Mouse, here we come!
2. Last night’s chicken disaster left more than drippings on me. I woke this morning with a pretty hefty bruise on the knuckle of my ring finger!
   
   I have no idea how I got it either! But I would imagine in my attempt to grab the falling fat tray I must have struck it on the countertop. Ouch!
3. We had an interesting thing happen on Thursday morning. Arnie barked to go out, so I let him out and he ran up the hill to do his poops. I was watching him when out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of a large bird soaring overhead! The Eagle made one pass, then another, getting perilously close to the little dog.
   
   (This is what he looked like, but this is a stock photo) Then I saw his large taloned feet come down and he was starting another pass over Arnie and I opened the door and screamed at Arnie to come. Well, Arnie is great and immediately headed toward me, and the Eagle flew off. When we lived in Florida, and Shubi was a puppy we had an Eagle who followed me every time I walked her. Then he took up residence on our sailboats mast, just waiting! Eagles go after little creatures all the time. Now, I do think Arnie is too big to be lifted up and carried away, but he could be seriously injured by those talons! My solution is simple. We now have what I will call “Lili Patrol“. The Eagle will stay away if the big dog is around.
4. I got out all the presents I have been buying over the course of the year for Christmas. Now I can wrap and get things ready. I also know, who I still need to get things for. I must say, this year I am amazing, calmly, ready for Christmas.
5. Just an update on Anneliese’s eye. The swelling has gone down, and although she still has the opaque coloring on it, it looks somewhat better.  In fact, Anneliese has had more energy, and seems to actually feel better! I am so happy about this. Ten more days, (December 10th) Anneliese and Arnie will celebrate their 12th Birthday! It’s nice that they are both healthy and happy.

So here we are, the end of the week with a weekend before us. I wonder what mischief I can get into!