The Dackel Princess

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day. Earhart was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. What’s something you’ve recently accomplished solo?

I drove all the way down to Cape Cod alone (not so bad) but when returning alone, I was hit with vicious weather, which required me to stop twice to allow the rain to pass. I left the Cape around 9 AM and didn’t pull in at home until nearly 4. Tonight I’m feeling pretty tired, but VERY happy!

2. What’s one product you use that never ever fails?

Oxyclean Washing Booster! It really works! Even on set in stains!!!

3. Have you found your place in the world? Where is it?

I think I have. It isn’t necessarily a physical place, but a place in my mind and in my heart. I know who I am, who I love and value, and what life is all about.

4. Worst movie you ever saw?

Oh boy, that’s tough. I’ve gone to movies and walked out. One movie was critically acclaimed, but I did not like it at all! There have also been movies that I will just not go to because I’m not into them. (PS: I don’t want to say what the movie I least like is, as it may be someone’s favorite, and I would not want to hurt anyone’s feelings.)

5. What’s the last fun thing you did?

I went to Cape Cod to attend my cousin’s spur of the moment Beach Wedding! We met on the beach at 7:45 (moonrise). Janet and Dave said their vows, I recited the Apache Wedding Poem, and we all celebrated.

It was a small wedding, but it was perfect! Intimate, full of love and very, very, happy.

6. The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar…ever been to Rome? What’s your favorite Italian dish?

Never been to Rome, but love Italian food. I love Eggplant Parmesan, so that’s it, my favorite Italian dish!

7. What is one piece of advice you’d offer new mom Kate Middleton?

Enjoy every single day of your child’s life. Their childhood will fly by. So, hold your baby, rock your baby, and breathe in all the happiness he brings to your heart and your life!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It was funny to go back to the Cape (Cape Cod). I grew up there, and there is something about the smell of the marshes and the ocean, that bring me right back to my childhood. I found myself closing my eyes and inhaling deeply!

I also had a Portuguese Sweet Muffin! There is nothing like it anywhere. As a child, Gene’s Bakery was owned by a nice Portuguese family and their breads, rolls and muffins were awesome!

Dave, Me, and Michelle. The Bride took the picture!

Happy Birthday, Melodie

Today is my sister, Melodie’s Sixtieth 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 illness of our mother, but she also has the greatest joy of the birth of her twin grandsons, Nolan and Gabriel.

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

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

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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I found myself finally able to see my nose this morning, as my bandage fell almost off int he night. I am amazed at the beautiful wound.

Side One.

Side Two.

And Front.

Now, I must say I think it is looking so much better and flatter. Yes, we have a ways to go, but really, things are looking up!

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I learned today that a man who was our doctor from 2000-2009 has lost his medical license. Over the years he had several brushes with the medical ethics committee in our State for writing undocumented prescriptions. Something I did not know about. Now he was arrested for writing false prescriptions to himself for Oxycodone.

I feel so sad for this young doctor. First of all, he is brilliant. He went to the finest schools, and became a Board Certified General Practitioner. I suspect that one of his sports injuries got him on this slippery slope, that we all know as addiction.

Yes, like so many in our world, much had been given to him. But addiction knows no social class or educational background.

I am sad for him, for his wife and his young children. Their lives will be forever shattered by this.

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I made a new recipe. I will post it on Thursday this week. It is for Shrimp and tomatoes and pasta! Oh my goodness! It was fabulous!

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I’ll be having surprises to tell you about soon! Stay tuned!!!

Sizzling Summer

I woke on Saturday morning way too early. I guess I am a little bit like the dogs in that I wake as soon as the sun rises. Right now, that is about 5:30 in the morning.

Coffee always tastes best at 6 AM. I’m not sure why, but recently this has been the case. By 10 AM, I am all coffee’d out! But oh, those first few cups taste so good!

We’ve also had very weird weather this summer. First it rained most of June. This caused the cherries to rot. Now in July, we have had 90 degree + heat and the humidity, oh my goodness…grim!

We’ve also had some really strong thunder storms some during the day and others at night. Keeping us on our toes!

Poor Fritz really suffers during the storms. Between Hubby and I, we try to keep him calm.

The dackels could care less. They are too tough to even blink when the thunder starts!

I guess this is why I like winter better than summer. In the winter one can always add clothing. There is almost never a thunder storm, and there is no humidity.

I detest humidity, and so does my very curly hair! I am not looking too elegant these days. Yes, between the humidity and my bandaged nose, I’m rather a freight!

God Bless The Broken Road

Okay romantics, here is a musical interlude for today. A beautiful, heartfelt song. If you have someone that you have been lucky to find along the way, then I know you will relate to this song. Enjoy!

Things Are Looking Up

In the last few days I have begun to feel very lucky and very happy. I suppose a large part of this is the fact that my nose is looking so good. But the other part, is that there seems to be a peace in my life right now, that I have not had since the whole cancer nose thing began.

I was lying in bed last night thinking about our Christmas letter for 2013. So far 2013 has been full of drama, trauma, and sadness, but today, today, I feel like I’ve turned the corner.

Hubby got a glowing report at the doctor’s office when he was in for his physical. He’s been taking insulin shots now for 3 months, and it has been a miracle for him. He feels so much better and has a lot more energy.

My nose is looking better, and my new plastic surgeon is so talented that I believe that in the end my nose will be better than ever!

Although my Mom is still dying from liver cancer, they have accepted her into the Hospice Program, and she will be cared for more humanely and with gentle kindness.

A relief, for sure!

So here we are, half way through the year and things are looking up.

Yay! I Have A Nose!!!

Today we drove to Boston and I got my stitches out! I’ve been so excited, and I could hardly wait!

What I found was that he had put in a bunch of little stitches, and it took a while (and a little bit of owchie) to get the stitches out, but I am thrilled with how the nose is looking and feeling!

I once again have a profile, and once the redness and swelling goes down, I think I will have a fabulous nose! What is it that the Brits say? It’s Brilliant!!!

It’s so nice to finally have a profile again! I know it still needs work, but WOW! It looks so good already!

The next surgery is August 19th. He will be working on the upper part of the nose.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Picture postcards were first printed back in the mid-1800’s and deltiology is the official name for postcard collecting. When did you last send a postcard? Receive one? Do you save postcards sent to you? Do you collect and/or send postcards when you travel?

I don’t collect them, but I love to receive them and I do send them to people. I especially love the old post cards of days gone by.

2. What treat do you most like to indulge in while on vacation?

Ice Cream! We splurged today and had an ice cream and despite popular belief that my favorite ice cream is only Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, we went to a real creamery and had a flavor called pudding. It was very much like Rum Raisin, without the rum.

3. Are you good at hiding your feelings?

Are you kidding? I am an open book! I cry easily, I love openly and I am probably too open with my thoughts.

4. Does your town/city/county still deliver telephone books to your home? Do you check the yellow pages when searching for a local business number or has the internet replaced the phone book in your home?

They do mail them. I really do not use them, and go online for most things.

5. Would you rather be first or last?

Last. I get very nervous being the first for anything. This probably comes from being the last born in the family.

6. July is National Park and Recreation Month (in America, but everyone can still play along)…where and when were you last in a park? Did you participate in any recreational activities while you were there?

We drove through the White Mountain National Park. It was beautiful and I am always amazed at how splendid our country is!

7. What was one of your worst ideas?

Macaroni and cheese with hot-dogs mixed in. Or maybe it was the meatloaf with hot-dog chunks!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I get my stitches out today! I can hardly wait. The only bad thing is that the temperatures in Boston are supposed to be in the 90’s!

Monday Happenings!

Monday found us roaming around central New Hampshire going to the Kokopelli Store and then having lunch a one of our favorite places. We’re been enjoying “Canoe” for years. Their sweet and sour calamari and mussels in white wine and garlic are amazing.

Kokopelli has been revered since at least the time of the Hohokam, Yuman, and Ancestral Pueblo peoples. The first known images of him appear on Hohokam pottery dated to sometime between 750 and 850 AD.

Kokopelli may have originally been a representation of ancient Aztec traders, known as pochtecas, who may have traveled to this region from northern Mesoamerica.

Their store has many beautiful items and it was like going into an Indian Museum!

Here I am with my darling friend, and sister in soul, Candy. She was my dearest friend in Florida, and our friendship has continued throughout our lives.

We saw this woman in the lake with her little Chihuahua doggy. They floated around and the pup just loved it!

Mount Chocorua.

This is Mount Chocorua. At an elevation of 3,490 feet (1,064 m) it is the easternmost peak of the Sandwich Range. Mount Chocorua’s bare summit can be seen from almost every direction and can be identified from many points throughout central New Hampshire and western Maine.