The Dackel Princess

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When were you last ‘on a mountaintop’? You may answer in the literal or figurative sense.

Last winter. I skied on Gunstock Mountain. It was very pretty.

2. Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household? What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own?

I always keep in my mind not to spend anything that I cannot pay off at the end of the month. You see I use plastic for almost all my bills and purchases. Then I get points. However, as I said, I always pay off my credit cards at the end of the month!

3. Cherries-yay or nay? Cherry pie, cherry cola, black forest cake, or a scoop of Ben and Jerry’s Cherries Garcia…pick one.

Cherries? Yay! We have three cherry trees in the yard and I love cherry season (early July!). I make Cherry Jelly and it is just the best!

4. Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don’t know?

I learned the hard way just not to discuss it at all. You see I did and the person I had the exchange with cut me out of their life completely, which has been hurtful, for reasons I can’t really discuss. I was labeled a bad person, which is odd because I never thought of myself like that. My advice, don’t discuss politics. You will make your greatest enemies and at times will lose people you care about.

5. When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger? Where were you headed on your last road trip?

I prefer not to drive. However, I do drive when I must. My last road trip was down to see my Savannah Rose!

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?

Probably blue. I have a lot of blue clothing, sweaters, etc. The other big color is black.

7. Who’s your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?

Well, Hubby. Officially he is a Senior Citizen, and I simply cannot imagine my world without him in it! He is the first person I want to speak with in the morning and the last person I want to talk to at night.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I got my stitches out on Tuesday. I got to really see where they had been. She took the biopsies on either side of the scar, sort of away from where the last cancer had been. I think the doctor probably thinks that the cancer cells have spread somewhat. So now I am thinking they will have to do some extensive removal and then I will have some reconstructive surgery. I’ve decided either I want my daughter’s cute little nose or perhaps Audrey Hepburn?

This & That

You know, I love my new parka. You remember, the one I got a couple of weeks back? We have had nothing but freezing temperatures, and winds that gust to 50+ miles an hour, and when I need to go out and walk the dogs, that parka is the only thing standing between me and becoming a giant icicle!

It’s a down parka you know. With a down filled hood, which keeps the wind from my sensitive ears!

For the first time in many, many, years I have not been getting cold when I am outside, and that is a miracle!

Sunday night when I went to bed, I lay there listening to the wind roaring outside. I hoped when I woke on Monday morning the wind would have died down, but that was not the case. We have at least one more day of it before the wind stops, and we get more SNOW!

I cannot complain about snow up here. Frankly, my sister who lives well south of me, has gotten so much more snow than I have. However, I am over snow this year and would really like an early spring.

How about you?

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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As wonderful as my Saturday was, I found my Sunday has been a little more unsettled and, well crazy.

It started early on with the roaring wind and bitter temperatures. We live at the south end of a lake and the wind just rolls out of the north and roars against our house. At one point on Sunday afternoon, the wind speed hit 51 MPH! It held for a moment before settling back into the 30 mph range.

My laptop mouse died. A few months ago, Hubby’s mouse died, so I gave him mine and ordered a new one. When it came we switched and today the old one died.

At first I just reordered that one again, but then I decided to get a cordless one too. Since they were very cheap, and had no shipping charge, I ordered both. At the rate we go through them an extra mouse is always welcome in this house!

Saturday night I cooked a lovely meal of scallops and asparagus! It was so good. Now how could I make a meal on Sunday to top that? I’m planning a nice steak and brussel sprouts.

Now back to the hectic part of the weekend. The dogs have all been so good lately, that I really should have suspected that they were planning something.

Today Greta took off and found some uncooked rotten lamb chops, and came in with it. I’m telling you it just plain stunk! I mean, really. Just think how horrible rotten meat smells! I have bathed her once, but I am afraid she may need more washing as I can still smell her! Ugh!

My weekend ended with a nice fire in the hearth and plans to watch some TV tonight. All in all, a good weekend, just a tad hectic!

Ah Yes, Feeling Good!

Saturday was wonderful! I did just what I had hoped to do today. I relaxed! I made Hubby and I a nice breakfast, finally got that Chinese food lunch, and discovered how to use my “Smart TV” to tune in You Tube.

I baked potatoes, steamed asparagus and baked scallops for our dinner. An incredibly easy meal to prepare, and enjoy!

Our weather was so pretty today and I really loved seeing the sunshine! We didn’t get the snow this time, luckily!

I took the dackels on walks, and have decided to get Arnie’s harness back out. Perhaps the girl’s harnesses too. Arnie pulls on the lead so much that he chokes himself. The girls don’t do this, but I am thinking they would be easier to handle in a group if I had their harnesses on.

I cannot begin to tell you how many people have written me about having undergone the Mohs Surgery for skin cancer. The bright spot is that these people have done wonderfully well, and the surgery is becoming more and more common.

I received the pathology report from my biopsies, and I sent them to my daughter, who previously worked in oncology research. She was able to ascertain that this is a pre-cancer type of carcinoma and that the Mohs Surgery is extremely good at eradicating it, along with the chemo cream!

So I am feeling like I have a whole new lease on life!

A Visit With Mandy & Savannah

Friday found me heading down to spend the day with my girls. You know I feel so very blessed to have such a wonderful daughter, and her fabulous baby!

Now that Savannah is growing up, she is really showing so much of her personality.

Today’s visit, I spent a lot of time just getting down on the carpet and playing with Savannah and talking to Mandy.

We played and laughed and rolled around. It was wonderful! It reminded me of all the goodness in the world!

I love Mandy and Matt’s new place! It is so cute and Mandy has decorated it so nicely. The nursery is so adorable! It’s peaceful, and bright and really pleasant.

We picked up my former mother in-law and she joined us for lunch. That was also great. Four generations of women all sitting at one table! We had various meals, and Savannah actually tried her very first french fry.

I’m not sure she really liked it!

My drive home found me with a big smile on my face. I think today was one of the best days ever. Babies that play are just so much fun!!!

Valentine’s Day

Thursday was Valentine’s Day and Hubby was not feeling it. He has two problems in the house right now that are making him insane. So, he is distracted.

At lunch I attempted to lure him out for a cheap Chinese lunch, but he wasn’t having any of it. That’s okay. I’d made a wonderful Caribbean Banana Bread, and gave him that with soup and salad and he was happy.

After watching my favorite daytime show, “Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations”, I slipped out to the store and got 2 Lobsters,

new potatoes (my favorite) and corn on the cob from Florida. Surprisingly the corn was fabulous, making this Valentine’s Day, summer meal, really delicious!

I set the table pretty, including two glasses of champagne! Hubby sat down, surprised at what I had whipped up.

It was worth it to see the smile on his face!

Positive

Have you ever found that good news tends to take some time getting through, but bad news travels fast?

I sort of feel like I have been traveling in the fast lane over the past week. I went into see my own doctor on Monday February 4th. He also felt I should see a good Dermatologist. I’d found Dr. A. and I wanted to be sent to her.

When my doctor’s secretary called for an appointment, she was told, June or July would be the first available appointment. In the meantime, they asked my doctor for his notes.

By the time I got home I was telling myself to not be picky and go to the first available Dermatologist. Then on Wednesday February 6th I got a phone call from Dr. A.’s office asking for my surgical records.

That afternoon Hubby drove me to the local hospital and I signed the privacy form so that my records could be sent to Dr. A.

By Friday, I had an appointment for the following Monday. On Monday, I had two biopsies taken.

On Wednesday, February 13th, in the early afternoon they called to tell me that it is a return of the cancer. I now must go to a special surgeon for a Mohs Operation. The good news is, that this procedure gives you a 98-99% chance of a full recovery with no relapse at that sight.

Then, as I sat thinking about the road ahead, I was reminded about my favorite movies. And this segment!

Who knows? Maybe they’ll find my twin!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. This week marks the beginning of Lent…will you be giving something up or adding anything to your life during this season of the year?

I’m going to give up bread at lunch for Lent. I will have it at breakfast only. And at dinner only natural carbs like potatoes.

2. The day before Lent is Shrove Tuesday… tradition states you eat pancakes on this day. In some parts of the world Shrove Tuesday is actually known as ‘pancake day’. How do you like your pancakes? Or don’t you?

Love pancakes! Tonight I plan to make pancakes for dinner with sausages.

3. I’m sure there are many, but what’s one love song you really love?

Well, we had the song “You light up my Life” sung at our wedding,

I also love The Carpenter’s song “Only Yesterday”. There is such a longing in it!

but it isn’t my favorite. I think my favorite love song is “Something” by the Beatles.

4. What are some things you do to let others know you love them?

I think it is a lot of little things. A kiss, a soft touch, a hot meal, or perhaps a cup of tea with some treats. Being able to listen, and to really hear.

5. Roses…red, pink, or do you prefer another color? Yellow!!! Can you recall the last time someone gave you flowers? Usually it’s on Mother’s Day or Valentine’s day. As much as I love them, it is not really important. Given your choice would you like to open the door and see a dozen red roses, a dozen purple tulips, or a dozen pink peonies? The roses. But you know, my favorite flowers are gardenias!

6. President’s Day will be celebrated in America next Monday. Does US Presidential history and trivia interest you? Some. Many Presidential homes are open to the public and offer guided tours…Monticello (Jefferson’s home), Mount Vernon (Washington’s home), Montpelier (James Madison’s home), Hyde Park (FD Roosevelt’s home) and The White House (home to the sitting President) to name just a few. Of those listed which would you be most interested in touring? Why?

I’ve been to all but Hyde Park and Montpelier. I enjoy stepping back in time at the older historical sights.

7. Are you good at keeping secrets?

Yes. If one of my family asks, I shut up. I know they are counting on me.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I needed to get the dogs their yearly licenses. I usually have a file with their rabies certificates in them, all neatly filed in my dog bag, but it wasn’t there. I had to retrace all my steps, back a year to remember what I had done with it. It took me a bit (half the day) but I finally remembered and Hubby and I were able to license the dogs. Yay! Now the file has been placed back in my dog information bag until next year!

By A Nose!

Back in July of 2008, I was diagnosed with, and operated on for Skin Cancer on my nose. You can go back HERE and read all about that time in my life.

Recently, I noticed that the scar on my nose was reacting badly. By this I mean, it was once again getting red, the skin was scaly and the scar looked like it was growing.

So last week I went in on Tuesday and saw my doctor, who referred me to Dr. A. at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. That day we were told that the soonest I could get in was JULY!

Then I heard that Dr. A.’s office wanted all my surgical records. So we drove down to get them the next day to have them faxed over to Dr. A.’s office.

She looked them over on Friday morning and her nurse called me with an appointment for Monday morning at 10 AM.

I tried not to worry or freak out, but frankly, it concerned me that they’d found an appointment space so quickly after getting my records.

In fact I told my cousin there were no worries, and she wrote me back asking “Who are you? And what have you done with my cousin?”

Have I mentioned that in fact I am a BIG little bit of a worrier?

Monday came and Hubby offered to drive me. Our roads are still not the best here in New Hampshire, after the big storm on Friday/Saturday, and today’s surprise storm!

Going over wasn’t so bad, but the return trip was scary as all get out!

But, I digress.

When I got to Dr. A.’s Office I was escorted into her examination room. After examining my nose, she was not happy. It seems my original surgery was not done correctly and that was why she wanted to see me so quickly.

She believes the cancer has come back and she would like an extensive surgery done to further remove the cancer and then do plastic surgery on my nose.

Meanwhile, today, Dr. A. took two biopsies on my nose and then she put in stitches. I must leave them for a week before they are removed.

I do not know when my next procedure will be. I guess as soon as they can arrange it. After the skin heals, I will need to use a chemotherapy cream until they are sure the cancer is completely gone.

I’m feeling a little headache-y now and my nose also hurts. But I think it is to be expected.

Hubby drove me over and back, as I said. The ride over was not so bad until we reached Lebanon, NH. Then the snow was falling pretty heavily. Then I was in for my appointment and when I got out, the snow was already 3 inches deep! And very slippery!

Mountain roads are not the easiest, and I swear I couldn’t breathe the entire time we were in the car. Now we’re home, I am feeling a little better, just cold. At one point a large propane truck was coming our way, and he was sliding! Talk about scared!

So thank you all for listening to me today. Yes, I am a little freaked now, and I will keep trying to chill out.

Keep your fingers crossed that all will turn out okay!

Thanks!

Stripping Down

I’m off to the Dermatologist’s Office to see what she has to say about my spots. She will also strip me naked, as the day I was born, and go over me for any other abnormalities.

Isn’t that a great way to start the day? Stripping down naked, in front of a total stranger? I’m as nervous as a new bride!

My pocketbook is packed with my Kindle and some breath mints and off I’ll go. I hope it won’t take long, although I am sure she will be thorough.

Wish me luck!