The Dackel Princess

Happy 9th Birthday Greta!

Can you believe it? Greta is turning 9 years old today! It seems like just yesterday that Hubby and I went to Germany and with Auntie Uschi’s help, found dear, little, baby, Greta, and brought her home!

She grew rapidly and shortly before she turned three, she met her boyfriend Bernd Vom Ahorn Wald AKA Bernie, and the following fall, they got married and had their first litter of pups.

In the montage you will see handsome Bernie, as well as a very pregnant Greta, and the puppies in the montage are from the litter that had Arnie and Anneliese. In fact, watch closely and the infant puppy with the blue collar is Arnie and the green collar is Anneliese!

Greta is a sturdy, self sufficient girl, and she doesn’t take any crap from the other dogs. Not that she fights or anything, she just has a splendid attitude!

She is loving and cuddly with both Hubby and I, and you will notice that she always is there for us when we are down and out.

So, Happy Birthday, dearest Greta! And may you have many, many, more!

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Life is full of so much happiness and love, we just have to be on the look out for it.
2. The clouds came back and then a little snow fell.
3. I knew it was love when I looked into my baby daughter’s eyes when she was born.
4. I can hardly wait for sunshine and blue skies.
5. A little nap is wonderful on a cold and snowy day.
6. Lobster and corn on the cob are my favorite things to eat for dinner.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching some TV, tomorrow my plans include laundry, as usual and Sunday, I want to spend some time reading my kindle!

Thursday Thirteen

Here is a brief fill in of yesterdays visit with my Dermatologist/Mohs Surgeon.

I went alone to the appointment as Hubby was busy with some business.
The drive was long, both over and back, but it gave me time to think.
I met Dr. S. and i really liked him and his nursing staff.
Apparently, because this is a recurrence, I will need more work done than I expected.
Dr. S. believes having a Plastic Surgeon on call is my best bet.
Then I can have him close the incision one time with whatever procedure necessary.
At first I was reluctant, because it means I have to line up both doctors for one day.
Now that will be tricky! We all know how busy they are!
Then I decided that my poor nose needs tender loving care.
After all, I don’t want it to fall off my face like Michael Jackson’s nose!
I will meet the Plastic Surgeon next Wednesday.
Then we will plan and synch it all up.
After that, I will get this cancer taken off my face and get a new nose!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. My real life friends came through with another question this week so thank you real life friends. When you’ve eaten in a restaurant do you complete their comment card? Do you take online surveys highlighted at the bottom of store receipts?

I do. I was even offered free juice, or coffee, or a free appetizer, when I answer restaurant comment cards. These people really want to keep you coming back, as times are tough and many people are not going out to eat right now, or if they do it is to a fast food place.

2. The (US) ban on women in combat was lifted at the end of January. It will probably be next year before specifics are worked out, but its been reported over 200,000 front line positions will eventually open up to women. Your thoughts?

This is a very tough question. I hope the women will be well vetted before they are allowed in the field. I would worry about their overall strength. Also I freely admit, I am such a girly girl, I would be in a corner crying and afraid in the combat battlefield.

3. In looking back at all the blog posts you’ve written, what’s your favorite post title?

Welcome Sweet Savannah Rose!

4. What’s worse-overly permissive parents or overly protective parents? Did your own parents lean more to the permissive or the protective category? If you’re a parent where do you fall?

I think overly permissive parents are worse. Their kids never learn limits. I was pretty strict with my girls. I guess I had expectations that they behave in public places, and treat other people with respect. I also do not think I was over protective. The girls did so many things and I tried not to be a nervous nelly!

5. Candlelight-moonlight-firelight-bright lights in the big city…which one’s your favorite?

Firelight. I’ve been lucky that since Hubby and I have been married we have had a fireplace in our homes. I hope it will always be this way.

6. Dr. Seuss’s birthday was celebrated on Saturday. What’s a favorite book you remember (Seuss or otherwise) from your own childhood?

Make way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey was my favorite book. My grandparents lived in Boston and I often walked down at Boston Public Gardens.

Did books play an important role in your growing up years? Explain.

Yes. I’ve always loved to read! I also loved to make up little storybooks. When my cousin had a little girl, I made up coloring books with little stories in them.

7. To quote Dr. Seuss…

“From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.”
from One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Share something funny you’ve recently read, seen or heard.

That question is a bit hard. It has been a rough few days.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Wednesday I am off to meet my Dermatologist Cancer Surgeon. He will explain what I will need done and tell me if he thinks I will need reconstructive surgery. Hopefully, I won’t. More than anything, I just want the surgery over with so I can get on with my life.

My Monday

Good Tuesday to you all.

I spent the greater part of Monday working on paper work. Yes, paper work! Can you believe it? In this day and age, when everything is done on the computer, I actually had to sit down and fill out paper work in long hand!

Oh, my aching fingers!

However I finished it quickly, and then began my attempts to FAX the paper work. Well, that was an exercise in frustration! It took me 4 times before I finally got through!

After that I worked at making lunch, going to get the mail, picking up some groceries, and now making dinner. All in all, sort of an ordinary day!

But it wasn’t. I was thinking about my friend Margarita and how I simply cannot believe that she is gone. How I will miss her and how no one else will ever fill her place in my heart.

I know she knew of my love for her. After she was diagnosed I spent one afternoon with her before she left for Florida (and her family) with her. I held her and told her how much I loved her.

Isn’t it funny how sometimes people will pass and you feel sad, but it is not life changing. Then someone will pass who is like family, and you somehow know that life will never be the same.

I’m so lucky to have a group of women in my life that I love and who love me like this. It reminds me of what is really important in life.

Hubby has been wonderful. He has been so supportive of me during this time. I am blessed with him too.

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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On Friday I got up very early and left for my sister’s house. The drive was long, and I was exhausted when I got there. But my mother wanted to go out to lunch, so a bit later, we went and picked her up and we took her out for a nice lunch at a Chinese restaurant. It was a huge buffet and I felt so full when we left!
After lunch Mom came back to Mel’s house and while Melodie cooked, I worked on fixing her wireless router. It took me three hours, but I finally got it working for her home! I was so happy and very proud of myself!
My brother in-law came home and he took my mother back to her house for the night. Mel and I sat down, exhausted and talked with the Bride to be, who had come in from her job as a teacher. She is so excited, and is walking on the clouds! Young love!
About 8 o’clock Mel and I made peanut butter sandwiches with jelly or marshmallow fluff. They were delicious! Then we watched “The Big Bang Theory” on TV until about 9:30, when I went to bed. I fell instantly asleep!
The next morning I woke and Mel had already made me coffee! I was so happy. I had some cereal, and toast and then showered and got ready for the Bridal Shower.
We drove over early so we could help the Bride’s Maid of Honor set up for the shower. She has a beautiful house that her husband built, and they have decorated it in a very fine manner.
The guests began to arrive at noon and by 12:30 all the ladies were there. Then I looked out and saw Mandy, Janet and Savannah come. I went out to the car and Savannah saw me and beamed at me! I picked her up and carried her into the house and took off her jacket. Then I brought her in and surprised my mother with Savannah!

This was the first time she has ever seen her. Wonderful!

Savannah and my grand-niece Abby!

March 2 064

The Bride opened her presents and everyone enjoyed the event. Jinny smiled all afternoon and it made my heart full to see her so very happy.

Finally, about 3 o’clock, Mandy and I each left. Mandy and Janet in one car with Savannah, and me in my car. I knew I would get home after dark, but I also knew Hubby really wanted me home. It was still good weather and so off I went.
I was driving along when my cell phone rang. It was Nataliya from the hair salon. I knew before she said it that my dear Margarita had passed away. I started to cry, but I knew I had to remain under control so I could drive.
I am so deeply saddened. Margarita was such a wonderful and good friend. As much as I am happy that her pain is over, I am grieving her loss.
I called Hubby after and told him, crying once again. He said to be careful driving, and call him again along the way.
I did, and after it got dark I could not see well. I was so upset, and scared, but I eventually got home and collapsed in the house. Hubby made me dinner of spaghetti and meatballs. And a nice brandy!
I slept very well last night with the dogs, it was so great to be home.

Margarita

Many years ago now, I had a really bad day. I’d gone to get my hair done and ended up with the worst cut, and color job in the history of cosmetology.

I came home crying and feeling just plain ugly. I planned to put a bag over my head until it all grew out!

Then I looked in our local phone-book and saw an ad for a Board Certified Colorist! So, with nothing to lose, I called and got an appointment, pronto.

That person was Margarita. I did not know that day what a good friend she would become and how much I relied on her. She was never farther away than a phone call, and I always planned my appointments around lunch so we could sit and chat.

Over the years, our friendship grew and grew, and I can freely admit that I loved this beautiful, kind woman.

In October she became ill and was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Her family came up and brought her back to Miami, where she had grown up. I spent the afternoon with her, somehow knowing that day, it would be the last time I would see her.

I left feeling deep sadness, praying for a miracle, but knowing the cruelty of this form of Cancer that had already claimed two of my friends.

Saturday, Margarita passed from this life to the next. I will never hear her voice, or share jokes and laughter. A bright light is gone from my life.

Yet, I celebrate the fact that I knew this wonderful woman. Rest in peace my dear friend. You will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Miracle Soup

Since I am off at me niece’s Bridal Shower, I am printing up this recipe for a wonderful, hearty, soup!

Miracle Soup

It’s called Miracle Soup because it’s so Easy!

2-3 Cans FF Chicken Broth
1 1/2 Pounds ground Turkey
1 Tsp. Salt
1 TBS. Parsley
1 TBS. Basil
1 TBS. Chopped Garlic
1 Cup each: Celery
Onion
Green Pepper
Sliced Carrots
1/3 cup barley
1 can French style Green Beans
1 can Red Kidney Beans
1-2 cans Italian Stewed Tomatoes

In large soup kettle sauté garlic with small amount of oil. Add turkey and brown. Add broth, salt, parsley, basil, onion, green pepper, celery, carrots, barley, and a dash of pepper and the stewed tomatoes. Simmer slowly about an hour or until veggies are done. Add green beans and kidney beans and heat another 15 minutes. Thicken gravy with flour serve with a garden salad and hot crusty bread. This recipe also freezes
well.

Note: Add any other vegetable that you might like. I like red peppers as well, as maybe mushrooms, although the mushrooms do not freeze well.
Enjoy!!!

On The Road Again

Usually I join my cousin for Friday Fill-Ins, but I am short on time, so I’ll just tell you about my current plans.

I leave first thing in the morning for Connecticut and my sister’s house. I’ll be seeing my mother, who I have not seen in nearly two years. I love her, but it is a struggle.

My niece is getting married in April and Saturday is her Bridal Shower. What fun.

I’m just going for one night and then I’ll be back. The pups and Hubby need me, and I am finding it harder and harder to get away.

The bonus here is that I get to see Mandy, Savannah and my cousin Janet as well. All the gals in the family!

I am praying for good weather and not too much in the way of traffic. Keep your fingers crossed!

Snow…Again

OK. I am ready for spring. I sat here, all day on Wednesday and Wednesday night, watching the snow fall. Worst of all, it is supposed to snow well into Thursday night!

Now I leave early on Friday morning to go to my sister’s home. I do not like to drive in snowy weather, and since this trip Hubby is staying home with the dogs, I will be forced to drive myself!

If this was an ordinary visit, I’d probably put it off, but this is the weekend of my niece’s bridal shower, so I cannot miss it!

It’s funny, not even the dogs want to be outside! And even Hubby has stayed inside, away from all that wet horrible white stuff!

I spent the day cleaning up my Facebook page and locking it down. I suddenly found my page full of junk and once I had switched passwords, I went through and deleted things, and made it slightly harder for people to “see me”.

So please everyone. Keep your fingers crossed that Friday will be nice enough for my little trip!