Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill Ins

And…here we go!

1. I love the feeling of the dackels cuddling with me in the morning.

2. Seeing Savannah and Mandy always brightens my day.

3. The birth of Sweet Savannah Rose is what I will remember the most from 2012.

4. My favorite family recipe is Sauerbraten.

5. When I want to spoil myself I have a waffle cone of Cherry Garcia ice cream!.

6. NCIS & The Big Bang Theory is are my favorite TV show.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to enjoy a nice quiet evening, tomorrow my plans include the usual laundry and perhaps some cooking and Sunday, I want to watch the New England Patriots football game!

Thursday Thirteen

Feb 8 tt13

This is my work week. I don’t usually work, but I am helping a friend out, and actually I am thinking that if I can, I may get a part time job to help out with expenses. Anyway, here are thirteen things I think about, regarding working.

  1. I had to get up early! I am not one who enjoys getting up early. I bet I’m not the only one.
  2. I did my hair, and actually had to use the curling iron and hair spray to tame my mop. I wouldn’t want to look messy in a hair salon!
  3. Make up! Yes, I had to do my make up. I almost never wear make-up and I just hate putting it on!
  4. I made our breakfast, and emptied the dishwasher while I was doing this. I sort of hoped that Hubby would get the idea to fill in with the dirty dishes.
  5. Unfortunately, Hubby did not put the dishes into the dishwasher. I guess I need to mention it to him.
  6. I’d hoped that Hubby would volunteer to make the dinner. He didn’t, so you know who heated up the meal.
  7. The funny thing is, I will do it all over again tomorrow. Not so bad, really.
  8. I wondered how many people have jobs that they really love and yet still come home each day and cook meals for themselves and their families.
  9. I’ve tried to figure out what type of job would really make me happy.
  10. I haven’t seen an ad to become a member of the Royal Family, where you go around smiling, shaking hands and being waited on.
  11. I would think it would be fun to be an actress. Fancy clothes, hair styles, you know. Again, no one has asked.
  12. Meanwhile, I plan to lay out my clothes again tonight.
  13. Am I the only one who does that?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen’s English…here’s the list for 2013-“fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation, passion/passionate, yolo (an acronym for you only live once), spoiler alert, bucket list, trending, superfood, boneless wings, and guru”

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why.

Yolo. Because it is just plain stupid!

2. When was the last time you rode a train? Where did you go?

The last time I went to Germany which was in 2009. I was with Uschi and Volker and we took the train into the city to go out to eat.

3. Bagels-yay or nay? Favorite ‘flavor’? Favorite topping?

I love bagels. Plain with cream cheese and Lox! Yum!

4. ‘Tis the season of awards shows…if you could star in a movie already made which one would you choose?

Tough one. Perhaps ‘Gone With The Wind?’ or ‘Casablanca’ or ‘The Sound of Music’.

5. The move towards single gender classrooms has been making the news in recent months….what say you? Do you think kids perform better if separated by gender and are taught differently or is that discrimination? If you’re a parent, is this something you’d support in regard to your own children?

I think that separating kids by gender would probably be a good thing. Then the usual boy/girl flirting wouldn’t be so tempting in High School. I don’t know. I was not separated and I found it difficult to study with handsome guys all around!

6. What’s your favorite thing about staying in a hotel?

Fresh sheets and towels, a comfortable bed and a sense of being spoiled and waited on.

7. Do you have a ‘word’ for 2013? What’s the story behind your choice?

‘Crazy Grandma’. And I am sure that you all can figure that one out.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My poor little Savannah has her very first cold. We’re all feeling so sad for her, as she has been remarkably healthy. Wish I was closer and could go and just cuddle her.

The Sun Came Out!

The fog finally burned away and the sun came out and we had temperatures that rose up into the 50’s (f)! After lunch I sent Hubby out to do some doggy duty in the yard, as the melting snow revealed a mound of poop in the yard! Just think how fertilized our back yard will be this spring!

Fritz was his constant companion, watching him, and making sure that Hubby did it correctly. Ah, what a faithful dog!

While the boys were out I discovered a new show (or new to me) ‘Love it or List It’. Have you seen that show? These two people come in, a Real Estate Agent and a Renovator, and they each have a job to do. The Renovator tries to remake the house into their dream home, while the Realtor tries to find them a better home. Fascinating show, and I did not agree with any of the outcomes!

I need to actually do my hair and make up each day, so as not to scare the customers! Today I tried out a simple pony tail, and I was shocked that my hair was long enough to do this! And it didn’t look half bad! (I think!)

Tomorrow I go shopping for food. Since I’m working this week, I need to actually plan the meals, and by that I mean, plan easy meals. Easy to throw together and easy to clean up. I also need to plan my lunches to take with me. My work literally takes me out away from any fast food, or easily obtainable salads. So bring lunch, I must!

Hubby will simply have to manage on his own for a few days. I’m thinking he will more than likely hit Subway or McDonalds!

Have a great Tuesday Everyone!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Miss Marple 2

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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This weekend I actually watched more football than I normally do. I know it is playoff season, but even I do not watch football until the Super Bowl. So this new habit of mine, of watching the playoffs, took me by surprise.

Hubby enjoys watching, so he usually does, but this year he has had me right by his side, cursing and swearing, when I thought a call went the wrong way.

Our team played the second game on Sunday and won 41-28! Now they advance to the AFC Championship and hopefully the Super Bowl!

I managed to get a few errands done this weekend around town. I needed to stop at the Pharmacy, and as they’d recently moved I had a chance to see their new store. I was shocked! In their previous store they had a lot of floor space and in the new store, only about a quarter of the space. I asked for some over the counter medication that I take and they do not carry it any more! I’m afraid that I will need to drive to the next town to find a good Pharmacy now.

I have decided to switch the dogs to treats that are only made in the USA. Previously I was not as careful and gave them ones that has been manufactured in China. After a few dog food scares with things made there, I am now reading all labels for my gang. (And myself too!)

As I was walking around the house this weekend I noted that we really need to paint the trim on our house. And guess who does that? I’m not crazy about heights, but it really needs to be done. Perhaps for the section over he garages, we can rent a cherry picker truck, so I have a firm platform.

I’ll be working this week at the Hair Salon. Just answering phones and making appointments and doing laundry and cleaning. My friend is ill, and this is one way I can help her out!

Have a great week Everyone!!!

Foggy

I woke on Saturday to slightly warmer temperatures and lots and lots of fog! Looking out toward the lake I couldn’t see a thing, but the white wall of the fog. I did my housework, got dressed and went out, and the fog continued to follow me.

It was very strange up town. There was a man standing on ‘water’ or what looked like ‘water’, but was in fact ice. He wasn’t too far off the shore and he had a small seat and was ice fishing. I looked around him and I could see open water pretty close by, and I decided that I wouldn’t be out there fishing for anything!

Tomorrow it’s supposed to be even warmer, and this would mean even more fog. It’s a funny thing. Thick rolling fog like this always reminds me of the movie “Gaslight”. What a fantastic movie. If you have never seen it sit down and watch it.

Savannah At Seven And A Half Months!

I went down on Friday to see Mandy and Savannah. We had such a nice visit, and Savannah really amazed me! She is standing by herself, wobbly for sure, but standing, crawling pretty well, and is so interested in playing with her interactive toys, and with Mandy’s Ipad!

Have you seen the Baby Apps they have? I had never seen them, and yet, there was our little Savannah playing the games like an old pro!

She is also so alert and interacts with people, places and things so well. At lunch, she was flirting with many of the other diners!

And she is so beautiful! I know, I know. I am her grandmother, but honestly, she smiles so much and her face is full of love and happiness!

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Isn’t she just adorable?

Happy Friendship Anniversary

Today is the 12th anniversary of my friendship with Uschi. You can go HERE to learn how we met each other. Over the years, we have written to each other almost every day. We aren’t able to speak on the phone like many people, but then, sometimes I think we know each other better because we can write all of our thoughts down and send them off.

When we get together and start talking, it is as if we just saw each other yesterday and we chatter along like two little parakeets!

It still amazes me, that when I least expected to find a friend and sister of my soul, I found one in Uschi!

Happy 12th Anniversary to us!

Thursday Thirteen-Before & After

food-turkey

It dawned on me the other day that when I am watching what I eat, and by this I mean, tracking the points and being careful of calories and fats, etc. not only do I lose weight, but I feel better. Here is what convinced me this was true.

  1. I was not careful at all in the month of December.
  2. I gained a total of five pounds during that time.
  3. That was on top of the other weight I gained after my Dad died.
  4. I can tell you that I felt really unwell during that time.
  5. Sluggish stomach and at times a really aching belly.
  6. At one point I thought it was my gallbladder!
  7. At New Years I was determined to get back on track with Weight Watchers.
  8. I started New Years morning, eating healthfully and tracking it all.
  9. I have been struggling, as I wasn’t sure it was working at all.
  10. I think it takes some time for your body to get back in shape.
  11. I went to class on Wednesday January 9th and I have lost two and a half pounds!
  12. I’m still struggling, but it will be a good month until I am feeling comfortable again.
  13. I so want to look like my after picture again!

Nov 17 051 Nov 17 08 one year later

Before I joined Weight Watchers (left) & After I reached my goal a year later. (right)

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is ONE thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close? Do you have a plan to make it happen?

I’m going to get all my office and paperwork organized by April 15th. I’ll also extend it to the deadline of December 31st. But I’ll definitely get this done, this year!

2. What’s the worst uniform you’ve ever had to wear for a job?

I’ve been lucky, the worst uniform was jean and a t-shirt when babysitting. I’ve been lucky and blessed that I didn’t have to wear one of those horrible cocktail waitress uniforms I have seen some women wear. (No offense, anyone)

3. What was your last kitchen ‘mishap’? This question comes to you courtesy of Betty who blogs over at A Glimpse Into Midlife…everyone go say hi to Betty!

My birthday cake. Being on Weight Watchers doesn’t lend me a lot of baking time in my days. It had been a long time since I’d baked a cake and all I wanted was a chocolate cake with butter cream frosting. Well it was just terrible. The cake didn’t rise well, was dry and tasted like crap!.

4. How do you protect yourself from other people’s negativity?

Oh that is so hard for me. I tend to buy into whatever negative thing people say. I think that’s why Weight Watchers Class has been so good. It’s a lot like Group Therapy.

5. Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)? If you have children, who do people say they favor? Do you agree?

I most resemble my sister, Melodie.
Picture taken about 30 years ago.

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Dec 11 09 009

Yet, people tell me that Mandy looks just like me, and I don’t think she looks anything like Melodie. I can see a lot of myself in Mandy, but I can also see her Dad.

6. January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day…will you be celebrating?

Probably not. It is cold and a bit chilly tonight, and I think I will wrap myself up with a dackel and watch NCIS.

7. Some of the ‘world’s best winter festivals’ are – Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah), Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), Venice Carnivale (Italy) and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China). Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?

Probably the Quebec Winter Festival. Old Quebec City is so beautiful and in the winter, with a fresh coating of snow it would be so pretty. Also picture skaters in the frozen ponds and horse drawn carriages and steaming mugs of hot toddies!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubby drove me to my Retinal Surgeons appointment today. What a guy!He was rewarded when we found his favorite cheese, Tilsiter Cheese, at the Co-op over by the hospital. But I was shocked to see their prices! There is no way Hubby and I could afford to shop over there. Everything was nearly twice as expensive or more. And that included things like Tide detergent and Clorox Bleach. It made no sense to me. Anyway, we’re enjoying our cheese!