The Dackel Princess

The Weekend Wrap ~ August 2nd

It’s hard to believe, but here we are the first weekend in August! It was a quiet weekend, with me babying my wrist, seeing my grandchildren, and watching the Olympics. Or at least trying to.
Okay, we will start with the Olympics. Never before have I seen such poor television coverage of the Olympics. There was no comprehensive schedule printed, and then when I did see events that I wanted, Tennis, Gymnastics, etc, the actual performances were abbreviated, and I am sure somewhere they showed Alexander Zverevs Megal Ceremony, but by golly, I couldn’t find it.
I also was very upset over many events that occurred at the Olympics. Although I am sympathetic towards anyone who truly suffers from mental health problems, I feel that perhaps athletes should be honest with their coaches, and their doctors and be strong enough to walk away and give other people a chance at their dreams.
My wrist is doing better! Yay! I have kept it splinted 24 hours a day and I am happy to report that there is progress.
I got to see my grandchildren on Friday.
I brought down some modeling clay and the kids had a great time making their beautiful projects, while they talked with me.

Oh, how I miss those two when I am not around them!

Me and my grandgirl, Savannah!

Me and my crazy grandboy, Quinn!
We also went out for lunch and I had my first Lobster Roll of the summer! Oh boy! Was it good!
The drive home, on a Friday afternoon in the summer was crazy! The traffic was heavy and it took me over two hours!
I had my Glaucoma check-up with my doctor. The right eye that has had laser surgery is doing very well. The left eye is the bad eye and it is time to do laser surgery. Three weeks from now we will do it.
So, although it was busy, it was quiet-busy and I enjoyed that so much. Have a great week everyone!

Well, that sure was a quick month! Imagine on Sunday it will be August and then it is time to begin the planning for summer to end, buy school supplies and clothes for kids as they (hopefully) return to school.

But here we are, and this is what’s happening!

Today, Friday, I am off to see my Glaucoma doctor. She will decide if I will need another laser treatment. Personally, I am hoping not. But we shall see.
After that, I am going to visit with Mandy and my darling grandchildren! I really miss them all, but I have found leaving home is not so easy anymore.
I found the most beautiful Lamb Chops at the store and when I get home on Friday night I will cook those up for our dinner. We haven’t had Lamb since before Covid came to call.
This week a new summer dress I ordered via Amazon arrived. It is even prettier than I thought it would be.I have found during the last year I enjoy daydreaming my way around Amazon and I have gotten some nice things at good prices. This little dress is so soft and yummy!
I will give my hand through the weekend and if it is no better on Monday I will make an appointment with an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon.

TBT: The Sound of Music & Me

Back in 1966, I played Gretl in our community theater’s version of The Sound of Music. Those were my wonder years as I was not shy and still lived in a world of childlike wonder. Therefore, I looked at the play as a great adventure, and no audience made me nervous.

I was the very youngest in the cast at just 8 years old. And when I look back at that time, I recall working with some of the nicest people I have ever known. I am the very smallest one on the end.

Both the woman who played Maria and the man who played Captain Von Trapp became life-long friends. They always treated me like I was their child.

I am just to the right of “Maria”.

I am not sure if you can read this or not. It is the review for the play. I get a very kind mention. But as I said, this really was a special time for me.

What a truly magnificent experience!

My Hurt Paw!

Day two of my dealing with De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis found me feeling almost a bit worse. Although I do well in the splint, if I move just wrong, the pain is terrible.

Jack seems to think that a good night’s sleep, along with a large tumbler of scotch will magically heal this. I do not have the heart to tell him that this may be a long-term problem and not something that will heal overnight.

Many years ago, during my physical exam, my doctor commented that I was fortunate to have Jack by my side. I laughed. Then I told him, “You and I had better hope that I never become seriously ill!”

And so it goes.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I had to do laundry today. And although I asked I got very little help. Ah well. I suppose he feels at his age, he needs to be taken care of more than I do.

Ah, enough of feeling sorry for myself. If I am lucky, I will see my daughter and grandchildren on Friday after my visit with my Glaucoma doctor. I pray for good eye pressure and lunch with the kids!

My Hand

In recent weeks I have been having problems with my left wrist/thumb/hand. back in the day, my Mom warned me that sucking my thumb would be my downfall. Today I believed her!

In recent weeks I have been suffering from pain in my left hand/thumb/wrist. Today, in extreme pain I went to the doctor and they verified that I have:

I suspected this but needed someone to verify my diagnosis. I got it! I also got a personalized hard splint, and a game plan to fix me up!

Now I must type with one hand while resting my left hand. I think it is rather hilarious that my left wrist/hand is affected when I am right-handed! Apparently, I am ambidextrous!

So, that’s the news from New Hampshire! Have a great day and a splendid week!

The Friday Five ~ July 23rd

Today is my sister’s birthday. I wish we were together, but sadly, traveling is still an issue for me. I wanted to tell you all what a wonderful sister Melodie is.

She is five and a half years older than me, and I was her “first baby”. She cared for me like a little mother and was always more like a mother to me, than a sister.
Mel is one of the kindest women that I know. She always has a smile and a warm greeting for those around her. She loves her family with her whole heart and rejoices in their successes and comforts them in their sorrows. If you are lucky enough to be loved by my sister, you will know that her love is a constant and she will always be there for you.

Ron and Melodie

3. She has been married to her husband, Ron for almost 50 years. They met at the age of 13 at summer camp and wrote to each other for many years before their wedding in November of 1971.

4. They raised a great family and have six grandchildren. They always tried to put the kids first and over the years did many fun things with all of them.

5. So today, on her sixty-eighth birthday I want to wish my beloved sister, Melodie a very Happy Birthday!

TBT: Mom & Dad

This week’s Throw Back Thursday are pictures of my Mom and Dad in their teens. They were 13 and 14 years old when they met. Dad played the piano and organ at recitals and my Mom was a dancer.

Fourteen-year-old Dad. James Alfred, also known as Jimmy to Mom and Jim to everyone else. He was a handsome teenager back then, and he swept my mother off her feet. He became a music teacher in the schools in my hometown and at one point everyone had had Dad as their teacher. He loved music. He loved sharing it with others.

And here is Mom. Rosamond Ruth also called Rosa. She was really a quiet woman, and I think she was probably a shy child. She was very close to her cousin George and her parents. She adored her brother, but often he didn’t want his kid sister hanging around. Still, she loved him deeply.

If there was one thing that they shared with me growing up, it was their love of animals. All through my childhood, we had at least one dog, mostly two, and always a Siamese cat! A house wasn’t a home for us without a pet or two or three.

They were married for over 60 years! Their marriage wasn’t perfect, but they remained close all through their life together….

It’s Craziness, I Tell You! Craziness!

Monday found me questioning why I had even bothered to get up!

Arnie was still no better, so I got up, and in the rain went outside to do a clean catch of his urine. Folks, if you have a boy dog that needs to have his urine caught and put in a Ziploc for the Vet to examine, I’m your girl!

I turned on our oven to preheat it before making my WW Banana Breakfast bread. After half an hour it wasn’t even warm. So I used my air fryer oven to cook the bread, and all was well there. However I had to call our repairman, Barry to get him to come and take a look.

Meanwhile, I called our Veterinarian and made an appointment for Arnie to be seen.

The traffic around town was terrible. Just like summer on Cape Cod. Bumper to bumper and no one getting anywhere very fast.

Arnie is actually doing better than he has been. He does have a UTI, but it is not as bad as the last one. He is also holding his weight, and his health overall is pretty good for an old man!

Eventually, Arnie and I got home, just in time for Barry to arrive. He took the oven apart and it is the igniter! How weird that both the dryer and the oven igniters went within a week or so of each other. We called the supply house and the part will be delivered on Friday and Barry will come and do the installation.

So right now, if I can’t cook things on the stovetop, air fryer, or microwave we won’t be eating it. Thankfully we do have plenty of, what I call, quickie meals.

Jack is really hard on his bathrobes. He goes through the sleeves all the time. I’ve ordered a new one, but it is on backorder until August. So, today I took the pockets off an old one and proceeded to use that as a patch. I was able to fix two old robes. They may not be pretty, but at least his elbow isn’t poking out. It’s not perfect, but so much better.

Ah, well, tomorrow is another day, and hopefully, it will be a lot less crazy.

The Weekend Wrap ~ July 19th

As you all know from yesterday’s post, I spent a large portion of my weekend cooking. Jack was happy with the meals and I now have 8 meals for him in the freezer! My only problem today was the smell (strong) of garlic in the house. So I changed all my Scentsy wax holders and now everything smells like cookies. Much better!

Aside from cooking, I spent time watching movies again. It helps me to keep my personal Zen Place going.

On Sunday I watched two movies that truly prove that I am a hopeless romantic at heart!

First I watched “Lost In Translation“. I love this movie, as it is a story about two lost souls who find each other in Japan. Neither one is really looking for it, and yet there they are.

The ending always gets me. Does she meet up with him again in the States? I’d like to believe that they do. Anyway, Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray do a fabulous job and the director, Sofia Coppola‎, did a splendid job bringing this story to life.

The next movie is a classic. One almost everyone has seen. “An Affair to Remember “ with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.

The acting, the story, and the music are all so beautiful. And yes, I cried like a baby at the end!

Arnie started to fuss over the weekend. So I am thinking that I need to call our Veterinarian Monday morning and bring him in. I say drats! He has been doing so well! I will keep you all posted!

So that’s it! The Weekend Wrap for July 19th, 2021!

Rain & Chopping

Ah yes, because we have not had enough rain (hahaha!) I woke to downpours on Sunday morning. Lili is brave enough to run out and commune with nature, but dear Arnie must be coaxed.

So I put on my raincoat, got the umbrella out, and headed toward the grass. No one, not even me was happy about this rainstorm and quite honestly, I am not thrilled that the rest of this week we are due to get even more of the wet stuff!

Yesterday was a “chopping” day for me. I knew I was going to make beef stew, and a meat and vegetable spaghetti sauce, So I sat at the kitchen table chopping onions, peppers, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, and celery. Then I asked which meal Jack wanted? He chose the beef stew, so, I got that in the dutch oven and set it to slowly simmer. Today I will be making the spaghetti sauce.

The strangest part about these two meals is that I’m not eating either one.

After not following my healthy living lifestyle in recent months, I stepped on the scale and nearly fainted. So last week, I started eating correctly again.

But it is so hard!

I know I am not alone in fighting to control my weight. I know that after menopause, you might as well get used to eating like a bunny rabbit. Anything else goes straight to the hips.

So the rest of the day today will be cooking the sauce and I want to take everything out of my closet and clean it. I do this about once every two years. How this disaster happens in there I do not know. It’s like my own private earthquake comes and suddenly everything is a jumbled mess! Ugh!

Have a great day everyone!