Author: Dackel Princess

Yesterday we drove down to see my Uncle, “Aunt George” and to take him out for lunch. We arrived to find him all dressed up in a suit with a cheery Christmas tie! I hugged him close and then we sat down and talked for a while. We looked at pictures, talked of old times before leaving for the restaurant.
This country mouse must mention the traffic here. I was amazed, not only at the traffic, but at how much this part of Massachusetts had changed in the last decade. So many new homes, and so many new office buildings! And a lot of wild and crazy drivers! Eeeek!
We drove to “Legal Seafood’s” and they told us it would be a 20 minute wait. It was only about 10 minutes before they escorted us to a table, and by then my cousin Janet arrived and we all sat down together.
After we gave our drinks order we all exchanged gifts for Christmas. Here is the funny part. I gave Janet a night shirt with pictures of little puppies that look like her dog Wolf! And Janet gave me pajamas with “Barbie” on them and fur around the neck! They are so cute! Pictures to follow!! (LOL)
We all ordered our meals starting with the best Clam Chowder I have had in a long time and ending with dessert, for me it was Bananas Foster, which Janet and I shared. I’d never had it before, and it sure was delicious!!!

Janet and her Dad.

Me and my “Aunt” George!

Me and my best friend and cousin, Janet!
The time went much too fast and before we knew it, it was time to head back to New Hampshire. It was so wonderful to spend this time with Aunt George and Janet.

I wanted to share this picture with you from Christmas 1984. The picture shows my nephew Tim, ‘Santa’ (my other nephew Mike) Aunt George, Uncle Betty and my daughter Katie.
It was a wonderful family celebration and as you can see, everyone was full of holiday cheer.

We’re off this morning to go down and spend time with Aunt George. We’re taking him out to his favorite seafood restaurant and I’ve got something special for him too!

Today was the last time I will ski until after the New Year. (My season ticket limits me during “holidays”.) I really wanted to go, but it was zero! ZERO!!! I put on all sorts of clothing, making me feel like the Pillsbury Dough Boy or maybe The Michelin Man! I certainly looked about 700 pounds! Every part of exposed skin was covered with something.
When we got to the top of the mountain Hubby looked at me and said, “Look at that. It’s 3 degrees! It’s not so cold!” Did I mention that Hubby has a really poor sense of humor?

So we rode up the lift, my teeth chattering all the time, and started our morning of skiing.
My skis were newly sharpened and they felt good in the frosty snow. The conditions were actually very good and we made 4 long runs before stopping for hot chocolate. I could have stopped then and been happy. It was like pulling teeth to get me to go back out in that cold. But I did.

We got done, and drove home. I simply could not warm up. I tried, but it just wasn’t happening. So after I had a quick salad for lunch I filled the tub and climbed in there for a nice long soak. That did help to get me feeling better and warmer.
Now I am simply tired!

Twenty-nine years ago I gave birth to my first child. Amanda Mae. I’d been told in my early teens that I couldn’t have children because I had such severe endometriosis. I trusted all doctors back then. Heck, I was 17 so, what did I know?
Shortly after I got married I had to have a little female surgery. All went well, and I went back to life. Six weeks later I went back to the doctor because I wasn’t feeling well after the surgery. Everyone was shocked to find that I was indeed pregnant.
It wasn’t the easiest of pregnancies. I had to stay in bed a lot and off my feet. The baby was due around Thanksgiving, and I excitedly planned for the birth.
Of course back then they didn’t do ultrasounds, (did they have them?) so I didn’t know if it was a boy or a girl. We selected names for both Amanda Mae or Joshua Robert. Secretly, I wanted a girl!
Thanksgiving came and went. No baby. Talk about grumpy! Another week passed, no baby. Talk about really grumpy! Then I went to the doctor who did an amniocentesis to check on the actual due date for the baby. Sure enough, he pronounced, the baby is over due! 2 weeks!! Plans were made to induce labor a week later. Did I want to know the sex of the baby, the doctor asked? Nope, I wanted to be surprised.
I must say, that was the longest week of my life! No baby. The night before they were going to induce labor, my ex-husband came home, walked into our bedroom and said Happy Anniversary! And my water broke! I laughed so hard!!!
Eight hours later, I gave birth to the most beautiful, most perfect baby girl ever born! 8 pounds 13 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.

I couldn’t believe how I felt. I was hit instantly with the biggest case of complete love that I’d ever known! I held her in my arms and I knew that this was the best, the most amazing miracle in my life!
As she grew I was always amazed at her intelligence, her drive and her abilities. Her natural curiosity has taken her far in her life. I am in awe.

So today, on her 29th birthday I want to wish her The Happiest of Birthdays, and an even better year ahead!!

Isn’t it funny, how sadness affects you? Somehow you can get through the day. Do the things you need to do, and yet, your heart feels heavy. Like it will break.
Uncle Betty was so important to me, helping me to grow and become the woman I am. She taught we ways to cope with my parents. And she taught me to laugh! What a great sense of humor she had. A way of looking at even the hardest of things, and turning them into something you could laugh at.
Her life wasn’t the easiest. I saw her cry more than once. But she never gave up and she always came back with a joke, a smile and her very hearty laugh.
I like to think of Uncle Betty getting to Heaven and being greeted by my daughter Katie, my brother Dickie and all the other loved ones who have gone before. Ah, what a reunion that must have been!

Today would have been my 30th wedding anniversary with my first husband. He was my high school sweetheart and I married him as soon as I legally could. I turned 17 that November and we married a month later. Everyone thought I was pregnant. I wasn’t. I loved him and more than anything, I wanted to get away from my parents. We had two children, Mandy and Kate, but when Katie was killed our marriage died too. It ended after 11 years.

I skied yesterday and did several runs. I kept getting terrible pain in my left eye, (the one that’s had so many surgeries) so eventually I gave up and went in. Hubby skied a few more runs and then we left. Hubby knew I was feeling bad, so he took me to lunch at our favorite Chinese Restaurant in Plymouth, and we warmed up over Moo Goo Gai Pan and hot tea!
After lunch we stopped and bought Hubby’s Christmas present. A new Lazy Boy recliner. His old one is on it’s last legs and since the sale was a good one, we splurged and ordered it. It should be here this week.

It’s cold and gray here again today. Winter. Ah yes. Winter

My Aunt, “Uncle Betty” passed away last night. She’s been so sick and fought so long, but eventually she lost her battle and God called her home. I will miss her more than I can say.
I have cried, and I am grieving. But when I step back I see, that “Uncle Betty” will always be with me. She lives in my heart.

Do not stand by my grave and weep,
I am not there – I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow
I am a diamond glint on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle Autumn rain
When you wake in the morning hush
I am the sweet uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight
I am the soft starshine at night
I am the kiss of angels’ wings
I am part of all these joyful things.

Do not stand by my grave and cry
I am not there – my soul did not die.

Author Unknown

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