Greta Scared Me

The last 24 hours have been scary. We were sitting watching TV Monday night when Greta, who was lying next to me, started shaking her head back and forth rhythmically. (almost like Parkinson’s disease) I would speak to her, and she looked at me and when I picked her up she would stop. This kept happening over and over again during the evening. I was so worried. Was this a seizure? What was wrong with my baby, Greta?
This morning, she was still doing this, but she seemed listless and tired too. Now I was really worried.
I brought a bag of peaches over to the Vet and talked with them about the problem. No fever, came on suddenly, no other big symptoms besides the head shaking. He said to watch her and see if it got better with a little quiet time.
So I kept her quiet all day and slowly I noticed that the head shaking stopped. Since this happened, I think the Vets best guess, that she must have played too hard and stressed a nerve in her neck is probably what happened.
But for 24 hours I was scared to death about what could be wrong. Tonight, I am happy to report she is right as can be and running around the house as usual again.

Air Flow

For the last few days I have been telling Hubby that the air-conditioner in our bedroom isn’t working correctly. This machine was built by Fred Flintstone, so you understand how long it has been around.
Two nights ago, it started making noises in the night and the dogs woke me up barking. I shut off the machine and went back to bed, but I was pretty sure that it was breathing it’s last breaths.
I mentioned all this to Hubby, who said that it was probably fine.

Our bedroom tends to be hot. We have three hot blooded dogs and two hot blooded people, (one of which is having hot flashes every night lately) all sleeping in this room. The one fault of this room is the lack of air flow. We tend to use an air-conditioner from April until October, just so we can all breath.

Last night I turned on the darn thing when I went to bed. Nothing terribly cold was coming out, but who I am to say anything?
In the early morning hours, Hubby got up because it was “too hot” in the bedroom and came out in the familyroom to sleep. Can we finally get rid of this hunk of junk and get a new air-conditioner? It’s just a cheapo window one I want. $100.00!
I will keep you posted.

About Last Night

In the late afternoon I cleaned myself up, and took the time to do my make-up. (as seen below) Then I dressed casually in white pants and a white top that I’d gotten in Mexico years ago and is embroidered on the front. Hubby said I looked great and he dressed in khaki’s and an oxford shirt.
Off we went to meet up with Lou and Bobbie at the restaurant. It’s a relatively small place in the area called Canoe, and it was mobbed! We put our name on the list and went down to the bar to wait.
The place was so pretty. Very New Hampshire, woodsy. We chatted about our fruit trees. We of course have the peach tree that has so far produced 120 pounds of peaches, and they have a very large orchard of various apples. They are also the kind people that had us up to pick blueberries a while back.
We waited about 20 minutes before they called us up stairs to the dining room and seated us. The menu was large and varied. Everything from Seared Tuna to Fried Bologna sandwiches.
Bobbie ordered New England Clam Chowder, (The bowl was huge, it could be an entire meal) and Sweet and Sour Calamari, (this was so tender and sweet!) Lou ordered a Mixed salad with Grilled Chicken and for dinner, Seared Tuna, Jack had Gazpacho and then Maple Scallops. I had (and this was not a diet meal) Fried Oysters for the appetizer and a Lobster Salad Roll for my meal. The Lobster Roll came with fries that were great and we all shared those.
We talked about college experiences. Of course I didn’t go to college, so I just listened and laughed at the funny stories. Does anyone go to college and actually study? It seems most of the stories are about parties and drinking and dates?
We talked about the fact that I grew up in what they all thought of as “Paradise” (Cape Cod) but how I really prefer New Hampshire.
And then we spoke about the Airlines, and the current fuel problems that could lead to the bankruptcy of a few of them.
By the end of the meal we all agreed that we enjoyed doing this and will do it again. We’d brought with us some of the Heavenly Jam and Peach Chutney and of course a bunch of peaches for them.
Then we drove home and I breathed. I made it through.

Saturday Thoughts

So here we are. A gray and misty Saturday in New Hampshire. You don’t even have to ask what we will be doing.
We prepared two batches of Heavenly Jam last night and put it in the fridge to set. We’ll get it out in a while and cook it up and can it. After that? Yep, you got it. More canning.
We were thinking of actually putting up some peaches in a light syrup and possibly doing some peaches in brandy. This of course is always great over ice cream and then set a fire to burn off the alcohol, but leave the taste. Peaches Flambé.

“ProblemGuy” is being a real jerk. I need Casey
to come and take care of this guy. Yes, the paper is now down in the drive near the house, but it is not in a bag and it is scattered in the drive. Can we say “Powerplay” here? As I mentioned, it is misting this morning, and rain is expected tomorrow. So, unfortunately, we had to put a call in to the paper manager. We hate to do it, but we figured it was better to do today then tomorrow when we have a sopping wet newspaper to toss out.

I decided this morning that since it is three weeks until we leave on our trip that I just cannot “cheat” anymore on my diet and I have to buckle down and be good. I want to fit into my lined jeans and smaller clothes. Eeeek! Do you ever notice how those potato chips sneak into your mouth during the summer when you are wearing shorts with draw strings and nothing that actually adheres to your body? I started trying on clothes yesterday and I’m surprised you all couldn’t hear the screams!

Well, time to cook the Jam!

Good Friday To All

The Summer of Peaches continues. We made some of the “Heavenly Jam” yesterday. Since Hubby’s mother passed from this world leaving only the briefest description of what she did to make this, much of our endeavor has been guess work. I cooked it, until I felt it was ready to can, (I have made ‘other’ jams before) and then we canned it. Afterward we checked the left over cooled jam and Hubby complained it was too thick. Not like his Mom’s. So today’s batch we will try to cook it a bit less.

“ProblemGuy” appears to have been dealt with by the administration of the paper. Apparently this guy is a lose cannon. We are assured that our paper will make it TO the house each day. It did arrive this morning.

I made our breakfast today. I rolled up some ham to serve with our Chutney. OMG! The Chutney is so good, and with the ham it is awesome! I had gotten some Plain New England donuts and served those with the Heavenly Jam. OMG! That was so good. I also served egg white scrambled eggs for our health. (go figure that!) And orange juice. Have I even mentioned how much I love breakfast??

Having survived an allergic reaction to a new medication, I am now on the mend and feeling soooooo much better. The hives are nearly gone and I am sleeping normally and not itching at all. Life, on this bright and cool Friday, is good!