The Dackel Princess

The Wednesday Hodgepodge June 17th

1. Saturday marks the first official day of summer! Whoohoo! Your favorite thing about the season?

Sunshine! Blue skies! Leaves on trees! Flowers! Fresh produce! And long days!

2. Love it! a labor of love, not for love or money, no love lost, love handles, love does, love-hate relationship, misery loves company, tough love, love will find a way…pick one and tell us how it applies to your life right now.

Love it! I’m really enjoying the WW Program! I’m embracing the new way of eating and I feel good about the weight loss! 42.6 lbs! Slow and steady!

3. What’s one thing currently causing you to seethe? One thing currently making you smile?

Well, I am not allowing anything to make me seethe so I pass on that. So much is making me smile. I choose not to allow things to bring me down. I choose to look at the bright side, the Sunnyside parts of life!

4. Of the following to-dos found on a summer checklist which three (I picked 4) would definitely make your personal list of summer want-to-dos?

watch the sunset from a beach, Not this year. I try to get down to my home town each year and sit not at the beach and watch the sunset. But Covid-19 is still making things crazy. Does a Lake count?
catch fireflies, As soon as I see my first one!
stargaze, Every night!
make a summer road trip, I would love too!

Do you make an actual list? Of things to do in the summer? Not really unless it involves a trip!

5. Thursday is National Splurge Day. What might you splurge on in order to celebrate?

Time to go and get more bird suet. I also would like to get a birdbath for them.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

On Tuesday my girls from the back row at WW met at a local park. We had not seen each other since March 11th.

Our meeting has not opened, and honestly, we do not think it will. WW is cutting down the number of meetings they will have. Rural areas like mine, that meet in a Community Center, don’t fit the profile anymore. The closest meeting area will likely be 45 miles away.

In any case, we decided that we all missed each other. We’ve been together since 2008! So we brought our folding lawn chairs and met at the park. We’ll be inviting others as we go forward.

I have to say, it was a wonderful gathering. You see, WW isn’t just the program, it’s the people who attend the meeting too!

Will someone please explain this to Oprah!

All In A Days Work!

During the last few Covid-19 months I have tried to keep up with all the extra things that have been needing attention in our life. But several things went by the wayside or got lost or just plain forgotten.

Feeling a new empowered strength after dealing with the satellite company, I decided that today (Monday) would be a good day to tackle all of it.

This morning I went into my closet to get a shirt and I spied a pair of Merrell Clogs I had purchased a year ago quite cheaply. They are not the prettiest of Clogs, but they fit the bill for use as indoor/outdoor slippers! Problem solved!

Next, I took a deep breath and started with my phone calls. The first was to the local hospital who sent us a bill for Jack’s hand treatment back in February.

Jack is 100% disabled through the VA because of his Agent Orange problems and all of his medical treatments are covered by them. So, when I finally got through to billing, I started the conversation by apologizing for being late with the call to them. After all, this darn Covid-19 had everything off-kilter. At the very start of all of this, I admit I was totally freaked out and only concentrated on keeping Jack safe.

Well, this lovely lady couldn’t have been nicer and in no time at all, it was completely taken care of!

The next thing on my list was to call my Optometrist because I had a balance with them. I met my deductible and it should be completely paid for by my insurance. I gave the secretary the information and she assured me it would all be taken care of.

Next, I wanted to get some advice on the coloring process of my hair. So I called Madison Reed and asked all sorts of questions and the young woman (who kept calling me Ma’am), was so nice and fixed my problem and is sending the kit for me to use to take care of the little problem I have had. Free of charge!

Wow, I was definitely on a roll. I put a nice chicken in the oven to cook for dinner and pared the Asparagus.

So, Monday was a wonderfully productive day and I am on cloud nine. What a great way to start the week!

The Weekend Wrap

Our weekend was a full one. Part frustrating and part wonderful.

The frustrating part was about our TV. Or should I say our satellite coverage?

On June 1st our provider could no longer provide us with the networks from Los Angeles and New York. The Congress in all their wisdom decided that people outside of those viewing areas had no rights to the coverage. Even though we were paying for it and had this service for over 20 years!

Have I mentioned that I think we need term limits in both the Congress and Senate? These jokers make laws with no input from all of us.

I digress.

I had heard from a neighbor that he had the local stations (networks) out of Boston, Massachusetts from our same satellite provider. So on Saturday, I got all our information and called the Provider.

The first woman I reached kept telling me it couldn’t be done. She argued with me, and after a half an hour, I asked to speak to her Supervisor!

She said she didn’t have one, but would put me through to programming.

I will just tell you that this is where I should have landed all along. This nice young woman, had us all signed up for the Boston package and reduced our fee for the next 24 months for everything we’ve been through. Yay!

Problem solved!

Then on Sunday, I was walking around in my favorite Merrell Clogs, which I use as slippers, and the sole came off one of them! These lasted just about 4 years. Ugh.

Now I am online to find a cheap in price, but comfortable Merrell Clogs to replace these as my slippers.

The week ahead finds me meeting up (and social distancing) with a few of my dearest WW friends. We have not seen each other since March 11th. I’m so happy about this.

I hope you all have a great week ahead. I hope this finds you getting your life back to what might be termed as normal.

Maribeth’s Italian Meatballs

I played around and made these for Jack’s dinner. I did not eat them, but I did a quality control taste test and these really are good! If you give it a try, let me know what you think!

Preheat Oven 350 degrees F

Ingredients:
2 slices Italian bread, stale
1/3 cup cold water
1/2-pound ground pork
1/2-pound ground beef chuck
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 medium onion, grated (about 1/4 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg, beaten
Freshly ground black pepper
A little olive oil
¼ tsp red pepper flakes.

1.    Break up the bread or pulse into crumbs in a food processor. In a small bowl toss the breadcrumbs with water to re-hydrate.
2.    In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, pork, and beef, Parmesan, parsley, salt, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, and egg and mix until combined. Season the meat mixture with pepper.
3.    Using your hands, gently form the meat mixture into slightly larger than golf ball-sized balls. (Packing the meat mixture too tightly together will result in tough meatballs). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
4.    Spray with non-stick spray a glass dish. 8 X 12 and place the meatballs into this.
5.    Cook in oven 30-40 minutes or until meatballs are done.
Serve with spaghetti and a nice sauce over this. A great Saturday night meal!

35 Years

It’s hard for me to believe that it has been thirty-five years since the car accident that took the life of my six-year-old daughter, Katie.

It seems like so long ago, another lifetime. And yet, it also seems like just yesterday and I remember each and every detail.

The accident happened on June 13, 1985, and Katie passed away a few days later on the 19th. I’d prayed she would come back to us and wake from her coma. But, sometimes prayers are not answered.

Each year I have felt such pain. And guilt. Guilt at having been the survivor of this great tragedy. One that was entirely the other driver’s fault.

However this year I have a feeling of lightness. I will try to explain, but I am sure many of you will doubt what I am about to write.

My daughter, Mandy gave me a wonderful Mother’s Day gift. She gave me a psychic reading this Spring. I am a great Doubting Thomas, but this man was amazing and spot on.

Mandy & Katie 1985

I will not go through all he told me, but he did tell me that Katie was telling him that she did not blame me, that it wasn’t my fault, and that she is fine!

There was so much more. He knew things that no one else did, but the healing words he spoke, how it all happened, helped me to finally heal. Finally, I was able to forgive myself.

Me & Katie November 1984

So on this day, the day that changed my life forever, I am able to know that my dearest, sweetest daughter, Katie, is resting in peace.

November 8, 1978 – June 19, 1985

The Friday Five June 12, 2020

This week sped by for me, as I found myself unusually busy. Between the mouse eating our water pipe/hose, the mountains of laundry, and getting ready for my doctor’s appointment today, I was really kind of going here and there all around the house. In any case, here is this week’s, Friday Five.

The leak is fixed and now I just need to get a sheet rocker/plasterer in here to repair the wall. Meanwhile, I need to completely clean my basement laundry room. It’s kind of a disaster. Picture all the sheetrock dust and bits, and my shelves are jammed because I had to stack everything to avoid my valuable paper towel and toilet paper from being ruined.
I was all set to go to my Primary Care Doctor’s appointment today. On Tuesday I called to make sure the appointment was still on? Yes, yes it is. Then on Wednesday, I got a robocall reminding me of the appointment and I confirmed by pushing #1. On Thursday I got a message on my answering machine informing me that they are still not open for appointments! I was not able to reach the office to find out any more but hope to later today.
I refuse to watch the news. I have been watching movies, Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet, The Incredible Dr. Pol, as well as my Air Line Disaster shows. The news upsets me and right now life is upsetting enough. I simply cannot deal with it all.
Jack looked over a few minutes ago and was talking, I pulled out my earphones and told him I will not listen to any news. So, he put on a movie. Nice.
Lastly this week, I am now 42 pounds down. It’s funny because I think the mind plays tricks on you. I still see myself as I was until I do side by side photos. Then I realize, I see how much I have accomplished.

Amazing, isn’t it? And I am still going strong and I know I will make my goal.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Strange Day

Most of my days since the Pandemic started with the, Stay At Home orders, were quiet and not too busy. Today (Wednesday) was not one of those.

I had laundry to do, and cleaning to do, as well as cooking. This meant that the only TV I was aware of was on in the background.

I did set aside time to go to a WW Meeting. I really live for those because they help me to stay strong about my healthy eating.

I felt good about this until tonight when I saw on the Massachusetts WW Group page someone remarking that they feel like my little New Hampshire Group is taking over. And since I know I tend to be an over-share-er, I took the remark very personally. Then I stepped back.

I do not know the woman who made this comment. Perhaps she doesn’t like anyone from New Hampshire. So I decided to not respond and to just let it go.

Those of you who know me well, know that this is big. I think I am overly sensitive and being a Scorpio, when hurt I tend to come out swinging! But, not this time.

The beautiful sunset last night.

The end of my day was spent cooking and cleaning up yet another meal. I do try to make it interesting, but there are days, like today, when I have no desire to cook. Still, I pulled it off!

Have a great Thursday and stay happy, healthy, and safe.

The Mouse, The Leak & The Plumber

My usual posting was interrupted yesterday by the plumber.

A few weeks ago I noticed a little puddle on the floor under the sink in the laundry room. I mentioned this to Jack and he said he’d reseat the pipe.

Unfortunately, this did not work. By Sunday we had a lot of water on the floor. And no bucket or anything was clearing it or holding it.

So on Monday, we called our Plumber. He has done odds and ends for us for years now, and he came along with his apprentice.

Next, I heard drilling. That is never a good sign. But I didn’t want to know until it was over.

We have under the floor heating, with rubber-type piping. This same kind of piping/hose goes to the sinks, washer, dishwasher, etc.

A little mouse had managed to squeeze through an infinitesimal hole around the drain pipe.

Then the little bugger was hungry and chewed a small hole in the pipe/hose. It is my greatest hope that this gave the rodent indigestion which led to his demise!

So, the leak is fixed and now we need to get a sheet rocker in here to repair the hole left by our plumber!

The joys of homeownership!

The Weekend Wrap

Crazy things can happen on weekends. Usually, I try to catch up on odds and ends, but Sunday found me cut off from my local world. Well, sort of.

When I got up on Sunday morning, we had no local cable TV nor did we have Internet service.

I tried to call the Service Provider, but they have now done away with all real people and all you can get is this perky automated voice that leads you round and round and then hangs-up on you!

Fortunately, when I got my Tablet I got the one with access through our Cell Phone Company. So I was able to monitor things with that.

Our service did not return for 10 hours! But, at least it did return.

I made a nice dinner but was fretting about the leak I discovered in the laundry room. I have the plumber’s number all set to call tomorrow so we can get that fixed.

So, despite all the events of the last few months, life, regular life, goes on.

Here Comes The Sun…

It was hot, humid, and hazy a large portion of the day. This caused me to spend a lot of time outside and in the water.

After being cooped up for so long, it felt good to feel the sun on my face and the wind on my back. Unfortunately, I forgot the golden rule. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!

It’s my face and the tops of my shoulders. A bit sore and up close my repaired nose looks really funny!

As you can see, the stitched up part burnt in a strange fashion. I’m sure it will be toned down by tomorrow. After this, I will be sure to use sunscreen again, all the time!