The Dackel Princess

The Friday Five ~ May 10th

I will be jetting off to England in a few more days! I am so excited. This is my first big trip in a very long time. I know I took a cruise in January, but this is a much bigger cruise.

I will start meeting up with my “other” daughter, Jessica. She was Jack’s daughter.

I met Jessica when she was just four years old.
Amanda, Jessica, and Katie.
Jess was a playmate to my kids.
It’s been so long since we’ve gotten together, and I know we have much to discuss.
My doggy sitter arrived today and got the latest information about the girls. They were over the moon happy to see her!
A week after that, I will step on a Princess Cruises Ship. This will be my first cruise in Europe.
The last piece of furniture for my bedroom came today. I got a lovely rocking chair to sit in and watch the lake, the TV, and the birds.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!

Oh Yeah, Life Goes On…

The last few weeks have found me establishing a new normal for myself.

I have been slowly making this house my own, and during this process, I realized that it was the very first time in my life that I was living my own life.

Having gotten married at 17, I have been living the lives of my two husbands.

It’s not that this was bad. Our beautiful daughters came with my first husband, and with my second husband came the ability to travel the world.

However, I never decorated a house or selected my dishes or glassware.

Since last July, I have sold many pieces of furniture and selected the things I like.

The walls have been painted, the bathrooms refurbished, and a new reclining bed installed.

Finally, I am not sleeping in my recliner.

Also, my first foray out was to a local diner. “George’s”. It’s become my place. They know me, and when I go in, I feel looked after. That’s such a nice feeling.

So my life is going on.

Happy Birthday Dickie!

Today would have been my brother’s 73rd birthday. Richard “Dickie” was seven years older than me, which when you are a child seemed like a million, billion, years.

Melodie was just two years younger, and she and Dickie were really close. When I was small, they took pretty good care of their little sister.

Melodie, Dickie and me.

My brother was born prematurely and was very small. His birth was a tough one, and he had lifelong effects from it.

My brother was well-loved by many. The one thing I can say is that he tried hard, always and he loved deeply.

He married a woman with four kids, and I know he loved each and every one of them. Together they had two sons. They will, unfortunately, never really know how proud and happy he was the days they were born. You see, when he was in his early twenties he became ill with cancer.

He loved to cook and he loved his music. Although he never could learn to read music, all he had to do was hear something once and he could play it either on the guitar or the piano.

He learned he had cancer at the age of 26. On April 1st, April Fools Day. And he fought long and hard to win his battle against that dreaded disease. Unfortunately, back in 1977, cancer treatment was brutally hard and seldom worked on Lymphoma and Leukemia.

Dickie passed from this life to the next on April 2nd, 1978. We miss you, Dickie, and hope you are happy and celebrating with all of the family up there in Heaven.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

People have been joking with me recently about dining out at my favorite place, George’s Diner.

I admit to eating there a lot. The food is excellent, and the staff is like family!

I’m 65 years old. I’ve only eaten alone a few times. I usually ate with my parents and siblings, my first husband, our kids, and Jack.

Now, meals are eaten standing up. Usually, it’s toast or Cheerios. For a while, I ate chicken pot pies. Now I can’t stand them!

After all these years, I can finally relate to Gary Portnoy’s theme for Cheers.

Have a great week!

The Friday Five March 26th

I haven’t written in a while. I never dreamed that painting, getting a new carpet, and painting the bathroom would be crazy busy. But it was, and here is why.

I needed to get rid of my old bedroom furniture. Not only was it over 50 years old, but it was flat and offered me no comfort.
So, I sold the kingsize bed with sheets, blankets, and two dressers to a young couple for $50.00. It made me feel good.
My carpenter came in and took the bathroom apart. Painting was done, and I have a new shower and vanity. My washer and dryer are now in the bathroom where my jacuzzi once sat.
Everything was finished, and on Monday, the new bed arrived. Since my spinal surgery, I have slept in a recliner. Now, I have an adjustable bed.
I slept there last night, and it was an excellent, deep sleep.

Happy Easter!

The Friday Five ~ March 29th

Another week has slipped by, and another month, as well. There has been so much happening.

The bathroom renovation is done, and the washer and dryer are in working condition! I am slowly setting up the vanity, and soon, I will set up the shower with my shampoo and soap. I love it.
Easter is upon us. My cousins are coming on Saturday. It will be their first visit since the bathroom reno. I am excited.
Easter is on Sunday. I have no plans, so I decided to make myself a meal my grandmother used to make: Lamb, baked potato, and asparagus.
It’s a first. Likewise, the 9th of April would have been our 36th wedding anniversary. I’ve never done this alone before, but I am learning that I have to do this myself from now on.
I will head to England in a few weeks to see my stepdaughter. It’s been far too long since we last saw each other.

So that’s the latest. I wish you all a very Happy Easter!

This and That ~ March 26th

I was sitting here in the sunshine, enjoying the warmth after the 24 inches of cold snow fell. My mind seemed to drift to various things, so I put my laptop on my knees and started to write.

I feel so saddened by Princess Kate’s diagnosis of cancer. I have read several truly hateful things about her. All I can say is that I hope the Sussexes stay away.

After hearing that people were trying to break into Kate’s hospital records, I was sure I knew who was behind it.

As you all know, I had skin cancer on my nose, and tissue from my forehead was used to close the wound. It left me feeling quite vulnerable with such terrible scars. The scars have faded somewhat, but I will probably always have my Harry Potter scar on my forehead. Therefore, I do Photoshop pictures of my forehead.

There is no photoshopping above.
This was done with slight photoshopping.

Why do I do it? Well, because the scar makes me feel ugly and self-conscious. I’ve been told the scars will always be there unless I have more surgery, and since I do not want any more surgery, I will Photoshop!

I mention this because people have come down very hard on Princess Kate. Knowing what I know now, I fully understand the picture of Kate with her children.

My little Heidi is doing better. I am happy but also worried. It’s been a long haul for this baby. She is now on delicious dog food, which seems to work.

My bathroom/laundry room is nearly done. It is beautiful! My bathroom previously had a jacuzzi tub, corner shower and toilet. This room is bigger than most New York City Apartments.

I have been carrying heavy laundry baskets up and down the stairs, which included a few falls. So I removed the jacuzzi, and I now have a washer and dryer, a new corner shower, and repairs done to the floor and walls!

I’m also getting my bedroom walls painted and a new carpet. I am thrilled—pictures to come.

That’s it for now. I will try to write more as I get on my feet again.

The Friday Five ~ March 22nd

When I hoped for early spring, it was announced that we would get more snow on Saturday! So, here is an old picture of the Lake before I had the trees removed! And, here we go.

I decided to redo my bathroom. After 24 years, it simply was time. I did not feel bad as the old was removed, and the new stuff was ordered.
My goal wasn’t just painting. I have taken the old jacuzzi out, and they have redone the flooring and painted it. In its place, there will now be a washer and dryer. There will be no more stairs carrying a heavy laundry basket downstairs or upstairs. I will have a great corner shower, too.
The dogs and I have enjoyed having these folks around. The bathroom is coming out so well they’re scheduled to paint my bedroom. I finally decided to get an adjustable bed. With this neck problem and having slept in my recliner for over two years, it is time!
Friday, I am off to pick out a new pair of glasses. After losing my good ones on my trip in January, it is time.
We have ice out on our Lake. It was just a few days behind the big lake, Lake Winnipesaukee.

Happy Tenth Birthday Lili!

It is hard to believe that my dearest Lili is now 10. To say that the time has flown would be an understatement. The best part is that Lili is healthy and still acts like a puppy.

Lili was a beautiful puppy and remains an absolute stunner! So, to my ten-year-old sweetheart, I wish you the best, happiest, and healthiest birthday ever.