Dackel Princess

This & That On A Saturday

The sky was bright, but despite that, the trees are now all bare, there is snow on the ground, and it is cold. Saturday was one of those ho-hum mid-winter days. But wait…it’s not mid-winter yet! In fact, technically, winter has not even begun.

Saturday had me thinking about so many things.

When I woke up it was still dark. I came out and put the Christmas Tree lights on. We may only have a small tree, but when it is dark, and the lights are sparkling in the dark, it is magic!

Our darling Shubi, who was our first wire-haired dachshund, would have been 23 years old. We got her on a whim while visiting our friends, Lucie, and Otto in Bavaria. Shubi was an amazing pup. She stole our hearts and helped me in so many ways.

I adored that doggy more than I could ever say. So, today when I thought of her, I smiled and recalled all of those wonderful moments that we shared. The picture above was the last picture taken of the two of us before she passed to Rainbow Bridge, so many years ago.

My husband is a disabled Veteran. He has severe mobility issues that are getting worse. He has a handicapped placard for our car so he can still get out to the store.
Today, as he was struggling to get into our car, a woman came running over chastising him for bumping the car door into her “new car”. She was not at all polite.
My husband noted that her car was fine (it was) and she told him to be more careful!
People, she was parked on the line, next to a handicapped space (which is extra wide for this reason!).

While she was all worried about her flipping car, I thought about how my husband became disabled, through his service to our Country!
If you are really worried about your new cars getting dinged, then don’t park them next to a handicapped space. Especially on the line! We do the best we can, but things can happen.

I came home and did a little housework, made lunch and noted we got our first Christmas Card! Yay! I also had a box in the mail, with a mini travel blow drier. I usually do not need to have one because the hotels all have them now, but the second half of my trip is to go and visit people, and I will need a small blow drier to do my hair. It is cute, works well, and is very small!

Dinner is leftovers and I imagine it will be an early night for Arnie and me. I like to snuggle and get all comfy in bed on a cold winter’s night!

Down 7 Pounds

After my first week of really cracking down on myself, I’ve lost 7 pounds. I admit this is not easy. For a number of reasons, I am also determined to lose this weight.

First, there is nothing like turning 60 to give you a reality check. With cholesterol numbers that are far from impressive and blood sugars that go up and down like a yo-yo, I decided to be smart and just do this!

I eat three meals a day, plus I have a mid-afternoon snack. The snack has been an Atkins Shake. I do not use this as a meal, but as a snack because with 15 grams of protein, it really does give me a boost.

Do I miss bread, potatoes, and pasta? Probably the potatoes, but I’ve known for a while that pasta was not my friend, and very little bread thrills me these days, so no big loss. Now if I lived in Germany, with their awesome bread, it would be much tougher.

It’s sad to hear about George H. W. Bush. He was a good man, who tried his very best to serve his country. He also did not see Democrat or Republican after a person’s name and tried to work with everyone.

Loyal and true to the love of his life, Barbara Bush, the father of six children, and grandfather to 17 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was a loving and kind family man.

Rest in Peace, President Bush.

The Friday Five

Good Morning everyone! Here we are, the last day in November, and the first weekend in December! Wow! Did November fly by or what?

As the week closes, here are the five things that are the most prominent in my mind. In no particular order.

For those of you who do not already know, I am going to Disney in January with Mandy, Matt, Matt’s Mom, and Savannah and Quinn! The reservations are all made, and every time I look at what we will be doing, I smile and get excited and feel blessed that I will be sharing this special experience with the people I love. Look out Mickey Mouse, here we come!
Last night’s chicken disaster left more than drippings on me. I woke this morning with a pretty hefty bruise on the knuckle of my ring finger!

I have no idea how I got it either! But I would imagine in my attempt to grab the falling fat tray I must have struck it on the countertop. Ouch!
We had an interesting thing happen on Thursday morning. Arnie barked to go out, so I let him out and he ran up the hill to do his poops. I was watching him when out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of a large bird soaring overhead! The Eagle made one pass, then another, getting perilously close to the little dog.

(This is what he looked like, but this is a stock photo) Then I saw his large taloned feet come down and he was starting another pass over Arnie and I opened the door and screamed at Arnie to come. Well, Arnie is great and immediately headed toward me, and the Eagle flew off. When we lived in Florida, and Shubi was a puppy we had an Eagle who followed me every time I walked her. Then he took up residence on our sailboats mast, just waiting! Eagles go after little creatures all the time. Now, I do think Arnie is too big to be lifted up and carried away, but he could be seriously injured by those talons! My solution is simple. We now have what I will call “Lili Patrol“. The Eagle will stay away if the big dog is around.
I got out all the presents I have been buying over the course of the year for Christmas. Now I can wrap and get things ready. I also know, who I still need to get things for. I must say, this year I am amazing, calmly, ready for Christmas.
Just an update on Anneliese’s eye. The swelling has gone down, and although she still has the opaque coloring on it, it looks somewhat better. In fact, Anneliese has had more energy, and seems to actually feel better! I am so happy about this. Ten more days, (December 10th) Anneliese and Arnie will celebrate their 12th Birthday! It’s nice that they are both healthy and happy.

So here we are, the end of the week with a weekend before us. I wonder what mischief I can get into!

Go You Chicken Fat, Go Away!

I’d prepared a lovely meal for Jack and me, and I was in the final stages of cleaning it up when disaster struck!

Now although it was terrible, it is perfectly okay if you find yourself giggling, because in five or ten years I hope I am giggling too! Here’s what happened…

I’d made a lovely Perdue Rotisserie Dinner with a side of Asparagus and fries for Jack. Really it tasted great. The only problem with using the rotisserie is that it extracts a lot of fat from the bird, which goes into a drip pan underneath. The pan had a lot of chicken fat in it, and I was getting the fat can out from under the sink while holding the pan with all the fat, and suddenly, the fat can slipped, the pan with the fat flipped and I was covered in chicken fat!

It was no small accident. It was in my hair, all over my clothes, even onto my slippers! Needless to say, the countertop and the floor and the throw rugs all were covered as well! Ugh!

I stripped down quickly to my shorts and tank top, and took off my glasses and washed them and set them aside to dry. I grabbed a sponge, and a towel and started cleaning it all up. I got out the Clorox Wipes and after I got things cleaned, I took the scented sheets of Clorox (smells like Coconut), and wiped everything down again! Then I washed the floor.

Once that was done, I put the rest of my clothes and slippers in the wash and jumped into the shower to wash the chicken fat off of me!

I’d never given this much thought before, but I am here to tell you that being doused with chicken fat is gross, really gross! It was cold (thank goodness) and in some ways that made it even worse!

Now I am clean, and the first of three loads of laundry is washing in the basement.

I told Jack that this has to be one of the dumbest things I have ever done. He kept from laughing but managed an “I hope so”.

Ok, did you laugh? It’s okay if you did. Really I think in a few years I will be laughing too!

The Wednesday Medley

1. On November 28th, 1995, President Bill Clinton ended the 55 MPH nationwide speed limit that began in 1974 as an energy saving measure during the Mid-East oil embargo. If you are old enough to remember this (I sure am) did it make you happy? Do you have a heavy foot when driving or does 55 MPH sound good to you?

I do not have a heavy foot when driving but always felt that 55 was a silly speed limit on highways built for 65-70 miles an hour. Currently in New Hampshire, several of our highways are 70 mph. Otherwise, 65 on State highways is the norm.

2. You are home alone on a rainy/snowy Sunday afternoon. What Christmas movie will you watch?

Oh I love so many. First I love, “It’s A Wonderful Life”. After that, I love “The Bishops Wife”. Jack and I both enjoy “A Christmas Story” and we even visited the house in Ohio a few years back! I also love “Love Actually”.

3. What is something you have tried that you will never try again?

Roller coasters. I hate the feeling, in fact, I have dreams about being on roads that are roller coasters and often wake feeling sick. I think I will go on the kiddie coasters at Disney with Quinn!

4. Today is National French Toast Day!! Will you have some? Do you like French Toast?

Nope! I started the Atkins DIet and I haven’t cheated at all and I am seeing real results. (I do love French Toast!)

5. The Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center will be lighted today, as will the one at the White House in Washington, D.C. Do you have your tree up and is it lighted? Have you ever been in New York City or Washington, D.C. to see the trees all lit up during the holidays?

Yes, we do have out little tree up. Looks so pretty in the window against the snow. I haven’t been to tree lightings in big cities. I’m afraid I have a fear of large crowds. No rhyme or reason. I just do.

6. Tell us something random about this week of yours.

Well, I got my Christmas Cards addressed and mailed and paid our taxes! Today, since it is snowing still I am doing laundry and trying to catch up on some housework!

This & That On A Tuesday!

Well, it’s snowing again! I just let Lili out for a run in the yard, and we already have a very heavy dusting. They are forecasting anything from 3-8 inches for my area. We are right on the line. Could be snow, could be rain. I am thinking snow.

One fabulous thing about snow is that it hides a multitude of sins in our yard, in the town and just generally everywhere.

It’s after Thanksgiving now, so as we continue the maddening run up to Christmas, a blanket of snow just seems appropriate.

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For many years I have had a computer repair person here in town. This man is a genius, and he would come to our house, fix everything and was always reasonably priced. There was no problem that he couldn’t fix.

Well, I learned today that he has sold his business and gone to work for a larger company. His hours will be more regular and he will have a life. I know it is selfish, but I sure will miss him. He was so good at what he did, and fun to know.

I wish him the very best of luck!

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We’ve been taking Anneliese out with Arnie in the car now. She loves it. In fact, it is so funny to watch them head for the door when they hear the words “Post Office”!

Today we went to the local grocery store, and the dogs were waiting in the car with Jack. As I came out of the store, I looked toward the car and saw her adorable little face in the window. Can you see her little smile?

Anneliese.

It’s hard to believe in two weeks Arnie and Anneliese will be 12 years young!

Arnie.

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The Christmas Cards are finished and the last of them will go in the mail tomorrow. I am so happy! Writing them out by hand is a chore, but one I enjoy doing every year!

Merry Christmas!

It’s A Wrap

This past weekend I really kicked back and relaxed a lot. This doesn’t mean I did not accomplish things, but more that I took breaks in between my projects. As you know from yesterday’s post, I put up our little Christmas tree, but I also got out the Christmas Cards, and currently, I am up to the letter M. on the list.

I did a little shopping online for Christmas, cooked several meals, and wrote a few things.

I watched “Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet”, And another Veterinary show, but I cannot recall the name. It’s about Vets in Florida that specialize in rare animals. I even watched “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and a football game. The New England Patriots vs the Jets. The Pat’s won!

I backed up all my files on the laptop, and on Dackel Princess. I am ready to start a new year!

And best of all, I started thinking and working on my vacation to Disney with Mandy, Matt, the kids and Matt’s Mom in January! I’ll be at Disney for several days, and then I’m going to rent a car and go see some friends and family. I cannot think of any place else I would rather be than Florida in January!

I am literally counting down the days! It won’t be long now!

The Beauty Of The Seasons

As I was driving around today I was struck by the beauty that I don’t always see. Freshly fallen snow on the tops of mountains, Canadian Geese as the lake edge, feeding, as they prepare to head south for the long winter. Christmas lights are going up, and decorations as well. It was just so pretty!

I went to the grocery store today and found lovely steaks, pork chops and chicken for the next few days, and I purchased some Atkins shakes for a snack during the day. They are loaded with protein and low in carbs.

I brought out our little Christmas tree and decorated it for the season. It’s now in the back window and looks rather festive. I also put up a few decorations.

I used to decorate like crazy, but now with leaping Lili, I don’t dare. We’ll be down at Mandy’s for Christmas, so it is fine to have a little tree for the two of us.

I pulled out my Christmas Cards, and set them up on the kitchen table. Starting tomorrow I will be writing them out. If anyone wants to exchange cards, privately email me your address. My email is in the top right corner of the blog.

I’ve now made it through two days, and tonight it is not so bad. If I can just keep the momentum up I know I can do this!

No More Sugar

Thanksgiving always does this to me. I spent all of today trying to figure out what day it was. It could be the age thing, but honestly, this is a problem that has plagued me all my life.

I decided to kick back a little and evaluate the last few weeks of wild eating that I have been enjoying! It was time to face the music after weighing in on my bathroom scale. I could hear the Wicked Witch of the West laughing her evil laugh when the scale screamed, “Tilt”!

At first, I thought I would start my diet tomorrow. You know how that goes. You keep putting it off and then you’ve gained ten more pounds.

So while waiting for Jack to awaken, I read half the Atkins Diet book, found a web page with menus. So here I sit, on Friday at 6 PM and I am going through sugar withdrawal!

Oh I hate sugar! No, I love sugar! Oh darn, sugar is like crack to me and the only way to control it is to cut it out of my diet altogether.

But the first few days are the toughest and I am not feeling too happy right now! Grrrrrrrr!

Thanksgiving 2018

We woke Thanksgiving morning to 3 degrees Fahrenheit, and high winds. Not even the dackels wanted to be outside, and Lili raced out and right back in. The day was not fit for man or beast!

We had a nice breakfast, cleaned up and headed out. The traffic wasn’t too bad, and we made it down in an hour and 15 minutes. That’s when the real fun began!

Savannah takes after her Oma with her tiara! She was trying to teach me about being a Princess and having magical powers! It was a lot of fun!

Quinn, Savannah their Nana, their Daddy, and their other grandfather all worked making Gingerbread Houses. It was fun to watch them work on the houses!

While the kids worked on this, we finished up the dinner in the kitchen and ate a few appetizers.

Then it was time for the meal to go on the table. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, butternut squash (OMG! So, good!), broccoli, beans, rolls, mashed potatoes (my daughter makes the best!), cranberry sauce (homemade by my cousin, Janet!), and rolls too!

We called the family in, and we all gathered around the table. The meal was served and we all set about eating. This means it got very quiet, except for the sounds of people oohing and aahing and enjoying Thanksgiving!

As you can see Jack enjoyed himself a lot. I swear, our wedding pictures of him didn’t come out as well!

We all ate ourselves silly, but oh, it was so good! We somehow even managed to eat Rachel’s homemade pumpkin pie! Oh my goodness I had a big slice, and it was heavenly!

Meanwhile, back at our home, the three dogs were being tended to by our wonderful doggy sitter, Grace. She came and walked them and came back later and fed them and took very good care of them.

Soon we all were feeling exhausted and left to go back to our homes. We arrived to this happy greeting crew! Lovely to be missed!