Dackel Princess

Life Or Something Like It

I suppose everyone has days like this. I was running around trying to leave here by 9:45 yesterday morning, as both Jack and I had doctor’s appointments. I was doing fairly well, and I was pleased with this, and feeling confident the day would go well.

On the way down, despite my warnings, Jack was still driving too fast. It’s his days as a pilot, I tell you. He has never understood, that it is fast in the sky and slow on the ground! He did not get stopped, but I felt the need to nag and pull my seatbelt a little tighter.

We got down in plenty of time, and we each went our own ways to see our doctors. The plan was, see our doctors and go for a nice leisurely lunch before returning for Jack’s second appointment.

My appointment went well. My doctor weighed me and on her scale, since my last visit, I had lost 11 pounds! My blood pressure was down and perfect and everything else was looking good.

She asked about the changes in my eating and I explained that I was off sugar, limiting carbs and eating fresh vegetables and protein. Some fruit too! She liked what she was seeing and hearing, so despite my somewhat horrible cholesterol levels, she is giving me three months to get that inline. Also, since my blood sugar levels didn’t look too well last time, this three-month reprieve will also give me a chance to get all that under control too!

However, my infected thumb was a concern, so she sent me to Dermatology next and there went our long leisurely lunch. I had just enough time for a quick salad before seeing, Joe. Our favorite Dermatology PA. He checked out the infection and prescribed an antibiotic for two weeks. I hope this will clear up the infection and allow my thumb to heal.

Jack’s second appointment was with his Primary Care Doctor, and my concern for his health prompted me to sit in. This proved to be a good thing, as I found that he doesn’t tell her everything she needs to know to treat him successfully. I really like his doctor and by the time we left she’d scheduled blood work, x-rays and a shot for pain, physical therapy, and an evaluation before getting an injection in his hip.

As we left her office I heard from a very dear friend of mine that the results of her testing showed Stage 4 Cancer. It is not operable. She will see the Oncologists today, but she felt that there is probably nothing they can do.

The ride home seemed to take forever. I just wanted to get home, make a small dinner and call my friend back so we could talk. We did, but I felt devastated by her news and such love for this woman.

I sat, not doing anything, but feeling the waves of grief wash over me.

So, at the end of a good and productive day for us personally, was this news, more devastating than I can explain.

As I said, I’m sure everyone has days like this. But, it doesn’t make it any easier to endure.

Happy 12th Birthday, Arnie & Anneliese

Twelve years ago, in the early morning hours, Greta went into labor. I was so excited to welcome her first litter of puppies, and I sat with her as she began the long journey to motherhood.

A few hours later, Arnie, Anneliese and three of their sisters made their debut.

This was the start of something neither Jack or I had ever experienced. Having two pups, brother and sister, from the moment of their birth, for their entire life.

It’s pretty amazing. Watching these two grow and emerge as two sweet, yet very different pups.

We knew we were keeping Anneliese. I loved the look of her and felt that she would carry on the Dackel Princess line, in her time.

Arnie, who is so sweet, loving and laid back. Here he is at a month old. A handsome boy then and now.

Arnie was actually sold to a woman from New York State. On the day she was due to pick him up, she called and canceled as her life was falling apart. She explained it all to me on the phone. I listened and gently told her she needed this dog. But she said no.

Arnie was 12 weeks old and I was really crazy about him. So was Jack and so was our young neighbor Emily. He was due to leave on that Saturday and by Monday morning we knew that Arnie was staying with us.

Here they are the first year of their life together. Best friends always.

Below is a short montage of their life together, with us. I feel so blessed to have had these two pups in my life every single day of their life. In many ways, although Greta was their biological Mom, I have been their forever Mom all these years.

They both are one of my life’s greatest blessings. The years of faithful love and companionship are truly priceless.

A Little Music

Just a little Christmas Music to start your Sunday!

Simple Saturday

It was another super busy day on Friday. My day started before sunrise. I’ve been waking between 4-5 AM each day and I’ve been unable to get back to sleep. Oh well, I’ve been really productive and in many ways I’ve been enjoying the two hours, sipping coffee, in the dark, before the world stirs.

I do need to try to work my way out of this new habit, however, as usually this time of the year finds me happily, almost hibernating.

I’ve continued to wrap gifts, and I’ve been using my iPod to sing while I am doing this. Oddly enough, I’m not singing Christmas Carols, but rock hits from the 1970’s! It keeps me moving right along.

My healthy eating plan is going well and I’m eating better than I have in many years. I am actually fitting back in a pair of jeans and feeling pretty good about it!

Jack and I have doctor’s appointments on Monday and we need to catch a quick lunch. He was all for going out for Chinese food, but I told him that I just couldn’t. We’ve found a new place to try where they have great, fresh, salads.

I am going to lose this weight, I am determined!

The Friday Five

Another week has come and gone. There are eighteen days until Christmas and 43 days until I leave here for my trip to Disney. I feel like a little kid and I want to jump up and down and whoop it up! Christmas and Disney after, does it get any better?

So as the weekends, here are five things I am thinking about.

After my first and second cup of coffee today, I puttered around doing things that need to be done. I started a load of laundry, pulled out some fish for dinner, hung the Christmas Cards we gotten, put things away from the countertops and walked the dogs a few times. In other words, I have been productive!
I’ve been collecting items I will be needing for my trip. I have not traveled long distance for several years. So there are some things I needed, that I did not have. I got out a tote bag and have put those things into it, and parked it in my closet.
My plan after breakfast is to vacuum the house. That’s it. Just vacuum. I have a three bedroom, three bathrooms, large kitchen, large family room, and a living room and dining room to do. This is a very big house. I know by the time that is done, my shoulder will be aching, so I will take the afternoon off.
Well, maybe not completely off. I would like to do some gift wrapping too. But I can sit in the dining room and wrap up gifts. There are quite a few left to do. Make that a lot. I only have a few things done.
This weekend I would like to get out a few of my favorite Christmas movies and watch those. The Bishops Wife, Love Actually, and Miracle on 34th Street. I have already watched It’s A Wonderful Life, to start my Christmas Season.

Thoughts

Wednesday was the National Funeral for President George H.W. Bush. I watched it, as I longed for the familiarity of the Episcopal Service.

I was Baptized as an Episcopalian. For those in England and Australia, the Episcopal Church is very much like The Church of England and the Anglican Church.

I never thought about it too much growing up, but in my thirties, I served my Church as a Eucharistic Minister. I loved doing that. I felt I was helping people to feel the peace of God

When we moved back to New Hampshire, there was far too much in the way of politics going on in the Episcopal Church here, and so I fell away from it. I was secure that God loved me and I know I love God, so we’re good.

Today I watched the Service for President Bush. I will tell you that I cried. Was I crying for him? For his family, for the loss of such a special man?

I think a little. Mostly I found myself crying, remembering those I have loved and lost. My Grandmother was truly devoted to the Church. I felt myself thinking about her and missing her. My father, my mother, and grandfather. Yes. I missed them all.

And I felt a loss again of my brother who passed at the age of 26. I remember so many times Mom dragged us to Church and some of the hilarity that occurred. Like when my brother fell asleep at Christmas Eve Mid-Night Service and then slid under the pew!

I thought of my little girl who was Baptized in the Church. As well as weddings, funerals and other Baptisms.

I recited the Liturgy, I sang with the songs, so familiar to me. I laughed and I cried, and at the end of the day, I am feeling a little tired and emotional.

I think I need a good night sleep tonight and then a fresh start tomorrow. Rest in Peace George H.W. Bush. May your Eternal Life include your beloved wife Barbara and your little girl, Robin.

The Wednesday Medley

1. On December 5, 1901, Walt Disney was born. Have you been to Disneyland or Disney World? Can you share a favorite Disney memory?

I went a long, long, time ago before all the extras were added. Although they did have Epcot. I’m actually going in January with my daughter’s family. I’m so excited to have this time with my grandchildren! I’m counting down the days.

2. The first roller coaster attraction at Walt Disney World was Space Mountain. Do you/did you like roller coasters?

I’ve been on Space Mountain, and I used to go on Roller Coasters. I no longer do, however. I do not like the feeling. But, if Quinn wants to ride on the Kiddie Coaster, I will go on that with him.

3. The very first fairy tale that Walt Disney made a cartoon about was Little Red Riding Hood. Did you enjoy fairy tales when you were a youngster or did they scare you? Did you have a favorite?

I’ve always loved Fairy Tales. No, they didn’t scare me at all, although Bambi made me cry. My favorite Fairy Tale? Snow White, Mary Poppins, Cinderella. I loved them all.

4. In Lady & the Tramp, Tramp’s real name was Butch! Do you have nicknames for your fur-babies and/or for your children?

I do have funny nicknames for all the dogs. Arnie is “Mr. Arnie Man“, also he is called, “The Man/Boy“. Anneliese (pronounced Ahna-Lee-Sah), has the nicknames “Lisa-Marie“, “Lisa“, and “Bibi-Ann“. Lili is simple and straightforward. “Lili-Beans“,” Miss Bean-a-reen-o“, “Miss Beans“.

5. I can’t let this day go by without respecting George H.W. Bush, as he lays in state in the Rotunda of our Capital today. He was our 41st President and only the second father to have a son follow him as President of the United States. President Bush loved his colorful socks. I bought Joe a pair of George H.W. Bush socks for Christmas one year. I know Myra has a pair… any other bloggers checking in today who have a pair of the Presidential socks in a drawer at home? How do you feel about colorful socks?

I’m so straight-laced that I don’t own anything too wild. Although in recent years I have started to actually wear Paisleys.

6. Please tell us something random about your week!

Well, I took down the tree, got all the lights off of it, which was tricky because 20 years ago when a tree was self-lit, they clamped the lights into the branches. I had to cut each and every one off! It took me forever! In the process, I discovered the second set of lights was also bad.

So, I hopped on over to Job Lots and bought two 100 light strings, and after lunch, I set about decorating the tree. I think it came out better than the first!

My Tree

I was sitting here finishing up my dinner when I glanced over at the little Christmas tree. I noticed the white lights on the top half of the tree were searingly bright. Uh-oh! Usually, lights do this right before they burn out.

Sure enough, right as we finished up, I looked over at the tree and the lights are off. Holy, Moly!

After thinking this over and debating the final solution, I decided that tomorrow morning I will completely take the tree apart, remove the bad string of lights and restring the entire tree with new ones.

Then I had another genius idea!

At the end of this Christmas Season, I will put a clean sheet around it, and store it until next year.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy decorating Christmas Trees, but stringing the lights and all that is not my thing.

All will be well in the end. I just didn’t think I would have to put up two trees this year!

It’s All About…

Enjoying life!

I saw this on Face book and just had to share it. Children are wonderful and so are their furry friends!

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!