Dackel Princess

Blessed

I was thinking as I lay in bed last night trying to get to sleep, that the last year has been crazy. The surgeries, the infection and of course dealing with my health insurance company, who refused to pay a large chunk of the infection expenses, that I wish 2017 had never happened!

But then, it dawned on me! I am so blessed!

It started at the very beginning of the year with all the loving family and friends who prayed for me, during the surgery and infection time. I know, if it had not been for you all, I would not have gotten through. Your calls, cards, emails and prayers gave me the strength to get through.

Then, I look at the love of my daughter, Mandy and grandchildren Savannah & Quinn, and I know that every hug and kiss and smile, giggle and joke (Savannah loves jokes!) pulled me out of depression and made me feel alive again!

Mandy, Matt, Savannah & Quinn!

A friend from Germany came for a surprise visit, and spent a week with us. Karin is such a sweet and kind woman, and I am so happy she and I have become good friends.

Even Jack’s amputation had positive things happening around it. Our family and friends were wonderful, and I learned something about myself. I learned that I truly am strong and can handle a crisis. I also learned to care for Jack in a new way, and this drew us closer together.

I was in touch with my step children. Well, not really children anymore, but this year found me reconnecting with them and their spouses and I feel really good about that!

I went to my 40th High School Reunion and had a chance to spend one evening with people I have known since Nursery School. Although not everyone in our class came, it was a fabulous turnout!

And since I was going to Falmouth for the weekend, my sister Melodie, and cousin Janet, came with me and we shared a hotel room and had one heck of a pajama party! We got to walk on the beach along the shore, visit homes where we had lived and even sat quietly soaking up the ocean air! This is something that brings all three of us great peace!

Janet, Melodie & Me!

A dear friend from the past found her way back into my life, and brought with her a husband and their first child. If you look back at entries from eleven years ago when Arnie and Anneliese were born, (December 10, click here) you will see pictures of Emily as a child. She is all grown up and back to talking and texting with me!

Since I was rather house-bound this year I did two things to prepare for Christmas. I took advantage of Amazon Prime Day and I crocheted my granddaughter a very special afghan. Thus, by the end of November all my shopping was done and I spent only one afternoon wrapping. This was truly a no stress Pre-Christmas time for me.

I spent a day in October with my cousin to go for a girls luncheon at one of our favorite restaurants. Afterward we drove around the back roads of New Hampshire enjoying the foliage!

Then in November, we had Janet and Dave up for Thanksgiving, along with Dave’s son Kevin and grandson, Isaiah. It was a wonderful day, and although I was a tad disappointed with two of the dishes I’d cooked, I think all in all, the meal was a success!

Thanksgiving!

Christmas was so wonderful this year. It was a combination of three families, who love the children, getting together and enjoying the heck out of the day. In fact I think one of the nicest things that has happened over the last few years is that my former husband and I have become friends again, so we can enjoy times with our daughter and grandchildren together. And after 10 years, Matt’s parent are now family as well.

Greta is doing fairly well. At nearly 14, Greta is comfortable due to a wonderful medication. She can’t see too well, and her hearing is going, but she is happy and snuggles with me every day. She still loves life, and that is all I ask.

Arnie and Anneliese, at 11 years old are doing very well. In fact I think Arnie is probably the healthiest of the dachshunds, as he acts rather like a puppy still. His sister, Anneliese has become friends with Lili, in fact, when Anneliese goes outside, should she disappear in our yard, I tell Lili “Go get Anneliese!” and she does, and she herds her back home. Occasionally at night, Anneliese will asked to leave our bedroom and go and sleep snuggled with Lili!

So, I am happy this year, despite the rough ride. Love has won out and as 2017 comes to a close, I feel so very blessed! As Clarence the Angel tells George Bailey in ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’,

“Dear George, Remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings, Love, Clarence.”

Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time!

Christmas came and went, almost in the blink of an eye! It started the night before up here, with a forecast for a Christmas Day Snow Storm.

Jack and I got up, peered out the window to find a heavy dropping of snow on the ground and on the driveway! We had loaded up the car the night before, and so we ate a nice breakfast with German Stollen Bread, and then dressed in our Christmas finery and tossed on an extra blanket, shovel and gloves, and headed out to drive the 73 miles to my daughter’s home in southern New Hampshire.

It took us well over two hours to make a one hour and fifteen minute trip! The first roads we drove, routes 104 and 95 south, had not even been plowed! Fortunately, our Highlander is really good in the snow and Jack is an excellent driver! Once we got south of Concord, (the Capital of New Hampshire), the roads had been plowed and we didn’t have too much trouble.

When we arrived, Matt was snow blowing their drive, and so we were able to pull right up to the house. Good thing, as our car was loaded with presents and food!

The tree was laden with gifts and before we knew it, the kids and adults were all tearing into their gifts. It was a wonderful magical time.

This year, I made Savannah an afghan. She opened that first and came running to me, with the blanket wrapped around her, telling me how much she loved it!

Quinn was busy tearing into his gifts. He acts so grown up, that several times we remarked that it is hard to believe he is not yet two!

The next hour or so was organized chaos as both kids and adults alike, opened their gifts and drank Christmas cheer! Savi opened her American Girl doll and clothes and of course, being the girlie girl she is, fell in love. She has renamed Willa, Leah!

Quinn got Little People Trucks and cars as well as a Cars III Lightening McQueen! His favorite! He also got a Bolt stuffed animal and he knew who that was and kept saying Bolt, Bolt, Bolt!

Before we knew it, and we had filled three trash cans and two trash bags with wrapping, the presents were opened and we all sat back to enjoy our presents.

My most unbelievable and best present was a gorgeous, navy blue ladies COACH handbag! I have seen COACH bags in my day, but never owned one. This year, my daughter decided it was time that I did! It is gorgeous!

Then Mandy and I got into the kitchen to cook the dinner. She did all the work, and I was simply the table setter and back up. We had Ham and Cod, and Shrimp with mashed potatoes, green beans and my carrot casserole, which Savannah wasn’t sure she would like, but it turned out she did! Oh and I made yeast rolls, but next time I will cook them about 5 minutes longer!

Dessert was apple pie and ice cream, and then we set about watching the kids play until Quinn climbed into his Mommy’s lap and fell asleep!

It was this picture that made me realize that Quinn really is still a baby, even though he does his best to act like a grown up child like his sister.

There was so much love there yesterday and I feel very grateful to have all of my family. It truly was Merry Christmas!

Merry, Merry, Christmas!!!

From our home to yours

(Greta, with her first litter, including Arnie Blue collar & Anneliese, green collar),

Merry Christmas!!!

Special Gifts

When I was a little girl, Mom always made sure we had things under the tree. She was the primary shopper and I guess you could say she was Santa’s Helper. Dad was there. He posed for pictures and laughed and enjoyed those days, but present buying wasn’t his thing. Here is a picture when I was about 3 or 4 years old. Back then, I was Daddy’s little girl.

But when we got into our teen years something wonderful happened. Dad, who had previously not known what to get us for Christmas, discovered that the Pharmacy was open every Christmas morning! He would go out to get the news papers and do a little shopping for us. Dolls, life savers, crossword puzzles, horoscope books for the year, chap stick, funny hats, books, etc. I loved it. It was all sorts of crazy, funny, stuff, but to me it was priceless, because it had come from my Dad.

Me, age 12, Christmas.

I look back now and I realize how wonderfully special this was. No, Dad didn’t spend a lot of money, but he did, every year, go out and buy me gifts just from him.

The Friday Five

Well folks, this is the last Friday until after Christmas. I was out today to go for an appointment, and to pick up a prescription. My Pharmacy is in my local grocery store. I could not believe how crowded our little grocery store was! My prescriptions weren’t quite ready, so I poked around the store and what should call my name as I passed the meat counter? A small leg of lamb! Yes, it called to me! “Maribeth, take me home! I am just the right size for you and Jack!” And the package just hopped into my cart!

I also picked up a few things I missed yesterday when I did our big shopping, and while paying today’s bill, I came to the realization that grocery stores are dangerous places for me! Since I love to cook and prepare meals, going in there almost always finds me buying something to make for Jack!

Anyway, here are five things going on in my mind, as the week ends, and we prepare to celebrate Christmas with our family.

My wrapping is done! I put on several Christmas movies and got all my wrapping paper out, and wrapped my presents. What movies did I watch?
“The Bishops Wife” The old version with Loretta Young, Cary Grant and David Niven. Then I watched, “Love Actually”. That’s a movie that I can watch almost any time. Besides be set at Christmas, the movie is really all about LOVE! and lastly the first “The Santa Claus”. I love that movie as it expresses so much about the magic of Christmas!
My favorite Christmas movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I will watch that on Christmas Eve, along with Jack’s favorite movie, “A Christmas Story”. That movie is probably more memorable now that we have visited the house where they filmed the movie.
Christmas Eve will find me baking for Christmas Day. Mandy asked me to bring a few things, so I am making an Apple Pie and Carrot Casserole.
Then for the next two days I can sort of kick back and relax. Which will be really difficult, because I am so excited about seeing the kids open their gifts on Christmas! Which goes to show you, no matter your age, you never really outgrow Christmas!

The above stars are a gift from a very special friend! Thank you, Karin!

Happy Birthday, Mandy

Today is my daughter’s birthday. She is all grown up now, with children of her own, and she is an amazing mother to them!

It all started way back when, on a bitterly cold December day. I remember seeing her tiny face for the first time and falling head over heels in love with my baby!

Mandy is all around wonderful, and I am so proud to be her Mum. She is a self made woman, with a wide variety of interests and a way of creating a peaceful and calm environment around her.

She may not always see that, but when I look at her home, her children and those of us that love her, I see a certain beauty that cannot be missed.

So today my dearest daughter, please know, you have all of my love, all my admiration and forever my devotion. Happy Birthday!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. ‘Hurry less, worry less’…what’s your strategy for making that happen this holiday season? How’s it going so far?

Both Hurry Less and Worry Less. I started by starting my Christmas shopping back in August. By the end of November, I was nearly done. And today I have just two gifts left to get! Now by doing this, I worried less and that felt great! I think I will do this every year!

2. Do you have a list of to-dos that need accomplishing in order to prepare your home and/or property for the winter season? What are some of the jobs on your list? Are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone to accomplish these tasks?

Leaves needed to be raked and dropped apples needed to be picked up in order to keep the mice from taking up residence in our yard and eating our trees. Currently it is snowing like crazy, and we expect to get 5-9 inches. If it snows like this all day, then I’m thinking closer to nine inches. The snow plow is all set t go and we have plenty of gas for it. All we need now is a delivery of oil by Friday!

3. According to dietitians surveyed, the most popular health foods for 2018 will be -turmeric, sprouted foods (bean sprouts, breads with sprouted grains, etc), veggies in place of grains, dairy free milk, and pulses (lentils, chickpeas, etc). What’s the first thought that ran through your head when you read this list? Of the foods listed which one might you add to your regular diet? Also, can milk really be dairy free? Is it still milk?

Ugh! Seriously. On that list, about the only thing I really love are brussell sprouts. The rest just, well sound unappealing!

4. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet. According to the Pantone site ‘Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking pointing us to the future.’ What say you? Do you like the color purple? Did you see the movie or read the book-ha!? Is purple a color you wear often? Describe for us one purple item in your home without using the word purple. If you were in charge of such things what color would you select for 2018?

Now Ultra Violet is not warm in any way. Purple, lavender, although cousins to Ultra Violet, are a lot more warm. I tend to wear lavender more than any of the purple colors. Did not read the book, but saw the movie. No purple items. Light Rose would be the color!

5. Favorite book read this year?

The Anniversary release of “Diana: Her True Story–in Her Own Words”. It was really interesting to read what Princess Diana actually said in her interview tapes.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My decorating is done in the house, and here is a total shocker! I went into my office yesterday and went through three piles of filing, and guess what? Due to the fact that I can now access things on the computer, I threw out nearly the entire three piles! After that I felt so good! In fact, it felt so good, I intend to purge my file boxes! Woo-hoo! The office may actually get done!

Happy 11th Birthday Arnie & Anneliese

Can you believe this? The two doggies that I still refer to as my puppies, are 11 years old today! I simply cannot believe it! I know, stop being repetitive, but really, I can’t believe it!

14 years ago I traveled to Germany with Jack and brought home baby Greta. In time we found Greta a handsome German husband, Bernie, and together they created five beautiful puppies, two of which ended up staying in our home.

We’d actually decided to keep Anneliese, and Arnie had been sold. But on the day he was supposed to go, the prospective owner, changed her mind. The puppies were 12 weeks old then, and we were smitten. So, Arnie stayed.

It’s actually been a very special experience for us. When you have two sibling puppies from the moment they draw breath onward. You watch how they learn to play with each other, how they learn to share with each other, but over the years you watch their bond of love deepen. For Jack and I, we believe it’s been one of the greatest gifts we have ever had.

In due time, after being judged twice by German Judges, we decided to breed Anneliese. She had four beautiful puppies.

Anneliese

Arnie

Although I wanted to breed Arnie, no one was interested in him. Apparently they thought he was just another pretty face.

They are both healthy and happy and going strong in life. They cuddle with me at night, or if I am sitting in my chair. We have been blessed.

So, let’s take a look back with this short montage of their lives. Anneliese was the green collar baby pup in the film and Arnie the blue collar pup. Enjoy!

Arnie and Anneliese Birthday from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

The Friday Five

So, here we are, another week has flown by. Hard to believe, but in just a few more weeks 2017 will be over, and we will be starting a New Year! So here are my Friday Five for the holiday season.

Looking back I can absolutely say that I am glad 2017 is coming to an end! I felt very much like we were being challenged medically all throughout the year!
I can safely say that I do not want to have another operation for the rest of my life. The Staph infection really scared the heck out of me.
And to have Jack’s infected Toe and amputation come right on the heels of my illness, just seemed to add insult to injury!
But we are all doing well, even my old lady Greta, who seems to have bounced back. So as we enter the Christmas Season, all is calm, all is bright!
I have just three more presents to get and then I am done for the year! Let the wrapping begin!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What title would you give this current chapter of your life?

Then middle. I feel like I have reached the good solid middle part of my life. I know who I am, I like who I am and things have settled around me.

2. December 6 is National Microwave Oven Day. Who knew? Besides popcorn and coffee reheats, what’s the most common thing you microwave? Could you get along without a microwave?

Leftovers. I believe in using everything you can. Never throw out food unless it has a beard!

3. If you could insert yourself into any Christmas carol and experience the lyrics in real life, which Christmas carol lyric would you choose and why?

This song gives me a happy and warm feeling. Family, happiness, and love.

4. Describe the most beautiful drive you’ve ever taken.

That’s hard, because I have taken so many. However one of the most beautiful and breathtaking was the drive from Seattle, Washington, to San Diego, California on the Coastal Highway. Breathtakingly beautiful!

5. What’s something on your Christmas list this year? (an actual list or figuratively speaking, either one)

I want new family room furniture. But since that isn’t going to happen any time soon, I would like Time. Time with my daughter. Time with my grandchildren and time with my husband. Since this is a big year coming up for us, Jack will be 80, we will have been married 30 years, and I will turn 60 years old! I would love to plan something great, just not sure what it is yet.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Christmas is coming, the Goose is getting fat….Well, not exactly, but Christmas is coming and I have just a few more things to get for the holiday. I did most all of my Christmas shopping in October and November, so it’s just the last few things. What about you?