Dackel Princess

Greta Is An Old Lady Now

A while back I noticed that at night, Greta was having a problem with minor leaking incontinence. I called my Vet to ask if I could do anything. She told me about some pills to use to help strengthen her sphincter.

I went and got a prescription from her and came home and gave Greta her first dose. A few hours later, I thought I might lose my dog.

Greta began to cry and to pace back and forth. She could not sit still, and her cries became louder and more pathetic. I tried to hold her to comfort her, but nothing I did helped. I got no sleep that night as I was too busy praying for my little dog to be okay.

In the morning, I read all I could about Proin and found out that this is really a nasty medication, that is no longer available for people (Dexatrim) and many pet owners wrote in about the ill effects on their pets.

I swear by all that is holy, I will not give Greta another one of these tablets! I got out her old seasonal (estrus) panties and a Kotex pad and I put these on her at night. I put a plastic sheet under her doggy bed, and she now lies in her bed, on my bed and everyone is happy.

The Medical Reports Are In

Yesterday I had my yearly skin check with my Dermatologist. I stripped down naked, and was scanned top to toe and got a clean bill of health! No cancer, not even a questionable area. See you in a year!

Then I went over to the Medical Center for my next appointment, but stopped to grab some lunch beforehand. This was a full Glaucoma screening, and I had about half an hour before hand to eat.

I splurged. I had one fabulous slice of Sbaro cheese pizza. It has been forever since I have had pizza. I think the last time was when Mandy had Pizza for Savi’s 2nd birthday. Note to self. Pizza is good in small amounts.

While I ate I texted with my cousin, Janet and called Hubby to check in. It was a nice long relaxing lunch. I know, 30 minutes doesn’t seem long, but when you are alone, 30 minutes is plenty of time.

So, after I went up stairs to meet the Glaucoma Specialist. First I had a series of three tests. The most tedious being the visual field. Oh my goodness, that was so boring, and although the technician said I did well, I will tell you, my brain felt fried by the end.

The Technicians were all terrific. Especially the Visual Field Tech. She was a hoot. Once these preliminary tests were done I was taken to an exam room.

Now I must say that I go to a pretty large and important Medical Center in our area. It is a teaching hospital, and all the doctors wear dress clothes with their white coats. After 16 years of being a patient there, I am used to this. In fact, I sort of like it, and it makes me feel secure. (Crazy right?)

Well my new doctor came in wearing a jersey cotton jogging suit! He seemed quite nice, but made a few sort of off color political jokes (He is Canadian) and I felt a wee bit uncomfortable.

However, on the good side of all of this, is the fact that I came through with flying colors. No Glaucoma! I think the reasons that my Retinal Surgeon wanted to rule this out was the fact that my family history is very strong. My sister has had this for over ten years, and she has had surgery on her eyes twice.

Thank you to God, that for once I don’t have something!

Friday Five

The week raced by me, as I was pretty busy and not paying attention to much. Actually I was paying attention to a few things, but somehow sitting down and writing about them just didn’t happen. So here are 5 things from my week.

The most important thing was that I got to drive down, visit with my daughter and grandson, and hold sweet Quinn in my arms. He is three weeks old now, but still curls into the fetal position, and snuggles warmly against your heart. He has the fairest of blondish/reddish hair and very light eyes. So very handsome. I held this little guy close to me and my heart grew three sizes at least! Being an Oma to two beautiful and healthy children is a dream come true for me.
My daughter is looking wonderful. Quinn’s birth was tough on her, but she finally has color back in her cheeks and is feeling better. I will tell you that I admire my daughter so much. Amanda is an amazing woman!
I need a root canal. I am not happy about it, (who is) but I trust my Endodontist so much, that I am not worried about it too much. Trust me, I am looking forward to the end of pain.
My little old Lady Greta is having a few little health problems and I have spent more time at the Vet’s this week than I really wanted. However, I understand that this is a problem I can take care of with daily medication. Greta is my girl and I will do anything to make her life happier and healthier.
Today is skin cancer screening day. I will go over, strip naked, and have my entire body checked. My Dermatologist is a lovely lady, and I have every confidence in her.

So, it’s been a busy week, and I am looking forward to a rather quiet and relaxed weekend. I have a few small projects to work on, but I also would like to enjoy some reading time and some movie time.

Whatever your weekend plans may be, I hope you have a really good time!

Easter

Easter came to us over the weekend. I do not often talk about my spirituality, but I will tell you, that I am a devout Christian. I have believed in the love of Jesus Christ all my life, and I do believe that he died for us, and one day, I will dwell in the afterlife, in the house of the Lord.

John 14:2 King James Version
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

Many of the difficult times in my life, when I would have fallen by the wayside, I got through, because of my faith.

John 3:16 King James Version
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I spent Easter, with Hubby, and the two of us spoke of life, the world, and the challenges facing us all. Most things I am powerless to change. But I can pray to God for his care for all of our world.

I hope your Easter was spent with family and with love in your hearts. Oh yes, and perhaps a little chocolate too!

Happy Easter

Friday Five

The Hubby Edition

Time is flying by. In short order, March will be over and with the start of April, Hubby and I will celebrate 28 years of marriage. It still amazes me. Not that we have been married that long, but well, it has flown by, and it seems like just the other day that we said “I Do.”

So here’s my Friday Five: The Hubby Edition.

I’ve known Hubby a long time. We were friends for years, before our first marriages ended and even then, it took a while for us to date.
One thing I learned from this is that friendship is so important in a long term relationship. I cannot imagine being with someone for this long, if I didn’t like them too!
No matter if I am home, or traveling around the world, Hubby is the first person I want to speak with in the morning, and the last person I want to talk to at night.
Hubby was there for me as a friend, when no one else was. He didn’t tell me what to do, or anything. He listened. This taught me a great lesson. There will be times in your life that being a good listener is the greatest gift you can give.
With this man, I have finally understood what real love is. I thought I knew, but real love is a combination of so many things. And I have been lucky enough to find this deep and abiding love, with my Hubby.

TBT: Back In Time

Recently I heard of the plans for my High School’s 40th Reunion. Forty Years since we graduated from school!

My High School graduation picture.

How on earth did that happen? It seems like just yesterday that we were carefree kids on Cape Cod. Going to school September through June and then the summers…the summers on the Cape growing up, were so magical.

In my youth Mom would pack a cooler with sandwiches and soda’s and we had another bag with blankets and towels, and Mom’s latest read.

We would walk down to the beach from our house, a mere five minute walk, and stay the day. As a real little one I took swimming lessons, but God made me a fish, and before I knew it I literally lived in the water until my lips were blue and Mom would pull me out to warm up.

In my teens I worked part time at various things. Baby sitting, as a shoe store clerk, and in a stationary shop. But there was always time for my greatest love. The Ocean.

So, I was thinking about going to this year’s event. I’m not one to spend money on myself, but this is important. I want to see some of these people, and I want to visit my hometown again.

A classmate arranged for descent hotel rooms at one of the local Inns. I snagged a single room, very small, just for me. Having never done anything like this before, I plan to go and do the things I want to do.

There are walks I want to take, a specific drive I want to make and people I want to stop and see. Most of all, I want to take some time, quietly, just for me. Something I never do.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Has spring sprung in your little corner of the world? Other than the calendar how would I know? What’s your favorite thing about spring?

My favorite thing about Spring is the longer daylight hours. In many ways Spring has sprung. The ice is off our Lake, the snow is gone from our yard, and there are buds on the trees!

2. Besides the weather, what’s put a spring in your step recently?

A new little grandson, Quinn Wallace! He is such a sweetie and much loved by his entire family.

3. How does Easter impact you?

It’s the day our dear Lord rose from the grave, and gave us eternal life. Jesus, his life, his work and his very being, gives me hope.

4. I saw this somewhere on Facebook and thought it would make a fun Hodgepodge question. Which of the following would you find most disappointing…

a just stuffed taco shell breaking open and spilling out before you take the first bite? dropping a just-purchased Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts coffee? opening the peanut butter jar and finding it empty? upending onto the sidewalk a just-purchased ice cream cone? a burnt bagel popping up in your toaster when you’re rushing breakfast? or cutting into an avocado and finding out it’s rotten?

Oh now Joyce, those are all quite a conundrum! A broken taco shell, an empty peanut butter jar and a burnt bagel would not ruin my day.

However, the loss of a coffee, ice cream cone, and a rotten avocado have been known to move me to tears!

5. What’s something held together with tape at your house? Or a paper clip? Or a wing and a prayer?

An old Clipper Ship Plaque that we have above our fireplace. Hubby loves that thing. So it is held together on a wing and a prayer.

6. Do you feel underappreciated? In what way?

Not really.

7. What’s something you’d build if you knew how?

A cell phone charging station. I know what I want, but I refuse to pay the outragous price that is being charged. I know I can do it for less!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Once again I am appalled at the carnage and brutality of the radical Islamic attacks, which took place in Belgium. I believe that we must all band together to fight ISIS, or we shall all suffer at their hands.

Good News-Bad News

I spent the entire day on Sunday, out of bed and I watched soccer and movies and a few first run episodes of my favorite shows. Life is getting back to being normal, post flu, and it is good.

The bad news was that yesterday morning, Hubby woke up coughing. I yelled, No, No, No! But he continued to cough all day long. Ugh!!!

The good news is that he has no fever, or any of the other symptoms, so he may escape (and me too) with just a simple cold.

After welcoming Spring in yesterday, with the bluest of skies and the brightest of sunshine, I woke today to heavy snow. We really have not had much snow, and it is pretty, but I am so over winter!

Today one of us must venture out to the grocery store. I am out of bread, eggs and half and half for my coffee and tea. You know, the important things!

Have a great Monday!

Up And Around

I have finally surfaced after 5 days snuggled under all my covers in my bedroom. The TV was on Marathon episodes of Blue Bloods, and I slept. Long sleeps, sometimes, filled with coughing, but in a way, also determined to kick this case of the flu.

Thankfully, today I rose, feeling somewhat better, fever finally gone, and the recovery begins.

Of course I am royally ticked off about being sick. Being sick when there is a new baby in the family really stinks. It means you are quite literally, the last person anyone wants to see. And truth be told, I wouldn’t want to get my grandchildren or their parents ill.

The most wonderful of news is that my daughter is feeling so much better and Quinn is just a joy. Savannah adores her brother and Mandy, Matt and their children have enjoyed the bonding time.

They are the center of their universe. As it should be, quite happily so.