Author: Dackel Princess

Day 1

The New Year came in much the same as the day before. Cold, cloudy and pale. It was also very quiet. I think many people had gone out last night to party in the New Year.

Not Hubby and me. We stayed home, watched TV and at 11:15 I kissed him, patted the dogs, and said good-bye to 2015 and went to bed.

I slept until I heard poor Lili (the leaper) alerting me, that it was her time of day  for her first visit to the great out of doors.

I put on the coffee, let her out (praying she would come right back in after she was done, and she did.), and then walked each dackel.

The coffee was hot and wonderful, and I turned on the local news and weather, which told me nothing, and at times I wonder why I even bother to listen to the local weather people.

I could ask Lili to forecast the weather, and she would be correct far more often then the weather forecasters in our area!

Finally Hubby got up and today I made a small batch of french toast. I thought the soggy french toast would be good. The taste was great, but it kept getting stuck, so I decided to just dump it and have some yogurt.

Hubby worked at clearing the last of the ice on the driveway, and he was in and out all day. I got a few things done, but probably the most important was I got the sofa slip cover washed! Yay!

I’d been working on a calendar to print up full of family pictures, and when I tried to check out, it told me I didn’t own the rights to 5 of the pictures.

Now, I am a fair photographer, but heck, my work could never be confused with a professional! I called to check on it, and they said my file with them is corrupt.

I started to get stressed about this, and then I had a thought. There is no rush making this calendar, and so I plan to make a whole new one! And I may just use a different company.

Not much planned this weekend. Quiet, peace and a few small cleaning jobs. Most of all, I’d like to take a small nap each day! Heaven!

Welcome 2016

I am sitting here, the last day of 2015 and I started to let my mind wander back over the last twelve months. Aside from a few little bumps in the road, it has truly been a marvelous year!

I’ve had lovely fun times, all year long with my family and friends, and most of all, I’ve watched Savannah grow and change, and that just fills me with happiness.

When my daughter first found out she was expecting her next baby, I was nearly bursting with excitement, but I promised to keep her secret until she was past her twelfth week.

FB_IMG_1434829417183

Those first weeks were tough but wonderful because the secret was so amazingly special. (Note to self: Hubby says I use Amazing and Amazingly far too much! Must remember to limit that word in 2016) And then my cousin figured it all out and I was off the hook!   Savannah is such a gift to us all. I look at her beautiful, sweet, face and I just break out in smiles. Or when Savi sees me and come racing into my arms, I melt!  And, I love listening to her talk and tell me all her thoughts and stories.

PC250026 
Christmas
 
11760180_10207080291947391_73513154568070807_n

Now, we’ll be adding this sweet baby boy to our family, and knowing how totally splendid Savannah is, I imagine that her baby brother will be right up there with her. Mandy and Matt are simply wonderful parents!        

12459157_10208196831300177_2008016621_o  

Lili seems to finally be settling down a bit and we discovered something truly weird about her. Most dogs can be bribed with food, cookies, carrots, etc.

received_10152645569756499

Nope, not our Lili! What does our silly White German Shepherd like? Ice Cubes. Go figure! She is also delighted that the Lord above has sent her about 4 inches of snow! Lili loves snow!  

Our dear Greta is closing in on her twelfth  birthday (3/9/2016).

Greta Age 11 3/4  

Hard to believe she is our old girl now! She still acts like a pup and keeps a firm paw on the other three dogs, so they all know who is boss! Her hair is getting a bit gray, but her spirit is strong.

Arnie, dear Arnie. He started out nine years ago, as the quiet, passive pup.

IMG_0378 (2)

Easy to love, and to spend time with.  And he still is, to a degree. You see, he is now the man of the house (in the dog world) and so he had become a bit more of a show off. You definitely know he is all boy! Still my sweetheart!

 

And there is little Anneliese. Also nine years old, but gentle and sweet and loving. It’s quite funny, because many people do not always see this.

                     

Anneliese Age 8 3/4  

She is my bedtime cuddle-bunny. She is much smaller, than her Mother, Greta and brother Arnie. But when she walks outside with me, she has to bark in such a tough way, as if to announce that she is there, and not to be trifled with!

Hubby worked hard this year in the orchard, despite the difficult winter last year. We didn’t have too many peaches, but I did have enough to make my Heavenly Peach Jam.

Hubby has currently earned high marks in my book for bringing me McDonald’s Shakes. Especially the Eggnog ones! How wonderful the ice cold shakes feel in my throat.

Ah yes. I will mention my disc surgery, but I think I will surprise you. Most would say it was a downer to have that done, but quite honestly, it was a blessed relief! The pain before the surgery was really awful! Now, although I am recovering from the surgery, I am not in that horrid pain any longer! The timing could have been better, but through it all, I am doing really well.

So, as we bid ado to 2015, may we look forward to health and happiness for family and friends!

Happy 2016

Christmas Recap

I know it has taken me a while but finally tonight I am doing what they told me to do.  I am lying in bed with head and neck  elevated.

However,  I confess to being on my feet most of the day.

After spending all afternoon on my feet cooking, I suddenly had pain in my neck like I had before surgery.

I admit that sheer terror came to my mind! What if I blew another disc, or caused a failure elsewhere in the cervical spine!

I came into our  family room, sat on my love seat trying to figure out how to open the darn ice-bag, that might help.

Finally a friend came by, opened and filled the ice-bag. I tell you I feel totally challenged. Why couldn’t I figure this out?

And then, I did nothing. Hubby even made his own dinner. I wasn’t hungry, so I did not eat!

My turkeys were back. We are down to just six turkeys. Whether they wandered all over and a few were lost,  or they were taken by a hunter, or  few were males, searching for their own spot in the sun, and their own harem, I will never know,  but oh my, have I enjoyed having these wonderful turkeys more than I can imagine.

PC270012 (2)

My Turkeys

PC270019 (2)

Christmas Day was lovely.  My former husband prepared the ham & salmon, we all watched  Savannah open and play with her toys, and my  daughter finished up the rest of the dinner. It was wonderful.

PC250011  Oma and Savi. PC250030 Smile!!!

PC250026 (2)

  Reading a book called “Pretzel. The world’s longest dachshund! PC250021 (2)

We came home, arriving about 6:30. Tired and really sore. But full of Christmas joy!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blessings On A Small Scale

Here I am, home again. Life is good, and I’m feeling almost grand.

Christmas is coming, and I’m feeling pretty great.

In fact, I am so happy to be in my bed,

eating my own food, and cuddling my own dogs.

I’m awaiting the arrival of my very own turkeys,

So I can watch and smile at their cuteness.

Yes, I am happy and thankful for all that the Lord has provided.

All Done

I am all done with the  surgery and all settled in a nice room.

I think all went well but I have had a few little issues with pressure in my eyes.  -Not sure what that’s all  all about.

Not sure when I will be coming home. We shall see.

 

 

Hubby Escapes

Today I sent Hubby out with a list of errands to run, groceries to get, and permission to go to see a movie, that I wanted to see, but right now, couldn’t sit through if I wanted to.

I stayed home with the pooches, and did laundry, watched TV and actually fell asleep and took a nap.

Today I sort of started to feel a little nervous. The hospital called to preregister me, and suddenly it all seemed so real.

Tomorrow I will pack my suitcase, have Hubby help me change the sheets, and probably take a nap and watch TV.

Moving the old neck around is not a good thing, so just sitting in my love seat surrounded by dachshunds, watching the TV, is very comforting.

I am nearly done with my Christmas shopping. I have done it online, and some will have to wait until after Christmas when I can get out again.

But life, although scary right now, is good. Soon the operation will be over and I will be on the healing end of things.

We’re Getting There

The hours are ticking down until my surgery on Thursday. I’m trying to get things done, and at the same time, keep myself comfortable.

I finished addressing my Christmas cards, worked on ordering Christmas presents,  and then took a little nap.

But in the early part of the day, I was feeling kind of crappy, and all I wanted was to pick up the phone and call my Mom.

That’s the really hard thing. Once your parents are gone, there are no more phone calls, no more assurances, no comfort.

So, I picked up my phone and called my cousin. I explained how I was feeling and she said the magic words. “Oh poor baby.” (Said in a good and loving manner.)

So, we are going down the final stretch. Thursday, I will be in surgery and after that it’s recovery!

Yes, life is looking up!