Author: Dackel Princess

Veterans Day

On Tuesday I took Hubby out to lunch at a restaurant that gave Veterans a free meal. There is nothing Hubby likes more than a free meal! So off we went bright and early, so we could get a table.

In past years we have arrived at these chain restaurants, only to discover mile long lines. We got there early enough so that we were seated promptly, and in the area where we had a waiter that I knew.

We sat down about 11:20, and looked over the menu, and ordered. They brought chips and salsa, and our drink, and then we waited. Unfortunately I am addicted to chips and I ate far to many as we waited.

Because chips are dry, we order another round of drinks. Then we waited some more. Finally I asked Garret, what was happening? Did he forget to put our order in? No, apparently two of the cooks called in today sick. Whatever the excuse, the two cooks in the kitchen were overwhelmed and it took over an hour before our meals arrived.

Both of us were thrilled. The food was great, and it was wonderful just spending the time talking to each other. One group waited 45 minutes and then left. Sadly, their food was just about ready to be served.

We finished up, having eaten too much, and then headed out to do a few errands. When we got home, I just wanted to take a nap. Instead I downed an alka selzter and prayed for my tummy to settle down!

In any case, I hope all the men and women who served in the military had a great day on Tuesday!

Kathleen Alynne November 8, 1978-June 19, 1985

In Memory of Katie from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

“Do not judge the bereaved mother. She comes in many forms. She is breathing, but she is dying. She may look young, but inside she has become ancient. She smiles, but her heart sobs. She walks, she talks, she cooks, she cleans, she works, she IS, but she IS NOT, all at once. She is here, but part of her is elsewhere for eternity.”

Yes, Another Computer!

I woke up on Sunday and my computer had died. I think it must have been sometime in the night. All I know is that when I got up and tried to turn her on…nothing happened. I called my computer guru and he came at the start of the week.and pronounced her really and truly gone. He did, however, download all my programs onto an external hard drive and on Wednesday, Hubby and I  went shopping for a new laptop.

I’d seen cheap prices at Best Buy, but I warn you, they are high pressure salesmen, and they do not really care what they are selling you.

At one point I was getting light headed from hunger so we left to have lunch and I read all the sheets about their computers. I was not happy, since most of them did not have a CD/DVD drive.

So, we drove over to Sam’s and I found two I liked. I called my Guru, who at this point is on speed dial, and he helped me decide what machine to buy. An adorable ASUS Sonic Master.

Asus sonic master

Taking it out of the box and plugging it in and then turning it on, well I could feel my hands shake! But when I got to the start page I realized I was about to step into another frontier! Windows 8!

It’s been a challenge, but today Brad came and installed framework that gives me back my XP type frame work. Now I love the machine and I am having a great time. Once again, computer working is fun!

So that is where I have been these last few days. Here, but computer-less. Now I am up and running and happy to be back!

This & That

Saturday found the cold moving in, along with nuisance rain. The trouble with all of that is, no animals and no person really wants to be outside for long.

The dogs would race me out, do their business, and then race me back in! Those little devils really kept me on my toes!

Since it was so crappy and Hubby was trying to get the last of our apples picked before the first hard frost, I made him a big pot of his favorite Cabbage Soup. Poor guy was simply chilled to the bone!

Around 3 o’clock this afternoon I was struck with a migraine. I do not have them often, but when I do, it’s best to take some Motrin and go to bed in a dark room. Which is exactly what I did. I think I slept about an hour and I woke feeling quite a bit better.

Tonight I will start working on my 2015 calendar. Each year I put together a calendar through Walgreens, with all my favorite pictures from the past year. This is going to be a fun one because of my girls!

I hope you all remembered to turn your clocks back last night. Time to fall back!

November Arrives

Can you believe it is November 1st? Where did the month of October go? Or for that matter, the year 2014!

I have started to put items in shoe boxes as I prepare for our trip. Since I have lost a little weight the shorts I wore last winter on our trip, no longer fit me. Too big. And it is November, after all, so there are not many stores carrying shorts.

But, I did find an online catalog selling them in an array of colors for $6.99 each! So I ordered Navy Blue, White & Black. At this point, I am all set for the trip!

We’re going to see “St. Vincent” with Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy today. I’ll let you all know what I think tomorrow.

Have a wonderful and blessed All Saints’ Day!

Busy Thursday!

Today I made the mistake of asking Hubby what he wanted for dinner. Meatloaf. So besides changing the sheets, doing laundry, and going out with Lili for a run, I was chopping up vegetables and squishing the meatloaf until it was just right.

By noontime, I was already exhausted and I still had to finish cooking dinner, feed the dogs and then do dishes!

However, tonight I feel pleasantly pleased to have accomplished so much. Oh yes, and 22 days until my vacation!

I plan to rest on the deck of the ship, while we are at sea. I have 6 books on my kindle to read! I also bought Hubby a nice big book for him to read. I’m sort of a voracious reader, while Hubby is a contemplative reader.

I plan to go to the shows on board, and try new things. On sea days I will sleep in and while we are in port, I’ll be walking about taking pictures, shopping for Christmas and for Savannah.

I can hardly wait!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. My hubs spent last weekend pheasant hunting. Are there hunters in your family? If so, what do they hunt? Which of the following have you tasted-pheasant, rabbit, venison, duck, goose? Which of those would you most like to taste, or be most willing to taste?

When I bred dackels, I bred them to hunt wounded game for hunters. Four of them were exceptional. Hubby was a hunter in his youth. I have tasted them all, and I love venison, but I wonder, have you tasted wild boar? I was reluctant to try this, but when we were in Prague I tried it and it was delicious!

Vegetarians keep calm and Hodgepodge on.

2. What high spot have you visited that gave you a wonderful ‘bird’s eye view’ of something below?

I tend to avoid heights, but I guess the Empire State Building. That same day Hubby wanted to go up in one of the Twin Towers to the restaurant. Something in me said no, and I told him I didn’t want to. Years later they were destroyed during 9/11. I’ve always wondered if I had a premonition.

3. Do you have any birds in your home? These could be either real live pets or decorative, as in bird prints, knickknacks, fabric or pottery.

No, but there are plenty outside. Including our very own pair of Cardinals, and Bald Eagle.

4. Tell about a time you ‘killed two birds with one stone’?

Well, I knew that after Greta had her second C-section, her next litter of pups would not be register-able in Germany. (They allow only two C-sections) So, when the pups were born via C-section, I had her spayed at the same time.

5. Your favorite song with a bird in it’s title?

6. What most recently gave you goose bumps?

A cold wind blowing up my bathrobe, while I was out walking Lili in the back yard! Brrrr!

7. Halloween is this Friday…any plans? Did you trick or treat as a child? Carve pumpkins? Share your most memorable costume.

We live down a long dark road, so we never have trick or treaters. As a kid I loved it, until an incident that scared me so much. After that I never went out. With my kids, we always carved pumpkins, and my ex-husband always took the girls out, while I stayed home (happily) and doled out candy. My most memorable costume? In high school my ex-husband and I went as the King and Queen of Hearts. I made the costumes and it was fun.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I had so much fun shopping with my girl friend the other day, and I found some really cute tops, both knit and blouses. If I could find a nice dress I would be so happy, but I have my little black dress, so that may have to do.

Lili Marlene

Today was a dog day, all day long. I was walking dogs, cleaning their coats, and playing with them, and before I knew it, it was time to fix dinner for them and for us!

I have to say that at 7 months old, Lili is finally starting to get along with the three dackels. In turn, they are starting to accept her into the pack.

Oct 26 014

Here is Anneliese sleeping on our sofa with Lili. Lili thinks that the sofa is her bed! Aren’t they cute?

It makes me so happy to see Lili settling in. I think this is the beginning of a long and loving friendship!