Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Wow, this is a really cold day.
2. If there is a piece of useless and mindless trivia then I know it.
3. Finally, I’m feeling happy and light. I’m going to see Mandy and Savannah.
4. I’ll come home and make a light dinner and Hubby and I will talk. It’ll be all right with me.
5. Sweet or savory: ____oh sweet! I love sweet.
6. My old shoes died. I got the same shoes and they are new, but need to be broken in.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to sleep, tomorrow my plans include a fire in the hearth and a nap and Sunday, I want to make a nice Sunday Dinner!

Thursday Thirteen

princess

Today I worked to renew my web hosting and dot-com. I decided to do it for 2 years as I got 50% off. Here is a little bit about Dackel Princess, as I look back and ahead.

  1. My cousin, Janet encouraged me to start writing. I asked her what I could possibly write about? Her answer was…”Shubi” your Dackel Princess.
  2. So, she helped me find a web-site person and get set up.
  3. Before I knew it, I was ready and on May 11, 2005 I made my first entry!
  4. I knew no one would be reading me, except my cousin, sister and the woman who set me up, but I had promised myself that I would write every day, as long as I was paying for and using the medium of blogging. And I did! Soon, I had made new friends, around the world!
  5. We had Fritz, Shubi and Greta then. Our house was full of love.
  6. Shubi had been sick, but for a while, she appeared to recover, and had been more like herself.
  7. Above you will see the Thursday Thirteen I used when I had my first Blogoversary. I’ve always loved this!
  8. Shortly after I started on February 16, 2006 Shubi passed away. My heart was broken. Shubi was the dog of my heart.
  9. But Dackel Life went on. 10 months later the first litter of Dackel Princess pups were born.
  10. I remember looking down at this wiggling, squealing puppy, and I knew that she was for me.
  11. Yes, Anneliese had come into my life!
  12. Today I made a commitment to myself to keep on writing, but even more, to challenge myself a bit more.
  13. So I hope you will join me and enjoy this time together!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The popular saying, ‘All is fair in love and war’ is originally credited to English writer John Lyly. Is he right?

When I was young I might have agreed. However, I do not believe that love should be a war. I think that if two people are in love, wonderful. They should jointly work to stay together. If a third party is involved and one person is enjoying the drama…well I simply want no part of that.

2. Are you a cereal eater? What’s your favorite kind?

I limit my cereal intake as I have trouble with starches. I do love Honeynut Cheerios though! I could eat that with whole milk for every meal.

3. A five year old in Pennsylvania was recently given a ten day school suspension for talking with a friend about shooting one another with a Hello Kitty Bubble gun (the gun blows bubbles). She did not have the gun with her at school.

A psychological evaluation was also ordered and the incident was recorded on her permanent record. The suspension was later reduced to two days and her parents are suing to have the incident removed from her file. Your thoughts?

Can we possibly bring back some sanity to the world? However, recently I lost a friendship because of my views on the second amendment. Also because I had raised puppies for tracking wounded game. I am finding our world becoming less and less tolerant of free speech, and actions. It makes me so sad.

4. Whatever happened to sanity?

5. January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, billed as a day to reacquaint yourself with a pen and pencil. Do you like your handwriting? Do you prefer to print or write in cursive? This date was chosen because its the birth date of John Hancock. What’s the last thing you signed your name to?

My handwriting was never the best, but since arthritis settled in, it is almost illegible. So if you get a note from me and it is type written, forgive me. I simply can’t do it anymore.

6. Speaking of John Hancock…ever been to Philadelphia? Do you have any desire to visit the city of Brotherly Love?

Yes. A few times actually. It was enjoyable.

7. Share something funny you’ve heard a child say.

Many years ago, at a friend’s home, a group of children were playing. One little boy, an only child, was having a tough time sharing his toys. He got more and more angry until he jumped to his feet and said…”I’ve had it…Get out! Do you hear me? Out! (then he misspelled this)…’MUX’… Out!”. We all burst out laughing, much to the little boys chagrin!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Well, all the drama associated with Greta’s Cystitis, is past us! Thank goodness. She is happy and healthy and back to being her normal self. I am so happy. She really scared me to death!

Zero Dark Thirty

Okay, our football season is over and as long suffering New England fans, we go back to winter hibernation!

Hubby and I ventured out on Monday to see “Zero Dark Thirty”. All I can say is WOW! It held my attention through out, and the two hours and thirty-seven minutes flew by!

You can go here to watch the Movie trailer. I’m not sure if it will grab you or not. Trust me, I really wasn’t excited about going to this movie, and yet it was so well done!

Katherine Bigelow directed this, and people doubted she could direct a war movie, but she sure did!!! In fact, she seemed to catch all the little nuances that so many people would have missed.

Jessica Chastain, as our heroine, Maya was breathtakingly wonderful! I hope she wins an Oscar! For this young actress gave this role all that she had.

It will be interesting to see how the Oscars are awarded. Both Jessica Chastain and Katherine Bigelow are nominated for Oscars, and in my opinion, they both should get them!!!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Miss Marple 2

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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The weekend seemed to fly by quite fast. Between working, and caring for Greta, who has been ill with Cystitis, my days seem to be very long. On Sunday I simply refused to do all that much. I did computer stuff, with Greta by my side, and then, once the venison (a gift from a friend) had thawed, I worked chopping, peeling, sauteing, and then slow cooking the Venison Stew in the Dutch Oven.

Football finally started at 3 o’clock, after a rumored start of 1:30. It brought back a time in my life when I had been living near Norwood Massachusetts and the home of The New England Patriots.

I became quite ill after the birth of my second child, and needed to have surgery. The hospital was quite full that November and I roomed with a wonderful woman. Her husband played for the team. They were such nice people and she was there having a baby.

She delivered a boy during this time, and today when I looked it up I saw that this little baby went on to have a career in the NFL! He is now retired. I think the thing that made me happy was that this little baby had grown up healthy and happy, and his parents were also still happily married.

I recalled these people for many reasons. Their kindness, their generosity (they sent me flowers) and the fact that they were just like me and you, despite the fact that her husband was a sports hero.

Have a great week Everyone!

More On Greta

Little Greta is still quite ill with Cystitis. I hated to leave her on Saturday to go to work, but what can I say, like every one of you, work called and I had to answer.

Thursday Thirteen, Greta

Greta was still in tough shape, so I did call the Vet who suggested some pain medication to help her out. Hubby wasn’t sure that it actually would help, but within half an hour of having it, she was far more comfortable.

I only had to work half a day, so when I got home I started to walk her every hour on the hour. I will feel so much better when she can go wee-wee and not be passing blood at the same time.

During this week when I worked I also discovered that no amount of exhaustion makes it worth eating frozen meals. I mean really…they all stunk! There was only one good one. Smart Ones Meatloaf and garlic mashed potatoes. That was it. The rest were just plain garbage!

So, for my last night working, I am cooking a baked sweet potato, honey pork loin and cauliflower. All made by me! Hubby and I are really excited!

Of course nothing waits for the working girl, so this weekend I will be doing laundry, cooking and doing house work. I need to try to get the stains out of my bedroom carpet from poor Greta. It’s hard to be angry at her when I know what Cystitis feels like!

So, I will work on the carpets tomorrow. **Groan** I am hopeful that I will get the stains out. I have some stain remover and it should work. If not, then the carpet is 12 years old and it might be time to either get new carpet or install laminate flooring.

Greta

I got up for work on Friday only to find traces of blood on the carpet. Suspecting it was Greta’s, who had been restless the night before, we called the Vet for an appointment.

I had to go to work, so Hubby took her in. It was hard for me to not be there, but work is work.

I was a wreck. I was so worried about what could be wrong. Fortunately, it is a bladder infection and after two weeks of penicillin she should be herself again.

She still isn’t herself, but at least we know what it is, and can get her back on her paws!

Imagine having a painful urinary tract infection and not being able to say so! My poor baby girl!

So now, we tempt her with lots of water and more walks. Seems our couch potato needs a bit more exercise. At least so she empties herself well and can start to get rid of that infection.

In other news, today is my last day working. I will miss feeling like I am being helpful even if I am just answering the phone and sweeping up mounds of hair.

It is freezing here and I felt the cold all day long. My hands are like ice and my toes too! When I got home on Friday I sipped a Brandy, nice and slow.

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill Ins

And…here we go!

1. I love the feeling of the dackels cuddling with me in the morning.

2. Seeing Savannah and Mandy always brightens my day.

3. The birth of Sweet Savannah Rose is what I will remember the most from 2012.

4. My favorite family recipe is Sauerbraten.

5. When I want to spoil myself I have a waffle cone of Cherry Garcia ice cream!.

6. NCIS & The Big Bang Theory is are my favorite TV show.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to enjoy a nice quiet evening, tomorrow my plans include the usual laundry and perhaps some cooking and Sunday, I want to watch the New England Patriots football game!

Thursday Thirteen

Feb 8 tt13

This is my work week. I don’t usually work, but I am helping a friend out, and actually I am thinking that if I can, I may get a part time job to help out with expenses. Anyway, here are thirteen things I think about, regarding working.

  1. I had to get up early! I am not one who enjoys getting up early. I bet I’m not the only one.
  2. I did my hair, and actually had to use the curling iron and hair spray to tame my mop. I wouldn’t want to look messy in a hair salon!
  3. Make up! Yes, I had to do my make up. I almost never wear make-up and I just hate putting it on!
  4. I made our breakfast, and emptied the dishwasher while I was doing this. I sort of hoped that Hubby would get the idea to fill in with the dirty dishes.
  5. Unfortunately, Hubby did not put the dishes into the dishwasher. I guess I need to mention it to him.
  6. I’d hoped that Hubby would volunteer to make the dinner. He didn’t, so you know who heated up the meal.
  7. The funny thing is, I will do it all over again tomorrow. Not so bad, really.
  8. I wondered how many people have jobs that they really love and yet still come home each day and cook meals for themselves and their families.
  9. I’ve tried to figure out what type of job would really make me happy.
  10. I haven’t seen an ad to become a member of the Royal Family, where you go around smiling, shaking hands and being waited on.
  11. I would think it would be fun to be an actress. Fancy clothes, hair styles, you know. Again, no one has asked.
  12. Meanwhile, I plan to lay out my clothes again tonight.
  13. Am I the only one who does that?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen’s English…here’s the list for 2013-“fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation, passion/passionate, yolo (an acronym for you only live once), spoiler alert, bucket list, trending, superfood, boneless wings, and guru”

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why.

Yolo. Because it is just plain stupid!

2. When was the last time you rode a train? Where did you go?

The last time I went to Germany which was in 2009. I was with Uschi and Volker and we took the train into the city to go out to eat.

3. Bagels-yay or nay? Favorite ‘flavor’? Favorite topping?

I love bagels. Plain with cream cheese and Lox! Yum!

4. ‘Tis the season of awards shows…if you could star in a movie already made which one would you choose?

Tough one. Perhaps ‘Gone With The Wind?’ or ‘Casablanca’ or ‘The Sound of Music’.

5. The move towards single gender classrooms has been making the news in recent months….what say you? Do you think kids perform better if separated by gender and are taught differently or is that discrimination? If you’re a parent, is this something you’d support in regard to your own children?

I think that separating kids by gender would probably be a good thing. Then the usual boy/girl flirting wouldn’t be so tempting in High School. I don’t know. I was not separated and I found it difficult to study with handsome guys all around!

6. What’s your favorite thing about staying in a hotel?

Fresh sheets and towels, a comfortable bed and a sense of being spoiled and waited on.

7. Do you have a ‘word’ for 2013? What’s the story behind your choice?

‘Crazy Grandma’. And I am sure that you all can figure that one out.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My poor little Savannah has her very first cold. We’re all feeling so sad for her, as she has been remarkably healthy. Wish I was closer and could go and just cuddle her.