Author: Dackel Princess

The Sun Came Out!

The fog finally burned away and the sun came out and we had temperatures that rose up into the 50’s (f)! After lunch I sent Hubby out to do some doggy duty in the yard, as the melting snow revealed a mound of poop in the yard! Just think how fertilized our back yard will be this spring!

Fritz was his constant companion, watching him, and making sure that Hubby did it correctly. Ah, what a faithful dog!

While the boys were out I discovered a new show (or new to me) ‘Love it or List It’. Have you seen that show? These two people come in, a Real Estate Agent and a Renovator, and they each have a job to do. The Renovator tries to remake the house into their dream home, while the Realtor tries to find them a better home. Fascinating show, and I did not agree with any of the outcomes!

I need to actually do my hair and make up each day, so as not to scare the customers! Today I tried out a simple pony tail, and I was shocked that my hair was long enough to do this! And it didn’t look half bad! (I think!)

Tomorrow I go shopping for food. Since I’m working this week, I need to actually plan the meals, and by that I mean, plan easy meals. Easy to throw together and easy to clean up. I also need to plan my lunches to take with me. My work literally takes me out away from any fast food, or easily obtainable salads. So bring lunch, I must!

Hubby will simply have to manage on his own for a few days. I’m thinking he will more than likely hit Subway or McDonalds!

Have a great Tuesday Everyone!

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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This weekend I actually watched more football than I normally do. I know it is playoff season, but even I do not watch football until the Super Bowl. So this new habit of mine, of watching the playoffs, took me by surprise.

Hubby enjoys watching, so he usually does, but this year he has had me right by his side, cursing and swearing, when I thought a call went the wrong way.

Our team played the second game on Sunday and won 41-28! Now they advance to the AFC Championship and hopefully the Super Bowl!

I managed to get a few errands done this weekend around town. I needed to stop at the Pharmacy, and as they’d recently moved I had a chance to see their new store. I was shocked! In their previous store they had a lot of floor space and in the new store, only about a quarter of the space. I asked for some over the counter medication that I take and they do not carry it any more! I’m afraid that I will need to drive to the next town to find a good Pharmacy now.

I have decided to switch the dogs to treats that are only made in the USA. Previously I was not as careful and gave them ones that has been manufactured in China. After a few dog food scares with things made there, I am now reading all labels for my gang. (And myself too!)

As I was walking around the house this weekend I noted that we really need to paint the trim on our house. And guess who does that? I’m not crazy about heights, but it really needs to be done. Perhaps for the section over he garages, we can rent a cherry picker truck, so I have a firm platform.

I’ll be working this week at the Hair Salon. Just answering phones and making appointments and doing laundry and cleaning. My friend is ill, and this is one way I can help her out!

Have a great week Everyone!!!

Foggy

I woke on Saturday to slightly warmer temperatures and lots and lots of fog! Looking out toward the lake I couldn’t see a thing, but the white wall of the fog. I did my housework, got dressed and went out, and the fog continued to follow me.

It was very strange up town. There was a man standing on ‘water’ or what looked like ‘water’, but was in fact ice. He wasn’t too far off the shore and he had a small seat and was ice fishing. I looked around him and I could see open water pretty close by, and I decided that I wouldn’t be out there fishing for anything!

Tomorrow it’s supposed to be even warmer, and this would mean even more fog. It’s a funny thing. Thick rolling fog like this always reminds me of the movie “Gaslight”. What a fantastic movie. If you have never seen it sit down and watch it.

Savannah At Seven And A Half Months!

I went down on Friday to see Mandy and Savannah. We had such a nice visit, and Savannah really amazed me! She is standing by herself, wobbly for sure, but standing, crawling pretty well, and is so interested in playing with her interactive toys, and with Mandy’s Ipad!

Have you seen the Baby Apps they have? I had never seen them, and yet, there was our little Savannah playing the games like an old pro!

She is also so alert and interacts with people, places and things so well. At lunch, she was flirting with many of the other diners!

And she is so beautiful! I know, I know. I am her grandmother, but honestly, she smiles so much and her face is full of love and happiness!

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Isn’t she just adorable?

Happy Friendship Anniversary

Today is the 12th anniversary of my friendship with Uschi. You can go HERE to learn how we met each other. Over the years, we have written to each other almost every day. We aren’t able to speak on the phone like many people, but then, sometimes I think we know each other better because we can write all of our thoughts down and send them off.

When we get together and start talking, it is as if we just saw each other yesterday and we chatter along like two little parakeets!

It still amazes me, that when I least expected to find a friend and sister of my soul, I found one in Uschi!

Happy 12th Anniversary to us!

Thursday Thirteen-Before & After

food-turkey

It dawned on me the other day that when I am watching what I eat, and by this I mean, tracking the points and being careful of calories and fats, etc. not only do I lose weight, but I feel better. Here is what convinced me this was true.

  1. I was not careful at all in the month of December.
  2. I gained a total of five pounds during that time.
  3. That was on top of the other weight I gained after my Dad died.
  4. I can tell you that I felt really unwell during that time.
  5. Sluggish stomach and at times a really aching belly.
  6. At one point I thought it was my gallbladder!
  7. At New Years I was determined to get back on track with Weight Watchers.
  8. I started New Years morning, eating healthfully and tracking it all.
  9. I have been struggling, as I wasn’t sure it was working at all.
  10. I think it takes some time for your body to get back in shape.
  11. I went to class on Wednesday January 9th and I have lost two and a half pounds!
  12. I’m still struggling, but it will be a good month until I am feeling comfortable again.
  13. I so want to look like my after picture again!

Nov 17 051 Nov 17 08 one year later

Before I joined Weight Watchers (left) & After I reached my goal a year later. (right)

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is ONE thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close? Do you have a plan to make it happen?

I’m going to get all my office and paperwork organized by April 15th. I’ll also extend it to the deadline of December 31st. But I’ll definitely get this done, this year!

2. What’s the worst uniform you’ve ever had to wear for a job?

I’ve been lucky, the worst uniform was jean and a t-shirt when babysitting. I’ve been lucky and blessed that I didn’t have to wear one of those horrible cocktail waitress uniforms I have seen some women wear. (No offense, anyone)

3. What was your last kitchen ‘mishap’? This question comes to you courtesy of Betty who blogs over at A Glimpse Into Midlife…everyone go say hi to Betty!

My birthday cake. Being on Weight Watchers doesn’t lend me a lot of baking time in my days. It had been a long time since I’d baked a cake and all I wanted was a chocolate cake with butter cream frosting. Well it was just terrible. The cake didn’t rise well, was dry and tasted like crap!.

4. How do you protect yourself from other people’s negativity?

Oh that is so hard for me. I tend to buy into whatever negative thing people say. I think that’s why Weight Watchers Class has been so good. It’s a lot like Group Therapy.

5. Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)? If you have children, who do people say they favor? Do you agree?

I most resemble my sister, Melodie.
Picture taken about 30 years ago.

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Dec 11 09 009

Yet, people tell me that Mandy looks just like me, and I don’t think she looks anything like Melodie. I can see a lot of myself in Mandy, but I can also see her Dad.

6. January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day…will you be celebrating?

Probably not. It is cold and a bit chilly tonight, and I think I will wrap myself up with a dackel and watch NCIS.

7. Some of the ‘world’s best winter festivals’ are – Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah), Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), Venice Carnivale (Italy) and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China). Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?

Probably the Quebec Winter Festival. Old Quebec City is so beautiful and in the winter, with a fresh coating of snow it would be so pretty. Also picture skaters in the frozen ponds and horse drawn carriages and steaming mugs of hot toddies!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubby drove me to my Retinal Surgeons appointment today. What a guy!He was rewarded when we found his favorite cheese, Tilsiter Cheese, at the Co-op over by the hospital. But I was shocked to see their prices! There is no way Hubby and I could afford to shop over there. Everything was nearly twice as expensive or more. And that included things like Tide detergent and Clorox Bleach. It made no sense to me. Anyway, we’re enjoying our cheese!

Bye, Bye Christmas Tree

When I got up this morning I threw on my clothes and started the arduous process of taking down the tree. Here’s the funny part. It took me three days to put it all up and 4 hours to take it all down!

Hubby was watching TV and reading the newspaper, and I was listening to my MP3 Player. I danced around the tree doing the first of the 5 parts of tree demolition required.

1.) Tinsel removal.

Okay, I know you guys are going to laugh and some will call me cheap (I prefer the term frugal) but when I remove the tinsel, I save it. I’ve had the tinsel I use for over 20 years! Each year I put it on, and then at the end of the season, I take it off and put it in a ziploc bag until next year.

2.) Then the garlands come off. Round, and round, and round, I go. I may actually break down next year and get some new garlands, as the current one(s) are broken all around. So, I sort of piece meal the garland around the tree.

3.) Then it’s time for the ornaments. One by one they come off. Then I wrap them in tissue paper, filling a special box until each and every one  of my beloved ornaments are safely tucked in for yet another year.

I always feel sad about this because I love so many of those little gems. I recall the places I have been and the circumstances around it’s acquisition.

4.) The lights are next. Not just regular lights, but the bubble lights that Hubby loves so much. Those must be carefully re-boxed so they do not break. This year I will need to hunt down some replacement bulbs.

5.) Once the lights are off, Then I start un-making the tree and packing the ‘limbs’ into a box. This is also a row upon row process, but with music in my ears I got that tree down in no time.

Later I will finish closing up boxes and then on Wednesday Hubby will pass these boxes up to me in the attic and I will drag them to their spot for another 11 months.

Another Christmas Come and gone!

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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Since I got my diagnosis on Friday for my heart, I’m feeling as though a tremendous burden has been lifted off of my shoulders. I know what it is, and it will not inconvenience me or anyone else. It’s just a little uncomfortable and perhaps, since I know what it is, I will forget about it and live flip flop free.

On Saturday I was looking for something to watch on the satellite and I found Leonard Maltin’s  best of “movie reviews” for movies that have gone under the radar. Two were foreign films. So last night Hubby and I watched one!

Headhunters. It is a Norwegian movie and I found I did have to speed read the sub-titles, but it was well worth it!!!

Headhunter

I was on the edge of my seat and could not believe the twists and turns. This is not for the squeamish, but if you like a good mystery movie, this is for you! I watched it on Amazon.com Prime for free.

I was about to take my Christmas tree down, and I heard that Sunday was Armenian Christmas and also the day the Kings arrived to see the baby Jesus. Somehow it just didn’t seem right. So, I did laundry instead

I made steaks and baked potatoes one night, and Buffalo Wings, celery with blue cheese and french fries on the other night. I’ve been counting my points and I am hopeful that Wednesday will be a good weigh in.

I go on Tuesday to see my Retinal Surgeon. I have been having a little problem with my eyes and i hope he can calm me and assure me that all is well.

I desperately need to get my hair shaped. My bangs are in my eyes, the crown of my head is flat and I look like I stuck my finger in a light socket. The woman substituting is wonderful, but I think she worries about cutting my hair.

I am not sure if I mentioned that my good friend and hair stylist is in treatment for cancer. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Well that wraps it up for now. Have a great week!

End Of The Season

You know, when it’s the Christmas season, I am all for getting the decorations out, and putting them up! I love it! Pretty sparkling lights, and tinsel and my little moving village with skaters! The first night that it is all done, I like to sit and turn off the regular lights and just enjoy the glow of the season.

Then Christmas comes, almost overnight, and then New Years, and then it’s time to take all this stuff down, and put it all away.

I started that practice on Saturday. I cleared the shelves, dusted and after wrapping the items I put the decorations in their special box until next year,

However, I couldn’t do it all. I left the village, the Christmas tree, and the mini dackel tree up. Tomorrow I will take two of those items and pack them up, and then do the tree on Monday.

Then, for another year it is over. Gosh it went so fast! I think next year I will put everything up the day after Thanksgiving.