Dackel Princess

The Office

On Thursday I decided to jump in and start to dig out clean out my Office. This was a result of my having to find some documents for Hubby and not being able to find them, because I haven’t filed anything for about three years.

I’ve used shopping bags, and actual file boxes, cardboard boxes and even chairs to stack papers. Yes, that show “How Clean Is Your House” would have had a field day in that office. In fact, they still could.

Except that, today I plan to give it a good three hours in there to work on all the papers that I dragged out and started sorting through.

The ultimate goal is to get the office organized enough so that I can rearrange some things and set up an actual system that works to follow. One where I can easily access files without having a nervous breakdown .

Our office is a pretty room. It’s lemon chiffon yellow, and overlooks our lake. I would dearly love the files in there just to hold our monthly bills and receipts. Other than that I would like our computer software and books to have a home of their own in there too.

So wish me luck and if you hear screaming, followed by insane laughter, then you can almost be certain it is me, going crazy as I attempt this herculean task!

Happy Birthday

Four years ago, Hubby got up in the morning and I told him that I thought that Greta would be having her puppies soon. He examined her and said, he thought he could get a few runs in skiing, but to call if things got going, and off he went!

Greta looked at me, with eyes that related to me just how miserable her contractions were, and I knew that things were getting close.

Then, all of a sudden, things just sort of stopped. Then started again, and this went on for about an hour. I called the Vet. and took her in.

It was, of course, a Sunday, and so my Vet. had to get his staff to come in and assist in the delivery. You see, we had one very large baby and then 4 “normal” sized ones. That was the day that Arnie and Anneliese were born.

I called Hubby, who had just gotten up to the slopes, and he turned around and came home, and made their birth!

Arnie was the only boy, and Anneliese was born squealing loudly! I didn’t know then, which puppy I would want to keep, and I certainly never expected to keep 2, especially a male dog, as I had never been a boy dog fan, but I digress…

That was December 10th and by Christmas I knew Anneliese was doing to be my forever puppy girl and two months later Arnie was rejected by the people who’d wanted to buy him, and he remained, forever with us.

Now I can’t imagine life without my two little A-Litter Puppies. I call them “The Twins” even though they aren’t, and if they are outside I will call “Puppies” and they will both turn their heads and run towards me!

Anneliese has gone on to have her own babies, and “Uncle Arnie” babysat and helped his sister out with the babies. It was just so cute!

And in life, they are the very best of friends. When I look back having sibling puppies has been one of the best things I have ever done, even if it was absolutely by accident!

Arnie and Anneliese Birthday from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Friday Fill-Ins

Header:

1. I wish I were on a cruise.

2. This cold snap with no snow on the ground is wrong...that’s what I’m thinking.

3. Please bring snow before Christmas.

4. Life is so amazing.

5. One of my fondest hopes is to see my family and friends happy in their lives.

6. Hubby helped me with the Christmas letter and I just wanted to say thank you.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to. a fire in the hearth, tomorrow my plans include more work in the office and Sunday, I want to read the Sunday paper and drink copious amounts of coffee!

Christmas Isn’t Presents

My good friend, Doug James, has just released this touching Christmas song! Please listen and pass along this link, as we spread the true meaning of Christmas around the world.

Doug’s talent as a singer and songwriter are well known and those of us lucky enough to call him our friend, are thrilled that he has released this beautiful piece for Christmas 2010! Thanks for such a special Christmas song!

Merry Christmas! Listen and enjoy!

You can learn more about Doug and his music by visiting DOUG’S WEBSITE.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Have you ever been on a real sleigh ride? How about the warm weather version – a carriage ride?

Yes, Hubby took me on a carriage ride during “First Night” in Boston many years ago.

2. What’s your policy on ‘chain mail’…you know, the emails you receive that are often some sort of poem/blessing/good wish that ask you to send it on to 10 or 12 friends? Do you delete without opening, read and trash, read and trash and then worry you won’t be blessed/lucky/protected? Do you delete the sender from your contacts or just go ahead and send the love onward?

Oh, I really hate ‘chain mail’. I wish people would not send me them. Sometimes I get them, and they’re cute, with puppies and kittens, so I’ll forward, but delete the ‘chain mail’ part saying I will have 30 years of bad luck if I don’t send them to 29 people in the next 10 seconds!

3. Who is your favorite character in any of the Christmas movies and why?

Clarence the Angel in “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

~Dear George, Remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings, Love, Clarence.~

4. Share a favorite quote.

~ Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?~

5. What’s your favorite holiday scent?

I love the smell of Snickerdoodle cookies baking in the oven! All spicy and cinamonny!

6. Does the Christmas season stress you out? In what way?

Yes. I think because expectations are high and people are rushing around, and often people tend to forget to enjoy the reason for the season.

7. What’s the best thing about your life right now?

Love. The love of a wonderful husband, fabulous daughter, family, friends and furry pups. I also have decorated my house for the holidays and I am really enjoying the beauty of the lights and seeing all my much loved ornaments again.

Since I am nearly done with decorating the living area in our house, it’s now time to clean the rest of it up. My least favorite part of the holiday season. Oh well, it must be done!

Doggies & Christmas Trees

Sunday night, while watching a little TV, all four dogs disappeared into our bedroom and promptly put themselves to bed. I didn’t think much about it, and when I went to bed, myself, at 9:30 they never even moved. All four of them were simply dead to the world! So, we all hunkered down and simply enjoyed the warmth of the blankets.

The night was fine, I was up a couple of times, but fell instantly back to sleep. All I had to do was move a dackel or two out of the way.

This morning, Hubby wanted to be up and out the door to go skiing, so we got up together so I could make the coffee. He followed the dogs to the door and then one by one, let them out.

Well, we stood there watching as the dogs went out, one by one and took the longest wee-wee’s on record. It seems that their early bedtime was not very good for their little doggy bladders. Monday night we plan a good long walk in the bitter cold before we turn in for the night!

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While Hubby skied on Monday, I decided to get myself in the Christmas mood and finish our Christmas tree. I carefully put the lights on the tree, while talking to my sister on our cell phones. This took me nearly two hours! Especially when I was putting the bubble lights on, as they are fairly old, and often need a little repair of their bases with super glue. However, I got it done and then set about making lunch for a returning Hubby and myself.

Once lunch was done, I started hanging ornaments. I haven’t seen them for two years and it was so wonderful to see all my little mementos from around the world, as I hung them on the tree. You see, when I have traveled to various countries or states, I always buy Christmas ornaments. I also collect little dackels and red-haired Angels.

Then the garland went around the tree, and it came out pretty well. I was worried about tinsel, because it really is bad for dogs, but I compromised. I only put it on 3/4 of the tree, leaving the very bottom devoid of it. No one really notices, because the tree is in our kitchen and the kitchen table sort of covers that part of the tree.

I stood back admiring the tree and thinking how pretty it was, but something was bothering me. Something was off. What was it?

I’d forgotten the STAR at the very top!

So I climbed up on a ladder and worked to place the star without knocking over the tree. I finally got it on, stood back and admired our beautiful tree!

What I Did This Weekend

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

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What a busy weekend I had, as this was our fund raising weekend for my ladies club here in my little town. If you would like to view some very pretty Christmas Trees, scroll down and you can see a little bit more about “The Festival Of Trees”.

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Saturday I worked a long shift in the bitter cold and I swear I did not warm up for many hours after I got home. In fact, I called Hubby just before I left and asked him to start a fire in the hearth and he had a lovely one going when I came in.

I made us dinner, but really, I wasn’t all that hungry. I ate though, and then found a couple of dachshunds to cuddle with while we watched some of the worst TV in a while.

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So far, I am really enjoying the new Weight Watchers program. I love being able to eat all the fruit and the freedom to eat some of the low in carbohydrate vegetables in any amount also really helps. I am NOT hungry, and that is a wonderful thing!

I’m also looking at food differently. I look at it and ask myself, how will this food help my body? Will it send my blood sugar sky high, or will it help to hold it steady? So far I have not had one low blood sugar attack!

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I managed to get my Christmas tree standing UP in my kitchen windows. However, I ran out of energy before I got the lights on. That I will do on Monday.

I also need to spend an entire day doing nothing but HOUSEWORK! Blah! I really hate it, but I need to do it to prepare for any guests that may drop in over the holidays.

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The best part of the weekend for me? Probably seeing the faces of the children and the people from the Nursing Home when they came to see the Christmas Trees! That was just the best and I found, softy that I am, that I had a big lump in my throat, as I watched them!

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Happy Monday Everyone!

The Festival Of Trees

On Saturday I worked in the afternoon at the Festival of Trees here in town. My women’s club was sponsoring the event, as they have for the last 15 years. This was the first time I had worked at it, and I had a great time. I’m a newbie to the club and I still do not know many women well, but over this weekend I have spent a lot of time with one woman and gotten to know her, a little. Her late husband was also a pilot, and we have chatted a bit about that, as well as what brought us to this town. I’m happy to have made a new friend!

Meanwhile, families came to visit us and take their children to see the trees, all decorated by local companies and clubs for our event. It was magical to see their eyes light up when they saw the lights glowing against the Christmas ornaments.

We had some seniors from a local nursing home come by, and several people who came in by themselves, just to enjoy the trees.

Here is a short montage I made from the pictures I took. I hope you enjoy the little peek into the wonders of Christmas in New Hampshire!

Christmas Dreams from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

It reminded me, of some of the reasons that I love Christmas. The beauty, the love and the miracle of a child as they view a room full of wonderful trees!

This & That Saturday

It’s quite a frustration to me to cook a perfectly good meal, only to find that the meat cut, which looked lovely in the package, was tough as shoe leather after being cooked! Had I known that this Angus Cut Beef was so tough I would have made Beef Stew, where I slow cooked it all day long!

Tomorrow I will make the stew. I hope that by putting it in the slow cooking oven, with lot’s a broth, I can somehow resurrect the rest of the beef.

How many times have you gotten a piece of meat or fish, and expected a wonderful, tasty, meal, only to find that all was not as lovely as you thought?

Hubby was gracious and shrugged it off. He’s good like that. I don’t have too may really horrific meals served in this house, but every once in a while, one slips by.

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On other food related notes, I am actually liking the “New” Weight Watchers program. Since I started to eat more fruit as snacks, I find that I am not nearly as ravenous at mealtimes. Tonight it was not difficult to eat only half of the tough roast beef!

Of course the proof that the new plan is better will come on Wednesday, when I weigh in. I have my fingers and toes crossed!

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Saturday finds me working at The Festival of Trees from noon to 3 o’clock. My ladies club is sponsoring it, and the proceeds will benefit the children in our area. I plan to dress warmly and bring hot tea with me in a thermos! Thursday night I froze, as I helped take tickets at the door for the opening event.

I promise to take pictures of the beautifully decorated trees!

Friday Fill-Ins

design by the true book addict

So…here we go!

1. The best thing about a birthday celebration is Being with the ones you love.

2. Feelings can either intensify or fade over the passage of time.

3. I went shopping recently and the most interesting thing I bought was can’t say. Christmas secrets.

4. Spinning around in circles is a child’s game that if you do as a grown up, people wonder what is wrong with you.

5. The reason is LOVE.

6. I want it to snow and be cold.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to cooking a roast beef for Hubby, tomorrow my plans include working at the Festival of Trees for Altrusa and Sunday, I want to put up my Christmas tree!

Friday Fill-Ins are sponsored by my cousin Janet. Come on and join the fun!