Dackel Princess

No Joke, It’s April 1st

It was an odd day today. I woke feeling like doing nothing more than pulling the covers up and hiding in my bed, but I got up and dressed and headed to the hospital for blood work. They took six tubes of blood, and then put a simple band-aid on me and out I went.

Since this was a fasting test, I couldn’t eat or drink before it, so immediately after the test, I stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts and got a tall coffee to warm the cockles of my heart! It was delicious!

By the time I reached my Weight Watchers meeting, and prepared to weigh in, I noticed that my arm was still bleeding and running down my arm! Thankfully, I still had another band-aid in my purse so I was able to clean up and re-band-aid my arm.

After that I weighed in and I had lost one half a pound! This is good because slow and steady wins the race. I stayed for most of the meeting and then left a few minutes early because of a bad migraine.

The rest of the day was spent sort of in a fog. Head aching, dogs barking (Always good for a headache! Ha!), and rain falling.

Oh yes, and by the way, I LOVE the new coffee maker. It makes great coffee, full bodied and nice and hot! Best of all, it stays hot for me as long as I want and the coffee remains just as delicious as it was when it was first brewed! I’ve got my fingers crossed that this will remain the case for a very long time.

Random Dozen

1. How do you feel about the marshmallow Easter Peeps? I am not a fan, but my sister adores them.
2. Chickens are notoriously nervous creatures. When you are nervous, what is the best way to calm down? I usually cook. This explains my lifetime membership at Weight Watchers.
3. People say, “April showers bring May flowers.” Do you enjoy Spring rains? No. We’ve just had so much rain!
4. When I was randomly flipping through TV channels this week, I saw a show in which tattoo parlor employees received tattoos of a co-worker’s face on their bodies. I can’t imagine having a portrait of a colleague tattooed on me. But if someone forced you to receive a portrait tattoo (face only) of anyone, who would it be? Why? My daughter Katie. She passed away at the age of 6.
5. Would you rather have a tattoo (any kind) or a nose ring? Neither one.
6. Do you have any special plans for Easter? Yes. I am cooking a big dinner for family and friends.

7. Cadbury Eggs or Reese Eggs? Cadbury!
8. What was the last thing/person you took a picture of? My dackel, Arnie.

9. What book are you reading now, or what was the last one? I’m still not able to read much because of my detached retina. But I check out People Magazine each week.
10. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning? Taking the curtains down, washing them and putting them back up.
11. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own? One.
12. Which color makes you happiest? Sky Blue!

My Crazy World

For those of you who know me, or have been reading Dackel Princess for a while, you will know that I have terrible luck with coffee makers. I have had them stop working and go in for service repair, and then after they are out of warranty, they have literally died and gone to coffee maker heaven. In the last 5 years I have had three coffee makers.

This last one, a K**** was the worst. I hated the machine and it hated me. I would carefully measure and put the coffee on while I walked the dogs, only to come back and find coffee all over my counter tops and running down onto the floor. But the fact that I am a cheapskate kept me using that horrible machine.

Then on Saturday morning I woke with a migraine. I turned on the coffee maker and NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I am not at all unhappy, as I keep a cheapo spare machine for emergencies. I was actually glad that the K**** machine bit the dust because now, now I could go out and buy a new one, with no guilt!

So off Hubby and I went today to buy a new machine. We’d been doing all sorts of research online to see what the best coffee maker was, and what we found was that most of the models out there are pure crap. Made to last just past their warranty and then give it up!

So we looked for a machine that would keep our coffee hot for at least 4 hours. Well that just cuts down the models to a bare minimum! You see, we can’t be trusted in this world, and so most machines turn off after 2 hours, PERIOD!

We finally found one that will brew a strong cup of coffee, and then keep it warm for four hours! Plus it is this cool black/bronzed color. It is a C********.

I will report on the quality of the coffee tomorrow, but it is up and set and ready to go in the morning. Oh, I hope this will solve my coffee woes, at least for a little while.

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We also stopped at a local dress shop and I actually bought a dress. A cute little number. You see I looked in my closet and realized that I didn’t own a dress! So when I got this great coupon in the mail, I decided to go off and find something.

So the day ended with torrential rains, and wet dogs and me happily putting my new dress in the closet!

Arnie, Anneliese & Lilacs

When the day ends and I am getting ready for bed, I often look to see if my boyfriend has arrived. He is small, and dark with big brown eyes, which he flashes at me in such a way that he melts my heart! I’m not sure if Hubby is jealous of him or not, but I am thinking he is. What do you think?

This is his “come hither” look!

I must admit that between Arnie and the girls, I am well snuggled and well loved in bed each night. I woke briefly in the night last night and the two girls had my back and my belly and Arnie was near my feet, under the covers!

We’ve been having a cold snap the last few days, which means that Hubby has gotten out to ski again. Sadly, the forecast is for heavy rain the next three days, so I think that his skiing might be over for the year.

I hope we have some warmer weather soon, because my lilacs are starting to bud. I just want warm weather now to bring them out.

A lilac bud today.

This is the earliest I can remember them being out.

This week finds me preparing Anneliese’s documents for travel, as Arnie is showing me the first indications that Anneliese is close to going into heat. He simply will not leave her alone. I also have Library business to attend to, so that will keep me out of the house a bit.

Next weekend is Easter and I have a great menu planned for my guests, but I will tell you all about that in another post.

Spring Flowers

The other day I picked up this cute little ducky with mini yellow roses in it. I selected the Ducky because he made me think of the Easter candy “Peeps”, and although I do not really like “Peeps”, my sister does and this makes me think of her! I selected this plant because the roses looked healthy and I thought that they would eventually open and give me a fair amount of pleasure.

I was right. Today when I looked at the little ducky, the buds were opening and looking very spring-like and lovely!

And there are still a few little buds that will open as the week goes on.

That was the best couple of bucks I have spent in a while, because every time I look at Mr. Ducky and the yellow roses, I smile and feel good.

MUD!

I woke not feeling like doing anything particular, but I managed to get my laundry completely done. Often I tell you about doing the laundry, I know, but more often than not, I do not get it finished. Today I succeeded! Yay me!

In the middle of the afternoon Hubby wanted me to go out with him to do errands and ride around. I did not feel like it, especially since after our walk with the dogs yesterday, and my falling down into a deep mud puddle, while chasing the dackels, I was not terribly interested in going out. However, he convinced me it would be a good thing. Here is a picture of the dackels in the mud.

And here is Greta laughing at me. I swear to God!

So, we went off to the Post Office, and then over to see a friend of ours and his new lady. We sat around talking, and joking and laughing and eventually went out for fish and chips at a local place called “The Mug”. The food was good and the company even better.

We got home late and as we came into the drive I said to Hubby, “So what am I going to write about on Dackel Princess?”

He had no suggestions, so you will simply hear about my day and see these great photos of my little mud dogs! You will, of course, notice that there are no pictures of yours truly covered in mud. It’s a moment in time that I chose not to remember.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Ice Out

I know I have written about Bob Houses going through the ice, but the true measure of springtime in my area is when “Ice Out” is declared.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

This year’s “Ice Out” on Lake Winnipesaukee is one for the record books.

“Ice Out” was officially declared at 2 p.m. Wednesday, four days earlier than the previous record of March 28, set in 1921.

“Ice Out” is declared when the MS Mount Washington can safely reach all of its ports of call: Center Harbor, Meredith, Weirs Beach, Alton Bay and Wolfeboro.

I knew yesterday would be the day. It was rainy and a bit on the raw side, but we had the tell tale winds that cause the ice to be broken up. Perfect “Ice Out” conditions for the big lake. Our little lake iced out last week and we have been enjoying the open water once again!

Here is a little bit of information about our bog lake, Lake Winnipesaukee. The Winnipesaukee Indians, a subtribe of the Pennacook Tribe, lived and fished at a village called Acquadocton. Today, the site is called The Weirs, named for the weirs colonists discovered when first exploring the region.

Location = Central New Hampshire, USA
Area of water surface = 72 square miles
Number of islands = 253
Distance around lake = 182 miles
Height above sea level = 504 feet

Here is a live view from Weirs Beach. Remember I am in the Eastern time zone so, if it is still dark here, you won’t see anything. Come back after sunrise and check it out.

Weirs Beach Cam

Going on the Mount Washington is a fun afternoon. You can have lunch on the ship while you are cruising. They also have weddings, parties and in the Autumn they do dinner cruises.

The first few years we lived here, I didn’t get out on the ship at all. Then once I went, I decided to go each year. It is so relaxing, and very beautiful! When my cousin Janet had a special birthday I took her out and we ate Lobster rolls and enjoyed the sunshine!

When we have company from anywhere, we bring them on a cruise if it is summer. Here is a picture of my sister and I on a cruise back in 2006!

So all the area is celebrating the arrival of spring. Myself among them!

Random Dozen

This week hosted by Kelly.

The theme is Spring . . . and any other random questions that crept in.

1. What is your favorite sign of Spring? The flowers poking out of the ground.

2. Did you remember to spring forward on March 14? If not, how did it impact your day? I did, and I even blogged about it and Face-booked so others would know!

3. If soil, time, talent and climate were no problem, what vegetable would you plant in a garden this year? Yes. I love Asparagus!

4. If soil, time, talent and climate were no problem, what fruit would you plant? Orange trees. I loved having them when we lived in Florida.

5. What is your least favorite insect? Mosquitos. They simply adore me!

6. March 22 was World Water Day. To celebrate, here are some water questions. Do you drink bottled water? If so, what brand? Only if I am somewhere I can’t get safe tap water.

7. Have you ever been somewhere that it was not safe to drink the local water? If so, how did you handle that? Yes. Mexico. The first time I was so careful but brushed my teeth and got deathly sick! The second time I didn’t even touch or go near water and I still got sick. So no more Mexico!

8. How many glasses of water do you drink per day? I do not like water. But I drink a ton of herbal tea!

9. March 24 is the birthday of Harry Houdini. Have you ever watched a professional magic show? Share. I don’t think I have.

10. Have you ever been a participant in a professional magic show (up on stage!)? No.

11. March 24 is also the birthday of Steve McQueen and Clyde Barrow. Do you like Westerns or gangster movies? If so, what is your favorite? I wouldn’t exactly call them gangster, but I have just sort of rediscovered Steve McQueen. So sad he died so young!

12. (Really random) What U.S. state that you’ve never visited would you like to visit someday? Hawaii, baby!!!

Gone To The Dogs

Tuesday morning I was trimming Arnie’s fur when Hubby noticed the grin on his little dackel face! He carefully got up and took this picture. Now I must admit to cropping the picture as I was in my pajamas, with my hair going in sixteen different directions and not looking too good! Instead, I cropped it so you could see his happy face!

After breakfast I was sitting in my recliner with my feet up checking email, reading blogs, when my coffee cup ran dry. So I went to put down my feet to go and get another cup, when “SCREECH!”. Yes, there was Greta underneath the footrest! I got her out, picked her up and listened to her growling at me, letting me know that she was not at all happy with me! Oh I felt so bad that I had done that. I am usually so careful with my footrest, but the one time I just put the footrest down without looking, Greta is there!

I cuddled her for a while and then I had to shower and dress and when I got back I found this.

Greta all curled up in my soft blankets! I tried to move her over to one side or the other of the chair, but I have to say, she was not easy to move!

Anneliese was limping for a while during the day and I am still not sure what was wrong with her foot, but tonight she appears to be better.

It rained all day and it made the dogs all quite crazy. All they wanted to do was run around outside, but they didn’t want to be out in the rain. Oh well, we have one more day, before the sun shines again.

Springtime Colds

I woke on Monday morning with Hubby’s cold. He claims it is not his cold that I have gotten, but I know better. It’s his, I can tell!

I decided that the best course of action was no action at all. Rest, warm fluffy blankets to keep me comfortable during my feverish chills, a dackel or two sitting next to me and vast amounts of herbal tea with honey to soothe my tender throat.

That and I watched a marathon of a show I had never seen before. It’s called Amazing Wedding Cakes and it is fascinating. I watched them spin sugar to make chandelier like decorations to go on a cake, another cake was of (cake) shoe boxes and (edible) stilletos and a (cake) purse for a woman’s bridal shower, and lastly a wedding cake for a couple who are crazy for silent movies. These people are really amazingly crafty!

Listen, when you are sick you do not want to watch anything too serious on TV because it’ll just make you cry. I was talking to my sister on the phone this morning and I started crying just talking to her! Yeah, I cry when I have a cold pretty easily. Add to that this silly thing called menopause and it’s no wonder I have purchased stock in the Kleenex Corporation!

I have decided that this cold will not last longer than a couple of days. I have far too many things going on to be down and out again with a yucky cold!