Author: Dackel Princess

Weigh In

This week I decided to use the Weight Watcher web site to track my points. I didn’t realize how good their on-line tracker was. Since I am back and forth on my computer all day, it works out quite well. I go to the tracker page, enter what I eat, the amount I eat and the computer figures out the points used and the points left for the day. It just doesn’t get any easier than that.

The result of my efforts was that I lost 4.6 pounds! Also, I lost 10% of my body weight and received a key-chain! At the meeting many of the other members asked me questions about what I am doing, how I am staying motivated, and if others supported me in my endeavors. I was sort of the star of the show for a little while and I felt special!

I still have a lot more to go, but when I look at how far I have come 19.6 pounds down, I feel very proud of myself.

The program is fairly easy to follow, but I admit that there are times that I am weak and have a tough time. The thing is, I plan to stay with this for life. I want a nice healthy, trim body and I know Weight Watchers is the way to do it!

Thursday Thirteen #66

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Here are thirteen things about me, that all begin with the letter A.

1. April. That is the month that Hubby and I promised to love, honor and cherish each other until death shall part us. Our anniversary is April 9th and we will be married 20 years this year!

2. Amanda. My daughter with my favorite girls name!

3. Apples. Hubby owned a large pick your own apple orchard and I helped him the last season it was open. Now we have our own small orchard in our yard.

4. Arnie and Anneliese. Products of Greta’s first litter, which was her A litter.

5. Arrivals. Hubby was a pilot and I remember spending a lot of time waiting for his plane to arrive so I could either take him home or rendezvous with him for a romantic weekend.

6. Arrangements. Over the years I think we all make a lot of arrangements. For me, I have enjoyed the arrangements I have made for our wedding, trips, or even just a meal.

7. Avocados. One of my favorite things to eat. Hubby seems to have a real knack for picking out the very best and yummiest Avocados!

8. Artichokes. Love them. Either freshly steamed or marinated.

9. Apple pie. I have a great recipe for apple pie that uses Splenda.

10. Architecture. Many of you probably don’t know that I designed our house. I did take my plans to an Architect to have him design the structure, but the floor plan was all mine.

11. Auf Kirchen. The town where our dear friends live in Germany. These are the friends that helped us to find Shubi!

12. Abby. The name of my grandniece.

13. Atmosphere. I try to have a quiet and tranquil atmosphere here in my home. I hope I am succeeding!



The One About Hair

Two years ago I went in to have my hair done. I wanted a light trim and a little color, to perk me up. That day changed the way I was going to look at my hair for the foreseeable future!

The hair stylist, and I use that term lightly, butchered my hair. I had literally an inch left all over my head! I cried. I came home and Hubby didn’t know what to say. Both of us knew though, that it wasn’t good. I cried some more!

That day I called another hair stylist to correct the color. Her name was Margarita and she has been doing my hair ever since. She knew I wanted to grow it out, and so you can see how in two years things have changed on my head! I love Margarita and I love how she is helping to keep my hair shaped while it grows.

Hair

I’m still not done growing it out. I want to grow it another 4-6 inches. I want really long hair again. When I first met Hubby all those years ago my hair was nearly down to my waist! I don’t think I will let it get that long, but…

you never know!

Rain, Rain…

Today, after a night of icing, everything warmed up and we had rain! Fog descended down over the lake, and just hovered over the snow in our yard. It made everything look very mysterious!

The puppies were not entirely convinced that they wanted to go out. Imagine having to walk though ankle deep ice cold water to get to a snow bank to do your business. I think if it were me, I would be in quite a pickle! (Bad situation!)

The puppies, however, have rallied and slip, slip slipped around out there and eventually got things done.

Hubby has been working hard in the driveway, as we had a good 2 inches of ice on it. He had to chop it, break it up and then shovel it off. Fritz, faithful dog that he is, sat there keeping his Daddy company the entire time.

My job was to prepare good hot meals for Hubby all day long, and go out with the puppies too.

It’s still raining, but in a few hours a cold front will clear the skies and our temperatures will drop from the warm upper 40’s (F) back into the low 20’s. Oh well it still is winter, after all.

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Today is also the second anniversary of Shubi’s passing. She was such a great dog and I still miss her every day. Greta and the puppies help, but…

Love

FOUR FEET

I have done mostly what men do,
And pushed it out of my mind;
But I can’t forget, if I wanted to,
Four-Feet trotting behind.

Day after day, the whole day through–
Wherever my road inclined–
Four-Feet said, ‘I am coming with you!’
And trotted along behind.

Now I must go by some other round–
Which I shall never find–
Some where that does not carry the sound
Of Four-Feet trotting behind.

— Rudyard Kipling —

Kids and Dogs

Have I mentioned that we have new neighbors? Neighbors with twin six year old daughters. Sarah and Kimmy. They have found us and the dogs, and we see them almost every day. They were over bright and early today and brought along their friend, Jacob. I pulled up the stools to the breakfast bar and they all sat coloring and I thought this would make a good picture.

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Jacob, Sarah and Kimmy

I love the fact that the neighborhood kids all feel comfortable coming here. The only thing is I need to buy some more art supplies. Crayons, coloring books and some activity books. I want to have things to keep the younger ones busy. Perhaps some reading books as well.

Hubby and I were standing in the kitchen after the kids left today and he looked over at me and said, “You are really a kid magnet”.

I guess he is right. I love the fact that they come, and I know that here they are safe.

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My back is better, and I am finally able to sleep at night. Yay!!! I was starting to think that something drastic would need to be done, but it looks like resting it is doing the trick.

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That wraps things up from cold, snowy, icy and rainy New Hampshire. Have a good week everyone!

Baby It’s Cold Outside!

Today I decided that I needed to move around a little. So each time one of the dachshunds wanted to go out, I dressed up in my warmed coat, hat and gloves and took them out. They took advantage of me terribly, as they kept going to the door and barking to go out.

In the early morning hours and the early afternoon it wasn’t too bad. The sun was shining, there wasn’t too much of a breeze and I was dressed warmly. It felt good!

But as the day wore on, and the sun got quite low in the sky, it began to really cool off and a light wind began, thus making me feel very chilled each time we went out.

And of course, the puppies decided that this was the perfect time to go out and look around. I would stand there encouraging them to do their “business”, and they would look at me like I was crazy.

I actually have a lot of sympathy for the dogs. I mean, I wouldn’t want to have to go outside in the middle of the winter on such a frosty day and do my “business” on a snow bank!

However, as I stood there freezing my butt off, I began to feel less bad for them and more sorry for myself! I mean, wow, it was cold!

Hubby got a fire started in the hearth, Now it’s taking the chill out of my bones, although my feet still feel pretty numb.

The funny thing here, by Monday it is supposed to warm up and heavy rain will fall. Ah yes, this winter has been full of surprises!

TGIF

Well, am I ever glad that it’s Friday! Between my back and the weigh in at Weight Watchers, I am feeling a little down.

I actually gained weight this week. Now that in itself would not bother me quite so much if I had actually done something to merit the weight gain, but I stuck to the diet all week and didn’t cheat, not even once. So I look at this as a total betrayal by my body.

I mean my spirit has been down this week due to the pain in my back, a good weight loss would really have helped out. Instead it’s as if my body is enjoying torturing me.

Well, I don’t care. I’m not going to think about it right now, I’m simply going to keep on doing the diet, and next week will be better.

On a bright note I did actually get outside today and walked around in the narrow pathways of our yard. I simply cannot believe how deep the snow is!

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Then we came in and the pups all took naps.

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Well all I can say is TGIF. One week ends, there is rest on the weekend and then another week begins, and hopefully next week will be a better one.

Thursday Thirteen #65

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Thirteen Reasons Why I Feel Loved

1. He’s 6 feet 4 inches tall, and his smile, his kiss and loving blue eyes tell me every day that I am loved.
2. I have 4 sets of brown eyes, with 16 legs and 4 tails that all let me know in their different ways that I am loved.
3. My family. My daughter, sister and cousin all let me know, I am loved.
4. My friends, all let me know I am loved.
5. My parents even, in their own strange way, let me know I am loved.
6. A phone call just to say hey, lets me know I am loved.
7. A trip on a cruise ship to a dreamed about destination, lets me know I am loved.
8. A candlelit dinner in a quiet restaurant lets me know I am loved.
9. Having the oil changed in my car without asking lets me know I am loved.
10. Having the driveway cleared of snow so I can safely get out, lets me know I am loved.
11. The touch on my hand when Hubby reaches out to hold it, lets me know I am loved.
12. The last kiss of the night lets me know I am loved.
13. In all the ways big and small, all of you, have let me know that I am loved! For that I am grateful and I thank you!

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Happy Valentines Day!!!



Oh My Aching Back! Part 3

We were up early and after breakfast Hubby drove me in to see the doctor. He examined me, wrote out orders for x-rays and three for prescriptions and sent me on my way. He says it is sciatica, Now what is causing it is still a mystery. If the x-rays show something, he will call. If I am not a lot better at the end of the week I am to call him.

Meanwhile, I wait. I have a back brace I am wearing, which is like the worst girdle you can imagine, and anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and pain pills. Yes, I feel a little whacked out tonight and I wish I could say, also pain free, but I can’t. Just a little like, I do not care.

While driving to the doctors and back, I was amazed at how high the snow banks are. It seems everywhere we went the snow was piled high, high, high! And guess what?

More snow tomorrow!

However, none of the forecasters can agree on how much will actually fall. Some say 6 inches some say 10. After the winter we have had, I say, what will be, will be!

Well time to go curl up in the fetal position and pray for springtime!