Author: Dackel Princess

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Sunday we worked tirelessly, packing, cleaning and rechecking our packing. Finally about 4 PM I was happy with what we’d accomplished and I actually sat down and had a cup of tea. Even Hubby was busy today getting his carry on bag packed, and changing the oil in the car.

The dogs have sensed that something is up and have been a little strange all day. A little clingy, a little fussy, just like a little child.

I managed to get a simple dinner made of a hodge podge of leftovers, which helped to clean out the fridge. Once I got that cleaned up, I finally was able to sit down, put up my feet and sip a cup of my favorite tea.

We’ll probably watch a little mindless TV tonight, like Desperate Housewives, before going to bed. I’m just so tired and I need a good night’s sleep before we begin the traveling to Boston and then San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Monday we will drive to Boston and meet up with our friends, George and Carol. We will be traveling on the cruise with them! We plan a dinner at Durgin Park, and then an early bedtime at a motel near the airport.

Our flight leaves on Tuesday at the ungodly hour of 6 AM! Factoring in time to shower and dress and go through security, I figure we will be getting up in the middle of the night!

Then we fly off directly to Puerto Rico, where we will get on board the ship. We’ll be getting there around noontime, but the ship doesn’t sail until 11 PM, so we thought we might tour around the island a little. George, Carol, and Hubby have all been there before, but this will be my first trip to the island.

Well, I’ve printed up some new pictures of my doggies and have them tucked into my bag. All I need to do in the morning is shower and dress and kiss the babies goodbye.

That’ll be the hardest part about leaving on our trip.

You Got The Socks?

My hair is done, my nails are filed and painted a lovely pale pink, and I tanned for the last time today.

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I have done 3 loads of laundry (2 more to go), cleaned two of the three bathrooms in the house, and made a list. A list of what, you might ask? A list of all the things I need to do before noon on Monday. I tend to get pretty nervous packing. I worry about forgetting things.

There was one time we went to Munich and I forgot to pack socks for Hubby. I was shocked to find out that socks in Germany cost $10.00 a pair! After that, I never forgot to pack socks again!

As we get older there are more things to pack, pills, make-up, sunscreen, insect repellent and tons of moisturizer. Remember the days when all one needed was a backpack with extra underwear and t-shirts and you just sort of lived in your jeans? Ha! Those days sure are gone!

So the next 24 hours will be spent counting out the items to go in our 4 large bags!

Don’t worry. I have already packed the socks!

Getting Beautiful

When I was 21 getting beautiful meant that I showered, washed and dried my hair and put on a little lip gloss. My body parts were still where God had intended them to blossom, and my skin was fairly flawless. Because I was running after two little ones I was in good shape and because I tended to take them for long walks and play outside, I had a sun-kissed tan from May until October.

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Yes, those were good times.

Now, I must plan on “getting beautiful”. I made the appointment three months ago for the full treatment. In fact they called today to remind me that I was due to be overhauled.

There is, of course, only so much one can do, but I try pretty hard to keep myself up. Of course short of going to Pamela Anderson’s plastic surgeon or going on the people version of Extreme Makeovers, I am sort of stuck with a body that is slowly headed south.

It’s not that I really mind this. It happens to women my age, after all, but when I think of how totally hot I was when I was 21, I feel bad for Hubby. He never got to see me then, or enjoy the wonder of my youth! (LOL)

Okay, I admit it. I wouldn’t mind seeing myself like I was at age 21 just one more time.

Do you think that when you go to Heaven you get to chose your body?

If so, I’m asking for my 21 year old body back!

Kathleen Alynne 11/8/78 – 6/19/85

Today would have been my youngest daughter, Katie’s 29th birthday. She has been gone from us for 22 1/2 years, but it still feels like yesterday. I chose to celebrate this day because it was one of the happiest days of my life.

No, you never do get over losing your child, but somehow you go on. And I know more than anything that this is what she would want for Mandy and me.

Happy Birthday, Katie!

Photographs and memories
Christmas cards you sent to me
All that I have are these
To remember you

Memories that come at night
Take me to another time
Back to a happier day
When I called you mine

Photographs and memories
All the love you gave to me
Somehow it just cant be true
Thats all I’ve left of you

Oh, Deer!!!

It was the most amazing day. Not only was I packing our things, (and making great progress!) but after finishing my lunch I looked out the back door and saw that two young deer had wandered into our yard and were sampling the fallen apple tree leaves.

Oh so quietly I told Hubby about this and then put the dogs in our bedroom, and got the camera to take some pictures. It was an impossibly dark day with a lot of rain, but I managed to get a couple of pictures of our young deer.

deer 1

Deer 2

Deer 3

I love deer, but seeing these youngsters made me think that if they are coming into a densely populated area, then the herd is getting too large and the food sources are dwindling. Hunting season begins in a few days and this will help to thin the herd and make it possible for the strong ones to survive the winter.

These deer and the wild turkey’s that came through the other day, remind me of why I love living where I live. The wildlife always thrill me, always make me feel a part of something that is larger than me.

Odds & Ends On A Monday

Today I got out the suitcases and told Hubby that we just HAD TO start packing. I needed to know if clothes needed to be cleaned, if we had enough underwear, socks and bathing suits. Most of all I needed to know if we were going to have enough room in our suitcases for everything.

Probably not.

I think I will have to get a duffel bag out to carry our shoes and sneakers. After all, now that you have to check your shampoo, hair spray and other stuff like that, I have used up a lot of that room in the checked bag.

We made great progress today and I am so happy that Hubby got his stuff out and planned what he will wear. What a help.

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It was a really pretty day here today and Hubby took some time to practice with the camera. Here is one shot he took from out front yard.

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Then I came home from doing my errands and noticed the two pups taking a sunbath on the sofa. They both looked so cute that I grabbed the camera and took these two shots.

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Anneliese

Nov 5 008

Arnie

It’s just a week now and we will be off. Our house sitter is all set to move in and Emily and the neighbors are all set to back her up!

I am so excited!!!

Counting Down

A week from today we leave for our vacation trip to The Panama Canal. I hosted a dinner for all my dog sitters tonight, making manicotti, salad, garlic bread and apple crisp. All low sugar and low salt. And it tasted good! Yippee!!

So now we start the tough part. The thinking and pulling out and folding of the clothes we will pack for this trip. Shoes, bathing suits and rain gear as well. I’ve been trying to get Hubby to commit to making a good list with me, but he is a “last minute packer” and I just know I will need to get after him in order to get his clothes out.

I know pretty much what I want to bring, it’s just a matter of getting it out and getting it folded up. It’s quite a production when you are going to be gone for this long.

I plan to tan as much as I can during the week and on Friday I have scheduled a day of beauty. Hair and nails and hopefully when I get done, I won’t look half bad!

Emily was trying to reassure me today that she will take good care of the dogs and that she will make sure they aren’t too lonely while we are gone. I know she will, but I will miss them a lot, I just know.

The clock is ticking now and I really need to kick my game plan for the trip into gear.

Meet Cheech!

My sister sent me my birthday gift a little early. It came in a large heavy box and I couldn’t imagine what she had found. I opened it up and found this inside! (turn up your computer’s speakers)

I adore this “toy”! I keep it on the shelf between my kitchen and the family room and every time I walk by I hit the ear and turn “Cheech” (that’s what I call him) on and let him sing his little song.

I called Mel today to tell her just how much this gift has tickled me. After all, how often, as adults, do we get a child’s toy that touches a place in our inner child in such a sweet and profound way?

So thank you, dearest sister! I love you!!!

PS: Also Happy birthday to my blog friend and fellow Scorpio, Renny!!! Go on over and wish him a Happy Birthday!!!