Dackel Princess

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday found Jack and me taking a trip South to the VA. He had two appointments, and I had one.

I figured he would have more done at the Dermatologist, but as it turned out I had a small pre-cancerous place that needed to be removed. It’s gone and I am no worse for it.

Because of the Virus, we brought a picnic lunch with us. We used to eat at their cafeteria, but right now we don’t feel comfortable doing that. It worked out well. Jack had a P&P Loaf Sandwich and I brought 2 boiled eggs and some yogurt. Nice and cheap too!

We picked up the mail and the new nail grinder arrived for the dogs. They don’t seem to mind it very much and it grinds them to a nice smooth surface.

The day was bright and sunny and warm! It really felt like Spring! Oh, I am so ready for that! Of course, it also means “Mud Season”. You would simply die if you saw my beautiful White German Shepherd, covered in the mud she loves!

Tonight is easy dinner night. I had previously made a huge batch of meatloaf, divided it up into four mini-loaves, and put them in the deep freeze. It’s been great pulling them out and cooking them for Jack on nights I do not feel like cooking.

For me, I am having leftover turkey cutlets. So, not much work, but nice and easy to cook or warm-up!

I hope your Wednesday is a good one!

Feeling Sleepy

Okay, I have to admit that this Vaccination has not been what I expected. I’ve had flu shots for over 33 years. Just before that, I got the flu so badly that I prayed for death. (not really, but I was so sick) So, even though I have gotten the flu off and on over the years, despite having my flu shot, I have always felt like it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

Flash forward to November of 2019. I got what I thought was the common flu, but I was so sick that I stumped all the doctors I saw. I couldn’t breathe, so I was put on an inhaler every couple of hours. The cough was terrible and they had me on special pills for that.

Worst of all, I didn’t get well. I ran a high fever for weeks, couldn’t eat, and forced myself to get liquids in, but it was like drinking liquid cardboard. About the time that the doctors wanted to admit me, I started to do a little better, but it took me a good 6 weeks of doing nothing but staying in bed.

Was it Covid? I’ve always thought it probably was, but back then they did not have a test. However, my medical team thinks it probably was, after seeing so many cases of it over the last year.

So, yes, as soon as it was offered I went in for my first shot. Moderna. The first day wasn’t too bad. Mostly fatigue. The second day I was achy, tired and the old arm was sore. The third day, I woke feeling great until about noon, when I was so tired I fell asleep in my chair.

Just working through all the after-effects of the shot, but really convinced that this is the right path for me. The sickness I had in 2019 was bad news!

I hope that those I love will be vaccinated soon.

Lili, My Hero!

Several new readers to my blog have asked me to share the Story about Lili saving me from the home invasion back in 2019, so here goes.

My Friday began like any other Friday. I got up, made breakfast for Jack and me, and then I started a load of laundry.

Jack got ready and headed off to a physical therapy appointment at the VA, and a few minutes later I got a phone call and sat chatting.

About a half an hour after Jack left I heard the door in the basement slam shut. That’s odd, I thought. Maybe Jack had car trouble.

I went to the window in my room and did not see a car, a UPS Truck, or anything!

It was then I heard footsteps coming up the stairs from the basement.

“Hello! Anyone home? Hello!” said a strange man’s voice.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Lili began to growl and bark! I raced to the cellar door and turned the lock and wedged my foot on the bottom.

“Who is there? Who are you! Tell me your name!”

There was no response.

“I’m calling the police!” I shouted again and again, as I dialed 911!

I didn’t hear the door slam shut. I didn’t hear him leave. I was frozen at the door waiting until the police arrived. It was just seconds until the police drove into my driveway.

The police searched the basement and the perimeter of the house. I’d seen a white SUV below us and so they put out an APB for any car matching that.

I filed the report, got the policeman to give me a few tips on how to protect my home (I need a few deadbolts and a long piece of wood to block the sliding glass door.), but he told me again that Lili was amazing and the two of us had done a great job under the circumstances.

Lili was amazing. She growled and barked and sounded so fierce. I guess it’s what makes German Shepherds such wonderful police dogs!

My Hero, Lili!

Yes, I did okay, but I have to tell you I didn’t start breathing again for a while. After the police left, and I locked every door I could, I sat down and slowly drank my coffee, and tried to relax.

I don’t understand why people break into other people’s homes. Why people think it is okay to steal. Today, I am just glad that Lili protected me, and that I wasn’t harmed.

The Vaccine

On Friday night I did not sleep well. I was nervous and anxious and also a bit excited about going to get my Covid Vaccine.

I woke far earlier than I needed to, had some coffee and yogurt, and headed out the door, way before I really had to.

One of my greatest character flaws is that I am always early for everything! I mean not by a few minutes, but usually by more than half an hour.

I blame my father who was always early for everything and chastised us if we kept him waiting!

In any case. I arrived at the vaccination site 35 minutes early. I went to the initial screening area and apologized for being early. They were not overcome with clients and so they brought me right in, I did my paperwork, and the next thing I knew I was having the shot, and then waiting the requisite 15 minutes to make sure I did not have an allergic reaction. I felt fine. Really. And also happy to be done half an hour early.

I drove up to Market Basket and did my grocery shopping. About the time I got to the checkout, I felt this wave wash over me. It was like I’d just finished running a full marathon. I was exhausted.

I drove to get gas in the Highlander and then drove home. I started feeling aches in my body and my arm felt heavy. It was so strange to feel this. Jack helped me bring up the groceries and put them away, and I had a small lunch. I started having chills, aches, and a headache.

They’d told me that these side effects are perfectly normal. They say it will last 24-36 hours. Also, they gave me a form to fill out telling them what my side effects are.

Here I sit tonight after having a small dinner, and I just want to go to bed. However it is only 7:30 and I would feel silly, but I may go ahead and do just that.

It’s not how I would wish to spend a day, but if this keeps me from getting a full-blown case of Covid and dying then I am willing to take the chance. I have way too much to live for!

The Friday Five ~ March 19th, 2021

Well, here we are, mid-March. Most of our snow is gone, and although we have gray skies, the temperature has been slightly warmer. So, as this week ends, here is this week’s Friday Five.

I learned a few things this week. I learned how to program the time on machines made 15-20+ years ago. You know, press the prog button two times and when it flashes using the up or down button, set the time. I know it sounds easy enough, but for the love of all that is holy, it was not. Resetting the clocks took me well over an hour (closer to two hours!).
I made our St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage using a top round roast. I read the directions of The Pioneer Woman’s homepage. I am always unsure about how to tell if the eat is ready and it turns out that my tough meat means I have not cooked it long enough. I had a two and a half pound roast and I cooked it on low heat in my oven, for over six hours. Wow! It came out really well Also using the Top Round Roast, gave me a less salty piece of meat, and less fat. All this equaled fewer points!
My BFF in Delaware sent me a gift I will call a “Sunshine Gift”. Two collectible tins of the Royal Families English Breakfast Tea. As soon as I opened the box, I put on the kettle and made myself a cup of tea in a china teacup that Gail had also given me!

Oh, wow!!! This tea was so good! This woman has known me almost all my life (we met at summer camp when we were 13 years old) and she probably knows me better than most people. This was the perfect gift! And once I finish up the tea, I can use the cute tins to store things.

4. This picture came up today in my memories. It was taken by a friend’s son who has a drone.

We had more snow back then (two years ago). But I like this picture.

5. Tomorrow I go for my first Covid Vaccine. I’m a little nervous, and a little happy, as it has finally gotten to me. I will report in on Saturday with how it all went.

Happy 7th Birthday, Lili!

Our darling White German Shepherd, Lili celebrates her 7th Birthday today. Her life started in a rough way. She was quite ill until after running a series of tests we discovered she was suffering from Celiac Disease. Once we adjusted her diet she settled right down and she began to grow into the beautiful and sweet girl that she is.

Lili would have been great fun in a Circus. She loves to run and jump and run some more. A true whirling dervish! Winter is her favorite time, as she enjoys being able to leap through the snow at full speed. It’s like watching a deer.

Lili is also the Dackel Bodyguard. She goes outside with Arnie and watches should the Bald Eagle, or a stray dog threaten him.

Likewise, my husband has begun going outside to exercise and of course, do some snow shoveling, Lili will go with him. She never leaves his side and keeps a close watch. She is closely attuned to him.

Lili rescued me on January 12th, 2019, when a man broke into my house during the day. He made it to the top of our cellar stairs, but the door was locked and Lili was fiercely barking and was between me and the door. She saved me that day!

Yes, Lili is amazing and we all love being loved by this beautiful and sweet doggy!

So, Happy Birthday to our St. Patrick’s Day Baby Girl!

Tuesday March 16th

Here we are my busy week. It all started early today when I knew I needed to go out and get my new glasses. I was excited because they are a bit different. Although the viewing area is about the same, the frame is an octagon shape. Here is a picture of me before and then afterward wearing my new frames.

But the very best part of my new glasses is that I can see! I needed a stronger lens on the left side and then I asked if I could adjust my readers for the computer. I measured the distance from eyes to screen before I went and so we planned this. I cannot tell you how wonderful my vision is with these new glasses!

Then I was off to get some groceries and the mail! Which I managed to do in record time. I was back at the house by 10:45.

It never really warmed up here over the course of the day. The wind blew, and our temperatures never for over 14 degrees! Oh, I am so over Winter!

I have also started looking for a new wire-haired dackel baby. I know I’ve said I wouldn’t do it, but I think I need to start as it could take me a very long time. With Germany still in lockdown, and this darned virus, who knows when I might be able to find this new addition to our family. So I am writing letters and starting my quest.

I do not want a designer dackel. I want one that looks like Greta and Anneliese. A really good, proper, German dackel.

Well, I have now reset all of the clocks that are not automatically reset. Two of the items are over 20 years old, and their idea of setting the clock is archaic!

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

The Weekend Wrap

This weekend was a rather quiet one for me. I did the usual things, like laundry and meals, and taking Arnie and Lili out for walks. But I stayed home and was not running around doing errands.

We had a brief respite from the wind yesterday, but it is back with great furry now and I can hear it outside our window.

It’s cold too. Which causes my old boy, Arnie to run outside and run back in, often without accomplishing what he needs to do. So, out we go again!

This week will be a busy one for me. I get my new glasses tomorrow, Tuesday I have an online meeting, Wednesday is another online meeting, Thursday is a dental appointment, and Friday I get my hair done.

Yes, this will be my busiest week in a very long time. I hope that slowly, things will return to normal.

The Wind Blows

I was lying in my bed, cuddled with Arnie, pretty much sound asleep, on Friday night. I recall hearing the wind howling outside and an occasional gust that seemed to shake the house.

I took a breath, and turned over onto my other side when the power went out! This means that my cell phone flashed to let me know that it was no longer charging. I waited a few minutes and nothing came back on. I went to the window to see if our neighbors had power and if the homes on the other side of the lake were lit or in the dark.

They had power across the lake, but in my small section of the neighborhood, everyone was out.

Now wouldn’t you know that my flashlight was not next to me, but I know my way around, and I staggered and cautiously felt my way to the door and then into the kitchen to grab my flashlight. I also grabbed our Rolodex with the phone number to call to report a power outage.

Walking back into my bedroom, I sat down to get our landline phone and I started to dial. That’s when the lights came back on. I knew at 1:30 in the morning I needed to lie back down and go to sleep, but it was difficult as I listened to the wind and waited…

The wind has not been as strong during the day on Saturday, but when it is cold, any wind makes it feel even colder.

You see, winter is not over yet!

The Friday Five ~ March 12th

Despite the fact that we have had some very mild temperatures the last two days, it is still winter, and this brief reprieve from the cold will be over on Sunday when we are actually due for a little snow.

I thought that I would have more to write about this week, but a little cold and sore back kept me down. Still, there are a few things to share, so here we go. This Week’s Friday Five!

Today I got down on the floor and worked stripping Arnie’s coat. He also needs his mid-winter bath, which I will do tomorrow, and that will loosen up the under-coat more and I will work stripping him some more. As it is, with the fur I’ve stripped off him, he looks so much better!
I’ve been struggling a bit with my eating plan. Laziness, nerves, I don’t know. But it has not been going well. I decided to rededicate myself to eating what I should and writing it all down. I was doing well until 3 PM when I felt the need for a sweet treat! But I made it through and had a hot drink and an apple.
Today is sheet and blanket washing day. It’s a big job for my old back, but in another 90 minutes, it will be done!
We have a really great Oil Delivery person now. In what once was a men’s only job, we now have Bev. She is wonderful! So, today I called the Oil Company we use and told them how much we like and appreciate Bev, what a great job she does, and how wonderfully she represents their company. I like those sorts of calls. I’m big on praise, especially where it is deserved.
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night. You know, I wish they would just leave the time alone. Going back and ahead just messes up my internal clock like crazy.

Have a great weekend everyone and while the sun shines, get out and enjoy!