Life – Page 15 – The Dackel Princess

Putter, Putter, Putter…

Tuesday found me puttering around a lot. I actually got many little things done, and I am feeling better.

The funniest thing happened yesterday, though. We were looking at dog food bags, reading ingredients, and this 50 pound bag started to fall. In my past careless life, I would have reached to stop it. Instead, I stood back and let it fall. Right now, nothing is worth messing up my neck!

Folks, it is freezing here. I wore long-johns all day long, and also used a blanket in the evening. This afternoon, Hubby made me a fire in our fireplace and I sure am enjoying that.

Because I am still somewhat limited on my movement I watched 2 movies today. “Louis Pasture” and “Madame Curie”. Both made in the 30’s and early 40’s and very well done. Both of these pioneers paved the road for health in our world.

I’m going back to Weight Watchers tomorrow. I may not be able to eat the foods yet, but I want to start learning about the new program. We shall see…

Oh yes. The new cheap, back up coffee maker did a fine job making coffee and keeping it hot. Not bad!

It All Went South & So Did We

This morning I woke and went to make coffee, with our back up coffeemaker, which we figure is somewhere over 30 years old. All was going well, until the water in the holding tank came pouring out the sides. I cannot tell you the swear words which were muttered, or how many dish rags I threw around trying to contain the mess! Let us just say, that this was really pulling at my New Years Resolution to “Live Life To The Fullest and Enjoy!”

Well, I poured hot water through a Melita type filter and managed to make a little coffee, but that was the moment where I decided that Monday was definitely an emergency coffee maker buying day.

The first thing Hubby did when he got up was call Kitchen Aid about our beloved and expensive coffeemaker. They were helpful and pleasant, and although our machine is on back order, we will get another new machine, free of charge and delivery fees! Yay! Again! Hope this one lasts us past the warranty!

We looked at each other and decided to go in search of a cheap pot, as well as a new home phone/answering machine. It was really my first foray out into the frozen world to shop!

We started at BJ’s Warehouse, where we found a great phone system for the house. The price was right, and it included cordless phones for the office and bedroom as well. After getting it home and hooked up, I can say that I really like it, more than I thought I would.

Then we went to Walmart and I stood there with my Smart-Phone and looked up different cheap models until we found one that seemed to fit the bill. Less than $30.00 and makes a full 12 cups. Currently, I have run a pot of water through, to make sure that all was clear, and we will make our first pot tomorrow. I promise to report!

We stopped at the Chinese Buffet and I was able to eat a few things, and it was nice to see the family who runs the restaurant. We have known them many years now, and they have been following me since my surgery. Today they were very happy to see me up and about, with no bandage!

I am now home, it is down to 7 degrees F (-13C). I am dressed in my long-underwear, and heavy bathrobe. Double socks and yet my hands and feet still feel chilled.

That is all an observation, no real complaint. You see, it’s January in New Hampshire. What else can we expect?

Clocks Change, Doggy Schedules Do Not!

On Sunday, I had these great plans that would find me doing laundry, organizing my winter sweaters and cooking a nice big meal for Hubby.

However, our clocks changed today and fell back an hour. Now this should be a good thing, right? An extra hour of sleep? Not if you have children or dogs.

The dogs were all going crazy most of the day. Their internal clocks have not adjusted, so at four this afternoon, they started barking for their dinner. I finally broke down at 4:30 and fed the beasts!

So, I watched football (a very odd occurrence if the patriots aren’t playing, and they weren’t), and I also cleaned the stove. Ah well, see, that was productive! Aside from those two things, not much was done to further any of my plans for the day.

Ah well, it’s the start of a new week! Have a great one!

Savannah & A Movie Review

So again, I am off. Poor Hubby is home with the beasts, and I am off to have fun with Savannah. My bag is packed, and come morning, I will be off to Savannah’s dance class and then it’s time for the two of us to have some Oma and Savi time!

We went to see The Bridge of Spies, with Tom Hanks. It was a slow movie, but the subject matter intrigued both Jack and I.

It has to do with the Spy swap for Frances Gary Powers in 1962. The trade takes place at The Glienicker Brücke, in Berlin, Germany.

When we had our daughters living with us in Berlin during the summer of 1989, West Berlin was still a closed city. We traveled all around West Berlin, showing them the wall. We also went into East Berlin and showed them the difference at that time.

Amanda is in the white skirt and Jessica is in the pink top. I think they would agree, this trip really opened their eyes! I learned a lot that summer.

Back to the movie. It was well acted, and the last half an hour, you will be on the edge of your seat!

One must wonder, is there anything that Tom Hanks can’t do?

Life Is Good

Life is truly good. Not always, but right now, life is really good!

There he is! My new grandson! Yes, he is still in the Mommy incubator, eating, floating around, and getting bigger and stronger.

My daughter is feeling well, and aside from being tired, this pregnancy seems to be very low stress and finds her in very good health!

See? Life is good! The as yet to be named baby boy, is due in early March. Actually, I’m finding that this pregnancy is really flying by.

Savannah is so happy she will be a big sister, and I bet she will be a big help to Mandy. It’s just the way it is with Savi. She loves doing things and being helpful.

Speaking of Savi, I am going down this weekend to take care of her and have some fun Oma and Savannah time! I can hardly wait!

Life is beautiful!

Bang, Bang!

The night before last, I woke at 2:14 AM to what sounded like gun fire. I counted the explosions and then it stopped. A moment later, it started again. Rapid fire. Then a single shot, and then one more.

Now I have to tell you, this really scared me. I lay there in the darkness and wondered, what the heck was going on. It’s not hunting season yet, and it is a little late in the year for fireworks. Especially at 2:14 in the morning.

Yesterday seemed normal during the day and then tonight after dinner, we started to hear the blasts again.

So we called the police. If it is just kids with fireworks, then fine, fireworks are legal in this state, but if it is someone screwing around with a gun, then that is not fine.

This time, Hubby said I was not over-reacting. He was uncomfortable too.

What would you think if you were awoken in the night by what sounded like gun blasts? I admit, that despite the fact that I believe in a person’s right to bear arms, lately I’m thinking that background checks really need to be done. Too many crazy people shooting the innocent.

New Englanders!

Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about New Englanders…

Forget Rednecks ….

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don’t work there, you live in New England .

People are really nice up here. And helpful!

If you’ve worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in New England.

Well, I never have (fat thighs), but I have seen this!

If you’ve had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you live in New England.

Guilty!

If Vacation means going anywhere south of New York City for the weekend, you live in New England.

Yeah, so what about it?

If you measure distance in hours, you live in New England .

That is true. Hubby and I are talking about our vacation and didn’t speak miles, just hours.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in New England .

You mean you know someone who hasn’t?

If you have switched from ‘heat’ to ‘A/C’ in the same day and back again, you live in New England .

Just this morning.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England .

I’m getting better at winter driving. Hubby is still the best!

If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in New England.

Funny, but this is pretty true, especially the further north you live!

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you live in New England .

One of the first things Hubby #1 taught me.

If you design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in New England .

Very true. Halloween is usually pretty darn cold.

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph you’re going 80 and everybody is passing you, you live in New England.

I think Connecticut is the worst place, but really, all over New England thins is true.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in New England .

Oh yeah, trust me. When the potholes are filled with snow and ice, the ride is a lot smoother.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction, you live in New England .

Oh man! This is so true!

If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England .

Just ask Hubby.

If you find 10 degrees ‘a little chilly’, you live in New England .

I am just waiting for the cooler temperatures!

If there’s a Dunkin Donuts on every corner, you live in New England .

Just down the street!

If you think everyone else has a funny accent, you live in New England .

Well, I strive not to speak with an accent. But…

If you actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all your New England friends, you live or have lived in New England.

OK, people. This is how it is!

Dackel Princess-Up & Running

Good afternoon one and all. My Web Maven, Megan has now update the WordPress basics for me. As I said, it has been 6 years. I opened the writing part up and “WOW” everything looks so different. I stumbled around, and found my way into the writing part of the program. Actually, this is pretty good. Give me a week, and I think I will have it all memorized.

Now I want to take a week or so and work on a new face for Dackel Princess. Something pretty, that incorporates all my pups.

I think this new program might really be interesting to use! Thanks again, Megan, and I will be in touch after our trip with ideas for the new Dackel Princess look!

What’s A Guitar Worth?

For all you airline passengers that have had problems with a claim…

A Canadian musician from Halifax named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation.

The Manager responded: “Good luck with that one, pal.”

So Dave created and posted a retaliatory video on YouTube. The video has since received over 6 million hits. United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was: “Good luck with that one, pal.”

Taylor Guitars sent the Dave two new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has led to a sharp increase in orders.

TGIF

Thursday found me pulling everything out of the linen closet and going through everything, piece by piece. Some things needed to be refolded, and stacked, while other things needed to go into the pile of things for St. Vincent DePaul.

It was so hot here today. I think I our highest temperature was 94 degrees, with really high humidity. Anyway, that end of the house is now air conditioned and I was just melting!

Why was I cleaning the closet after all this time? Well, with the house sitter coming, it suddenly dawned on me that if she needed an extra towel, she would need to open the door and then she would see the ultimate of disasters in my linen closet.

One thing I found was a bag full of puppy toys, from my breeding days. I pulled it out and handed each dog a toy. Well, Lili thinks she has died and gone to Heaven! Currently, she has all the puppy toys on her bed and is walking around with a different one in her mouth over and over.

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The dackels are not amused by her puppy dog antics and they are trying their best to ignore her. But oh my gosh, she is just too cute! Meanwhile, Anneliese just jumped down and stole a toy. I guess she had her fill of Lili acting like she owned them all!

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So, the closet is clean, the dogs are happy and I managed to get through the day without, quite literally, melting!

I also gave each dackel a bath, and they currently all need a good stripping of their coats. It’s amazing how much fur come off them after a good soapy bath.