My Life – Page 113 – The Dackel Princess

Random Dozen

1. What is your favorite fair/carnival food? Fried dough yum!

2. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Yes

3. What is your favorite gift to receive? Almost anything. I love to get presents.

4. When was the last time you tried something new? A few weeks ago I tried soft shell crabs and I LOVED them!

5. What is your favorite and least favorite book genre? Favorite are enduring love stories (hopeless romantic that I am) and least favorite are Science Fiction.

6.Silver or Gold? Gold.

7. What makes you sigh? A beautiful sight, a gentle hug, a peaceful melody.

8. If you didn’t know how old you are, how old would you claim you are? Very. I have often said I am an old spirit, living in a young person’s body.

9. Would you break a law to save a loved one? To protect a loved one? Yes. In a heartbeat.

10. If you had to teach something, what would it be? Cooking. I would love to be Julia Child! (LOL)

11. You’re having lunch with 3 people whom you respect and admire. They begin to criticize a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. What do you do? I would point out her strong points and if it didn’t stop them, I would explain that she is my friend and hope this would end the discussion. If it didn’t then I would leave.

12. Which of the 5 Love Languages is your prominent means of experiencing love?

Quality Time
Physical Touch
Acts of Service
Gifts
Words of Affirmation

The one I am least interested in are gifts. I know everyone loves presents, but I think it’s the least important. I love being with the people I love, I love hugs and kisses, and I never tire of hearing those three words, “I love you“!

Anneliese & Groceries

Monday was the first day that I left Anneliese alone for a couple of hours. We desperately needed food, and as it turned out the separation was good for both of us.

Hubby and I had our breakfast and then headed for the grocery stores. I will tell you that I have never shopped as quickly and as efficiently as I did today. Although I was concentrating on getting all the items on my list, I was also thinking about getting back home to my girl.

I bought some special food items for her too. She needs them right now until she has recovered, and she ate a little this afternoon, which was really encouraging.

In fact, I think she has turned the corner.

Oh she is not completely well yet, but she is doing so much better and that makes me very happy!

Tuesday will find me baking and cooking all day. In the morning I want to make a couple more loaves of zucchini bread,

and in the afternoon, I plan to make Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon!!!

I am so excited about this and will be taking pictures and posting how it all comes out on Wednesday. Stay tuned!!!

Old Movies & TV Shows

The last couple of days I have found that TV has been painfully boring! Due to the fact that I am sort of house bound at the moment with Anneliese, I’m looking for something to watch and/or listen to. Reading is still close to impossible for me, as I cannot see most printed book fonts and even when I use large print books, my eyes tire pretty quickly.

I digress.

Movies. Yes, I have found that some movies I can listen to while I work, and since I have seen them waaaay more than just one time, I almost know the lines each actor is saying.

Take the movie “Julie and Julia“.

Right now they are really overplaying it on the movie channels, and as it is one of my favorites, I often tune it in just to listen to. My cousin and I love Julia Child, and we both are big fans of her PBS TV Series, which they still rerun, as well as this movie. Meryl Streep captures her perfectly. And unfortunately for my family, I am starting to do a killer imitation of Meryl Streep imitating Julia Child!

This morning I actually pulled out my copy of a movie that I hadn’t seen in a while.

“When Harry Met Sally“.

Now that is also an old friend sort of movie. No matter how many times I have seen it, that movie always makes me laugh. Especially the scene in the Deli when Harry and Sally are talking about sex.

Last night I watched a very old movie on Turner Classic Movies.

“Leave Her To Heaven” with Gene Tierney.

I’ve always loved Gene Tierney because of her role in:

“The Ghost and Mrs Muir“

another of my favorites, but in the movie last night, she played a very bad woman, and she did it so well! What an actress she was!

I’ve also watched “My Big Fat Greek Wedding“

and several episodes of “NCIS“

and “Bethanny Getting Married?“

I know. Reality TV, but somehow I’ve gotten hooked on this show!

Oh yes, and Julia. The real Julia Child in her old show,

“The French Chef“

and “Julia and Jacques“.

I have enjoyed some ‘watching’ of these shows, but more often then not I am ‘listening’ to them as I go about my work. They’re all sort of comforting old friends. You know things that make us feel like we aren’t quite so alone. I may break out,

“The Lake House“

tomorrow and listen to that while I fold the laundry that I plan to do. I think that is another one of my favorite movies and I really enjoy the musical soundtrack from it as well.

What are your favorite movies or TV shows? Are there any that seem like old friends to you? Or am I just crazy?

Friday Fil-Ins

And…here we go!

1. Music _Makes my heart sing_.

2. _COFFEE_ is what I like first thing in the morning.

3. The first thing I said this morning was: _It’s okay, Anneliese_.

4. _Baked chicken_; it’s what’s for dinner tonight.

5. It’s all been _a bit crazy here this week._

6. _Sleeping_ is what I feel like doing right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _watching a DVD_, tomorrow my plans include _catching up on some housework_ and Sunday, I want to _sit quietly and read the newspaper in the morning and then make Plum Jam in the afternoon_!

Friday Fil-Ins are provided by my cousin Janet. Come on and join the fun!

Life & Coffee

So the day dawned, and Anneliese, Arnie, Greta, Fritz and I woke like we always do, and after a walk in the yard where they communed with nature, and I stood there in my robe, slippers, and sunglasses and watched them, we were able to come back in to my freshly brewed coffee. It always amazes me that until I have that first cup of coffee, I remain in lala land.

We came in and by that time the coffee was made and my first cup of pleasure was poured. I fixed it up, sat down and read my email, while I sipped it.

Have you ever noticed how wonderful that first cup tastes in the morning? I’m not sure why, perhaps it is that after a long night’s sleep, it just makes the taste that much nicer.

I brought Anneliese in this morning for her post operative check up. She is doing very well, and aside from her discomfort, she is healthy and will be well. She has followed me around all day and wanted to sit in my lap or next to me, but all is going as it should.

I’ve got my very last batch of Bread and Butter Pickles soaking and they will be canned tomorrow. After that, I’ve got plums coming and I want to make a couple of batches of Plum Jam. I also plan to bake a Peach Kuchen for Hubby, who has been so wonderful the last few days.

Yes, life goes on, doesn’t it? Yes, sometimes we stumble and fall, sometimes the world doesn’t turn the way you wish that it did, but then…you wake up. You put on your robe and slippers and sunglasses and go outside and breathe.

And you just know, that life is good.

2nd Cup Of Coffee (She’s Baaaack!)

1. When was the last time you laughed until you cried?

This morning as I wait for Anneliese to go into labor.

2. If you found $10 today, what would you do with it?

Tuck it away for later use.

3. Do you volunteer anywhere?

Yes. I’m a Library Trustee and that is all volunteer.

4. What is your favorite summertime veggie or fruit, and how do you eat it?

Corn of the cob and Ichiban Eggplant.

5. Is your social sphere (circle of friends) small, medium or large?

It depends. Locally, small, But world-wide, very large!

6. When was the last time you attended a family or school reunion? How did that go?

June 27th I think it was.

7. When you’re feeling blue, what is the best way someone can cheer you up?

Cooking a meal or taking me out for dinner.

8. Have you taken a vacation this summer?

Yes, back in June.

9. What is the most unnecessary item you carry with you all the time?

Pictures of my loved ones.

10. What is the best summer flick you have seen so far?

Haven’t been to the movies, but love old movies. I watched “The Road To Morocco” the other night with Bob Hope and laughed and laughed!

11. Describe a perfect summer day.

Warm, dry air, and a barbecue with potato salad and fresh fruit, with the ones that I love!

12. Please a share a favorite photo from the summer so far!

I couldn’t pick just one so I made a mosaic!

A Waiting Game

Here at The Dackel Princess Home, we are still awaiting the birth of Anneliese’s pup. Saturday saw her changing her usual personality and becoming more of a recluse. At one point she had climbed under our bed, and I managed to get her out. Now we’ve closed off the doors to any rooms with beds, and tried our best to encourage her to go into the whelping box.

But I can see her laugh at us because she doesn’t want the whelping box, but perhaps the softness of my bed to give birth on! That’s not going to happen!

While Anneliese follows her internal clock, I have kept busy canning more pickles and vacuuming the family room and kitchen, as I like to have a quiet house the first week the puppies are born. Even if there is just one this time.

I’ve been watching the Owls on The Owl Box. Their first egg hatched this morning and I was able to get this screen shot of Molly and her new Owlet, Ashley.

You can see Molly feeding her 45 minute old baby. I was so thrilled to get this shot! I had attempted two others and didn’t get the one I wanted and then, BAM! I got this!!!

I also had a weird thing happen to me. Last night I picked up an old newspaper to read in the tub and when I opened it up, there I WAS!!!

Now call me surprised! I came out to the family room and told Hubby I’d found some strange woman in the news paper! He laughed and joked about it for a while. The two newspapers were several days old (see how often I actually read a newspaper these days?), and I probably would have missed this if I hadn’t had the urge to bring them with me into the tub!

I guess some days it pays to read the local news!

Peaches, Pickles & Puppies

Wednesday, when I arrived home from Weight Watchers, Hubby handed me a peach. A peach from our very own Reliance Peach Tree. I bit into it, and the juice drizzled down my chin! Yes folks, it’s peach season here in New Hampshire!

We have a bumper crop and Hubby has already sold 35 pounds of peaches, with another 45 pounds ready to go tomorrow! I’m planning to make 2 batches of my Heavenly Peach Jam, but the rest will be given to neighbors and sold to the local farm stands.

I have another big batch of cucumbers and plan to make pickles again this weekend. I’m not sure which kind I’ll make. Moonglow or Bread & Butter. Probably the Moonglow.

Anneliese is uncomfortable, and I think she is ready to have this baby and be done with it! She sleeps a lot, and also tries to stretch out to give her belly and the baby some room.

Her constant companion these days is her brother, Arnie. He seems to sense that she is with puppy, and he snuggles up in an attempt to make her feel good.

Since her temperature is still normal I’m guessing it will be another couple of days. Last time her temperature dropped to 97 degrees and 36 hours later the puppies were born. So, I will keep taking her temperature (much to her dismay), and let you all know when it drops!

The Eye…Again!

I went in on Tuesday and saw my Retinal Surgeon. My retina is still in place, but I have quite a bit of vitreous gel in my eye causing these crazy symptoms. Great, I thought, no problem there, but my doctor cautioned me that we are not out of the woods yet and we must monitor the eye carefully.You see the vitreous gel can actually pull at and cause a retinal detachment!

I need to report any new symptoms, as a blow to the head or shaking of the head can, in fact, cause a retinal detachment. No heavy lifting or strenuous behavior either. I go back to see him in four weeks, or sooner if things get worse.

I grabbed a quick breakfast before Hubby and I drove back home arriving just before lunch. The dogs were overjoyed to see us and it was good to be home. I took a little nap after lunch, and I tried to figure out how to live with this “eye thing” having over me?

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Meanwhile, I am still having problems with my “Host”. So if you log in and can’t get on, please come back and try again later. I have been yelling wildly working with my host provider to get my blog moved over to a more reliable server, as the one that they currently have me on keeps going down…daily! How long I will put up with this madness is anyone’s guess.

Anneliese & Maribeth

Monday, I took Anneliese in for her exam at the Veterinarian’s Office. Yes, it is one pup. The pup is good size, but looks like she can deliver it okay. The head was about 1 inch across, and Anneliese’s birth canal is about 1 and 3/4 inches across so the baby should be able to pass through. She is due at the end of this week and we are all waiting. I’m taking her temperature twice a day, waiting for it to drop (this indicates the start of her labor). Hopefully it won’t happen until Thursday or Friday because…

Tuesday morning I must go in and have a surgical procedure done to my right eye. They believe that my retina is tearing away from the back of the eye again and I hope all I will need is some laser surgery and I’ll be right as can be!

You see, over the weekend I began to have some vision problems and today I called Dr. C.’s office and they arranged for me to come in today. Please wish me luck and hold a good thought for a positive outcome!

So that’s where we are today. Anneliese expecting one baby and Maribeth expecting another eye surgery!