My Life – Page 118 – The Dackel Princess

Last Day

Today was the last day for me in Berlin. We took the S-Bahn into Potsdamer Platz and enjoyed the afternoon. My feet were aching before we even opened the door to leave, so we knew that a lot of walking was not in order. Some, yes, but a lot, no.

We started fairly late, so when we arrived we went right to lunch. Volker and I both had wonderful Wiener Schnitzel,

and Uschi had Zander, a type of Pike Fish.

It was all very delicious, and we enjoyed the wonderful meal! However after that Uschi and I insisted we walk to burn off all the calories. I’m afraid I would have had to walk to the USA and back to burn up all the calories I consumed, but I did mention a hasty return to Weight Watchers on Wednesday.

Me with a Lego giraffe!

Uschi and I with our Healthy strawberry Sundays!

Volker with his berry delight treat!

We walked around Potsdamer Platz shopping area, and I got several cute camisole tops and a few presents for people back home. We even stopped for the requisite gelato and fruit!

I love Berlin!

Soon my feet were really barking at me so we decided to head home. We got here just before dinner time and once we got the dogs settled, we went over to our friend, Sybille’s house for “girls night”. Oh what fun it was to enjoy some time with just the girls! Thank you again, Sybille!

We arrived home and I finished my packing, walked Anneliese, and now I am preparing for bed. After all, tomorrow I get up very early, fly all day long, and get home very late! I will be awake nearly 24 hours upon my arrival.

Hubby, get my bed ready! I’m coming home!

Shrek Feet

Okay, I know I have pretty ugly feet. I accepted this long ago. With feet, there is not much you can do about it either. Just cover them up and hope that no one asks to see them, and that your partner doesn’t break off the relationship when he or she does!

Why am I bringing up feet right now, when all my thoughts should be surrounding Anneliese and our trip to Germany?

I woke up yesterday morning with “Shrek Feet”!

See the similarities?

It has been unmercifully hot here in Berlin. Last night when I went to bed it was nearly 90 degrees just in my room and not much cooler outside! So, yesterday morning when I woke up and my two feet looked like meatloaves, I was more than a little concerned.

I decided I needed water. I drank and drank, but noticed that the liquid was just staying put. Uschi and I went to the Apotheke and spoke to the Pharmacist who gave me an all natural fluid pill. Eventually I should get rid of the fluid. (and so far they seem to be working)

We came back home, I drank a ton of liquid and took my pill. Then we both sat with our feet up and watched TV.

Even Anneliese came out for a while. Uschi’s dog Noah, went outside under the sprinkler, so until he dried off, he was kept out of the house. Anneliese didn’t mind that at all!

In fact on this trip, Anneliese has made herself right at home. She loves her Uncle Volker and her Auntie Uschi, and considers their furniture, her furniture!

Yesterday we also went to a discount shoe store and bought a pair of sandals for the trip home. I still cannot get my puffy feet into my shoes, so velcro sandals to the rescue!

On my last day here, we are going in to Potsdamer Platz. It is a wonderful area to shop around, and most of it is well shaded. I am taking Uschi and Volker out for a meal today and Potsdmer Platz has many nice restaurants there. If Uschi’s and my feet hold up, we may walk around the Tiergarten and enjoy the sights. If our feet give out, we will have Volker drive us back home.

It is hard to believe that my time in Berlin is at an end. I so enjoy spending time with Uschi and her family, and going to the beautiful places in this country! Germany will always be my second home!

Friday Fill-Ins

And…here we go!

1. Cool water_ feels great.
2. The solution is always stay true to yourself_.
3. _Sometimes I can’t fall asleep.
4. How about _just a little more vacation.
5. _Gelato is something I highly recommend!
6. Imagine _lots of dackel puppies_.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _my last night talking with Uschi, tomorrow my plans include _flying to JFK and then Boston and then seeing Hubby, Fritz, Greta and Arnie!_ and Sunday, I want to _recover from my travels_!

Posted by Janet at 8:50 PM

Back In Germany

It’s a lovely and warm spring day here in Berlin. Anneliese and I arrived on Thursday at about 9:15 AM. She was an absolute angel on the planes, but I do have to tell you about a real jerk that we encountered in New York City.

We were forced to fly into LaGuardia Airport from Boston, as our original flight became overly full at the very last moment. This found me running from one gate to the next, clutching Anneliese and catching that flight, along with several other employees. We all agreed to share a taxi from LaGuardia to JFK Airport on the other side of the city.

Well, it was very hot, 87 degrees (F) and humid. When we all got into the taxi, the air conditioner was blowing lovely cold air. I could feel Anneliese panting heavily so I unzipped her bag and let her head pop out, so she could breath.

Well, the moron cab driver announced that “I do not run air conditioning for a DOG!”. We were all incensed and we did not tip the jerk. The ride was long, hot and by the time we reached Kennedy Airport, we were all dripping messes! I was angry and felt bad that the other 3 people were forced to suffer.

When I got to the gate for the Berlin flight, I noticed my name was not on the passenger cleared or the passenger stand-by list. I went to the counter and found out that a mistake had been made in Boston, but the nice man assured me that I would get a nice seat, and I did.

Business Class was not completely full and this was wonderful. It meant I did not have to share my area with any one but Anneliese, and that I could also enjoy conversation with the all male Stewards for the flight. They were all the best, and a pleasure to speak with.

The ride was bumpy and I had to get up a few times to visit the ladies room even thought the seat belt sign was on. However we made it in one piece and early to boot! All good things.

Uschi’s husband too me out to lunch along with their daughter. We had Chinese food! It’s very different here, from what we get in the USA. Perhaps a bit hotter.

When Uschi arrived home from work, we hugged and hugged and talked and talked. We even took a walk, which felt very fine indeed.

Since I have not slept at all in the last two days, I plan a nice early bedtime with Anneliese, and then I hope to hit the ground running in the morning.

Meanwhile, here is a picture of Uschi’s handsome dog, Noah!

Friday Fil-Ins

Courtesy of the lovely Janet.

1. Germany_ is my favorite place to travel to.
2. When I think about my childhood, I often remember Going to Surf drive beach, walking on the jetties and swimming to the raft_.
3. Laughter, loving and kindness_ makes for a good friend.
4. The wind in the trees, the rain on my skin, and love in my heart_.
5. Breeding Anneliese again_ is so exciting!
6. My best friend knows The good, the bad, and the ugly, but still loves me!_.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to talking with Uschi until we exhaust ourselves, tomorrow my plans include BREEDING ANNELIESE and Sunday, I want to meet up with a blog friend in Berlin and enjoy a leisurely meal and lots of good German beer!_!

Leaving for Germany

I am hoping that I am now in Berlin. I’m writing this ahead of time so that I can auto post it as I travel. Anneliese and I are due to leave New York’s JFK Airport at 6:45 PM on Wednesday June 2nd and arrive in Berlin at 9:45 AM Thursday morning June 3rd.

I am hoping the flight went well and was uneventful, but tomorrow I will give you a full accounting of my trip. All the wild, wacky and wonderful moments!

Auf Wiedersehen

See you tomorrow!

Preparations

Well, we got it done. I drove nearly three hours down to Massachusetts, got Anneliese’s documents signed and took her with me too! She was such a good little passenger and kept me company. I sure hope she rides this well in the plane on Wednesday! Then we drove three hours home, stopping for gas, mail, money, and groceries for Hubby.

By the time I actually got in, I was beat and just wanted to sit and do nothing. Of course this was not to be the case. I had to finish packing my bags, made a meatloaf, finished the laundry and then repacked my suitcase three more times, subtracting a few things each time. It still seems heavy to me, but it isn’t really.

So Wednesday morning will find Hubby driving me to Boston and from there Anneliese and I will make our way to New York and then Berlin.

I will check in with you all as soon as I get to Germany.

Paperwork

Currently I have done the preparation needed in the house and in my suitcase and Anneliese’s bag to prepare for the journey. Now, I must attend to the paperwork. I have all my documents, and I will drive the 103 miles down to the Federal Veterinarian to get Anneliese’s travel documents stamped.

Then I will drive 103 miles home, hopefully getting back in time to prepare Hubby a nice meal, and retiring early enough to get a good night sleep. I tend to be nervous the night before I travel, but I am going to really try NOT to do that this time.

Anneliese really needs to be bred soon, and I am thinking that Saturday may be the great reunion between Isegrim and his lady love! The weather is due to be sunny and warm that day, Could springtime love be in the air? I certainly hope so.

Meanwhile I am keeping my eyes on the paperwork to be completed, and have packed the car for my trip, loading it with CD’s and a nice mug of hot coffee in the morning will help.

Planting

Sunday was a hard work day for me. Hubby helped early on to turn the soil in the garden and then I raked and set about planting all my enormous seedlings in the garden. Zucchini, summer squash, pickling cucumbers, regular cucumbers, green peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, peas and green and purple beans!

Betty asked me if we eat all the vegetables that we grow. Yes and no. We cook a lot of them, and we also preserve them by canning them. Our fruit trees yield so much more than we actually eat, so we sell what we can to a local farm stand. But the vegetables are pretty much just for us.

I did plant twice as many pickling cucumbers this year because I made bread and butter pickles last year and they were a real treat! I only made one batch, and they got eaten far too quickly! So I am hoping to make two or three batches this year!

I had a lot of help planting the garden too. Fritz stood guard, along with his favorite ball.

And I had Anneliese out with me so she could stretch her legs and enjoy the day. I did use a leash with her though, as I am a tad nervous with her in an impregnable condition!

All in all the six hours I spent, along with Hubby part of the time, planting were nice. The weather is warm, although it was a bit windy. I slathered on sunscreen and later in the day actually put on a light weight turtleneck to protect my shoulders and neck.

Sunday night found me watching the Family Channel’s Harry Potter Marathon. I never get tired of that! Monday is laundry, ironing and packing day, and Tuesday I finish up Anneliese’s paperwork by getting her documents stamped!

It’s getting very close now!

Memorial Day Celebrations!

You all know I am crazy about Lobster. I’ve written about this several times. Today my friend Dave, who is my cousin Janet’s boyfriend, brought Lobster and Steamers (clams) to my home. I’d made potato salad and gotten the corn on the cob, and butter and we set about preparing the meal.

While we waited for the water to come to a boil to cook everything, we kind of played around with the lobsters.

Here is a close up of my Lobster “before”!

Here I am juggling them! (Not really)

One got rather amorous with me!

Yes, it was love at first sight!

Even the dackels wanted to check them out!

After a while the water boiled and fighting back tears, I plunged them into the water and put the lid on tightly. Before we knew it, everything was done and our luncheon feast was ready!

And here is my lobster! He cooked up very prettily, don’t you think?

We ate outside on the patio and the day was just perfect for that!

After eating, we cleaned up and headed into town. Today was a Crafts Festival in our downtown area, and we wanted to check it all out. I live about a 10 minute walk from the center of town, so we walked off all the lobster and clams that we had been eating.

There were a lot of Craft Booths set up and many people were out looking, but I didn’t see a lot of people buying. About the most popular booth was the Kettle Popcorn Booth that also sold Lemon-aid! Janet and I split a lemon-aid and it was so good!

We walked around for an hour and a half and then walked back to my house. What a wonderful day it was all around. I thank Dave and Janet for bringing the wonderful main course for our meal. Those Lobsters were so fresh and sweet, and so were the clams!

Happy Memorial Day!