Category: My Life

At 7:02 this morning the temperature here was 4 degrees (F) with 55 mile an hour winds! Yeah, it was cold! So I got on the computer and sent a Twitter message to our local weatherman and about a half an hour later he mentioned that “Dackel Princess in ***** New Hampshire, reported in with 55 mile an hour winds and 4 degree weather!”

I’m such a kid, really. I was so excited that I jumped up and down and started screaming! “That’s Me!” And the only one here to witness this were the dogs!

Here is Greta witnessing the great event!

Before we knew it, it was time to drive over to the doctor’s office for my eye exam. I was nervous due to the fact that I am a born worrier. I was also concerned because I needed to step up and let my doctor know that I needed him to talk to me, and not rush me through my appointment.

Hubby drove me because of the high winds and blowing snow, and I was glad that he did. We chit-chatted all the way over and I felt pretty relaxed. I’d brought my computer with me because the last time I went I learned that the hospital now has free WiFi! So instead of reading 3 year old magazines, I sat and read my email, sent a message on Facebook, and surfed the web.

Finally I was called for my appointment and I must say I was very happy at the end. I felt I really connected with my doctor, and the news on my recently detached retina was good. It’s recovering right on schedule. My left eye (which had a detached retina 7 years ago), has been diagnosed with a macular pucker (also known as Epiretinal Membrane, ERM). In time I will need to have this membrane removed, and I should retain some if not most of my vision in that eye! He said I would probably need glasses for the rest of my life, but who cares? As long as I can see!

We drove home in the cold, talking and listening to the radio, and as soon as I got home I started a fire in the hearth. Oh how lovely that has been. Warm, bright and nice. At one time or another all the dackels have been in front of it. Fritz, who is afraid of fires, is hiding in the mud room bathroom.

Tonight is the Wolf Full Moon. I got on my coat, hat, scarf and gloves and went out and took pictures. It is lovely.

So my day was a good one, and it is ending nicely as well, despite the 50 mile an hour winds that continue to blow. Tonight I feel relaxed, happy and at peace.

Today I got out……alone. After Weight Watchers I drove to the next town and gassed up my Jeep, picked up Hubby’s favorite salad dressing, and then shopped for the foods to make me thin.

Yogurt, fake eggs, and new low sugar instant oatmeal! I’m not sure how that will taste, but I am hoping that it will be good. I also hit the vegetable isle and loaded the shopping cart with all sorts of yummy vegetables, and fish. I got the most delicious piece of Swordfish that Hubby and I shared for dinner.

By the time I got to the check out register I realized I was feeling pretty tired. Make that extremely tired. It then dawned on me that I have not done so much since early December. This was a first.

So I drove home, stopping for our mail and picking up a salad for my lunch. I came into the house and was greeted by excited and happy doggies, who I immediately let out to run. I put away the frozen foods, and once I got the dogs in, I sat down and had my salad.

Hubby arrived back home from skiing and he carried the groceries up for me. What a doll! After I put everything away, I sat down, pulled the blanket over my lap and fell asleep for about an hour. I woke feeling groggy, with three dackels draped all over me.

The best part of the day was that I actually did get out. I did get the shopping done, and I got the groceries put away. I’m getting back on my feet and that is a very good thing.

The sun came out at 4:10 pm, shortly before it set on Tuesday afternoon. The temperatures were starting to drop and since I find my middle aged body unable to control it’s thermostat, I decided to make a fire in the hearth. Hubby thinks I am insane, but I sure do love my late afternoon fires to take the chill off of the family room. I did smile when he went over and rearranged the logs, so the fire would burn better!

I’m a lucky girl to have a Hubby who looks out for me and the pups.

Greta was in the kitchen this morning with me while I made breakfast. I heard a noise and looked down. There was Greta picking up a dog dish, just like Snoopy!

It was the cutest thing. Since I am a soft touch, I got a little bit of crunchy food for the three dachshunds. Greta was smiling after that. Her little ploy worked!

I took today as a quiet day because many of you told me to. Of course I listened and put my feet up and snuggled with Arnie, Anneliese and Greta, who was very grateful for her crunchy snack!

Hubby is going skiing on Wednesday while I go to Weight Watchers and shop for a few things at the grocery. The Library calls me in the afternoon, so I will have a 2 hour meeting there.

You know what was totally wonderful? When I turned on my old computer and looked at the pictures, there were the “lost” pictures of Anneliese’s puppies birth! I was just thrilled!

It was truly a great way to end my day!

My day started exceptionally early due to the fact that Hubby and the three dackels were all trying to push me out of bed! I pushed back hoping everyone would get the message, but they only pushed harder and I had to fight for my space. Eventually we all settled down, and I got a little more sleep before Hubby woke me so I could help him prepare for the last day of skiing before the rain comes! Hopefully, the rain won’t wash away all of the snow, but it is not looking good.

While Hubby was out, I tossed Fritz out the door and put the dackels in the family room and vacuumed and washed the kitchen floor. That floor has been causing me a lot of grief, mostly because I know when it was last washed and it just wasn’t good! So, today with steely determination, I got that floor done!

My eye ached in the afternoon (I know, I overdid!) so I decided it was time to sit down, have a nice cup of coffee and turn off the TV and listen quietly to music. Something I have done a lot of, since my retinal detachment. Watching TV seems to bother my eyes, but soft music is soothing!

I have a fire burning in the hearth, and a simple dinner of lamb chops and baked potatoes planned. The evening should be quiet and dreamy, a perfect ending to the weekend.

This was how my day ended.

This picture was taken in the next town to mine. I have started putting my small camera in my pocketbook! You never know when you might see something great!

The day was bright and beautiful, cold, but beautiful! I spent most of the day doing laundry and  napping, as the dogs got me up exceptionally early.

We went out tonight for dinner with our friends Vicki and Jack. I had duck and Hubby had  Prime Rib. It was a nice time. I left the TV on while we were gone and it seemed to help Fritz. Although I was extremely worried when we walked into the house, that I might find….

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The other day a friend sent out this video from Germany. I just fell in love with the music and although I didn’t understand the lyrics (at first) due to my very poor German, I found a translation, that I believe is close (German speakers please correct the inaccuracies!). I like the theme. It’s all about life.

House at the Lake

I was born here, walking the streets
know the faces, every house and every shop
I got to get out, I know every pigeon by name
thumb out, I wait for a glamorous woman with a fast car

the sun glares, all flies past
and the world behind me shrinks slowly
but the world in front of me was made for me
I know she’s waiting and I come for her

the day is on my side, the winds at my back
a female choir at the side of the road, that sings for me
I lean back and look in the deep blue
close my eyes and walk straight ahead

chorus:
and at the end of the road stands a house at the lake
leaves of an orange tree lie on the path
I have 20 children, my wife is beautiful
all come to visit me, I don’t have to go out
seen in a dream, the house at the lake

I seek a new country, with unknown streets
faces of strangers and no one knows my name
winning all in a game with marked cards
losing all, god has a tough left hook

I dig for treasures in snow and sand
and women turn my world upside down
but one day I’ll have luck
and return with both pockets full of gold

I’ll invite all old friends and relatives
and all start to cry tears of joy
we have a barbecue, the mothers cook and we drink booze
and we have a party for a week every night

Chorus:
and the moon shines bright at my house at the lake
leaves of an orange tree lie on the path
I have 20 children, my wife is beautiful
all come to visit me, I don’t have to go out
seen in a dream, the house at the lake

and at the end of the road stands a house at the lake
leaves of an orange tree lie on the path
I have 20 children, my wife is beautiful
all come to visit me, I don’t have to go out

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

I was born here, here I’ll get buried
my ears are deaf, I have a white beard and sit in the garden
my 100 grandchildren play cricket on the lawn
when I think about it, I can hardly wait.

I woke early on Wednesday and after walking the dogs and making the coffee I dressed and made breakfast to take with me to Weight Watchers. I weighed in and lost one pound!

It always amazes me how quickly the weight goes on, and how very slowly it comes off!!!

I stayed for the meeting despite the fact that they eye was bothering me, and then I picked up Hubby’s laptop computer, now free of all viruses, and then drove back to my home town. It was then I did something important.

I registered to run for Library Trustee!

It was exciting for me and I was happy as I signed the document that will put my name on the ballot. I love my job at the Library and I hope I will win the election.

I had a meeting with a community group that helps the poor and those kids that need direction in their lives. It was my first meeting with them, but I was impressed and have decided to join the organization.

I came home and hoped that my eye would calm down, but Hubby says it looks red and sore. I took some medication to help the pain, but so far, it hasn’t helped at all. Rats!

I hadn’t been home long when the snow started…again. Not much, but enough to make the roads slick. I know it is just January, but I keep wondering…will spring ever come?

And lastly, I have exciting news. My grand-puppy, Bogart is coming to spend 10 days with grandma!  He will be here in February! I am so pleased to have the time with this little guy. There will be a lot of pictures!

Have a great day everyone!!!

I went to visit my dentist today for a cleaning and check-up. I am from the generation of children  from the pre-fluoride era, so I have a real mouthful of intricate dental work. I mean, it’s so intricate that CSI or NCIS would not have trouble identifying me through my dental records!

I digress.

I went to my dentist today for my 6 month exam and cleaning and much to my shock and pleasure, my teeth and gums were in great shape! Apparently the Tooth Fairy has taken pity on me and decided not to challenge me with an abundance of dental work.

I grew up dreading a visit to the dentist. The man who cared (and I use that term loosly) for my teeth as a child, was a true sadist. I think he delighted in torturing small children. I cried every time I went. He did not believe in using novacain and so the pain was great when he drilled.

I even bit the creep when I was about 6 or 7 years old!

When I was a teenager I refused to go and at one point had tooth pain that was so bad I couldn’t eat. I said nothing until one morning I woke up and half my face was swollen like a chipmonk! I told my parents I wouldn’t go to that creep and so they called another dentist, the father of a friend of mine, and he reluctantly had to pull the tooth. But he was gentle and kind and I was grateful.

After that I was determined to find nice dentists. I always told them of my fear (and the fact that I bite) and I have been lucky to have found nice dentists, who are gentle.

But the old fears are there and I really have trouble each and every time I have to go, but go I do. Every six months. Like a good and fearless little dental patient!

One thing I want to mention to you, gentle reader is, if you have children, please make sure their dentists are good and kind people. A bad dentist can affect a person for the rest of their life!

After more than a week of dry skies, we are having a snow storm. Nothing too big, just 5-6 inches of the white stuff to mess up the driveway! It will also mean that when I go out tomorrow to bring Hubby’s computer in for repair, I will use the 4 wheel drive Jeep and drive like a Granny!

This is the radar for New Hampshire. The blue area is snow and it is moving North East. This is a small snapshot, trust me, there is a lot more blue coming our way!

Hubby is hoping to go skiing in the morning. There is nothing like fresh snow to make him a happy guy! I encourage him to do it for a few very good reasons. First, he loves to ski,  and is an excellent skier. Certainly better than me! Also, I know it makes him happy. Second, the exercise is so good for him, and third, I get a couple of hours all to my self! lol!

Sunday afternoon TV was so bad that I got out my VHS tapes and watched the BBC comedy “Absolutely Fabulous”.

That show always makes me laugh. If you have never seen it and like British humor, then check it out sometime. Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders are so outrageously funny!

This is a big week for me everyone. Besides getting my teeth cleaned on Tuesday, and a Library Trustee meeting on Thursday, I am also signing up to run for office of Library Trustee. It’s the first time I have run for anything since I was in the 6th grade at school and ran for Class President. (That ended well) This is a town wide election and I am a tad nervous about it.

My plan is to start a month before the election going from door to door ringing doorbells and introducing myself. Then I will be at the polls all day on election day. I love working as a Trustee, and I want to continue this important job.

Wish me luck!

I also have another meeting on Tuesday night and of course Weight Watchers on Wednesday! I love it that I am so busy. Some of the things are for me. Like the teeth and Weight Watchers, but the others will benefit our town and that makes me feel a little bit like I am giving back to my community!

I got a terrific picture of Greta’s baby, Curt. He looks remarkably like is sister Anneliese (different litter, same parents). Here is a baby picture of him and one of him that his new owners sent to me today.

The grow so fast!

Mark it on your calendars. January 14th 2010.

It’s the day that I actually got a lot done! I mean, a lot!

I started by getting Hubby up and out the door to go skiing. I always work better in a quiet house. Once he was off, I turned off the TV, and started my work.

I wrote out the transfers of ownership on the German pedigrees. They arrived yesterday from Germany and I want my puppy buyers to get them as quickly as possible. I got all the boys done this morning! Now this was not really a piece of cake, because the buyers of Wally and Fenway have moved, but sleuth that I am, I tracked them down and got their new address.

Best of all, while putting all the information together I got to speak to everyone (except for Schnapps’s owner) and found out that all the boys are doing great and have won the hearts of their owners. That always makes me feel great!

Then I went through the family room and got all the old magazines and newspapers picked up and stored ready for the recycling center.

I fixed the shower door rubber drip stopper thing. I do not know what they call it, but it is on the bottom of the door and keeps the water from getting out under the door.

I put my library book with my purse, the checkbook, our tax bill, and then went and got the rabies certificates for all the dogs together so I could get their new tags.

Once I did that I went to our Town Hall and paid for the dogs. Then paid my taxes, and got all my receipts and the dog tags for the year!

At the Post Office, I filled out all the Certified Mail documents and mailed off the Pedigrees to the owners of Greta’s boys. I picked up a package, and my mail.

Afterward, I stopped at the Library to return a book and was reminded to register for the elections on January 20th for Library Trustee.

I returned home and made myself lunch before Hubby arrived home and the two of us went off to do a few errands in the next town.

Yeah, that’s when the headache came in and I took my medication and sat down with a sugar free cup of hot cocoa.

Think maybe I did too much?

Oh well, I am happy that I got so much done in such a short period of time. Now I can kick back and rest and plan my next project.

It’s the 2010 De-Clutter Project. I plan to get three containers. One marked St. Vincent DuPaul. One marked Recycling Center. One marked trash. Then I am starting in my bedroom and will sort the closets and room until it is de-cluttered. After that, I am off to the next room, until the house is done.

2010. The year to get out from under all of this junk!