Category: My Life

Yesterday Hubby and I drove to the big city to look at a few things. We wanted to check out scanners, as ours is about 12 years old, and we also wanted to stop a Home Show. Since Greta is at the peak of her heat we decided to take Arnie-man along with us. You know Greta is so horny willing we were afraid to leave him lest she open his crate and throw him down on the floor and have her way with him.

So, about 10 o’clock we got Arnie ready with his traveling harness, leash and sweater and off we went leaving poor Fritz to manage the girls!

We decided to go to places in order of where we got off the highway. Our first stop was my favorite outlet store, LL Bean. They are in the middle of remodeling the store so they had many really good items on sale. I got two bath-sheet towels (really big beach size towels) in a delightful pattern for $7.99 each. I got a deep blue fleece throw blanket for the family room for $6.99, and the best buy was a fleece lined navy blue three season jacket, for me at $14.99!! Plus I had a ten dollar coupon so it was all quite inexpensive!

Then we took Arnie into a pet store at the same mall. They encourage you to bring in your pet. On theory this is a good idea, but on a Saturday when everyone is off of work and goes shopping with their dog, not so much. Poor Arnie actually did well until he saw a 125 pound (baby) bull mastiff! He just barked and barked and barked! We finally picked out a nice bone for him and a toy and then Hubby took him out to water a tree or two while I paid for our purchases.

Next we went to the Home Show. I was walking around and I spoke to a woman who is interested in buying a puppy this summer from me. She wanted to see Arnie but couldn’t leave her vender’s stall. So I went and got Arnie out of the car and brought him in. I have said this before about my little man, he is the Frank Sinatra of dogs, just one totally cool dude! He had people from all over the show coming over to say hello and ask about him.

Next we stopped for lunch at a Chinese buffet. I find this an easy place to go and stay on my diet because the selection always includes a lot of vegetables. I did, however, sneak out a little chicken teriyaki and a fortune cookie for my boy who was waiting so patiently in the car.

We had two more stops after lunch before heading home. Upon arriving we found three dogs who were quite jealous of Arnie, and in turn Arnie, who seemed to delight in the fact that he had been the “chosen” one!

Today Hubby is off skiing this morning, and this afternoon Greta’s lover arrives for the first of heir two dates. Seems my little girl couldn’t wait until April Fools Day. She hardly let me sleep last night as she made is quite clear that SHE WANTS BERNIE – NOW!!!

Ah, yes. I remember the last time, Sex and the single dachshund. I hope this breeding is as good as the last!

I went to Boston today to see my Eye Doctor. She is a specialist in the field. People refer to her as the doctor of last resort, as she is one of those gifted people who solves the difficult cases. And as you all know my eyes have been a constant worry for many years, and even now I worry about them.

I guess I have every reason to. Although I have good vision now, I have a few things that will need to be monitored over the years, lest I be faced with further problems.

I’ve always thought that life was simple, but these days I am starting to see the fact that nothing is ever really easy and I’m just going to have to accept that, and take care.

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Meanwhile, during the time I waited for my eyes to dilate, and my appointment for the doctor to come, I had a chance to participate in my favorite pastime. People-Watching.

There was the handsome father, neatly dressed, sitting with his arm around his ten year old daughter. While she read her book of ghost stories to him, he closed his eyes and looked peacefully, about to fall asleep.

It made me think of my cousin Janet, who always read those “Ghost Stories” while I was reading “Fairy Tales”.

There was the woman, who was probably my sister’s age, there with her mother. The daughter was trying to get her mother’s paper work filled out, and the mother was more interested in trying to find the chicklets at the bottom of her cavernous purse. I watched them for a long time, amazed with her patience. The daughter’s, not the mother’s.

Then there was the older Asian man. He sat there alone doing nothing at all. Suddenly his cell phone rang and he started speaking in fast Chinese (?) and then suddenly his name was called and he hung up the cell phone,and walked to the technician. She asked if he needed a translator. He stood there looking at her. I wanted to shout at her…”Ah yeah, I think that’s a big yes!”. But I sat quietly, and she finally figured it out.

There were several other people, family members, who like Hubby, had driven or come with their loved ones.

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At the end of the day I was so thankful for Hubby. Not only did he do all the driving for me, but he went out and got me a lovely salad for my lunch, while I waited to see the doctor. He also brought me coffee, and then drove me home after the appointment.

It was a long day made entirely bearable by Hubby. That and the pronouncement that I have 20/20 vision. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that things will stay the same and that my eyes will last a lifetime.

Thirteen Things About Maribeth That Begin With The Letter E!

1. Eggplant! My favorite vegetable! I love it just about any way it’s cooked, but probably I like it roasted the very best.

2. Easter. I’ve always loved this holiday because of the music. It gives me hope!

3. Emotions. Oh yeah, I’m menopausal and emotions are right here, watching over my shoulder threatening to mug me at any moment!

4. Europe. Oh I just loved the years when Hubby was still working and we Euro-hopped all over Europe! The history, the customs and the food!

5. Eagles. They are so beautiful to watch and are so majestic!

6. Eyes. Well you all know the story of my Eyes!

7. Eight. Yes eight eye surgeries later I can see beautifully!

8. Egg rolls. I really love a good home made egg roll. Hmmmm!

9. Evergreens. All I can say is that evergreens are beautiful! I especially love them in the winter when they are covered in snow!

10. Elephants. I have always loved them since the first time I saw the as a child! They still thrill me.

11. Eleanor Rigby. Yes, a real snappy song by my favorite group, The Beatles!

12. English Muffins. All I will say here is YUM!

13. Emily! Yes, my special friend will have her 13th birthday on Saturday!

I got up early yesterday morning and delivered a few things to my mother and then went to church to listen to my sister sing in her choir. Pretty voices! It was Palm Sunday, and although I am somewhat of a lapsed Episcopalian, all the liturgy is familiar and in many ways a comfort to me.

I love my sister’s church. The people are all so nice and kind. I sat with Mom and took communion with her. As I said, familiar and comforting.

Once church was over, My sister, Mel and I returned to her house, had a light lunch and then we packed up my car for the 225 mile ride home.

Anneliese was with me and for the first half of the trip back, I had her in her crate in the back seat. I discovered on the way down that she doesn’t like city traffic, so until I reached the Massachusetts/Vermont border going home, she stayed in the crate. After that, as I drove the back roads of New Hampshire (all west/east roads in our state tend to be “back roads”), she sat quite nicely on the passenger seat.

Getting back home is always the best! There are your familiar slippers, your chair, the other three doggies, who were thrilled to see us, and of course Hubby’s welcoming embrace! Ah yes, HOME!

Within 30 minutes of my arrival, Hubby’s college roommate and his son arrived for the night. We visited for a while, and once the dogs were fed and walked, we headed out to my favorite restaurant, “Canoe” for a fabulous meal.

I know I have written about my concerns regarding eating out while learning to change my eating habits. I was, however, able to find things on the menu to eat. For an appetizer I shared in a serving of steamed muscles! My dinner, was grilled swordfish with a raspberry balsamic drizzle, broccolini and mashed potatoes (which I did not eat).

Later, climbing into our bed, with Hubby and Greta was such a warm and welcoming thing.

Yes, after four days away, it felt good to be back home.

Weight Watchers was pretty fun today. I went to an early morning meeting run by a different Leader and weighed in and stayed for the meeting. I lost another 3.4 pounds, for a grand total of 25.4 pounds lost! I’m feeling very good about myself and the diet.

I liked this meeting a lot. I felt this woman was speaking to all of us and asking us what we thought, and felt. She is very good. I am considering going to this meeting more often.

I came home and had a quick breakfast and then took Greta in to the Vet for a recheck. All is well with my little girl.

It snowed a little before the sun came out, and I relaxed knowing that we weren’t going to have another foot of snow fall! This is one year I really am ready for spring.

Thirteen things about me that begin with the letter D

1. Daughter. My daughter Amanda, I love her dearly! I’ve told her before that even if she weren’t my daughter I would still want to be her friend. She is such a neat person!
2. Dogs. You know that my dogs are so important to me and Hubby and a very big part of our lives.
3. Driving. I really do not like to drive. I used to have no worries with it, but since my accident I have just not enjoyed it at all.
4. Drink. My favorite drink? Used to be coffee, but right now I am going through a tea phase in my life.
5. Dark Chocolate! Those of you who asked why chocolate didn’t make it on last weeks list, will see now, that it’s because it must be “dark chocolate”! The darker, the better!
6. Dreams. I’ve always been a dreamer. I dream a lot at night. Full length feature film type dreams.
7. Dachshunds, Dackels, Dachsies! Love them all!
8. Dress. I like to dress up every once in a while. And once I get to my goal weight I intend to actually buy myself a couple of dresses.
9. Dieting. I think I have been dieting most of my adult life. I hope that with the help of Weight Watchers I can kick the diet cycle and just learn how to eat healthfully!
10. Dusting. Something I truly hate to do. I try to keep up with it, but it’s a losing battle.
11. December. The month of my daughter’s birth, and the month that Arnie and Anneliese were born!
12. Darkness. I’m not a big fan of true darkness, but I love a dark night when you can see all the stars and a full moon.
13. DVD’s. I love DVD’s. I recently found some old Alfred Hitchcock shows on a DVD and Hubby and I are really enjoying watching them.

Today was my day of beauty. It’s the day that Margarita takes this plain Jane and turns her into a swan! LOL! I always love my days at her salon. I feel pampered, I feel relaxed and I always leave feeling better about the way I look.

Today was an important day. My hair had finally grown long enough to actually shape into a style.

When I arrived I wanted to show off the 22 pound weight loss, so I entered Margarita’s room with a tada and the words, “What do you think?”

Well, she was doing the hair of a man and he smiled and said, “Beautiful”. I blushed as I thought she had a woman in there!

Then it was my turn to get “the works”.

I left feeling like a million dollars. The reaction to my new hair style, so far, has been positive. I know I like it. What do you all think?

***I didn’t gain, nor did I lose at Weight Watchers last night. I stayed exactly the same.***