My Life – Page 154 – The Dackel Princess

Home vs Away

People often do not consider how much an animal can miss them. I knew that this September would be difficult for the dogs, with our two trips occurring back to back. However the strangest thing about our absence has been which dog was affected the most.

Today as I did laundry and cleaned the house, I noticed Greta was stuck to me like glue. If I went into a room she followed me. If I sat down, she was in my lap. If I went to wash a few dishes, she was sitting on my feet. At one point I had to actually sit down with her and stroke her because she was shaking and demanding to be held.

Who would have thought that our Alpha female dog, the Queen Bee of our house, was going to be the one who missed us the most? Surely, Fritz would be the one, but no. Seems he loves our house sitter, Dori, so he was just fine.

Now we are home for 6 weeks before we leave for our trip through the Panama Canal. A long planned vacation which we both have wanted to take. The canal being one of the great achievements of the American Government back in the days when others had tried and failed.

After that, we are home for a long while. Quite happily, I might add. For as much as I enjoy traveling, my heart is always happiest when I am in my home, with Hubby and our doggies.

Being Home

Have I mentioned that it is good to be home again?

No, really. It is sooooooo good to be home! My own doggies, my own chair, my own bed and pillow and best of all, my own cooking.

Don’t get me wrong. I love going out to eat. It’s fun. But going out to eat for every meal for two weeks, well, it gets old really fast. I mean, how many burgers can you eat?

I enjoyed most of the meals. I had a few good steaks, some great salads and I even had two eggs over easy with a side of grits! Yes, grits, and I enjoyed them!

But there were way too many fast food things like sub sandwiches and chips that seemed to put my stomach in a twist. By the end of the two weeks I found myself so sick of menu food I wanted nothing more than a really hot cup of tea and some cinnamon toast.

Now I am home I am starting to settle in and my stomach is not feeling so bad. I plan to cook some good comfort food meals over the next few days and enjoy. Enjoy all that I usually take for granted.

That really nice hot home cooked meal.

Yum!

Trying To Get Into Gear

Today I had hoped to sleep in. The best I got was 6:15 before Anneliese hopped down and went to wake up Fritz. I knew then, it was a matter of time before they were all awake and wanting to go out. So, up I got and after getting my robe and slippers on, padded my way into the kitchen, turned on the coffee, and then went out to the back yard with four happy, healthy pups!

I turned on my computer and tried to read my email. Thank you to those who have written. I have been a bad blogger lately, but trust me, I do not write well when I feel exhaustion like this.

Hubby slept in. He got up about 8 and I made breakfast for him.Then we got into gear. You see today was our new patient, get to know you, physicals with our new doctor.

Some of you will recall that our doctor left his practice and went into Emergency Medicine instead. Dr. C. is our new Family Doctor. He was nice and I think we will be able to work with him, but it was hard because we both really like our old doctor, Dr. D.

We’re both pretty healthy, and all we need to do is to get our blood work done (cholesterol etc.) and then we go back in two weeks to go over it all.

The rest of the day seemed to slip by and now it’s time for pajamas and slippers again. I think another early night will help get me back to my usual self.

Until then, I’ll just keep working hard to get it in gear and get things done.

Oh, to sleep just a little late!

Thursday Thirteen #53

As we are currently on our way to Washington, DC I thought today’s Thursday Thirteen should be called:

The Travel Edition

1. Packed our suitcase with all the non-hanging clothes.
2. Found my travel size shampoo and conditioner, and got our soap in the bag.
3. Went through and decided which shirts and pants to wear on the trip and got them in a suit bag.
4. Got the suits in a bag too.
5. Got our medications in a travel tote.
6. Put a blanket and pillow in the back seat.
7. Have a bag with our lunch and drinks.
8. Have another bag with our cell phones, phone chargers and satellite Navigation system.
9. Have my laptop bag all ready to go.
10. Changed the sheets on our bed.
11. Finished up our laundry.
12. Had our house sitter over for dinner and went over all the directions for the trip.
13. Turned out the lights, locked the door and crossed my fingers and left.

I’m just a week bit nervous about leaving the puppies for the first time. I’m sure they will be fine, but what can I say? I’m their Mommy and I will miss them and worry about them.

Packing & Riding

Today we started getting ready for our trip to Washington, DC. We pulled out the suit cases, decided which clothes to wear, shoes, etc. I finished up the laundry, then went and had my hair stylist tidy up my hair.

I raced home and cooked dinner for Emily and our house sitter, Dori. The two of them will take care of the dogs and stay here while we are gone.

Everything is pretty much set now. All that’s left is to pack the car and actually drive the 10 hours to get there. A lot of people don’t like long car rides, but I actually do. It’s funny. When Hubby and I go on these long road trips we bring all sorts of music to listen to, but in the end, we seem to talk the entire way.

Twenty years together and we still have so much to say to each other. I hope that never ends!

We’re staying at a nice hotel, attending Hubby’s Army Reunion where we laugh, tell funny stories and jokes and see people we enjoy, but only get to see once a year.

Our visit will include a White House tour, a tour of the new Air and Space Museum and just some relaxing down time alone. We’ll be there for 5 days before heading back home.

Of course I am bringing my laptop so I can stay in touch with you all. I’m afraid I fall into the category of the Internet Addicted.

Yep, time to pack and ride!

Pant Suits & Blouses

Have I mentioned that I love my Hubby lately?

Well, I’ll tell you, today he took me shopping, at a one day sale at Macy’s, and he found for me a really gorgeous light gray suit with powder blue lining and a matching shirt. The gray suit has the thinest thread of the same powder blue running through to form a pinstripe! It is so beautiful! Best of all, it flatters my figure and I feel comfortable in it.

Hubby has great taste in clothes for me. When he picks something out, most of the time I feel like a million dollars in it. Probably because he likes it too. He wanted to get a second blouse to go with it, and we stopped in at Coldwater Creek, where I got a pretty white blouse there.

All of this shopping was done in the 90+ degree heat and I was so glad when we were done and got to come home to the air conditioning.

So, I never did find a dress. I’m not sure I liked any that I tried on. So many of them show too much skin or are tents that make me look extremely fat, or worse yet, pregnant!

You know a few years ago, I was going through a plump phase. A little rounder than I am right now. Anyway, I found, what I thought was the cutest pant suit to wear to a reunion. I modeled it for Hubby, who said the color was nice, but he didn’t think it flattered my figure.

Oh I thought he was being so mean. So I brought it with us, and one evening I put it on and wore it to the cocktail party.

One of the men we know well came up to us smiling broadly and took my hand and shook it and said, “Oh dear this is wonderful! You look great, when is the baby due?”

I wanted to die, right there. But of course what do you say?

I smiled sweetly and said, “I’m not pregnant, I’m just fat!” And then I smiled some more.

Since then, I never wear anything until Hubby gives me his honest appraisal.

I always felt bad for that man, but I bet he has never done that to any other woman either! LOL

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MUSIC

When I was four years old I tried out for a part in the community production of “The King and I”. Much to everyone’s surprise I was given a part. That of the King’s youngest child, the one that slides in at the last second near his feet going the wrong way. The King lovingly picks up the bowing child and turns her around and places her in line with all the others. I sang, and I got all made up with thick pancake make-up and hair color spray to make me look like a Siamese child. I can still recall showering after and watching all that brown make-up wash down the drain.

But my best memories are of all the singing we did with the woman who played Anna. Her name was Fuzzy and she loved all of us kids, or at least we thought she did, and it made every performance that much more fun.

This first picture was taken during rehearsal. I just love those little girl curls of mine!

The second is at the end of the performance. I am the first child in the first row, on the right, looking at the King and Anna. Even though I was only four I remember so much of this first performance in my community theater.

Lucky Lady

I was up early, made a quick breakfast and then hopped in my car and headed off to spend the day with my daughter. Do you all know how much fun it is to have a grown up daughter? For those of you who do, isn’t it great? For those of you whose kids are still growing, just wait! It gets really good!!!

I arrived at her place about 9:30, patted my grand kitties, and then we dropped her car off for service. Next, we headed to the mall. Neither one of us had been to this particular mall in years, and aside from Macy’s and Starbucks (yes, I was brave enough to go inside and get a cup of coffee!) the mall was a real disappointment.

However, I got a few tops at Macy’s on sale for $9.99 each and a dress, as well as a cute skirt.

Then we were off to the LL Bean Outlet, where I got the cutest blouse, and then decided I should look for some new hiking boots. So, I went back to the shoe section and began hunting for some comfortable boots. The first and second pair felt horrible and quickly went back on the shelf, but the third pair fit perfectly and felt like bedroom slippers! I looked at the price and it read:

$9999.99!!!!

Now that is some hefty price for hiking boots! I Took them up to the check out counter and asked the girl if this was the real price? And if it was, was it perhaps because they were magical boots? LOL!

Yes, it was a tremendous mistake that took several minutes to figure out. In the end they were $81.99, a much more manageable price! They came home with me too.

The best part part of my day though, was sitting at Bugaboo Creek having lunch with my daughter. For that hour it was just us talking, and enjoying each other. I really am a lucky lady.

I dropped her off to get her car and then headed home late in the afternoon. My ride didn’t seem so long because my friend Gail and I got a chance to talk on our cell phones and play catch up on life. Gail and I have been best friends since we were 13 years old! We met at summer camp. This is our 35th year of friendship!

When I arrived home, Hubby and the pups were all so happy to see me. Greta even sang me a sweet doggy song, then Hubby took me out for fish and chips. That was great too.

Now I am ending my day, in my pajamas with Greta by my side, thinking I am one very lucky lady.

Labor Day Thoughts

It’s a holiday weekend here in the USA. It’s Labor Day. The official end to the summer. We live in an area that is popular with summer guests. They arrive the last weekend in May, which is Memorial Day and seem to flood our streets, stores and parks until Labor Day.

I grew up on Cape Cod, with it’s narrow streets and back roads, but truly lovely beaches. People come by the thousands to enjoy their time on “the Cape”. Those of us that lived there year round, always looked forward to the end of summer when life would return to normal, and now here I am in New Hampshire, faced with the same tourist problems.

I used to get all upset about it, but then I realized that I was really the lucky one. I get to live here year round! The tourists only see it in the summer. To live here and witness the autumn, the winter and the spring is fantastic!

So today when Hubby and I went out to get a few things at the store and we were stuck in traffic and then had to wait in long lines I just smiled, feeling happier than I have in a while.

I’m living with the man of my dreams, in the most beautiful part of New Hampshire and we not only have our home, but 4 pretty nice dogs to keep us company.

It doesn’t get any better than this!

A Beautiful But Odd Day!

After some really awful hot and humid weather, a cold front moved through, bringing with it cool dry air and bright sunny skies. As is common with the passing of a cold front, today also was a tad windy, but it was a gentle breeze that made you feel good.

Hubby and I were up early to go off and get a few errands done. He had a tire problem to solve and I had some unmentionable clothing problems to solve.

Hubby dropped me at the Outlet Mall and then he headed off to the tire center. I was a wee bit early so I sat talking to a woman about nothing in particular, just enjoying being out in the wonderful weather.

Soon the stores opened and I stopped in to get some new underwear. Usually I get boring old white in the style I like, but today they had these funky colors that I can only describe as watermelon color. One watermelon flesh color, one green and one sort of yellowish. Pretty, but definitely wild and totally unlike what I usually wear. So for the next year or so I’ll be feeling funky even if no one can see why!

Then I went to another store to buy something I really hate to buy, but well, I’m a woman, over 40 and let’s face it. There are certain areas of my body that need help staying up.

The very kind sales lady offered to measure me. She asked what size I’d been wearing. I told her. She laughed.

Then she took a tape measure and began to measure me in all sorts of places that I don’t always let Hubby touch! Her judgment? I was seriously undersizing my unmentionable area.

She brought me several of these items. I tried them on and realized that the “girls” were not the same size or shape, nor had they stayed where God had actually placed them twenty or so years ago.

I stood there staring at my former perky friends, and it dawned on me.

Gravity!

Need I say more?