The Dackel Princess

TBT: The Beach & Me

I guess you could say I am a beach baby. Since I was 6 months old I have spent part of every Spring, Summer, and Fall at the beach. Listening to the waves lap against the shore, and feeling the sun soak into my bones. I just knew from a very early age that the beach, the ocean was my home.

I was a bit of a fish, really. My mother was concerned that I would swim away over my head and had a rope on me until she was certain of my abilities. Those came from swimming lessons at Surf Drive Beach, come rain or shine, thick fog or freezing cold water temperatures. I did not care. The ocean was in my blood!

Yes, that is me. I am thinking I am perhaps 6 years old. At my beach, Surf Drive Beach. The one place that fills my soul.

Over the years, I have been many places where I felt that same kismet! One such place was Barbados, where the ocean also called my name. This is actually a full-scale picture I am cropping, but I told Jack when I die I want this picture published with my obituary! Even if I am 90!

I was 29 years old in this picture, and for once in my life skinny! And I remember how much I loved that bikini.

I’m at the beach now. Somewhere. It’s warm and I am happy. Solitary happiness on the beach. My idea of a grand vacation.

Feeding the Birds

I was gazing out my bedroom window when suddenly a little bird flew into the lilac bush. I stopped and watched as this little bird, not bright or colorful, but certainly intent on doing something in my lilac bush, worked at something. I looked and looked and there it was. A rather well-built nest.

I was really struck with the bird’s cleverness and the beauty of the nest. I believe the nest is the new home of a Catbird. We’ve had them before and they really are quite amazing nest builders.

I’m not sure why, but this year I am really enjoying the birds! Perhaps it was the injured Woodpecker I saved. Whatever, I have now gotten new suet feeders and once I return I will set them up. Of course, since we also have bears, so I will need to bring the feeders in each night.

What is it about being in your sixties? I mean, I have found that I stop and smell the roses more. See birds, notice all the little things in life that make this an awesome place to be.

I felt this as a child and then lost that awe for a long time. I am so glad to have found it again. Especially at a time in my life when I can appreciate it all the more!

Tennis

Has anyone else been watching the French Open Tennis Tournament?

I have, as I love to watch these magnificent players and their on-court mastery of the game.

What I have not appreciated is NBC-Sports! Now here is the deal. I do subscribe to NBC-Sports on my Satellite package, but for some reason, my Amazon Prime did not give me the option of watching without subscribing through them.

So, in the middle of a tense match between Nishikori and Paire, yesterday, they suddenly cut off the feed after a trial period.

I will need to go back in and try to figure it out, but yesterday I was just steaming mad! Fortunately, night fell on Paris and the game was called and I got up this morning and I am watching it on The Tennis Channel Premier, which I do subscribe to through Amazon.

You see I love tennis. I tried in my youth to learn how to play, but I was depressingly bad, so I gave up. Now, I don’t think it would be good because of all the Titanium in my body holding it together.

But oh, I can watch, and enjoy, and cheer for my favorite players! I look forward to the major tournaments every year!

What a Dog Knows

I brought out my suitcase and tote bag and started packing. I looked over at the bed and there, sitting with the saddest eyes I have ever seen was Mr. Arnie. Each time an item went in, I could almost hear him sigh with unhappiness. He knows what a suitcase is, and what happens after they are all packed. Mommy disappears!

After a bit, I brought him out, and I decided to trim and clean the hair on his paws. He is so good and just lay in my lap while I trimmed him up.

I decided to do Anneliese too, as she was a bit of a mess. She was nervous, so I didn’t do her as nicely as Arnie came out, but close enough. At least she is cleaned up and matt-free.

I made up a wonderful meatloaf for Jack. Not only was it a good meal for tonight, but it will give him another meal and meatloaf sandwiches.

About the only thing left to do is a little laundry, a little vacuuming, and the printing of my boarding pass.

Busy-ness

Last week flew by for me. I was so incredibly busy trying to get organized. I am really not an organized person, try as I might. I somehow know how I would like things to be but have trouble following through.

In any case, last week each day with Jack’s help, I was able to get a lot done. Some of it was paperwork, some of it was laundry and some was packing for my mysterious solo vacation.

But I think the most labor intensive job was getting out the dogs crunchies and measuring out their food for the days I will be gone. To Anneliese’s bags, I add her pills and sealed them up. Then all Jack has to do is toss each bag into the appropriate dish and add the wet food.

My suitcase is nearly packed now, and yesterday I pulled out my travel documents.

I also have a new hair cut. I have not gotten a good picture yet. The new style is stacked in the back, and a little longer in the front. I can wear it like this, or tucked behind my ears.

I’m enjoying the shorter hair. And the straighter hair. After over a decade of curly curls, I needed a change. Of course, this means I am learning to master a flat iron! It’s a challenge, but I’ll get there.

During my vacation, I will try to post, but this trip is really quiet downtime, so I may not do much. I will try to at least ready everyone, but I may not comment.

Have a great week everyone!

Happy 7th Birthday Savannah

Today is my granddaughter, Savannah’s 7th Birthday! Last year her Mommy and Daddy took her and Quinn to Disney World, and I made a video of their trip photos.

This year all she wanted was to spend some time with her Mommy. Well, my daughter planned a nice trip just for the two of them!

Mandy did not tell Savannah about their trip until she had to. Here is Savannah when she learned they were off on a Grand Adventure!

Their flight took them straight to Orlando and they taxi’s over to Disney and their adventure began at the Bipity Bopity Boo Boutique!

Here is Princess Savannah after her magical make-over.

And here she is meeting The Beast from Beauty and the Beast!

Below is the montage from last year. She has grown and changed and has so many new teeth!

I want my darling to know, that she is amazing and that I love her with all of my heart! Happy Birthday, Savannah!

Working The Program

Well, I had a great week last week and when I weighed in at WW on Wednesday, I had lost 2.4 pounds! I had also had a week where things went well. I felt good and strong in the program.

In fact, the meeting was sort of geared to the things I had done all week. And I never mind sharing.

It seemed everyone else was not talking, and so when the Leader asked questions, up went my hand, and I answered.

Finally, the Leader asked another question and I raised my hand and she said (sweetly, I might add), “Let’s give someone else a chance to answer.”

I was fine, really. I sort of felt like Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter books! Yesterday I actually had answers. Now what I need to do is take what I learned last week and keep applying it.

Honestly, it is not hard to put on weight, but it sure is hard to take it off!

Another Busy Day

Despite the weather (more rain), Jack and I managed to get all of our errands and meetings and appointments were taken care of on Tuesday. I meant we were up early (some of us earlier than others), wolfed down our breakfast and headed out to our various destinations.

Lili had been dosed with a strong tranquilizer, and she was amazingly good in the car. She was also easy to deal with in the Vet’s office and I am happy to announce that her ears are nearly healed! Yahoo! Finally! She has had these yeasty ears for years!

Next Anneliese had her stitches out. Her incision looks great. I asked this Vet what she thought of the pathology report and she said this:

“Anneliese is nearly 13 years old. She has had a wonderful life with you and Jack. She has been well loved. She is remarkably healthy and if her cancer does not spread quickly, the chances are very good that she will live another 2+ years! Think positive!”

She’s right. We will enjoy her and spoil her and take her for rides in the car and everything will be what it is. If we do this, then Anneliese will enjoy her life and we will enjoy her!

Our other appointments were accomplished on time and we sat down to a dinner of Scallops and Broccoli by six thirty! It was the end of a pretty good day!

Here & There & Everywhere!

As we continue with our busy-ness, Tuesday finds us having to be in four places in very short periods of time.

The Recycling Center, The Vets with Lili and Anneliese, A meeting with a financial advisor, and then a meeting with a company about the upper portion of our driveway that is very close to washing out.

So we are dividing up the jobs and we will hit the ground running right after breakfast.

Monday found us crazily doing all sorts of things. After a couple of years of not having a garden, I have gotten a few plants and will tend to patio pots this summer. I am actually pretty excited about this.

The Tourists have arrived here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire! The traffic was bumper to bumper and I have to say that when I tried to merge into traffic, a car from New Jersey, and Vermont, refused to let me in. Finally, a New Hampshire car waved me in and I was able to merge. Ugh! Summer.

I do love the warm months, but I do not enjoy the Tourists, who seem to think they own the place and are rude. This is my town. I pay the taxes that keep this place beautiful and clean for you to enjoy! Bah! I sound like an old woman! Wait! I am an old woman!

I will leave you with this wonderful picture of a bee. I know many of you hate bees, but I was able to get this photo as the bee was pollinating our apple trees.

I love this picture. It is amazing what you can do with your cell phone camera!

The Weekend Wrap May 27, 2019

I’ve been crazily working myself each day. I stood at the counter yesterday, glanced at Jack and told him, I was tired!

I suppose I could recount all the things I did yesterday, but I think that would simply make you tired. Suffice it to say, we have clothes to wear, food to eat, and my dresser no longer looks like a catch-all for everything in that room!

I so enjoyed the sunshine and rather hot temperatures yesterday. After a bleak and cold Spring, it is nice to finally be getting some nice weather. The Apple Trees are blossoming and my Snowball bush has their chunky flowers, although they are still green, not having turned their beautiful white.

A beautiful Apple Blossom!

I cannot begin to tell you how much fun I had with the children at Savannah’s party! Three little ones and me in the pool! It was so much fun splashing around, watching the smiles on their faces and listening to their giggles! Did anyone get a picture?

I am hoping my daughter will have another pool type party soon and invite me and the kids!

I leave on my much-needed vacation in a week. I am not visiting anyone, I am simply going off to recharge my batteries. I cannot recall a year where I have been faced with so many challenges in the first half of the year, with absolutely no time to rest. So this is my time, and I plan to sleep, rest and just enjoy the quiet. Movie and books figure into this as well!

I will try to post each day, but if I miss you will know I slept in and was feeling lazy.

Anneliese gets her stitches out tomorrow, and Lili goes back for an ear re-check and her yearly shots. After learning that our girl is really too skittish both in the car and at the Vet, we have tranquilizers for her.

Anneliese, sound asleep and snoring. If you look closely you can see her little tongue sticking out!

Our 18-month-old coffee maker died. I seem to have no luck with any coffee makers since my 12-year-old Braun Coffee Maker died back in the 1990s! THAT was such a good unit. They do not make it anymore and after the 6 pots in six years Kitchen Aide fiasco, I’d hoped that the Cuisinart 14-cup one would last. Alas, that is not the case.

We do drink a lot of coffee in this house, and the machine is used to brew at least one, sometimes two full pots a day. Still, I think they should last longer.

So that’s the latest from New Hampshire. Enjoy your week my friends! Spring has finally sprung in the northern hemisphere!