The Dackel Princess

This week I realized that although I accomplished a lot I learned so much, and I am ready for Winter to be over! So here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. Heidi had her first-year Vet appointment. She had all her shots and stepped on the scale, tipping it to 27 pounds! So I am cutting down on her treats, and adding in vegetables. Aside from her belly, she is in perfect health.
2. I had gotten baby Heidi these nice foam steps when she came home. Well, Heidi thought the foam steps were toys! One she chewed and the other is safe so far. I sent away and got some heavy-duty plastic steps for her.She is a little concerned as she learns to use them and acts very much like a gymnast who is going up to the vault!
3. I needed to get my garage door repaired, and take a load of trash to the recycling center. And all was accomplished with little fuss.
4. I’m now 14 pounds down and going strong. I feel pretty proud of this.
5. Lastly, today is laundry day. You know, wash and dry and hopefully fold and put away. The whole enchilada! I just hope that gets done. Then maybe, just maybe, I’ll tackle my closet.

The week sped by. I took Jack for tests, and then Thursday found me going for my six-month check-up.  But here’s what else is going on.

1. I think the best news was finding out my medical insurance will be continuing with the same doctors after I turn 65 and go on Medicare. I had gotten a letter in error and thought I was being kicked to the curb.
2. My physical went well, and so far I am good to go for another six months.
3. I do have two stopped-up ears. They’ve been bothering me, and Amie (my Nurse Practitioner) said that my ears are full and not draining. We’re trying some meds to dry it up and drain it, but if we have no luck then it’s off to have tubes put in. Hopefully not.
4. I really have enjoyed not having any major health problems! Yay! I sure hope that continues!
5. Lastly, it is freaking cold and only due to get colder. I have plenty of food, the car is gassed up, and I also have all my cold-weather gear out and ready for use when I walk the dogs. Lili is fine with this, but poor Heidi just wants to be inside. I can’t say I blame the little girl!

So that’s it for the week. Here’s hoping that the frigid weather does not last long!

I was getting ready to tuck into bed when I realized I had not written my Friday Five. So I got up and here I go.

1. This week we have had snow and more snow and the snow that turned to mush, and currently, at 10:30 PM everything is ice.
2. Now the poor pooches have trouble with ice and I actually stomped down a snow bank to make an area for Heidi, who simply gives up on the ice.
3. Jack has been having a few health problems, so I made sure I got him in to see his Primary Care doctor. There are tests he needs.
4. So after all the snow, I think we have probably had close to 20 inches! It’s probably the most we have had sort of all at once, in many years.
5. We are due for more snow over the weekend. Ugh. I am now ready for winter to be over!

This was a hectic week for me. Between doctor’s appointments, a dental appointment, and visiting my favorite hair stylist today, I am glad for Friday’s snow as it forces me to cancel Heidi’s grooming. I could drive in the snow, but I do not like to. Anyway, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. Since the beginning of the year, I have lost ten pounds. What does this mean? It means I can once again zip my winter jacket.
2. I finally caught up with my laundry. That was on Tuesday and I was feeling so happy about that.
3. The next day I filled the car to go to the Recycling Center. I came upstairs to say goodbye to Jack and he asked where I was going. Shoot! The Recycling Center is closed one day a week…Wednesday!
4. Thursday I shopped and got a few things as I prepare for the storm.
5. I also had my hair done. My hair stylist tells me that I need to find a way to release stress. Apparently, your hair becomes brittle and actually falls out if you are under stress. And apparently, I am. It’s funny. I met my Grandmother’s 99-year-old sister. We looked so much alike except she had thinning hair on the top. I fear That will happen to me.

That’s it for the week. Those of you here in New England, take care when shoveling snow. We’re due to have 6+ inches!

January has been cool and really with not too much snow, although as I type it is lightly snowing outside.

I began to follow Weight Watchers again after gaining a bit of weight following an increase in my medication.

I took the bull by the horns and started once again on this diet. And yes, for me it is a diet. A lifelong diet as I struggle to get it all under control.

Anyway, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1.  I recently printed up a new Phone/Address Book. Jack and I have reached that stage of your life where you check the Obituaries each morning, and if you are not listed, then it is a good day! Unfortunately, many of our friends have passed away. The Address Book is much thinner. Sadly so.

2.  I drove Jack to the VA on Wednesday for bloodwork. It was a pretty day, just cold. I put Heidi’s sweater on her, and she came with us.

She almost always rides well, but she was doing a wee bit of howling on Wednesday. On the ride home, she was nice and quiet.

3.  In some ways it’s good I’m back on the wagon with WW, as I really have very little appetite. My loss this last week was 8.2 pounds. I know I won’t be a big loser like that each week, but it was a good jump start.

4.  Do you know what I think was the hardest thing to have coped with during the Pandemic? How to cope as you were shut away from your family. I remember standing in Mandy’s kitchen delivering supplies just before the USA shut down. I was so afraid I would bring the germs to my daughter and grandchildren.

5.  The Pandemic hit me very hard. I was afraid. Not just scared, but terrified! During the first six months, I clenched my teeth so hard that my jaws ached. I began to stay inside my house. I became a recluse. I have previously discussed the fact that although some will say I am an extrovert, I am, in fact, an introvert. Currently, I still feel quite a bit of anxiety about being out in the world again and how to get my life started. I guess it is baby steps.

So that’s it for this week. I wish you all a happy and healthy weekend!

Here we are the first Friday Five of 2023. This week sped by, and I wonder if 2023 will as well. So here is this Week’s Friday Five.

1. Last year I began using Storywoorth to write down many of the stories of my life. I started with my grandparents and worked forward. I included some of my favorite stories and recipes.
2. I originally was doing it just for Mandy, but my family and friends asked for copies. And I also made copies for Savannah and Quinn.
3. Several people told me to write Book #2! More stories and more recipes. And on January 3rd, 2023 I started Book #2!
4. Then I went to the Post Office and a book written by Davis Paton arrived from Scotland. Here’s a little more about him.
   “David Paton first gained recognition as the lead singer and bassist of the group Pilot, writing their hit songs, including ‘Magic’ and the number one ‘January’ in the mid-1970s. He then went on to collaborate with various major artists such as Kate Bush, The Alan Parsons Project, Elton John, and Paul McCartney. He has always had a genuine passion for writing, playing, and producing all types of music, with an emphasis on collaborating with other musicians. Still highly active in music, he lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.”
5. Christmas is over and the few decorations I put up are now down and put away for another year.