The Dackel Princess

Pack This…Pack That!

I broke out the suitcases this morning and started to pack. I’d hoped that Hubby would pack his own, but alas, that is not to be. I managed to get my suitcase pretty much packed, and tomorrow I will have to sit him down and figure out what he is taking.

We drove to Rite Aid Pharmacy today because I needed to get those little plastic bottles for shampoo, conditioner and sunscreen that will go through Security. I also needed to buy panty hose. Now I almost never wear them, but with two formal nights, I need to have them with me.

I was checking out when the sales clerk asked me how I said my name. I told her and she said that she was related to my cousin Janet’s husband Dave! Thus, it is a small world and strangely, she and I are related in a weird way.

The funny thing is that I have known her for a while, and always liked her. So today I got a new friend/relative.

We arrived at home and I started thinking about what 3 ounces liquid containers I needed in my back pack, and I asked myself if I had flip flop sandals. I could have sworn I did. I looked and looked and about the time I was giving up, I found them. They needed some cleaning, but I have them to wear when I am either at the beach, or at the pool.

So everything is coming together. Just keep your fingers crossed that we can make all out flights on Wednesday morning.

The Last Minute!

Yes, it’s count down time. I started got my hair done, got the 3 ounce little plastic bottles for shampoo and conditioners, and all of Hubby’s diabetic supplies.

Our house sitter arrives on Monday and we will teach him all he needs to know about the house. I’ve shopped for dog food, and all I might need to have on the trip.

Now stop me! I promised not to pack too much, and yet the ‘what ifs’ in life worry me and cause me to over prepare.

The temperature was a mere -12 degrees (F) when I got up this morning. Hubby asked if I could please take the station wagon when I went to get my hair done. His car had been sitting outside over night and I did wonder if his battery would turn the starter.

It did, but I must say, that the car never warmed up the entire way to the hair stylists. On the way back it did eventually warm up and start throwing some nice hot air!

Please pray for good weather from now until after we have departed Boston. We simply have to get out of Boston!

Ooooh Baby! It’s Cold Outside!

Ooooo-whoooooo! Today it was cold! I am talking very cold! It never got above 8 degrees (F) and currently it is -3 degrees (F)! Yeah it is a little cold!

On the news on Friday they warned people to put in blankets, thermoses of coffee or hot chocolate, and gloves, hats, and mittens, if they had to go out in their cars.

I did have to go out in the Jeep and here is what I found.

The snow was across all of the roads. The plows could only do so much and the salting will not work if you have temperatures below 10 degrees. Thus I was driving on pretty slippery roads. I was nervous, but I made it the 10 miles to the hospital for tests, and back again.

I do think that people are crazy with the way they drive. The three accidents that I saw prove that I am right!

Our house sitter comes on Monday for dinner. He is happy to be moving in with the pack of hounds, and his girl friend will be joining him.

I cannot begin to tell you how happy it makes me that they will be here with the dogs and the house. I can really go away and relax.

Ah yes, it’s getting close now! I can almost feel the sun!

Friday Five

Here is this weeks episode of Friday Five!

I got my tooth fixed! It turns out that my bite was terribly off, causing me discomfort!
When I woke on Thursday it was already snowing. It snowed all day Thursday and as I write on Thursday night it is still snowing. Pretty, but I am so done with snow this year!
My hair stylist re-arranged my appointment from Thursday to Saturday due to the snow. She is a peach.
Hubby and I are thinking about getting a (newer) car. A hybrid 4X4 that would be good in both the winter and summer!
The packing has begun!!!

Day 1, 2014

My first day of 2014 was spent trying to organize travel plans. After an hour or so I stepped back (figuratively) and let it go. Everything will work out and be fine. No worries!

After lunch Hubby went out to chop ice on our steps and I stayed in and worked on laundry, and packing lists. I keep reminding myself that less is more, so I don’t pack too much!

Then as the sun set and the house began to cool, I built a fire in the fireplace and got it going. It’s currently 9 degrees (F) and dropping. The fire feels so good and the dackels just love to lie all stretched out in front of it.

I had Anneliese to the Vet yesterday and she has some bacterial skin infection on the lower part of her belly. She is now on medications and I have to bathe her every other day. Surprisingly, she is a lot better today!

I wanted to share this with you all. A week before Christmas I went down to see Mandy and while I was there I was showing Savannah Dackel Princess. Well, she saw her pictures in the side bar and kept pointing and getting all excited.

In the last month I just feel that Savannah really not only understands what you say, but works very hard at communicating back with you! Now that is exciting for me! She is just growing up so fast!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Times Square is the setting for the infamous ball drop signaling a brand new year….when did you last ‘drop the ball’ on something?

Haha! I try so hard not to drop the ball. You should see my lists! Oh I make lists for my lists in hopes that I will remember it all!

2. What is one thing you resolved to do in 2013 that you actually did?

Well, even though I was afraid, I managed to have faith in Dr. P. and go through many operations on my face. And in the end, I actually started to accept my new face! It’s not the same, but I can definitely live with it.

3. Jack London is quoted as saying, “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” Agree or disagree? Why?

Agree. I feel people, a lot of people sit around waiting for something exciting to happen. Sometimes you need to make your own kind of music!

4. What was the best thing you ate in 2013?

A good young lobster with boiled potatoes and corn on the cob! Maine Lobster, the young sweet and tender ones are my favorite!

5. Share an anti-resolution…that is, something you plan to keep on doing in the new year.

I plan to return to Weight Watchers and stop my out of control eating!

6. The Pantone color of the year for 2014 is radiant orchid. Like or no like? Would I find this color anywhere in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade to either?

I do have a shirt with this color weaving through this. It’s so very pretty, isn’t it?

7. In three words or less sum up your 2013.

What A Challenge!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Here is the best part of my 2013. My granddaughter, Savannah Rose. She can always make me smile and watching her grow and learn just made my year!

Dec. 25 104

And It Snowed And It Snowed And It Snowed!

On Sunday mid afternoon great big giant snow flakes began to fall. Hubby went out with Fritz and when he arrived back home he exclaimed that the snow was falling an inch an hour!

I watched until darkness and then I would go and turn on the outside light to check on the down fall. All I can say is that the snow was falling fast and that it was thick and heavy!

I made dinner and cleaned it up and we settled in to watch a movie on the TV when…BAM we heard this loud noise and the lights went out!

I grabbed the flashlight and called our electric company and stayed on the line because I knew where the breaker had blown!

With a good 10 inches on the ground, the electric company truck arrived and fixed the breaker problem on the pole to the left of our house, and light was restored!

Now one thing I must interject is that Hubby saved the day because about twelve years ago he insisted on buying a generator, despite my objections. I mean, why bother with it as we never lose power. But, he insisted!

We have used that thing more often than even I want to admit! Yay, Hubby!!!

Overnight it continued to snow and Hubby used the snow blower until after 11 o’clock last night. Despite the continuing snow!

We woke to a foot of snow and quite luckily, we were able to get out of our 600 foot uphill driveway!

We drove to Manchester to pick up his new hearing aids. Now this was very exciting as the trees were full of heavy white snow, and the roads were horribly icy! Everyone was driving slowly, and seemed to fly by us. Personally I thought they were insane!

I was proven right as we drove south and one truck after another was spun out and in a ditch! Hubby and I calmly drove along.

The drive home was much less exciting. The trees had shed most of their snow and the roads were dry. Hubby loves his new hearing aids and so do I. The TV is now at a normal level and my ears no longer hurt!

And Then It Snowed…Again!

And here we are Sunday night and it is snowing! Not just snowing a little, but heavily and very wet snow! Now don’t get me wrong. Under the right circumstances I am really happy when it snows and makes my world so lacy and beautiful. However, this week Hubby and I have a ton of things to do and this snow, and the snow forecast for Thursday are a real nuisance!

Hubby is getting his new hearing aids, I need to return items to JC Penney, and also go over two towns to bring Anneliese to the Vet’s Office. Not to mention getting my roots done before we leave on our cruise!

I need it to be dry and the roads to be good so I can get around. Come on Mother Nature, cooperate!

Meanwhile, my silly tooth is aching and I need to call the dentist after New Year’s and get in. I’m debating just having the tooth pulled. It’s my back top tooth and it is causing me all kinds of discomfort. Anyone with an opinion, please leave it!

Well I’m off to make some meatloaf for dinner. It’s a simple, plain old, recipe and should be good.

Have a good week everyone!

This & That

Lately, in an attempt to avoid the rather depressing news on the TV, I have started to use my MP3 player. I keep it charged and I play wonderful, relaxing songs and block the world out!

I managed to get our Christmas decorations put away. This year I wanted to go through them and carefully re-wrap them all. I fixed a few that had broken, and tosses a few that were too far gone. In the end, I was really happy with how the box came out. Next year I plan to get a nice plastic container and this will complete the organization.

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I also went through boxes of things from my Mom. And there it was. A beautiful lacy frame with a picture of Katie in it. And at the bottom was a lock of hair that I had snipped from her beautiful head, as she lay in a coma. Yes, a beautiful red curl.

Now before anyone gets upset, seeing her beautiful red hair curled at the bottom of the picture, and seeing her smiling face, filled me with warmth.

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Hubby and I are starting to get excited about our trip. We’re planning what to pack and and I’m finding I actually am getting better at packing light. I keep saying…’less is more’.

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A friend from long ago has contacted me. This person has been struggling for many years and yesterday reached out to me. I’m not sure why. I have not seen this person is nearly 30 years and yet suddenly there was this message. I feel almost compelled to write, but I do not know what to say.

I know this sounds very vague. But I want to protect this person. I imagine this is not an easy time for them. In many ways I have a lot of compassion for them.

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I wish you all a Happy Sunday!

Our Christmas!

We got up and we let the dogs have their toy gifts. They were so happy with their chew toys and their balls.
I made bacon, eggs and German Stollen with coffee and juice. Then we cleaned up, and dressed and got ready for our day with Mandy, Matt and Savannah.
We arrived a little early, about 1:30, and my former husband and his family were still there. It was so nice to see them all.
Hubby brought the wrapped car to the house first thing and brought it into the living room and Savannah immediately opened it and squealed with delight! She immediately jumped into it and had to get rides!

We opened presents and I was so happy that somehow Savannah found this Oma Mug for me!

Mandy and I worked on appetizers and snacks, and then eventually dinner. Matt cooked Cowboy steaks for himself and Hubby (they are very tender rib eye steaks with the bone still on.) It was so tender and delicious! Amanda made jumbo shrimp for the two of us. Then we had mashed potatoes, mashed butternut squash and green beans. For dessert, my apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.

I snuggled with Savannah as the day wore on. There is nothing better in the entire world, then when your grandchild is in your arms!

We had coffee and then left there about 7:30. We drove home and all was well. The dogs were happy to see us and after we let them out and they played, they came in and at about 10:30 I went to bed. I felt so tired.

I must tell you this is one of the very best Christmas’ I have had ever!

I hope you all had a wonderful one too!