The Dackel Princess

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Here are this week’s questions-

1. How will you spend ‘the night before Christmas’?

Hunkered down with Hubby and the dogs. We’re doing Fondu and sipping some Prosecco!

2. What is one thing you are not?

Mean. If anything, I am really extremely sensitive

3. Fudge-are you a fan? Your favorite flavor?

I like fudge once in a blue moon. I like chocolate-walnut.

4. Did you attend any craft/vendor fairs in the month of December? Do you prefer homemade goodies or the more professional stalls? Are you giving any homemade gifts this year?

I did go to one Church fair and I bought a handmade gift there. Then, sadly, the other stalls were all “made in Chine” stuff and I left empty handed!

5. What’s your favorite type of holiday gathering?

Casual, family, low key!

6. We’re approaching a new year…what’s going to be different in 2013?

I have absolutely no idea. I’m hoping for good health, and much happiness for my family, and me and all my friends!

7. Share a favorite scripture, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to peace.

From “It’s a Wonderful Life”: “Dear George, Remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings, Love, Clarence.”

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Snow, Sleet and Rain! Seems it’s the season of dreary, yuckiness! I’m breaking out my mud boots, to make a trek to the Post Office and grocery. As usual, I forgot three items at the store.

My phone rang before 8 o’clock this morning. It was my mother, who wanted to talk and talk and talk. She woke me, before I had a chance to visit the little ladies room or walk the dogs, so the five of us were all squirming around in bed! Finally I could stand it no longer, and I put the phone down and dashed to the bathroom!

Then I explained that the dogs were next and I had to go. By then Hubby was awake and our day started far earlier than any of us had actually wanted it to.

When we pulled up the shades, and glanced outside we found 5-6 inches of snow! And, it was still snowing! And as I write now, it is still snowing.

I love snow, don’t get me wrong, but today I actually needed to do a few things. I’ve decided to put it off until tomorrow when the weather will be better.

Meanwhile, Monday was laundry day, snuggling dackels day and watching the dachshunds plow through the snow day!

Dec 3 010

Fritz, Anneliese and Arnie.

Jan 17 011

Greta

Oh, how much fun it is to watch the dackels in the snow! Especially when it is deep enough so they get buried!

I still need to run some errands and buy the last few gifts for Christmas. Then I am done! Well, sort of. I still need to do cooking for Jack!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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I finally got to see Savannah before the snow moved in. What a doll she is! And smart as a whip too! And did I mention incredibly beautiful?

6 month old Savannah & Grandma!

Then I told Hubby that it was shopping day or else. I knew that snow was on it’s way, and we desperately needed food and a few gifts.

So off we went on a reconnaissance mission. Three hundred dollars later, we had food for us, food for the four dogs, a few Christmas presents and some gas for the car, before heading home.

We got back 15 minutes after the dogs dinnertime, but somehow they survived, and after feeding them, we worked to put it all away.

Sunday is a quiet day as the snow started about 10:30. It’s light snow and so now six hours later, it is measuring only about an inch. I call this pretty snow!

Have a great Monday, Everyone!!!

Round & Round & Round We Went

I woke on Saturday morning and told Hubby that today we had to go out and do a large shopping. Food, some gifts, and dog food.

So after we had breakfast, off we went to the stores. I’m not a big fan of shopping this time of year. The parking lots were packed, but for some reason, we got spaces close up every time! We also managed to get green arrows for right turns each time we came up to them! Talk about luck!

The day was long, and we got back after dark, to four dogs, who were a bit on the frantic side. We were out 15 minutes after their dinner time!

We put the food away, fed the pooches, chatted with B in Australia, and then I made a quick and easy dinner.

Truly, there are never enough hours in the days during Christmastime are there?

Sadness

I went down to Trader Joe’s and was able to get the German Marzipan Stollen that I so love this time of year. Sadly, they were out of Lebkuchen (ginger cookies), but I figure I can forgo those this year.

I stopped for lunch and had a lovely broiled salmon, when news came across of the Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. All those little children, babies really, whose lives were ended by that madman. Twenty families, whose children will not open their Christmas gifts. It is beyond sad. I am personally devastated for all those families.

After that my ride home seemed even longer, as I listened to the reports on satellite radio. In the heavy Friday traffic all I really wanted was to get home.

The sun set quickly, I suppose it does at this time of year, and I was driving in the dark. I managed the last few miles, but felt a wave of relief wash over me when I pulled in.

Tonight is pajama time, and sitting with my dackels. Thankful to be cuddled up, quiet and safe in my own little home.

Friday Fill-Ins

And…here we go!

1. Oh, my It’s almost Christmas.
2. I better work harder to get my shopping done, sooner, rather than later!
3. Buy one, get one half price is such a rip off.
4. Absolutely, positively!
5. Soon, I’m leaving to go south and visit my daughter and granddaughter.
6. I went out to walk the dackels and I looked up and saw shooting stars. Have you seen shooting stars?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to recovering from a long day of shopping, tomorrow my plans include wrapping a few gifts and Sunday, I want to do nothing. I know it sounds silly, but I am just so tired and feel a preemptive nap will do the trick!

Thursday Thirteen

Life

I weighed in at Weight Watchers and lost 3 and a half pounds! Yay!
I’m feeling like I have the new plan down and working for me!
Poor Hubby is still sick.
I tried to call him on my way home from class and he was still sleeping!
I was worried about that.
If he isn’t better by Monday, he will be going to the doctor.
He doesn’t want to go, nor does he think he needs to.
Tomorrow I go to get my hair dipped in the fountain of youth, and shaped!
I really need this as right now I look like a dust mop!
After a nice dinner tonight I was doing the dishes when my drainer side of the sink completely clogged up!
I could not use my sure fire unclogging method in still water.
Hubby plunged the drain free.
Then I used the baking soda and vinegar and boiling water to clean it up afterward.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. So, when did you last take a walk in the woods?

About a year ago, and the dackels scared me so much that I haven’t been back.

A stroll along the beach?

Last summer when I was down visiting my hometown for our reunion.

A drive going nowhere in particular in the car?

Not since prices for gasoline went over $2.00 a gallon! Now every jaunt has a purpose!

2. Are you sending Christmas cards this year? Yes.

About how many do you send? 100-125

Photo card or something more traditional? Traditional card with a picture/letter inside.

How do you display the cards you receive? I put them up on the door to our front hall, so we can see them in the family room.

3. What’s a word you’ve heard too much of in the past week?

Sick!

4. December 13th is National Cocoa Day-are you a fan? Plain or flavored? Marshmallows or no marshmallows?

I love hot cocoa, but sans the marshmallows. Never been a marshmallow fan. Which is odd because my sister loves them and she actually makes her own.

5. What is something you do to help alleviate the hectic pace of the Christmas season?

I will sit in the dark, with only the Christmas lights on and marvel in the splendor.

6. Besides jewelry, what’s a favorite sparkly-glittery item in your home or closet?

I collect golden window ornaments. I have them from the Boston Garden Swan Boats, The Biltmore, etc.

7. Share a favorite line or two from any Christmas carol.

German Stille Nacht/Silent Night

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb’ aus deinem göttlichen Mund
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!

Words: Joseph Mohr, 1816
Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818

English

Silent night, holy night
All is calm all is bright
‘Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This year I’ve done so much shopping online. It’s been difficult to get out to shop because of our colds, and the prices for mailing things are crazy. I’m finding that Amazon.com Prime is now paying completely for itself. We’ve watched a ton of free movies and I have had no shipping charges! Just three gifts left to buy.

Decorating

Busy, busy, busy! Which means I am feeling much, much, better!

I woke up today and immediately knew I was feeling better. I got up with gusto, made the coffee and walked the dogs. Yes, my body is getting back to normal.

Since I’d handed Hubby boxes filled with Christmas decorations yesterday, I took Monday nearly all day, to dust the shelves, take down the usual decorations and put up all my Christmas ones!

Nativity scenes

and my mini Christmas tree with it’s dackel ornaments.

I got out the big tree and spent 2 hours wrestling it together. Row upon row, I set it up. The tree is 20 years old and I’m almost ready to retire it to the recycling center. The newer ones are pre-lit and easier to assemble. Oh well, I am too cheap to do that.

Hubby thinks I am a bit mad for setting up all the decorations if we aren’t entertaining anyone for the holidays. I told him I am doing this for us! Period!

Ah, the joy of Christmas!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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The past weekend, Hubby and I spent an inordinate amount of time sleeping, watching mindless old movies, and finishing up the Christmas cards. Hubby was a big help with the annual Christmas letter. I did a rough outline, tossing in a few pictures, and he took the letter and put it together, and got it to make sense! Anyway, it’s done for another year….(thank goodness!)…and now I wait to see who I forgot.

Our colds are getting better. We’re definitely quieter, not coughing or sneezing as much, and my fever is gone.Yay!

I’m hoping to get down to Mandy’s place on Friday so I can see her and Savannah, and we can go and Christmas shop! It’s also getting close to Mandy’s birthday and I really want to take her out for lunch some place nice.

I’ve been writing a new blog which is helping me focus on my weight-loss journey. You can go HERE to The Wednesday Morning Losers site and read what I am writing about. It is geared toward the Weight Watchers plan, but anyone who has ever dieted can relate to what I’m saying.

I think this afternoon I will pull the Christmas tree out of the attic today, along with all the decorating boxes. Then I will work on Monday actually putting up the tree. We use an artificial one, as I’m so allergic to pine trees.

And today is the 6th birthday of Arnie and Anneliese! So here is a little montage of their their time with us! It is so special when you keep puppies from the moment they are born and raise them. I’ve never had a relationship with an animal like this before!

Arnie and Anneliese Birthday from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.