The Dackel Princess

It’s That Time Again!

Yes, today is my birthday! I’m 52 years old! Isn’t that amazing? I remember thinking that anyone in their 50’s was “really old” when I was in my teens. After all, weren’t Edith and Archie Bunker in their 50’s?

Now, here I am in the midpoint of my life (Yes, I see myself as living to be a very old lady) and I still feel very young, very vital, and very full of life!

I was born at 12:01 pm on November 17th, 1958. I weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds and one ounce. I was 23 inches long! Yep, that’s one big baby!

I was the youngest of three children, born long after the other two were planned and born. I always wished for a younger sister, but it was not to be. I’ll forever be the baby in my family.

So here is a short montage of me from birth to the present day. It’s just a little way of me sharing who I am with all of you!

Maribeth’s Birthday from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is the most amazing weather you’ve ever seen?

I’ve seen a lot. From blizzards with a couple of feet of snow, that dropped in 24 hours; to rain so heavy that the skies shed 18 inches in less than 24 hours (when I lived in FL); to rain that fell so quickly here in New Hampshire, 4 1/2 inches in 35 minutes, thus washing out roads, dropping hail (which ruined our fruit crop) and took out the railroad tracks as well!

2. What is a sound or noise you love?

The tapping of dackel feet on the floor above, when I get out of my car in the garage below, when I come home.

3. Do you like seafood? What’s your favorite seafood dish?

Oh yeah! LOBSTER!!! MAINE LOBSTER!!! I‘ll be cooking up a couple tonight for my birthday dinner!

4. What part of your day requires the most patience?

The morning, when I need to walk dogs, make breakfast, do dishes and find a few minutes to actually shower.

5. What’s your favorite shade of blue?

To my eyes, sky blue. To wear, a nice navy.

6. Do people underestimate you?

I don’t know, do you?

7. When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach?

At Candidates Night, last March, when I was in a position that people could have asked me questions. I was running for Library Trustee. Oh I was so nervous! Luckily, no one asked and I won the town wide election!

8. Insert your own random thought here, and remember…I have a wooden spoon and I’m not afraid to use it.

Today is my 52nd birthday! All I can saw is WOW! I’m quite lucky to be loved by family, friends and doggies alike. So there is my random thought!

Menopause Brain

I discovered that I can get busy and actually forget something! Totally unheard of for me. My mind is like a steal trap! I’ve always prided myself in that.

Monday, not so much.

I had a doctor’s appointment that I’d made some time ago. I’d written it down, and even got a reminder call last Friday. I was all ready for this appointment on Monday at 2 PM.

However, Monday found me slightly tired, with a scratchy eye, and actually puttering around getting things accomplished at home (like laundry, cooking and dog playing), and I totally forgot the doctor’s appointment!

He called me personally! He said in the 11 years that he has known me, I’ve never done that. This is true! I take being prompt and prepared very seriously. I apologized like crazy and I was embarrassed. How could I do that?

I’ve decided that it is menopause brain. Yep, I am going to blame that. For you youngsters out there, I swear there is something that happens when you are in the throws of menopause that causes your brain to freeze up.

Shockingly, mine did that on Monday.

I glanced at my calendar (after his call), and I now know I need to be prepared today and tomorrow for several appointments.

It’s odd. I think I will be very happy when the menopause bug passes and my brain returns. Won’t that be a happy day!

What I Did This Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend!

Since we have our little grand-puppy, Bogart with us, our weekend was consumed with playing little dackel games. Hubby did go off to a friend’s home to help him with some tree cutting, and log splitting, but true to my promise of being the best dackel granny, I was home, running around the yard, taking walks and tossing toys.

Bogart and Anneliese Playing from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

He has the best personality, and is such a love, quite an amazing little boy. He’s a year and a half old now, and full of life! He is smart, thoughtful and learns new things very quickly!

Besides playing with the doggies, I also cooked Julia’s Boeuf Bourguignon for Hubby! I have trimmed down the recipe a bit so the calories aren’t quite as bad, and the taste is…out of this world!

It’s been quiet otherwise, and as November works it’s way toward the winter months, I’m again reminded that I truly do like this time of year, just for that reason. It’s quiet.

Ahhhhh yes, quiet!!!

Life in A Kennel

Saturday was day of fun and frivolity. I was up early with the hounds, and took Bogart out for a walk on the leash. He was so anxious to walk up the driveway, and there I was in my pajamas, bathrobe and slippers, topped with a winter jacket and gloves, as I made my way up the drive.

I saw my neighbor, and a car drove by us. Yes, it proves that you can never go out and “hope” you never see anyone when you look the worst. I looked terrible and several people were my witnesses!

The dogs played, inside and outside and Bogart has really made himself at home. He has taken over Fritz’s bed, and has located every toy, bone and pillow that had previously been lost.

There is nothing that a puppy cannot find!

The day was also a beautiful one. I was able to get a few pictures of our lake while it was still as glass. Although we are well into our Autumn season, there are still many trees that are quite beautiful!

Bogart

I’m having a really good time! My grand-puppy, Bogart arrived on Thursday for a visit. He is a year and a half old and still full of puppy impishness! The first moments after he arrived were a bit tense. Arnie was not at all sure he wanted another male dog in the house (He does not regard Fritz as a boy, as Fritz has been altered.), and the barking and posturing were really something else. Greta and Anneliese seemed to accept him a lot more easily

After about an hour the barking stopped, but not the suspicious glances that Arnie cast toward Bogart. But as the evening progressed, the boys settled down and eventually they curled up and slept.

On Friday, Arnie was still giving Bogart a wide birth, but Anneliese seemed to remember her son, and she began to play with him. At one point she say down on the sofa and I caught her kissing his ears.

Bogey knows where he is. Funny, that. He went out to the puppy room and sniffed around, as if looking for his brother and sisters. He is affectionate with both Hubby and me.

Currently he is on his little bed asleep, next to Fritz. Oh yes, he adores Fritz! He follows him around, showers him with kisses and sleeps cuddled next to him.

As you can see by his smile, he is settling in.

And, like the other three dackels, he enjoys looking out the windows at the lake, the birds and our neighbors cat!

I just love the way he stands up to look out the window. Just too cute!

It’s hard to believe that this is the same baby that I delivered a year and a half ago. Remember when he looked like this?

And this.

Now he is all grown up and even cuter, don’t you think?

Veteran’s Day

Thursday the 11th of November, was Veteran’s Day here in the States. All across the Nation, Memorial Ceremonies were held to honor those who gave their lives for our country, as well as those who served, continue to serve and all the families.

Our State Veteran’s Cemetery is about 22 miles from our home. It is beautifully laid out, and quite comforting to walk through. A few thousand people came from across our state to remember, and honor the Military.

I took pictures and so did Hubby. We wanted to share with you these pictures, to allow you a chance to see, some of the wonderful men and women who served our Nation in the Military. The cemetery serves both the Military and their Spouses for burial.

I was glad I had on my big sunglasses, because I get quite choked up seeing the love around me. The love for Country, Family and Friends.

Hubby’s Veteran’s Day from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Friday Fill-Ins

So…here we go!

1. When pigs fly, will I ever get a tattoo. I am a real chicken about needles and pain.

2. Life without chocolate, seriously?!

3. Call me when you need a friend. I’m here.

4. I love the warmth of a fire, if you know what I mean.

5. The most entertaining person in my life is not a person at all, but my dogs, because they never leave my side, or let me down and are always happy to see me.

6. I’m back on the Weight Watcher Wagon, who’s next?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to playing with my grand-puppy, Bogart, tomorrow my plans include playing with Bogart and all the dogs and Sunday, I want to Read the paper, drink my coffee and play dackel games!

Thursday Thirteen

The Puppy Fritz Edition

Our Fritzi was born in July 26, 2003. We arranged for him to be our boy a few weeks later in August and the first picture we got was this one.

Hubby went out to Portland, Oregon at the end of September to pick up our little guy and bring him home.

They arrived back here close to midnight. I fell in love with Fritz the moment I saw him, and so did Shubi.

Fritz immediately thought that Shubi was his mother.

I loved cooking back then as well and both Shubi and Fritz liked to help.

Fritz loved to take a lot of naps.

And he loved to jump up on the back of the sofa to look out the window and play with friends.

He was his Daddy’s boy, early on.

But always he was Shubi’s baby.

He liked to travel in the motor coach.

He even won a dog show.

He found that driving a motor coach was fun.

That’s our boy, Fritz. He’s all grown up now, and the best shepherd we have ever had

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Now that the Random Dozen has closed down, I’ve been looking for something to fill my Wednesdays, which, as you know are my Weight Watcher mornings. I’m up bright and early on Wednesday and have no time for writing or thinking about a post.

Joyce, From This Side Of The Pond, has taken up the challenge and has put together Wednesday Hodgepodge. A list of 7 questions, plus an eighth of our choice, just to keep us on our toes. So, without further introduction, here we go!

1. Do you think you’re more like your mom or your dad?

Neither one, I hope.

2. Do you like roller coasters?

No. I figure why pay to be scared out of my mind!

3. How did you name your blog and do you now wish you’d thought about it maybe another five minutes before you hit publish?

We came up with 4 names and then I sent them to my Web-Maven, and she sent me back her thoughts and then PRESTO “Dackel Princess” was born.

Would you change your blog title if it were not a huge pain in the derriere? (French makes everything sound a little nicer doesn’t it?)

Nope. It fits.

4. What is the best wedding gift you received?

A set of fabulous heavy beer mugs. We still have them and still use them!

Not married? Didn’t get any gifts? Then what is the best wedding gift you’ve given?

I like to go to the local Artisans and get things like hand made pottery chip and dip sets, or coffee sets.

5. What is the one bill you most hate to pay?

Fuel Oil!

6. Is the glass half full or half empty?

Tough one for me. It really depends on the day. I strive for half full!

7. What is your favorite word? Okay okay. Calm down. How about one of your favorite words?

Puppies!

8. Now, this is where you insert one random thought of your own… Don’t make me get out my wooden spoon.

We have a small Rosewood coffee table that Hubby bought in Hong Kong. It is round and beautifully carved. All our puppies enjoyed going under the table, even Fritz, when he was a mere babe of 8 weeks old! Now Arnie has set up shop. He drags his toys, bones, blankets, etc, under the table and we have started to call this, “The Man Cave”!

Here is Mr. Arnie Man, in his “Man Cave”!

Thanks Joyce and Happy Wednesday to All!!!