The Dackel Princess

On Wednesday, after Weight Watchers Class (don’t ask), I went out to shop for a skirt and top to wear to Hubby’s Army Reunion. I wanted something light and pretty and yes, girlie. Living in a colder state, I am more inclined to wear, jeans a t-shirt and a sweater than almost anything else. But today, I thought, what the heck, I want to be a woman!

Oh I tried a few places and was very discouraged by what I found. Crap. Then I called my best friend, and  resident fashionista, Gail, for some real help.

She has such a sense of good taste and style, something that I lack, living in the back woods of New Hampshire. Gail is my “What Not To Wear” girl and she is a great help. She also works for  major fashion company, and as I entered their store, I got her on the phone for some help.

Gail lives in Delaware, so shopping is done via Verizon Cell phone, and since she knows the lines of clothes that are carried there she could guide me.

I tried on a few things and just hated them. I was feeling lost and alone until the little voice in my ear started talking to me.

Try this skirt, not that. Go for this top, not that. No dark solid colors, go for some prints and color! (She knows that color to me is navy blue)

I finally found two outfits. Two skirts and two tops that made me look pretty, finished and yes, like a girlie-girl!

Here is the first one.

And the second one.

What to do, what to do! I knew I shouldn’t get both outfits. I really could just afford one, and then I discovered that everything was 40% off!

You guessed it. Both outfits are now hanging on the door to my bedroom.

However, I will need to wear “girlie shoes” with these outfits. Oh sweet mother of God! Heels!

I actually own shoes that will go with these outfits, but neither one of the shoes are broken in, which shows you how often I actually wear dress-up shoes! So, I am now wearing them with ankle socks to stretch them out a little and prepare them and my feet for next week!

If only one could wear these gorgeous creations with sneakers!

Saturday finds me getting my hair done and then Sunday I hope to get everyone together to prepare them for our departure. My neighbors are all moving in to house sit and care for the pups. We’re so lucky to have people close by that actually move in to care for my little fur family!

I know I can’t spell! It’s Fill-Ins!

1. My back _is hurting_.

2. _Born to be_ wild_.

3. Leaves are falling all around, _red and orange twirl around_.

4. _As I get older I see the_ forgetfulness_getting to me_.

5. Healing is _easier said than done_

6. _Cooking_ is what I’ve been up to lately!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _hanging out with Hubby and the dogs_, tomorrow my plans include _getting my hair done, and having friends over for a spaghetti dinner_ and Sunday, I want to _walk around the local Craft Fair_!

**************

Friday Fil-Ins are sponsored by my cousin Janet. Come on and join the fun!

1. Do you believe, somewhere deep inside, that blonds do indeed have more fun? That they are “dumber” than brunettes or redheads? Be honest!

Nope. I used to work in a beauty salon. I’ve seen what many “blonds” go through each month and guess what? No fun. I think it matters not what color hair you have, but the person you are inside!

2. Which animal would you most like to observe in its wild habitat?

Owls. I’ve been watching the Owlets online, but would love to be able to watch them up close.

3. This week the U.N. announced that Dr. Mazlan Othman has been appointed the official “Alien Ambassador,” should any extraterrestrials contact us. Have you, or has anyone you know, ever seen a UFO?

Nope. And my husband was a pilot in the military, and then an airline pilot, so he was in the sky a lot. Wait! Maybe “he” is the alien! lol!

4. Name your favorite Hitchcock film.

“North By Northwest”

5. Would you rather spend time at the library, the mall, a craft store or home?

Home.

6. Which Disney princess is your favorite? (Or Disney character, if you are a guy)

Cinderella

7. What kind of art is your favorite?

Impressionist. I love Monet! In fact I have several Monet poster prints framed around my home. I find impressionism relaxing.

8. How do you feel about viral videos, that is, videos made by amateurs that end up on Youtube receiving thousands of hits?

Some are funny, but they really don’t do much for me.

9. Where do you buy your jeans?

It depends. Usually LLBean or Liz Claibourne.

10. Tell me about your first automobile accident.

It was a very tragic accident. I was hit by an impaired (stoned) drive as I was stopped at a red light. My 6 year old daughter was killed. It wasn’t my fault, but this accident, changed my life forever.

11. Have you ever been honest when you knew you would benefit more if you would be dishonest?

Not really. A year ago I discovered that a local store had sold me two kiddie pools instead of one and I went back and paid for the second one. So I guess I’m kind of honest that way. It’s all about Karma.

12. If you were appointed “Ambassador to Aliens,” what would you show and tell first about life on Earth? What would be the most difficult thing to explain?

I would show them the beauty of our planet. Since they have the fancy space ship I would zoom them all over the planet so they could see it.

The hardest to explain? The EVIL on our planet, because there is so much.

There are days that you wake up, go through your entire day and find you have absolutely nothing to write about. Monday was that day for me!

It rained off and on all day. It was cold and the most interesting thing happening here was that I had a pot of turkey bones simmering for the second day. After nearly 24 hours of simmering, and the fact that my whole house smelled like Thanksgiving, the broth that I will use tomorrow to make our turkey soup simmered to perfection.

I did work grooming Arnie for over an hour. At first he fought this, but eventually he just curled up and slept while I stripped his fur.

Fritz had his nails clipped, and Greta struggled against me, while I tried to groom her. Anneliese is, of course, perfect and just needed a light brushing.

I scanned some pictures of Hubby when he was a kid for him, and then heated up the leftover Sauerbraten for our dinner.

Well I think that today I need to go off and have an adventure so I can write something interesting tomorrow.

Wish me luck!

Okay, I know that Saturday was supposed to be my busy cooking day, but I needed to make a run to the big city and then I got a bit frustrated because all the plans Hubby and I made for the big city seemed to get thwarted.

We arrived back at home at 3 PM and we changed clothes and Hubby went out to mow the lawn and I went into the kitchen to cook.

Now, before we left I put a roast I had been marinating, in my crock pot on the lowest setting to make my favorite German meal, Sauerbraten! I have the old family recipe that came with my Great-grandparents  from Germany and was passed down through the generations until it came to me. I love it, and of course my Hubby loves it too. In fact Hubby LOVES German food and I think he believes he was lucky to marry someone who enjoys cooking German delicacies!

While the Sauerbraten cooked I made the spaghetti sauce. A triple batch this time! I’m just waiting for it to cool so I can put it in containers to freeze. This is the last batch I will make. After this I think I may try to make salsa.

The Sauerbraten came out even better than usual! Even Hubby was amazed at how good it tasted! There is enough for one more meal.

For now, I am sitting with Anneliese as I wait for the spaghetti sauce to cool.She tells me I should mention that all four dogs thought the Sauerbraten was good too! Yes, they all got a little taste, because I am a soft touch!

Tomorrow? Oh I do hope I can have a quiet day. Aren’t Sundays supposed to be quiet days? Oh wait…I’m cooking the turkey tomorrow! Not so quiet after all.

The new glasses arrived and Hubby drove me down to the shop to pick them up. For those of you who wear glasses, you will understand how I felt. I put on the new glasses, with the new prescription and for the first few minutes I couldn’t see anything well.

Then slowly, my eyes adjusted and I am happy to report a real improvement in my overall vision! Since the doctor told me that I will not require surgery for a while, my goal is to have the best possible vision that I can.

We shopped and came home and I made a new recipe.  Chicken and sausage with vegetables. It sounded great, but when I sat down to eat it, I didn’t like it! Now this doesn’t usually happen, thus my lifetime membership at Weight Watchers! I simply love almost all food!!! However this chicken and sausage recipe just didn’t do anything for me, and after three bites, I pushed the dish away.

I did, however, eat all of my beets!

Hubby liked the recipe. He ate well and when I asked he said that he enjoys stews. So I wondered what it was that turned my taste-buds off? I am not sure. All of the ingredients were things that I liked, but together, well….

Tomorrow I am making two steaks. I may have Hubby fire up the grill and cook them outside. I have a real hankering for a good grilled steak!

Happy Friday everyone!