Happiness – Page 4 – The Dackel Princess

Surprise!

Yesterday I was able to surprise Hubby with a mini birthday party. We had just the immediate family and it was wonderful!

Mandy got the best marinated chicken and beef tips, and I made my potato salad and Janet brought her mango black bean salad (drool!) and my sister, Mel made the Angel cake with strawberries. The weather was wonderful, sunny and warm, and we sat outside, while Matt cooked on the grill, and then ate our lunch. It was perfect!

Savannah sang two songs for us, and she was wonderful! I could feel myself getting all teary eyed. I just love her so much.

And Quinn has grown so much! I did my share of holding, burping and picture taking. I’m amazed at how quickly he is growing!

So, thank you to all of my family, Mandy, Matt, Mel, Ron, Janet and the two children, Savi and Quinn for making today so special for Papa. He loved it!

Friday Five

The Happiness Addition

Here we are, the end of another week. Yet as the weekend draws near, my excitement builds, as first thing Monday morning, my daughter and her fiancé will welcome their son. I will be down south, awaiting this birth, with Savannah and her Nana and Auntie, and when Mandy and Matt are ready, we will all drive to the hospital to meet the wee young man.

So without further ado, here are this weeks happy Friday Five!

It’s been pretty cold this week and we have had several fires in our fireplace. Since I’ve been going out to walk Greta and Anneliese, I can stand, staring at the stars and smelling the sweet scent of burning wood. It’s part of why I love winter here.
I also love watching Greta with the fire in the hearth. She loves it. She will lie in front and soak up all the heat. If I were in better condition, I too would lie on the floor in from of the fire!
I have a new toy. It’s an App I downloaded on my phone and on my computer. It’s called BeFunky, and it helps you to edit photos and make collages and all sorts of fun stuff. Since I never could figure out Instagram, I found this exceptionally easy to use. And the App is free!
Hubby and I went out today to a discount shop, where they sell European foods. Hubby was so happy to find all sorts of salads and pickles and risotto’s. Me too. Some things are so easy to use to make nice meals.
I am feeling very happy with how my neck is healing. I took a picture today, and here I am two and a half months since the surgery, and the incision is nearly gone. See!

Weekend Stuff

I woke to a very cold, yet very beautiful day. The lake is once again a hotbed of activity, as it is “The Greater Meredith Ice Fishing Derby”.

Since the big Lake (Winnipesaukee) is not frozen over, and safety must come first, there are not as many anglers out there. Instead, they’ve come over to our Lake (Waukewan) which is much less deep, and does have a fairly good surface of ice.

Still, I know I am really paranoid, and I will not go out on the Lakes at this time of year, seeing that we have had 50+ degree (F) weather recently. And rain…oh my goodness the rain has been incredible!

Yesterday and today Hubby took Lili out in the yard, and she ran and ran and ran and ran, and became one giant, muddy mess. She was formerly a lovely White German Shepherd dog! Today Hubby brought her in through the basement and washed her down. And for that he gets a big hug and kiss!

I have my suitcase packed, as we are now down to the final days of my daughter’s pregnancy. Friday was her last day in the office, although she will work at home until the little guy decides to show up, or March 7th arrives (her C-section date).

I now sleep with my cell phone next to me, and it’s on the shelf in the bathroom when I shower. Yes, I think we can all safely assume that I am excited about my grandson’s birth!

And the bonus is that I get to spend time with Savannah. I have a whole bag full of fun stuff for Savi and Oma to do.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday Five

I decided that for the next month I am going to write about 5 things that are happening to me, or around me, that is fabulous and wonderful! So without further ado, here is this weeks five.

We are now nice days until my daughter’s due date with her baby boy! I sleep with my cell phone, I shower with my cell phone on the shelf, and I go everywhere with my phone hooked to my belt. I’m not excited or anything! LOL
Lili is now responding to me when I talk to her. If she is outside and I go out, I call to her and say “Are you coming?” and she comes right to me! After all this time, she is following me!
I simply have the most adorable grandniece ever! Here is little April, and she is 5 months old and the apple of our eyes!

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I am one day away from finishing the office cleaning project! For more years than I care to admit, I have put off doing a deep clean. This year I turned on Pandora, and just did it!
I decided that I need to get up every day and put on a little make-up. I’ve never been a big make-up wearer, but I feel better with a little bit on.

So that’s my first week of happiness, on the Friday Five. See you next week, for the next installment!

It’s Here!!!

My new bed arrived on Saturday. (As I write it is Saturday Night.) It’s simply beautiful! I am so excited at the prospect of sleeping on it tonight. In fact, ever since I made the bed this afternoon, I have wanted nothing more than to dive in. But, Hubby says I must wait until a decent time.

I had my old mattress since 1987! It started to get uncomfortable about 15 years ago, but I got a foam topper and was able to make it last. Thinking about this made me wonder if this will be the last new bed I get?

I’m thinking no. I do not want to go quite so long before getting a new mattress again.

Still, I’ve been living with a Scotsman, for a very long time now and I swear I have become cheaper than he is!

I will let you all know how I sleep tonight. One thing is for sure, I will be sleeping with a smile on my face!

Happy

We have been blessed to find a fabulous house/doggy sitter. K. is one of those people that seems to have a knack with animals. I offered to write her a letter of recommendation and this is what I wrote.

“My husband and I wanted to go on a week long trip to a reunion in Ohio. We were very concerned about leaving our dogs, as we have a high energy German Shepherd named Lili, and three older, well-mannered dachshunds.
When we met K, Lili seemed to bond to her right away. So we made our plans and held our breath, hoping all would go well during our trip.
K was here bright and early to start her work with our dogs. As we drove to the reunion we received updates and pictures of our dogs on our cell phone.
K even started to train Lili to walk on leash, something that we had not been able to do.
K knows a lot about animals, and it is obvious that she loves them. In turn, they adore her. My three dachshunds, climbed into bed with her and slept like babies.
I had cleaned my house before we left, but when I came back, it was even cleaner and our sheets had been changed. I cannot tell you how pleasant that was after a two day car trip. We arrived at home with no house work to do!
I feel like we have made a new friend. K is sweet and kind and diligent in all she does. I highly recommend her and I will continue to use her as my pet sitter. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to find someone that can be trusted with your pets and your home. In the past we have not always been so fortunate.”

Since being home, I have continued Lili’s daily walks, that K started on, and the difference in Lili is amazing. I had not had any luck before this, but somehow, K broke the ice and Lili is a pleasure to walk!

Should anyone in our area need a dog/house sitter contact me and I will hook you up. K is a great woman and you will not be disappointed.

It’s Great!

We drove all day, saw a tad of foliage from Rutland, Vermont to about Canaan, NH. However, foliage season is really late. And not breath-taking. At least not yet.

We picked up our mail, thus getting Hubby’s new winter bathrobe, and a weeks worth of mail, and then we turned the car toward home. Somehow, it still knew the way!

Upon arrival, we were met by four thrilled beyond words dogs, our house sitter and a house that was quite literally cleaner than when I left it, despite my deep cleaning.

And it felt wonderful.

It meant that I could sit snuggling dogs, and take my time putting things away. Hubby had a TV dinner and I just ate some toast for our evening meal. Very low key!

Bedtime comes in a bit, and I will snuggle up with my three little dackel bed warmers!

It feels great to be home. Out of the car, in my own chair, feet up and surrounded by brown eyed fur babies!

Life is good and it is fabulous to be home!!!

Happiness Is…

It’s funny. Recently I was asked about happiness. Did I find it easier to be happy now that I am, ahem, “in my middle years”?

I answered quickly, that I was happy and I didn’t think too much about it at the time, but in the last few days, while doing mindless housework jobs, I’ve had moments of great clarity.

I looked up into the bright blue skies today, and felt such peace in my heart. So many wonderful things are happening around me. Some days I sit back and just feel the love and the happiness. Reveling in it.

In my youth I tended to feel anxious, and not always happy. I tending to look back, to regret so much. I always worried about every little thing.

In my middle years I live each day and enjoy the heck out of it. Seeing my daughter and granddaughter living their lives, seeing their happiness, it just doesn’t get much better.

Hubby and I are settled. We know each other so well, and share our life, as we have for the last 27 years. He is still the first person I want to talk to in the morning, and the last person I want to talk to at night. After all these years I still enjoy sharing life with this man.

My doggies are wonderful, and bring so much enjoyment to my days. In fact Lili is becoming so much better, that I believe one day she will be as easy to be with as the dackels are.

All this thought about happiness, made me think of this song, a favorite from long ago. Kick back and enjoy.

The Party

The weekend was a sort of crazy one. Although Saturday was easy and laid back, Sunday was crazy busy, and it was hot, hot, hot, while I attempted to get things done.

There was a wonderful party for my former mother in-law’s 90th birthday, which I attended, down in the big city (at least for New Hampshire) of Manchester. I saw so many of my former husbands family and that was so nice. These are people I spent a lot of my youth with, and after 30 years, it was wonderful to see them again! Here is one of dear Alice, the birthday girl!

Alice Bday

The cake not only looked good, but was delicious!

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Alice and her sister Georgette.

Savi, watching the events.

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Miss Savannah, enjoying the delicious cake.

The party was wonderful, and everything went as planned. I can hardly wait to see more pictures from the event!

As I said, it was brutally hot, and after the party, I still had to get dog food, and groceries for us. All of that meant I had to drive up a very busy rte. 93 home. Between Manchester and Meredith I saw 3 accidents. I have decided that there are far too many impatient drivers, who end up causing these accidents. I just stayed in line, carefully driving, and so far I have made it around New Hampshire this summer. But I have seen so many crazy drivers and I am not surprised at the number of accidents this year.

By the time I arrived home at Casa Dackel Princess, the heat had drained me of any energy I had. I was glad to have picked up a rotisserie checkn, and that is what Hubby and I had in the evening, for our meal. I also fell asleep instantly, after going to bed (in a nice air conditioned room), early!

Have a great week Everyone!!!

The Fourth On The Fifth

Sunday was such a nice day. At least once we got to Mandy and Matt’s house. The way it started, at our home, left me wondering if the day was, in fact, jinxed! Let me start at the beginning.

Saturday night was the 4th of July here in America. That means LOTS of fireworks. And this year it seemed every one had them, and the noise started at about 7 PM and went well into the night.

All I can say about that is…poor Lili. The sweetie is terrified of the noises and I feared she would have a complete breakdown!

By this morning I had hoped she would be feeling better, but she was not. She was following me, right under my feet. I was attempting to get ready to go to the party when she got under my feet, between my knees and I fell both forward and back, hitting the floor very hard.

I was furious! And upset, and everything hurt!

But poor Lili was just terrified, and came to me for comfort. The end result was not what she expected, or me for that matter!

Then we packed the car, got Lili settled in her room, with fresh water, her favorite toy and a brand new bone.

We had the air conditioning set, and curtains drawn, as our weather forecast was for very hot weather.

After a short drive down, we arrived just in time to watch Mandy and Savi swimming, and Matt finishing up mowing the lawn.

We quickly changed into our suits and I went right in. I love to play in the pool with Savi!

Hubby!

Matt’s parent’s arrived, then our cousins, Janet and Dave. The party members were complete!

We drank wine, ate nuts and pop corn and suddenly it seemed lunch was ready. Hot dogs, hamburgers, stuffed eggs, potato salad, fruit salad and a wonderful mango/bean/quinoa salsa. Mandy also made cupcakes and cake

Cheeseburgers

Mango,bean and quinoa salsa

Everything was great. The company even better, and even though the afternoon raced by, it was a relaxed and wonderful one.

Fruit salad

Janet floating and sipping and Dave living the good life!

We started home a little earlier than normal, because we were worried about LIli. And I am glad we did. I think every man, woman, and child in New Hampshire is shooting off fireworks once again tonight. Poor Lili has found a dark tight space in the hallway and is hiding.

But it was a wonderful day, and I managed to stay off the floor and out of trouble for the rest of the day. I even sceduled in a hot bath to soak my slightly aching body.

Life, my friends, is so very good!!!