The Dackel Princess

Snow

I wish I’d had my camera with me today, but alas, I’d left it at home. Hubby drove me over to see Dr. C. my retinal surgeon, and it snowed all the way over and all the way back. In fact on the way home, the only reason we made it safely was because Hubby is a fantastic driver in the snow and avoided two certain car crashes. The first would have been caused by an oogler. Some jerk that wanted to look at a man who had skidded off the road. He literally stopped in the middle of the road. Hubby was able to stop in time and all was well.

The second was caused by slippery conditions at home. We were turning into our street and the car kept going straight. Fortunately, Hubby is a snow master and he hung in there and got the car to turn!

My Hero!

Once home, I did way too much. I did three loads of laundry, made dinner and did the dishes. It was then that Hubby reminded me that I was supposed to be resting, so I have now gotten in my pajamas, and I am resting in my chair and have my feet up.

We had three inches of new snow, which makes it pretty, and now the wind has picked up. Tomorrow the cold temperature will settle in and I think it will be a nice day to get the fireplace going.

It’s nice to be back writing and sharing things with you all.

Goodnight!

Be Careful What You Wish For!

Since Anneliese and Greta began popping out puppies, I began to pray for sleep. Oh, I discovered myself seriously lacking for sleep and all I wanted was some rest.

I looked forward to our vacation as I thought that I would finally get some much needed sleep, but I found, as we cruised around and toured the Caribbean, that I did not get a lot of sleep. Call it my inability to forget the clock.

Since we have been back, and I have been forced to lie still due to the detached retina, I am supposed to be getting a lot of rest. The funny thing is…as I lie here I can only think of all the things I was and need to do, like laundry, dusting, and cooking meals.

Now Hubby is doing a great just cooking for me and he is, in fact, over feeding me! So, no problem there, it’s just that I am bored.

I have watched “Mama Mia” 3 times, “NCIS” more times then I can say, “What Not To Wear” and “Say Yes To The Dress” until I want to plan a shopping trip.

No, this lying down and resting is simply for the birds. I am hoping that I will get some good news tomorrow when I see my surgeon, Dr. C.

Keep your fingers crossed!

It’s Me!

I’m taking a few minutes to sit up, with my head tilted, to write you all a little note. I’ve decided that I am a Blog Addict! I really miss writing each day and sharing my little corner of the world with you all.

I have been a very good little girl, lying here, on my side, resting. I believe my eye is doing well, but I am still having double vision when the eye is not patched and there is occasionally quite a bit of discomfort.

Still I feel incredibly lucky on many levels. I feel lucky to live in a country with some of the finest doctors in the world. In fact my surgeon is doing research now that may help restore vision to the blind.

I feel lucky to be married to a man who would drive 1200 miles to get me to my doctor, and to cook and clean up meals so that I can rest and heal.

Me and Mandy

I feel lucky to have a daughter and husband and M, who came and made my Christmas Eve dinner! I felt loved and cared for, even if it was hard for me to lie still.

And I feel lucky to have my pups who have taken such good care of me.!

Greta and Arnie

Anneliese

And I feel lucky to have all of you who are out there praying for my return to health. Thank you!

The Long & Short Of It

Written by Sister Melodie, as told to her by Maribeth

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

It’s been a long couple of days. I know most of you are wondering why I haven’t posted anything since the end of my vacation so here is the long and short of it……

Hubby and I were really lucky to have gotten off the ship a little earlier than most. We had a plane to catch that would land in Atlanta where we would board a connecting flight to Boston. We made the flight out of Puerto Rico and landed as scheduled in Atlanta.

This is where things began to go from bad to worse.

There was a huge snowstorm hitting the Northeast. At first we thought we would only be delayed, but as time passed, more and more flights were canceled leaving crowds of people trying to scramble to change their flights.

We saw we were number 96 and 97 on the standby list meaning that there was no way we were going anywhere.

Hubby and I then decided to check other airlines and see if there was a chance that we could find two seats so we could head home, but everyone else had the same idea and in fact we were told that they would not be selling any tickets until Wednesday.

As I got up out of my seat about this time the retina in my right eye detached. The one in my left eye had done the same thing 7 years ago so I knew right away what had happened. As much as I dreaded telling hubby what had occurred at the most inopportune time I knew immediately that I had to get to my eye doctor as fast as possible.

Hubby said we would rent a car and take turns driving, but there was no way I could drive since I had no vision in my right eye. He’d have to do the whole drive all twelve hundred miles himself!

Luckily we were able to rent a car fairly quickly and off we went at 4pm on Sunday with Hubby driving all through the night. He really had Santa beat with his all night drive without the help of Rudolf I might add.

When we hit NJ I had an idea to call my sister, Melodie who lives in Connecticut. Hubby could bring me to her house, Mel could drive me to Dartmouth to the eye doctor and Hubby could head to Boston, return the rental car and pick up our car and head home for a rest.

Mel was more than happy to help out and we arrived at her house at 9:30 am. Our only stops along the way had been for coffee to keep us awake and then pit stops because we drank so much coffee to keep us awake.

At around 7am I had called my doctor and was told to get there as fast as I could. They would be waiting for me and not to eat or drink anything in case I needed an operation.

At Mel’s I grabbed my toothbrush and a very few things out of my bags and moved into her car, as we sped off to Dartmouth, Hubby headed to Boston.

Mel drove swiftly along and we arrived at just about 1pm where I was examined and my suspicions were confirmed, I did have another retinal detachment. I was led to the treatment room and my good doctor said my sister could stay by my side and hold my hand. Mel watched the whole thing.

At one point when we thought we were nearing the end of the whole procedure the pressure in my eye jumped up dangerously and Doctor C. had to work quickly to lower it before damage could be done.

Dr. C. confirmed that I had arrived in time because it is during the first 24 hours that the best results and repairs can be made with a detachment. I was so very, very lucky!!

We finally left the hospital some time after 5pm. Mel hadn’t eaten since breakfast and I had not had anything since around 4am.

We made our way to a nearby hotel that the hospital recommended and got a room.

I had been instructed by Doctor C. that I MUST for the next two weeks lie in a certain position to assure that the reattachment would work and heal properly.

The whole thing was pretty scary and very painful once the block wore off. Mel had gotten me some pain medication at the hospital pharmacy which didn’t do a heck of a lot, but helped some.

Mel waited on me, got up in the night when I was awake, found tea and food for us and helped me take a bath, let me use her pajamas and made sure I was lying in the right position.

The next morning after a good breakfast we reported back to the hospital where Dr. C. rechecked my eye. The pressure was good and everything looked good.

At this point Hubby arrived to take me home, having dug our car of the snow in Boston by hand, and arriving home Monday afternoon at around 4pm a full 24 hours since we had left Atlanta. Thankfully he brought me my coat; pillow and a blanket so I could lie down in the car all the way home.
Today found me back at the hospital for another check and even though I feel like I am looking through Vaseline I am beginning to get my sight back already.

Being able to see is such a wonderful gift and one we all take for granted until we find ourselves in a position of not being able to see. There is no doubt in my mind that my best Christmas gift for this year is the gift of my sight!!!

Detached Retina

Sorry I have not posted. On our return from our cruise my right retina detached and since 5 flights out of Atlanta had been canceled going to Boston, we rented a car and Hubby drove me to my sisters in Connecticut, dropped me with her, she put me in her car and drove me to Dartmouth Hospital where my retinal surgeon was waiting for me.

Hubby drove to Boston, returned the rental car and picked up our car before coming home to sleep. He had driven all night and over 1200 miles to get me to my surgeon.

I stayed overnight on Monday and then Hubby came and collected me on Tuesday morning after I’d seen the doctor and brought me home.

I go back to the doctor today, but aside from that, I am down and out until my eye heals.

Happy Birthday, Mandy!!!

Today is my daughter, Amanda Mae’s birthday. When I look back at the birth of my first child, I think it was the most wonderful experience of my life. Feeling her grow inside of me, was incredible! Of course back then we didn’t know before hand what sex the baby would be, I didn’t really care, but at the same time, I knew that inside my ever growing belly was a daughter. My daughter!

I remember being so very careful what I ate and drank while I was pregnant, and the only real craving I had was for Peanut M&M’s. I ate a ton of those, even though now, I don’t really like them too much. Can anyone figure out why we crave what we do?

And then my due date came and went, and went on and on and on. Finally the night before the doctor was going to induce me, I went into labor. The first four hours of labor was a piece of cake. I remember thinking that if this was labor, I’d have a baby every year! I won’t go into detail, but let’s just say the last four hours I was really glad they offered me an epidural!

And then, in a moment unlike any other in my life, there you were. You! Amanda Mae! My baby! It was love at first sight, in fact from the moment that you arrived for the next two years I’m sure I didn’t notice another child. There was only you. My beautiful, lovely baby.

I don’t tell you enough, but I love you more than words could ever say. I am also proud of the woman you have become. I only gave you a start. You took it from there and made yourself into the remarkable lady that you are now!

So happy birthday, my dearest daughter. You were the best Christmas present that I ever had or ever will have!

Love,

Mum

Barbados

I’ve been looking forward to visiting this beautiful island since we made our reservations a few months back. It had been over twenty years since I last stepped foot there. I’d hoped that the island was as lovely as I recalled. I also hoped for good weather so we could walk around.

I was fortunate on both accounts. The weather was great and the island was just as wonderful as I recalled.

There are several things that make Barbados so special. First and foremost are the people. The Barbados people (called Bajans) are so friendly, warm and kind.

The city of Bridgetown is clean and the buildings well cared for, and traditions are maintained. Hubby and I walked through a beautiful old Anglican church and then out into the grave yard.

The church was lovingly tended to and as I walked around the church reading the columbarium plaques, I realized that the Yellow Fever plague had nearly wiped all of Barbados out. So many deaths, and yet those that survived had buried and marked each grave.

We walked all down their main street and then crossed over the river to the other side.

We walked along the river, which had a new sidewalk area and the railings were freshly painted. It was a wonderful walk.

Soon we came upon a center where the fishermen bring their catch to be cut and cleaned.

I started taking pictures. And one of the men saw me and came over with this beauty and posed for me!

When we returned to the ship for lunch, we noticed a huge yacht next to our ship. This is the yacht owned by former Microsoft CEO Paul Davis. I looked at Hubby and told him that I could live with that for my Christmas present!

We had a cocktail party with the Captain tonight. It was really interesting because the Captain did not come. It seems 6 passengers did not show up for the trip and he had delayed leaving port for as long as he could before taking the ship out of port. Thus he did not make the party he was throwing for frequent cruisers.

Dinner was great with out table mates. They had Beef Wellington tonight and we had lobster! I’m getting very spoilt here!

I told Hubby that when we get to our 25th wedding anniversary I would like to come back to Barbados and spend a week or 10 days. Of all the islands I have seen, this is the best one. My favorite!

St Lucia

We arrived early in the morning at St. Lucia. Our ship is enormous and truly filled the channel coming into the dockyard. Behind us were three other cruise line ships, Carnival, A German cruising vessel and Holland America’s Nordam.

Hubby and I went up for breakfast and a young woman came over to clear our table and I looked at her and I knew her! After talking to her for several minutes, we knew where we had met each other. Two years ago when we went through the Panama Canal, she was our waitress! She didn’t remember at first, but then I reminded her that I’d given her my birthday flowers because I could not take them with me. Then all of a sudden her face lit up with a smile and she remembered me! That made me feel wonderful!

Our tour of St. Lucia was scheduled to meet on the docks at 9:30 AM and we hustled down to meet up with the guide. We no sooner got to the docks but the skies opened up and rain came pouring down. Our feet got wet, but we did have our umbrellas so our clothes stayed dry.

Eventually we got on the bus and headed out to see St. Lucia. We drove along steep mountain roads with more hairpin turns than I had ever seen. It felt very much like a roller coaster, with great climbs up to the top of a ridge, and the quickly down the other side! While we were en-route to our first destination, The Pitons, I saw many amazing things.

Bananas were growing all over the island. In the video you will see blue bags hanging from the banana trees. These bags keep the insects off of the bananas. Besides bananas, the grow baby bananas, plantains, and bread fruit.

I saw more Mama Doggies with their babies, and I felt homesick for my four. I saw a Mama duck with her chicks, and cats and kittens. There were a lot of cows (eating beef only, as they import all their milk and dairy products from the USA or Great Britain.

We learned that there is about a 20 percent unemployment rate, but I have to say, many people were just sitting next to the side of the road. Children played, goats grazed and I found that the population seems to be divided into three categories, those that have money, those who work for their money and those that have nothing.

We finally got to Soufraire where we viewed the Piton Mountains that are well over 2300 feet. They really are something to see, so close to the ocean, to perfectly spherical cones.

We were on to Sulfur Springs National Park. There we walked down to visit the sulfur pools before the guide advised us that were actually standing inside a volcano. Of course it has not erupted since 1766, and as long as the volcano sends out this steam, they believe she will not erupt again anytime too soon.

We visited the Diamond Botanical Gardens and the flora and fauna were so breathtakingly beautiful. I hope you will enjoy seeing all the flowers in the video. Once I get home I will put together a better montage, but for now with limited Internet time, this is about all I can do.

People would come and take some of the rocks and the water before in 2004 it was declared a UNESCO site and it was closed and protected. Now you may only enter with a guide from their National Park System.
Lunch was provided and I had a delicious fish and salads as well as my first ever taste of bread fruit. It’s not my favorite thing in the word, but the guide said it is very healthy for you!

The ship left St. Lucia at 6 PM while we were on our way to dinner. I had scallops tonight and Hubby had Lamb. Not sure I have mentioned this or not, but our table mates are a wonderful couple from California and we just delight in meeting them each night for dinner.

Tomorrow we will spend the day in Barbados. I have not been there in many years and I really look forward to seeing it again.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Have a great day everyone!!!

Antigua

If this is Wednesday this must be Antigua!

Sure enough we slid into Port at about 7:30 AM. I had awakened at 6 o’clock and had a chance to shower and dress before Hubby and I went for an early breakfast in the 24 hour a day Buffet.

We got down to the docks for our tour in a reasonable time and got a great bus driver, “Little Joe” and our guide, Christine. They gave us a wonderful glimpse of Antigua.

Christine explained all the history of the Island and told us about the day to day life her in Antigua. I’d always like Antigua as Hubby and I flew in here a few times, while he was working, spent the night and went out the next day. But today Christine helped me to really appreciate the island.

I saw many things, including the ship yard where the English repaired the ships back in the days of early settlement and, of course, battles with the French and Spanish.

We had a guide at the National Park here, who was as cute as can be.

I found it hard to believe she was 18! She knew her geography and the history of the area. She also know right where Eric Clapton’s home was and pointed this out!

The flowers at this stop were so beautiful. I used my macro lens to snap a few pictures, and then I noticed there was a little bug in one, sort of smiling at me! It was very cute.

At Nelsons Ship Yard, Hubby was busy taking pictures when a lizard slipped into his shoe!

It was a wee, little creature but we managed to get it out quickly with no damage done to the tiny beast!
At the Docks we got a tour of where masts were made for the British ships and at each stop we made along the way we also had little shopping sprees.

I ran into a little friend on the streets of Antigua. She was such a sweet little girl, obviously feeding puppies and my heart went into my throat.

I’d have scooped her up and brought her home with us, but I’m afraid that Hubby would then leave me!

I admit to getting into bartering and find it makes me feel pretty good.

Whatever will I do when I get home and have to actually pay the price marked on the price tag!

We also were shown where Eric Clapton lives when he is here. What a huge compound!

I went to tea time again this afternoon. Oh, it is so nice to sit sipping hot tea and getting to know your table mates. I enjoy that hour each day. It helps me unwind.

Tonight is Italian night on-board. I’ve seen a little of the menu and I am thinking that eggplant parmesan will be a good meal with a salad.

I will leave you tonight with another macro shot of Antigua’s flowers.

Tortola

As all of you know, I find it difficult to sleep once I know that there is a plan at hand for a special event. Today’s event was and early tour of Tortola.

I woke just before 6 AM and went in and took a nice hot shower, then dressed for the day. Once that was done I went up to the 24 hour a day Buffet, and got Hubby and I coffee and orange juice and croissants. I managed to get back to my room without dropping or spilling anything. Yay for me!!!

After Hubby was dressed we had a more formal breakfast before headed off the ship for our tour of Tortola.

Our driver and tour guide, Thomas met us on the pier. Hubby got the best seat in the house as he rode in the front seat next to the driver.

We drove all over the island of Tortola, stopping in various places for pictures, drinks or rest rooms.

Tortola is a beautiful island. It appears to have been formed by volcanic action. In many places the roads go straight up and this requires low gears on the vehicles driving them or the many hairpin turns. Horn honking is a necessity here, as there are so many places where you cannot see going around corners and the drivers use their horns to warn people. Thomas told us that his last tour group told him he was the “horn” iest man around! A little play on words!

We were on the tour for three hours before returning to the ship. We had a nice lunch of lamb and mint jelly, with various vegetables! Oh yes and melon. I am eating melon at nearly every meal!

After lunch the skies began to spit on us so we got our umbrellas and then we out to walk. We went back into town and purchased a few items before returning to the ship.

I kind of needed the break, as my legs were starting to feel heavy. We arrived back at our cabin and I was able to call my sister and home and thankfully cool off.

Once again I can promise you all that cruising is the ultimate vacation! Relaxing and fun i=n every way!