Life – Page 43 – The Dackel Princess

My Life, Cell Phones & Puppy Dogs

I am so late writing this edition of Dackel Princess, as I was out spending money wildly today. Hubby and I had to break down and buy new cell phones. His dates back to 2002 and mine is over 2 years old. I probably could have waited a while longer, but I just knew that if I did, my phone would die, and then we wouldn’t be able to by the phones cheaply. We got a pretty decent 2 for 1 deal. In any case, after that we did our grocery shopping, picked up Hubby’s new glasses and I bought some new make-up at the Clinique counter, and got a special prize for doing so. (More make-up! Yay for me!)

The phone purchase put us way behind our schedule so when we came home it was a mad rush to put away the food, cook dinner and feed the doggies! I did it with a little help from Hubby, who peeled the potatoes, and soon we were all eating our respective meals!

Then the tough part of my day began. I’ve never been able to understand why they must radically change cell phones so that each time you “get a new one” you essentially must learn a new language. Once I had finished the dishes, I sat down with my owners manual and started to study our new phone. A few new features that I like very much, but some are simply a waste of time. And my clock. Now this is something I am very upset about. I can’t have it showing all the time on my phone. I must flip it open in order to see what time it is. I stopped wearing a watch years ago because I keep my cell phone on my belt. Oh well, next time (2 years from now), I will know that I need the darn clock on the outside to work all the time! Darn!

I programmed my phone and then Hubby’s. It took me a couple of hours. How I wish I were a Geek who could type faster with my thumb! Oh well, since it’s only every two years that we do this I think I can stand it.

Anneliese and Arnie are both doing splendidly! They went in for their check-up and shots today and they are just perfect! They enjoyed their ride in the car and seeing everyone at the Vets. They are good little puppies even if I have to spend part of my day tomorrow sewing my braided rug back up after some fierce puppy play.

I can also report that we had a bit of a heat wave here today with our temperatures getting up to 16 degrees (F) before starting to fall again.

Ah, spring!

It’s Fffffffffreezing!!!!!!

The temperature never climbed above 1 degree Fahrenheit today. The wind was blowing strongly with gusts up to 46 miles an hour. Greta went out only in her little doggy sweater and Fritz would run out and run back in as quickly as his legs could carry him. It was simply too cold to force the puppies outside. So I was very careful to make sure they had regular newspaper breaks.

Hello? This is March! We are supposed to be heading toward spring. Didn’t Punxsutawney Phil say we were having an early spring this year? Yeah, like I believe that today!

Tomorrow is puppy day. We go to the Vets so that Arnie and Anneliese can get their shots. I hope it is warmer, but if it’s not I will wrap them in a blanket and warm up the car first.

I got my surgery date for my right eye. I’ll be operated on, on May 8th. Springtime. Warmth. Sunshine! Yes, that will be a great time to have surgery. I’m not at all nervous about this. I know my doctor well, respect her work in so many ways, and feel totally comfortable in her hands.

But first, let’s get some springtime warmth here! Brrrrr! It’s too cold for me!

Tattoo’s And Snow

Last night we decided to do the prep work for the tattooing. We got out each pup and shaved the inside of their right ears. I have to tell you right now, there were more yelps and cries during the shaving of the ears than during the tattooing the following day. All I can think is that the noise of the shaver scared the little sweethearts.

Carrie, the co-breed warden for the NATC, examined each of the puppies as well. She checked to make sure that there were no problems with their tails, ears and belly buttons.

Sunday morning after we all had breakfast (puppies and humans), we got down to business. Each puppy is assigned a number. Arnie, because he is a male got the first number.

Arnie

Then Angelika

Anita

Anja

Anneliese

It’s a fascinating process. Carrie has a punch that she sets with the numbers to be used. The punch is basically a set of pins. She cleans the ear with disinfectant, presses the punch quickly into the ear and then rubs the ink into the holes in the ear. Due to the fact that I chose to have green ink used (like Greta), I now have 5 puppies that look like St. Patrick’s Day doggies! I’ll leave the ink on for a few more days before I give them each a little bath.

To reward them for their good and brave behavior we took them outside to play in the snow for the very first time. They loved it! How wonderful to run and jump and roll in the snow!

So, at the end of the day, they are tired and so are we, but I can happily report to you all that the puppies are fine and happy and not scarred by the experience. Me? Well, just a little! LOL

Thursday 13 #38

Thirteen Things I Plan To Do This Spring

1. Clean out my attic. I want to reduce the amount of junk up there by half.
2. Send a large portion of this stuff to local charities. I have so many extra blankets, pillows and stuff.
3. Clean the basement out and get things into good storage containers and the rest of the crap to the dump.
4. Fix the seems in the drywall in our family room.
5. Paint the ceiling and wall in the family room.
6. Start my seeds for the garden.
7. Plant my garden.
8. Keep the garden free from weeds this year. Or at least try to.
9. House break the puppy.
10. Work with the puppy on obedience.
11. Work with Greta too.
12. Help Fritz adjust to the puppy.
13. Get back to hiking with the dogs.

Bones, Puppies And Life

Okay, so how come no one told me that after you have been working out for a while, your bones begin the ache?

I was lying in bed this morning before I opened my eyes, moved or indicated to Hubby and Greta and Fritz that I was, actually awake, when I thought to myself, “Wow! My bones ache”. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Ache, ache, ache!

I slowly got out of bed and pulled on my robe, which is wonderfully, warm and cuddly, and padded to the kitchen to make the coffee, but once I got into the kitchen the pups saw me and got all excited and began running and jumping around. So, before I made the coffee, I played with the pups.

The weather was really terrible here today with snow, sleet, and ice, but like the mail, I got into my Jeep, put it into 4 wheel drive and went to the health club where I continued to torture my bones. I am actually using the elliptical machine now and I think I will grow to like it in time. For now, it is all torture. However, I am determined to keep on doing this until I am in shape, and then keep it up for the rest of my life.

I came home and had to do some work in the puppy room. It’s such a wonderful feeling to go to the door and call to the puppies and have them all come running making these adorable puppy noises that tell me how happy they are to see me.

My cousin Janet took this picture, and I absolutely love it!

I get my puppy kisses and see those little tails wagging and I know that life is good.

Despite my aching bones!

Thursday 13 #30

My Year In Review

1. Hubby skied until the 12th of January, then the Orthopedic Surgeon stopped him until after both of his knees were replaced.
2. February 19th my beloved Shubi passed away. I still miss that sweet dog!
3. In March, Hubby had the first of his knee surgeries. This one included a great deal of bone grafting.
4. April was a quieter month. Mostly we spent it getting the trees ready for the spring, and Hubby ready for his next surgery.
5. At the end of May Hubby had his right knee replaced. The surgery went well and he seemed to bounce back quickly.
6. The care and upkeep of my garden and the fruit trees not only kept me busy, but truly delighted me.
7. Summer, oh summer, how I loved thee! Sunshine, growing fruit and vegetables and actually enjoying the fruits of my labor!
8. My eye surgery came along in August. I was so nervous about it’s outcome, but needless to say, I am really thankful that the operation was a success and my vision was restored.
9. Greta was presented to the German judge, and received the highest score. I was so happy!
10. Greta finally got lucky and got together with her boyfriend, Bernie. Yes, the pitter patter of little feet will soon be heard in our home!
11. It seems that November was a birthday celebration month. Although my birthday was on the 17th, I had a surprise party on the 4th, birthday presents that came in all month long and another birthday party with my daughter, Hubby and cousin on my birthday! Yay, birthdays!!!
12. I’ve had the fun of watching my slender Greta getting bigger and bigger as the puppies grow inside.
13. Another 7 to 10 days and the pups will be here!

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TIME

It slips by us so fast, from the beauty of a bright sunrise to the flaming rays of the loveliest sunset. Time…

Life, Turkey’s And Dogs

Winter suddenly arrived last night when our temperatures dipped into the low 20’s. I was wearing my new fleece dachshund pajamas that my sister gave me, but when Greta got me up at 4 AM to go outside and commune, in the dark, with nature, I really froze my butt off! Once inside, I raced back to bed and dove under the warm heavy blankets!

Today we took the grocery list in hand and headed to the market to purchase all we will need for Thanksgiving. The stores were actually not too bad. We were able to get in, shop and check out quickly. Then we packed up the car with our groceries and a 17 ½ pound turkey into the car and headed home.

Emily came over and we made pizza and planned our cooking. Tomorrow we will make the stuffing and the pies and peel the vegetables and set the table. Thursday we will cook the turkey, and making the appetizers.

This morning when I was due to leave and pick up Hubby to go and shop, Fritz decided to take off. He was gone for some time and I finally got into the car and went looking for him. Unfortunately I found him very close to a main road. It scared the heck out of me and I yelled at him until my vocal chords were strained! It really added some excitement to my day!

The little mother to be, Greta is doing well and getting bigger every day. Her appetite has increased and I am afraid I will have to start feeding her a third small meal, at noon.

Oh yes. I’ve definitely felt the puppies move!

Turkey’s

Recipes have been pulled out and lists have been made for tomorrow’s grand foray to the grocery store. There, I will hunt down and capture the great American 20 pound turkey! On Wednesday I have a full day of baking planned. I cannot even begin to say how excited I am.

You see, although many people love Christmas best, or Easter best or even Halloween best, for me it’s Thanksgiving! All of my life I have lived for Thanksgiving.

I love the food, the smells, the laughter and most of all the sharing.

Yes, the sharing of the food, smells and the laughter!

So tomorrow starts the countdown to our Thanksgiving feast. My cousin Janet, her brother and my Uncle arrive Thanksgiving morning. So many of my best and happiest Thanksgivings have been spent with them, so I am really happy they are coming.

We’ll also be having Emily’s family, and our friends L&B. Everyone is bringing something to contribute and I think this makes it even better!

So what are everyone’s plans for Turkey Day?

The Natural Way To Beautiful Nails

I’ve got a new theory. I was looking at my fingernails today and I noticed that they have grown lovely and long. I try pretty hard to grow them out, but try as I might, they are always breaking. However, right now, the second week into November, my fingernails have never looked better.

Thinking back, it was a year ago that I made the same observation. I remember taking pictures then too, because I just knew that in no time the nails would be snapping like dried twigs.

So why is it, that each November I find my nails looking so good?

Well, I finally figured it out. It’s Halloween! Every year around the middle of October I buy Halloween candy. Of course, you all know my weakness for chocolate, so I tend to dip into the candy basket a little too much. Then I have to buy more candy for the kids, who never do come to my door!

So here is the answer to my question. The reason my nails grow long and lovely in November is….. because of all the chocolate I eat in October!

I know, you are all laughing, right? This morning as Hubby and I drove to the supermarket I presented my theory to him.

“Honestly, Hon, I think this chocolate thing is the reason my nails are so strong and haven’t been snapping off”.

I expected a *snort*, perhaps a guffaw, but he looked down at his nails for a moment and exclaimed that he hadn’t had a broken nail either, and he had been dipping into the chocolate too!

So there you have it Fellow Bloggers. Do not go and ingest endless amounts of tasteless gelatin or waste your money on all those bottles of nail strengthener when you can have beautiful nails the natural way.

Eat Chocolate!!!