Pre-Heat!

Last night when we got home, Arnie was paying attention to Anneliese a little too much. She is not in heat, but in sort of a pre-heat. What this means is that Anneliese is putting out some sort of doggy phemerones that only Arnie can pick up. He is letting me know that Anneliese is going to go into heat soon.

Yippee!!!

So now I have a few things to do. I need to make tentative arrangements with the airline, find out exactly how much it will cost to fly Anneliese over, and make sure I bring down her soft-sided carrier. I want her to get used to being in it. Even if it is just for a nap.

I need to think about what clothing to pack and how I can travel as lightly as possible. Carrying a suitcase and a sixteen pound dog will be a challenge.

Naturally I plan to keep blogging all the while that I am in Germany. Perhaps I will do a little travel piece. As well as news of sex and the single dackel! lol!

The Good

Sunday was both a tough day and a nice day. I think more nice than tough. It was my Uncle’s Memorial Service, (my cousin, Janet’s Dad), and although I found the last moments of my eulogy for him tough (yes, I cried), I also found the day wonderful!

You see, I got to be with my family. My daughter, sister, cousins, all of us. Together. Sharing that time, talking about happy memories and catching up with each other.

I looked around the church and I saw all the faces of the people that I love and I felt blessed. How lucky we are to have each other and to share our lives.

The time passed very fast and before we knew it, we had to leave to come home. The good part of the day was over. We hugged and kissed and said our farewells, promising to all get together this summer for a family day.

A Happy Family Day, just like Grandma used to plan for us.

Good-bye

I’ll be going down to my Uncle’s Memorial Service today. There I will see my  family, as we all gather to say our farewells to my wonderful Uncle.

You know, Uncle George was, perhaps the only family member who everyone loved. He was so gentle, kind and giving, that everyone loved him.

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I’ve written some memories to share and I have been practicing. Mostly I have been practicing so that when I speak I won’t break down and cry.

Uncle George was really important to me and I loved him so much. I probably didn’t tell him near enough, but I know he knew.

On Christmas I got to speak to him for the last time. He wished me a Merry Christmas and told me that he loved me. It was a wonderful gift.

So wish me luck and say a prayer that I’ll make it through today without too many tears.

This & That

I went skiing today. Yes, skiing. Not only did I go skiing, but I actually skied on the black diamond trails. This means I had to work at getting down the slopes without killing myself. It was fun, however, and I felt good and tired after my runs on the mountain.

We’re starting looking for new furniture for our family room. Both Hubby and I need new chairs. His must be king size, as he is very tall, and mine must have room for three dachshunds and myself. So far, we have not found the perfect chairs, but the hunt goes on.

Hubby and I went out for some Chinese food at lunch. It was a different restaurant, actually owned by a lovely Vietnamese family, and the food is good. I ate only half of my lunch and brought the other half home for Hubby to have for lunch tomorrow.

Sunday is my much loved Uncle’s Memorial Service. I will be speaking at it, sharing my loving memories of a man who made such a difference in my life. My cousin Janet is feeling pretty blue about this, as she has been really close to her Dad. We will get through it, as we all come together to say farewell to this wonderful man.

It’s cold and due to get colder by Sunday. Brrrrr!

Dogs, Snow & A Movie!

It was one of those fun days. Okay, maybe not totally fun, I mean I did things like dust (achoo!), and laundry and straighten the house, but I also had the pleasure of watching Juno again on the movie channel, and also going outside and taking pictures of the four dogs while they played in the snow with Hubby.

Oh my goodness, Greta barked like she was viciously attacking an intruder, while Fritz, Arnie and Anneliese barked happily around her.

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Hubby tossed the toy for the dogs and they ran and dug it out the toy and then brought it back so he could toss it again.

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They dug and played and ran and tunneled and I watched and laughed at their silliness.

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Eventually Anneliese got cold and wanted to go in.

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And Arnie too, who proved once again that he is the boy with the snowballs! Poor Arnie! I brought him in and after taking this embarrassing picture of him I put him in the sink and sprayed him off with warm water and wrapped him in a nice towel.

Later in the day we went to see the movie “Gran Torino” and it was terrific! This may well be one of Clint Eastwood’s best movies. He is really a Hollywood Gem.

Goodness

I was driving home today after Weight Watchers, and as I drove up the hill and got to the top where I could see the vast mountain range before me, I thought for a moment how very beautiful it is. Did I have my camera with me? No, but trust me on this one, it was beautiful!

We have a real strong cold front here, but with that has come clear skies. The visibility has been fabulous. I could see the mountain range where Hubby and I ski, and do you know what?

Hubby skied today! For the first time since his stroke. I was nervous about his going up there, but he had been cleared by the doctor, and off he went. He met up with some friends of ours and skied with them. He had a great time!

It did make him just a little bit tired, and after he had a nice hot lunch he fell asleep in his chair, while reading obscene jokes that come in his email each day. There are a large network of retired pilots who seem to work quite hard at passing along jokes. I admit, some of them are a real hoot!

Things are getting back to normal and I’m happy. It makes my heart fill with joy to see Hubby off doing his thing, whether it is skiing or just puttering around in the yard.

We are so lucky! Thank you, God!!!

Dogs & Snow

We’ve had more snow over the last few days. Currently we have about 2 feet of snow in the yard.  The best part of having all of this snow? Watching the dogs play around in it. Now of my four furry friends, who do you suppose likes the snow the best?

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Yes, Anneliese. The smallest of my dogs, is the one with the biggest love of the snow. She literally stays out until she is frozen and then comes in to warm up.

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She loves to run and jump in it, tunnel and roll her very own snowballs!

Then there is Mr. Fritz. He likes it too, but then, Fritz loves being outside in general.

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Fritz is a big helper. If you are out shoveling, he will play around you, or sit and watch and keep you company. If I could only figure out how to get him to shovel snow with me, I’d be all set!

If he hears the snow blower turns on, Fritz heads inside the house. He is a big boy who is a real chicken!!!

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Now Greta will go out int he snow, take three or four steps from the door and do her thing.

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Then she turns around and heads back in. Greta would be much happier if we lived in a warmer climate.

Jan 8 015Arnie, will go out and play like a crazy man, but as soon as he gets covered with those teeny, tiny snowballs, it’s in the house he goes. I always laugh at the way he looks. None of the other dogs get them, but poor Arnie gets those little snowballs all over his legs, tail and tummy. We’re talking, adorable!

Now you can see a little bit why I don’t really mind the snow. Watching the dogs play, in their own ways, makes it worth all the work that each storm brings.

And The Results Are…

Here are the results for yesterdays poll.

The Great Jacket Poll
The jacket is great but…

1. Is fabulous on you. Keep it! 87.8% – 36 votes
2. Is much better for a younger woman. Mandy is a lucky girl! 12.2% – 5 votes

total votes: 41

So guess what? I’m going to keep it, but if Mandy or my sister want to borrow it, well I am open to that too!

I thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I will remember to lose the turtleneck and go with a camisole.

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Hubby saw the Nuerologist today and we got a good report. Yes it was a stroke, but now we know what he must do to prevent another one. Take his high blood pressure medication, and control his diabetes. Oh, and exercise! Yes, the doctor wants to see him back out on the slopes skiing when he feels ready, and continue to work out.

We just loved this doctor. He was so good, so thorough and easily explained a very complicated problem.

After we went and had lunch, and for the first time in a couple of weeks I felt relaxed. Unfortunately we both got a touch of food poisoning, so I’m afraid our once favorite Chinese restaurant is now going to be a thing of the past.

We shopped for groceries, came home and put them away. We walked the dogs, and made a stomach easy dinner.

Thank’s everyone for voting!!!

Saturday

It wasn’t a very productive day today. Besides walking dogs, and cooking meals, I’m not sure I did much else that was useful today.

I think it all sort of caught up to me. I just felt tired.

I did watch a few episodes of “What Not To Wear”, and I decided that their hairdresser sure could use a refresher course on restyling hair.

I watched the news and decided that I was glad I was home in my nice warm house and not standing on some railroad platform waiting……….

I made a batch of black bean soup, only to discover that it wasn’t really a great recipe after all.

I went through my closet and took out the clothes that no longer fit me and set them aside. Some for friends and some for charity.

I stripped the extra fur off the ears of Arnie and Greta, and picked up piles of Fritz fur off the floor. Wow, that dog can shed!

I got the mail and picked up some groceries to finish off the weekend, before doing a big shopping next week.

Wait!

I was pretty productive today, wasn’t I? Well, no wonder I’m tired! I think I need to tell Hubby I need a vacation! All this work and no play makes Maribeth a dull girl!

LOL!!!

Tomorrow I will be doing a post on my new jacket. I will be taking a picture of me in it, and then you can all vote if I should keep it or give it to Mandy. Personally, I love the jacket, but I’m going to let you all decide.