Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill Ins

And…here we go!

1. I am happy every time I see a new picture of Savannah!

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2. Strawberries and blueberries and corn on the cob are my favorite summertime fruits and vegetables.
3. To help me I would just love someone to do the dishes for me.
4. I talk about this all the time, but cleaning my office is the one thing I want to do this summer more than anything!
5. Just the other day I was saying how happy I have been this year!.
6. Open the door and close the door, dog in, dog out, over and over again.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching an old movie, tomorrow my plans include the usual laundry and Sunday, I want to breakfast at Wimbledon, the Men’s Final!!!

Happiness

Hubby and I took a trip to the city to get supplies. We have heard that more snow may be coming for our little neck of the woods, so we headed out to stock up on the essentials. Milk, bread, eggs, meat, cheese, vegetables and dog food. Yes, by far the last part was the most important. The dogs don’t let us in unless we have their foods!

We also stocked up on light bulbs. The good old fashioned light bulbs! We like those so much more than the newfangled ones they have out there that do not last as long, and cost you when you bring them in to recycle. We’ve decided to stock up on the old fashioned bulbs, in the hope that we can stay ahead of the phase out of these wonderful bulbs. I know, call me light bulb obsessed!

We arrived home and took all the dogs out for a walk in the snow. I just love walking the dachshunds in the snow banks. They have no fear and jump headlong into the deep snow and then dig, dig, dig!

We stopped to have some lunch at a Chinese Restaurant, and I opened my fortune cookie at the end of the meal. It said “Whatever you can do easily, will make you happy”.

Okay, now what the heck does that mean?

I started to ponder what in life is easy? Is there anything that is really truly easy? I thought perhaps loving my husband, but then I realized that  even then, the best marriage still is far from perfect., and can be a real challenge. Loving ones children? As much as I love my children, it has not always been easy. Mandy will be the first one to tell you this.

The dogs? Certainly they are my great joy, but then the memories of house breaking, piles of vomit and bed hogs all made me realize that I was barking up the wrong tree there.

As I went down the list of everything in life that I love, I realized, that nothing is easy. Everything that is worthwhile, has a price, and all of the things are not easy.

Then I realized that if everything was easy in our lives, they wouldn’t be valued. It would be taken for granted.

So I think I will stop praying to God to make my life easier, perhaps slightly less challenging would be a better prayer.

For those I love, those I value, you are worth all the ups and downs that we have shared in life…and more.

Feeling Good

In the last few days I have been feeling happier. I Know that when I feel happier, things get accomplished easier, and I’m able to get things finished without distraction.

Today I was able to get so much done. Papers sorted, things put away and the dusting! When you have 4 dogs and a big fire place, the dust is terrible!

I was able to move furniture, vacuum the dust and then wipe it down, and then put everything back together. However, it smelled so much better in here and I was really happy!

I tried a new recipe, and although I didn’t really like it, it wasn’t the worst thing I have cooked.

I took the dogs for a walk, and thought I heard a hissing noise coming from our propane tank. I got Hubby to listen and he couldn’t hear anything. However later on, I took the dogs out again and this time I could distinguish the sounds better as it was much quieter.

Rushing water!

The water spigot on the side of the house had opened and during our Autumn shut down, we had somehow missed the inside shut off valve. The water was pouring out!

I dug a path to the valve and Hubby went down stairs to get the valve shut off inside. We both shut the water off, and life is once again good!

We’re preparing for more snow tomorrow. Part of the storm should fall during the day. I love to watch a nice snow storm. Since neither Hubby or I need to go out tomorrow, I say…

let it snow!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

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1. What three words would you use to describe 2010?

Health, Happiness, Home
2. If fear were not an issue what is something you’d like to try?

Flying a plane. Since Hubby was an Airline Pilot, I was lucky to help ferry an airplane, and see what goes on in a cockpit. (This was years ago.) It was so interesting. However, I also went with him when he went to his recurrent training sessions, and I saw all that he had to know and study and I decided it was better to be a passenger than a pilot!

3. What do you add to your coffee or tea?

I add 2 tablespoons of fat free creamer, and 2 teaspoons of Splenda. The same for my regular tea. I only take Splenda in my herbal tea.

4. What historical sporting event would you like to witness?

I would love to be there when Peggy Flemming or Dorothy Hammil won their Gold Medals. Or perhaps when Torvil and Dean skated to Bolero and won the Gold Medal. I love ice skating and those performers made me want to skate too.

5. What is one piece of advice you would like to give your sixteen year old self?

Slow down and enjoy your youth. Have you ever seen the movie “Peggy Sue Got Married”? Well I can so relate to that. I was always in such a hurry and I missed out on most of my youth.

6. Are you a planner or do you prefer to fly by the seat of your pants?

Oh goodness, I am a planner. My lists have lists. I hate to fly with no reservations, or have no idea where I am going. I love my GPS, maps, and my self made grocery list. Anyone who has Microsoft Publisher can email me for a copy of this helpful list.

7. What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2011?

As of today I am really looking forward to my nephews wedding, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. I am thinking only good and wonderful things!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m happy with the New Year. (So far!)  I have a good feeling about the year 2011. Don’t ask me why, I just do. Perhaps I am getting good vibrations. It seems that there is a lot of love, a lot of happiness, all around me. That can only mean one thing a good year.

Hubby and I will celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary in April, Hubby has his 50th College Reunion in June at Middlebury College and I celebrate my 35th High School Reunion in August, in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

And in between all of this, perhaps a litter of puppies? Who knows. Life if good!

Spring Flowers

The other day I picked up this cute little ducky with mini yellow roses in it. I selected the Ducky because he made me think of the Easter candy “Peeps”, and although I do not really like “Peeps”, my sister does and this makes me think of her! I selected this plant because the roses looked healthy and I thought that they would eventually open and give me a fair amount of pleasure.

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I was right. Today when I looked at the little ducky, the buds were opening and looking very spring-like and lovely!

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And there are still a few little buds that will open as the week goes on.

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That was the best couple of bucks I have spent in a while, because every time I look at Mr. Ducky and the yellow roses, I smile and feel good.

Random Dozen

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2nd Cup Of Coffee

1. On a scale of 1-10, how superstitious are you, honestly? Very much.

2. Julius Caesar is quoted as saying, “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Which circumstance or experience of yours does this saying best describe? I survived a terrible accident. There have been so many challenges in life since that time.

3. If I peeked in on your day like a mischievous little leprechaun, at what time would I most likely find you blogging? I write early in the evening, I read early in the morning.

4. Re springing forward for Daylight Saving Time, is there anything you’ve ever been really early or really late for? I was very early to the church for my second wedding! Ha! I could hardly wait! I was very late delivering my first baby! Three weeks!!!

5. What are you most looking forward to concerning Spring? Green grass and flowers!

6. Shamrocks are the national flower of Ireland and are picked on St. Patrick’s Day and worn on the lapel or shoulder. Do you wear green on St. Patty’s Day? Usually not, but heck, today I will.

7. One of Caesar’s assassins, Casca, said, “But, for my own part, it was Greek to me,” which of course means he didn’t understand something. Probably his own lines in the play. Anyway, what is something that is “Greek to you,” something incomprehensible or indecipherable? Too many things to list.

8. Is March behaving more like a lion or a lamb where you live? Lamb. A wet lamb. (Although today it is sunny!)

9. “An extra yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts. We borrow an hour one night in April; we pay it back with golden interest five months later.” -Winston Churchill. If you had one extra hour per day every day, what would you do with it? Probably write more.

10. Legend says that every Leprechaun has a pot of gold hidden deep in the Irish countryside. Aside from real gold or money, what material item would be in your dream pot of gold? Pictures of my loved ones. Old and new!

11. “The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you.” Robert Louis Stevenson. Look around you right now and tell us about something essential or beautiful very near you that you take for granted every day. It’s an antique pewter plate that was given to me by our dear friend, Otto before his death.

12. Just for a bit o’ fun, click here and then report your Irish name. Mine is Gemma O’Callaghan! I love it!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today we celebrate love. I have so many people in this world that I love, as well as my furry creatures, so I put together a montage of some of my favorite picture, of some of my favorite people & pets. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it all together.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentines Day 2010 from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

**Smile**

Greta is a real character. She loves to sit with Hubby, and he is the only one who she will allow to groom her mustache and beard without growling protests. She does, however do something that makes us both laugh, and today I was able to get it with the movie program on my camera.


Isn’t that the cutest thing? She doesn’t do it for me, just him. I think she is Daddy’s Girl!

Today found me enjoying a quiet morning while Hubby went off for his first morning of skiing. He got in eight runs before coming back home. Since I had the time and no pressing work, I made us the Weight Watchers Quiche with a garden salad for our lunch. Hubby liked it very much and so did I. It’s always fun to find a recipe you like that is so low in points!

Smile!

Then I did a search for a particular type of notebook mouse. My current mouse, which has seen me through three laptops is now dying. So I searched for the same type of mouse and found it on Ebay for a great price with free shipping! I am thrilled and can hardly wait for it to arrive. Until then, I have to keep plugging it in and unplugging it and replugging it when it freezes up. My guess is that there is a short in the wire. I will be so happy when I have my new mousie!

Smile!

I also saw a picture of my grand-puppy, Bogart on Facebook today and he looks so much like his Uncle Arnie. The look on his beautiful face made me smile and feel warm all over! He really is a gorgeous boy!

Bogey in january 10

Photo by: http://www.visualalex.com

Big Smile!!!

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Some Thoughts On Friendship

To My Friends

If you should die
before me, ask if you
could bring a friend.

— Stone Temple Pilots

If you live to be a hundred,
I want to live to be
a hundred minus one day,
so I never have to live
without you.

— Winnie the Pooh

True friendship is
like sound health;
the value of it is
seldom known
until it is lost.

— Charles Caleb Colton

A real friend
is one who walks in
when the rest
of the world walks out.

Don’t
walk in front of me,
I may not follow.
Don’t walk behind me,
I may not lead.
Walk beside me and
be my friend.
— Albert Camus

Continue reading “Some Thoughts On Friendship”

Happy Birthday Luke!!!

Today is the 3rd birthday of my grand nephew, Luke. We went over tonight to have a small family gathering, dinner and presents and celebrate the day with our special guy! He loves firemen and fire trucks, so that was the theme of the party and the gifts! His big party with his friends is on Saturday.
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He is such a happy kid, such a sweet child and it was so much fun to share his day!!!
So once again, Happy Birthday, Luke!!!