The Dackel Princess

I’ve Gone To The Birds!

I’ve been sitting at my sliding glass door in recent days waiting for my feathered friends to come for a meal. They’ve all been around, as we have had cold temperatures and yes, even snow!

My little Downy Woodpecker female in the snow, having a snack!

They seem to be getting used to me now, as they often come to feed when I am outside. They allow me to get as close as three feet of the feeders before flying off.

And since I am getting more chances and have become more patient I am getting better pictures of my birdies!

This is a male Hairy Woodpecker. He’s quite an eater. He will peck away at the suet like he was working on a tree!

A Blue Jay flew in (I suspect this is a male) and after having words with the Hairy Woodpecker, there was a little standoff, before the Woodpecker flew away!

And here is Blue Jay. He is quite a character. If I am outside putting up the suet he will sort of screech at me to hurry up!

So, here we are. November 15th, just a couple of days before I turn sixty-one! Where has the time gone? Well, I will tell you. It has gone by incredibly fast! It seems like just yesterday that I was a kid, and now my child has children of her own! WOW!

So, as I sit here looking back on my life and times, I really am so thankful to be right where I am in this world.

One of my happiest childhood memories is when my entire family, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins would all get together at my Grandmother’s House to celebrate the holidays.
Left to right. Four-year-old me, behind me, Melodie, My mother, and my Grandma Honey. I think this was Easter.How I wish I could go back and visit one of those holidays just so I could see everyone again. There was always a lot of laughter and joking around, and Mom and Grandma Honey were the best cooks ever! Janet, Larry, and I were the youngest kids and yet at these events, I always felt so grown up!
Being in The Sound of Music when I was eight years old was also more fun then I could ever say. Once again, I was the youngest cast member, but I felt quite grown up.I had lines in the play, many songs to sing, and several dance routines that I learned. I had adults who guided me and made me feel valued for the performances that I gave.
The birth of my first child, Amanda, at the age of eighteen was the most joy-filled event of my life. During pregnancy, I felt her moving and kicking and I was one with that baby.Of course, back in those days, you did not find out what your child was until they popped out! Amanda was an answer to all my prayers. Healthy, happy, and so beautiful. I have often told her that she was the best Christmas present that I ever got. This has remained true all of my life.
Likewise, the birth of my second child, Katie was also joyous! She came quickly into this world, with her flaming red curls and her blue-green eyes. I adored being a mother of two girls and we had so much fun.However, the loss of this beautiful girl at the age of six has been the great tragedy of my life. I was not sure I could go on after her death. But over time, you learn how to put one foot in front of the other and go on. Life is never the same, but you go on.
My last entry for today’s Friday Five is the greatest blessings in my life. My two grandchildren. Oh my goodness, it is hard to explain the love that comes when your grandchildren enter your life. I remember holding Savannah for the first time and looking into her eyes.Savannah on the day she was born with her over the moon in love, Oma! I whispered, “Oh my darling, I can hardly wait until the day when you and I can talk up a storm!” And now at the age of seven, Savannah and I talk to each other like crazy. I love to hear her thoughts, I love it when she reads to me, and I love it when she runs into my arms calling my name, “Oma!”I am also blessed with my grandson, Quinn. I have never had a boy in my life like this! I held him for the first time in the hospital and I remember thinking, “We have so much of the world to explore together!” And so it has been.

Me with darling Quinn on the day of his birth. It was instant love!Quinn, who walked at seven and a half months old, Quinn who refused to be stopped by a baby gate (he would simply climb over it!), and Quinn, who took his time to become my little cuddle-bug, now showers me with hugs and kisses! Being their Oma is the best job I could have at this time in my life. To love, and to be loved in return is the greatest gift of all!

So there you have it. This week’s Friday Five. So much to be thankful for, so much to love in this life.

TBT: Anneliese & Me

I was looking through pictures and found this one of a three-month-old Anneliese and me. She was such a precious little pup and stole my heart immediately. She still owns it today some (almost) 13 years later.

Anneliese and me March 2007.

Lucky Me!

First Snow

Tuesday found us getting our first measurable snow. It was quite pretty and really left only about an inch on the ground.

It’s just that time of year and we are forecast to have really cold weather for the next few days. (Between 15 – 20 degrees F) This is crazy and far too early for mid-winter temperatures.

I was worried about my fine feathered friends, and I made sure their suet feeders were full. We had a few come in quickly and get a little suet and seed and fly off. But my Downy Woodpecker came by and really went to town on the seed.

He really enjoyed the suet and seed and stayed for quite a long while. Ah, my little friend!

Meanwhile, I worked on washing sheets and cooking meals and repairing my old afghan that I crocheted thirty years ago! Then I sat down to drink a little tea but got preoccupied with a thought about dinner. I’m making Lamb Chops tonight with German Bratkartoffeln (fried potato slices with onion and bacon) and red cabbage. I figured if I go to WW tomorrow to start the new plan, I might as well eat my “last supper”!

Well, off to WW I go. I hope that the new plans make sense to me and that I can find one that works for me.

God Bless Our Veteran’s

I am grateful to all the men and women who have served our country, and continue to serve. Also, I am grateful that my Veteran Husband, Jack came home alive from Vietnam.

A very young Jack.

Hubby served in the early 1960s in the Army. He was a fixed-wing pilot on the Otter and the Caribou Aircraft.

Here is Jack with his Army Aviator friend, Jim. They’ve been friends all these years.

This group of men had flown Otters and Caribou aircraft during their time in service to our country. This museum had a beautiful Caribou aircraft for all to see.

Now, in Jack’s later years, it is Jack and I going through his Agent Orange Health problems. We’ll get through it. I am just so grateful that Jack made it back. If he hadn’t I never would have known him or had him in my life.

The last thirty-two years have been good ones for us. And on this Veteran’s Day, I am so grateful to have my Veteran sitting next to me at home.

God Bless the Men & Women of the Military. I thank them all for their service.

Shopping Woes

Every summer, I go to get a new swimsuit. In the last 30 years, I can recall only a handful where I felt good at the image staring back at me.

Today was one of those days. Not that I was shopping for a swimsuit, but I was shopping for pants and cute tops.

Clearly, with the weight I gained this year, I no longer fit into the “cute top” category. In fact, I sat in the dressing room and cried. Not giant heaping sobs, just a little silent crying.

Friday was my yearly birthday shopping trip to Talbots. My favorite store. Jack always comes and helps me select some things, his gift to me for my birthday.

I did not show him the things that did not fit, and I almost left the place with two small things, when I spotted a cardigan sweater and two blouson type tops that will hide a multitude of sins until I get control of myself.

There is nothing that will slap you silly quite like a failed trip clothing shopping. I hate mirrors!

I did get two things that fit perfectly. Two pins A Poinsettia and a golden Christmas Tree.

The new WW Program comes out this week. Guess who will be paying close attention?

Happy Birthday, Katie

Each year I remember Katie on her birthday. When you lose a child so very young, (Katie was 6 and a half years old) the harsh reality is, that she is frozen in time.

The pictures I have are the only ones I will ever have. Taken with cheap cameras, because back then, there was no such thing as a digital camera or cell phones that actually took pictures. You had to buy film, pose a shot and then hope upon hope that when your pictures came back you captured something good. One never really knew.

These are the best pictures of Katie with her Dad, sister, Mandy and me.

What a neat kid she was. Usually happy and cheerful, she loved music, art, and dancing. She adored animals and was quite a gentle soul.

The day she was born, found me waking very early for her 5:30 AM debut. She was a little smaller than Mandy at birth but had her very original wisps of curly red hair. My baby.

I miss her a great deal. It’s actually hard to describe. It’s the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. Not wanting to, but having no choice.

I learned to go on, but always and forever, there is a piece of me missing.

Happy Birthday to my darling, youngest daughter in Heaven. Some day, one day, I will see you again.

TBT: Anneliese & Arnie

I have had these two since before they were born. Their Mama Greta was huge when she was delivered of 5 healthy puppies. And from the moment they all drew breath, I knew that my life was blessed. I just didn’t realize how much.

Here they are at about 7 weeks old. Side by side as they have been from the very start.

Anneliese on the left and Arnie on the right.

And here they are now. Still best friends and still side by side. On December 10th they will be 13 years old!

Arnie on the left and Anneliese on the right.

What a blessing it has been to have these two sweet pups in my life. How special it has been to have enjoyed every moment of their lives since before they drew their first breath!

And how comforting it has been to have Greta’s babies with me after she left for Rainbow Bridge.

Yes, I am so lucky to have these two very special puppy friends.

Cooking & Snow?

I decided this morning to make Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon. I went to the store and got everything I needed and came home and worked so hard on it. The entire house still smells like it, which is simply yummy! Most of the time I enjoy it when a good meal lingers unless of course, it is fish!

I read some and went through the mail. Our little no heat problem last week cost us a mere $124.00! That is a very good price for what the nice man did for us, and he responded so quickly.

Now that I finished one craft project I decided to do another. I already have most of the material, and will get the rest tomorrow and then begin.

And lastly, they are forecasting our first snow for Thursday! Wait! I am not ready for this!

This & That

It was a beautiful day here, although quite cold. I do not think our temperatures went above 50 degrees.

The drive over to Anneliese’s Veterinarian’s Office was such a pleasant one. I took Arnie with us as well. He just loves to go for a ride!

There is good news about Anneliese. It is a simple urinary tract infection and vaginitis. Antibiotics were prescribed and she is home and happy.

I finished one craft project and will be starting the next one this week. I find crocheting so relaxing.

I’m cooking a nice dinner. Summer Squash and Zucchini sauteed with onions and peppers and mushrooms! Baked potatoes and grilled chicken breasts!