It's Been A Week!

Can you believe it's the last of May already?  The weather has been amazing the past few days....warm & windy!  Mr. Seventies had four loads of mulch delivered for the front gardens.....and has it spread.  Gardens are looking lovely & fresh.  It will take another four loads to top off the rest of the flower beds...

A bittersweet day earlier in the week....we donated Liesel's things to dachshund rescue....a rescue near & dear to my heart....as I volunteered for about twelve years....and know some doxies surrendered come in with nothing more than their fur!

We gave everything from crates & x pen to a large amount of blankets, toys, leashes....and so on.  It was a very hard day....but hanging on to everything won't bring her back.....and it touches my heart if some little doxie receives comfort from a soft stuffy or throw blanket.  I couldn't watch as her things were taken out....so Mr. Seventies and a local volunteer's husband took care of everything....

The VP of the rescue is a sweet, dedicated gal....who goes above & beyond her calling....and has become a dear friend.  Liesel's belongings could not be in better care....and where they should be.....

It's also been a crazy week of appointments.....wrapping up with seeing my orthopaedic surgeon today...I finished up with physical therapy.....I'm mostly down to doing stretches now....and weaning off pain medication.  This amazing cruise ship was in the harbour....and I snapped a pic on the way to my physio appointment....

Some days there could be as many as four of them in the harbour....makes for a busy time in the downtown core when travellers disembark and check out our city....

Mr. Seventies plan to open the pool in the next day or two....he's been busy doing repairs & re-staining the deck walls....weather looks promising for next week....he'll give the two decks & steps a fresh coat of stain...then we will be ready for the wicker furniture to be placed out.  We picked up a couple of vinyl Adirondack chairs for the fire pit area....just need to pick up a bag of marshmallows!!

I began driving again this week!  I could have started a couple of weeks ago....(I was cleared by the doctor)....but Dr. Mr. Seventies was a bit more strict.....but has since handed the reins to "Miss Daisy".....as he had begun calling my outings as "Driving Miss Daisy".   It takes a bit of an effort to get in and out of the SUV....but I'm managing....

We have an upcoming graduation to attend in Nova Scotia next month....another grand daughter graduating....with honours.  And our youngest girl has a dance recital....looking forward to seeing our little tap dancer in action!!

Slowly, things are returning to some semblance of normal!  Looking forward to enjoying summer....with Mr. Seventies'  brother & wife visiting in July.....always a wonderful time spent with them.....and daughter & family in Nova Scotia come for pool days as well....

I trust everyone is doing well....I hope to get back to blogging & sharing....my Pottery Barn quilts arrived - wow....they are gorgeous!!  I picked up some paint samples for the guest bedroom....so have that to look forward to....likely be late summer or early fall when I have Mr. Seventies tackle that project....

See you soon!!  Til next time....

Enjoying The Gardens

It's wonderful to see the gardens spring back to life each year!  We've had so many compliments on our property....people take photos & one gentleman took video of the front flower gardens!

Mr. Seventies gifted me a beautiful hydrangea to cheer me up....and planted it where the Yew tree had been removed...

We have an abundance of tulips....which are my favourite....and so many varieties as well....

 

We added a few more paw print pavers.....grand daughter counted nineteen in total....

These little beauties are a few of my favourite..... 

They make for a lovely bouquet.....brighten up a dull day.....

The azalea is going to receive a match needed trim after blooming....it always looks scraggly.....

We are forecast to get some warm temperatures this week....it may be time to open the pool....Mr. Seventies hung a couple of signs on the deck wall....

And this one is hung on the left side of the storage shed wall....next to the fire pit.....

My knee is coming along.....I'm having a bit of an issue with pain meds....I fought to get them....now need to wind off them.  It's a busy week of appointments every day.....physio continues as well.  At least I only go once weekly now.  Mr. Seventies & I have taken short walks....it is good to get out again....at least for a short while....

Our local Wal Mart has gone thought a massive renovation & the stock they now carry is wonderful!  I haven't been able to spend much time checking out the whole store yet....but what little time I was there I was pleasantly surprised with how bright & spacious everything is!  Long, long overdue!!

And I wish to thank everyone for their well wishes and condolences on the loss of our beloved Liesel.  Your words of comfort and prayers mean so much to us....and we thank everyone from the bottom of hour hearts.....she is missed & loved beyond words.....

Be sure to join me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphis Monday.  And again tomorrow https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays and https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday.....

Until next time.....

The Hardest Post I've Had To Make

 

It is with shattered hearts I share the loss of our beloved Liesel.  We still can't believe it ourselves....it hurts too much to think about!

I knew when my cell phone rang very early....before 7:00 a.m. and it was our veterinarian calling.  Test results from the previous day revealed all was not well.....and never would be again.  Along with numerous issues with Liesel's stomach, came the word I most feared.   Cancer.   

I don't have to tell you....my heart physically stopped...and I swear I quit breathing....I could hardly take in what I was being told.  Thankfully, Mr. Seventies was right beside me....hearing it as well.

And within seconds....our world would never be the same.....all the money & veterinary care in the world would not help our girl...the final outcome would be the same....

We spent the final hours loving on her hard.....and with the support of our veterinarian....sent her lovingly on her final journey...

Our hearts are crushed....we never expected this ending for a beautiful little soul.   Today we woke up and for the first time in 24 years.....no little patter of paws in the hallway....

She has been lovingly laid to rest with our previous dachshunds, Xena, Schatzi & Oskar.

Run free & healthy our sweet girl...until we see you again....

This has been such a trying time....with my surgery & Liesel's illness and death....I'll be stepping away from the blog for some much needed family time & reflection....

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers....

Sharing over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphosis Monday as well as https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesday.

Bit of Retail Therapy & Liesel Update

Sure sign I'm healing & feeling better.....my thoughts have  turned to projects I want to do in the house!  I've been wanting to re-do the guest bedroom for months.....the stumbling block was finding bedding  I loved!  

And with everything going on....I haven't really been able to think about it much!  But...at least I have a bit of a plan!  It's no secret I'm obsessed with Pottery Barn Canada....and when I saw this bedding on their website - it was love at first sight!

It's on order - tentatively to arrive this week! How stunning is this set? Obsessed...

Even prettier up close!!  Just look at the gorgeous colours and texture!!

 

I couldn't resist ordering the matching Euro shams as well....I shouldn't have any issue pulling a out a paint colour......

I hope to use this set of standard size shams I have on hand.....if the colour isn't suitable....I will dye them....

It's a start....it may be late summer or early fall before Mr. Seventies paints the room.... I'm okay with that.  very much looking forward to summer!!  I have the other Pottery Barn quilt for the master bedroom.....I'll wait until warmer weather (and I'm 100%) before placing it on the bed.....(and yes.....I'm still searching for lamps for the bedroom...) I detest the ones we're currently using....

We have a few outside projects to do as well....the decks  need a fresh coat of stain, as will the front steps....when the temperatures warm up the pool needs to be opened and I've convinced Mr. Seventies rather than replace the exterior back storm door but to paint it!  There is nothing wrong with the door....it works perfectly fine...just needs a couple of replacement parts, new screening and freshened up with a couple of coats of paint!  We can do that...

And we have a few trips planned to the greenhouses....we hope to fill the window boxes and a few pots around the decks this year.....

I plan to pick up a few resin Adirondack chairs for use around the fire pit.  I considered wood....but they are much too heavy and not as long lasting as resin.  Also, the folding ones....are much more expensive......Mr. Seventies has assured me there is storage room to stack them in our shed during the winter months....

They come in a wide variety colours...I'll pick out four bright & cheery ones....

I hung the sunflower on the front door....it was an inexpensive find....so if the wind takes it away I won't be too upset.  I'm sure it will be fine for the time being....it adds a pop of colour to the front of the house...

I hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day!  We enjoyed an afternoon with daughter & family here....a delicious meal with grand daughter's favourite dessert - cupcakes!!  I was spoiled...gifted a beautiful bath basket from daughter & family in Nova Scotia....along with awesome gift cards.....(I'm a huge fan of gift cards!!).....it was a wonderful celebration and felt so good to get "back to living".....

Now...... this morning we are packing up Liesel, along with her meals for the day & dropping her off at our veterinary clinic for the next three days.....where she will be receiving IV treatment for pancreatitis.

We will be picking her up late in the afternoon each day.....then dropping her back off the following mornings....we are so hopeful we will see an improvement in her health.  Along with medication to prevent nausea & stomach ulcers....we administer a pill to increase her appetite....(although we have not seen any remarkable improvement in that area).  She is eating....numerous small meals throughout the day......we are happy with that.

We also feed her during the night & Mr. Seventies takes her for a potty break.  So far it appears our plan is working....no vomiting since we started.   She has been enjoying a couple of new stuffed toys to cuddle with....

Please join me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphis Monday!  

And again tomorrow with Joanne over at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays as well as https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday....

Thank you for spending a bit of your time with me....I so appreciate you being here....

Until next time....

Have an awesome Mother's Day weekend!   I'm missing my Mom terribly these days....

 

Little Bit Of An Outing!

The weather was beautiful the other day......we decided to take a stroll down the street in front of our house....it was good to get both Liesel & I out in the sunshine....

Good days & bad days with the knee... physio helps....but there is usually a great deal of soreness & pain afterwards...

I'm walking on my own now....seldom use the walker or cane....so there is that.  An x-ray appointment for the knee is booked for later in the month, before I see the orthopaedic surgeon again..

We need to have a conversation with our vet today....to discuss Liesel's care moving forward.....she has basically been given two medications....one for nausea, the other to prevent stomach ulcers.  That's it.  She has lost weight....not something a small dog can lose much of...and sleeps about 90% of the time.....

I'm wondering if we need a referral to the Atlantic Veterinary hospital.....and if she would receive better care...and we could be better guided how to help get her well....

To avoid early morning vomits....we've been getting up in the middle of the night for potty break & to feed her....so her tummy isn't empty....

Since Liesel has been healthy for a number of years....we don't have much of a relationship with our vet clinic....other than yearly check ups & dental cleanings.....it seems every time we visit we  get a different veterinarian every time.    I need to feel that she is getting the best of attention & care....if that means we take her to the veterinary hospital....so be it...

Fingers crossed today we have some answers....

**Update** -  An appetite stimulant medication has been ordered today for Liesel...hopefully that will increase her appetite.  Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday of next week she will be a guest at the animal clinic receiving IV all day, each day.  I'll leave her with one of her favourite blankets & food.  

Let's hope we get this girl on the road to recovery....

Til next time....

Updates From Here

Happy first Monday in May!!  It's promising to be sunny here....and we do need sun!  Mr. Seventies has advised we will take a short stroll today....complete with walker in tow!  I'm getting around great....inside I seldom use the walker or cane...

Physio appointments only twice this week...fine with me as I found three times a bit much!  My physiotherapist is extremely pleased with my progress....so there is that....

And....the staples were removed!  Did they hurt coming out?  They sure did...imagine twisting the skin on your arm...and tugging it hard at the same time!  That's what I compared it to!   The nurse in charge of removal was good....but all business...not coddling or babying from her.    She had a job to do...no mater what!

Mr. Seventies counted 20+ staples....I didn't watch...lol.  Apparently there are hundreds of stitches inside as well!  Over the next number of days the medi-strips can be pulled off....(they practically fall off)...

And the best new of all!!  I'm able to shower!  And did I shower!  It felt so good!   Today, I'm required to book an x-ray of the knee in preparation for another appointment with my orthosurgeon later in the month.  He advised my knee is healing great - even showed me a computerized 3D version of my knee....yup...I think I'm bionic now!  (or titanium at least)....

And our other patient...is slowly recovering...not much in the way of energy....she sleeps about 90% of the time....but her little body needs to heal & get well!  

She currently weights 12.6 lbs.....down from original 14 lbs or so.  But at least we can get her to eat the moist dog food....we'll take that as a win!   Hopefully, she will join us on our little outing today....fresh air & sun shine are a great healer...

I'm hoping this sunflower wreath will look nice on the front door....found it on FB Marketplace a few weeks back....should add a pop of colour....

That's about all the news from our little patch of the world!  We've been planning what annuals we want to fill our window boxes with this year....and we have a list compiled!  Hopefully, in a couple of weeks we can visit one of the greenhouses....the temporary ones are up & open now!  They always are open early here - in anticipation!  Us...not so much.  Not into babysitting plants until they can be planted themselves!

John me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphis Monday!

And tomorrow with Joanne over at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesday as well as https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday!

Thanks so much for checking in with me today....I so greatly appreciate you spending time with me!  Have an awesome day....

Til next time....

May - Welcome!!!

 

A brand new month!!  Can't say I'm sorry to see the last one go...it was challenging!  But we got through it....and we have sun for the first day of May!!!

I couldn't wait to get my nails done!  Mr. Seventies dropped me off & got me settled inside for my appointment.... I was quite comfortable!  

He calls getting me to and from where I need to be..."Driving Miss Daisy"!  I still have a couple of weeks before I can drive....but in the mean time being chauffeured around isn't all that bad.....

Between my nail appointment and an afternoon physio session....I treated Mr. Seventies to lunch!  Due to time constraints...our plan to go to a "sit down" restaurant didn't pan out....but it was still nice to have a quick bite in the SUV in the sun.....

I've wanted a dried gourd for a while now....to paint & hang as a birdhouse outside.  I picked up this one a few weeks back....still letting it dry before adding a couple of coats of paint ..... is this one not the perfect size & shape...we may pick up a few seeds and grow a few in our garden....

And Liesel....looking all adorable....basking in the sun!   It's wonderful to share she is coming along...eating, taking her medications.....she & her Dad may get out for a short stroll in the sun this afternoon...

My neighbour & friend is dropping in today for a visit....it will be lovely to spend a bit of time with her & catch up!  We plan to enjoy a quiet day....

Tomorrow these staples in my knee will be removed, physio in the afternoon & a quick stop at our veterinary clinic to pick up medication refills for Liesel.

I'm happy to report she is coming....eating more...not a bundle of energy (but that is ok)....and the area on her gums is still a bit inflamed (no where near as before tho).....hoping once her pancreas settles down....we can deal with the gums if required....

A quick thank you to those who have sent sweet get well wishes to both myself and Liesel!  It means the world to us....and your support is greatly appreciated!

Have an awesome first of May weekend!   Til next time....