Blue sky and big black birds

At three this afternoon I heard the familiar call of the resident eagle over head. The ground has not thawed at all in the past couple of days and from what I hear will be in the 20s at night for the next week. The sky is bright blue and there is just a slight breeze blowing off Puget Sound. It is beautiful. Of course every time I see or hear the eagle or the family I think of my good friend, Sunshine. We had that too. Unfortunately the freeze also meant that I really needed to deal with the pool, as the water level was way too high and the pump is frozen. So while the dogs played in the pasture with the horse I headed to the pump house to take apart the pump. This time it is going to get a total rebuild. No more messing around. I dropped the submersible into the pool and found the only open hose and began the process of dropping the water level by a few inches. Then I took the pump out of the pool filtration system and ice skated my way to the back door. It is now in my bathroom where I will work on it in the next day or two. Meanwhile water pours out of the hose and down the driveway. I may be stuck here if it freezes over before it gets a chance to soak in a little bit, but better that than a cracked pool, eh? I find some pebbles have gotten into the pump housing, and that is likely what has caused it to freeze up. If I can't fix it there is a nice little electrical shop in the next town over that I will take it, and all the new gaskets to, but I suspect with the help of the World Wide Web I can get the job done.

Last night I spent the evening with my son and his two girls. At ages five and three each sentence begins with "let's pretend that..." I must say, the three year old is the bestest sleeping ballerina I have ever seen. While I worried that the Christmas tree would come crashing down as she danced and twirled with eyes tightly shut, she never even came close to it. We also went to a less than exciting "Holiday Fest." The kids' favorite thing was the museum that was on the premises. It had nothing to do with the festival, but they liked it so it was good we went in for respite from the cold. The most humorous part of the evening was Santa lighting the Christmas tree. A few seconds before Santa came out on the deck of the building for the countdown, two men dressed in their reflective vests wandered out toward the tree. The countdown began and as Santa spoke "ONE" the men bent down and plugged in the tree. Lame...and I know lame. I think that little fiasco can be written off for next year. Nice for me, however, in that I got to spend time with the girls, but we could have had fun going to the dump!

So the Christmas season has begun, in all of its Political Correctness. sigh. I think the dose we received last night was even a bit too much for the three and five year old. The went home to their Nativity Scene and pretty CHRISTMAS lights.

Let's pretend that people are really sick and tired of the PC thing and want to get real again, OK?

I'm off to enjoy the last light of the day with my stumpy family now. I think we will venture into the woods and see if we can find our eagle friend.

G2

You are welcome

Let's see now, was it a month ago that I went to the last show? At least three weeks have gone by, correct?



You all know how nervous I tend to get. Nervous. Disjointed. I pack the bags. I repack. I check things off the lists.



The venue was awful. There was little room between the cement wall and the show rings. The area was packed with crates of dogs...some not so happy to be there. People were walking dogs to their rings as others (myself) were preparing to enter the ring. There was no room to work off the nervous energy.



So, with that preparation...the picture carefully drawn...



I enter my class, get my ribbon, go back in for the next in line. Kate is not baiting well. I have my arsenal, but have pretty much decided it is a moot point.



So, dear readers, yesterday I found something that will give you your Friday chuckle...


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Look what I found in my shoe yesterday.

In between classes I had carefully slipped the ribbon and squeaker (bait) into my left shoe. (I have no clue why I didn't put it into my coat pocket as would be the "norm.") FWIW I change into a nicer looking shoe as I get ready to go in the ring. I was still sore from my surgery and the tiny bit of angle change in the shoe hurt so I carried them to ringside and put them on there. I bolted after the show and just grabbed everything and headed out. The ribbon and squeaker were quickly forgotten as they slipped into the toe of the shoe. On the ferry I changed my shoes. Unlike you two legged folks who do NOT take off your leg to go to bed, I tend to leave my shoe on until the sock is pretty much worn out. (Thanks go to all who give me their singleton socks.)

I decided it was time to change my sock the other day.

I thought my leg was a bit more noisy as of late...

G2

Another day dawns

I awoke this morning to incredible beauty.

We had a deep frost last night. The sun rose through the trees behind my property and it was truly breath taking. I find it interesting that this simple show takes the sadness and grief of the past few days and helps me see that life does, indeed, go on. I have not yet decided if I will stand in the flag line for the fallen officers. There is now a second option that is a ride in honor of the four. I may do that if I cannot attend the services. It is still pretty overwhelming.

On the up side I had a great time at dog class last night. I have learned so much and Kate, well, Kate is Kate. She does all that I ask, but puts her own twist to it. She makes me laugh. An hour of concentrated posing is almost too much for her. I have found that I can curb her a bit by going a few minutes early and having a bit of play time in the room before any other people show up. I think I will be showing in Puyallup unless she is moody and hormonal.

I spent a couple of hours the other day doing genealogy. Dog genealogy. Someone put together a Cardigan database and I sat and entered names. It was amazing to read all the titles that her ancestors have accumulated. I am now a bit more serious about finishing her. I had not really looked at her pedigree until then and it really is quite impressive. Thanks go to the breeder for allowing me to take this dog and to put her into the ring. I will do my best for her.

My health just continues to improve. The harder I push, the better it gets. I know there is a fine balancing that needs be done, but this whole "wrapping in bubble wrap" is done and over. The best part is that I have found that since I cut out the big meds, the small ones work much better. Yes, I still have the Remicade headaches, but they are completely taken care of by Ibuprofen now. I don't want to be "numb by narcotics." It affects every corner of my being. I would rather feel a bit of pain. It reminds me that I am alive. That is a very good thing. The memories of the past are often overwhelming. So much of my life was lost. I have no regrets, but won't go back. It's called ownership. Narcotics take that away. Having worked in pharmacy for years I have seen it often in others. I knew it was happening to me, but I was in survival mode. Now that same mode is dramastically different; yes, I know I just did a typo, but I like it and have decided it needs to stay. I want to feel my life and not let it just slip away. There are those days of whining and pity partying. We all have them. Now, however, I have other ways to cope.

So another day does indeed dawn. There is plenty to be done and the critters are ready for their third outing of the day. Life is such a blessing.

G2

Profiling

Guilty.

I have two dogs. Corgi. Tri-colored, both. No fenced in yard. No collars are worn unless under direct supervision. They are way too dangerous when dealing with rowdy two year olds. Whenever the dogs go out, I go out as well. I like it that way. I slip a retractable lead over each dog's head and walk them out to the fully fenced pasture several times a day. I also have a good sized pen that I can walk them out to as well. With "critters" abounding, and a neighbor dog that wants to eat my girl it is safest to have this routine down by both myself and the dogs. They wait at the doors for the loop to be slipped over the ears. It is routine at 6 am, and it is routine at midnight.

This morning was a bit different. At the break of dawn I headed out for the feeding of the horse and first run of the dogs. All perfectly normal and routine. Robe on, right foot in left boot. I slipped the leads on the dogs and realized, at 37 degrees, I needed to grab my barn coat, which was hanging on a dining room chair. I dropped the handles of the leads and ran into the dining area to grab my coat as the doggies practiced their bladder control for five extra seconds. When I got back to the back door I found dear Henry standing quietly at the door with both leashes attached. Kate? Frisking at my feet with neither.

Guilty.

I saw a black headed tri-colored Corgi slip its head into the leash loop. Then I saw a black headed tri-colored Corgi slip its head into the leash loop. Sigh. I only wish this had been the first time I have done this.

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G2

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For great holiday fun have a gander at this awesome advent calendar. Enjoy!!

http://www.corgihouse.de/

Coffee and a handshake

Because I cannot think of any other way to express my appreciation. I am off to the coffee shop for some prepaid cards to give out to those who put themselves in danger every day; that I might be safer. Thanks is never enough.

G2

Black Friday

It was many years before I realized that term was supposedly a "good" thing. I think the movie "Black Sunday" somehow made Black Friday, and all of the resultant hysteria, one of the same. All I could see in my head was crowds of people stomping over each other to get away from the terrorists (that are the store folks that advertise amazing deals only to tell you after hours of looking for a parking space, making it into the store, and winding down small aisles filled with carts and grumpy people, that there were only two of that particular item and they were gone within seconds of opening the doors at 3am. Black. Black and dark, indeed. I did the Black Friday thing once a few years back. Back then doors opened at 5 or 6 on Friday morning. Mass craziness. It is not something I would ever choose to do again. I don't even do Costco after mid November. In fact, 90% of my holiday shopping is done on line now. I have always been one of those people who goes into a store knowing what I want/need and try to get out as quickly as possible. The Walmart SuperStore overwhelms me a bit and I find myself wandering the aisles, but that is the only place that it happens and since I am aware of it I do my best to stop the silliness and nip it quickly in the bud. I hate shopping and I hate crowds. I do, however, love being able to shop online and have packages arriving at my door several times a week this time of year. It is just so much easier. One thing: do NOT get fooled by the "site to store" thing. Sure, you might save a couple of bucks, but the pickup is often at the back of the store and one must wind through said store and crazy frantic people in order to pick up the item. If you are going to do that, then why bother? Inevitably you will find that one extra thing that you had forgotten that you needed and end up standing in line at the register anyway. It is all part of their plot to get me into the store...and it worked, just once. Now, however, I sit in my wood warmed house. Dogs snoring at my side. Turkey and fixins' still digesting and some music on the stereo. The sun is shining through the trees and the kids are texting me telling me how they enjoyed getting together at the farm yesterday. Bliss.

Suddenly it is shattered by Airlift Northwest flying quickly overhead on its way to the trauma center in Seattle. I guessing that this is somehow related to Black Friday. What the heck are people thinking???? Sleep off the turkey, peoples. Enjoy the family. Stay away from tired people in a rage over the almost false advertising. All of those good deals will soon be on eBay, and chances are the guy who spent his Thanksgiving sitting on cardboard at the door of the local WallyWorld bought both of those laptops anyway.

G2

Going postal?

It's been a strangely humorous last eighteen hours. And expensive.

First the eldest child calls last evening to alert me to a good deal on turkeys at the local grocery store. I always like to have a turkey or two in the freezer so head out. The deal is that one must spend $25 to get the special low price; no biggie, think I. Off I go. Once there I wind my way through the crowds to the turkeys. (Perhaps I wound my way through the turkeys?) Problem number one arises almost immediately. I must get a turkey that is at least 16 pounds. The biggest turkey in the freezer is 15 pounds. Hmmmmm. Off to the meat counter I go. I ask if there is a replacement brand. No, but off she goes to check the "big" freezer. A few minutes later, with frost bite on her nose, she carries out a 15 pounder. It was the biggest she had. "Tell them to charge you the lower price and to call me if there is a question." I go off on my way to grab a few groceries to total the required $25. Cheese!! It is past time to send off Tillamook to my dear friend in NC. Score! It is on sale!! Bummer...no smoked cheese and I know that is the favorite. I pick up the brick and snivel to myself about the lack of smoked, grab a few more things and head to check out. I buy my big (and cheap) turkey and cheese, and head for home; Susan Boyle singing on the radio. Her new CD makes me cry, btw.

This morning I copied down addresses and packaged up the other copy of Susan's CD to send off to Hawaii and my step Mom. I decided to put the "flat rate box" to the test. You see, while not very big, there is a bit of weight when it comes to mailing cheese. (Go ahead, I will wait as you mull over all of your "cutting the cheese" comments.) I grab a box and it is huge. Off I go to the little grocery by the post office. Score! Smoked Tillamook cheese!! Back to the post office where I nab some paper from the recycle bin, fold up the box, address the label and go to the counter. Tape? Nope, have to buy it. sigh. Confirmation of delivery? No thanks. Insurance? Nope, I will pass, thanks. Stamps? Nope, but thanks. Then the question that somewhat baffles me. "Do you know you have a flat rate box?" Uhhhhh. Yes, yes I do. Now that I have tape, labels, pens, it is cheaper...right?

So I head for home. Eldest again calls and wants to discuss the whole global warming thing. I have my opinion but am not sure if I am being baited. What the heck, in I jump with both feet (Now THAT is an interesting concept, I must say). Amazingly enough he was serious and we talked a bit and parted ways. It is odd. I know my kids are adults, but sometimes I am still amazed that they actually think like adults and form their own opinions. (This one, however, has always had his own opinions and then loves to debate them.)

Home I head, as Susan sings "Amazing Grace." What a voice. Then, there in front of me as I drive into my driveway. Dear neighbor is up on the ladder. Putting up his house and yard decor for the season. A choir sings the chorus on the cd track. Life is good. I am blessed.

The phone rang. My house phone. The phone that is dead; I haven't dealt with it yet. Last night I had company and made some cookies to send home with them. I nabbed a mix for $1.50 and all I had to do was put oil, egg, and water in. Caller called for the recipe as they were the best variation she had tasted, and she is very picky about that particular kind of cookie as it is her very favorite. My recipe was spot on. Suddenly what I thought was a "good deed" comes off as a lazy deed. On she goes..."perfect amount of salt. Just the right sweetness. Was it handed down generation to generation?" Yep, it likely was. Either Betty or Duncan got it somewhere. Funny. I hang up. When I pick the phone up again and it is dead. Selective screening? Global warming? Postal?

Turkeys are on sale everywhere, and ARE everywhere. And I have a deer wandering through my yard.

Bizarre, but I am blessed

G2

Thanks giving

First to my family. I could not be prouder to be a mother and a grand mother. All of my kids have really stepped it up a notch. Through the adversity that was their young lives, they have grown into loving, caring contributors to a better society. All have incredible work ethic and a great love of family and people in general. I strive to be more like them. This parenting thing keeps getting better and better.

And my friends. As the circle expands, I feel more and more blessed. It is so empowering; I feel I can do almost anything as I have so many holding me up.

My animals. They have given me much. I may indeed be the "crazy dog lady" of this little town. The stumpy dogs seem to draw a certain folk. The stumpy horse as well. I am incredibly smitten by both, and new friends keep feeding my habit. There are worse things, for sure. Thanks for all the help and ideas. My heart overflows, as do the tear ducts, when I think of all that I have done and those I have met in the past year.

My health. While tenuous at times, this old body has had a darn good year. Still in remission even through a surgery. I have pushed it harder than ever and all is well. I have worn out components in the removable leg. I will continue to test the limits. In fact, there are no limits. I will be running again come summer. "I don't need no durn drugs (as in meds, guys)." I will not sit still and let life go on around me. With no expiration date stamped on me, I have way too much I want to do and no idea how long I have to do it all. Am I sore? Absolutely. Blisters? Yep. On the left side they are mid leg instead of heel and toe, but they are my badges of honor. I have found that activity is the best pain medicine I have ever taken, and I have been prescribed them all. This coming year will be the year of the Triathlon. Having good docs and protocol in place in case the PG rears its head makes this all possible. I am grateful for the health care that we have available to us.

My faith. It carries me, and it keeps me "real." It also makes the trials a little easier to deal with. 'Nuff said.

The tomato. While eating them is not something I enjoy, the tomato has become a symbol of laughter, love, and letting go for me. I cannot peruse the produce aisle without smiling. That is an excellent thing!

Oh, one more thing I am thankful for, and Arlo says it best:

I don't want a pickle

Just want to ride on my motorsickle

And I don't want a tickle

'Cause I'd rather ride on my motorsickle

And I don't want to die

I just want to ride on my motorcy...cle

G2

Of puppies and kids

I think I am causing some interesting developments in the grand kids, especially the oldest. She is very artistic, and very much into getting my attention. Sadly, she has come to realize that her best bet at my undivided attention is to become a dog. So she made herself some ears. (She now also has kitty ears, horse ears, etc, etc.) I have taught her poorly, it seems. Or perhaps she is a puppy and her ears are not up yet. Perhaps a taping lesson is in order? Whatever it is, she is more than content, and comfortable, wearing her dog ears out (no matter that they are floppy) wherever we happen to go. I must say, I feel just a teeny tiny bit guilty, but for the most part I am loving it! I see dog crates and grooming tables in the future. For what it is worth, I did insist that she take the collar and leash off. She does still get to wear the diva beads, as can be seen in the picture above. My dogs are collarless, as collars are much too dangerous. The same certainly applies to her. I do worry a bit as she is not yet microchipped and she could run off and get lost...however, I must say she does mind a lot better than my two doofuses that live with me. For the most part when I tell her to "come" she does, and when I tell her to "wait" she also does that. At times the constant noise from the mouth can get old, but it is livable. Best of all she is housebroken. I think I will keep this one around. Besides, she has to teach the new pup the ropes, and she is darn good with her and loves to snuggle.

G2

Feeling old?

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My oldest grand daughter had her first date tonight. It was also her first school dance. She has been talking about it for a while. Excitedly sharing what details she could with her granny. She had a new dress to wear. She wanted her hair "just so." She would be getting her picture taken with her date and would send me a copy. Sigh. I somehow knew that this would be OK. That her Mom would survive this, as would her grandma. Best of all, no shotgun would be required. Her date had been properly screened and approved. I think he was at least as excited as she for this dance.





I had her Mom send me a picture before the two headed out.











I've decided to share.

Here you go:

Doesn't every six year old girl dream of marrying her daddy? Who better for the first date! (Don't you love the "fur" stole? I think this kid plays with too many Barbies)



Meanwhile on the home front. Baby sister seems to have disappeared, ET style.





With that, I am going to go to bed and watch a bit of TV. I wonder what lies waiting in the DVR?

G2