2grandmas2

Link

2011-04-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

http://galenacardigans.blogspot.com/

Just because

2011-04-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

I will soon be retiring this blogsite for Cardigan stuff, and using a new one. This will remain for future roadtrips, non cardi related. The new site will be
http://galenacardigans.blogspot.com

This was started by two crazy grandmas on the trip of a lifetime and I took it over. I know that the other Grandma doesn't really mind, but someday we may do another trip with a tomato, and you would not have a clue what the heck was going on unless you had been following it from the beginning a few years back. I will try to get my posts moved to the new site in the near future.

For now, enjoy a little piece of my day at the park and beach with my Nugg-butter.

ARGHH!!

2011-04-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Or perhaps it should be Hmmmmmmmmm.

It has been an interesting day, to say the least. I have been in the throws of re-financing the house. Yesterday, in the mail, comes a letter saying "your loan request has been canceled due to insufficient documentation." OK, the packet went in a few days ago, and it said I had until 5/2, so not sure what the heck was happening, but likely the letter passed the packet in transit, right? Wrong! I call this morning and it turns out that they won't re-fi as this is a manufactured home. OK...but why the heck did the guy pre-qualify and even bother to send me the packet? And what about the stupid fees? So I end up with the supervisor of the guy who sent the packet. Well, I end up with his direct phone number, which goes directly to voice mail, three times. Messages left that I expect a refund, pronto. Nothing.

Then the phone rings. A person that I know from long, long ago is furious with me. I mean, stinkin' mad. I have no clue what is going on and let her talk through it, rather than ending the call, which was my instant reaction. I still don't get it, but so it goes. No need for details, just a bizarre occurrence that was a piece of my day.

So I sit down at the computer to begin my search for someone to re-fi my house. (The first attempt was with the company who holds the mortgage now; it just seemed like it would be easiest. Yeah, wrong!!) I immediately let the people that I wrote to know it was a manufactured home so that there would be no time wasted. I made two inquiries and both responded that they could do it. So, the first responder is a dog person. I had wanted to give it to her earlier, but, as I said, I figured it would be easiest to just stay where I am funding wise. So she asks three quick questions: Amount owed, Amount it is worth, and Credit score. I easily find the first two (went with tax assessment for worth), and cannot find the numbers for the third. Let me say that I recently paid off lingering medical bills, so my credit score was not real good when I began the process a month or so ago. I suck it up and go on one of those free credit score places. (As long as I cancel within a week it is really free!) The results come back...742!!! Holy cow!

At this point all is coming together as it should. The last application occurred before my credit report showed clean; even though stuff was paid. As a result I was re-financing on very low-average credit. Now I will be applying with low excellent credit. My percentage rate will be better for the wait.

Now if I can get the money back for the application fee and appraisal I will be doing a happy dance around the house. Still getting voice mail...sigh

Sure is a pretty day out there; and not so bad in here either...now

Doggies go green

2011-04-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

"All dressed up and unable to go"

Literally. Yes, a little something I had forgotten about.

I did the first mowing of the grass this afternoon. It smells so nice and now the dogs can do their business without needing stilts. Oh yes, isn't it grand!!

Well, almost grand. You see I had forgotten a little thing that made me quite happy that I have some time before the next shows. My white footed dogs, all three of them, get green feet for a couple of days after I mow. Especially if I am "wet mowing," which is all I can do this time of year as it just doesn't dry out, here in the woods, for at least another month or two.

After a happy frap and roll in the fresh cut grass I have three smiling, panting, and green Corgis.

Life is sweet. And my dogs are politically correct.

More win photos

2011-04-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

Saturday:
The Carbon/Lilac pups take WB/BOW and WD

Sunday:
Shea was d-o-n-e. She was "in a girly way" and likely wondered why we were avoiding her. After class they headed for home as I considered whether or not to do the picture thing.

As I passed the ring, at some point, the judge asked if we were doing a picture. I guess that is "judge talk" for you ARE taking a picture. So after she was done we headed for the wonderful picture display area. However, a fair amount of time elapsed between classes and pictures, so I took the Nugg Butter out to go potty. It was raining pretty hard by then, so I carried him to a patch of grass and then back to the arena.

I guess because the judge was in the picture it was decided that I would stand rather than kneel behind the dog as I had done the day before. Picture taken I headed for home.

Today the Sunday picture arrived.

Yes, it has been cropped. You see, in standing the ferry boat appears to be coming thru my derrier. Add a very disheveled handler who badly needs a stylist, and whose face appears to be saying "there is a ferry coming out my rear" and it gets cropped. I can laugh about it now, and may at some point share. For now, enjoy the somewhat muddy Nugget; looking mahvelous.

A nice,

2011-04-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

or even not so nice, curtain would have been a whole lot classier...

Saturday's photo:

Puppies, friends, mentors

2011-03-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

Mark Thorson photo

Not necessarily in that order...

It has been a week of all, with the highpoint being this morning at the o'crack o'dawn.

Beautiful Polly presented seven pretty blue babies to the world.

She was bred the week that Kim and I were road tripping to SoCal. Casper saved his best for this litter. Stunning patterns in blue, black and white.Add the monstrous bone from Polly and I think this will be a fun litter to watch.

I have whelped out, on my own, three litters of Scotties and two litters of Goldens. I have assisted with kiddings and foalings. However, this was really different. Very short cords make it near impossible, if not impossible, for the pup to be completely out with the cord still attached. That means that the pups also are likely to need a bit more stimulation, and a higher risk of mortality. Scared me. A lot!!

Mark was in the whelping box delivering pups and Kim sat out of the box stimulating pups. They worked quite well together; in sync with the needs of Polly and all the babies. And, they were on three days of very little sleep. Impressive.

Polly wanted an audience. She was not pleased if any one left the room. We saw that the day earlier. She was digging a hole to China in the backyard; I think she might have known it was the most populated of countries. She simply wanted a bigger audience!!

In the end she proved to be quite the doting mama dog. She was literally dripping milk, so when I left all seven were fat and sleeping, with Polly curled around them ready to nap.

Thanks, Mark, Kim, Jason, Alta, Polly, and Casper. What a ride it was.

G2

Winner's Dog and Best of Winners

2011-03-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

and I am tired. AFTER a nap the dogs will all get ice cream and then a run in the field/mud.

Winner's Dog

2011-03-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

and the two of us, together, are in the points. The Lilac/Carbon litter took both WD and WB and Shea went on to BOW. Even though Ms. Butter was "in season" her brother minded his manners and we managed to get a pro picture taken of the two together. I hope the pictures don't take as long as the SoCal pictures...

The only thing I was sweating was the fact that there were no mats on the floors. There was a bit of slippage at the first turn, but then again the Nugg butter was not trying to jump wrinkles.

Happy camper, I am, and he is going to go for take out ice cream. Happy...but cheap.

G2

Pre-show and sunshine

2011-03-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

This is a show weekend so there is plenty to do, but it is also a fantastic, sunny day. What to do, what to do...

I gave Nugget his bath and dry. He looks pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. But the sun is out, and I just couldn't stand staying in the house. My yard and field are mud pits. So I loaded him in the truck and headed to the park at the ferry dock. Lot's of nice straight side walks for practice and nice manicured grass for relief. There is also a covered area that is raised; perfect for stacking! Add to the mix, dogs and people, and it is ideal.

Well, except for one thing. The groundskeeper. He drives around in his gator, and adores my dog. And it is mutual. The man cannot keep his hands off Nugget, and Nugget wants to be the co-pilot. It has been a while since we have seen him, but the Nugg-butter doesn't forget. So much for "down and back" practice. The fact that the dog was all clean and spiffy didn't help much either. Then the guy said it. The words that make me squirm. sigh. First he said, "I just can't keep my hands off this dog; he is so beautiful." Yep. I ate that up, smiling. Then it happened: "He is so soft and shiny." The shiny I will take, but the soft, not so happy about. Nugget is still working on his big boy clothes, so that will account for some of the still softness. I love it for the cuddle factor. His white feels like rabbit fur. It is wonderful. But, it is not correct. Therein lies our problem. It is so Cardigan in the way that it, surprisingly, sheds dirt and water. But too soft. Will I ever get to the point of NOT cringing, and considering that softness a compliment? At any rate, the keeper dude didn't catch the cringe as he was too busy baby talking the dog. Nugget, too busy trying to climb into the gator. We parted ways after him thanking me about ten times for bringing the dog down. And reminding me that at the Port "we are very dog friendly; come say good-bye before you leave." We walked. We sat in the sunshine. We came home. Hmmmmmmmmm.

So I grab Kate. Unbathed. Not a lot of coat. Brindle points. We head to the park. 'Twas a test. Kate is adorable. She is just not as eye catching. We park in the same spot. I wear the same clothes. We walk the same path. Nothing. Groundsman looks up, nods, and goes back to his weeding. We go closer. I now realize that he never even looked at me as he told me about this other dog he saw about an hour before. Looked a little bit like my dog in that it had short legs too. But he was a Cardigan Corgi show dog that was fourteen months old. How old was MY dog? I smiled and asked if I should run home and get dog number three. (I just couldn't resist.) Instant sun burn.

After a little bit of edumacating, he quietly asked:

"Are you going to bring the other one back?"

Perhaps.

G2

Temporarily Forever

2011-03-23T05:39:00.000-07:00

Life with dogs.

I was just sitting here quietly reading the news when I heard the familiar happy panting and thumping of a dog quietly playing. (ONE dog playing. When two or three dogs play it gets quite loud.) I look over from the monitor and it's Nuggie bug. He is playing with a piece of rope; happily sending it into the air, and catching it by pouncing on it like a cat. He is in his own little world. He suddenly becomes a little puppy again. The other two are asleep on the couch. It all makes me smile.

That's all.

G2

Hair, hair, everywhere

2011-03-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Yes. I have corgis. Three of them. What a lot of you don't know is that I am also allergic to dogs, cats, horses. I choose to ignore the allergies and be miserable, rather than live without my dogs and be much more miserable. So I choose one of the hairyest breeds of dog that I can find. Not to be mistaken for the dog I am most allergic too, however. THAT prize would go to the Dobie, Dalmatian, etc. Short and oily hair leaves me in a giant hive; and yes, I once had a Dobie as well. I am a glutten for punishment, I guess.

At any rate, I have these three stumpy dogs that cannot seem to get their shed times synchronized. They all sleep with me. Two vie for pillow space...with the youngest seeming to have dominated as of late. As a result I have a chronically sore throat and sinus infection, and, worse, am always pulling hair from my mouth, ears, eyes, bedclothes...

One morning I was getting corgi snuggles and looked across the "bedscape" to find a gazillion little hairs standing up across the linens. (Did that make sense at all?? It looked like a toddler's head after rubbing a balloon across it.) And I had changed the sheets about four days before. When laundering them I had emptied the lint trap twice as well. I got out the lint brush, the masking tape, then the vacuum. At that point a light went on. Satin sheets! Yes!

All who know me would know that the last thing I need satin pillowcases for is my coiffe. snicker. Just the thought cracks me up. Nuggets? Hmmmm, I might have to think about that, but mine? No. OK, now I need to take a break while I run to the bathroom as my chuckling is getting out of hand.

OK. Back.

So, I go to Ross and pick up some nice, shiny, ooooo silky, satin sheets. Niiiice. I will be able to just brush the hair right off! My throat and nose are already thanking me. I can't help but smile as I change the linens. Sa-weet!

Then I go to bed. They feel smooth and nice on my body. Not bad on my face either.

Until the dogs join me for bed.

Poor Nugget. He took his spot on the spare pillow and began to slide. Into the closest low spot. yeah. That would be my head. Twice. He climbed back up and then laid there, trying to relax with this look on his face (note the parking brake):

He finally gave up, temporarily.

However, several times in the night I awoke with a thump to the head.

Back to flannel pillowcases tonight. (And unruly hair. snicker)

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

G2

First sign of spring

2011-03-11T11:03:00.001-08:00

ARGHH!!!!

Chaos rules

2011-03-09T06:37:00.000-08:00

yet again at Casa de Galena.

The Nugg-butt is back home.

After a rather exhausting drive to Vancouver, WA and back (around 200 miles each way) we are back together and creating havoc.

Everyone wants to know if he has changed. It is hard to say, since he left a changed little dog, having, hopefully, sired his first litter. Time will tell, and I will not. :X

With that in mind, when I picked him up it was pretty funny. He was brought from the dog area and I think he thought he was going to work, or for a walk. His eyes were on the handler until I called to him. He then came running over whining, but NOT peeing! YES!! (However, he was very excited to see me, if you get my drift. NOT OK!)
Andy called him back and Nugget gave him an excited kiss. It was quite apparent that he does, indeed, bond with his charges. That was very nice to see. Andy said he was sad and missed me the first few days and then easily settled into the routine. He hung with mini flat dogs (whippets) and his best buddy was a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Andy, while unable to get him in the ring due to lack of competition, was able to work the Nugget-butt through his fear of big dogs. I could not be happier. He is fat, hairy, and quite sassy. Definitely more hormonally driven than he was when he left here. However, that could have easily happened here as well, just due to age.

The worst part of the drive home was the first five minutes. He laid down, and whined. And whined. And whined. I have no clue what that was about, and around the time I was ready to pull over and yell, he quit. He hasn't done it since. Perhaps he was telling me the woes of boot camp. Perhaps he was telling me he missed me. I haven't a clue but it sure was irritating.

As we turned the corner to head for home Nugget got VERY excited. I thought he was going to drive his nose through the vents. The salt air? Perhaps. Mud flats? More likely. When we pulled into the driveway he erupted, as did the dogs in the house. I have no idea when he had last pee'd, but I tried to get him to go before we went in and he was having none of it. 'Twas a tri-color reunion the likes of which I may never see again. I wasn't sure whose body parts attached to what body. I got them all outside and noticed that he was also very happy to see Kate. Delighted. Beyond words. Also NOT OK!

By now my token brown dog in the field was nickering and calling her wayward pup/foal to visit. I was beat, having had a mere three hours of sleep the night before, but the animals come first, so out we go. Besides, they have been crated for the past seven hours so a run might buy me some nap time! After some Windy nuzzling it was time to run and fetch and do other doggy things. Poor little Nugg-man couldn't keep up with his sibs and, with tongue hanging to the ground, collapsed less than half way through a normal pasture outing. Hmmmmm....

Nap time! Yeah, right. Nap time for Nugget. After some serious snuggling he fell fast asleep atop me. I didn't want to move, but could not get a nap either. Early bedtime, I am thinking!

I was in bed by seven. (Make note: budget in a bigger bed!!) Nugget on my head. Kate at my shoulder, and Henry at my foot. However, I can hardly move this morning; I don't think I moved much all night. I am incredibly stiff!

But the day begins; back to normal. For now. Nugget is still quite interested in Kate. She should be coming into heat any day. Then the fun begins.

Has he changed? Yes. And no. Ring time on Saturday, or class tonight, may be a better indicator.

For now, I am going to take him out to the field to run. I am going to take some ibuprofen for my back. I am going to clean this house. Anything more is pure bonus.

G2

Henry

2011-03-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

Long legged and quite wet about the head.

Henry came into the room yesterday looking like his head had been dunked in the toilet. Seriously.

Upon closer examination I noticed the wetness extended to the ruff, but was mainly face and ears.

Kate!! She came into the room with the biggest smile I had seen in three weeks.

And a very dry licker.

Yep.

Henry had finally consented to a mama dog bath.

Henry usually snarled when Kate and her licker came near him. She had to be content cleaning Nuggie, and only Nuggie. With him gone I have found various places that have been Kate licked. Window casings, sills with varnish gone in spots, furniture. While he looked a bit bedraggled, I was delighted. I only wish he had consented weeks ago. I do, however, understand completely his lack of desire and understanding toward his "sister." She has tried to bathe me as well, and after about 1.5 seconds I run screaming from the room. It is just gross to hear, and even more gross to have to submit to. I do wonder why Nugget puts up with it day in and day out, and wonder if he will still submit once he gets home from basic training. I guess I will know in a day or two.

So a trip to the tether ball should wear her out for now, and allow me a quiet escape for some cleaning and organizing... or perhaps a REAL shower rather than a Kate spit bath. ewwwwwwwwww

Next posting will be back to whatever normal means at Casa Galena. I cannot wait!!

G2

If you were my neighbor

2011-03-05T08:31:00.000-08:00

would you think it weird...

if some grandma person was out in her yard

at five thirty on a Saturday morning

doing a happy dance

and proclaiming

quite loudly

"Good"

"Poopy"

"and potty"

"Outside"

??

G2

Gee, thanks, Kim...

2011-03-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

OK, in keeping with a challenge set forth by one who must not be named(even though I already did) I am to divulge seven things about myself or my blog subjects.

Here you go:

1. I actually DO have four left feet (currently). One in the closet in the spare room, one in the dining room, one currently attached to my body, and one by my bed. Oh, and a spare in the laundry room. Change that to FIVE left feet.

2. I want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane this summer; with a parachute, of course!

3. My mental health therapist is a motorcycle.

4. I let very few people into my "inner circle" but easily open it to those furred
ones that share my abode.

5. The older I get, the more conservative I become.

6. Dog showing is a "bucket list" thing.

7. I cannot allow myself to think about health issues in my past. Yeah,that is a biggie, and why I only speak of them for minutes at a time and change the
subject. ;o)

G2

So there you go, Kim. sigh

9 years later

2011-03-01T13:00:00.000-08:00

and the ball is rolling.

I moved here nine years ago on the 15th of this month. I was just divorced (after 28 years), trying to recover from life threatening health issues, and post bankruptcy with the spouse prior to the aforementioned divorce. I moved here because I could not afford to buy a house on the east side of Puget Sound, for which I will forever be grateful. Here I got my wonderful little house on 1.33 acres. There I might have been able to get a dump...that would almost qualify to be called a fixer...on a tiny lot...between two busy streets. I'm not really sure how I qualified for a loan, but it was likely because of the settlement from the sale of my half of the house the kids were born in to the ex's girlfriend and her mother.

Anyway...nine years later there are a few things that I want to do within, and without, of the house. It was time to refinance. Interest rates are down. I made the mistake of answering a stupid poll thing on the internet and the phone has been ringing non-stop ever since. Oh, how I hate all this stuff! Today I realized how much easier I might make it for myself by getting re-fi info from the folks holding my mortgage now. So I called.

In typical fashion, I had none of my info in hand, as I thought I was calling for information. Not a huge problem, as he had some of it and I could access assessment value and my bank stuff online. Wrong. Bank had Washington state temporarily down while they updated their programming. Oops. I begin to scramble for bank statements. The stars must have been in alignment as I was able to find the information needed immediately. So I gave him enough info to start the ball rolling and the packet should be here in the next four days. I will be able to cash out enough to do what I want to do and still have a house payment that is substantially less than what I pay now. (That amount will still be going out to the mortgage company on principle unless something comes up.)

I can now tell all those folks that are trying to get my business that it is a done deal. That in itself was worth the half hour on the phone and discomfort that I always feel giving out financial info.

I am a happy camper, and Galena Cardigans will soon have more suitable digs.

Oh yeah!!

G2

First two points

2011-02-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

are out of the way.

Thanks, Auntie Kim, for delivering the news. I hope he sees the ring next week. Poor numbers (read: NO competition) has kept him from even entering. Grandma Kim has agreed that he should go in next week anyway, so will get the ball rolling on that with the handler. I think ring time is never bad for young dogs.

I now can go about my business feeling like this was all worth something. That is a very good thing, as I have really missed him.

Go Nuggie bug. Make me proud-er

G2

Halfway

2011-02-24T11:55:00.000-08:00

I suppose it is time to update, but I have been keeping busy doing who knows what, and other things of utmost importance.

So far the Nugg-butt has had no competition on the circuit he is doing. NONE. No competition means "why bother." This weekend may be different, or at least I can hope. The handler is doing well with him, and at last contact said he was learning Nugget's "buttons." That is a good thing. So it will be up to me to get him in the ring and showing well, starting the weekend after he comes home, with Seattle. A venue that rates as my number two most hated. Crazy, loud, indoor, with no where to pee and poop the dogs. Seattle, however, takes the top spot as far as cost. So it goes, and I just need to concentrate hard on taking the learning he is getting from the handler and keeping it going. Hopefully he will be home in time to do a drop in handling class before the ring. He is good, but I feel a bit out of the loop. I think two weeks after Seattle is Bremerton, which is my neighborhood. Easy and cheap. Little gas, no ferries and cheap parking. A nice relief after Seattle. Show season is officially heating up.

Speaking of heat; nothing on Kate. I think she is waiting for Nugget to come home. At least he is used to crate time now. It sure would have been nice to have had it over with while he was gone. Not to be. At this point I haven't a clue when she will come in. I'm sure she will surprise me one of these mornings. Perhaps if I plan something big for myself...

Grand girl number three turned five yesterday. How can it be? She is such a crack up. In typical fashion I gave her a kid safe digital camera. The older two both have them. It is such fun to see what they come up with. If I could only get their parents to download some pictures and send to me...tap, tap, tap.

The Daddy heard me tap and sent a pile of pictures. This little camera allows for some, uhhh, creative picture taking.

The birthday girl:

A picture she took of her Mommy:

And of her sister:

and one I took of her with the banner the girls made welcoming Mommy home:

The snow is coming down now, and it is quite pretty. Last night it was a raging storm on the east side of the Sound, and I was more than a little nervous about what home would hold. I had watched two of the girls for a couple of days, which meant I also had to borrow a car as my truck won't hold two booster seats. Then, of course, when time was up I needed to take the car, and kids, back. My truck snuggly tucked in the carport. It is only a wee bit over a mile from the house to the ferry dock, I think. So, I figured I would drop the car where it belonged and go back to spend some time with the kids, then my son would drop me at the ferry in the early afternoon when he went to pick up his wife at the airport. Nope. He went to work, then from work to the airport, then to the hospital to drop of wife's brother, then home. Then we have to take the girls and Mom to brother's house so she can get the nieces and take all the kids to swim lessons, which ended up being scratched as the mini van that she thought was parked in brother's garage was actually in use by HIS wife, so no room to take four kids to swimming in his small car. (Following this?) So, it is now five and the snow is coming down harder by the minute. Big, sloppy, wet. I get to the ferry and know it will be dark when I walk home. I can only hope it won't be as wet and cold as it would be walking a mile in the Seattle slop. It will be the 6:10 ferry out of Edmonds, so about 6:40 into Kingston. As we reach the halfway mark on Puget Sound I can see the lights in Kingston. That means that it is not raging as it was to the east. I tried to call the neighbor and no one was home, or perhaps no one was answering the phone. I will be walking.

It was pretty out. Very, very light snow falling. Very chilly, but I intend to power walk home, so that could be a good thing. I check my watch and it is 6:44 when I head off the ramp. All is good on the main drag...gee, maybe because there are streetlights!! As soon as I turned down the street that my little road leads off of, I could see that there would be issues requiring me to slow down. I could no longer see where I was stepping, for one. No street lights. There was just enough traffic that I could get a general idea of the layout and where my road began. No sidewalks, so I walked in the road unless a car was coming. Once I got to my gravel road I was in deep doo-doo. I got here, all is grand. I must admit to wanting to woo the man on the ferry with the little gas scooter. Five minutes after I got home the snow really started coming down. Time of arrival? 7:05. Not too bad considering I felt like I was crawling up my road. However, this is not something I would ever choose to do again.

So today I should be house cleaning, and instead I sit here at the computer. I watch the snow falling, and feel my sore throat, and am quite content with the two sleeping dogs at my feet.

So, halfway done with Nugget's time away. I am halfway sick with a sore throat and stuffy nose. My house is halfway clean.

It sure is pretty out there...

G2

My week of driving

2011-02-18T08:47:00.000-08:00

It was a week of crazy for me, and for the truck. I suppose for Nugget as well. It was also a week of learning, a week of sushi eating, a week litter naming, a week of laughing, and a week of shedding a tear or two.

Nuggie bug is officially a grown up. He learned about what it takes to be a daddy dog. After two trips across the pond for that we loaded up and headed south for a three week stint with the handler. Boot camp for doggies. As with my oldest human son, this was a tough one as well. I really love the family he is with. It was surprisingly easy to leave him. Or so it seemed. What I find now is that I just can't think about him. I know after a few days it will be better. I know after that first call on Monday evening, when I hear that all is well, I will be better. I hope that by Monday Kate is also better.

Today when we went out to do chores and have the first morning "fetch" session I had to throw out three balls for two dogs. Neither of the other two would go after the first ball, as that has always been Nugget's ball. I guess he must be top dog, eh? So I did the obligatory throwing of the first pitch, then left it and played with the other two. These guys are so much into routine that it makes me insane.

Henry, for example, knows that first thing in the morning the dogs go outside, then I use the bathroom. As soon as he comes in he runs to the bathroom and sits at the doorway and barks for me. Like I don't know that I need to go? Perhaps I might have forgotten where it is? I often try to change up the routine just to mess with his head. And it does! However, there is only so long that I can do the potty dance before I really have to use the bathroom. (I must get the other toilet changed out so that I don't have to use the one that he insists I use!) I hate when people know "my routine" and I doubly hate that I am so predictable that even my dog knows it. (For what it is worth, if I don't feel I can wait for the dogs, then I leave my leg off and hop to the bathroom. None of the dogs budge from the bed unless I put my leg on. As soon as it is on it means "time to get up." sigh)

I looked up Kate's heat dates for the past three seasons and it looks like she could come in anywhere from about a week, to one month and two weeks. She has cycles that are 6-7.5 months in length. My luck will be that it will happen as Nugget returns. No, he will not get a crack at her yet. However, there are pups (hopefully) coming to my neck of the woods. Also hopefully one will be a suitable "wife" for the Nug-butt. Being new to this whole breeding dogs thing, and very much NOT superstitious, I think it may be time to announce that my girl will be Casper's mystery date next month. Stunning fronts, gi-normous ears, and for me (hopefully) an improved top line. The icing on the cake is that they really love each other. From the first visit she thought he was husband material. He seems pretty smitten with her as well. So, fingers crossed as Europe meets west coast...healthy little blue sushi rolls to come in late spring/early summer.

Enough thinking about dogs. I am feeling a bit "verklempt." Time to clean.

G2

Saturday morning

2011-02-15T10:01:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to support some of the grandkids on their very first "race." I dusted off Uncle Morgan's cowbells and headed to the ferry.
This was also a 5K race that their Daddy was running.

As the crowd gathered I handed out the cowbells and the girls decided amongst themselves how they would be shared. It is a serious business to cheer on the adult runners.

and hard work!

Daddy couldn't stand still. He was a very proud man that day, watching his daughters and nieces prepare for their first race.

After he crossed the finish line, with great time, I might add...

It was time to prepare the kids for their race. There was stretching.

and of course the pep talk

the girls ran a fine race

Ribbons were handed out, but the best reward was this:

What a great day!!

G2

Lots of blue puppies

2011-02-13T10:30:00.001-08:00

just saying...

Mark Thorson photo

This is one handsome hunk-a-burning-love.

You go, Casper.

My "big boy"

2011-02-10T19:11:00.000-08:00

Yep, officially no longer a puppy, my Nugget.

He is to be off on his show adventure next week, but first up is a bit of business. I am just hoping that all will be right with the universe and he can do his thing and still make it to the handler on time.

The nail biting continues.

G2

The Nugg-man's prelims

2011-02-03T23:10:00.000-08:00

look pretty darn good!

Next up is an eight show stint with a pro handler. My baby is growing up and I lose another kid to boot camp.

G2

Puppy love

2011-02-03T10:00:00.001-08:00

Sunshine, palm trees and heavy metals

2011-01-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

After three days of driving, way too much eating, a few not so nice words and gestures to drivers who don't know the definition of "merge" nor the fact that a big red truck can easily crush the "vaazz" in a VW bug, we made it to San Bernardino. (I still cannot believe that we drove here, 14 miles per gallon, 1400 miles, to show off our wonder dogs to judges that will, hopefully, overlook the fact that they are not striped. Did I just say that?)
So, I planned, I made lists, and I checked and double checked everything that was packed. I knew that something would be left behind, but all seemed in perfect order all the way down. Until we pulled into the parking lot here, and I began to unpack. My show clothes that I had carefully put in a garment bag and hung behind the driver's seat in my truck are still sitting in said garment bag in the aforementioned spot, in my truck, in Auburn. Understand that I detest shopping. I need to be able to run in, buy, and run out. All before the gauges on the truck have settled into their resting places. Now I get to go shopping in a strange place, with strange people, looking for dress up clothes, and I hate dressing up even more than shopping! I remember ever so carefully taking my shoes from the suitcase and zip them into the garment bag as it made so much more sense to have all those nice clothes together. Yep, I need to get shoes too. sigh.

Anyway, three tired dogs are resting near. We just did a small three mile hike in the sunshine. It was fantastic to get out and move. There is a bike trail right next to the motel, along the flood control reservoir. I want one next to my house. When I order it I will also be ordering this weather...

Let it now be known that my kennel name is "Galena." Look it up and you will find it is the primary ore mineral of lead. I wanted to somehow include Nugget in the name, and this adds the interesting twist of my second passion that has me trying to "get the lead out." So there you be. Nothing with seventeen vowels and consonants all strung together that I have to explain and pronounce. Simple, and quite pleasing to say. "Galena Cardigans."

With that said, I am going to enjoy a few quiet minutes before I have to smile and pretend to enjoy mingling with folks I don't know. Party pooper? Probably.

The sun; it is very nice. The palm trees serve to remind me that I am no longer in Washington, Toto. And the icing on the cake: a kennel name! This will be a nice weekend.

G2

The "new" dog

2011-01-21T08:16:00.000-08:00

No, not this one:

This one!!

Kate. The new and, uh, improved version. Oh my!

Let's see. This morning I have removed her from the window sill three times. She just stands there and grins at me. Sometimes she will "woof" when she thinks she is smart, but she is really naughty. She is becoming adept at standing, and walking, on her hind legs. That puts her close (enough) to counter height. Raspy voiced Henry has taken on the role of fun police. I think the alert is more the idea that Kate might get something that Henry wants, but there is an almost constant raspy bark sounding the past few days. I have had to put planks on top of the living room crates. That is how she gets on the window sills. She goes from the chair, to the grooming table, to a crate, to the window sill (and now back to the crate, to a chair, and down). Then she won't go back on the crate as she can't see where she is putting her feet as she would be jumping up on to it. I fear she could break a toe, or worse. So now she is delighted as she has a route around the room that the other two have no intention on even trying...for now. That, of course, gets Henry barking. Which makes her smile, woof, jump down, and start at the beginning. If she weren't so darn cute with that stupid grin, giant ears...I might have to kill her!

I have re-fallen in love with her. She is no longer eating books. That helps. She is just a different dog now. Instead of waking me by incessant licking, she nudges and wags her tail. I wake up to her goofy grin. Her housebreaking is still spotty (yeah, literally) so once awake I put on the leg and make a beeline to the door to let her out. On those days I didn't I had a puddle to clean up. However, now I go back to bed. No matter the time. If only for ten minutes. Darned if they get to dictate my REAL up time.

So we begin a new phase in our lives together. Missy "Good" hips and I. With a grin on both of our faces and a positive future, we negotiate the twists and turns...and window sills.

G2

Happy Birthday, Nugget

2011-01-16T08:01:00.000-08:00

One year ago today a stunning litter whelped in Happy Valley. I was going to let yesterday's post suffice, but I couldn't stop myself this morning. So, I will just do a quick Happy, Happy, Day to my three favorite new one year olds:

Coedwig's Alchemist, AKA Nuggett

Coedwig's Sensation, AKA Shea

Coedwig's Blue Dahlia, AKA Flower

What a great year it has been. I look forward to the future!

G2

This and that

2011-01-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

It is Saturday morning and I have plenty to do and little desire to get it done. So here I sit, thinking way too much.

I missed the entry deadline to get into the Puyallup show clusters. The way the weekend is coming together, or falling apart, that is a good thing.

Today is the last of the Christmas parties. I have a salad to make and gifts to wrap. Plenty of time. It will be fun. If only it wasn't for the drive part. Most of my friends live on the other side of Puget Sound. There is NOTHING spontaneous when it comes to visiting. Bummer, but the price I pay for living here. However, I am going to party near Puyallup. Tomorrow I need to take the two tailed ones to Puyallup for their eye tests and be back by 2. An hour and a half each way.

Which will be nothing when it comes to the drive south for the SoCal shows. But I will have company to keep things lively, or awake anyway. Lively will likely NOT describe us when we get there.

Nugget turns one tomorrow. My puppy. I can't believe it. He is such fun, and still so very easy.

I turn the big five seven on Monday. Humbling, to say the least. Mom was always older...truly. This summer I will outlive her. I am going to try to schedule a triathlon on the day that I am older than she was. Weird, but some kind of strange message to myself. Last Christmas marked the ninth year since I was sent home to die. Yep, still dying (as we all are)...just a lot slower than they thought. Again, humbling, and proof that "they" don't always know what they are talking about.

Wednesday my second Grand daughter turns seven. To think I may never had met her. Wow.

So, I am off to get some things done. Mail call netted nothing as far as Kate's hip results. Now must wait until Tuesday at the earliest. I know they are fine, but I really am curious how the OFA officially rates, and publishes, them.

Rolling, rolling, rolling, keep those doggies rolling...

G2

An email that needed to be posted

2011-01-13T07:56:00.000-08:00

My sister sent this to me. I wanted to share.

"The determined Bettina Eistel and her very special horse, Fabuleax 5. I saw this photo today and it took a while for my brain to register what I was seeing… Take a look.

Look closely...
Yup. No arms. Her name is Bettina Eistel and her horse is Fabuleax 5.
What is even more compelling than the fact that she can brush her horse with her feet, is that she competes, very well, at the Paralympics in dressage.
Bettina didn’t just overcome her disability, she walloped it!
(Kinda makes me feel ridiculous for complaining about anything having to do with just about anything…)
Cantering
WHY NO ARMS?
Thalidomide. (I wanted to read her book but it isn’t translated into English and I cannot read German. I wonder if a Kindle could translate it?…) Anyway, she was born in 1961 in Germany, with no arms due to the drug, Thalidomide.
Her book

What is Thalidomide? Thalidomide was a drug they gave pregnant women before it was known that it caused birth defects… Hence, Bettina was born without any arms.
When I was too little to understand manners, I can remember my mother telling me not to stare at kids I would see who had birth defects. She would shake her head and just whisper, “Thalidomide”. I remember being very appreciative that I didn’t have that kind of a birth defect.

Saddling

FAST FORWARD
Bettina doesn’t let her disability stop her. After all, this way of being is all she has ever known…
As an aside, another disabled Olympian was explaining the difference between being born with a disability versus being born “whole” and acquiring the disability. This concept is an interesting topic. You probably can come to some of your own conclusions here.

Bridling... look at him drop his head.

Anyway, as a small child, Bettina learned how to use her feet and toes as her hands and fingers. As a youngster, she started in horseback riding lessons. (Thank goodness her parents supported her and let go of their fears around this.) She wears riding boots with cut-outs in the toes so she can have ‘hands’ (imagine how cold her toes must get … and how often they clip a branch or a fence board – ouch!). She can saddle, bridle, hose down, wrap, blanket and do just about anything else that is needed for her horse. And, she rides by steering with her legs and holding the reins in her mouth. IN HER MOUTH. Try that… I tried to hold my brush in my mouth while braiding my girl’s hair and I ended up drooling all over the place in about a minute. I have no idea how she does it. Amazing.
Oh, and besides all those horse riding feats, she can text, write and put on mascara with her toes!
Hmmmm. I’m starting to feel sheepish for complaining about anything…

They say Bettina is a master at hose water fights!

“After highschool in 1979, Bettina studied the History of Art, Archaeology and Ethnology in Hamburg, followed by an eight-year study of psychology. During her psychology studies, she participated in a project with Hamburg’s home for children. In 1989 she completed her studies with a diploma and has since worked as a graduate psychologist in a Hamburg counseling center for children and family therapy.”
PARALYMPICS
I really couldn’t find much information on her coaching (Her coach Franz-Martin Stankus) or how she learned to ride. But, I did find out that she:
“Eistel was formerly Vice-Europe and Vice World Champion (two silver and bronze at the European Championships in Portugal in 2002 and three silver at the World Championships in Belgium in 2003) and won two silver and one bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens , she won also three times the German championship. As the most recent successes are the bronze medal in the required tasks of the individual competition and the silver medal in the team standings at the 2008 Paralympics in Hong Kong.”Not bad even for a girl WITH arms…

With her dressage medal

HER HORSE
You have to really think about the kind of horse who would let this kind of a rider be his partner. Really… what temperament is needed to perform at high level dressage as well as take care of a disabled rider? Wow. I wish I knew if they looked high and low for him… or if they simply trained a good horse to understand this rider? (I need to read her book.) I mean, did they find a horse and say to him that this is the way we are going to do it now? Or, does the Fabuleax 5 ‘know’? I often hear that certain horses are much more gracious with disabled riders than with regular riders. I know that my Gwen is much nicer to children than to me… I wonder how that happens? Is it the horse or the quality/feel/spirit of the disabled rider/child that effects the horse? Dunno.

Taking a treat from Mom

Bettina says she trained her horse via voice commands, head movement and leg aids. Funny, I bet hardly any of us would think it was even possible to ride a horse without arms.
From where I sit, I would like to be in the presence of the wonderful Fabuleax 5. He is a saint in my book. Fabuleax lets Bettina ride him in the only way she can… with the reins in her teeth and the other set of reins between her toes. And, he does his job. Simple. Gosh. Impressive.
If you notice in the photos, he lowers his head to be bridled and to be brushed. Atta boy!

Beautiful boy

TELEVISION HOST
Bettina also landed a gig as a Talk Show Host. With a weekly show on German TV station ZDF, Bettina is something of a media star. They say her popularity is because of her engaging and optimistic personality… but one cannot ignore her amazing ability to do everything, literally everything, with her feet..

Bettina as talk show host

AFTERTHOUGHT
I wanted to bring this story to you because I think sometimes we give up too easily. Or maybe it is just me… maybe I think I give up too easily or don’t push through my/my horse’s issues or don’t get over myself/my fears or don’t put as much effort/time into training my horses as I could. Reading about Bettina was a good shot in the arm for me…
I sure don’t feel like making any excuses or complaining…
I cannot even imagine folding the laundry with my feet, let alone living 24 hours without my hands. Wow. Very inspirational.
What a great team!

Intuition is loving guidance
G2
(Let this also be known...Thalidomide saved my life, just as it destroyed many others. Do not demonize the med, rather the lack of knowledge and haste of prescribing it for a short term problem for which it was not developed.)

Remember?

2011-01-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

Henry is the Pembroke pup that I nabbed at 5 weeks (over three years ago). He is the result of puppy mill breeding and constant backyard breeding. Every six months there were two litters, and one mother nursing the pups. He was put in a chicken wire cage and a bag of Ol'Roy dog food was opened on the ground (outside the cage; they had to make a hole to get at it)to share. When left, at 4 weeks, in the hands of teenage boys to feed AC was called and I brought Henry home. His "papers" were CKC, and that is NOT the Canadian Kennel Club. I didn't bother, but instead got him an AKC ILP number...not sure if it is still called that. That allows him to compete in Performance type events. He is neutered, of course, and very driven. He has a few weird quirks. His extreme happiness has made me really scratch my head about how to keep him from greeting everyone by planting his front feet on their thighs. He also goes ballistic when I trim his toenails, but does submit to have his muzzle put on. He also gets frantic if he feels trapped. I suspect the chicken wire cage may have something to do with that, but will never know.

I did a bit of pre-agility with Henry, the long legged. He loves it, but I am a total klutz. I will take him out for herding testing, and it will be interesting to see if he shines. He learned very quickly to get between the fence and the ball when we are out in the field. He is a wonderful retriever, but does throw the ball back rather than bringing it and nicely handing it to me. As is typical of the breed, Henry is the life of the party.

I am not sure that I am giving Henry everything that he wants and needs, and it makes me sad. I think he needs more one on one time, and more training time...neither of which I can do right now. He gets along great with the two tailed dogs, and every other dog he has ever been with, but is looking less and less pleased.

I think at some point I will need to look into other options for Henry. For now, he rests quietly at my side. Oblivious. That is a good thing.

G2

Dear Dad.

2011-01-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

On the eve of what would be your 88th birthday, I thought I would pause, wish you a great birthday, and fill you in on what has been happening since you left us on October 6, 2006.

Life just keeps getting better. You raised us to be strong and independent. I think I am finally there. I hope you would be proud. I have a circle of strong friends that keep me laughing. My family is doing great. The kids are all doing well, and raising their families to be strong caring people. They are, of course, the smartest kids, grand kids, and for you, great grand kids, on the face of the earth. Bar none.

I refuse to be held back by any limitations; thank you for teaching me that lesson. I had no idea how important it was to become. Little did you know that you would gift me a running leg after your passing. It has been a constant inspiration that has helped to keep me on track...literally.

My passion for dogs, that I have had since I was a tot, has finally found a direction. Little stumpy dogs from Wales seem to rule my thoughts and world right now. I know, not Scottish, but I am sure you would forgive me that, had you had a chance to meet these guys. They share a strong work ethic with you, and a very similar sense of humor. Thank goodness they cannot speak "human" or they would likely be able to pun with the best. And no, I still haven't developed a love, nor even a like, of puns. It probably will never happen; that can always be your's. In fact, feel free to take it with you...please!

You taught me to not get hung up on the sadness and trials of life. I have taken that to heart. There is so much beauty in this wonderful world. I don't feel the need, nor desire, to dwell on any thing else. It is sad to see the misery that folks bring upon themselves when they cannot see beyond their trials. I have always said that I want to go out with a smile on my face; heck no. I want to go out laughing. I am sorry I couldn't help you go out laughing, but it was nice to see you smiling, and to see the happiness on your face as you listened to your favorite music and reached out to dance with Mom. I feel honored to have been able to share that with you, and with Mom.

Please give Mom my love. It is weird to think that in two weeks I will be the age she was when she left us. I am sure you are enjoying watching us bumble through this life, and I am pretty sure I am doing you proud. (If not, keep it to yourself, OK?)

I really miss you and Mom, but feel your presence each and every day. Thanks for giving me the gifts that I am just now beginning to understand.

I love you, Dad. Happy, Happy Birthday.

Nancy

2011

2011-01-01T05:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all.

There are many irons in the fire for the coming year. (First up will be finding a kennel name.)

2010 saw lots of firsts, and 2011 is looking to top that. I look forward to what is in store.

As I have each day, for years now, I just take it one baby step, or hop, at a time, and try to enjoy the ride. Life is way too short to get stuck on the more "trying" bumps. I am so thankful for the life I get to experience, and for all that I get to share it with.

So bring on 2011! It looks to be an interesting year.

G2

Memories

2010-12-30T06:22:00.000-08:00

With a road trip on the horizon, and a virus on the PC, I am enjoying the pictures that are stored away on the laptop from my big trip with S2.

Two of my favorites (taken through the window, so quality isn't great)

G2

hmmmmmmmmmm

2010-12-27T17:18:00.001-08:00

(Thanks, Mark, for helping make the file accessible.)

Anyone smelling puppy breath in the future??

G2

Crazy, freaked out, silliness

2010-12-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

and a wee bit of sadness.

Last night after a nice wander around the park to see Christmas lights and then dinner, I came home to computer problems. Instead of messing with it I decided to watch some TV and furminate the two shedding dogs. I then wrapped a few more presents and headed to the warmth of my bed, still looking for something on the television. I found a show titled "Modern Family," and settled in. In minutes I had one dog sleeping at my side. I had one dog who had crawled under the bed with just a nubby tail showing. The third dog settled at my head, panting and shaking. What the heck was going on?? Suddenly there was movement under the bed. Henry came out like a bullet and clawed his way onto the bed and tried to dig his way under Nugget, and under the covers. Kate was now panting, shaking, and drooling on my head. I put on my leg and went to the door to see if I could see anything. Nope. All is secure in the house, but now I am not only perplexed by their reactions but getting a bit nervous myself. My bed is actually vibrating from the shaking doggies. Nugget, however, is calmly resting as if nothing is happening. Again, what the heck?!

Then, just as I get the glazed look out of the dogs' eyes it happens. Frantically Kate looks at me as if to tell me I had deceived her. Henry wants to become one with the middle of the box spring, through my mattress. I have to laugh at the silliness of it all. Then I changed the channel. If any one out there watches "Modern Family" I would love to know if the guy ever found the beeping smoke detector...

Within minutes peace was restored to the house.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On this Christmas eve eve I would like to take a minute to wish a great holiday season to all. My thoughts are with all my friends and family that are missing loved ones or dealing with health problems. It is a tough time of year for so many.

I look forward to many new experiences in the days and months ahead and wish the same for all. Life is such an adventure, isn't it? I intend to do my best to enjoy each and every minute of it.

Hey, lady. Is that a tomato in your ear?

G2

Road Trip

2010-12-21T06:59:00.000-08:00

The last week of January. Nugget wants temperatures over 37 in the morning.

So in keeping with my oh so important "crazy dog lady" title we are heading to Southern California.

Details to follow, but I will say that we will be riding/driving in luxury; although I am not sure we will notice as we are driving straight through...

Crazy? Absolutely. It will be a blast!!

Watch out SoCal, the butter babies are heading your way.

G2

That time of year

2010-12-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

Normal

2010-12-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

(as is possible, living in this house!)

Kate. Following the whole tail wagging thing a few weeks back, seems to have finally decided to settle in and just be a dog. I sometimes think there is something wrong with her and go in search. Since I brought her home, she has not left my side. Literally. She wanted to be no farther than about ten feet. Certainly within eye shot. Whenever I left she would destroy things in the house if not crated. She had her obsessive things she did; the licking of inanimate objects, the staring at nothing. Most of those went away after the pup came home; just showing in times of severe stress.

I went away for three days and boarded Kate and Henry. It was the second time I had left her at this same place. When I picked her up she was happy to see me and greeted me, then headed up the stairs to see what the six year old was doing. I put the dogs in the back of the truck as they were wet and muddy. She was delighted to be home, and happy to see Nugget, and happy to see the horse. Just smiley. Then she came in the house and had a drink of water and settled in like it was just another day. No tripping over her as I moved about the house. No frantic whines as I unloaded the truck. It was a bit weird. We are talking Kate! Then she disappeared. I was on the computer and I couldn't find her anywhere near. She had decided it was bedtime and went to bed. (Sadly, that would be on my pillow, where I soon discovered how truly muddy she and Henry were. Needless to say when I got to bed it was with three clean dogs; two of them a bit damp.)

I can leave to do little trips to town now, and not crate the dogs. No trouble. Nothing destroyed. I won't do it for hours at a time, but that would be more because I have a pup in the house, and because I think they need to be comfortable hanging out in their crates.

So, the count is now TWO relatively normal dogs and one psycho dog. Henry, however, is not destructive and I know his buttons so can avoid them.

The tailed ones are definitely my breed. What truly amazing, and cool dogs they are.

So it is on to hips and eye testing for the girl. The future may be interesting...

G2

Tomorrow is another day

2010-12-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow the pup and I will head out for the Ridgefield shows. The details of the whens and hows and wheres are still a bit sketchy, but it is the end result that matters, right?

My favorite show dog color? Purple. Nugg-pup's favorite color? Brown. As in mud brown. Everything is flooded around here and that just makes the Nugget boy even happier. Does he not understand that he is supposed to be cool, calm, collected and beee-you-tea-full? His white is brownish, his black the same. But the smile on his face is priceless. For this reason I always put off his bath for an extra day and get to pay for it. If he gets a couple of days for the coat to settle and shine up, then he looks so much nicer, but I just cannot deny a puppy his FRAP. So in another hour he will get one last romp in the mud and then it is bath time.

All arrangements have been made for the care of the other two dogs and for the feeding of the horse. The lists are made and the packing has begun. (Well, in all honesty, I never completely unpacked the truck from the last shows. It just made more sense to leave some of it, namely my show coats, out hanging in the truck.) I'm excited about this one. It will be fun.

Once back, the tree that is sitting in a bucket by the carport will take its spot of honor by the front window. I've been collecting strings of LED lights whenever I see them for a decent price, so will be pitching all of the old strings this year. I have boxes of them. All those that were guaranteed to stay lit, that didn't. Why do I not pitch them when they go out? I really don't know for sure, but think I will blame Dad for this one. After all, he was the one that made us carefully collect the tinsel back off the tree after Christmas. It was then laid out straight and carefully folded into paper for the next year. I swear some of those strands were only about two inches long, but we still had to carefully place them (No throwing!) and re-collect them each year. No plastic back then, it was a thick foil, I believe. Then again, it could have been lead based, hard to say...

I received a beautiful ornament today as a gift from a friend. It will get to go on the tree first as it will need to be in the perfect spot under the perfect light. Yep, I guess I did get a wee bit of Dad's precision, when it comes to the tree. That's about it, however. Dad had his Christmas decorating traditions. They included painting the front window each year, and setting up spotlights outside to show off his work. It was always based on a Christmas card that we had received the year before. I think we must have learned VERY early on that we were to keep our fingers away from the painted windows. I don't recall any of the four of us kids ever etching our initials into the paint. Dad had a box that was filled with his window paint. It was just always there. Then Mom had her places for each decoration that she had gathered over the years. The egg carton tree and macaroni wreath hung with such pride one would think they were made of gold. And those awful fuzzy wreaths! A green one and a white one. Each item took its spot each year. Always the same. Only the design on the window changed. When Dad sold the house he included the Christmas lights that were hung under the eaves each year. I doubt they were ever used again, but I suppose it is possible. He was so proud to give them to the new owner. I sure do miss him, and Mom too. The little irritating things from back then are so endearing now. It's funny how that happens.

Off I go to run the dogs in a break between rain squalls. Then it is back to reality...wait, is dog showing reality????

G2

Discovery, and back on the leash

2010-12-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

The other morning I went out, as I always do, to take the dogs to their equine buddy. Three little tri-colored stubby dogs, tongues flapping with happiness as they run to the barn. This day, however, they didn't stop at the gate, but ran around the barn and down the outside of the fence line. When they stopped they refused to even acknowledge that I was calling them. All three. Rather than wade through the leaves and weeds, I went into the field to get a glimpse at what they were looking at. All the time I am saying, under my breath, "Nugget still hasn't tried to roll in it, so it must not be dead." Wrong! Without studying it too much as I was instantly bellowing the dogs' least favorite phrase "LEAVE IT!," I am going to guess it was a cat's head, sans skin. I ended up grabbing some baling twine and running back to grab the two older, and least cooperative, and leash them and bring them into the field. Of course I could not get them away from the section of fence that was closest to this wonderful prize they had discovered, so did my chores and re-roped the older dogs and led them back to the house. It was too early in the morning to go out and examine this mass of pink and white yuk, so I made a note to check it out after I was a bit more awake and my stomach a bit more settled. It was somewhat round in shape and a bit bigger than a tennis ball, but smaller than a soft ball. We have eagles nesting around us, as well as coyotes, and owls. Any of them could have done the deed. There was a LOT of bird poo in that area of the field, so I was leaning toward eagle or owl. When I went out later the thing was gone, but there were a lot of small bird bits and pieces that I likely had not noticed before. Did I think to look up? Of course not. I haven't even done it yet today, but will on the next trip out. I suspect there is a nest very close by, as this morning when I went out there were a pair of eagles flying directly over us as we approached the barn. They were screaming, and I was a bit freaked about my dogs, even though the smallest is close to thirty pounds. (One never knows if a near sighted eagle night make an attempt, and I can only imagine the damage that can be done by those talons!) Nugget is incredibly obedient and was the only one off leash, so I called him to me and he stuck there like glue. The crazy dog lady of Kingston, was yelling up into the air and raising her fist at these two eagles circling overhead. They must have gotten the message as they quickly flew off; perhaps on to their next hunting expedition.

So the dogs are back on leash when we go out to do chores. Most of the time I really enjoy seeing the eagles; they really are stunning to see with their blue black backs and the bright white heads and tails. Some days, however, I would just rather they stayed down at the tide flats and fished.

Welcome to my world...ewwwwwwww

G2

Inspired

2010-12-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

by a few folks who have made some dietary changes, (and they know who they are) I decided it was time to bite the bullet and go back to Weight Watcher's meetings. (Don't get me wrong, I rather enjoy the meetings, I just couldn't handle the idea of being weighed.)

I had been quite successful with WW a few years ago, losing around 60 pounds. Then I had a relapse with my disease and my eating habits went down the tubes. So I regained 2/3 of what I lost. I needed to be held more accountable than I was on my own. There is also the part of me that feels that if I am paying for something, then I need to get something in return. I know, weird head games, but so it goes.

I am pretty excited about upcoming training and being able to do more as I will be carting less.

I am also excited about the new program that WW has started. I am actually not hungry, and I am not sucking down the celery and salsa. Now if I can just wrap my head around the fact that this is all new and the old points are rubbish, I will be a bit less stressed. However, seeing those numbers on the scale going down definitely eases the stress!

So I am back to eating a good breakfast when I get up. I think that is the key for me.

Time will tell.

G2

Passages

2010-12-05T15:46:00.000-08:00

Many, many years ago my sister introduced me to a man that mentored her in the horse driving world. He was a slightly built Scottish man, and an "old school" veterinarian. Besides his beloved Jersey cows, or perhaps BESIDE his beloved Jersey cows, were a number of Clydesdale horses that he farmed with. It was not unusual to drive down the highway and see him and a team out working the fields. The horses dwarfed the man, yet were as gentle as kittens. He was so proud of all that he did with them. I remember going to the Monroe fairgrounds to the Draft Horse Extravaganza to watch my sister drive his horses in the show. They were polished to a beautiful sheen, as were his huge harnesses. I still can hear the sound of the massive feet on the pavement as they were led from the barn.

At the age of 88 years, Doc Mustard passed away. I tried to pull up the article and it is "subscription only" so I cannot access it. 'Tis a bit frustrating, as I read all the newspapers online, but perhaps this small town has lost too much money because of folks like me so have locked it down. At any rate, it is with much sadness that I hear this, as he lost his farm to a family member a few years back so no longer had his roots firmly planted in the soil that he and his team worked for many years. I cannot imagine that the eviction helped his "will to live." But rather than fall prey to that anger, I prefer instead to remember his stories as we sat around the kitchen table. The volunteer fire department in Brady and the calls that he went on. The smells of the big barn and the hogs, horses, and cows that made their homes there. His tough wiry body and heavily calloused hands. His very Scottish "way." They don't make them like him any longer. He was the James Herriot of Washington state.

Godspeed Don Mustard. I smile when I think of all the critters that met him at the bridge to escort him to his final destination.

G2

One of those AHA moments...

2010-12-04T17:10:00.000-08:00

It wasn't me...

Nor me

Guilty as charged!

I was out scooping yesterday morning and found something suspicious that had been in Henry at one point...if you get my very disgusting drift.

While it looked quite familiar, I could not place the origin of it until tonight. Now I can rest a bit easier. However, there is the question of where, or in whom, the other might be...

I did a toy box check and anything that was the least big ragged is now gone.

There is only room for one amputee in this house, and that would be me!

G2

Just because

2010-12-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

A new lens and flash would really be appreciated.

Love,

G2

A nice, albeit early, start

2010-11-26T08:20:00.000-08:00

Nope. I don't do Black Friday. It was not sales that got me up at 4am. It was not pre-Christmas excitement or decorating. It was the normal type day. I wanted badly to sleep, as I had consumed enough turkey to have me in a Tryptophan haze for days. (It was good, what can I say?) It was a sound rarely heard from this particular source...Miss Kate.

Kate is a happy dog, in general, but very obsessive. When she plays, she plays hard. Usually it is with balls. She FRAPS, but that is generally short lived and is followed by her thoroughly cleaning the other two dogs; every inch of them. She sometimes will start to lick me, but it is weird and very rhythmic, and gets creepy and I stop it. This morning was a rather unique sound from her, especially first thing in the morning.

Kate sleeps on my pillows. She and Nugget trade off on that spot. He was at my feet and she at my head. I reached up and gave her a pat, as I do frequently through the night, to whomever has that spot. She returned my pat with a quick nose touch and then I heard it. A very loud thumping coming from above my head. For most of you dog folks this is no big deal, and likely a bit irritating at 4am. To me it was a shocking sound that was music to my ears. She was wagging her tail against the head board of the bed. It is not that she doesn't wag her tail. But her tail wags are usually very gentle sways as she is walking or running. She smiles a lot, but no tail wags as she lays around. This is huge!! I gave her a pat and quick ruffle of the fur on her neck. The thumping began again and this time with greater intensity. No nudges, no licks, no obsessing. Just plain happy dog tail wags.

I have had this dog for half of her life now...18 months (she is just over 3 years)...OK give or take a couple. She is still a work in progress. People on one of the Corgi forums were comparing the two breeds of Corgis and someone mentioned that the Cardigan Corgi REALLY needs human contact; a lot more than the Pemmie. It is difficult not to try to put human emotions on my dogs, and I do know that they process things differently than a human does, but Kate is just beginning to blossom from all of the work that I have done. She was a crate dog, and had never left the property she was born on. I put her in a car and drove for nine hours. I sleep with her on my bed. I take her to parks and subject her to lots of people of all sizes. The smells are not smells she had ever experienced. I live a block from the salt water and the sand. She has taken it all in stride, no matter how confusing and overwhelming it may have been. She is still not reliably house broken. I have become good at making sure she goes out, but she has yet to ask to go out. Since getting Nugg-pup I have come to find out how truly easy this breed should be. It makes me think about the price I have paid for Kate both monetarily and figuratively. From there, of course, I go to that awful place of wondering how to deal with this long term and the whys and what ifs. She is healthy physically and has wonderful bloodlines. Her heart is bigger than big. It has wound itself around mine and the thought of not having her hurts my heart. Realistically, it is the thought of her still living in a crate that breaks my heart. There is still a lot of baggage to work on, at this point.

Just when I think that it is time to think about Prozac (for her, not me!), I get a nice gentle tail thump on my head board. You have no idea how huge this really is!!!

Thanks, Kate.

I think I will head to bed and a nap before the cleaning begins. If you want to join me, and sleep on my pillow, you are much more than welcome.

G2

Turkey Day eve

2010-11-24T09:58:00.000-08:00

this year's version of the previous post
We've warmed to a balmy 25 degrees F. The snow that was predicted for tonight has begun. I remembered that my dear neighbor, who is always gone during the worst weather, has a well pump that notoriously freezes, so I decide it is time to go down and make sure the pump house has a small heater plugged in and turned on inside. On the way I take pictures, as she never believes that it is "that bad." As I round the corner I see smoke coming from her chimney. Fearing that she didn't get to the airport I called from her driveway. I wake her up. Uhhhhhhhhh. It seems she flies out on Monday. Oops. "How's the water pump," says I. "I think it is frozen. No water coming out the tap." I go into the shed and find the space heater and plug it in. Hopefully that will take care of it. After she climbs out of bed we can hit the elbow with a hair dryer if she is still frozen.

With the snow falling again the odds of making it to the farm up north are lessening. I would prefer to hang here with my animals over risking having me stuck somewhere with no one to care for them here at home. My other neighbor has invited me to share food with them if I cannot go out. They are not sure that many will make it to the house. I am beginning to think that we are in one of the hardest hit areas. Power is still out to many in the area.

So here I go, should I not be able to get to the farm:

I am thankful for my family, and for their health.

I am thankful for my friends and the closeness I feel to them.

I am thankful for my four legged family and the true and deep love that I have for them, and for the people involved with them.

I am thankful for a sense of humor in the face of adversity. (In the dog show world it is a MUST!)

I am thankful for the technology that allows me to do whatever I want to do. I am also thankful for the medical research that has kept me in remission and has helped friends carry on with lives that were at one time unbearable. I am grateful for the animals that were sacrificed, and sorry that it was necessary.

I am extremely thankful that I awake each day to see the beauty in my life, instead of the ugliness. (Without a little diversity the beauty might be less appreciated.)

I am thankful that I have reached a point in my life where I don't have to pretend to be something that I am not. It is so much simpler to be a "what you see is what you get" person. And that leads to the last:

I am thankful for who I am, and what I have become. The road has been very tough at times, but without all those bumps and turns I would be a different person. I'm pretty much digging where I am, so accept all those tough times with a smile and a nod.

So, as you break your bread, and stuff your bellies with turkey tomorrow, take a little time out from the craziness and have a funny crazy moment. Then give thanks for what we are all gifted with...each other. I know I will.

G2

Monday, Monday

2010-11-22T12:55:00.001-08:00

"FRAP"

I know there is a ball in here somewhere.

Yep, it's in there!

Good morning, Sunshine

2010-11-18T09:34:00.000-08:00

Low thirties this morning with a breeze. BRRRRRRRRRR. It's a good thing I have sunshine, albeit through a bed hog, to warm me from the inside. (No need to wipe your monitors; that is hair on my comforter! Yep, it's still flying here.)

Snow warnings continue, and I choose to pretend that I don't read them. 50 toenails are trimmed (Henry has thumbs) and Nugget is set for the show. He will get his bath on Friday morning after a final run in the muddy field. I will then sing praises, yet again, for the trailer out front.

I'm off and running to stock the pantry and fill the truck with gas. I am also hoping that my order of grooming supplies comes today.

G2

It just got busier

2010-11-16T06:33:00.000-08:00

(this was taken two years ago...)
As if pre-show "stuff" isn't enough, the weather service just informed Kitsap County residents (that would be me) that snow is likely coming in this weekend. I noticed the beauty of the snow capped Olympics while driving to Poulsbo on Saturday. I knew it would come, but not on a show weekend!! So now I have more on the plate as I need to drain the pool down to a reasonable depth. We have had an incredible amount of rain and the water level is almost over the skimmer line. This year the pump is working so I can turn it on to avoid freeze damage...if there is power. Kitsap County is known for those wonderful lovers of trees. (I admit, I am smitten myself.) However, trees and power lines often times clash in my area. Snow laden trees take a heavy toll on the over time work crews for the energy company. I'm sure this year will be no different. Add to it the fact that I drive a small pickup truck. No amount of weight in the back seems to be enough to give me the traction needed to get in and out of my driveway if it snows.

This year I do, however, have a snow shovel. Two years ago when we had substantial snow, I used a regular flat nosed shovel to build trails in the snow for the dogs. My dogs had some issues trying to comfortably relieve themselves. They had a blast bunny hopping around, but then would come in with the task at hand undone. So I had trails leading to clearings for them. I also had trails leading to the horse. I found that as the snow began to melt those places that were not cleared and were packed down became ice skating paths. I decided to get a snow shovel. There were none to be found. I take it back, there were some, but they were being hawked on CL and other places for many times a "normal" price. I continued using my heavy, ice encrusted, steel shovel. As Spring arrived that year, so did a shipment of snow shovels. I remember standing in the aisle holding this thing of beauty. Huge plastic blade. Lightweight. Nice short handle with a hand loop. I was in love, and clutched it to me as if I had found hidden treasure. It has been sitting in the garage ever since. Still shiny and new. If I never have to use it, that would be fine. But it is there, along with its can of Pam. Waiting and watching.

And I sit, and look at the lists. This show is a bit of a handler's nightmare. The rings are set up in a horse arena. Packed dirt. Usually it is raining outside. Wet dogs, especially bellies on the corgis. Wet bellies into dirt. Muddy corgis. Nugget will not get to touch the ground from the point of the truck until he enters the ring. I have instructed him that he will be going potty at home, on the grass, before we leave and that will be it until he is done in the ring. So he had better start going today. (He doesn't believe me.) Grooming wise, it is a bit of a nightmare and a blessing. The lights are also marginal. No need to get too crazy about making sure the whites are overly white and blacks overly black. My goal is to be sure that the judge doesn't end up with mud on his/her hand when examining my dog...

So, I built a wood top for my crate. Put some angle iron on the edges to keep it secure. A bit of spongy shelf liner for grip. Voila. A place to perch the Nugg-man for last minute touch up. $6. I will eventually replace the shelf liner with a rubber mat or indoor outdoor carpet. For now it is fine and I am patting myself on the back. We are set, equipment wise. We have our big wheel, adjustable, "four wheel drive" crate dolly. Nice, big, inflatable tires that won't bury themselves in the arena dirt. Both a one dog, and two dog crates, should I bring along Miss Kate (which isn't happening at this show). And now a crate top grooming "table." Life is good!

Today is "run around" day. Appointments, shopping, picking up the cleaning. All that fun pre-show stuff. Soon the house will smell of liver brownies. MMMMMMMMMMM....gag. I am still getting handfuls of hair off of Nugget. I haven't a clue how he is going to look following his bath. He will be wearing his sleezy to the show on Saturday morning. His new big boy hair is not quite long enough to lay flat on its own. His baby hair is still flying around enough that I find it everywhere. Now Henry is beginning to blow his coat. Oh the joy of Corgis!

So I am off to the shower. I'm sure I will have my audience with me. My protectors.

Shoot...I almost forgot, I need to order a new "foot" for my prosthesis. You see IF you don't feel your feet/shoes getting wet, and don't change the socks, and don't have any heat coming from aforementioned foot to dry the sock/shoe, the plastic/rubber/whatever will deteriorate. Yep, I rotted out my foot. Just the cover that allows me to fit into a shoe. It's pretty important. The inner makings of my leg are coming out the bottom of my foot cover. I guess I am also going to Bremerton today to order a new one. It likely won't be here by Saturday. If I fall on my face, could someone ringside run in and turn me over so I don't inhale too much dirt? Thanks in advance!

No rest for the wicked. Did I say it may snow this weekend?...

G2

29.6

2010-11-12T17:22:00.000-08:00

That is how much Nugget weighs right now. I was so worried he would be over standard, so can breath much easier now. I have been watching his rations a lot more carefully, and he has probably lost some weight in hair as well. He thinks he is starving, but still piles the green beans on the floor by his dish, so I don't think starvation is truly an issue.

It is in the mid thirties when we go out for our first run in the mornings. I rather like it, and the dogs do as well. This whole "set the clocks back" thing has really got us messed up and I try to put them off until at least 8am since they can get rather noisy out there. Wild running and wilder digging goes on each day. I don't know if the rodent critters have gone to earth and they smell the nests, or what it is. I just know that my bellowing is probably as loud as the two tailed ones' barks; another reason to wait until I know all neighbors are up.

Nugget is on the grooming table at least three times a day now; as I try to remove as much blowing hair as possible. This has been going on since Idaho; I don't know how he can have any hair at all left on his body. With shows next week, I am just hoping what is there is somewhat manageable. He loves being on the table as that means a treat afterward. I love that he no longer runs and hides when I grab the brushes, but one of these days he will clock me in the chin as I lean down to pick him up, and we will both go down for the count.

After meals all three dogs like to chew; most often on an old bone. I decided to treat them to cow hooves this week. I forgot how much I hate them. First I smell them prior to purchase. Some just smell nasty. ALL smell nastier after being chewed on for a while. They smell particularly nasty when they are chewed on my pillow. Worse still is to hit one of them as I hop to the bathroom. I have found something as bad, or perhaps even worse, than a lego stuck to the arch of my foot.

So I will let them enjoy cow hooves for another day and then the hooves will disappear. The games I play with these dogs...

but the Nugg-man is going to be well within the standard. I am a happy camper...

G2

Just thinking about greatness

2010-11-07T19:36:00.000-08:00

CH Coedwig's Carbon Blue ROMG, BISS, BIS (borrowed from his web page http://www.coedwig.com/index.html)

His son, Coedwig's Alchemist; who inherited his fantastic temperament (as well as a few other nice things)

Thanks, Kim. (s)

Yes, Virginia

2010-11-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Corgis shed!!

Lately I have been having a few issues. Anyone who spends more than five minutes with me will see it. Thumb and forefinger plucking. Hair from my tongue. Hair from my shirt. Hair from my food. Black hair. Brown hair. White hair.

The Nugget-man is trying hard to get his big boy coat. It is just taking way too long for my tastes...literally (don't ask for buttered anything at my house). He sees me grab the "Furminator" and his tail goes between his legs and ears go down flat on his neck. He then calmly slinks to the grooming table to await his fate. (Such a good boy!)

We have two shows in two weeks. He has crazy hair. It is about half puppy coat and half big dog coat. At nine months old, that is about right. However, his attitude and composure in the ring has made it easy to decide it is time for him to compete with the big boys. He is ready. Except for this hair thing.

I was going to start prepping the inside of the house for fresh paint. Except for this hair thing.

At some point we will reach the point where this will slow to a light dusting of hair everywhere, right?

Why am I the only one coughing up hairballs?

G2

The Crazy Dog Lady

2010-11-04T05:51:00.000-07:00

is alive and well, or so it seems.

Yesterday morning the phone rings and it is from Puerto Rico. "Can you do me a huge favor?" The voice is from a young lady that is the Cub Scout leader in the area. One of the sweetest people I know. She has two young munchkins under five and a big sweet chocolate lab. She was also 22 weeks pregnant. Key word here: "WAS." On a cruise with her husband she began to hemorrhage and had to be flown to Puerto Rico where they managed to transfuse her with nine pints of blood and save her life. Her little baby, at 1 pound, 1 ounce, is clinging to life. Her concern at that moment? The dog. This dog is bullet proof and happy, as a picture book lab always is. He is old enough to also be quiet and gentle. I do adore this dog. He was at the house, alone. They may be gone for days, weeks, or months. He was used to cleaning up after the toddler, and looking after the family. I headed out to get him, wondering how my three, a giant lab, and I, would all manage in this little house.

When I got to the house there was no question that he needed to be with people. His head was down, and his tail low. He wasn't sure who was coming in his driveway, but one quick look told him it was NOT his family. I rolled the window down before I stopped the truck and spoke his name. He knew my voice and began to wiggle. When I got out he began to do a corgi frap! He ran as fast as he could around the house, gently touching me with his nose on each lap. We could figure something out.

I didn't feel he would be completely happy here. My life is pretty boring for him. I have no kids. After a phone call, I found a family with kids his kids' ages that was more than willing to take him in for however long was needed. Their little girl had been begging for a dog. They were not ready. Enter "the test."

I think the dog likely feels he has died and gone to doggy heaven. There is a pond. There are four children to keep his mind occupied. There are chickens that he must learn to "LEAVE IT.!" As I left he was rolling on the grass with the silliest lab grin on his face.

In a couple of hours I will call and make sure the night went well. I will make a date with the little girl and will go over with a bag of goodies and we will teach the dog to "shake hands."

I will also take her one of my (still in the wrapper) pooper scoopers.

I am honored that this new again Mom thought to call me when she was fretting about her dog.

However, this song keeps running through my head now:

If there's something strange in your neighborhood
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!
If there's something weird and it don't look good
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!

Ghostbusters Ray Parker, Jr.

Yeah, change a few words here and there and it does seem to work, doesn't it? sigh

Good thoughts are streaming to Puerto Rico. I hope it is a long time before we see this young family back in town. I will be calling to fill them in on their beloved dog in a bit.

G2 (aka the crazy dog lady)

In an effort

2010-10-31T19:40:00.001-07:00

to have more money for showing the Nugget (and pay the bills) I decided that there needed to be some changes. I have been grumbling about Century Tel since I moved here. As the bill has steadily gone up, the service has gone down, as has the reliability of said services. Lately I have been accessing the internet by way of a line strung from one end of the house to the other. Then the modem began to give out. When I last called they informed me that there was now a monthly charge on the modems, but they would be delighted to send one out, which would require a one time fee as well. So I have been researching options and pricing. My house phone has been turned off for the last week due to political telemarketers. I haven't missed it.

Today I took down the phone line strung across the house. No more need to hire an electrician, yet again, to restring phone cable under the house at another $200. (Only the jack in the bedroom is functional now). The DSL box is out of the system and I have a lot less cables tangling themselves behind the desk. The wireless router? Yep, it, and its "signal enhancer" are both unplugged and piled on the table awaiting their final fate. (Anyone need them?) The Dishnetwork folks have been called and my account has been pulled from the phone company bundle. Tomorrow I call the phone company. If they offer me a super cheap, super nothing special phone line I may spring for it so that I don't have to give out my cell number. (But it will have to be REALLY cheap.)

Oh, if you are wondering...

The wireless card from the cell company: starts at $190.00 plus a 2 year contract and upgrades to cell plan. Ends up costing more than my current bundle.

Cable: $100/month for a year, then up to $160 for what I now have and am paying $146 for.

Clear Wire: Modem for the PC and card for the laptop $60/month. Equipment is free.
DishNetwork: $60/month for what I have, but I am going to get a "deal" for a year as I offered to move to Directv.

So, as I was told (thanks, Mark), they are all pretty close in price, but I did break away from repairs and modem fees and am still over $20/month less. Not quite one class for the Nugget pup, but it was fun and I have fast and reliable internet running on both the PC and the laptop and can take the laptop anywhere and it will be free. (Pending signal, of course.)

So I can now begin the process required to get the house painted. I have the paint, but that darn wire strung around was driving me crazy. Then I will dream of the day I can pull this carpet out. One small thing at a time, but it is progress, and that makes me very happy.

Another thing that makes me happy:

Friends finding friends who end up connecting and getting a great dog. Congrats to Cotton on her new life; to Sandy and Bruce on their new companion; to Creel on his new sister that will likely drive him crazy; and to Kim and Mark for finding another perfect home for a bouncing pup. It will be great fun to read about the adventures that unfold, and see the pictures, as the family of two and four legged critters begin their journey to retirement and beyond. (It will also be an excuse for us to make a trip to New Mexico; doesn't a good breeder do occasional checks to see that all is well? and doesn't the breeder need a buddy to tag along?)

So, it was a great weekend...and I haven't even spoken of the wonderful time with two little blond girls and our early thanksgiving dinner. Perhaps tomorrow. I am plum tuckered out from all the smiling.

G2

Two years ago

2010-10-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

today. Kate came to live with me. It has been a tough road at times, and there are still things she is working through. When I think that I might have walked away, it breaks my heart. I adore this pup and will continue to work with her. I often wish I could get into her head. 99% of her quirks have been worked out; many since the puppy came to live with us. She is the ultimate care giver. She loves everyone and everything. She introduced me to a breed of dogs that is a perfect fit for me. I have no idea what the future holds, at this point. Only time will tell. One thing I do know:
I love you, Kate, and will do my best for you. Happy Gotcha day!

The day the papers were signed and the night before we headed for home to begin her new life.

She has found her place in the home. On the arm of the couch!

Her smile makes me smile.

Welcome to the funny farm.

G2

Say it isn't so

2010-10-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

I had such a blast at the last series of shows that I have been trying to get the next shows set up. It is getting to be pretty slim pickings now and I am bummed. Nugget is hot to go and I really don't want him to get out of this mood he is in. I took him to handling classes on Wednesday and he once again stepped up to the plate, but the teacher is thinking of dropping back on the classes now that the season is "winding down." Come on people...we can do indoors venues now, right?

Nugget and his mama...we be hooked!!

G2

Computer ills

2010-10-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

I haven't used my laptop since the trip to Kentucky two years ago. I know the first time I get on the internet it will take forever to scan and get cleared protection-wise. I also am thinking of buying the "tether" program for my cell so that I have free internet on the lap top whenever it is near my phone. So yesterday I set it on the desk and begin the process of checking out the Tether on a free trial. No go. I don't have the Blackberry program on the laptop. I have no disk, and must load it off the internet as I did the PC. I can't get on the internet as my wireless is funky. I can't hardwire the laptop via the cable, for some reason beyond my measely computer mind. So I sat and grumbled. I tried everything I could try and just couldn't get the connection.

Guess where I am going in a few minutes? Yep. Starbucks. I will take some time on their free internet to download the Blackberry program, and let it run its ad and virus checks. Hopefully following all that I will be able to check out the program that should allow me to access the internet anywhere I have phone service. It still won't cover me at the Mutha's house on the coast, but it might be rude to sit on the internet when visiting her and eating her fantastic fresh bread.

So I am off. I will check back in a few to share my sweet success.

G2

Back to normalcy

2010-10-19T07:18:00.000-07:00

While many will argue that "normal" is in no way a part of my life, I do, indeed, have my own normal, and we are there. The dogs are all at my feet. Literally. I dropped all the bones off the desk. They were at one time matching. There are many. Of course they want the same one. So they are snarking at each other and have about two more minutes before I do the bone sweep which will bring them all back on the desk until tomorrow morning. They seem to enjoy chewing a big bone after they eat, and it buys me time for sun up before we go out to the field for chores. Like children they have quickly gone past the "I missed you so very much" to the sibling rivalry.

Picking up the two from "Doggy camp" was quite the adventure. Henry went crazy in a way only Henry can. I have bruises on my thighs from him tagging me mid frap. Kate just coyly stood next to me with the tip of her tail wagging. We got into the car and she sat close and then began to very methodically lick me. By the stop sign she was wiggling everywhere and had the biggest grin I have seen on her, ever. (She reminded me of Polly after her first sheep herding trek.)

We got home and both just wanted in the house. Bugget-Nutt was inside barking hysterically. When they all got together no dog touched the other. They just ran crazily up and down the hall. It was time to reunite with Windy, the horse. I really needed to save the house! Windy was delighted to see her babies back and trotted over to say "hi." She quickly found that they would not stand still for a true greeting and gave it up. They were running full speed; tongues wagging and silly dog grins brightening the new morning light. After a few minutes of ball fetching, a whole lot of territorial marking by Miss Kate, and silly grinning from me, we were ready for the first quiet time of the new day.

My truck is only half unpacked. The two older dogs need baths. I need to work on my grooming technique with Nugget. Laundry needs to be done. Bills need to be paid. I need to vote. The list grows.

I think I will crawl back in bed and snuggle with my pups for a while and see what the DVR recorded while I was gone.

I love my life...

G2

Adventures in clusters

2010-10-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

Boise. What can I say. Long drive. Good friends. Long hours. Crazy times with no idea what day of the week it is. Throw in some grumpy folk, some sheep herding, puppy sitting, crazy eating(or lack of), constant dog grooming and eating of chalk, hair product, and hair. This was my past four days. of course add to that mix a lot of stories, a lot of laughter, some tears, puppy loves, incredible lessons in not only handling, but in life. Best of all was the friendship. I would have added a few more to the mix to make it "perfect" but nothing is ever "perfect" as then we wouldn't have anything to look forward to.

Oh yeah. Scars. Saturday night a blister erupted and popped behind my knee. It is still bugging the heck out of me and I must find a way to remedy this. Apparently we just don't build callouses back there. Ouch. Then there were the mental ones, but I think I will leave those alone.

After all is said and done there is only one question that remains...

Who the heck would want to do a bowel prep right before leaving for a several hour drive home??

Made you smile, didn't I? (No it certainly was NOT me!!)

G2

Already?

2010-10-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

I feel like I just got home and am now re-packing for the long drive to Idaho. Wait, I DID just get home!

Today is list day. And put the canopy on the truck day. And secure horse feeding day. And bath day. sigh.

It is majors all four days. If numbers haven't changed in Idaho it is 5 point majors all four days. I haven't bothered to look it up. I guess I am not yet a REAL dog show person or I would know.

At this point I am hoping for consistency on the Nugget. If he will do as well in Boise as he did in Richland I will be beyond happy.

The other two will be staying on Bainbridge Island. I will try not to fret, but it is the first time I have left Kate overnight, and I worry about her mental health. She has a few bizarre habits that she falls into when stressed and I am going to try not to think about it. This is Nugget's time. He has never had one on one for an extended length of time so it will be intense. He will have Rossi and Flower to tussle with, so that will hopefully get the puppiness out before he enters the ring.

I am bound and determined to just enjoy the ride. Yep, there will be plenty of things that can get to me, but darn it, I refuse to let them. I have various outlets and escapes around. I sure wish my favorite partner in crime was coming...

So I am off. First up? I haven't a clue. Perhaps the canopy so I can get a bale of hay.

Later, y'all.

G2

DM conference

2010-10-08T06:21:00.000-07:00

internet photo of "Maggie"

on Sunday, then I pack and leave for Boise on Wednesday.

I look forward to learning a bit more about the dreaded disease that strikes down so many dogs and puts them in wheelchairs. My dogs have been tested. Kate is a carrier and Nugget is clear. A very simple cheek swab is all it takes. The researcher at the forefront of the studies is coming to Bellevue and it should be interesting to hear where the research is heading and how we can help stomp this disease without bringing in something else equally as dire. As people we tend to jump on a cause and forgot all the peripheral stuff. As people who want to save the integrity of a breed of dogs we must concentrate on the total picture. This is but one small piece. Thanks go out to the Cascade Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club for arranging this conference and making it affordable.

Mark Thorson photo

Next week the Nugg-man and I get a bit of one on one time. The two of us will drive eight hours to Boise, Idaho for four days of shows arranged by his Grandma and Aunty Kims. I hate to say it, but we have never had extensive one on one time. Just training time here and there. Gma Kim promises help on some training for both of us. Mostly I look forward to bringing the fun back into this sport. We have decent ring times that will allow for morning grooms. The numbers are good, and the company great. Will Polly Putt-Putt increase her point values? Will Nuggie get his first? Stay tuned...there is WiFi at the fairgrounds so the laptop will be going along for updates.

G2

3 days, 3 dogs

2010-10-05T05:01:00.000-07:00

90 degrees and a small camper.

All packed and headed out, and I wondered what I had forgotten...
there is always something...

The dogs were wonderful. I could not have been happier with them. Henry and Kate were along to support their little brother, and because I didn't want to deal with boarding them. I was glad I had them all. Each plays a specific role in my life and helps keep me balanced. Yep, I was going to say "sane" but I think the jury is still out on that one.

The setting was gorgeous. Across the small road from the truck was the Columbia river. Woody Guthrie was in my head the entire weekend. The Blue Bridge not only bore the flag that we saluted each morning, but also the lights.

Roll on, Columbia, roll on, roll on, Columbia, roll on
Your power is turning our darkness to dawn
So roll on, Columbia, roll on.

As a kid we did a lot of car camping each summer. We visited the many important places around the state. All of the parks saw our boat of a station wagon, and I remember visiting many dams as well. The Grand Coulee gave Dad a chance to talk state history; which seemed a passion of his. His words echoed in my head each night as I went to bed with that river at my head.

On day two I realized what I had forgotten. Shoes. Matching ones anyway. Yep. Four hours of driving away were the two matching shoes that made a real set. sigh. If they could make sensors in prosthetic feet perhaps I would have noticed. But they don't and I sure as heck was not going to make an eight hour drive for a shoe. All was fine. No one was checking out my shoes anyway. Because, you see, we had the absolute best, most stunning, best groomed, most perfect, winningest, doggies in our camp. Bar none. And many were pups. Not cutesy little puppy breath pups, but stunning little show dogs. And the best of the best. I held my head high as I walked my guy around and the voices became hushed. I hadn't a clue.

First of all we had a warm water dog wash that Jason and Alta bring with them. Warmed by a propane tank, it was awesome! Quite a number of folks would stop by in the early hours hoping to get in a quick wash before we got up. It was not to be, as my dogs are up by five. On day two one person did actually approach me inquire as to the ownership. After a day in the 90 degree heat she wanted to use it for her hair. I had already planned the same thing; there were no showers in the bathrooms. (I owe you propane $$, Jason.) At 6am I figured it was not good to wake anyone so we both did a quick wash and felt renewed. I think my dogs were hoping that MY use of the sprayer meant they were safe from it. They quietly watched from their pens after being sworn to secrecy.

Then there is the fact that people had set up encampments according to breeding lines. We could sit and stare at the river. They could sit and stare at us. (Perhaps it was my shoes that were so fun to look at?) I am not a mingler. I hated junior high dances. I felt fourteen again. I just got busy. Nuggie buggie got some last minute work and training. He is easy for me to lose myself in.

The classes came and the classes went. I just got more and more confused. I was beginning to think I understood what judges were looking at or for in this crazy breed of dogs. (NOT!) So I concentrated on my dog. After all, he is perfect, you know!

So, I came home a wee bit wiser. We came home tired. I came home appreciating the people I have met along the way. We came home with a few dollars and more toys. Best of all, I came home knowing that I am on the right path.

Well, in truth, best of all were all the pictures that were taken of my little pup dog.

Thanks to good friends Machelle, Jesse and family for the visit and support. I miss my motorcycle buddies and being so close to them, yet hooked to the camper meant they had to come to me, and they did. Machelle also came armed with her camera.

Mark and Kim also carry their camera and are pros at stacking and directing for the perfect shot.

possible website photos

The opening photo will be copied onto to canvas for my wall. I love Nugget's eye. He really performed this weekend, and he did it because he wanted to please me. What more could anyone want??

This one grabs me as well...

Thanks, friends. You are all why I do this.

G2

For a Seven Year Old?

2010-09-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

Number One grand child turns seven next week and her party will be when I am at the Specialty in Richland. So yesterday we celebrated early. When asked what she wants there will be two answers "Littlest Pet Shop" and "Horses." She has a gazillion LPS things, and with Plum getting more and more mobile I just didn't want to be a part of the little pieces that went through the diaper, or the "Mom, she's bugging me!" club. So I put on my thinking hat. This is a very creative story telling kid. She is very crafty, but I am not. Not going to try to purchase anything of that variety as her Mom can take care of it. So,after an "aha" moment, I headed out in search of the perfect gift. At one time a person could purchase a little word processor. They are no longer available. There is no way I am springing for a computer that likely would crash...Did you know they still make, and sell, typewriters? Yep. I got the kid a typewriter. Crazy? Perhaps, but everyone I told has done the split second hesitation followed by "what a great idea."

This kid knows my style. I wrapped up a ream of paper and attached a card to it and gave that to her. She tried to be excited. She tried to be amused. She saw right through me. She hadn't a clue what a typewriter was when she did open the big box. However, when we plugged it in and inserted a sheet of paper she was gone. She spent hours typing. We had to literally turn the thing off to get her to go to bed. She was in the middle of a story about a dog, a cat, a bird, and something else walking along loving each other and their world. Each night she goes to bed with a "good dream start." That is just a little story that has an unstated happy ending. She gets to think about the happy ending as she falls to sleep. It is a great exercise in spontaneous story telling, but I must say I am a bit tired of princesses skipping through the woods on their way to Granny's house. Last night she went to bed without a story from me or her Mom. She had her own story brewing, fresh from the typewriter. By bedtime she knew where every letter on the keyboard was, so while she still pecked at the keys with one finger, she was pretty quick. It was fun to see her so enthralled. On the way home, however, I had that moment when I said to myself "what the heck was I thinking?"

I'll put pictures out in a bit. They are still on the camera.

Oh, and yes, of course, I did indeed buy the replacement insurance...

G2

Things I've learned on my summer vacation

2010-09-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

Vacation? Well, not so much!

1. I do enjoy a challenge.

2. I also do enjoy Cardigan Welsh Corgis...perhaps that goes with the first one, eh?

3. You meet the nicest people while under pressure.

4. My parents still have my back...and whisper encouragement when I need it

5. There really are not enough hours in a day, nor days in a week.

6. My kids, grandkids, and their spouses are really going to be OK.

7. Family is everything, but they are not necessarily all blood related.

8. Technology is truly my friend.

And today's aha moment?
9. You cannot stop the dog's rolling tennis ball with a running blade.

Nor a tomato.

G2

I think we need a song of the day

"We are the Champions"-Queen

I've paid my dues -
Time after time -
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime -
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face -
But I've come through

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world -

I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls -
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
-
I thank you all -

But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise -
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race -
And I ain't gonna lose -

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end -
We are the champions -
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world -

yeah, I know, but that is what is in my head right now, sorry. Back to your regularly scheduled programs...for me that means bathing dogs after vacuuming, after dusting, after dinner.

Tri-broke-tri

2010-09-13T06:23:00.000-07:00

It was a crazy weekend.

Friday afternoon/evening was spent helping the Mary Meyers Tri group get people ready for the race on Saturday. I got my numbers painted on as well as my bag of goodies and arranged for help getting out of the water and into my leg. However, it was Friday, so then spent an hour and a half sitting in line for the ferry. When I got home it was playtime for the doggies and bedtime for me. Yeah, that really doesn't work too well. Luckily the volunteers were force fed veggie sub sandwiches, so I did have something to eat before my obligatory "hush, it's bedtime"s.

Up bright and early Saturday as I hadn't even packed the night before. The bike needed tire pressure checked, cables lubed, chain cleaned and lubed. I needed some nerve tonic, but that was not to be. Instead I loaded my bucket of stuff and myself in the truck and headed for the ferry. This race was just mine. Not for the kids, or the grandkids. Just me. I went about getting my transition area set up. Got in to the zone, so to speak. I went down to the water's edge and arranged my volunteers and then made the snap decision to do the swim without my wetsuit. The water was in the 60s somewhere, but I honestly didn't feel it as the adreneline kicked in. All went well in the swim portion. I still had a few issues getting back to the leg, but it is a work in progress. Two wonderful volunteers waded in and became my support/crutches. The bike portion was interesting. Because of construction the route had been changed and two plus miles were added. The bike is my achilles heal. (An interesting analogy as my original injury was to my left achilles tendon!) Anyway, no son to coach, but no son to hold back, I headed out on the bike. I wore my watch this time and set a few little goals, time wise. I really wanted to be back before the awards ceremony was in full swing. I soon found myself cat and mousing with another woman. As she passed me the look of joy was a kick. "You are the first person I have ever passed" said she. Gee, I think I was happy to give her that wee bit of pleasure, but it did sting a bit. Soon enough she did ME the favor as I soon overtook her. The hills were tough, but for the most part I stayed on the bike, until the second half of the second lap. That was when I realized that somewhere along the route I had lost the cap to the suction valve that holds my leg secure. Actually I just knew that I had lost the suction, I didn't know until later why that was. If I got off the bike I had to hold my leg on as I walked. At least on the bike the pedal held it on. No more wimping out, I guess! Unfortunately with each turn of the pedal my residual limb was smacking and shearing inside the socket of my prosthesis. That is where the importance of the volunteers came in. That is also where the importance of my fellow competitors comes in. All kept me going. Just keep peddling, peddling, peddling. Transition to the run was smooth. Sunglasses and running leg on, helmet off. Number on. My leg was wasted. The long side. I did very little running. My time was going to suck. I decided that if I couldn't run then I sure as heck was going to "power" walk. Until I came upon my biker friend. She was struggling. How the heck she got in front of me is beyond me...I slowed down and we walked the last quarter mile together. She kept trying to run but it was obvious that she was spent. I suggested she wait until the last few yards and run the finish line. She took off and pitched toward the ground. After gathering her, and my nerves, I told her to just walk it and I would wait until she was over to go. She did, I did, and that was that. Medallion was placed and I went back to get out of the running blade and into my trusty everything leg. That was when I discovered the missing valve. Bummer. It was Saturday, I had to be up at the crack of dawn to go volunteer at the Kitsap Tri-Turtle-Tri. My back was already objecting to the two inch height difference in the running blade. It is just not made to walk in, and I had done more than enough during the race. No fixie until Monday. Note made: get spare parts and keep in the bike repair bag. I gimped down to the beach to watch the kids tri. There is nothing cuter than an eight year old boy, goggles on, board shorts hanging below his knees, number painted on his stick thin arm, running out of the lake and into the transition area. They were so darn cute. I wanted my little friend Gabe there. He could have taken them all. The short bike route, with a couple riding with training wheels, was followed by a sprint around the park and thru the finish line. Now THAT'S what it is all about!!

Home I went to lick my wounds. I had a huge bruise on the distal end of my tibia and a blister forming next to it. I knew that once the leg was off I would not be able to get it back on. So I took the dogs out for a quick game of fetch, cleaned up the results of two days of marrow bones, took some ibuprofen for my aching back, and head to bed for a nap.

When I got out of bed I checked to see if I could rob Mary to pay Paul. Steal the suction valve from the running blade and put it on the walking leg. No can do. sigh. Instead I dug out a leg that I was going to donate. It is several legs ago, but I just hadn't remembered to take it in. Now it will stay. It was roomy enough to stuff my swollen stump. By now my running blade had developed a weird chirp with each step, so that valve had developed a leak as well. Hmmmm. There must be something better, me thinks. At any rate, it was decided that I would be doing little the rest of the day, and after a steak dinner, nothing but 10 ounces of beef steak, really, only steak, I fell sound asleep.

Sunday I got to the park at 6:20 and put on my "Crew" shirt. It was the hardest job I have ever done, bar none. I watched the bikes. Some of the bikes on the "VIP" rack cost more than my truck! They were amazing. The athletes were pretty amazing too. Darn!! Wearing that volunteer shirt allowed me to get up close and personal with them. It also allowed me to get even closer as they left and I insisted on checking bike number against the numbers painted on their legs, which were carefully covered for warmth, by the big time athletes. "Excuse me, sir, but I need to pull your pants leg up and check your number. Oh, two layers? Perhaps it would be easier to pull them down..." It's a tough job, but we sure wouldn't want anyone walking out with someone else's bike, now would we? Sorry, I got ahead of myself. As each person left the bike area, during the race, then returned, I worked the cowbell. I took all of my frustration at not being out there on the clapper of that bell. The elite athletes were coming in at just after an hour. Total time. There was still a person in the water. It was incredible. They were fine tuned machines. We were betting on who would be first out, then first back. Super kid Dane Ballou won the race with a great time (1:11:22) that even made him happy. (Marty Krafcik and his amazing super bike finished at 1:13:09.) An amazing kid, and incredible athlete. He has trained hard and deserved the win. The next racer wasn't even close. For the next three hours racers trickled in. An aid car came and went. We checked bikes out and people went home. Finally word came down that the last person was a mile from the finish. I could not go home. She was a Tri-Babe. The tents were coming down and soon everything but the finish line was bundled up. She was coming! She had an entourage of volunteers with her. She was not going to quit. As she entered the park I began to cry. Our eyes met. She was my swim buddy. She gave me a hug and whispered to me that I inspired her. Darn!! I asked if I could walk her to the finish line. It was just around the corner. We walked arm in arm until twenty feet to the line. I stepped aside and went around. Once she was through(4:06:40) I told her to let it go. The tears. She did. Her family gathered her up. The pride was palpable. I hope she does another. I hope she trains with me next year. As far as I was concerned the most important people that day were the two that crossed the line first and last. They both will continue to carry me.

So my season is now over officially. I will continue to train and will focus on losing the weight that I gained a couple of years ago when I went out of remission. Yeah, I am backwards and gain weight. I am, however, hooked and will also spend the winter trying hard to "become one with the bike." They say hate is so very close to love, right? Perhaps I will learn to love that darn bike.

In an hour I can call for an appointment to get my leg fixed.

What a weekend!

G2

"If I have nothing nice to say..."

2010-09-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

AKC Code of Sportsmanship
PREFACE: The sport of purebred dog competitive events
dates prior to 1884, the year of AKC’s birth. Shared
values of those involved in the sport include principles of
sportsmanship. They are practiced in all sectors of our sport:
conformation, performance and companion. Many believe
that these principles of sportsmanship are the prime reason
why our sport has thrived for over one hundred years.
With the belief that it is useful to periodically articulate
the fundamentals of our sport, this code is presented.
• Sportsmen respect the history, traditions and integrity
of the sport of purebred dogs.
• Sportsmen commit themselves to values of fair play,
honesty, courtesy, and vigorous competition, as well as
winning and losing with grace.
• Sportsmen refuse to compromise their commitment and
obligation to the sport of purebred dogs by injecting
personal advantage or consideration into their decisions
or behavior.
• The sportsman judge judges only on the merits of the dogs
and considers no other factors.
• The sportsman judge or exhibitor accepts constructive
criticism.
• The sportsman exhibitor declines to enter or exhibit under
a judge where it might reasonably appear that the judge’s
placements could be based on something other than the
merits of the dogs.
• The sportsman exhibitor refuses to compromise the
impartiality of a judge.
• The sportsman respects the AKC bylaws, rules, regulations
and policies governing the sport of purebred dogs.
• Sportsmen find that vigorous competition and civility are
not inconsistent and are able to appreciate the merit of
their competition and the effort of competitors.
• Sportsmen welcome, encourage and support newcomers to
the sport.
• Sportsmen will deal fairly with all those who trade with
them.
• Sportsmen are willing to share honest and open
appraisals of both the strengths and weaknesses of
their breeding stock.
• Sportsmen spurn any opportunity to take personal
advantage of positions offered or bestowed upon them.
• Sportsmen always consider as paramount the
welfare of their dog.
• Sportsmen refuse to embarrass the sport, the American
Kennel Club, or themselves while taking part in the sport.

G2
(Got it Dad)

Tri again

2010-09-07T16:34:00.000-07:00

on Saturday. This is basically a replay of the very first one that I did with my son. He will be biking for MS that day. This is a Super Sprint, so easily done by any one of you reading this. 1/4 mile swim, ten or so mile bike, and 1.5 mile run. it makes me smile when I think back to how freaked I was in June when I did this race. Now I know I can do it, so just enjoy "the ride." Wonderful people are involved in this sport. I cannot say enough about all the support I have received.

On Sunday is the Kitsap Tri-Babe Tri. This is put on by the group that I belong to and train with. I will volunteer at the bike transition area on it. I am sufficiently healed from the Danskin and this is about the same distance but with MUCH tougher terrain. I could probably do it, but would risk my health a bit too much to feel comfortable.

This was taken following the Danskin...the heat and emotions got me; that and the five blisters on the stump and one on the foot. I really didn't want to move. (Thanks, dear, for that wonderful picture. I will get you later.)

So, you wonder why the heck I want to double the number next summer? Yep, I wonder the same thing. I think it is a bit like banging your head on a brick wall; it just feels so darn good when you stop!!

G2

Whining, snarling, panting

2010-09-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

and begging. Yep, that would be me talking to the dogs these days. Another week or two and all should be back as it was. This house has not been so hormone laden in at least ten years.

Two triathlons this coming weekend. Volunteering on Sunday will be difficult, but I'm not so crazy as to think I can do it...

HENRY!! NUGGET! KAAAAATE!!!

G2

Junk mail

2010-08-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

How do I get on these lists?? My junk mail box numbers go up and down, whether I surf the internet or not. I never open any unless I know that they shouldn't be in that folder, but somedays there are so many that I must scroll down a few times to check them all.

Today I found myself amused by the collection. Lately there have been a lot of folks wanting to bust into my Facebook account via "Facebook survey." My facebook account is on the highest security setting, which can be frustrating to even me at times, but still seems like the best idea, so I leave it. Of course there are the "You have won" and multiple PayDay loan entries. How the heck did I get on their lists?? Understand, of course, that I am only reading the subject line...these are just a few of today's entries:

From WILLIAM COLGATE II (yep all caps, must be important) "Hello"
MICHAEL vanDERT (I guess the "van" is NOT so important)"COMPENSATION ON YOUR PAST EFFORT"
Barrister Frank Johnston (important title to HIS name) "Personal Proposal"

I love that I have a fund at the Jomo Kenyatta Int'l airport in Nairobi; perhaps that is what the email from the UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF OVERSIGHT SERVICES is all about. Then of course all the Life insurance and car warranty stuff.

My favorite of the day is between these two:
"Legitimate work at home job" I sure wouldn't want an illegitimate job...
and this one:
"Gain in Size Fast" Well, I think I may know about that one, sigh

Oh my! I must go. Mr. Pokuaa Yaa just wrote to me about my Allocation Oil Quota...SCORE!!

G2

Talk, loss of, and lots of smiles

2010-08-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

I have a yearly event that I do with my oldest grandchild. The county fair. We started when she was still in a front pack, and now I get her on my own. She is school age, so our time is much more limited and these things must be carefully planned and choreographed. The date was set for Friday (yesterday). I arranged a walk on the ferry pick up on Thursday.

She is six, so it is no longer a freebie passage. sigh. (I just read that ferry fares have gone up 80% in the last ten years! No wonder it seems so expensive to visit my kids; it is!) So it goes. I picked her up Thursday around noon. She came bearing a couple of bags; one with her "Lion" and the other a suitcase. Of course the Princess Katelan big headed bobble Littlest Pet Shop also had to come so it could party with MY Princess Katelan, and the real Katelan too, and, and, and...Yep, all the way back to the ferry the excited six year old chattered and filled my world with words. Then all the way home, out to the field, during lunch, dinner: I think this kid may also talk in her sleep! She is very cute. She talks to the dogs and has tea parties when I can no longer take it. Again, in full speed chatter mode. The dogs LOVE it. Absolutely LOVE it! They see it as undivided attention....little do they know!! They sit and enjoy the pretend play. Watching her chatter with cocked heads. We go outside and the four kids, three four leggeds and one two legged, run and play together in the field. She laughing hysterically at something that Grandma is apparently not privy too.

During an almost quiet moment it was decided that we needed to check on the neighbor who had taken a weird fall a few days ago. It was after dinner, so maybe around 7:30 or 8 when we went over. It had begun to rain so we drove the truck. Dusk is short right now, and darkness comes quite quickly. In the short time we were visiting darkness fell in the woods in which we live. (She later told her Mom that we were over until midnight.) It is amazing how exhausting chatter can be to the listener and I was ready to head for bed...a trail of chatter following behind. Suddenly my evening routine was destroyed. I couldn't find my cell phone. I called it six or eight times. No response. Panic set in. Retracing steps I remembered calling daughter while on the ferry, but that was all I could remember. The ferry, Walmart, Burger King. That was it. First call was to the neighbor, who was also exhausted and had gone to bed. Nope, she didn't hear my phone ringing at her house. I grabbed a flashlight and retraced my now very wet steps around the house and out to the field. No phone in sight. I stopped and pondered the thought that it really could be in the hole that I dug and filled with the new tree; the tree to replace the one I had cut down the day before; (make note, drill out that stump and fill holes with rock salt.) What a thought. Can you say "dead Blackberry?" I went to bed figuring on making phone calls the next morning...and hoping someone would have found my phone and turned it in.

After a very fitful sleep I called BK, WallyWorld, and the ferry system. Nope, nope, and a message to be left as no one was answering the Lost and Found line with the ferry system. We were off to the fair.

Our county fair has little passports for the kids. There are twenty, or so, stations that they go to and get the areas stamped. After all the areas have been stamped then the passport can be turned in and there is a drawing for some little prize. Grandkid loves doing this, and now can read and follow the map. We were off on our quest; forget the rides, forget the junk food. She was on a mission. After we got a good number of stamped spots, we could then go back to the barns and enjoy the animals. Have I mentioned lately how much I love my new leg? We walked non stop for over three hours. NON STOP. Then we grabbed a bite to eat...her a Quesadilla, me a taco salad. That took all of maybe fifteen minutes, and we were back on the quest to fill the passport. It took five and a half hours. The final four spots were tough to find. The map was wrong. We finally found one of the stations, and she stamped three of the four spots. Score!! As Grandma was on her last legs, grand kid found the last stamp. We were done. Turn it in? No way!! She worked way to hard to give up her prized passport. We grabbed a blank one and filled out the form and turned it in. To the six year old it was all about the adventure, not the prize. That's my girl!

Heading for home I said a little prayer that there would be a message on the house line that the ferry system had my phone. When I got home there was a message...but it was from my doctor informing me that he needed to see me. Oh oh...

A call to the neighbor to make sure she was alright and the decision to call cell carrier and shut down the phone. "First," says neighbor, "try calling me one more time." After eight calls, what was the chance? I did, and she answered. I wanted to cry. You see, we wandered around the fairgrounds with no camera, and no watch. I use the cell phone for both. We couldn't call daughter to figure out plans to return kid, and keep her informed of the passport progress. I couldn't share the excited chatter coming from her six year old. Now all was right in the world once more. The phone had fallen into the cushion of the chair I sat in. It simply could not be heard by my close to eighty year old neighbor until she was almost sitting on it. She brought the phone up to me, and kidnapped the grand child so I could grab a nap.

After an orange dinner (mac and cheese, peach yogurt, and cantalope) we settled in for another night. This time I would be able to sleep; yeah right.

Kate needed her pants in the middle of the night. In two or three weeks we will be able to relax and resume some sort of normalcy. She doesn't mind the diaper. Show dogs put up with so much. It is just another "thing" that she must deal with. I needed to wake up enough to remember where I had stashed everything eight months ago.

The new day has dawned. Today is prepare Nugget for showing. Pack truck and bags. At some point the kid exchange. For now it is Saturday morning kid shows on PBS. I gave in and plugged my grand kid into the the media box. I feel so guilty. But I need a break. I am too old for this...

However, I wouldn't change it for the world. Well, perhaps I might opt for an occasional quiet spell now and then.

Time to go bathe a puppy.

G2

Scratching

2010-08-25T05:29:00.000-07:00

Nope. No fleas. (ewwww) No rash to be found. But it seems that the girls in this house are becoming a tad bit unpredictable.

First the four legged one. Young "muffin" seems way too interested in Kate's every movement the past two days. It seems the Cardi-event with all those handsome boys tweaked her hormones over the edge and she will soon join Kitty in the competition for most desirable. In short: scratch Sammamish for her. Luckily we will not be breaking a major. It is not unexpected. I have been waiting since later July. It's just a pain. At three years old it is time to make some decisions with her, and I dread it. I would love to finish her, but I think I need to take her out of the area to do it. Truth be told is that I have a very finishable dog now so the pressure is off of Kate. Sadly she has now decided the show ring is fun...if we stop this we must find another sport in which we can work together. She is not the couch potato type.

Then there is me. I have two triathlons coming up. On the same weekend. One on Saturday. One on Sunday. Do both? hahaha. Not possible. One is here. The other on the other side of the pond. Both are run by women that I admire, and both want me there. The easy way out would be to take the ferry and do the one over there. It is shorter. I have done it before and know what to expect. Over here is "home." The bike route is tougher. The race itself is twice as long on all legs (yep, pun intended). I have until Tuesday to decide if I will scratch this one over here. There is a waiting list of people wanting to do it. I can give them my spot and get my money back. The person running the other one has not given me an entry deadline. She said she will "get me in." It is interesting, this weird twist. I started to do triathlons to prove something within myself. Done. I can do it. I can stop now...right? Wrong! Not only am I hooked on the push, training, and crossing that finish line, but there is something huge in helping others find that "push" to cross the line. I don't like being so obvious and out there. But I am. I must deal with it. If gets someone off their duff, that is good. Anyone can do a tri. Seriously. A half mile swim. Come on! Twelve mile bike. No biggy. Three mile run. So walk it. My mom died at age 57. I am 56. I plan on seeing the grandkids graduate. She never saw her's even get into school. I do believe that we have become less active physically as we have become more active in the work force. There just aren't enough hours in a day to do it all. Sadly it is the kids, and grandkids, that really suffer as we pass on the habit of inactivity. I hope someday to cross that finish line with a grandkid in tow. (Perhaps next year my two oldest will be ready. I can hope.) So, I will be at both events, but only enter one. My fancy cowbell that my son made will get a workout at the one I don't run. At this point I haven't a clue what I will do, so I just keep training.

Just as I do with the dogs. It is indeed a crazy life, and it is indeed my life. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Just what exactly do people do in the winter when all the races and shows dwindle away??? No wonder we suffer from seasonal depression, eh? (For me, I am hoping the truck is paid off so I can join the gym and get my "rush" that way.)

So I am off. The track calls my name and then it is back home to clean the pool. I'd really like to crawl back to bed and figure out who is going where, and when...

G2

I could have sworn

2010-08-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

that he hadn't changed that much...

Coedwig's Alchemist 4/21/2010 with his adoring big sis Castell Katelan (who just wants to tear the tape off his ears!)

and Shep's picture from Saturday, 8/21/2010

How, and when, did that happen? (He is still my baby, just not my itty bitty puppy. I sure don't miss the taped ears drama.) What a difference four months makes.

G2

The highlight

2010-08-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

photos taken by W.York; thanks, Shep!

of the show weekend was the Cardi-pardi on Saturday at Samhain (as usual). We were all a bit burned out and confused, and tired. The dogs? They just wanted to have fun!! Caleb and Simon joined the mix and are such very good boys. Mark outdid himself at the helm of the bar-b-q yet again, and I neglected to snag some of the salmon, the tuna, and the fresh Happy Valley corn. Yep, lame. I admit it.

Nugget is in love with Wendy, who wants to chew his face off, but secretly likes him too. The lovely Miss Kitty was allowed to come out and play and got slobbered on, but managed to avoid rolling in the chicken do-do. I think we were all a bit surprised that Grandma Kim actually let her come out and play as she is a grooming chore like Nugget. It was such fun to see littermates Nugget, Shea, and Flower together. They are from the first Carbon frozen litter, and Lilac sure produced some pretty babies. Nugget is huge, and very boyish. The girls are very dainty and pretty. My choice is boys that look like boys and girls that look like girls. There is no doubt when looking at these pups. Kate got a chance to be wooed by Casper, who thinks she is "just right." She is a bit smitten with him as well, but puppies always rule to Kate, and there were plenty to choose from.

I have no idea why I was so wiped out, and stressed out on Saturday. The party allowed me to unwind before heading for home with two exhausted dogs. I had to be up at 4am to get dogs ready for an 8am ring call. Unfortunately the long side was cramping up most of the night, for whatever reason. (Perhaps the lack of aforementioned salmon, tuna and corn, eh?) 'Twas a long, but very short, night. After bathing Nugget and getting him about half dry this morning, I opted to leave Kate at home. She was quite happy to sleep in, although she was a trooper in the ring on Saturday. She was happy, with smiling face and wagging tail. There is not a lot more I can ask of her. In the beginning of this adventure she hated the show ring, and let everyone know that she was being tortured. Now she is happy. Not winning, but happy. At what point do I quit with her? If she were miserable I would say "now." She is so very pretty up front; I just don't know...Anyway, pupster was every bit the puppy this morning. He is so cute, and come on, judge, give me a seven month old pup that doesn't boink a bit! It means they are happy, right?? I love him so much it hurts. I know, I am completely herd blind. He should have taken Best of Breed both days. yep. I know it. Nugget knows it. Nothing else matters.

After quick good-byes and one last crawl into Leo's lap and chomp on his eyebrows, (uhh, yea, that would be Nugget doing that, not me!) we headed for home and a nap. Next week we continue our quest for points in Redmond. It is such an interesting sport...thank goodness for Samhain cardi-pardies! (And friends who are amazing photographers!)

G2

2 clean dogs

2010-08-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

The truck is loaded.
The dogs are clean.
I wonder what the heck I was thinking entering two dogs in the shows.
The pool is clean and covered. The dishes are done.

The alarm is set. I am off to bed.
I must leave here shortly after 7.

This is just what I need for the post race blues.

G2

Some people go to Disneyland...

2010-08-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

Swimming and Biking and Running

2010-08-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

Oh My!!

The Seattle Danskin Triathlon is in the books, and I am there, having crossed the finish line. I am now here nursing bumps and bruises and popped blisters, and a crazy grin, and a lot of tears. Life is sweet, isn't it? This was an interesting one. I was a nervous wreck. My body cleaned itself out. But I was so excited I could hardly stand myself. I never once wanted to bail out of it. Ok, I take that back; two weeks before when it was in the 90s I was a bit freaked and decided I would not do it in that heat...yeah, right! Then we were graced with some pretty rain, and much cooler temperatures and I got excited. VERY excited. I knew I could do it. I knew I MUST do it. The weather the week before stayed cool and pretty, until Saturday when it began to heat up. By then my bike was at the transition area, and I had a number painted on my arm and a shirt that I was told I must not wear until I cross the finish line. Hey. Why waste a perfectly good shirt, right?

The night before the night before I got little sleep. No big deal; I would sleep better the next night, which would be pre-race night. All's good. Check in was at Seattle Center and was a zoo. A real zoo. I went with a friend, whose picture will grace the heading of this post (thanks, Nom!) and her four adorable munchkins. It was to be hot, and we went early enough to get a fairly decent spot in line. Like lambs to slaughter we were herded around from line to line. We snagged a few free things, registered and got our timing chips, swim caps and number plates. Then headed to the venue to park our bikes for the next day. The four kids were amazing. I was delighted to not only see them, but use them for some great mental diversion. Had they been whiney or crying hysterically it might have been different, but they weren't and we shared a few songs and stories to keep my mind off the next day's work. Then we got to the ferry. Three hour wait, the sign said. It can't be true, says I. But once again, I was wrong. Once finally on the ferry the younger three kids were SOOOO ready to get out of their car seats and wander and eat. The oldest stayed in the car with me and we talked about fun things like armpit hair. You see, we were the first car on the downside of the upper ramp. It was 90 degrees outside and there were a bunch of folks out on the observation decks, which extend above, and over, the edges of the car deck. Anyone in a tank top, or without a shirt, gave us a perfect view of their armpits. (And yes, I did secretly check my own, and they were fine, thank you very much!) As the ferry pulled in I thought about my schedule for the rest of the day. In bed by 7 as I needed to be up at 3 to make the two hour drive around Puget Sound; the ferry system just was cutting it too close....IF it ran as scheduled.

As I rounded the bend to the house I remembered: the neighbor's were having a wedding that day...NOPE! That NIGHT! With a live band. A very loud live band that was mere feet from my bedroom. And people. My dogs were going crazy with each car that pulled up. The guest "yes" list was at 103. Funny, that was the temperature in bedroom, or so it seemed. I decided to cool off in the pool and just go to bed. And the band played on...and on...and on...I remember looking at the clock around 11...

I was up at three going over the check list one final time, throwing things into the truck, setting up fans for the dogs and giving them frozen bones for the day. No breakfast for either them or for me.

I filled my bottles with electrolyte mix and stuffed a few gel packs and protein bars in a fanny pack and hit the road. The idea of eating anything at 3am made me nauseous. Perhaps I would stop on the road for something. (No, not roadkill, silly readers!) Parking was at Safeco field and we were shuttled to the venue, on the other side of I-5 by school buses. I paid my money, parked my truck, gathered my things, and headed for the shuttle. I had somehow forgotten that school buses are loud. School buses have no suspension. Oh yes, and school buses take very round about routes that make a few mile ride take forever! It's true. They are, and they did. I never ate. I needed to get to the venue and secure assistance getting my leg to the "out" ramp and helping me to my leg after the swim. I needed some "me" time; OK call it prayer time, if you'd like. I needed all the help I could get doing this thing. It suddenly seemed huge.

The lake water was choppy. If I were to water ski it, I would want a tooth protector in my mouth. It was that choppy. 3000+ women were going to jump into the water and swim over the top of little old me, who is just going to just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...Let me just say that I came out of the swim portion well hydrated, and I was not alone. A race? Nope, not to me. An event! As I placed myself on the bulkhead I was greated with the first of many "Are you Nancy?"s. It turned out to be the person whose name graces the Triathlon that I did with my son a couple of months ago. We had emailed back and forth a few times. It was nice to meet her face to face. We chatted. We hugged. I stumbled up and off to my bike. The sound of cowbells and hoots and hollers from my family made me smile big time. Oh yes, I am supposed to be racing, aren't I?

Wetsuit off, helmet on. Hydration pack in place, shoe, bike, I am off on part two. What a beautiful ride. The express lanes on the I-90 floating bridge were closed down for us. Just keep peddling, peddling, peddling. "On your left" was heard constantly as the true racers zipped by. I tootled along enjoying the view and thinking "I wonder if anyone would notice if I just pulled a U turn right here?" Soon enough I was in the tunnel that I knew was not far from the turn around. My goal was to simply stay on the bike. The very steep hill up to the interstate shot my goal, but it was the only time I had to walk, and I was not alone there. The rest of the ride was accomplished from the seat of my steel steed. On the way back across the bridge I was humored by my odd shadow. I was carried by all who cheered me on as they passed me. I slowly began to accept their kudos and statements of "you inspire me."

Back to the transition area. Leg off, running leg on. (Thanks, Dad.) I am two thirds done. Number belt on. Fanny pack with gelpacks on. I am off for the run/walk. As I leave the gate, nice volunteer man says, "do your really want to leave your bike helmet on?" sigh. Lucky for me my crowd of kids and grandkids, signs and cowbells, and a neck cooler, are right there cheering me out to the route. Kira takes my helmet and ties on the neck cooler. Morgan is there too!! I cry a few tears of joy and take off running. I hear him holler as I go. "Go Ma! Look at her run!!"

I decided, because the heat is now hitting me, to do a walk/run thing. Jog a bit. Walk a bit. The route is fantastic. It winds along the lake. People sitting in their front yards on lawn chairs cheering us on. Runners coming towards me giving me the high five. People passing me, patting me on the back. I cry. I stop to chat with a few of the folks in their yards. I can't help it. I grab a hug or two from the motorcycle policemen along the route. I realize that each time I do this I am more energized. Yep, call me the energy hawg, or hag. Whatever. It is true. Suddenly, behind me. Nom. She wants to take a picture. We are about halfway through the run portion. Two thirds (plus one half of a third) through the race. She wants a picture. You see it above. Not too bad, eh? She walks with me a bit and then takes off. You see, she is actually running a race. Me? I am having an experience. Yep, that would be it. Bands along the route, helped me keep the rhythm going. Then it happens. Well there were two "it happens," but I will only relate one right now, as the other needs to stay with just me a bit longer. A woman says to me (for the gazillionth time) thanks for inspiring me. But then this: "I was going to quit until I saw you." I felt pretty humbled. And I just kept walking, running, walking. (Nemo was my constant companion in this race!!) At about 1/2 mile to go it happened again: "Are you Nancy?" I turn and find a woman in a green jersey. I have no idea who she is. Seems she is on Nom's team and would like to walk with me, which is where I was at by then...walking. Sure, says I, but if you are going for time, you do not want to be with me. No problem, says she, I would like to walk with you. We walk, we talk. I explain that no matter what I must run across the finish line. She has done the race so she would get me running at the right place and cross the line with me. My angel in green, she was! Up the hill and around the bend and then we begin our run. People are crowded around the ropes. I am running. Gimping, but running. People are yelling, cowbells everywhere. Where is the finish line? I am dying here!! A gentle voice at my side turns to coach. Go through the pain. Through the burn. Don't stop, you are almost there. It is in sight. I cry. Do not stop at the first pad, she says. It is not the finish line. Go through the next set and you are there. The crowd is roaring. I can't breathe. I hear my kids and grandkids. I feel lifted. I did it. Everything is a buzz. And a microphone is shoved in my face. I hear about every three words this guy is saying. "Inspration...name...why" I had no clue what I said as my brain is shut down now. I did know that my voice was broadcast all over the freakin' park. I could hear myself! To this day I cannot recall what I said, but my son said it was good, so I will take that. He taped part of it, and I will see if I can find a way to link it. Pretty darn funny. Perhaps he edited; great job if you did, dear.

Timing chip is cut off my leg and medal placed around my neck. At this point the blisters on my stump from the bike ride are on fire. The one on my foot doesn't feel too great either. It is hot. I am an emotional basket case. I am hungry and ready to just be home. It is not to be.

Why? My bike. It is at the park. I am parked at Safeco field. I must ride a school bus to my truck and drive back to get my bike. It took two hours. After meandering through neighborhoods and gettting on I-5 (for a one exit drive) traffic was at a standstill. I mean stopped. I was in serious melt down mode. It showed when I finally got back to the park and no one would let me stop to call Morgan and have him meet me. You see I could only pull over and stop if he was already standing there waiting to meet me. ??? About a mile up the road I am close to tears. A nice volunteer noticed "blue." My handicapped placard was hanging from the mirror. Yes indeed, and I was feeling it. I had mistakenly removed my leg for the drive back to the park and my stump had swelled. Putting it back on to walk another mile to find Morgan, in 90s heat, was just too much to ask. He waved me over and told me that he would call down to the guys at the park and I was to pull into the almost empty parking lot that was blocked off, and right across the street from the park. I had on my sunglasses, so he could not see the tears welling up, but they were there. I needed food! I needed rest! I needed some quiet time.

I took Morgan home. He talked about how proud he was. I had my dark glasses on. That was a good thing. I am so proud of my kids. The table has turned.

We stopped for Fish Burritos and I headed for the infamous ferry wait line. It was time to go home to my dogs. It was time to just think. It was time to heal. As I said earlier there is more to the story, but I am not ready to put it on paper yet.

It's all good, no worries, but personal. Perhaps later. Thanks to my family, blood related and other. Thanks to Dad for the means to get the leg that has me doing this. Thanks to the Tri-babes and the fearless Turtle for keeping me going. Thanks to Nom for the idea. Mostly thanks to Mom and Dad for giving me heart.

Out for now, but it ain't over.

G2

Coach or training buddy

2010-08-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

I'm a slave to my dog(s)...

G2

Which way did she go??

2010-08-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

This is a crazy week, and it has only just begun.

I find myself doing a lot with the dogs. The two tailed dogs in particular. Each day I grind on their toe nails (better?). I am hoping that in two weeks time they will miraculously be the little nubby nails they should be. The dogs no longer complain as they are in my lap a lot shorter time now. One must get right to the quick, but not breech it (is my understanding) in order to get the quick to pull back. That tiny change has made a huge difference on how the feet look. OK, well, that and creative toe hair trimming. I have been told I can no longer consider myself a newbie in this sport, so need to suck it up and make my dogs look like they belong in the ring. I'm trying!! Nugget is a hairball. I regret all the whining I have done in the past with regards to Kate's lack of hair. He has enough for both of them. I think I will start getting him to enjoy vacuum cleaner brushing as he will bring great grief when he sheds. Nugget also has some interesting curly spots on his bum. Today I worked on them a bit with the stripper. Then Kate jumped onto the table so I worked on her bum as well. She actually is getting coat again, and I guess I wasn't seeing it. Now her topline is more level as well.

Why am I writing about all this? Because I should be thinking about the Triathlon this coming weekend, but I don't want to. Tomorrow I will do my regular lake swim and then will work on my bike to make sure it is clean, tire pressure correct, and the chain lubed. I bought my stick of "Body Glide." Yes indeedy, I am for real as I now have it in my supply kit. Just so you know, it is so that I can more easily remove my wetsuit, and more easily put ON my running shoe following the lake portion. It makes for less chafing as well...slick, eh? It has been dropped into the bucket so it won't disappear before now and then, as my nerves begin to take over. The bucket? Yes. Dear Tri-Turtle suggested a bucket for the transition items. It will double as a place to sit. Brilliant!! It also will keep things dry until I exchange for the wet, and then keep the wet contained. Again, brilliant! This is the big one. No, not Iron Man big, but the biggest I will do. 800 yard swim/12 mile bike/3.1 mile run. I know I can do it all, I just worry about the logistics of getting back and forth to Seattle on both Saturday, for check in, and Sunday, for the race. With the ferry system as bad as it is, I just don't look forward to that little part of it. Then of course the parking. EEK!! What was I thinking?????

So I go back to my happy place. The doggies. They show the following weekend. It will be a huge showing of Cardigan Corgis. 27 each day. It's crazy. When I get myself a wee bit worked up thinking about it, it is OK, because I can then think about the Danskin Triathlon coming up...

Hey. I am nothing compared to my neighbor. She has a wedding in her yard this weekend. It started out a small intimate affair and now is looking like the numbers are close to 300. Did I mention it has been raining since Saturday??

So I will close and fix some dinner, after which I will put my dog in the bucket. Wait. I think I got that wrong. Perhaps there is also a reason that Miss Kate is so very slippery, eh?

My plate runneth over and I have no one to blame but myself...

G2

Bummer!!

2010-08-08T12:38:00.000-07:00

My son-in-law is one of the hardest workers that I know. Lately he has allowed himself one "guilty pleasure," bicycling. I have mentioned a few times how proud I am of him as he did the Chilly Hilly a few months back, and the Seattle to Portland (STP) a couple of weeks ago. He has been going to the track and racing with a group as well; a group that includes his oldest daughter's Kindergarten teacher.

That all ended today when he went out and found his bike had been stolen off the front porch of their house. It is pretty creepy to think that there was a person, or persons, wandering around, and going through gates, next to my grand daughter's bedroom.

His was a pretty unique bike. Very few were made, and he was quite proud of it. He had customized it to better fit his needs. He has also been riding it to work daily. They also took his new helmet and gloves. Yep, that would be the helmet that replaced the one that he split when he had the bike accident and brain bruise a while back.

Scum bags! The police have been notified and we are watching Craig's List. It is just such a violation. Having lived in a house that was burglarized a couple of times it brings back a lot of anger.

The chances are slim, but I hope it shows up and the guy gets busted! I am grateful for insurance, but as in all vehicles it rarely covers replacement.

Grrrrrr.

G2

Upcoming

2010-08-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Enumclaw shows have majors for both boys and girls and I have one of each entered.
7-15-3-2 on Saturday
8-13-4-2 on Sunday
This area has become a crazy hub of Cardiness. So today the grooming begins in earnest. I have some "grow out" time and sadly may need it. Kate still hasn't gone "in" so I may pull her as the major is secure even without her for those needing it. It will all depend on how loose her joints are in two weeks. Nugget is fine and I am glad I scratched on the last show. He is delighted to be off of crate rest and once again body slamming Kate and hassling Henry...all the time with a goofy smile on his face. What a pup.

The little feed store in town is going out of business and I am very sad. They are having a liquidation sale, so I went in and bought a Coolaroo bed for the dogs. Just one. sigh. Yep. They are playing "king of the mountain" on the cot. Henry laid first claim to it. When I used to board him out in Port Townsend they used these kinds of beds, and perhaps that is why he is so insistent that it is his. With Henry it is always anyone's guess as to what he is thinking. The beds are so easy to clean as they are frames with shade cloth stretched across. I guess I will be making a couple more. It looks pretty easy to do with PVC pipe (this has a metal frame). My grand daughter even asked if she could sleep on it last night. (I think I would have let her, but she went home to sleep in her own bed.)

When I first began to notice Cardigan Corgis, the first thing I really loved was the fact that the boys were so brawny and the girls so dainty. I think that one should not have to do belly checks to know. Now I have a dainty, girly looking girl, and a big burly boy. It is so obvious. I love it. Nug, with all his hair, looks pretty close in size to Kate now. Some is hair, but with his giant bone he looks about the same. When I take the two out in public, even those who think I have the offspring of German Shepard and Dachshund breeding will ask if they are brother and sister. To me Nugget still looks like my little puppy, but I just want him to stay my little puppy for a while longer. I look at the win picture of his litter mate sister and can see that our babies are growing into very beautiful dogs now. What a mixed blessing it is.

I am off to do toenails. Henry scratched Mimi when he was trying to drag her to the pool stairs yesterday. He jumped in and grabbed her water wing and, without puncturing it, started pulling her. Her screams made him even more frantic, and he did learn his lesson well as to where the stairs are. Poor Henry will no longer be allowed on the pool deck when there are kids in the pool. He doesn't try to jump in with adults, but was definitely not having a nice enjoyable and fun swim when he jumped in yesterday. He was a dog on a mission and needed to save his damsel that must be in distress.

Then it is brushing and trimming on Nugget following a bath. Kate is just regrowing her coat and Henry is shedding out his. Ahhh, the joy of animals.

Oh, for those of you in the east sweltering, it is 11:45am and 62 degrees. I would really like to bottle this up and save it for the 15th and the triathlon...perfect weather, for me.

G2

A bit of history

2010-08-03T06:21:00.000-07:00

In 1981 I met a person while I was taking a seminar for childbirth instructors. She had a couple of kids, of the two legged variety, as did I. We immediately connected and both of us were sure we had met somewhere before. She was moving up from California and settling in to the town to the north of me. We began doing classes and film showings together.

Flash forward a few years, a couple of kids, a couple of divorces, a lot of medical stuff, and three grandkids. For thirty years we had talked of a trip to Kentucky and Tennessee to see the leaves change color. After a bout with cancer (her), heart failure (me), the gimp disease thing (gee, that be me again), a DS kid with a whole package of medical things (again, her) I told her we needed to just do the trip and stop talking and dreaming about it.

(A couple of years before the trip I had flown out for a couple of days to meet with a motorcycle forum friend who had been in a horrific accident. I had promised that if he pulled through I would be there to help the family, and him, through those first reality checks following the loss of a leg. He made it, I went...and promised I would be back to see him once he was out of the wheelchair.)

Perfect! We would go. We would do a bunch of family history stuff on her side and I would get a chance to reconnect with friends. She was over and we bought the airline tickets. Were we crazy? Absolutely. Would we drive each other even crazier? Likely. However, this is like my sister. We knew when it was time to just give each other some space. We would either come home closer, or one of us would kill the other. Just like sisters, we are.

"We must blog," says she. "Eh?," says I. There is no way I am into keeping any kind of journal or diary. Never have, never will. But we had a very strange way of tickling each other's funny bone, and thus began "2Grandmas2." We blogged all through the trip. We were very sleep deprived. Neither of us had ever done anything like that trip before. We were two grandmas on a mission, but we had no idea where it would take us. I believe the count ended up being five states, eleven days, several tomatoes, heaven knows how many dead things on the road, a heckuva lot of y'alls and dahlens, and a friendship forever sealed in blood, sweat, and tears. She was S2, I G2.

She has since moved on from blogging. Perhaps all the doggy stuff drove her away. Perhaps she has moved to other things as I have moved to the doggy thing and triathlon thing. It's funny, as she was the instigator on this blog thing. She named it. She set it up. I stole it. I sometimes think I should spin off to another blog or two, but I can't let myself kill this one. There is way too much history here, and way too much future. So it will remain as it is.

2Grandmas2

So there you go.

G2

Oh, and the leaves changing? We blew it and went too early. I think it was our way of saying that we would be doing it again someday...

Oh Yes!!

2010-08-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

Judge Evie Sullivan...I wish she had judged my dogs. It wasn't me after all. Some do indeed not only follow the standard, but are happy in the ring and vigilant in their checking of angles and proportions. Thanks, Judge, for giving me faith in the "system."

Polly Putt Putt goes for another point. She has made such an amazing turnaround; Jason and Alta were just what she needed to bring her out of her shell. I'm sure Kim will give the details. Caleb was a good boy as well. while he didn't get in the points he was happy and did what he was asked to do. He definitely wants his "mom" to handle him and works well with her. Nice job, Shep. Liam tried his hardest to get himself onto the table in a single bound. Nice catch, Mark. I enjoyed snuggles with my favorite girl pup, Shea. Like her brother she so easily settles in to lap dog. Neither pup showed this weekend; Shea was just there to cheer on her sisters. It was nice.

No, it was great! I had a great time today and am truly grateful for the northwest Cardigan group that has taken me in. Not only am I learning a lot, but have friendships that strengthen with each meeting.

AND, the icing on the cake? Nugget is doing great. Barely a limp now. I am so glad that I didn't push it.

G2

Dear Adjudicators

2010-07-31T18:09:00.000-07:00

If you don't want to take the time to read the standard, or if you just plain don't care for the breed,

PLEASE don't take the assignment.

Thank you.

The Nug-man stayeth

2010-07-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

Home, that is. Unless something miraculous happens he will be sitting out of this weekend's shows. He has a sprained paw. It is nice to know where he hurts. I started thinking I was seeing things. I knew he was limping, but I was getting a bit confused as to where. So I will enjoy watching a show without dogs...NOT!!

G2

Insanity?

2010-07-29T08:35:00.000-07:00

My kids and most of my friends would probably give the affirmative. In fact, I think I would agree as well, but hopefully I am not a danger to myself or those around me.

I am sitting at my computer as the dogs eat their breakfast, at 5am. Nothing abnormal, except that I am a wee distressed to see that my pup is still limping so I ponder my options.

At about 5:30 I hear the tamping of metal fence posts. The new neighbors are once again working on their dog fence. No big deal; in fact it makes me smile. I've only seen the guys once in the driveway. They are my perfect neighbors. I have never seen nor heard them, other than the rhymthic metal on metal pounding of the fence line. I'm up, and perhaps they heard me with my dogs on their first outing. I figure they want to get a few more feet in the ground before heading to work.

It's a chilly morning. So chilly that the over head fan feels cold. The fan behind me a bit and to the left. My deaf ear side. The fan on which I have hung, for now, my cool Cardigan Welsh Corgi wind spinner thingy on. Yep, that's the one. I get up to turn it off for the first time in days. There is a gentle breeze blowing in through the window in front of me. Blowing in and hitting that spinner, made of metal, ever so gently. "There is no need for the fan," think I. Interesting that the dogs have not alerted on the neighbors...

Also interesting that the fence post setting is so very rhythmic...getting where I am going here?

Yep. Sweet neighbor boys were likely still in slumber land. I think I need more sleep myself. I think allergy congestion along with the deafness in my left ear has really messed up my sense of where sound is originating. As soon as I turned off the fan, the fence post setting magically stopped. Coincidence? I think not.

It does, however, still make me smile. Just for a different reason.

G2

Pre-show stressor

2010-07-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

My pup is limping. It is likely nothing; or at least nothing more than can't be fixed by crate rest and baby aspirin (says my mentor). The issue is the upcoming weekend shows. Normally I would spend a few hours in class. And I would spend a few hours practicing. And, with him, at least a couple hours on the grooming table. Instead he is on strict rest...yeah, try that with a six month old pup. Right now he is smiling coyly at me with his shoe on his nose. (It's true, I gave up and gave him an old shoe; he loves it and has never tried to take any of my shoes, so there ya go!) The horse is mad at me and tried to hit me with her grain bucket this morning as I had the nerve to feed her without the doggies in tow. The older dogs are begging the pup to run in a wild frap around the couch; perhaps it is more that they are taunting him.

Me? I hate when something is wrong with any of my critters...two legged and four. I don't mind throwing away the entry fees. I just really want to put this guy in the ring.

For now I will just go out and sit at the pool, or in the pool. And dream of what, hopefully, is to come.

G2

Meanderings

2010-07-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

Friday night the three dogs and I took off for a two hour drive down to my sister's place. It was warm, and I remembered thinking a quick swim would have been nice, but there is nothing quick about a swim if the cover is involved as I haven't yet cut it to size.

Off we went. Henry is shedding, so there is hair everywhere. Corgis are big little dogs and I have a small pickup truck. No extended cab. I was concerned that it might get too hot in the back, so we were all crammed in the cab. Henry stepped on the other two dogs the entire way; they were trying hard to just nap. As we turned down the road to her house the cab erupts in wild panting fury. They KNOW where we are going. Nope, no class. Nope, not the vet. We are going to the farm!!!! Lucky for me there is a campfire cookout going on in the front as it means I don't have to get out and open the gate, drive through and close the gate...all before letting my dogs out of the truck. By now they are literally bouncing off the windows. Once the door is opened they are out and gone. Running crazy around the yard, tongues wagging in the wind. They are bowling over kids and dogs. They are insanely happy. It is nice.

The next morning we headed for Portland to attend the dog show. Kate and Henry will be minding the farm securely locked in a stall in the barn. It is to be a hot one and the sun shines directly onto the kennel in the afternoon so the cement, and rubber matted, stall floor seemed the best option. Nugget will be going along. It was hot. It was huge. It was totally sensory overload for me. There were more rings than I had ever seen at a show. There were two small pens with wood chips in which the dogs could relieve themselves. My puppy decided he needed to "hold" it. The entire day. On the way home we stopped at a rest stop. He uncorked. Poor baby. Anyway, Mr. Nugget got to see his grand people and it was a sweet reunion. He is a sweet and gentle puppy. Nugget loves everyone, and gives nice little kisses. Then he saw his favorite man. When he realized who it was he went crazy. He jumped and climbed and kissed and repeated it again and again. I am sure had he been free of the leash I would have seen a happy frap that would have gone on for quite a while. I knew he missed Leo, but had no idea how much he had really bonded with him.

It was nice to just watch a show, but I was itching to be in there. Kate could have done quite well. (OK, Kate could have taken her class.) The Bred By Exhibitor was the big class with the amazing dogs. That is truly "the" class anymore. Will I ever have a dog in there? 'Tis hard to say, and not in the works at this point. As I have said many times, it is by far my favorite to watch. The pride is palpable; as well it should be. And the points went to: Miss Kitty. Nugget's breeder finished her little girl at seven months of age! Impressive! Today I am sending winning vibes to Mark in hopes that Ana banana gets a major. Or maybe Le'o; another major on Rogue would be awesome. Then again, Callie is certainly more than deserving....

I'm off to vacuum the truck, three times, and clean windows. Life with the hoard. Sweet!!

***and it just got sweeter...Gooooo, Shea butter****
http://samhaincardigans.com/blog/

G2

No stress dog show?

2010-07-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

Yep! The secret? Don't enter. I missed, or perhaps chose to miss, the entry deadline for the Stumptown series down in Portland, OR. However, we will be going on Saturday to cheer on our friends and family. Packing is SO much easier. I am heading down to Elma after chores. I will be tagging along with my sister in the morning. I suspect once I am there I am going to regret not entering the pup. All's good. Sequim is next weekend.

Out,

G2

The weekend's satin

2010-07-20T14:21:00.001-07:00

Other than a few nerves on my part on Saturday, I couldn't have hoped for a better first, and second, show for the puppy. He did very well both in the ring and out. The judges were gentle and kind, and that was the most important thing to me.

NW Cardigan peoples, and their offspring, rock!!

Song of the day:

"The Dog Song" Nellie Mckay

I'm just a walkin' my dog
Singin' my song
Strollin' along
Yeah it's just me and my dog
Catchin' some sun
We can't go wrong

Coedwig's Alchemist

2010-07-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

(aka Nugget) will be six months old on Friday. His first show is Saturday. He is at the age where he is driving me crazy because he is so busy, yet so adorable that I can't be mad at him. He's got these eyes that can bore into my soul. He knows it. He can be perfect on the leash, or he can act like he is being tortured. Which will he be on Saturday? I can assuredly say that Nugget will act in whatever way best suits Nugget. My job is to let him have fun, with a tad bit of restraint. Tonight is our handling class and tomorrow the grooming will begin.

When I got Kate and began showing her, she was 18 months old. She had to be in the adult classes even though she had never been off the farm. A lot was expected just because she was a big dog. She was a scared little puppy in a big girl body. She had to act like all the others in her age group, and so did I. We've both learned a lot.

With Nugget he will start in the youngest age division, and will get his feet damp instead of having to just jump into the ocean with the big boys. I think it will be fun. Since he is going through some interesting growth phases right now I am not expecting a lot as far as standings. It's all good so long as he has fun. If nothing else that will be achieved by the Cardigan after party where he can play with his sisters and cousins. The reward will be seeing the joy in his eyes...and having him sleep all the way home!!

G2

I love you too

2010-07-09T07:23:00.000-07:00

but what do you REALLY want?

A mother's worst nightmare is that something is wrong with her child. An amputee mother's worst nighmare is that there is something wrong with her child that might have them joing "the club." I faced that fear years ago when a tumor was found in my oldest son's leg. (It was benign and he is fine and both sides reach the ground.) Lately there has been some fear about my daughter and a strange lump on her right foot. Xrays and scans later it appears to NOT be a bone issue, but they have yet to find a diagnosis. So I have been spending a lot of time watching kids in waiting rooms as of late.

Yesterday we met at the little coffee shop by the ferry landing before heading to the specialist for the results of the bone scan. It was hot, and forecasted to be a record breaker, in the mid nineties. The shop was cool so we sat and talked and played with the kids as we watched the ferry and pedestrian traffic.

Little "Plum" is at the adorable age of big sloppy kisses. She began to give her mother lots of them. But in her eyes was the true reason for those kisses...

Perhaps a handful of hair and nose will better get the point across!

So Grandma gave her the next best thing. Ice!

It was interesting. At one point a group of bicyclists came in. They were dressed in team jerseys, bike shorts, and their helmets. The wee one was sure one of them had to be her Daddy and was having a tough time trying to see them up closer and more personal. Shortly after a young, carefree, "duuuuude" also came in. He in his baggy pants; you know the kind, those kind that make stepping onto a curb difficult. Those kind that I have the urge to pull the rest of the way down. A study in contrast. I looked at daughter, she at me. We both were thinking the same thing. (There is something about an athlete's, uhmmm, legs. Yes, legs.)

I decided to snap a picture of Plum's big sister...and there we see normal average blue jean guy.

Up next? An MRI if things don't resolve in the next two weeks. I wonder if there might be a coffee shop near a rodeo arena...

G2

"Well I wouldn't trade my life for diamonds or jewels..."

2010-07-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

I promised pictures from the farm, so here you go!

I was up at my regular time: the crack of dawn. As I wandered around the farm the sun began to rise. There was a mist across the fields and the big horses and sheep alerted; likely wondering what the heck I was doing up so early.

I also noticed gigantic trails all over the wet grass. Around here I would think some gigantic slug was searching for vengenance for the salting of his family. What I found was the trails were from my stumpy slug eaters.

We decided the safest bet, rather than trying to brave the dogs across the street, was to spend some time in the driving/training area. The dogs went crazy doing a typical morning frap.

When I started to throw the balls I found that Nugget has resorted back to his naughty habbit of snaring Kate as she runs by. Luckily he no longer has sharp little puppy teeth, but I need to continue putting stuff on her tail to break the habit completely before he hurts her.

Farm life is bliss!!

As big bro stands watch. (By now the neighbor dogs were pacing the fence and barking. Henry was very quiet.)

Then I looked up and saw the incredible front on my boy...just like his Dad.

Song of the day?

"Thank God I'm a Country... uhhhh... Girl(?)" John Denver

...I never was one of them money hungry fools
I'd rather have my fiddle and my farmin' tools
Thank God I'm a country boy

G2

Finishing up

2010-07-04T16:16:00.000-07:00

I promise. No more Triathlon pictures after this. The pro photographer sent me some finish line pictures that I hadn't seen before.

I actually did run across the finish line...cheered on by my son.

after which I went to pieces

Adorned and adored

Of course, "the leg" courtesy of my Dad. I thought about him a lot on the race.

And the motto of the Kitsap Tri-Babes emblazoned on my jersey

G2

Tomorrow, farm pictures from my weekend

Sometimes it is hard

2010-06-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

to accept, much less embrace, the scars

It takes a village... to get Mom put back together

To accept the pride of my children is an interesting twist as well

While this face shows the fatigue...

The other face says it all!

I want to challenge everyone to do something that you don't think you can do. The end result is well worth the pain.

Next!!

G2

The plot thickens

2010-06-28T12:05:00.001-07:00

as does the algae.

So I go to the pool store to pick up my many pounds of bicarb and pot ash for the pool, which is greener than ever. I decide to take in another sample since I want to know for sure what I will need to add. This time the owner is there...yes!! He tests the water and says that the pH is really not that bad but the alkalinity is way off, but worse, the cyanuric acid level is through the roof. OK. Wait. Say what? There is no chemical cure for high CA levels?None. I must drain the pool and refill, which will fix the pH and alkalinity as well. Do not buy the bags yet. OK, we are talking 30,000 gallons of water in the pool. Drain at least half, says pool guy. Where will I drain that water? Right now there is a hose stretched into the woods. First I will water all my gardens. The rhodies should enjoy the acid water. It is not enough to hurt the plants, says guy, but will render the chlorine useless. AND, it is a by-product of the chlorine tablets. It is the stabilizer. sigh. Now my idea of getting rid of the pool is really burning in my head. There will be little if any swimming this year. I have had the pool pump running for almost three months trying to clean up the pool. I bought a new solar cover. I bought a box of shock. So far this season it has probably cost me about $400-$500 and I haven't been able to get into the thing. So I am contemplating listing the pool equipment. I must commit one way or the other first, however, because once I start selling things off it is a done deal. For now I have the small submersible pump slowly feeding water to the trees. I didn't figure I wanted to use the pool pump as it will dump a lot of water very fast and guarantee flooding. This will take hours, and hours, and hours. That might give me time to decide if I am going to fill it back up or continue to pump it down. Bummer!!

G2

**Update: it has been four hours and the water level has dropped maybe three inches. It will be interesting to see how it does overnight. This may take a few days.**

Testing

2010-06-26T08:33:00.001-07:00

Nugget has decided that he really, really likes his new home on wheels. I have a small set of steps that he uses to get in and out. I am really hoping that he never realizes that he can just jump down, but I am sure it is just a matter of time.

As I was taking pictures he suddenly got a bit of a desparate look about him.

Oh, maaaannnnn!

I guess someone else wanted to check out the added height afforded by the new digs.

Sibling rivalry...age still rules.

G2

Dog day afternoon

2010-06-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

Yep. I can't get much done for myself these days as I am so enjoying taking the dogs out. If the dogs are worn out, the house is safer. If the dogs are worn out I can at least attempt to do something. If the dogs are worn out we are all just happier. Plain and simple.

I got a "new to me" camera yesterday and I am in love with it. I am still at the experimental stage, so no pictures to publish quite yet. When I was out in the field the last time I was happily snapping away, learning the ins and outs of the camera, when Henry delivered a wet sloppy tennis ball right to the lens. Session over, time to come in and find the lens cleaner kit. It was time anyway, the tongues were all hanging out around the balls. (Tennis balls; yeah, interesting picture, eh?) I wanted to put one of those protective films on the lcd screen anyway, so all is good. Hopefully in the next few days I will weed through the hundred or so and find a decent one or two to publish. For now I am having fun playing. Christmas in June!!

Meat is cooking on the stove for the pups. I haven't bought meat this often since...well, I have never bought meat this often. I was married to a man, for 28 years, who refused to eat "mammal meat." Really just typing those two words sends me into a bit of craziness. Mostly I cook up a mixture of ground turkey and ground beef. It goes with the good kibble and salmon oil and cottage cheese. They seem quite fine with the lack of variety, and I just can't get myself into the organ meat thing quite yet. I also don't have a grinder as of yet. One day it will likely happen. For now they eat their own version of burgers.

Kate is on tap for her DM DNA test. She must go an hour without eating anything that at one time had DNA. No problem, think I. I pick up all the bones and only leave the rubber toys out. It always happens. I sabotage myself. The dogs are bored so I will take them outside. Then I realize they are sharing spit through the tennis balls. (And, gee, the rubber toys I left out.) Kate is notorious for stealing the boys' uhh, tennis, balls. So it goes. It doesn't matter anyway. Time starts over as they have all three found a nice fresh pile of Windy poo. Perhaps I should set the kit next to the bed and my glasses so I can remember to do it first thing in the morning...At any rate, I will fret, once again, until the results are back. I never went through any of this stress raising three children. Then again, I had no choice on the breeding partners of them now, did I? I have no plan on making sure the human race remains fit and healthy; I can have a tiny say in my dogs. There is something to say about gene pools and numbers as well.

So I will go and clean out the camper which is being loaned to oldest son for the week. Last use was awaiting the birth of "Plum." It can use a good scrubbing out after sitting for the winter.

Speaking of Plum, it has been too long since the last "things I put on my sister." Here is yesterday's photo...

While she looks a bit like a biker baby, she is actually wearing a surgical mask on her head. Yep, Miss Mimi can be quite creative.)

Next week I will be going to Elma to farm sit. I will have twenty some horses to watch instead of just one. Twenty some horses that don't appreciate dogs wanting to "hang" with them. It's all fun, nonetheless and I look forward to it. I think it is good for the dogs to experience a lot of different things. I suspect the grass will be knee high and the pool green when I get back.

I love my life. Really, I do.

G2

Progress

2010-06-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

It comes in baby steps.

Yesterday I figured out the issue with the riding mower. I fixed it. What that means is that I can get, and keep, the lawn mowed in very little time. Time is so precious now. I always feel like I am going seventeen places at once. I figured out the mower while I was cleaning the carport and garage. I need to figure a way to get my truck canopy on and off by myself. I decided I will suspend it from the carport beams after I clamp it onto 2x4s. I need my carport to do it. That meant I needed to get the cabinets into the garage, which meant I needed to make a dump run so I can clean the garage. Once I clean the garage I can put away Dad's tools that have been scattered about for a couple or three years. I am about a third of the way there.

Then the pool. It is still very green no matter how much I shock it. It was time to take a sample of water to the pool/spa store and get it tested. Since the weather was decent I decided to clean the pool area. It always makes me feel happy when I get it cleaned up and get the pool swim-able. The pH is off and I am waiting for a big bag of pot ash and a big bag of baking soda. I stopped at Central Market and picked up 8 pounds of soda and put it into the pool. I needed sixteen, but I haven't a clue how they came up with that number as they never asked me how big the pool was. I will test the water myself tomorrow. I guess with the pH off as much as it is the chlorine is ineffective and the algae is very happy. Friday the shipment comes in, but I don't want to wait! As I was cleaning the pool deck I realized that it would be such an awesome dog area out there without the pool. Nice and secure. I am tired of the work and the cost involved in maintaining the pool for a couple of months of swimming. (Unless of course I could find myself a pool boy!) However, it is REALLY hot out there. I would probably need to just fill it in and plant a tree or two. Perhaps selling off the equipment would pay for getting it dog ready. It is all fantasy, but one that sure makes me go hmmmmmmmmm.

I love this picture of my house.

My dog crate cart came in. It is amazing, and I got a great deal, but this one came down to getting what I paid for. Pieces were broken, and pieces were missing. Thank goodness for my friendly little hardware store. I was able to figure out substitutes for the missing parts. Then there were the parts that just plain didn't fit. So I drilled, I sanded, I hammered, and I did it. It is awesome, and will make going to shows so very much easier. Now the problem is that my house smells like rubber. It might be a bit of overkill, until the first time all those folks with the little weenie carts get stuck in the dirt. This baby could go right over the top of them. It easily holds the 36" crate that I will use when I have both dogs showing. I need to figure out how to secure the crate on the cart, however. I am sure I can come up with something before Lacey.

I put the dogs out in the field while I was working in the pool area. When I went out to check there were only two. Nugget had gone under the neighbor's shed and escaped. So now there is another project. It is never ending. At least today he didn't find a dead rat to roll in and eat. For once I am grateful for my neighbor's yappy schnauzer. He alerted me to the fact that my pup was on his turf.

So there is now laundry going and the inside of the house is a disaster. I really need to vacuum and clean the carpet. There is always tomorrow...

G2