Not only do we have temps in the 110's, but now there's a fair amount of humidity...YUCK! The monsoon season is here, sorta. This means we're supposed to get evening thunderstorms, but so far we've gotten a whole lotta nothing. We've had some wind which kicks up the dust, which coats my SUV, but that's it. Blech.
As a result, we've been spending a lot of time in the pool...all of us. Typically we (the humans) go swimming first, then when we're finished, the dogs get to dive in for their balls. It helps to cool us all off, though the water temperature is 93 degrees!
This intense heat has curtailed what I had hoped to be some progress in Jam's agility training. It's just too hot to even THINK of going out and practicing. We have a show this weekend...I don't know how it's going to go, but I'll hope for the best.
It's just too hot. Too Flippin' Hot.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
School daze
I took Dani for her KIST test this morning. It's a test to determine her readiness for a Kindergarten envirnonment. She'll be starting school in 1.5 weeks...she'll be in Kindersteps. This is a program geared towards children who are 4, but who will turn 5 between September and December. It's a half-day program that follows the Kindergarten curriculum. At the end of the year, we sit down with the teacher to decide whether Dani will go to K the next year, or to 1st grade.
I asked Dani how the test went when she was finished, and she gave me some specifics, but overall, she said she had fun...which to me is really good to hear. The tester just said she did great, though with other parents sitting in the office, I didn't expect to get too many specifics. I'm so excited for her to start school!! I'm hoping to volunteer (as much as a working parent can) and encourage her as much as possible.
Meanwhile, Jam and I went to an open practice last night. It was hot and somewhat sticky, but she performed like a champ! They had a jumpers course set up, which several of us improvised on. The contacts were set up around the outer edge of the field, so we moved them a bit to incorporate them into the course. Jam's nemesis is the down dogwalk contact, so we worked hard on that and she did great! I also did some gambles in the course and she sent out nicely. She also pulled a few bars, which was a result of me giving her poor signals. I have to get better with that.
All in all, a great night and fun morning with Dani! :-)
I asked Dani how the test went when she was finished, and she gave me some specifics, but overall, she said she had fun...which to me is really good to hear. The tester just said she did great, though with other parents sitting in the office, I didn't expect to get too many specifics. I'm so excited for her to start school!! I'm hoping to volunteer (as much as a working parent can) and encourage her as much as possible.
Meanwhile, Jam and I went to an open practice last night. It was hot and somewhat sticky, but she performed like a champ! They had a jumpers course set up, which several of us improvised on. The contacts were set up around the outer edge of the field, so we moved them a bit to incorporate them into the course. Jam's nemesis is the down dogwalk contact, so we worked hard on that and she did great! I also did some gambles in the course and she sent out nicely. She also pulled a few bars, which was a result of me giving her poor signals. I have to get better with that.
All in all, a great night and fun morning with Dani! :-)
Friday, July 6, 2007
Why I took a sabbatical from judging...
OK, so work is a little slow...hence the second post in the same day! :)
Anyway, I thought I'd set the record straight, even though I doubt many people read this blog. Mostly I write this so that if I get asked this question again, I can point them here and people can discover the reason themselves!
I am midway through my year-long sabbatical from judging. Many people speculated on why I took time off. Most people figured I took time off because of what happened at the '06 USDAA Nationals (more later) when in effect, that was simply the tip of the iceberg. I had long since been contemplating a break...the Nationals simply clinched it. Besides, I've been doing this since 1994...I think I deserve a break! :)
The two main reasons why I took a break include:
1. My girls
2. Jam
The girls. I realized that I was spending a lot of time away from the girls. Not only the weekends in which I was physically gone, but also the evenings in which I'd agonize over course design. I found myself telling them more times than I was comfortable..."Mommy's busy...you need to find something to do"...and that didn't feel good.
Jam. She's my new puppy. The first dog I've had to run in 3 years (see
Ponderings for the reason why). I wanted time to concentrate on her and getting her career started. She turned 18 months ("of age" for USDAA agility) in May so I wanted to be able to get her started without having to juggle around judging weekends.
And now, the '06 Nationals. It was stated that the call I made on Blast's teeter performance was questionable. It then came out that I also "missed" a call on DeCaff's teeter performance. These calls were then magnified in a frame-by-frame sequence on a popular site that hosts agility videos. My credibility as a judge was being questioned, which yeah, left quite a chink in my armor. Honestly, I felt that the videographer had no right to do what he did on his website (neither did USDAA), but I have no control over that and will take my lumps.
Speculation flew that this video was then the reason why I "quit" judging. People were saying that I needed a backbone. That I needed to not put myself "out there" if I didn't expect some criticism. I learned early on that a strong backbone is necessary when you become a judge. I have a backbone. And it is strong. And, if you can believe this, I actually begged the USDAA president to judge this Nationals. I WANTED to do it. Now I know why so many judges turn down the offer of judging the top dogs in the big ring. The scrutiny is amazing, yet expected. And I was ready for it.
Bottom line, I will always stand by the calls I made in the split second that is available to me to make the call.
There. Now you know. I did NOT take a year off (yes, only a year...I'll be back in the middle of the ring in '08) because I was slinking away from the public bashing of my calls. It did factor into my decision, but it certainly wasn't the leading and only reason.
Anyway, I thought I'd set the record straight, even though I doubt many people read this blog. Mostly I write this so that if I get asked this question again, I can point them here and people can discover the reason themselves!
I am midway through my year-long sabbatical from judging. Many people speculated on why I took time off. Most people figured I took time off because of what happened at the '06 USDAA Nationals (more later) when in effect, that was simply the tip of the iceberg. I had long since been contemplating a break...the Nationals simply clinched it. Besides, I've been doing this since 1994...I think I deserve a break! :)
The two main reasons why I took a break include:
1. My girls
2. Jam
The girls. I realized that I was spending a lot of time away from the girls. Not only the weekends in which I was physically gone, but also the evenings in which I'd agonize over course design. I found myself telling them more times than I was comfortable..."Mommy's busy...you need to find something to do"...and that didn't feel good.
Jam. She's my new puppy. The first dog I've had to run in 3 years (see
Ponderings for the reason why). I wanted time to concentrate on her and getting her career started. She turned 18 months ("of age" for USDAA agility) in May so I wanted to be able to get her started without having to juggle around judging weekends.
And now, the '06 Nationals. It was stated that the call I made on Blast's teeter performance was questionable. It then came out that I also "missed" a call on DeCaff's teeter performance. These calls were then magnified in a frame-by-frame sequence on a popular site that hosts agility videos. My credibility as a judge was being questioned, which yeah, left quite a chink in my armor. Honestly, I felt that the videographer had no right to do what he did on his website (neither did USDAA), but I have no control over that and will take my lumps.
Speculation flew that this video was then the reason why I "quit" judging. People were saying that I needed a backbone. That I needed to not put myself "out there" if I didn't expect some criticism. I learned early on that a strong backbone is necessary when you become a judge. I have a backbone. And it is strong. And, if you can believe this, I actually begged the USDAA president to judge this Nationals. I WANTED to do it. Now I know why so many judges turn down the offer of judging the top dogs in the big ring. The scrutiny is amazing, yet expected. And I was ready for it.
Bottom line, I will always stand by the calls I made in the split second that is available to me to make the call.
There. Now you know. I did NOT take a year off (yes, only a year...I'll be back in the middle of the ring in '08) because I was slinking away from the public bashing of my calls. It did factor into my decision, but it certainly wasn't the leading and only reason.
Gonna start a practice journal
OK, so I've been slacking lately...really slacking. Class ended last week and Jam hasn't been on a single piece of equipment since. It could be because it's over 110 degrees here, or it could be because I'm too lazy to set up the equipment!
Starting tonight, I'm going to start us on a path to practice a lot more than we do. I'm going to set up the equipment and start working on our weak spot...gambles. We also need to tighten our turns and work on some accuracy! :) My challenge...I have only the following pieces of equipment:
1 teeter
5 jumps
2 sets of 6 weaves
1 tunnel
1 chute tunnel (that's falling apart)
1 tire (sorta...I need to fix it)
I need to be creative to come up with some sets to work on the items I mentioned above. I'm also hoping to go to a couple fun runs to fill in the gaps.
Our next show is in two weeks. There'll be a lot of classes each day (Adv. has a couple double games, plus the GP and Steeplechase) so I need to also build up Jam's stamina in the heat...I'm sure it'll be 90+ degrees. We play ball in the heat almost every day, then when she's hot, she goes in the pool and we play some more ball in the pool. I'm hoping that will help to keep her muscled.
That'll be our last show for quite a while. Our show season in AZ doesn't start until October, so traveling to California is my only option. BUT, it's really hot everywhere and I'm not too keen on sitting outside in the intense heat all day. Sucks cuz now that I've finally got a dog to compete with, the show season has come to a screeching halt. Oh well...I'll pout for a while but I'll get over it! :)
Starting tonight, I'm going to start us on a path to practice a lot more than we do. I'm going to set up the equipment and start working on our weak spot...gambles. We also need to tighten our turns and work on some accuracy! :) My challenge...I have only the following pieces of equipment:
1 teeter
5 jumps
2 sets of 6 weaves
1 tunnel
1 chute tunnel (that's falling apart)
1 tire (sorta...I need to fix it)
I need to be creative to come up with some sets to work on the items I mentioned above. I'm also hoping to go to a couple fun runs to fill in the gaps.
Our next show is in two weeks. There'll be a lot of classes each day (Adv. has a couple double games, plus the GP and Steeplechase) so I need to also build up Jam's stamina in the heat...I'm sure it'll be 90+ degrees. We play ball in the heat almost every day, then when she's hot, she goes in the pool and we play some more ball in the pool. I'm hoping that will help to keep her muscled.
That'll be our last show for quite a while. Our show season in AZ doesn't start until October, so traveling to California is my only option. BUT, it's really hot everywhere and I'm not too keen on sitting outside in the intense heat all day. Sucks cuz now that I've finally got a dog to compete with, the show season has come to a screeching halt. Oh well...I'll pout for a while but I'll get over it! :)
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Celebrating the 4th in 110+ degree temps!
Yup...it was 115 here for the 4th. Not much you can do outside when it's that hot. We did spend some time in the pool (the pool temp was 92!) so that helped us to beat the heat somewhat. We also BBQ'ed, though we didn't spend any significant time sitting outside. Just too hot.
At night, we drove to the fireworks display of a nearby town. We ended up parking on the side of the road to watch a display 1 mile away. I brought a blanket and we all sat on the hood of the SUV while the fireworks boomed and popped in front of us. By that time, it was only 97...woohoo!
I have fond memories of fireworks displays and 4th of July celebrations from the midwest (Wisconsin). I used to picnic with friends on the lake front (Lake Michigan) for the big Milwaukee fireworks display on the 3rd of July. We were so close to the launch area, that burnt-out shells would rain on our heads! It was fabulous. Good friends, good food, good fun and great fireworks!
On the 4th, our small village had their own celebration. A parade, games at the village park, BBQ's, and the fireworks display that evening followed by more parties with friends and family.
I told my husband that one of these years, I want to take the kids back to Wisconsin for a good old fashioned 4th. I'm not too thrilled with how we have to celebrate in the hot desert...I'd like them to see how to "properly" celebrate the Fabulous 4th!
At night, we drove to the fireworks display of a nearby town. We ended up parking on the side of the road to watch a display 1 mile away. I brought a blanket and we all sat on the hood of the SUV while the fireworks boomed and popped in front of us. By that time, it was only 97...woohoo!
I have fond memories of fireworks displays and 4th of July celebrations from the midwest (Wisconsin). I used to picnic with friends on the lake front (Lake Michigan) for the big Milwaukee fireworks display on the 3rd of July. We were so close to the launch area, that burnt-out shells would rain on our heads! It was fabulous. Good friends, good food, good fun and great fireworks!
On the 4th, our small village had their own celebration. A parade, games at the village park, BBQ's, and the fireworks display that evening followed by more parties with friends and family.
I told my husband that one of these years, I want to take the kids back to Wisconsin for a good old fashioned 4th. I'm not too thrilled with how we have to celebrate in the hot desert...I'd like them to see how to "properly" celebrate the Fabulous 4th!
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