Today was my last day at the company I've worked at for 2.5 years. When I left my previous job, I was in tears. Mostly because I would miss the wonderful people I had befriended over my 7.5 years working there. When I left this job, I was doing a happy dance. The environment with my high schoolish co-workers just didn't suit me. In fact, I was ready to run far, far away after the first month at this job. I didn't only because I was willing to give it a chance. I gave it one too many chances! BUT, it's over now, and will reside forever as a part of my past.
My next job is as a consultant with a consulting agency that hires only documentation and training experts. I'm being hired on as an instructional designer so my career path will shift slightly back to my first career and first love...teaching. I taught for 5 years in a Montessori school and enjoyed my stint there. Too bad teachers don't command the type of salaries they should. :(
I came home today and my husband and I toasted to a new beginning...let's hope it's the start of something beautiful!!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
So tired...
My agility club just hosted our final USDAA show of our season...we do three USDAA shows in 4 months...not an easy feat!! This show was the biggest with 270 dogs and 3 rings. I did the show secretary work like I always do. This is actually a part-time job as there are a LOT of tasks to complete beforehand, not to mention all the tasks you need to complete DURING and then after the trial.
This show also featured a DAM tournament. Essentially, there are 3 dogs on a team and you all compete in 5 classes throughout the weekend. The goal is to qualify, which means the top 25% of the teams that fall within the average of the top 3 teams (make sense??) qualify. You need one DAM team qualifier to show your dog at the Nationals. My team at our first trial fell short and did not qualify. Soooo, I was pretty stressed out at this trial since I didn't have any plans to go to any other trials that offered the DAM team event. My teamies consisted of one very consistent dog and one young pup like Jammie. We each had our ups and downs, but in the end we not only qualified, but we placed 2nd!!!! There were 24 teams, so that was a pretty big thing for us!
So, combined with the stress of qualifying for Team and the Show Secretary job, I was pooped. I came home last night, played with the kids a bit, then hit the jacuzzi for my sore muscles, put the kids to bed and crawled into mine. I was soooo tired.
Funny thing is I think Jam had had enough of my stress too. The last class of the day was Masters Standard. After the 4th obstacle, she took off out of the ring and went looking for something. She'd never done this before so I was yelling..."Jam!! Whaddya doing????" She finally found what she wanted (her ball) and brought it back into the ring with her! :) Everyone busted out laughing. Even I had to admit that it was pretty darn cute! :)
I'm glad it's over though. I'm tired.
This show also featured a DAM tournament. Essentially, there are 3 dogs on a team and you all compete in 5 classes throughout the weekend. The goal is to qualify, which means the top 25% of the teams that fall within the average of the top 3 teams (make sense??) qualify. You need one DAM team qualifier to show your dog at the Nationals. My team at our first trial fell short and did not qualify. Soooo, I was pretty stressed out at this trial since I didn't have any plans to go to any other trials that offered the DAM team event. My teamies consisted of one very consistent dog and one young pup like Jammie. We each had our ups and downs, but in the end we not only qualified, but we placed 2nd!!!! There were 24 teams, so that was a pretty big thing for us!
So, combined with the stress of qualifying for Team and the Show Secretary job, I was pooped. I came home last night, played with the kids a bit, then hit the jacuzzi for my sore muscles, put the kids to bed and crawled into mine. I was soooo tired.
Funny thing is I think Jam had had enough of my stress too. The last class of the day was Masters Standard. After the 4th obstacle, she took off out of the ring and went looking for something. She'd never done this before so I was yelling..."Jam!! Whaddya doing????" She finally found what she wanted (her ball) and brought it back into the ring with her! :) Everyone busted out laughing. Even I had to admit that it was pretty darn cute! :)
I'm glad it's over though. I'm tired.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Good News for Jammie!
I've been taking Jam to see "Dr. Todd" for her structural issues. Dr. Todd specializes in canine acupuncture, chiropractic care and herboligy. He came highly recommended to me by many local agility folks. His office is a 2 hour drive from my house, but given the kudos he's received from so many, I decided to give him a try.
My first visit was in December. He evaluated Jam and discovered that her left pelvic bone was locked and the cause was an issue in her mid-back. He noted a few other issues as well. We originally went because of her diagnosis of elbow dysplasia in November. He evaluated her elbows, though he wasn't as concerned about them as he was about her hind-end issues. His initial assessment was grim. He was shocked that a pup of her age (she's a young 2) would have so many issues. I came away from that first appointment concerned, and with an armful of herbs.
The second visit was 3 weeks later. He noted some improvement and administered a treatment to her (chiropractic and acupuncture). He added another herb to increase her "Yin." I was encouraged, though guarded.
We had our 3rd appointment yesterday. He was AMAZED at her progress!! He could not believe how well she's doing! The mid-back issue is wayyy better and the elbow dysplasia is just about non-existent (it'll always be there, but the degree of severity is minimal). The only tightness she had was in her left hip. He was thrilled that she came around so quickly. Of course, I was pleased as punch! :)
I am continuing with the herbs, but won't have to see him again for another 6 weeks, and then most likely we'll fall into "maintenance mode" in which we'll see him once every 3 months or so.
I am so relieved!!! Jam is an awesome little girl. She has everything and more that I was looking for in a pup. She's energetic, got attitude, is smart and is so darn cute! If I could've crafted the perfect dog, Jam would be it. I am so lucky to have her in my life! :)
My first visit was in December. He evaluated Jam and discovered that her left pelvic bone was locked and the cause was an issue in her mid-back. He noted a few other issues as well. We originally went because of her diagnosis of elbow dysplasia in November. He evaluated her elbows, though he wasn't as concerned about them as he was about her hind-end issues. His initial assessment was grim. He was shocked that a pup of her age (she's a young 2) would have so many issues. I came away from that first appointment concerned, and with an armful of herbs.
The second visit was 3 weeks later. He noted some improvement and administered a treatment to her (chiropractic and acupuncture). He added another herb to increase her "Yin." I was encouraged, though guarded.
We had our 3rd appointment yesterday. He was AMAZED at her progress!! He could not believe how well she's doing! The mid-back issue is wayyy better and the elbow dysplasia is just about non-existent (it'll always be there, but the degree of severity is minimal). The only tightness she had was in her left hip. He was thrilled that she came around so quickly. Of course, I was pleased as punch! :)
I am continuing with the herbs, but won't have to see him again for another 6 weeks, and then most likely we'll fall into "maintenance mode" in which we'll see him once every 3 months or so.
I am so relieved!!! Jam is an awesome little girl. She has everything and more that I was looking for in a pup. She's energetic, got attitude, is smart and is so darn cute! If I could've crafted the perfect dog, Jam would be it. I am so lucky to have her in my life! :)
Monday, February 18, 2008
Bike riding and other thoughts
My 5-year-old has reached another milestone!! Sunday we set off to the park with the express purpose of learning to ride the bike without training wheels! She rode there with the wheels on. We went to the rather large (dead) grassy area where I proceeded to take the wheels off. I gave her one small push, and she was off without training wheels!!! She practiced for quite some time and by the end of our session, she was able to start herself, though stopping was a bit more tenuous!
She rode home and then around and around our cul-de-sac to show off for Daddy. She ended up falling and hurting her thumb (teeny, tiny scratch...though the world was ending for her!) but we had her get on again in the afternoon. She was so excited!!! We're making a big deal out of her achieving milestones...such as riding without training wheels and the fact that she's starting to read...woohoo!!! I'm so proud of her!!
Otherwise, Jeff and I are prepping for the end of my job. My last day at my current company will be Feb. 29. Then I am supposed to start a consulting job the following Monday, but haven't gotten any real details yet. I'm starting to get a tad worried, but am hoping for the best. Meanwhile, we are scaling back and trying not to spend needlessly.
Course, I still want to enter agility trials, which is where hubby and I need to talk. I have scaled back on my agility trialing considerably since meeting my hubby, and then even moreso since having kids. Course, the loss of all my dogs in a short timespan aided in me not attending trials for 3 years, but now I have a very promising youngster with whom I LOVE to spend time on an agility course. He knows this, but is hesitant on me entering too many trials. I understand where he's coming from, but DANG! I wanna trial my dog!! She's so much fun and has so much promise. Not to mention she has some structural issues and I have no idea how long it will take for those issues to catch up with her. Ugh. Just how does one "have it all" anyway?! :)
She rode home and then around and around our cul-de-sac to show off for Daddy. She ended up falling and hurting her thumb (teeny, tiny scratch...though the world was ending for her!) but we had her get on again in the afternoon. She was so excited!!! We're making a big deal out of her achieving milestones...such as riding without training wheels and the fact that she's starting to read...woohoo!!! I'm so proud of her!!
Otherwise, Jeff and I are prepping for the end of my job. My last day at my current company will be Feb. 29. Then I am supposed to start a consulting job the following Monday, but haven't gotten any real details yet. I'm starting to get a tad worried, but am hoping for the best. Meanwhile, we are scaling back and trying not to spend needlessly.
Course, I still want to enter agility trials, which is where hubby and I need to talk. I have scaled back on my agility trialing considerably since meeting my hubby, and then even moreso since having kids. Course, the loss of all my dogs in a short timespan aided in me not attending trials for 3 years, but now I have a very promising youngster with whom I LOVE to spend time on an agility course. He knows this, but is hesitant on me entering too many trials. I understand where he's coming from, but DANG! I wanna trial my dog!! She's so much fun and has so much promise. Not to mention she has some structural issues and I have no idea how long it will take for those issues to catch up with her. Ugh. Just how does one "have it all" anyway?! :)
Monday, February 11, 2008
What a Weekend!!
I need to start off by saying...I am SO PROUD of Jam!!!
We had a USDAA show in Tucson this past weekend. Jam and I went into the weekend needing 1 Masters Standard Q and 1 Masters Gamblers Q to earn her MAD (Master Agility Dog title). We also needed 1 more GP Q for Nationals.
And guess what...WE DID IT!!! Jam is now a MAD dog and got a couple extra legs towards her championship! She also got the last Grand Prix leg and can now compete at the Nationals...WooHoo!!! She turned 2 Nov. 2, so she's still a baby dog in my eyes. Not to mention that this was only her 10th ever USDAA show. Did I say how proud I am of her yet?
We also won another award that completely caught me by surprise. People who have been in agility since the "old" days (early 1990's) will remember Ray Weick and his Schnauzer, Meaghan Deer Chaser. Meaghan and Ray were awesome. They were the first Arizona dog/handler team to attain the highest titles USDAA has to offer. Meaghan was tragically killed in a run-in with a coyote a few years ago. Since then, the Meaghan Deer Chaser award has been given in her honor to the highest scoring Masters dog...and Jam was that dog!!!! Ray has always been an inspiration to me and has always been there for me in the "old" days when I was running my stubborn Beagle, NEA. He encouraged me to NOT give up...NEA and I went on to be 1 of only 2 Beagles who have their ADCH.
To say this weekend was a success is an understatement. It was fabulous. Jam is my hero! :)
We had a USDAA show in Tucson this past weekend. Jam and I went into the weekend needing 1 Masters Standard Q and 1 Masters Gamblers Q to earn her MAD (Master Agility Dog title). We also needed 1 more GP Q for Nationals.
And guess what...WE DID IT!!! Jam is now a MAD dog and got a couple extra legs towards her championship! She also got the last Grand Prix leg and can now compete at the Nationals...WooHoo!!! She turned 2 Nov. 2, so she's still a baby dog in my eyes. Not to mention that this was only her 10th ever USDAA show. Did I say how proud I am of her yet?
We also won another award that completely caught me by surprise. People who have been in agility since the "old" days (early 1990's) will remember Ray Weick and his Schnauzer, Meaghan Deer Chaser. Meaghan and Ray were awesome. They were the first Arizona dog/handler team to attain the highest titles USDAA has to offer. Meaghan was tragically killed in a run-in with a coyote a few years ago. Since then, the Meaghan Deer Chaser award has been given in her honor to the highest scoring Masters dog...and Jam was that dog!!!! Ray has always been an inspiration to me and has always been there for me in the "old" days when I was running my stubborn Beagle, NEA. He encouraged me to NOT give up...NEA and I went on to be 1 of only 2 Beagles who have their ADCH.
To say this weekend was a success is an understatement. It was fabulous. Jam is my hero! :)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Just another day in paradise
That's my typical response when anyone asks me how I'm doing when I'm at work...oh yeah...paradise. I am so ready to leave my current company. Back in September, I was "given" an end date of March 4 (my current job is being eliminated). When I found out about this end date, I was actually thrilled beyond belief!! This meant that I had 6 months to secure employment, PLUS they are giving me a bonus AND severance pay!! How sweet is that?
I have already secured employment for after March 4, so I am now anxiously awaiting the day when I can say GOODBYE to this place. When I started here in Aug. of '05 I thought it wasn't too bad...but then it started to get bad. One co-worker started scrutinzing my every move to the point of bullying. One day she finally made a very inappropriate and rude comment to me (in front of another co-worker) and I went to my boss. It got resolved, but of course my comfort level here went down.
Then, a few months ago another co-worker accused ME of harrassment and creating a "hostile work environment" for her. Why you may ask?? Because I tried to joke with her...you know...to make light of things by making some fun, lighthearted comments (in this case about alcohol consumption...this co-worker is known as the Happy Hour Queen). Apparently she didn't take them as such. Course when another co-worker known for his jokes and humor makes the same jokes with her, she doesn't call him out. Whatever.
All in all, I am seriously unhappy here and have been for a long time. The only happiness I got was from working with the development team in the UK, but they are also being kicked out at the end of March.
It's amazing...this is the first place I've worked in which I've had any issues with co-workers. I've been working since I was 16 and am now forty-somethingish! :) I had the BEST working environment at my last place of employment and still keep in contact with those people. They were all great to work with and we all had mutual respect for each other. At this place I feel as if I have stepped back in time to my freshman year in high school. No fun.
So, I'm going to start focusing on class tonight...that is IF we have class tonight. We got a ton of rain yesterday so I'm hoping the practice field isn't saturated. Jam and I have a show this weekend and we need to work on our weave pole entries. She's been missing the first pole lately so I plan to drill her every day until the show. I couldn't yesterday since the yard was way too squishy!
I have already secured employment for after March 4, so I am now anxiously awaiting the day when I can say GOODBYE to this place. When I started here in Aug. of '05 I thought it wasn't too bad...but then it started to get bad. One co-worker started scrutinzing my every move to the point of bullying. One day she finally made a very inappropriate and rude comment to me (in front of another co-worker) and I went to my boss. It got resolved, but of course my comfort level here went down.
Then, a few months ago another co-worker accused ME of harrassment and creating a "hostile work environment" for her. Why you may ask?? Because I tried to joke with her...you know...to make light of things by making some fun, lighthearted comments (in this case about alcohol consumption...this co-worker is known as the Happy Hour Queen). Apparently she didn't take them as such. Course when another co-worker known for his jokes and humor makes the same jokes with her, she doesn't call him out. Whatever.
All in all, I am seriously unhappy here and have been for a long time. The only happiness I got was from working with the development team in the UK, but they are also being kicked out at the end of March.
It's amazing...this is the first place I've worked in which I've had any issues with co-workers. I've been working since I was 16 and am now forty-somethingish! :) I had the BEST working environment at my last place of employment and still keep in contact with those people. They were all great to work with and we all had mutual respect for each other. At this place I feel as if I have stepped back in time to my freshman year in high school. No fun.
So, I'm going to start focusing on class tonight...that is IF we have class tonight. We got a ton of rain yesterday so I'm hoping the practice field isn't saturated. Jam and I have a show this weekend and we need to work on our weave pole entries. She's been missing the first pole lately so I plan to drill her every day until the show. I couldn't yesterday since the yard was way too squishy!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Puppy envy
I am having serious puppy envy. So many people I know are either getting new puppies or have just gotten one. I want a new puppy SO BAD! I still refer to Jam as "my puppers" but she is 2 and isn't a pup...though she certainly acts like one every single day!
I am on a list for a litter of pups that was to be ready to go home late spring. I have been bugging the contact I have who knows the breeder and he got back to me yesterday letting me know that the bitch (er, female dog!) is in season!!!! I am SO excited! It'll be a Border Collie/American Staffordshire Terrier mix...in other words, a Border/Staffy. Basically I'll get a short dog with drive...which is my ideal. I already have a short dog with drive (Jam) whom I adore, but I want another! I'd get another Toller (which is what Jam is) but there are no guarantees that I'll get another Toller as short as Jam...Jam's height (or lackthereof) is NOT normal.
My next step is to convince my dear husband that he really wants to add another dog to the household! I keep reminding him that when I met him, I had 4 dogs...that should've been an indication that I really, REALLY like dogs and didn't mind having that many. When we married, we added his dog into the mix so we had 5 total. We rapidly went down to 1 (Calvin...my stepdog) and are now sitting at 2. I personally think 3 is ideal. Not to mention that by the time this new pup is ready to compete, Jam'll most likely have attained or be close to her Championship in USDAA-style agility and I'll be ready to let the girls run her in Junior Handler matches.
Now that I've typed it out, it sounds perfectly reasonable to me, don't you think?!
Most agility-folk that I know have upwards of 5 - 6 dogs. Granted, they don't have kids, but what's 3 dogs when you already have 2...! :) I have no doubt that my husband will see my way...it's just gonna be quite a battle, but one that I am willing to fight!
I am on a list for a litter of pups that was to be ready to go home late spring. I have been bugging the contact I have who knows the breeder and he got back to me yesterday letting me know that the bitch (er, female dog!) is in season!!!! I am SO excited! It'll be a Border Collie/American Staffordshire Terrier mix...in other words, a Border/Staffy. Basically I'll get a short dog with drive...which is my ideal. I already have a short dog with drive (Jam) whom I adore, but I want another! I'd get another Toller (which is what Jam is) but there are no guarantees that I'll get another Toller as short as Jam...Jam's height (or lackthereof) is NOT normal.
My next step is to convince my dear husband that he really wants to add another dog to the household! I keep reminding him that when I met him, I had 4 dogs...that should've been an indication that I really, REALLY like dogs and didn't mind having that many. When we married, we added his dog into the mix so we had 5 total. We rapidly went down to 1 (Calvin...my stepdog) and are now sitting at 2. I personally think 3 is ideal. Not to mention that by the time this new pup is ready to compete, Jam'll most likely have attained or be close to her Championship in USDAA-style agility and I'll be ready to let the girls run her in Junior Handler matches.
Now that I've typed it out, it sounds perfectly reasonable to me, don't you think?!
Most agility-folk that I know have upwards of 5 - 6 dogs. Granted, they don't have kids, but what's 3 dogs when you already have 2...! :) I have no doubt that my husband will see my way...it's just gonna be quite a battle, but one that I am willing to fight!
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