We played in the snow today! We drove up to Flagstaff where they have a LOT of the white stuff. We went to a designated "snow play" area and sledded down the fluffy, white hills. I believe the girls had more fun EATING the snow than sledding IN the snow! Regardless, a good time was had by all.
We also rode a small-scale kiddie train through a light display last night. the kids just loved it and thankfully it was worth it since we had to wait in line for 1.5 hours just to get ON the train. There were other things going on so we were able to keep the girls occupied during the wait, thank goodness!
Moving on...
Quila (the puppy) is doing great! She is super smart and very eager to learn. We are working on foundational skills before I even attempt to introduce her to anything agility-wise. Things we're working on include:
* down (she is about 85% on this)
* target (LOVES this!)
* stay/recall (about 65% on this)
* "around" (going around a cone...doing great as long as I'm fairly close)
* restrained recalls (LOVES this!)
* wobble board (ADORES this!)
* leg bumps...going over my legs (she thinks this is so much fun!)
My next steps are:
* teach left and right
* build more toy drive
* circle work
* stride regulators
* 2x2 weave method
* plank work
Which leads to my business idea. I'm getting a major kick out of this foundation training. I did a similar program with Jam and she hit the ground running and progressed very quickly through the ranks (USDAA-wise). I'm thinking of working with puppies/young/beginner dogs to teach these valuable skills. I can do it with the equipment I've got so no cost to build anything. I've started compiling videos of the skills I've taught Quila and I'm going to build a website around these videos. Now, I'm quite certain I won't make a whole lotta cash offering this service, but it'll be fun to watch the dogs learn these skills and then put them to use on the agility field.
It's all very preliminary, but I'm hoping I can make something of it.
Meanwhile, the job search still continues (for a Tech Writing job) though right now (holidays, end of year, etc.) there is NOTHING out there. I am looking very forward to the new year though as this current year has totally sucked!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Just stuff
Weeelll, the show wasn't as successful as I had hoped last weekend. Jam did not get any of the Q's we need. Pooh. In Gamblers, she did the hard part, but then I failed her and didn't handle the rest of it like I should've. Sooo, today we start intensive gamble training with a wonderful instructor. Let's hope it helps!!
Our GP run was going smashingly well...until a tunnel bit us in the butt...AGAIN!! She was to come to me and enter the right side of the tunnel, but instead she made a personal choice and went left. Pooh pooh.
As for Pairs, we did our half wonderfully, but my partner ended up going off course. Pooh pooh pooh.
On the upside, we got our second Steeplechase Q of the qualifying season, and we got another Masters Standard leg and a Snooker Super Q. I also was able to realize the generosity and overall goodness of the agility community. So many want to help in my time of need, and for that...I am eternally grateful.
Meanwhile, we are busily prepping for Dani's birthday and her dance (tap actually) program on Saturday. So far we have 7 yes's for the party on Sunday...I'm expecting that number to go up a bit before then. Tonight we make oh-so-fudgy brownies for her birthday treat...YUM!
Right now, a Toller (Jam) is whining at me...BEGGING me to throw. the. ball. I've come to the conclusion that Jam is slightly neurotic. She attacks the vacuum cleaner, goes nutso when you slam shut a hard-cased glasses case and goes absolutely bonkers when you pull out the fly swatter. Oh...and blow drying your hair? Impossible with a crazy Toller around.
I ended up splicing together a photo of the dogs for our Christmas card (ain't no WAY I could get them to sit still together)...whaddya think?
Our GP run was going smashingly well...until a tunnel bit us in the butt...AGAIN!! She was to come to me and enter the right side of the tunnel, but instead she made a personal choice and went left. Pooh pooh.
As for Pairs, we did our half wonderfully, but my partner ended up going off course. Pooh pooh pooh.
On the upside, we got our second Steeplechase Q of the qualifying season, and we got another Masters Standard leg and a Snooker Super Q. I also was able to realize the generosity and overall goodness of the agility community. So many want to help in my time of need, and for that...I am eternally grateful.
Meanwhile, we are busily prepping for Dani's birthday and her dance (tap actually) program on Saturday. So far we have 7 yes's for the party on Sunday...I'm expecting that number to go up a bit before then. Tonight we make oh-so-fudgy brownies for her birthday treat...YUM!
Right now, a Toller (Jam) is whining at me...BEGGING me to throw. the. ball. I've come to the conclusion that Jam is slightly neurotic. She attacks the vacuum cleaner, goes nutso when you slam shut a hard-cased glasses case and goes absolutely bonkers when you pull out the fly swatter. Oh...and blow drying your hair? Impossible with a crazy Toller around.
I ended up splicing together a photo of the dogs for our Christmas card (ain't no WAY I could get them to sit still together)...whaddya think?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Ramblings
I now know that I truly wasn't meant to be a Stay-At-Home-Mom. Erin has been out of daycare for a month now, and I just can't seem to get into a groove with her. I have no doubt that she's bored to tears, but thankfully she's very forgiving. We do workbooks and I come up with crafts every now and then, but I just can't fill the days with enough stuff to occupy a 4-year-old. I'm hoping we'll be able to send her back to the daycare soon. Please keep your fingers crossed that I'll be gainfully employed shortly after the new year.
Speaking of which, an agility friend who works at GD (General Dynamics) has been my biggest advocate. She keeps passing my resume around and hopefully it landed in the right hands today. I won't get too excited until an interview is set up, but at least it's SOMEthing in this sea of NOTHing.
Jam and I have a show this weekend. I was going to take Quila to get her acclimated, but she is a screamer. I bring her to class with me Wednesday nights and she SCREAMS in the crate. Tonight I had to put her in the car so I could actually hear myself tell my students what to do. I'm going to have to do some crate games with her to help. I also need Jam to focus this weekend as I'd love for us to get Gamblers, Pairs and GP Q's. with Quila there, I'm thinking she'll lose some concentration...mostly cuz she'll be pissed off at me for bringing the monster! :)
Dani's birthday is coming up. Her actual birthday day is the 13th, but since she'll be dancing to "Run Run Rudolph" at a great Christmas program that evening, we're having her party on the 14th. It'll be a "Pirate Party" and she's inviting 17 girls. I'm kinda hoping not all of them show up!
I got a decent picture of the girls for the Christmas card today. Whaddya think...?
Now I've got to get the dogs lined up for a picture of them. Mucho easier said than done!
OH, and speaking of Quila...her foundation training is coming along nicely! She targets to my hand, sits and downs and has no issues with the wobble board whatsoever. We're working on stays and recalls...she offers me downs and sits when she breaks her stay...she's so CUTE! And we're working on drive by racing to her ball. She's really picking up her speed! She's also incredibly food motivated which really helps.
Speaking of which, an agility friend who works at GD (General Dynamics) has been my biggest advocate. She keeps passing my resume around and hopefully it landed in the right hands today. I won't get too excited until an interview is set up, but at least it's SOMEthing in this sea of NOTHing.
Jam and I have a show this weekend. I was going to take Quila to get her acclimated, but she is a screamer. I bring her to class with me Wednesday nights and she SCREAMS in the crate. Tonight I had to put her in the car so I could actually hear myself tell my students what to do. I'm going to have to do some crate games with her to help. I also need Jam to focus this weekend as I'd love for us to get Gamblers, Pairs and GP Q's. with Quila there, I'm thinking she'll lose some concentration...mostly cuz she'll be pissed off at me for bringing the monster! :)
Dani's birthday is coming up. Her actual birthday day is the 13th, but since she'll be dancing to "Run Run Rudolph" at a great Christmas program that evening, we're having her party on the 14th. It'll be a "Pirate Party" and she's inviting 17 girls. I'm kinda hoping not all of them show up!
I got a decent picture of the girls for the Christmas card today. Whaddya think...?
Now I've got to get the dogs lined up for a picture of them. Mucho easier said than done!
OH, and speaking of Quila...her foundation training is coming along nicely! She targets to my hand, sits and downs and has no issues with the wobble board whatsoever. We're working on stays and recalls...she offers me downs and sits when she breaks her stay...she's so CUTE! And we're working on drive by racing to her ball. She's really picking up her speed! She's also incredibly food motivated which really helps.
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