We had a decent Easter. We took the girls to a community egg hunt Saturday morning. Essentially, they get their faces painted, look for a dozen eggs and eat candy. Guess it's pretty typical! Sunday we had our own little Easter egg hunt with Jeff's mom and sister joining in on the fun. It was windy enough to fly a kite, so we did that too!
Saturday night a friend from Texas came over with her two children. A few other friends also came over and we had a great time chatting and catching up. I really miss having her around (the Texas friend) since she's one of the very few people I know who has kids. Our roots were in dog agility, but then her and her hubby had kids and we followed that pattern. Not many folks who do dog agility have kids (except for Wishy of course!) so it's always a treat when you're friends with someone who not only shares a common bond in the sport you love, but who also can talk about poopy diapers and potty training...all in the same conversation! :)
I'm still in somewhat of a funk. I can't seem to shake it. My Hubby and I aren't communicating well lately, which adds some stress. Work is OK, but still kinda weird. The girls are fine, but they are definitely picking up on this funk. I HAVE TO shake it. I'm hoping that the Albuquerque show this weekend will help to lift my spirits. It'll be some much-needed bonding time with Jam and the good people in Albuquerque. I'm really looking forward to it.
I think another thing contributing to this funk revolves around a friend back in my home state of Wisconsin. I've known her since 2nd grade and we were extremely tight in high school. Essentially, she's my BFF. I may not see/hear from her for weeks, yet when we get together about once a year, we're able to pick up where we left off. It's so comfortable. Well, I haven't heard from her for a few months now and I'm worried. Typically when I send an email, I'll get a response within a day or two. I've sent three emails in the past three months and have heard nothing. I'm really worried about her and hope she's OK. I'll have to search for her phone number and give her a call.
Ugh. I hate funks. I need to lose this one and fast.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Weeds, work and life in general
Weeds. I HATE them. We've had a lot of rain this past winter, which is good and bad. Good because we are in a 10 year (or something) drought and need the rain. Bad cuz the weeds have overtaken my yard, and they have won the battle. My hands are dirt-stained and sore from pulling these nasty things out of my yard. Use weed killer you say...yeah, right...these weeds are immune to weed killer.
Work. I am now a consultant. I work when there's work, weed the yard when there isn't any. For the first couple weeks of this gig, there wasn't a whole lot of work. I freaked out and called my boss and told her that I wasn't sure about all this since I only get paid if I work. She put me on an annualized salary which reduced my pay by about 20%. OUCH! Course, now I have all sorts of flexibility, which is nice. Except when a meeting is scheduled on a Friday...the Friday I am driving to Albuquerque for an agility show...and now I will have to leave much later than I had hoped. And this also impacts the friend driving with me. ARRRRRGGGHHH!
Life in General. I'm in somewhat of a funk right now. With the pay cut comes some re-trenching in terms of our finances. My hubby has a "master plan" that we are trying to adhere to, but life happens and you can't always spend according to "the plan." I don't spend a lot, but to know that I CAN'T spend a lot kinda puts me in a funk! Blah. I am really looking forward to the Albuquerque show. It's been a long time since I've been there (see Ponderings) and I've missed it. The people are great, the show is great and it's always a lot of fun. I'm hoping this show will put me in a better frame of mind cuz right now my attitude stinks.
With Easter this weekend, the girls will do a couple egg hunts, so that should be fun. An old friend is coming into town with her kids and we're having a party for her at our house with other friends, so that should be fun too. Maybe my funk will clear even before the Albuquerue show...let's hope so!
OH...and Happy Easter from Jam, the Easter Toller! (can you feel the love from her radiating in this picture...?!)
Work. I am now a consultant. I work when there's work, weed the yard when there isn't any. For the first couple weeks of this gig, there wasn't a whole lot of work. I freaked out and called my boss and told her that I wasn't sure about all this since I only get paid if I work. She put me on an annualized salary which reduced my pay by about 20%. OUCH! Course, now I have all sorts of flexibility, which is nice. Except when a meeting is scheduled on a Friday...the Friday I am driving to Albuquerque for an agility show...and now I will have to leave much later than I had hoped. And this also impacts the friend driving with me. ARRRRRGGGHHH!
Life in General. I'm in somewhat of a funk right now. With the pay cut comes some re-trenching in terms of our finances. My hubby has a "master plan" that we are trying to adhere to, but life happens and you can't always spend according to "the plan." I don't spend a lot, but to know that I CAN'T spend a lot kinda puts me in a funk! Blah. I am really looking forward to the Albuquerque show. It's been a long time since I've been there (see Ponderings) and I've missed it. The people are great, the show is great and it's always a lot of fun. I'm hoping this show will put me in a better frame of mind cuz right now my attitude stinks.
With Easter this weekend, the girls will do a couple egg hunts, so that should be fun. An old friend is coming into town with her kids and we're having a party for her at our house with other friends, so that should be fun too. Maybe my funk will clear even before the Albuquerue show...let's hope so!
OH...and Happy Easter from Jam, the Easter Toller! (can you feel the love from her radiating in this picture...?!)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Demos are so much fun!
Jam and I were a part of an agility demo our club did today for the school where our practice site is. There were about 12 of us that showed up to do the demo. I set a nice, easy course since the majority of the members are at the Starters level. We also had a GREAT sound system. One of the club members works for the school system and got the guy who does the sound for all the assemblies to do the sound for this one as well. Of course he played "Who Let the Dogs Out" among other rockin' tunes!
There were about 400 kids in attendance...they were being rewarded for accomplishing an accelerated reading program. We started with the 8" dogs and went on up from there. As I mentioned, the majority of the dogs were at the Starters level...Jam was the only Masters dog there. When we got to Jam's height (16") she just RAN...I mean...we SMOKED the course! :) She got all sorts of "oooohhhhs" and "aaaaahhhhhs" from the crowd. We were asked to do an encore! :-) Jam really does love agility so she was perfect for this type of event.
I also brought her ball so I was able to combine the two things she loves the most in one single place...sheer heaven for Ms. Jammie! And of course, I just have to throw in picture of her with her ball...
It was fairly warm out so her tongue was dragging by the end of it. Of course, that didn't stop her from wanting to play fetch for a good 30 minutes this afternoon...both in and out of the pool!!
Demos are really fun. You're showing the sport you love to a group of very receptive kids. What a way to spend the morning!
There were about 400 kids in attendance...they were being rewarded for accomplishing an accelerated reading program. We started with the 8" dogs and went on up from there. As I mentioned, the majority of the dogs were at the Starters level...Jam was the only Masters dog there. When we got to Jam's height (16") she just RAN...I mean...we SMOKED the course! :) She got all sorts of "oooohhhhs" and "aaaaahhhhhs" from the crowd. We were asked to do an encore! :-) Jam really does love agility so she was perfect for this type of event.
I also brought her ball so I was able to combine the two things she loves the most in one single place...sheer heaven for Ms. Jammie! And of course, I just have to throw in picture of her with her ball...
It was fairly warm out so her tongue was dragging by the end of it. Of course, that didn't stop her from wanting to play fetch for a good 30 minutes this afternoon...both in and out of the pool!!
Demos are really fun. You're showing the sport you love to a group of very receptive kids. What a way to spend the morning!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Class tonight :(
Jam can be bitchy with other dogs. I tend to keep her away from dogs with whom she's had "words." One of those dogs is in my group at agility class. It's a very sweet GSD who is a good girl. Long ago, her and Jam locked eyes and neither one of them liked what they saw. Since then, I keep Jam away from her.
While I walk the sets, my instructor holds Jam since she doesn't have the best down-stay. Tonight was no differnt...I was off walking a set and my instructor had Jam. During the walkthrough, Jam's littermate broke her down-stay, so my instructor grabbed her. No problem...Jam respects her sister. But then the GSD came over to see what was going on. My instructor said Jam gave her a warning growl, but she continued to move in on Jam. More growling ensued, but the GSD kept sniffing at her. I saw this happening from about 30 feet away. I started to walk over there cuz I could sense that this wasn't good. Just as I started to say that she should keep the two of them apart, the fight started. I just screamed. I didn't know what else to do. I DO know that you shouldn't reach in to break up a dog fight, but I didn't realize you shouldn't scream...and I screamed loud.
The other instructor came over and grabbed Jam (there was a slight lull in the fight) and pulled me into a hug. I was crying and shaking. I was worried about and mad at Jam...all in the same moment. I apologized profusely to the owner of the GSD, packed up and left. On my drive home, I was bawling so bad, I had to pull over. I pulled Jam onto my lap and hugged her. My emotions were all over the map.
Jam is fine. She has a scratch on her left hind leg. I'll give her a Traumeel before bed tonight.
I'll be fine too. I hate that my dog will now have a bad reputation. Up until now, I've always told people to keep their distance...that Jam does have a bitchy side. I guess something like this was bound to happen. :(
While I walk the sets, my instructor holds Jam since she doesn't have the best down-stay. Tonight was no differnt...I was off walking a set and my instructor had Jam. During the walkthrough, Jam's littermate broke her down-stay, so my instructor grabbed her. No problem...Jam respects her sister. But then the GSD came over to see what was going on. My instructor said Jam gave her a warning growl, but she continued to move in on Jam. More growling ensued, but the GSD kept sniffing at her. I saw this happening from about 30 feet away. I started to walk over there cuz I could sense that this wasn't good. Just as I started to say that she should keep the two of them apart, the fight started. I just screamed. I didn't know what else to do. I DO know that you shouldn't reach in to break up a dog fight, but I didn't realize you shouldn't scream...and I screamed loud.
The other instructor came over and grabbed Jam (there was a slight lull in the fight) and pulled me into a hug. I was crying and shaking. I was worried about and mad at Jam...all in the same moment. I apologized profusely to the owner of the GSD, packed up and left. On my drive home, I was bawling so bad, I had to pull over. I pulled Jam onto my lap and hugged her. My emotions were all over the map.
Jam is fine. She has a scratch on her left hind leg. I'll give her a Traumeel before bed tonight.
I'll be fine too. I hate that my dog will now have a bad reputation. Up until now, I've always told people to keep their distance...that Jam does have a bitchy side. I guess something like this was bound to happen. :(
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Play Ball!
My brother and nephew (my brother's son) are in town for the weekend. They came from frigid Illinois to watch a few Spring Training games. Luckily, our weather has been spectacular and they are enjoying themselves immensely. Even though they live in Illinois, they are both Brewers fans. They treated the girls and I to a game yesterday. We had a ball!! In fact, Dani actually GOT a ball! Someone riding around the warning track saw her standing by the fence and threw a ball up to her. Here she is doing her best model pose to show off the ball.
We were unable to get the ball signed as many of the players didn't seem to be in the signing mood. My brother and nephew are heading to another game tomorrow so they'll try to get it signed then.
Erin enjoyed herself as well. She brought her blankie with her and was as happy as a clam.
Right now they are at a Suns game. They scored tickets at the very last possible moment. They are in sports heaven!
I'm fighting off something yucky. My throat is raw, my nose is running and I'm feeling rather run-down. Yuck. Yuckies go away!!
We were unable to get the ball signed as many of the players didn't seem to be in the signing mood. My brother and nephew are heading to another game tomorrow so they'll try to get it signed then.
Erin enjoyed herself as well. She brought her blankie with her and was as happy as a clam.
Right now they are at a Suns game. They scored tickets at the very last possible moment. They are in sports heaven!
I'm fighting off something yucky. My throat is raw, my nose is running and I'm feeling rather run-down. Yuck. Yuckies go away!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
I'm famous! :)
Heh...at least I'm enjoying my 10 minutes of fame!
I just got the issue of Dog Sport magazine that highlights the USDAA Cynosport games that were held in Phoenix last November. I was asked to write a "Trial by Fire" article about my first-time experience at the Nationals. I had to remind the editor that this really was not my first experience at a Nationals, as I have run previous dogs at 3 previous Nationals and have judged at 4 previous Nationals. She said that was fine...that this was my first Nationals with a new dog.
So I wrote my article, submitted it along with a picture (of course, Jam's eyes are closed!) and it got published!
How fun is THAT?!
I just got the issue of Dog Sport magazine that highlights the USDAA Cynosport games that were held in Phoenix last November. I was asked to write a "Trial by Fire" article about my first-time experience at the Nationals. I had to remind the editor that this really was not my first experience at a Nationals, as I have run previous dogs at 3 previous Nationals and have judged at 4 previous Nationals. She said that was fine...that this was my first Nationals with a new dog.
So I wrote my article, submitted it along with a picture (of course, Jam's eyes are closed!) and it got published!
How fun is THAT?!
Gonna bet back into the mix
My year-long break from judging (USDAA-style agility) will be coming to an end soon. Of course, I picked one of THE largest shows as my first show back...I'll be judging Haute/TRACS 4-day show in north central California. They are hosting a DAM, Steeplechase and GP. Not to mention all the other classes for all levels. It'll be quite a circus, but I have no doubt the club will pull it off with grace.
Course, this means that I have to design courses again...ugh...now I remember what I dislike the most about judging. To begin with, courses need to be turned into reviewers a month ahead of time. So I have to start working on them a good month before then. For this show, I'm judging all levels (Starters, Advanced and Masters) so I have to design courses accordingly. I'm used to judging Masters primarily, so this is a challenge in and of itself.
I must admit that during my year-long hiatus I did NOT miss judging whatsoever. Instead, I was able to start Jam and bring her from nothing to MAD in 10 shows...had I been judging, I would've had to pick and choose shows to attend since I have to somehow maintain a balance between judging, showing, kids, husband and job. Now that I'm back judging, I'll have to choose again, which sucks. BUT, I am hoping that my break has given me a fresh perspective for judging, as my desire to stand out in the middle of a field during all kinds of weather for 8-9-10 hours was wearing thin.
Who knows...maybe I'll finish out the assignments I've accepted this year and decide to retire for good. For now, I'm hoping that I will get the same "buzz" I used to get when I was a "newbie" judge back in 1994. Time will tell.
Course, this means that I have to design courses again...ugh...now I remember what I dislike the most about judging. To begin with, courses need to be turned into reviewers a month ahead of time. So I have to start working on them a good month before then. For this show, I'm judging all levels (Starters, Advanced and Masters) so I have to design courses accordingly. I'm used to judging Masters primarily, so this is a challenge in and of itself.
I must admit that during my year-long hiatus I did NOT miss judging whatsoever. Instead, I was able to start Jam and bring her from nothing to MAD in 10 shows...had I been judging, I would've had to pick and choose shows to attend since I have to somehow maintain a balance between judging, showing, kids, husband and job. Now that I'm back judging, I'll have to choose again, which sucks. BUT, I am hoping that my break has given me a fresh perspective for judging, as my desire to stand out in the middle of a field during all kinds of weather for 8-9-10 hours was wearing thin.
Who knows...maybe I'll finish out the assignments I've accepted this year and decide to retire for good. For now, I'm hoping that I will get the same "buzz" I used to get when I was a "newbie" judge back in 1994. Time will tell.
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