It's just life

Where to start? It seems like an eternity since I've really blogged.

Monday Henny called to let us know that Ken died. Ed already is scheduled to fly out to Dublin on Friday with a trip to visit his mom the following week. It was a blessing in so many ways how it all worked out - Ken died peacefully in Henny's arms at home, most likely due to stroke. She sounds like she's holding up okay. It was very serendipitous Ed is already going to be there in a matter of days. I'm sad for Ken of course, but this was a long time coming with all his health problems and in and out of the hospital non-stop.

Since I'd been pre-occupied with our financial status, Ken's death was a "wake-up-and-smell-the-roses" sort of event for me. We've sunk into the hole with our many home improvement projects. Starting with Peter's house, finishing our yard, installing the solar and buying down the loan, and a multitude of other smaller projects that have nickled and dimed us to death. This past weekend I did a proposed budget, and basically we need to focus on our bills for the next 24 months. No vacations, minimize all eating out, etc., and we should be pretty much debt free by Fall 2010, with the exception of our mortgage and my car payment. While it seems a little disappointing to not be able to take our weekend getaways or fly anyway, at the same time it is such a blessing. I love being home, and everything I want is right here. We have our own paradise right in our yard, pool, grass, garden areas, and my DOGS! What more can I want?

Things are excellent at work. D turned in her resignation on Monday, resolving one potential very large problem that I'd have when taking the COO position in the Fall. In addition, C is going to supervise LC, so that is resolved as well. Things should flow fairly smoothly when I take on my title/position.

Lastly, our agility training is so much fun. Daisy & I are learning so much together. We're bonding and she LOVES the training sessions at Stacy's, even doing "zoomies" now. I'm also learning how to turn her on at home. There's hope!

Progress

Well, I decided I do not want to be fat and have decided it is time for a CHANGE! I actually got up to 162 lbs, and am now down to just under 157. My clothes already fit better, and I'm starting to exercise on our newly purchased treadmill as well.

Things are going well with our agility training too. Daisy is doing well, and I'm really learning!

Fat, Forty & The Whole Darn Thing!

Here I am, 43, almost 44, and feel like I’m getting UGLIER by the day! To save on time, I cut my short hair even shorter, have the permanent make up and for all intents and purposes, wearing little else that is applied. The bad part, though, is my weight issue. I never thought *I* would have one, but I do. 159.1 lbs of problem. Moaning and whining doesn’t seem to make me lose weight, so I guess I will need to get motivated to 1) control my eating and 2) exercise (what a dirty word!).

On the agility front, I’ve officially decided Chloe is just going to be a happy pet, a couch POO-tato as someone said! She hates what should be fun foundation games, and is now rolling over on her back and refusing to play with me. She is introverted and no matter what I do, I’m not going to change her personality. Making her be social and play in public is like expecting me to want to make new friends at a bar. Ain’t gonna happen. In the meantime, however, Daisy is turning out to be a natural at the play games. I think she will be a great agility partner, so our private session with Stacy tomorrow will just be the two of us. I am so anxious to get started again!

It's a blessed life with dogs!

We've had a very bittersweet couple of weeks. On April 6th, we lost Seamus who was presumed to have hemangiosarcoma. He started bleeding internally and we had him put to sleep at the emergency clinic that Sunday afternoon. His ashes are now back with me, in the hutch with the other precious dogs we've lost through the years. There have been many other deaths locally and on my mailing lists, and the week really took it's toll on me. On Friday I was worn and we decided to head to San Diego with Scooter and Chloe to just get away. The picture on the left was the W Hotel.

Through all of this, I've realized how much the dogs pick up on my emotions. I was practicing agility, but more out of obligation. Chloe was NOT interested at all. She saw right through my fake energy/excitement. After a few days I realized the problem - she knew i didn't really want to play, so she didn't want to either. These dogs are so incredibly in tune to me. I love how I have an entourage wherever I go - five poodles and a golden who follow me everywhere!

Two other updates - I'm likely switching agility instructors. Cindy is ok, but WAY TOO FAST. She is already having us play games and we don't even know the terminology, the crosses, hardly anything. Chloe hates class and doesn't like to even get out of the car when we arrive. It finally hit me that this is not right. So I consulted with a trainer in Vista that was recommended by a gal on the mailing list, and have a private session for Saturday. Yippee! Stacy is very well known through the US and also writes for Cleanrun. I'm excited!

Also today I had permanent makeup applied - eyeliner. Can't wait to see what it looks like after the swelling goes down!

I FOUND IT!!!!

It's taken me 43 years, but I finally found the "group" I belong to.

AGILITY.

Tonight was Chloe's 10th week of class (or there-about). She is loving it and so am I. Our first four weeks was a semi-private session. She did okay there. However, our next class (Beginner Pre-Novice) was comprised of all large dogs and little 12 lb. Chloe. Two of the dogs were Standard Poodle pups and one was a big, goofy goldendoodle. She was soooo intimidated. We missed two classes due to an issue at work that involved surveyors, but we made it for the last session and were still ahead as the large goofballs are so easily distracted. Thankfully, Cindy added us to a small dog class that is actually bit ahead of us. Tonight was the first night and Chloe did GREAT! We were sequencing 6 or 7 obstacles that she did very well. By the time we got to 10, she was pretty pooped but overall did great for it being a more advanced class. I had more difficulty than she did! Best of all is the social factor with the group.

Finally, for the first time in probably my whole life (outside of work), I feel like I found a group of people I can relate to. They are dog people and there to have fun. Most are pretty casual and easy going, and most live locally. I've been trying to attend the trials too and those are really fun. For the first time in ages I can hang around people and just enjoy talking and it has nothing to do with what I *DO*, but just who I *AM*. It is sooooo refreshing and soooooo addicting. Considering that I have an addictive personality, this is dangerous! :-) Ed let me buy several pieces of agility equipment and I can't wait!

New truck and country nights

Amazing what turns me on. A very used but new to us Ford F250 v10 4x4 pick up! Yup, we are now able to haul lumber, purchase new plants, transport our recyclables and go to the dump! Oh yes, and i will be able to buy my new freezer for raw dog food too! I am one happy camper! It seemed like at every turn whatever project was stalled by not having a truck. I told Ed I wanted to pick up an older, used truck, but was dismayed at what I was finding for sale. Either way over-priced or else quite the junker, something I wouldn't want to be caught dead in. So I prayed. We spent Saturday looking at trucks at dealerships and didn't find "the one." Then Monday on my way to work I found it, parked in the mud on the side of Winchester Road. 1999, seemed immaculate at first glance, and 220K miles. It will be great for what we need, and we got it for $4400, about $2K under KBB. It's great it's 4WD as we have had a rainy winter, and our road is the worst it's ever been in the 9 years we've lived here.

With all of the rain comes happy frogs. This evening when i got home from work the dogs and I went walking around the property. AFterwards when we went in the main yard you could really them "talking" or whatever it is they do. It is so quiet (no barking) now it is WONDERFUL to be in the big yard. I love it!

A Dog Day Success

WE DID IT! Baby Chloe at only 10 months old sailed through her CGC test, and Daisy, at just a year and only three weeks in our household, also passed. I'm proud of my precious girls! I used to be a boy dog person, but now I think GIRLS RULE! (Just don't tell my little Scooter Bug, upon whom my world revolves!)

Other good news: Chloe is MUCH better in her agility classes and seems to be enjoying herself, no longer asking to be held the entire time. She is a darling, precious little dog.