Baby it's cold outside!

Snow fell last night. I woke up to the hush that is only found after a big snowfall. We got about 5 inches total, the dogs were very happy, the grandkids were very happy. I was very happy that Greg shoveled the driveway and sidewalk before he left for work. It is beautiful. I can hardly wait to miss it.

Friendships

I spent last weekend (Thursday through Sunday) down in Portland. I was to have been entered in the shows with my dogs, but somehow messed up the computer online entry. Thanks to my wonderful husband, I was able to go anyway and support my friends. Dena had torn her rotator cuff in her right shoulder. Makes it very hard to groom and handle dogs in a show...gave me a mission! In the meantime, I was reminded (partly because of the results of the shows) of the reason I stay involved in showing and trialing. That is the friendships I have developed. The network of support that we have developed is awesome. We laugh and cry and are serious and silly. Just what I need to keep the world in perspective. Without that, I might think it (being the world of shows and trials) is more than it really is. It is a hobby and nothing more. A hobby that I share with some TERRIFIC people!

Rally Advanced A Qualifying score!

It was a good day in Puyallup yesterday. Kona earned his first Rally Advanced leg. One of three he needs for another title. We are on our way. He is a wonderful working dog!

Headed to Puyallup!

The dogs and I are so excited! Tomorrow is the first of the Puyallup shows. The motor home is at the house and the dogs know a trip is in the air! They love to go, so they are running around like goof balls when they are not following me back and forth to the door as I load stuff. I will take off with them in the morning in the car. Kona shows at 10:30 and I don't want to have to try to get things set up out of the motor home and get him ready to go. Greg can't leave til afternoon, so I will hang out in the grooming area until he gets there. It is very exciting and we are ready to go! (To bad we don't really have anybody for the conformation ring this year....)

PRE-ANGEL

I am sure this is to be a snow angel. Faith is poised and ready for fun in the snow. The little pink figure in the background is Maya, waiting for her turn.

Thoughts about my wonderful family.

First of all, I love my family. They mean more to me than words can ever express. We all need therapy! I am not kidding. At Christmas, my kids and I all become some kind of manic group. We have to spend every possible minute together. On top of that we have to stay up way too late, do way too much and force our spouses to try to cope with the lunacy! My son and daughters in law all do an amazing job. They keep smiles on their faces (most of the time) and play our silly games...both board games and manic family games.

It almost begins at Thanksgiving. Jennifer and I started going out the day after Thanksgiving several years ago. We now drag any of the "sisters" who will go with us. Thus begins the lunacy! We haven't purchased anything on that day for many years. It isn't really possible to find any bargains unless you get there far earlier than we do. (This year the malls opened at 12:01) We just go to feel the "season" and laugh and the people who are so stressed. (See, I told you we need therapy!)

Next year I hope to come up with a way to have a more meaningful, less manic Christmas season. Maybe I will begin with not going out on that Friday. Maybe not. Maybe we should go away for Christmas. Maybe not. I am sure something will come to me. Hopefully we will be in a different house.....that is another issue.

HAPPY 2008!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL. WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST THAT 2008 CAN BRING.
I just brought the new year in with my husband of 37 years and friends who we have celebrated with for close to 20. Life is good and full of rich blessings. See you soon!