Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Mixed up Monday

It's Tuesday, I know.  Just so many little piddly things in this post, that the name is apt.

So where to start?   Last few shows of the year are coming up.  We rarely go more then 5 hours - just too many closer shows to go to that don't cost that much in gas.  But there are times that you have to go out of your comfort zone and hit something outside the box.  How can you honestly say you have a great dog that you are showing, when all your points come off the bitches or you are always showing against the same dogs?   So off we go, plus it's an excuse to take the Mystery Machine out for it's maiden voyage.

The Mystery Machine?  Yeap, the Big Tow is no longer.  No not totalled, traded in for the new-to-us van.  Older dodge ram, only 9 passenger(we wanted a 15).  Mint condition, will get a few tweaks and upgrades.  But now we have room for all those damn big dogs the Tall Kid is showing these days.  AND...it's already been told it's going to go on a road trip to AZ next spring.  And we have room to spare too!!  Shame though, Tall Kid wouldn't let us really break it by allowing Hubby to load it up with chickens.

Which, segway, the 22 roos are now waiting to be picked up and placed in the freezer!  It's much quieter in the poultry yard and hoping less expensive.  The Ms still has some runner ducks and anconas available, I'd like the feed bill to be even less expensive this winter!

And what next--oh, that red brindle little temptress living in KS-still not in season.  She seems to enjoy it down there, but news flash, she better come in soon or I might really disown her!  

And another segway, this has been bothering me when it really shouldn't.  Just a comment made by the wayside about puppy lists.  So many of us get inquires on a weekly basis-litters, puppies available etc.  I ask for them all to fill out and return the questionnaire I email them.  Yes it's on the website, but I prefer to have a person contact me, talk with them, then give them the questionnaire.  When it's returned, references checked, then their name goes on the list.  If you have preferences it's noted but it's also noted when we talk that you won't get to pick your pup based on your preference-say a blue girl or a brindle male, we evaluate and such to provide you with a pup that personality wise that matches your family, etc.   Sex, color and coat are lower down on that list.   BUT the one thing that really irrates me?   Thinking just because you came up to me and I know you, that it automatically puts you up high on the list and that I'm going to bend over backwards to get you a dog and I'm going to make all the effort to keep in contact with you?  Get a life.  If you want one of my dogs, you make the effort to keep in touch, you make the effort and do the research on the dogs, ask me questions, email me for answers, ask how the pups are doing all through out the whelp and weeks following.  That shows me your commitment and shows me that you are really invested in getting a pup from me.  Not just getting on every breeders list and hoping for the first available.  So there, and this from cleaning out files this weekend and having about two dozen questionnaires that came to me and that was it, no further communication.  Your name just got added to the list that says-don't take them seriously. 

And with that mix up of things, praying that those on the east coast are all safe and that the clean up is easy and painless.  Check in if you can--hate worrying about you!

Later gators...
C

Monday, October 29, 2012

Halloween Trail 2012

What a blast we had on Saturday!  This year the Halloween Trail was relocated to a great area in town, behind the American Red Cross building.  The Hitaga staff and volunteers did a great job of setting it up and making sure everyone enjoyed it.  

The K9Ambassadors from CRKA(me) took our trusty dogs out to teach dog safety to make sure the trick or treaters were safe.  Joining us were our good friends, Jackie and Michael.  The Ms, Hubby, Malcolm, Lace, Moose and ugh, Cy, were along too.  Let's just say Cy is, well, um, blonde.  Through and through.  Other then that, both babies-Mal and Cy, loved, LOVED, the kids in costumes and did a great job teaching how to safely meet and greet a dog as well as how to act around them.  Honestly, Cy was the best and loved each and every kid, a little too much at times. 

Check out the photos at the Hitaga Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/CampHitaga

Oh and yes, it was COLD.  Lace ended up in the truck part way through the evening.  Her old body just can't do the temperature extremes like she used to.  Come to think of it, neither can I.

Later gators....
C

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The haunting part 5

Let’s visit a few houses in our neighborhood.

Just down the road from my office is a lovely Queen Anne’s style mansion on the National Historic Registry. Known simply as Brucemore, it was built back in the 1870’s, it’s only had two families reside in its beautiful rooms, use its grand staircases and walk the gorgeous grounds with the lions and german shepherds.

Where you want to be careful of is going into the library. Supposedly the entity haunting the house loves books and activity centers around there. Groaning, disembodied laughing, objects moving and a glowing apparition was once seen.

If you are in the mood for dinner after visiting Brucemore, just go down the street to a great little restaurant, Daniel Arthur’s. That is if you can deal with the ghost that haunts it.

Originally a small mansion located close to the downtown, it was sold and became a funeral home in the early 1950’s. As the story goes, in 1967 the funeral director committed suicide in the attached garage. Turned into a restaurant in 2000, dinners, guests and employees have talked about apparitions, disembodied voices, hair pulled, chairs moved and flying and disappearing silverware.

Want Mexician food? Carlo’s O’Kelly’s in Marion(one of my favorite eateries, btw) is said to have dishes fly across a room and unplugged blenders start whipping up cocktails for those at the bar. I’ve heard some first-hand comments about phones ringing and things appearing and disappearing from tables.

Still with us? How about a walk through a couple of cemeteries? We’ve already visited the Black Angel in Iowa City, but again, just a few more blocks away from Daniel Arthur’s, we have the lovely Oak Hill Cemetery.

One of the oldest in the city, and located near the Czech Village area of town(other side of the river), two different stories about a lonely specter of a woman who walks the graves at night. Some people say it’s a young Czech girl named Tillie who will grant you a wish if you are respectful of her but disrespect to her or the graves will bring you bad luck. Is she a witch that was stoned to death then buried with an iron fence surrounding her grave? Only to be let loose to walk when the fence was removed? Or is she simply an old woman who died with nothing and roams the graves looking for something?

Now taking a little walk-ha, drive, north to Palo. Known as the 13-Steps Cemetery, my Uncle is buried there. Actually called Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, during the day light, you can only see 12 steps, but during the night the 13th appears. Also many have seen a ghostly phantom running through or a green ball of light hovering over the then famous Lewis Family graves. Some have been pushed, poked, or touched or if you leave your car near the entrance, lovely night creatures will come and cover the car.

Over the years, I must admit, lots of the lore has been exaggerated.  But the best part is finding out the truth for yourself.  Happy Haunting and I'd love to hear your own ghostly encounters from where you live!

Later gators....
C

Monday, October 22, 2012

The haunting part 4

So you keep coming back for more?  

Iowa City, located just south of us, is the home of the Black Angel.  During one of our midnight runs during college, the group of us went down to see her.  Of course I'll get to the legend in a moment, but our trip had it's own little spook along. 

Seems as we are wandering the cemetary, getting each other scared, up in the distance we all saw a light move across the cemetary.  Then a wooshing sound.  Disappeared only to reappear closer to us.  The light goes, then the sound.  By the third pass, I was ready to leave. 

It was a guy riding his bike along the paths in the cememtary--amazing what your mind will do to you!

So the legend of the Black Angel.

Located in Oakland Cemetary, Iowa City, the story of the Black Angel dates back to the late 19th entury when Teresa Feldevert traveled to Iowa City from an area that is now known as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Her first marriage produced her son, Edward Dolezal, who died in Iowa City in 1891. Teresa had the bronze angel statue made in Chicago by Czech-American sculptor Mario Korbel and transported to Iowa City to be placed in the cemetery in 1913. Her second husband, Nicholas Feldevert’s ashes were placed in a repository at the base of the statue. When Teresa died in 1924, her ashes were placed beside her husband’s. Though the monument displays Teresa’s birthdate, there is no sign of her deathdate. Over the years the bronze statue oxidized, acquiring a greenish-black patina.

It is said that if one touches or kisses the statue they will be struck dead, unless that person is a virgin. It is also rumored that if a pregnant woman walks beneath the statue’s stretched wings that she will miscarry.

Next, mansions and an interesting place to eat, or two....

Later gators....
C

The haunting part 3

Bridges and cars go hand in hand, right?  

Just to the south of us is an area with a great park, called Matsell's Bridge.  Which, aptly, named after a old stone bridge that marks the area. 

Rumor has it that strange things happen when you drive up there on a cold dark night. 

Though I've never experienced it, the local loor is that if you drive to the center of the bridge, shut off the engine, the spirits that roam those woods, will push your car across the bridge.  Many times they leave a hand print on a bumper or window where they pushed against it.

If you anger the spirits they will shake and attempt to get in the vehicle.

If that doesn't get ya.... how about a Black Angel?

Later gators....
C

The haunting part 2

So, back for more? ‘Cause there is, lots.


I think I left off at the rocking chair?

So once again, I think that house really like picking on Hubby. Rumor has it that the previous tenant’s mother used to sit in a rocking chair all day long and when he went one evening to wake her for dinner she had passed on.

We had two rocking chairs in the house. One is much older than the other, word – is. For some reason, two of the things that did not parish in the house fire were those rocking chairs. I happened to have been given the younger of the two chairs a few years back while the older and heavier one was still at mom and dad’s. Now I do recall many a time walking through the house and seeing the chair just stop moving, like someone had been in it but just got up and left. Or walking past one of them and just feeling like someone was watching me.

Hubby’s sitting I think the smaller of the two chairs(truthfully the more comfortable one.) You remember the tabs, tags, thingys on the back of an oxford dress shirt? Minding his own business, suddenly he was jerked back by that tab in the chair. No one was behind him, around him or maybe not even in the room. Again, I think Momma Ghost had a thing for Hubby.

That leads us up to the fire.

10 years this upcoming February, the entire house went up in flames. Never did know find out the exact cause. Knowing the back story about how it was constructed, most likely electrical and started in the kitchen. Luck had it that Dad was starting back to work that week and was eating breakfast up town. Stewie the cat was at Doc’s getting spayed. All in all, we managed to save a few pieces of furniture, including the rocking chair, some minor little things as well as a print off the wall. If you want the whole story about the print, catch me some day and I’ll give you the details on that one.

After the house was totaled, there were a few things we needed to do. First off, find my mother’s wedding ring which she swore was in the cupboard jar above the sink. The running joke these days is that if it’s missing, it’s in the basement as everything ended up in the basement. Hubby found my dad’s wedding band, a few other assorted rings from that jar, a cast iron pan but no wedding ring. Mom found it in her purse a few weeks later-she was scared to tell David for a few additional weeks.

The oddest thing, considering all that crap that went on in that house over the years, was finding a set of very plain but very nice silver bowls near the old chimney. David went to take them out of the basement, stopped mid stride, called to my mom and asked, where did these come from. We all looked at each other as none of us had ever seen those before. They seemed untouched by the fire. Eerily untouched. Once again, we all looked at each other and told David to return them to where he found, bury them deep and then run the other direction. Mom wanted nothing that wasn’t hers to come out of there and follow them to their new adobe. The basement got filled in and they have no plans to build over it, ever. It’s still weird at times to walk across the foot print of the house. Like something wants come through the soil and go with you where ever you go.

Next up…..bridges and cars….

Later gators... C

Plethra of stuff going on-including announcements galore!

Got our "official" email today.  Looks like I've got a handful of dogs that are now eligiable to go to the Eukanuba invitational this year!!! 

Our biggest concentration this past year was on Connor and I am proud to annouce for the Tall Kid that he got an invitation for being in the Top 25 for the breed as well as invited for getting not only his grand last year but also his Silver grandchampionship.  

Now of course I have to scan the lists for the cardigans, which we didn't do much this past year with but....we have Pete making it for finishing her championship completely out of BBE and Charlie made it by doing all but one of his points out of BBE, that stinkin' point out of the puppy classes. 

Of course, not that we are going.  I'd have to glue some appendage back on Charlie to show him and well, Pete is still vacationing in KS plotting her next escapade.  Connor, well, he's slowly retiring and becoming a man of leisure.   I think he enjoys it too much. 

Later gators....
C

Friday, October 19, 2012

The haunting...part 1

I like a good ghost story. Now don’t take the wrong way, I really hate scary movies, but a real life haunting is something I can deal with.

I believe in ghosts. I believe in angels, demons, Satan and God our Father. And I believe that there are spirits, souls that are lost in the translation that is death.

Here in our Eastern Iowa area, there are lots of good stories. I spent many a fall night during my stint getting a horticulture degree(and yes now I’m an accountant), roaming the cemeteries, bridges, and houses with a dedicated group of fellow students and one very fun instructor.

So how about I start at home for the first installment?

As you know, I grew up on two different farms in Iowa. The first one was dozed about 15 or 20 years ago when my family’s farm was bought out to put in the bypass. Nothing spooky there. My great uncle had built the house, we lived in it when he moved in town, then we moved to the farm about 3 miles away and my aunt and uncle moved in till they built their new house on the hill. Nothing weird went on other than the newfie that jumped out of the 2nd story window a couple of times.

The 2nd farm house we lived in was, well, haunted. The house’s original section was dated to 1875(I think). For those in the know, that would be the front parlor and den on the first floor, my bedroom and Adam’s room as well as the fruit cellar in the basement. The 2nd addition, to the best of our knowledge was the new stair case to the 2nd floor and the piano room. In the basement, that’s where the cast iron, HUGE coal burning fire breathing monster sat. Last addition was the living room, kitchen, mom and dad’s room upstairs, the upstairs bathroom, attic room and the back stair case.

Our digging into the history of the house is that it was an original stop on the stagecoach route that went from Cedar Rapids to Dubuque. Then it became a working farm. That’s when things went a little off.

Back story #1 We moved in when the last owner went into the nursing home. Dad and my uncle had farmed his property for years and were asked to be his guardians-he had no children, only two nieces who lived out of state. Mom and Dad went over to see what was need to be done to get the house ready for us to move in. That’s another story for another day, but needless to say, Albert was a bachelor who lived with his mother who had died 30 years prior. Heat shut off to the upstairs, when a rug wore out, you just placed a new one on top of it and stacks and stacks of newspapers. So we went about cleaning the house.

Ghost story #1-the kitchen. Remembering that the house only had a bachelor living there, nothing really changed in 30 years, including the layer of dust in the cabinets, the wallpaper, etc. Mom is up on a ladder cleaning the one set of kitchen cabinets(pretty bead board that also served as a wall between the kitchen and living room). My brother is recovering from getting his tonsils out, so he’s hanging in the bean bag chair, slurping kool aid and watching TV on a small b/w that we brought over from the other house. He’s not in the room with her. But she swears that he is, turns around and no one. You know that feeling when someone is staring, er, drilling holes in your back? She said she shrugged her shoulders, went back to cleaning. Once again, that feeling of someone standing right behind her, nothing. Now Mom is not one to be rattled, but she kind of got a cold shiver, returned to her cleaning one more time and this next time, the air got cold in the room, that feeling came back even stronger and she whipped around and said, “I’m sorry to be messing up your house. All I’m doing is cleaning so that we can move in. Now leave me alone” Instantly, gone. A little warmth came back in the room, the air wasn’t stuffy and she knew that she was once again alone in the house.

Back story #2 Rumors float all over the place about what really went on in that house. Dad went mad and shot himself upstairs in the master bedroom. Or Mom came home one night and found that one of the brother’s had hung himself in the basement(how when the basement had such low ceilings?) Mom went crazy and died in her sleep in her rocking chair. Etc etc etc.

Ghost Story #2-Hubby gets in on this one. I’ve always felt a cold spot in the upstairs hallway and you ran through that little port in the house as fast as you could. Once you got to say the bedroom door and turned around, you were fine. So Hubby is in the house alone. One of his days’ off that he’s out messing with the horses or whatever-you know how he is.  So he gets a drink, makes a sandwich and sits down to either read the paper or watch the noon news. Upstairs he hears boots walking across the floor, from the hall across Mom and Dad’s bedroom, shuts a door. He yells—Hey Laura, I’m down here eating lunch, want anything? No response. Hum, maybe it was the wind? So he settles back down and the footsteps start again, this time from the bathroom area, through the bedroom to the hall way. He gets up, announces his presence again and then hits the bottom of the stairs to look up to where the footsteps should have stopped with the person making them. Nothing. He goes up stairs, hits that little cold area and nothing.

If I remember rightly, he walked back downstairs, grabbed his cup, sandwich, walked out the back door and didn’t go back inside until Mom was home from work .

Next….the rocking chair, the fire and the silver bowls.

Later gators...
C

Max's hero and are you tired of my stories yet?

To be honest, when I get the comment, you're life is so fun and interesting, I usually give that person a quizzical look and shrug.  I think the fact that I'm used to the crazy and confusing comedy that is my life, makes it just another day for us.   But please let me know if I bore you.

Today's installment....Max's hero.

As you all know by now, our Max is a wonderful czech bred rescue German Shepherd.  Yes rescue.  Mississippi Valley GSD Rescue had been dealing with a guy who was breeding his imported GSD's for awhile and been just selling this very sport driven dogs to anyone with the cash.  Max was by far not the first one they had in the system, so easy to track his origins. 

Max is also a wonderful barker, scarer of those who absently wander down our long drive and think about opening the gate and walking in.  Ask Brian or the well guy or even our postman.  I'll let you in a little secret, he's really a big baby who only wants you to scratch and cuddle his overly large 85 lb plus body in your lap.  He's all bark and actually that's why we have him.  No one takes the collies or corgis or Tango the manic Pomeranian seriously.  We needed a BIG dog and got one.

His Achilles heel?   Wererabbits and their weapon, the electric fence.   Though thinking of himself as the mighty hunter, Max has had no occasion to actually catch and kill something.  He chases all the birds out of the yard, stands in the middle of the yard barking at the bull next door(because ya know if bounced at him once when he was near the fence and might come back and do it again!).   The rabbits, especially those wererabbits are the most of evil of all.  When chasing them along the fence, on several occasions, Max has to stop and well, um, water the fence to make sure they know it's his fence.  They in turn throw out their wonderful weapon called the cow's electric fence, which for most of you know-water + electricity= OUCH!   Screaming GSD's running a MACH 10 across the yard and slamming into and now shaking the front door with fear, is quite the site. 

So he's very concerned at certain times of the year when the bunnies are bouncing around.  In comes his hero.  The cat.

Setting the scene, Hubby is letting dogs out this am and his employees have taken to sleeping part of the night in the garage.  He's leaving the big door cracked some so they can go in and out.  But this morning as he's letting a couple dogs in, he hears low growling.  Similar to our friendly neighborhood raccoons.  What does he do, comes in, still in slippers and grabs the flash light.  No, he walks right past the shotgun and decides that he can run very fast across the house a second time, if need be, for it, if in fact it is the coons. 

No need.  He finds the Star Employee of the Month, Midnight(now in running for Employee of the Year), enjoying an early morning breakfast of wererabbit.  I think I heard the comment, didn't know that a cat could catch and kill something bigger then itself.  Upon hearing the cat had the rabbit, Max was beyond overjoyed.

Though I do fear, retaliation is in order from the wererabbit clan.  Max hasn't peed on the fence in awhile....

Later gators...
C

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Spiteful little wit**

Pete does it on purpose.  She has not gone in season yet which means she's holding off until just such a time that when she does, 63 days later will be the weekend of the St Paul shows.  rrrrrrrr, little witch.

On the other hand, if things went as they should, Hubby will be baby sitting 4 week old babies, if I get to go to St Paul.  Yeapers, hoping the breeding took and Cora and Eddie are expecting a repeat litter the first week of December.

I am so not looking forward to not only puppies in the house during Christmas but winter ones at that-ugh.  

Why do I do this again?

Later gators....
C

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Being politically correct

There is no bad color.  Gosh this sounds so political and well, it can be and shouldn't all in the same breath.

Cardigan standard says…. All shades of red, sable and brindle. Black with or without tan or brindle points. Blue Merle (black and gray; marbled) with or without tan or brindle points. THERE IS NO COLOR PREFERENCE!!!!!(my emphasis).

Lately I’ve been hearing and seeing a lot of this “preferred color” or should I say “ disliked color” commentary. It’s so bogus in some many ways. Though I will agree, there are a select few judges that have a preference for blue dogs and then black and white, but I’ve never had a judge comment that my dog is the wrong color, just ask the Tall Kid's red dog, Frankie.

When we opted to keep Red Dog out of the litter over a couple other puppies, we got all this bullshit—reds are hard to finish, it will take you a long time to finish him, judges just don’t like seeing red cardigans, etc etc etc

Frankie won, a lot, over nice blue, brindle and black and white dogs. He finished faster than his brindle siblings, as in doing it in less shows, though his brindle brother did finish the month before. His brindle sister waited till that fall to finish. He was 13 mos old-the same age that his brindle grandsire finished. And he hated and still hates showing, so his attitude in the ring sucked.

I have heard of recent months that a red dog lost and when the owner asked the judge why, the excuse was the that color made the dog look like a pemmie. Okay, so instead of saying it was the dog’s color the judge hated, why don’t you take the moment to really evaluate your dog and see what else made it look like a pemmie. I’ve seen the dog and the very first time I wondered if it was a tailed pemmie! Head, front, tail set etc, all indicated Pembroke to me, just like the judge. Add on the sable/red color and there ya go.

We need to quit making excuses for our dogs and be honest about what was shown that day, the quality of the judge and judging and what was consistent in what the judge wanted.

Of recent, I’ve been sitting down with the Tall Kid and the Ms after we get done showing and analyzing why what dog won and comparing it with the rest of the entry. Yes I agree, there have been a few friends and family gimmes, those will always happen, but then you need to single out the consistent forms with the dogs that won. And yes, I grant, I stood in a line up a few weeks ago and looked up and down, then outside the ring and realized that we would not be able to get anything close to a consistent piece. We had tall leggy dogs, no coat dogs, long dogs, dogs that almost dragged their chests on the ground, heads that were totally different between WD/WB/BOS/BOB—I mean you could not have picked more diverse group of winners. Yet looking outside the ring, there was more consistency—anyway, a judge who won’t get my entry again, even though I won that day.

Back on track---don’t stomp out of the ring saying the judge had no clue, don’t berate your dog by saying it needs to be a different color in order to win. But definitely take a step back and ask yourself why the dog that won did and what it had your dog didn’t that day according to the judge.

Remember, there’s always that chance it really was the quality of your dog, not the color that got you that placing.

Oh and the red dog in my house,  he is prejudice-he only likes black and white girls.  Just as Cora, Music and Emmy.  Go figure.

Later gators....
C

Monday, October 15, 2012

Prerequisite

Yes dears, when you are showing in the midwest, it is of your best interest to do some research on the various show sites. 

Such is the case for this past weekend's event in Mason City. 

First off the show is either wet, windy and cold, or blazing hot.  October in Iowa, no inbetween. Pack all necessary clothes-rain gear(needed Sunday morning), extra pair of dry shoes and socks, t-shirts(for sitting in a restaurant with no air), sunglasses and be able to carry white bedlingtons over the mud to get to the show rings.

Second-grooming usually SUCKS!  Yes show giving club, one thing that you need to work on is grooming.  In order to grow a show, exhibitors look for certain things-distance(in many forms), judges and show site.  We were blessed to have Beth get there just in time to get enough room for us.  'Cause I was not grooming outside this weekend.  Granted I've been going to this show for like 10 years now and the grooming has never changed, but wonder why your entries are going down, and it's not just the economy.

So other then that, weekend round up?  Connor BOV and Group 4!   Not to be mean but man it was a good feeling to see a certain dog in the group walk.  Ms and Connor won their juniors class.  Cinderella the bedlington got a good look in group, but that was by far the most powerful group at the show.  Penny was RWB, though the judge did comment it was one of the hardest group of bitches she's judged, rarely see such a nice set of bitches at one time.  Congrats to Wanda on WB, not complaining as her girl was much better put together then Penny, who btw, did not have a melt down on the table!!!

And beyond that, another prerequisite--make sure on your seasonal favorite treat, that since you now can't eat certain foods, that you revisit the ingredients.  My gallbladder is reminding me of that today.

Later gators and 2" of rain !!!!!

C

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Comments from the peanut gallery

I'm so over the political ads.  It's the same ones over and over on all the channels.  Ugh. 

Tall Kid:  If I vote now, will these stop?

Me:  No.

TK:  damn.....(sits for a moment, shrugs and gets out of his chair, leaving the room)

Me:  sigh....(get up outta my chair and go do some laundry)

Later gators...
C

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Grades are in

So I get handed a piece of paper yesterday from the Ms.  It was one of those sheepish hand offs, like here's something but really, please, don't make a big deal out of it.

Woo Hoo!!! She finally conquered Math!   At least for this quarter.  She's always struggled and we've always told her to get into vet school, you have to have good math grades.  I was greeted to a sheet with all A's on it, okay on C on a quiz, but the rest were A's!   Can I say Woo Hoo again?!!!

End of the quarter is Thursday, she said she's getting all A's in the rest of her classes, except Earth Science there's a B(bad quiz).  Considering she's got a full coarse load plus, taking 3 science classes this semester, I consider it a great report card! 

Her happy dance?  3 days left of PE.  For....the...year!   Not that she didn't mind the everyday PE this quarter, but she's more excited about the next 3 quarters where she's got her art courses starting.   Or is it art and industrial tech?   I'm lost there, she kept throwing classes out there and there and everywhere.

Way to go Ms!!!!   Keep right on track and let's talk about those AP classes in the future! And remember to study your driver's manual this week.  Your brother and I have use of an additional driver to dog shows!

Later gators....
C

Monday, October 8, 2012

A Shopping we will go

So as stated elsewhere, it was another throw money to the wind weekend.

Sort of.  I seriously needed to restock the pantry, but a few goodies along the way can't hurt, right?  Only my pants, sigh.

Before groceries, we did a swing by Anamosa to pick up a crate I got off Craiglist(which the Ms did an awesome job of cleaning and then spray painting the door!), Thesien's for chick, duck and dog food, all while trying to avoid all the people getting ready for the PumpkinFest Parade.

So then we head south to the Kalona Cheese Factory.  Ummm, squeaky cheese, tea and shortbread.  Okay the last item was the goodie purchase.   I have cheese in the freezer, two, one now, bags on the counter and boy did it taste good in the tomato soup that night.

Checked off, now to Stringtown.  Holy Moly, it was busy.  Cut of the day was a little toddler in a holstein cow outfit, standing by the fence as the holsteins looked at him from about 5 feet away--what the hay? 

Back to the store.  Love the sign to the left of the main entrance-we gladly welcome respectfully dressed customers.  Oh such a greand sight to see.  It's packed inside but I find flour, spices, stuff for baking and no goodies.  Yes we were good and only got the basics. 

Next stop, Community Store.  This is where I buckled, chocolate crinkle cookies, whoopie pie and new tongs. 

Then home.  Where Hubby started digging out the duck pond(ICK, super ICK!)  I cleaned kitchen, sorted tomatoes and of course, found a new abode for dear red dog.  Then we hunkered down to watch a few movies we rented-the Ms finally got to watch The Hunger Games, I did my chick flick - The Lucky One and we all enjoyed Snow White and the Huntsman. 

Sunday--MORE SHOPPING!  Well, I got the wrong canning lids, so of course we had to go get the correct ones, then I needed wide mouth jars to go with the wrong lids.  Paint, lime, chips and home to bake.  9 pints of salsa canned, some pretzel rolls, homemade chicken tortilla soup with all the fixins.  I must have been on my feet all day long because when I sat down to watch the new season of Upstairs/Downstairs, I couldn't get back up outta the chair.  Then again, it could be Mal was firmly planted in my lap too!

Tonight--cookies to back, bread to rise and hum, maybe some home made tortillas?

Later gators...
C

Will it ever end????

So come home from our grocery run to Kalona and find that my ever sweet red dog has had it.  He tried to pull the molding from around the bedroom door!  

The discussion was this:
"Dear, would you come and look at this?"
"Hum, what happened here?"
"I suggest you discuss this with the red dog, while I go find a crate for him to live in for the next 3 weeks"
"I'll go find the hammer."

Cora's going out, Granny is prime, Dove just came in.  The whining is hitting a fever pitch.  And Penny hasn't come in yet. 

Calgon, take them away!

Later gators...
C

Friday, October 5, 2012

Reflections on growing up

Last weekend while getting my forgotten toiletries replace at Walmart, the kids and I watched in amazement as girls and guys came into the store, dressed up for what only I think was their local homecoming dance.

First observation—why in the hell do you come to Walmart on homecoming night? Get a grip. In my time(goodness that was fun to say), we got picked up in a recently cleaned/detailed car, at home where our parents took photos, the guy gave us a corsage, girl gave him a boutonniere. We then went off, as in our day, to meet up with a group of friends and had a nice dinner out at a nice restaurant. Then we went to the dance. Got our photo taken. Danced. Chatted. Had fun and our group, usually we all meet up after the dance at someone’s house where parents were home and changed into comfy clothes and watched a movie etc. Everyone went home, though usually the girls stayed there for a sleepover.

Besides Walmart, we saw couples getting subs at Subway, gas at the gas station or supplies-sodas,etc. Is this the new trend?

Second observation-clothing optional? Now the guys were dressed very nicely. Nothing new there from what I remember. Ties, slacks, vests or sweaters, etc. Clean up and shiny. BUT….when did it become optional for girls to dress as skanks? Yes you heard that right, skanks. Dresses are too low and too high all at the same time. If you watch CSI, it’s the type of outfit you might see on the hooker they are interviewing that just found the dead body. Glittery, tight, showing a hell of a lot more then they have to offer.

I have a freshman in high school. I am blessed with a sensible, kind, smart and fun kid. The Ms is given every opportunity to participate in all the activities she wants. She does what she wants and gives it her full attention. Recent conversations when she gets picked up at school are that her friends are now getting into all this relationship drama. Who’s dating whom, breaking up, etc. I mean seriously, freshman? Her comment is that she doesn’t need all that drama, she perfectly fine to live off her friends chaos, and not have to deal with it all. She took a full load plus this year to get ahead of the game. I am ordering her FFA jacket next week. She participates in the social events, but isn’t all about the “being” part of it. As in being seen, being heard and being there.

Why do parents encourage some of this behavior? The need to fit in and be the it person. I’m seeing on FB photos of these still young girls in mini dresses, tromping off to the dance because if you aren’t there, you aren’t someone. Or the instagram photos of the new hair doo, mugging with friends and constant texting. I get the feeling that some days we are creating a very shallow group of kids. The kind that don’t take defeat well so we buy them more and “better” so they can win and have that winning attitude.

I’m old fashioned and I’m bringing up my kids that way. So the Ms didn’t get asked to the dance, not that she would have said yes, she more than likely would have said no. She has friends, good friends, both male and female. She’s open and honest with me about what is happening, if it makes her sad(PE) or glad(only 1 more week of full time PE). She says yes ma’am, yes sir, please, thank you, speak when spoken to and watch how and what you say. You come home and have your homework done, then go out and do your chores. Help make dinner, eat with the family, do house chores, work with dogs, go to meetings, do what’s asked, when she is asked(most of the time) She wears appropriate clothing, though I have told her she inherited her father’s tight butt and still is as flat chested as they come. Anyhow, she loves shoes, likes clothes but understands that flaunting more isn’t better.

Go to church, say your prayers, obey your parents and elders. Don’t be demanding and cute isn’t going to get you that far in life, medical science might be able to help you extend those looks but what if that crazied monkey bites your face off, then what do you have to fall back on?

So girls, pull those hems a little lower, button up those shirts one more button. You can have those cute shoes, but I better also see those grades stay up, otherwise, there definitely won’t be a prom in your future. Okay, parents, let your girls be girls, but you of all people shouldn’t be living through your kid’s social lives, what kind of model are you setting?

I need to go home and bake some bread. You’ll find the Ms reading a new book, listening to a very eclectic selection of music on her mp3(no ipod and no cell phone!), riding her horse, playing with her chickens or walking a dog. There’s also some vacuuming, dusting, canning and of course, shopping. I don’t have her tied to the post, but you know it’s nice when she chooses to be with us and include us in her life and asks us to help her make decisions. And not worrying about dying her hair the right color, how long before she’s got to get her manicure redone, or if her friend is mad at her since she hasn’t had a text in like an hour from them.

Later gators….
C

Weekend preview

Ahead of the game or just .... nah, never mind.

Few friends headed back to IL for a weekend of dog shows, nope not I.  Alec is working 16 hours days-up to four at Lowe's then off to the elevator till 6 or 7 each night. Comes home, eats, showers and goes to bed. 

We are roadtripping it again, this time for supplies.  Kalona for cheese, tea, flour and canning jars.  Then it's home to process the last of the tomatoes.  Wednesday night under the waning moon light(it was only 6:30, come on now!) we picked anything that resembled a decent tomato-green or pink or purple.  Down in the basement in these lovely crates that Hubby got me from the greenhouse, they sit and hopefully to ripen. 

Salsa, maybe some apple stuff this weekend too?  Then it's conformation class with Penny and Smelly.  Yes that's his new name, unfortunately he comes to it also.   Dig out the pond, clean out duck/chicken houses, look at new dog to show, maybe do some wheeling and dealing that would end up with some chicken cages and then work with the Ms on her grant proposal for her SAE. 

Nah, not doing a thing this weekend!

Hope everyone has a grand time--oh bugger, pumpkin patch, best write that down now, anyway, have a great weekend and don't get too busy!

Later gators....
C

Properly whipped with a wet noodle

It has come to my attention that I have been lacking in my blogging duties.  By several people.  SORRY!!!  After the weekends whirlwind, back to work with a new person on board, I just can't seem to find a moment to pen more then 3 words together.

So, what's happen? Not much.  Gosh I lied.  It's that time of the year when we have so many little things going on, I'm not sure where to start.  So let's back track to the weekend.

As  mentioned previously, we were off to the Freeport/Rockford, IL dog shows.  All this talk about making a major in smooth collies was a bunch of baloney-why I just don't trust them for their word.  Simply put, most collie people are back stabbing idiots.  Most I said.  A select few are nice, honest and really understand the breed.  Lots in our area are so kennel blind and have a very bad understanding of correct form and function, that, well, it's sad to see the prick eared, gay tailed, poor coated things in the ring.  Sorry, did that sound like a rant?  It was.

So back to the show.  We load up like the damn Clampets-Cy, Connor, Loki, Penny, Dove, Cara and Mal.  Throw in the Ms for good measure.  To say we were packed to the gills is an understatement but as the Tall Kid put it, at least we didn't have to strap the Ms to the roof!
Meet up with Shelley at the hotel--she was AWESOME and got to the show site early to get us some prime grooming space.  Good night's sleep, then load everyone back up to head to the show site at the butt crack of dawn, 'cause you know, to throw a wrench in it all was the Ms and juniors.  

I start grooming-Connor, easy, off he goes with the kid.  Okay, time?  We have one set of dogs right after the other and throw in sweeps for cardigans.  I got Penny and Cy ready, then started tackling, gulp, the akita.  Needless to say I apologize for not thinking this through.  We created a storm of Loki hair when I started blowing him out.  He had hair everywhere!   I had hair everywhere.  Eyelashes, mouth, down my bra.   But he looks damn good now. 

Results start pouring in-Connor and the Ms, 1st in open intermediate.  Connor BOV, Cy BOW, Loki BOB, Cara WB.  Now onto sweeps in cardigans.

Pretty Penny had a nuclear melt down on the table.  The judge had the table pointed into the sun, stepped into the glare, turned into a hulking shadow monster and she could not hold it together.  We tried and tried and finally just got off, went and did our down and back, knowing full well I've now donated an entry to the club.  

Interesting part, as I pick her up to leave the ring(I'm all the way across the far corner after our last go round), the judge leaves the winners in the class, walks across to meet me 1/2 way and we have a 2-3 minute discussion, while the others have to wait for their ribbons.  He apologized for not being able to place her.  Actually he said-I feel horrible, you walked in the ring and all I could think was who would I now place as BOSS.  He then went on to extoll Penny's many virtures.  I told him no worries, you can not ever reward that behavior, even in a puppy and that there would be another day for her.  And yes, she is a very nice cardigan pup, her day will come.  I walked out of the ring kind of puzzled by her behavior but also very intriqued with the judge-as a provisional he's got a wonderful understanding of the breed, which is very rare and he's got a genuine interest in the breed.  Wish regular breed judges were like him.   And two other times during the day, we ran into the judge and he apologized again and said how nice she was.

We regrouped and sent Alec in on Penny in the afternoon for regular classes.  Though she started a melt down, the judge knowing the circumstances from the morning, was kind and got to examine her.  No placement, but it's a huge leap forward from the mornings mess. 

The other arguement in the morning was who was showing what?  Liz had Max entered and said she was showing her own dog.  We got him all groomed up and well, he looked awesome.  Though Liz joked he was fat, which is wasn't, but he's now a performance star and needs to be svelt and fit.  Alec was going to show Dove, yes we pulled the crabby girl out and dusted her off for the weekend.  I was going to show Mr Macho, Chipper Shredder. We went back and forth and back and forth, I won!   I got Dove, he got the handful.

Two years ago this same weekend, Dove finished her championship with her 4th major.  One month prior, Col Joe had given her a huge major win at Amana.  The stars were aligning. 

Here's the funny part, Dove was all about the bath, nails, blow dry on Thursday.  Jumped right in the Big Tow straight into her crate.  Wasn't until we got to the show site on Saturday that it clicked and she went--WHOA NELLY!  I so did not sign out for this.  Yeah, she wasn't super happy on the way to the ring.  But all shaking aside, she was the pro that she's always been.  Chip was a handful - attention span of a ... squirrel.  Oh what was I talking about?

Dove moved, stacked, gave ears and ended up BOS in the supported entry!   Woo Hoo, that's her first grand major with competition!   Chipper was select, so a good sweep with the FB/S crew.  Nice ceramic mug for a prize too.   Max and Liz looked awesome but had the pleasure of being first in line-what a curse. 

By groups it was getting hot.  Nothing for either Connor or Loki, so we packed up and headed to the hotel.  Alec was starting a headache and I think wanted to watch football.  Dinner, bed and I got some time to read a book.  The Ms, shower and fell asleep on her face at 8pm!  Slept through Connor snuggling with Alec and Cy and Cara bouncing on the bed.

Sunday, same old same old.  Juniors early-2nd in her class because Trey with his skip were taunting Connor, who is in love with little dogs.  She had such a hard time keeping his focus forward.  We all had a good giggle.

The day went a little better as nothing was on top of each other.  Loki BOB, Connor select, Cy WD.  Cara BOB.  Now to cardigans. 

Col Joe was judging and Alec took Penny in, told him what happened, not a melt down just a small earthquake shaking in the table.  We'd spent the day with the grooming table outside and having every person we could come up and touch and exam Penny.  I have to send a shout out to my friend Jane who was so kind and sweet to her.   Good day, Penny was 2nd in the class!!! Progress made.

Dove once again showed like the pro she is, still not happy about being there, but she moved out great and ended up as select bitch.  Another 5 pt grand major competition win.  Two days, 1/2 way to her grand!   Now if she can just keep her hair.  Nothing for Chip, just not exactly what the judge wanted.  Congrats to Emily for finishing Seamus, he's turning out to be a very nice boy. 

Thanks need to go out to Jean Rogers for arranging all of the festivites for the weekend.  The food was great, the prizes fun(Dove got a cool bag filled with treats and stuff for select) and the company was great.  Mal had fun - though I have to keep reminding certain people that he has feet and can walk, no need to carry him all over.

We managed to get everything repacked with a little air space left over.  Dad's looking for a van for us, we'll need it by the next long distance shows.   Got home in time for the Ms to watch the season premiere of Once Upon A Time.  I was able to clean out the Big Tow, sort clean and dirty and for the most part get things back to normal.  Normal that is when you've got a screaming stud dog(Eddie) and his girlfriend is in season.  Granny Phoebe is in too, so the hormones are flowing and Turner has a whine that is almost worse then Eddie's screaming. 

I think that covers most of the weekend-I'll need to regroup for the weeks events.  'Cause there a few-couple really funny ones too.  More later!

Later gators...
C