Lessons Learned

I learned today that much of my family and friends believe me to be nuts, wacko, crazy, and a little touched. Perhaps it is this exciting life I lead. Perhaps they are very busy and have stresses in their lives that they forgot this was April Fools day. Whatever, it brings joy to me that I am in the fast lane for achieving my goal to be a nutter by the time I'm 70.

I'm not going to name names...however, below is the email I sent out:

"Well, I now am the owner of a flock of chickens. I’m fixing up the old duck pen in the back and hopefully will have eggs soon.

I was driving down in Hollister and this big flock was in the middle of the road. One of the chickens was dead and all the others were milling around. I stopped and pulled out a dog crate and got all the chickens to go inside (5). I drove up the closest driveway and asked about ownership of the chickens, but the people there didn’t know who owned them, but were really impressed I got 5 chickens in a dog crate.

I didn’t know what to do. Fin was in the other crate and DID NOT like the chickens at all. She lay down staring suspiciously at the chickens as far on the other side of the crate as she could.

The chickens were pretty loud on the way home. They are now safely in the duck pen for the night (getting them out there was an adventure). Do you think I’ll have eggs in the morning?

Kel doesn’t know about the chickens yet. He is at rehearsals late tonight and I’ll probably go to bed before he gets home.

Ahh the joys of country living.

Vici

PS: can chickens have eggs without a rooster? As far as I know I don’t have a rooster in the bunch…just a group of white chickens. Now that would be a sad state of affairs if I have 5 roosters…I don’t even want to think about it."

I must give credit where credit is due. My mother and older sister figured it out immediately (ok maybe they thought for a few minutes), but I got an email asking if it was april fools from each of them. I believe they figured it out so quickly because they are devious and were trying to think of something good themselves.

No one else figured it out.

I received many emails and 2 phone calls. A couple people emailed with chicken raising advice. Some thought I should get rid of the chickens and one wanted me to take them to the vet. One said, "Do you realize you've stolen someones chickens!" Two emails explained what the specifications should be for a chicken coop. One friend was stressed over how we would keep the dogs away from the chickens. And my favorite was a friend who thought this was my plot to get chickens so I could do clicker training with chickens.

All in all a GREAT april fools...so far no one has got me and I got alot of laughs.

April Fool's

Tomorrow is april fools day. I'm hiding out at home hoping that no one finds me.

A few things I can depend on:

• One sister will call as say she is preggers
• Another sister will email with pictures of a new puppy or cat or mouse or .... emu?
• Mom will call and say she retired

Always dependable. Thankfully I'm suspicious so it is hard to catch me!

Good news. Fin had BEAUTIFUL weaves tonight in class. Just beautiful. Dropped a double, but amazing weaves.

Fitness for Agility

I haven't spoken much about fitness lately. When people ask, I say, "I'm working at it...I'm trying hard." The truth is, I've been great about exercise...food not so much.

Recently I went back to Weight Watchers. Even though I went back and was writing down what I was eating, I wasn't really applying myself. I'd eat fast food and put it down in my journal, but would not look at the points. Simply put, I've been screwing up on my eating. Not everyday mind you, but enough that I essentially keep loosing the same 5 pounds over and over.

Last week I go in to get weighed and there was a new leader. Something clicked. Something about her made me want to stay for the meeting. So I stayed. It was the same old stuff...but different. She is real. She speaks to me as an adult. I can hear sincerity in her voice. The meeting was good...so I stayed after to hear the talk on how to do the program. Nothing new there, but heck, I like her.

Another thing happened. I watched biggest looser. The gal that got sent home, gained weight when she went back. I felt so bad for her...then I thought, you are no better. Get your act together and get fit!

So this week. I am religiously writing down what I eat. I am choosing healthy options. I am eating within my points. Yesterday I was sorely tempted...and I passed. It is a new me. Exercise AND eating right.

For me each hour is a struggle, but I'm working very hard to be at a goal weight of 40 pounds off (from my starting weight) by my birthday. It is certainly achievable. I had hoped to be 40 pounds off by now, but my own bad habits have gotten in my way. I am proud that I've been proving to myself that I can do it.

I'm going back to my weekly report each thurs. I'll weigh in not only on my progress, but also what is getting me there. Look forward to some recipes and fitness tips. This thurs I've got to tell you about my turkey, red beans, and rice. Only 5 points for a full cup of delicious and filling lunch. Today I did a halibut on the pan with brown rice and veggies...yum!

Nothing is harder than taking charge of one's own life. It is much easier to tell other people what to do than to do something about one's own inconsistencies toward goals. My long term goals are what is important...not this short term gratification. Size 7 here I come!

Exciting and Inspirational

First off, I must send congrats to my husband. Once again he was amazing in his play "You Can't Take it With You." Although for this one he played two minor roles, when he was on stage, he stole the show. Here we are after the performance (he still has his makeup on). Below is Andy (my wonderful nephew), Kel, Mythalie (andys amazing girlfriend), and Mom. Trish was there too taking the pictures.

The play is about a nutty family and what happens when one daughters fiance's straight laced parents come to visit. Hysterical. Kel played an IRS agent and then a "J-man" (justice department) who arrest everyone in the house and takes them down to the big house for an overnight stay (including the fiance and his parents).

The group did a great job and if you are in the area check out the south valley civic theater for upcoming performances. The next one will be Annie Get Your Gun starting in May. Kel is one of the principle players in that one.

Secondly this weekend, Eric at Agility Vision offered streaming video and downloads of the AKC agility national championships.

I am always giving my husband a hard time about sitting all day watching golf. But all three days, I woke up early to watch agility. I would get up at 5:30 and watch till about 9am and then check in throughout the day to see what was happening. Thank GOD they finished up early (my afternoon) each day so I could get the dogs out for their walks and me my exercise.

The rounds were exciting and fun. Check out the AKC website for the course maps and it isn't too late to purchase the downloads of the challenger rounds and finals. I was inspired to work on my weave entries and that is what Fin, Tazz, and myself did 4 times each day. Take a break from the action, to go have our own action in the back yard.

A Handling System for the Rest of Us

There has been alot of talk lately about handling systems. We've got Greg and Linda battling it out in clean run. There are a few blogs I've read lately that discuss this issue.

What is it about all the handling systems that work?

I'm watching live streaming video of the akc agility nationals. I see alot of different styles going on. The most successful dogs? Their handlers are giving clear cues in a position that does not slow the dog down. Handlers that position themselves so the dog has a clear line seem to be getting the best times.

I recognize some of the handling systems:

• the pre-cues- arms indicating something while running (these are the people that can rub their tummies and pat their head at the same time)
• the position - FC/RC/Serp/Threadle and run fast (sometimes resorts to verbal turn q's)
• the hail mary - run as fast as we can and hope for the best (my favorite) using FC/RC arms failing, yelling, tripping...whatever works
• the inconsistent - really no system, just try stuff and see what happens
• the blame - when dog goes off course look at the dog as if it is their fault and you are horrified
• the fail early but have an incredible run afterward - screw up and then get your act together for an amazing run
• verbal directions - alot of yelling right/left

What is your handling system?

The thing that you can find in top handlers is that they can answer that question clearly. They will tell you how they handle a situation with three jumps in a row, their start line stay is EXACTLY the same every time, they can describe to you their contact criteria, and they train systematically practicing their handling every day.

Greg, Linda, or your own? You have to decide what works best for you and your dog, then do it over and over and over and over and over until you can describe exactly what you do in any given situation and do it the same every time.

AKC Runs this Weekend

Overall, looking at my videos, I'm disappointed in myself but thrilled with Fin. Lots of errors that I should not be making. But, on the good side there are alot of good things to see. I will improve on the things I need to improve, and focus on the good stuff.

Standard: I screwed up the opening, but the rest is pretty good.

Jumpers - lots of good stuff happening here. Weaves - needs improvement... Ending - I need improvement.

Another standard: off course after the tunnel and missed weaves.

Such a Diva

Fin received her first real injury today. She gets the award for dramatic acting.

At first I was mystified as to what happened, but I believe now (thanks Trish) that it was a bee sting.

Scenario: I am watering my flowers, she is running around like a lunatic. Then, no Fin. I look over and she is laying on the grass looking at her foot. I go to see what is going on, she looks worried, stands up and hobbles on 3 legs into the house.

Once I get her, I can't see a thing. I finally notice something on the side of her foot and pull it (not an easy thing with a wiggling, squirming, bundle of scared pup). I was confused? Was this the problem. I notice that her paw was hot so I let her stand in the pool. Finally I brought her inside and put her in a crate (I had to work). I look at her in the crate and she is laying on her side holding her paw in the air.

I can NOT believe this. I broke her already. We don't even have a starters title!

After speaking with my sister, I realized what I pulled from her foot was probably a bee stinger. I gave her some benedril and she seems better now. She is sleeping and not holding up her leg anymore. If she continues to

Update 3/23 9 pm. Fin is fine. Foot is good. I'm convinced it was a bee sting. Sleeping it off the afternoon she was fine by class at 6:30. She ran a bunch of jumpers runs and not a thing wrong with her. I'm so relieved.