What can I learn from a 5 of 6 weekend?

Step one to Nationals: Get into Exc B. DONE.

As many of us know, AKC Nationals will be in Reno, NV this year. Just a hop, skip, and a good poker hand away from Fin and I's abode. I am going whether I qualify or not. Too close not to go. I already have rooms booked. It will be Agility all day, every day, for three days.

My hope, and the hopes of many of my friends, is that we qualify to actually participate. Wouldn't that be a kick?

To that end, all of a sudden AKC has become somewhat popular and I am enjoying the experience. Sometimes it is a long day to run twice, but hanging out with friends is fun.
Step two: Get fit. Working on it.
Step three: Six double Q's

I am going to as many AKC as I can between weddings, parties for weddings, work, and other obligations. Hopefully I will be able to tick these double Q's off before the cut off in November.

A few things I learned this weekend:

• Weave to triple/spread issue.  Not sure if it was because I was excellerating and she was herding me, or she truly avoided the spread. But this week on my list is weaves to spreads.
• Startline.  I have a fabulous startline.  She is so pretty sitting there.  Until I don't.  She sat 5 of 6.  Going to reinforce startline this week.
• Contacts.  Perhaps contacts will be a lifetime thing. Fins contacts are fast and fabulous...but sometimes she is not sticking them.  This week, get out there and proof.
• Jumping.  I can not find fault with her jumping.  She is taking things with confidence and good form.  However, she checks in with me alot (due to me being behind her!) and I want her looking ahead more...our times will get better.  This week, work some go ons and reward before the head check.

Love me some little Fin agility!

Three Weddings and a Dog Show...or two...or three...or four...

Wow, what a fun weekend.  Saturday night saw my husband in his play "Curtains."  It is hysterical, musical, and entertaining...all in a package of community theater.  He is delightful.

Saturday off to Monterey for a wonderful "rehearsal" dinner with 20 of Trish and Eve's friends and family.  Ate at the Monterey Cookhouse and the staff was amazing.  Food was delicious and the company even better.

Sunday finally arrived and Trish and Eve had the most romantic, amazing ceremony and party ever.  They are so happy and make each other better people.  I danced, laughed, shed a tear or two, and met wonderful people. Fun times.

This weekend, another wedding.  Then dog show, dog show, dog show, try to sneak in a a dog show after another wedding shower, dog show, dog show, and then the last wedding for me this summer.  Oh, and yes, more dog shows after that....

Summer is almost here.  It will be most fun.

BTW, still love my feathers.  They are so cool!

The night the world did not end...at least I think it is still going strong...

Just got back from the rehearsal dinner for my sister and her best gal Eve (my new sister).  The world did not come to an end for us heathens.  We ate at a wonderful place in Monterey and enjoyed the company of incredibly wonderful people!

Tomorrow joy and happiness.  Now sleep.

Happy Birthday to Little Finnie...and oh, it's my anniversary too..

Fin and her littermates turn 4 today!  Wow.  I know I've said it before, but time flys.

Also on this very day in 1988 I was wed to my husband Kel Whisner.  He was a good guy back then, and he is even a better man today.  I'm very lucky in my life.

Since today the world is supposed to end at 6:00pm.  I'm going to have a great day and end it in style.

The day we ended up with feathers in our hair...

So I have these friends.  They are always asking me to do fun things with them.  Most times I can't get my butt in gear that late of night or I have other plans.  Well....

So on Thurs May 19.  I couldn't find an excuse and out I went with them.  Ahhh the jokes, "let's pretend it is 6pm instead of 8pm".  I could feel the love.  First stop, liquid courage at Leigh and Penni's house.  I didn't partake as I was driving.

Next stop to the hair salon in Campbell.  At this point I must pause to let everyone know that I thought putting feathers in my hair a little bit of a weird thing to do.  Sure, Steven Tyler has them in his hair, but he has an entire hair team.  I don't have a team...I barely have any hair.  But being a good sport and having such great friends I'm going along with the adventure.  Now that I'm up the next day, I am a true feather fan.

At the salon we began by picking out feathers.  I'm a purple and green kinda girl but I was worried that maybe that might be too much.  My buddies helped and we took our time and found the perfect three feathers for me.  Why I took so long and everyone else seemed to find theirs right away, don't know why...but I am thrilled with my colors.  Very me.

All my favorite colors, yellow green, purple, and teal.

Once we all had our feathers, off to dinner we went.  The evening couldn't have been better.  I think all my friends are going to be jealous when they see my feathers.   I may not be able to wear hats for agility any more as it will hide my feathers! My sister and her girlfriend are so totally gonna want them.

I did hear a rumor that the poor fly fishermen can't get feathers for their fishing lures cause all the feathers are in women's hair.  Ahh well.

How can I be so excited about a silly Flip

Sunday my video camera was working.  Last run of the day, not so much.  We thought it might be the video screen, but the video part wasn't working either.  Just a big white blob rather than Fin and I running with excellence around a Novice B Fast course.

So on Monday I decided to buy a new one.  Because Cisco purchased Flip and then decided they didn't want it any more so are shutting it down, I wanted to get one before they no longer are available.  I know I risk not having support, but whatever, I love the Flip cameras.  So I went on line, customized one with a photo of Fin and Tazz, and didn't look back. 

My Flip arrived yesterday.  I love it.  My graphic of Fin and Tazz turned out great!

Oh, and on a side note.  I dropped my video camera on Monday evening while giving it to my husband for a look.  It now works perfectly.  Of course.

The day Fin turned green....and it wasn't St. Paddy's day...

There was a three day AKC driving distance to home.  I'm thinking, this is a great opportunity to get out of excellent A and maybe start my FAST career. First day, nice runs, Fast Q, but Standard and Jumpers were not to be. 

Got home, normal evening, up the next morning and ready to do it all again.  Fin was happy and jumped in the van ready to go.  Got to the site, carried stuff to our camp site,  and looked at course maps.  I felt that the courses were something that Fin and I could do.  Got back to let Fin out of the crate and she didn't want to get out.  Just sat looking at me.  Finally got her out and she didn't want to jump out of the van.  I picked her up and what should have taken about 5 minutes, took 15 to get to the campsite as she was walking so slow.  Long story short, Fin had the worst upset stomach.  Fortunately a vet on site took her temp and said, let it work out of her system.  A friend brought me Chicken, cottage cheese and rice.  Fin did eat some, but mostly she just slept.  Didn't want to walk, didn't want to sit out and watch, just wanted to crawl into her crate and sleep.  Poor thing.  Sat.  no agility for Fin.

Sunday morning, she was back to biting my ankles as I walked down the hall.  Jumped in the van like nothing had been wrong, and ran like a champ.  Standard was very pretty and I will say handled pretty darn well by me.  One bar...that was all.  Jumpers...oh well, maybe next time.  And finished the day with a Q in Fast.

Everyone who stopped by to see how Fin was stated, "she must be feeling better, she never stops barking!"  Tis true, tis true.  She wanted to run, run, run. 

Today I'm grateful for tummy aches that are not serious and only last 1 day.  Fin had me worried.  Laura says I worry too much.