Sometimes I think I'm losing it

I decided to be productive today.  Goals:  finish the portrait of Dually and get it framed.  I pulled the picture out of the porch and the new frame I bought for it months ago.  I attempted to put the glass in and it would not fit.  How could that be?  When I bought it , it fit fine as I remember.  So I am determined to get this picture framed and done today so I get a tool to scrape out the frame edge to allow the glass to go in.  I scrape and scrape and scrape.  I scraped out a layer of paint and some wood. Finally I get it to fit and then only then did I turn it over and look at the back and realize I had been trying to fit the glass in on the wrong side.  Geeezz  Okay plan B .  I pulled some paint out and painted the frame where I had chipped it out and then of course the whole frame had to be painted. Now I am waiting for the paint to dry.  But in the meantime I spayed a fixative on the drawing of Dually and  did some more coloring on his eyes and it's ready to be framed.

I was looking for some spinach in the freezer and I found a little chicken pot pie that I had made who knows when.  I popped it in the oven and it smelled great.  It was full of chicken and butter but it just doesn't  taste right. I remember it didn't when I made a few of them at a time.  I guess the dogs will get some good stuff tonight.

I am soon going to the grocery store to make a vegetable lasagne tonight.  Serves 12 so I guess I will be freezing a lot of it.

And I will stop at the paint store and get a tack cloth and a lint free cloth to give the counter another coat of tung oil and see if it darkens even more.  And maybe go talk to Kathy at the decorating store for more ideas of backsplashes.

Talked to Kathy and she gave me a tile sample to bring home and try in the kitchen. It looked really good in the store but in the night light in the kitchen it doesn't look the same.  Keep lookin

I made the lasagna and it is pretty good. I already portioned it out and froze most of it for later dinners.  I'm about to look up another recipe for tomorrow. It's supposed to be cold and what else is there to do?  Clean?  not happening

Dare pooped in the cellar tonight.  I asked him if he wanted to go out but he wouldn't go even though he was whining. Ok he burned me twice, next time I will force him outside. 

movie day

Hmmm, got to get organized so I can actually get something done during the day.   Today, I trimmed toenails (dogs).  big deal

I went to the movies and saw " the Wolf of Wall Street". Lots of nudity  and swearing, but the story was engaging and even after 3 hrs I wanted it to continue.  or ya, lots and lots and lots of drugs.  Completely out of my realm of living.

Came home from the movies and fed the dogs and let them out. I went in to take a shower and somebody pooped on the floor.  They hate to go out in the rain and it's kinds miserable out there tonight.

A little training

 I had a lesson to give today so I went out and had Edge sort the sheep and then take 3 sheep out to the big field. I can't remember if I have ever worked him on just sheep at least not these particular sheep which could have been lighter than normal. He was a good boy and onlyone sheep went head over teakettle on the ice.  She's a bit of a uncoordinated dummy anyway.  I chose 3 ewes that I am unsure are bred.  I wanted to work him on driving and getting away from me.  He was much better in the larger area. More willing to walk up on them away from me.  Flanks are fairly non existent especially inside flanks. Outside flanks were not too bad but he cut in at the top so  I do need to let him know I don't like that much. He is very sensitive to what I want.

I also worked Dually and his inside flanks were only good when I got the command out harshly.  I need to find another way to get thru to him.  He did them but he did them much better when I sounded like I really meant it.

Then he picked up a toy and went and laid down away from my lesson and stayed there no matter what was going on or what I was saying during the lesson. It was that darn toy in his mouth. 

Bill came over with a piece of the finished countertop and it is georgeous!!!!  I was hoping I would like it but I love it.  They are going to come back next Thurs to do the whole thing. Whoooowhooo a real countertop and now I can start thinking about the backsplash area. 

Christmas

   I packed me and the dogs up and went to my sisters on Christmas Eve.  She is only an hr and half away but we decided to stay for a couple of days. Ed came up and fed the sheep and kept my pellet stove going. 

We had fresh shrimp and oysters for dinner followed by linguine with fresh clam sauce. Delicious stuff. They are so close to the ocean that the fish is fantastic. On Christmas day we had swordfish, mako shark and more clams and all of that was grilled. It was yummy. I wanted to  get some to bring home but  the fish market I wanted to go to was closed the day after Christmas. So I went to Market Basket on the way home and that is a trip in itself.

 My brother in law made me a decoupage light switch cover so I went to "Michaels" on the way home to get some mod podge to try my hand at it. I made one really good one and one bad one and one ok one.They are kinda fun to do. More time consuming than I would have thought. It takes a while for the background paint to dry and then the modpodge takes a while.  I did all but the bird. Mike did the bird.

Michael's bird

My first try and it needs to be redone

I really like this one

this is okay

Home again

  The Christmas party at my sisters on Thurs night went well. I'm glad I was there to help her  because she had a LOT to do before the party. We worked non stop on Thurs and Wed afternoon.  I had a good time and the food came out very well.  Carol made a drink called a Peppermint Patty that I really liked.
1 oz peppermint schnapps
1 oz dark crème de cacao
1 oz half and half or  heavy cream

The dogs stayed in the car until the party was over and then they came inside. Last night I left all but Dare in the car so I could be ready to  roll first thing this am.  I set the alarm for 5:30 and was ready to go by 6am and the car battery was dead.  Oh geez .  The light shut off for when the doors are left open is apparently not working. Mike jumped me and off I went. I took the most direct route which was the NJ turnpike(I hate the NJ turnpike)the GW bridge and then I took some parkways and expressways to 91.  The NJ turnpike was stop and go for miles and then I ran into a slow up on the Merritt parkway but made it home in 11hrs.

The house looks good-Thanks Kim.  The bed looks great all painted and ready to be made up. I think the dogs are glad to be back and I will be glad to be able to put them outside tomorrow for some playtime.

At my sisters in VA

I stopped at the Va welcome center after we got on the road at 8am yesterday to find out the best route to get to my sisters.  I did not want to follow the GPS blindly because it would probably take me the long way. Anyway they gave me a possible 3 different routes. I chose the shortest one on paper and the most scenic.  It took me over the Jamestown ferry which was very cool.  I sat in line for approx 5 min and then they loaded us and off we went.  I did not get out of the car because it was cold on the water and then they let my line of cars unload first so it was a score all the way.

I got to my sisters and let the dogs run a bit.  The yard is large but unfenced and goes right to the canal and 3 of them went in and got all dirty feet and legs. I kept Peaches out because her hair is longer than theirs and harder to get clean.

They all came in the house and slept with me in the guest room and then went out again this morning.
Carol is having a Christmas party tonight to I will try and help her get ready. I polished all the silverware yesterday.

The road to VA

I left the motel early this morning.  I was going to tour Shorter Mansion in Eufaula but I woke up earlpy and wanted to get on the road so I missed the tour.  I did stop at the Waffle house for breakfast and then on we went.  I did 500 miles today.  12 hr day.

We are encamped in another Motel 6 in High Point NC.  Formerly a Days Inn, it is fairly nice. I do like that they replaced carpeting with laminate, but the dogs toenails are quite loud. I hope they settle.  There is also someone in the room right next door with an adjoining door and I don't think Dually likes that .   Grrrrrrwllll

I had leftover stew from the Olive Garden so I had that for supper even though I didnt' have a spoon to eat it with, I improvised and used the top to a coffee cup. It worked fine.

Final Trial Day

The stock was a lot tougher today. The cows didn't want to play and the ducks had gotten wise and didn't want to be pushed up the arena.  Scores were still high because for the most part we(collective we)got the job done.
Nice weather today. Actually took our coats off some of the time and put the earmuffs down.  The trial was done by 12;30 and then we did awards and said goodbyes.  Nice people at this trial. I had a good time and everybody was very supportive.

Then Kathy and Roger and Chris and Roy and I went to late lunch after I dropped my car at the tire dealers to get and alignment. They assured me the tires would be fine for the ride home. I feel better.  So here are today's results.
Dare
cattle 102,87
sheep 119,114
ducks 89,111

Dually
cattle 102,119
sheep 122,124
ducks 114,108

Now I am doing a load of laundry and packing to leave Dothan tomorrow. 

Sunday's trial

We finally have it down to a science and we were done with 2 trial cattle sheep and ducks by 1pm today.  Lunch was turkey and I have never had one so juicy and good.  Kathy has some kind of new age machine she cooked it in and it was great!!!!

 Not sure how I changed this to italics but don't know how to change it back.  I had to get on both dogs today because they were kinda being idiots but once I got mad at them, they got better. 

Dare
cattle 108,no 2nd cattle run because he was eating shit and not working (tired)
sheep 112,115
ducks 107,105

Dually 
cattle110,116
sheep 114,124 (HIT SHEEP)
ducks 108,109

We did a little practicing after the trial so I worked on a get out on Dually and Dare on taking his flanks when asked. Hopefully it will translate to tomorrow trial. 

Saturday's trial

 There was a front coming in all day so the stock and the dogs were a  bit wild today.  My scores reflected that.  I got 12 Q's and  11 of them were over 100.  Thank you judges.  Not a single placement though. Not even any lousy 4th places.  Lol

When I got up this morning it was not raining so I dressed and got in the car and went to McDonalds but the line was too long so I stopped at a gas station to get a danish or something but as I got out of the car, a worker pointed to the ground and said I dropped something.  I had dropped my ATM (my only source of money with )  It would have been very bad to have lost it. But I realized when I put my hand in my pocket that my cash was gone too.  Damn, I figured I had lost it at the motel so  I went back to look for it . In the meantime I called Jan and told her I was coming but would be late. 
I looked all over at the motel but figured somebody found it in the parking lot and pocketed it.  Back to the trial.  A while after I got there I went in to use the porta potti and lifted myshirt and the money fell out.  Yay for me.  No more money or anything in those pants pockets , they are just too shallow.

At first I though I would just trial Dare on ducks and give him a rest on the other stock but he was doing ok so I kept going. He was not stressing out and quitting on me and he did pretty good. Got to make him potty before we go in though, he keeps pooping on the crossdrive which is not helping our scores.

Dare
ducks 111,109
sheep 104,102
cattle 104 109

Dually
ducks 108,96
sheep 110,105
cattle 117,105

The repens were better but not anywhere near where I want them.  The dogs are circling and heading and not just walking the stock back .  control freaks

ASCA arena AM/PM trials cattle sheep ducks

The dogs did really well today.  I was happy with both of them most of the time.  Dare got
cattle 112,115
sheep110,111
ducks 118,112

Dually
cattle117,100
sheep111,111
ducks 116.115

Judge said my handling had improved  alot since last years; trial there and so did one of the competitors who is beating my ass at every turn.

We are still losing too many points and it's being nickel  and dimed to death.  Not sure where or how to fix this stuff.  I am getting better on the center pen and I have some ideas for the repen.  We had some terrible repens today.  dumb ones where some of the stock got stuck behind the gate.  Need to think about that some more.

Tonight I bought a salad at the grocery store.(how can they screw up a salad) it was not good, but I bought veggies and dip and then some Ben and Jerrys Cherry garcia ice cream MMMMMmmmmm 

Fairly Successful Day

Yesterday was Post Advanced cattle and goats.  Dually got 2 qualifying runs on goats and none on cattle. But that gave him is PATDs title.  Dare got 1 qualifying run on goats and I ran up the field on him on the 2nd one.  The goats kept splitting and finally 2 took off toward the far gate.  I let him go get them because I know he can. Dually would not have been able to bring them back. But then Dare was on a mission to bring them to me and he would not drive them away.  Ah well. But because of that , I did not put him on the cows which turned out to be a good decision because mostly the cows won yesterday and not the dogs.   Dually's 1st cow run , we got them to skim the first panel and I should have taken  that but tried to get them to go back thru and then they ran down the bottom of the pasture and I should haved gone to get them but I didn't I just repenned. The 2nd cattle run, he had a hard time just getting them up to the Y chute and we could get them no furthur. They finally called 5 min so I just repenned  them.

I worked them both on ducks but just 1 trial.  By  the time the 2nd trial got under way, it was dark and I was tired and they were tired so I just kept my $70.

Today will be 2 arena trials and the competition is extremely tough.  I usually am defeated in my mind before I even get on the field.

And having a cold is not helping either.  I coughed all day yesterday and it seems like it might be a little better today. Might be Too early to tell.

Back to Dothan

  I left Cheryl at 9:30 this morning after the dogs had a good run and the traffic going into Atlanta  had subsided.  It wasn't bad , a little stop and go but not bad. It took me 4 1/2 hrs to get to Dothan.

I checked in at the MOtel 6 which is kind of a dump. My non smoking room is not non smoking but it's doable.  It's better if I stay in the room, I get used to the smell, but coming in from outside it's quite obvious.  Anyway there is plenty of room for 4 crates(they never asked me how many dogs and I am not going to tell them).  I have a fridge and micro and an actual stove top.  No plans on using it.

I texted Kathy and Roger but no answer from either of them so I guess I will stay here. I could  really use  a nap.

Why do I have a GPS?

If I am not going to plug in the correct address and follow it then I should not blame it when it takes me 100 miles out of my way.  I took the long way to Cheryl and Davids. Oh well , it's only money. 

Yesterday was a rainy trip for most of the day but when I got into S Carolina it started to clear up and it was sunny in Ga and warmish. 50's.  Glad to see it.

I had time to finally stop at a museum. It was the Booth Museum of Western Art.  They had some amazing bronzes and 2 old stagecoaches that were in fantastic shape, but I wanted to know where they came from and who owned them and where were they kept to preserve them so well and did the museum have to buy them and what did they cost and none of that info is given.  I guess I watch too much history channel " American PIckers".

I got to Cheryl and Davids just before Cheryl got home from work and let the dogs out to run in the field which they LOVED after being in crates for days..  We went in side and had a wonderful dinner of chicken and dumplings. It was so good after the crap I have been getting at restaurants. Then Cheryl made cupcakes for dessert with great icing.  Mmmm I'm happy.

I had a pretty good nights sleep, but I think I might be coming down with a cold.  NOt good.
The dogs slept in the car and it was cold last night. 

On to Dothan today about 5 more hours, but I have to wait until the traffic subsides in Atlanta before I leave here.

DAy 2

  I thought it was really early this morning when I decided to get up but it was 8am and the blackout curtains in the hotel work really well.  I don't think I slept all  that well, I am really tired tonight. 

The ice outside the motel door was very slick and I thought I was going to break my neck taking 2 dogs out the door but they had to go out.  I walked all of them and then went back into the room to pack.  I had brought a lot of stuff in because I was disorganized.  I am better tonight  but I can get even better I think. Finally somebody came and started to shovel off the walkway . 

They motel had a very nice breakfast which include hot waffles and french toast and hard boiled eggs.  It was good.  I packed up the doggies and went to the Chocolate factory tour.  Cute but the candy was a bit pricey.  I wait for sales and these were not sale prices.  I bought a 1 lb bar of chocolate for Cheryl and David.  Hope they like it.

The road was clear but you could see cars off the road everywhere from last nights storm. There was snow on the ground until almost out of VA.  More predicted tomorrow.  I only drove another 300 miles today and stopped at another LaQuinta and these people are just as nice as the first one.  The room is right near the back door so easy in and out for us. They have a bistro where I had a glass of wine and an appetizer. Gosh the food on this trip has been horrible. Hope it gets better soon.

I have about 400 miles to go tomorrow till my next stop. 

On the road at 9am

I had to go back after the first mile and get my debit card because without it I am dead in the water. Then I had to go to Tractor Supply to get some dog food to bring with us.

Driving went well for the first 3 hrs and then Dare started to really whine and carry on so I stopped and he had diarrhea like last night when he got me up a couple of times.  Not sure why he was sick but he did steal the rest of the banana bread off the counter.  No food for him tonight. He does seem to be a little better tonight.

About 2 it started to snow which was no big deal until it started to stick and then it was not good.  But I finally remembered I had 4 wheel drive.  Yikes what a difference.
 I used my brand new gps to find  a Motel 6 which was off the beaten path and the going was tough.  When I got there , the motel was not there.  So I found another Motel 6 about 6 miles away and pulled in and paid for a room.  Dog were welcome but only 2 dogs and we had to be on the 3 rd floor and the only door in was the front lobby door. I could see no way to sneak in 2 more dogs so I went across the street to the La Quinta and the rate was higher but no dog limit and first floor and also an outdoor access. SCORE!!  The motel is nice . very new and looks clean to me.

I went back to the Motel 6 and told them I was not staying there and they credited my account and back to the La Quinta.    I had a lot of stuff to unload.  I am going to have to pare this stuff down. The dogs are being nice and quiet considering they spent the whole day in crates in the car and are now in crate in the room.

I went to dinner at the restaurant next door because I could walk to it and the desk clerk said it was good.  It was not good. How do you make tapioca and forget the flavor?  The beef stroganoff was huge but I could not taste a hint of sour cream in it and the gravy was just plain not good.  Ah well it will make good dog food and Dually is probably hungry.

It's 8 and it's still snowing out there.

Leaving again

I'm packed and the farm sitter has everything down pat. Ha ha.  HOpefully. What she will get done besides take care of the animals is finish my bed and paint it and so I will have a bed to sleep in when I get home.  She and Ed are going to get er done.

NIce little snowstorm last night but because they finally put a gutter on my back porch, my back door didn't freeze closed.  I was able to open it easily this morning.

Kim and I took a load of construction debris to the dump which was not an easy task and then to Tractor Supply for grain.  Home again and moved all the old cabinets off the porch and Ed installed them in the barn and re organized. It made him very happy and it looks really good too.

I made a reservation at a Motel 6 for a week in Dothan for only $200 which is a really good deal.They never asked me how many dogs I had and I never told them.  Seem like nice people though.

Packed the car I am ready to leave in the am and hopefully I have enough clothes.

My plan is to stop somewhere on the way and do some sightseeing stuff. I never seem to have time to do that and I think I am leaving early enough to do something. Will try to drive at least 8 yrs tomorrow. 

Ok I've decided and made a committment

I'm certifiably nuts and I'm going to Al for a dog trial. A 5 day dog trial.  Whoo whooo.  It's only money.  I  am not taking the trailer because I will only be gone for a little over a week.  I thought about leaving some dogs here but that is probably not going to work.  I may have a house sitter. Not sure yet.

So, I have worked the dogs today.  Dare was phenomenal.  geez why can't he do that stuff in a trial?  Dually was only so so today.  He should not be worked after Dare, I think it affects his mental stability.  Anyway, he was having trouble walking up and pushing the goats.  He was doing a lot of flanking instead of pushing whereas Dare walks up and they just freaking move.  "Powerful dog".

Edge got to work out in the field today and he was very good. He made the little suckers move too, but he did bite them.  I worked a little on driving in a circle around me  and he did better than he had been doing in the small pen. Then I worked on an outrun with Kathy's help and he did about 1/2 the field length.  Not bad for a baby.

Gotta think about packing the car.
"

Lesson Day

Today I got up and called the garage and asked them if they could look at my car because it was making funny noises when I used the brakes.  They said bring it right now and I did and they put it on the lift and removed the tires and it was metal on metal but they had time to fix it right then and there. Problem was that I had to be back for lessons at 10 so I called Ed and asked him to pick me up. He as supposed to work on my bedroom today anyway. 

Back for my 10 am lesson with Kathy and Wish and Chi.  We all worked on ducks.  Chi was exposed for not his first time but is was all about getting him to work and  he did a really nice job at the end.  Wish was too pushy so Kathy has to get on her case about really walking and not trotting to do everything.

Then Barb and Bob came and Bob  worked Del on ducks and by the end he really got how to do it and how to keep Del and the ducks off the fence.  Keep the stick over the ducks and stay closer to the ducks Bob!  Twizzler was really working well and rating very nicely at the end.  Barb has to work really hard to keep him from diving in and doing something stupid. 

Then Bob took me down to get my car and $468 later I have new rear brakes.  Now I can seriously think about going to Alabama for a week which when you really think about it is pretty nuts.

But just in case, I dusted Dually off and took him out to see how much distance work I could get.  I was about 125 ft back and I had him do figure 8's thru the panels and take his downs and his stops . He did really really well. Of course he was carrying a toy in his mouth which always helps,but I will try it tomorrow sans toy.  I was very calm too and that is sooooooo helpful.

Kim is on her way back from Texas. She plans to drive all night so she might be here in the am.  Got to be tired.

Farm work and just plain work

Today, was exhausting.   I spent the morning sorting trash and moving bags outside so I could load the trailer and go to the dump. Forgot some stuff too.  I also loaded all the cardboard that was here from the delivery of the cabinets.  I still have a lot of demo stuff to go but I need help to get it there and then to get it in the dumpster at the dump.  I struggled with the adaptor to try and get the lights on the trailer to work and Icould not get it plugged in so I went with out lights.  ah well

Then while I had the trailer connected I called a local farm and went over and picked up 10 bales of 2nd cutting and 4 bales of straw. He loaded it for me but I had to unload it and I could not get the trailer close to where I wanted them to go so I had to use a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow of course had a flat so I had to hook up the  air pump and pump it up before I could unload it and then I had to find some tarps to cover them with so they will last until I can use them in January. I bought them specifically for when  the ewes and goats lamb and kid.  Then I don't have to tear apart the round bales to feed the Moms in the barn. Thinking ahead this time.

My pellets got delivered finally so that meant I had to try to put the fence back up that I had to take down so they could drive the pellets around back.  That only involves 1  post but to get that stupid post back in I was on my hands and knees and digging out the dirt and the stones with my hands.  I finally got the post in and gave up. I will finish it tomorrow.
No dog work today, but I am considering going to Al for the trial next week.

Sunday in the rain

  Woke up early and can't remember what I did for the first 3 hrs, but then I did more nothing and finally took a nap. I would be doing more if I was in Fla. 

I did make a nice dinner tonight.  chicken breast with lemon caper cream sauce. They were very good.

Tomorrow I might start working on the Farm trial set up. (on paper).

Kitchen pics

Area to the right of the kitchen sink(old counter reistalled till new counter is decided upon, but this was the day after the new stove and microwave was installed

This area is to the left of the kitchen sink

Edge enjoying the new kitchen floor