Ok mah peeps, I'm hearing you guys out there. So here it is... a surprise TMT for you. I haven't been able to post or get around to blogs much, but I thought maybe this would be a way to check in. I know some of you have been cruising right along by yourselves - AWESOME!!
The new button was made for me by Nana at http://nananishigaki.com/ and you can see her dog blog at http://countersurfer.com/. She's an online bud of mine, but like many of you she's somehow become a real life friend. Nana rocks.
So. Tell Me Thursday. Questions. Hm, what to ask?
1. What are your plans for the holiday season?
2. Do you decorate? If so, what have you done so far?
3. a. Favorite recent dog photo? b. Photo that shows your mood today (or one word)?
4. There's been a discussion on the BC Boards about "don't train for the novice classes... just train for open and the rest will fall into place." What are your thoughts on this?
5. What are your top five cannot-do-without-them dog items?
1. What are your plans for the holiday season?
This year will be a little different for me. I plan to farm-sit. I've never been "away from home" over the holidays, and my Mom is worried that it'll be sad for me. Truly, though, the holidays have felt weird/sad/depressing since my divorce, and I'm not sure that where I am physically really matters. So I'm thinking to start some new traditions this year. Maybe it'll be chocolate chip cookies for breakfast.
2. Do you decorate? If so, what have you done so far?
Normally I do. This year, so far, I haven't. I have a 9' prelit slim tree that's absolutely GORGEOUS with my vaulted ceilings in the living room... but it's a bear to move even in pieces. Apparently slim does not equal lightweight. Two years ago Julie and Sandy came over, and we had a grand time decorating. This year I think I'm pretty much going to let it cruise on by. Maybe I'll get out the Santa stuffie that Spottie liked to make jingle with her nose. That surely will be decoration enough???
Not only that but Pia is such a good puppy until the second I turn my back. I have a sneaky suspicion that I'd be pulling her out of the tree somehow.
3. a. Favorite recent dog photo? b. Photo that shows your mood today (or one word)?
a. Pia on sheep over Thanksgiving. (Photos by Julie Poudrier using Robin French's camera)
It was close between that one and this one of me and Nick up at the setout between fun runs (and Julie's Ranger, too):
b. my mood today:
4. There's been a discussion on the BC Boards about "don't train for the novice classes... just train for open and the rest will fall into place." What are your thoughts on this?
Meh. I think you can't train for open specifically when you've never trained for open. I think it's the whole "you don't know what you don't know" thing. However, I think you should train your dogs with Open being the goal. The lower classes are meant to be stepping stones - learning opportunities, not end results. When I train my dogs I don't train thinking we're going to get around a Novice course - I train with an eye towards open level work. Then when it comes time to step on a trial field I think about how much I think the dog can handle and enter the dog in that class. BUT. This is a big but. When I'd only ever run in Novice Novice I had no earthly idea what I needed to do to get my dog to Open - even if I'd watched several trials.
Some days I'm still not sure I know much of anything. But, again, I'd say train your dog with Open being the ultimate goal (or Open level work). Excellent mentors, instructors, clinicians, and friends along the way are invaluable resources in this.
5. What are your top five cannot-do-without-them dog items?
5. Flat sided water pails
4. Double sided faux-wool crate bedding in the winter
3. Slippery Elm Bark powder
2. Crates
1. Tiny little beds for big dogs
Merry Christmas everyone!
New bling bling code box:
Linky thingie:
11 comments:
Countersurfer is awesome! Thanks for sharing link. Will TMT when I get a chance.
I love Nana's art, and her blog too.
I don't have any luck with bling bling codes and stuff like that, but wanted to mention that the first Christmas I spent on my own - about six or seven years ago - felt really strange at first. I made a point of establishing my own 'traditions' with a little advance planning - my favourite foods for each meal even if they aren't traditional Christmasy things, a wonderful walk with the dogs, favourite music, a very good book to read.... I've now come to really enjoy that one special day all to myself. I do decorate an outdoor tree on my patio and do a little winter scene of ornaments and a foot high tree on my hall table, but that's all.
I miss the big family things we had in the past, but I don't miss the stress one bit. I've even stopped sending cards or buying presents except a little gift for my mom and my daughter- a few donations to charity covers the rest.
Enjoy your day, and celebrate it in the way the first one was celebrated - with simplicity, starlight, and animals all around you.
Hey Laura, glad to hear from you!!! Jean is right - we each need to set our own traditions. What ever feels right for you. Missing our little chats - hope all is going well.
Blessings
Wow, and here I thought I'd be way behind, but I see that I'm #2! Thanks for taking time to put up a TMT Laura!
Love the new button!! Thanks Nana!!
TMT - It's a holiday mircle! :-) Hope all is well with you and your dogs!
Hey y'all! So glad to "see" you guys.
Jean, thanks for the ideas - that's what I need. New traditions. :)
Things are going well here - with the possibility of AMAZING on the horizon. Cross your fingers peeps!
Hey are you going to be down close to me for Christmas? I can stop in and say hello if you are. You are literally less than 20 min from where I live!
Merry Christmas:) Thanks for a blogging kick in the pants!
This is sclmarm, comments as a LJ blogger not working.
Forgot to tell you that Pia looks awesome!! I've been working Bess - she is doing well - a little fast but awesome balancing and learning her flanks!! A lot of fun!!
Blessings
So... I'm only several days late :) Love the Pia picture! Merry Christmas!
- Steffi
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