graduation

When I am in "dog teaching mode" my life seems to be in six weeks block... and yes, we have finished yet another "six weeks". This is Chester's puppy class.. since I have been teaching it, Sadie has been working Chester for me.

We had a large variety of dogs in this class... and some different "breeds as well"... This is Forrest and Josie....

and here is Harley (who is one of Chester's best friends)

and this is Kasper (who is a pup that was bred by a "neighbor" of mine)

and of course, "our" boy --- sporting his graduation cap!!!!

Congratulations to one and all... now it's onto the level 2

OH.. and I just had to sneak in this great "family" photo of a very special student (Max) and his family!!!! I had the pleasure of having Max and his "sister" Sandy stay with me for a week while his "parents" were on vacation.... they graduated from Level 2 and will soon be heading to Canine Good Citizen!!!!

today is four.....

Here they are (already) Abbie's "four months" photos with her favorite little pal, Tatter. She (Abbie) is turning into a real little person!!! She has gone from that "fragile" baby to a "real" baby.. she smiles - almost laughs - turns her head to follow you, turns towards sounds, "babbles" all the time.. she is sleeping thru the night and Sadie has begun to give her a bit of rice cereal - which I think is helping with the "thru the night" thing.

She loves the dogs and TV!!!! and wants to always be sitting up.. she hates to lay flat. She can roll now, so you have to watch her if she is on the couch or in a chair.

She's a very "happy" baby and seldom has "meltdowns" though they do happen once in awhile.

and we are very blessed!!!!!

Valentine's/NASCAR

I don't know where my blogger friend gets these great pics, but I do "steal" them every now and again... and so Happy Valentine's everyone!!! Though I can also wish Happy NASCAR as well to the fans out there, because today was the running of the Daytona 500.. the opening of race season.

I am not a NASCAR fan, per say... Ed is the one around here. But I can pretty much count on Sunday afternoons doing as I like as Ed is usually enjoying the races on the TV... (and doing a bit of napping as well)... he also likes to make the trip to Loudon when NASCAR arrives in our area.

So, this year "it" fell on Valentine's day.. which is fine with me. We really didn't have any special plans. Last night we met up with Kas, Nate and the Flagg's for dinner out (took Chester with us) and that was fun. And today, went off to church and then I played at the barn while Ed watched the race. He did get a little chicken charm for my Pandora bracelet and surprised me with that, but mostly the day was quiet. Rick and Kelli came for a pizza dinner and we watched Abbie while Sadie went out for dinner.

Work is coming on the house. Despite my doctor's wishes of "staying out of the house for a week"... we are at work. I can't stay out of the house for a week, that would totally "ruin" our schedule!!! But I did get a "mask" and have been wearing it when I do the sanding!!! We're starting to close in on the stair case and have pretty much decided what we will use for the post and rails. Stairs are tricky and expensive things to do, so I will be happy when we get this part of the project off the "list"... but just having the sheet rock in place makes a big difference.

We're also at the part where it's just odd and end pieces going into place. We have a fair amount of scrap pieces left over that fit perfectly into these last little spaces. Our goal is to have all the sheet rocking done and all the walls primed (at least) by the end of this month. Hopefully we can make it!!!!

The house is beginning to settle in, as we knew it would. Timber frames have a way of "shrinking and settling" and the beams show it off well. Look at this big "check" in one of the beams in the front hallway. It certainly gives the house it's own charm.

Several other beams have slight "twists" in them, and we really appreciate how tight the guy fit them in the beginning. Ken told us that he wanted fits as tight as possible so that when the house settled the "gaps" would be minimal... he was right. This happened with our timber frame barn at the "old house" and I just love seeing how the building has "aged" over the years. The same will go for this house as well. The neat thing is, it doesn't do anything to the strength of the timbers.

I can't wait to be settled into the house and see it on a daily/non working basis. Every time we get something finished and we are that much closer, makes me appreciate what will be in store. And yes, NASCAR races will certainly be a Sunday thing in this house!!!! Happy Valentine's Day

duh....

For the past three months (ever since around Thanksgiving) I have had a cough off and on... (more "on" than off). I haven't felt "sick".. no aches, no fever, no snooky nose... just this cough. Sometimes it seems to lighten up and other times it comes on with a vengeance. The past couple of weeks, it's been with a vengeance. And so bad, that at times, I get these coughing "fits" and I actually get sick to my stomach. Twice this past week, I had to leave a dog class and go outside to catch my breath and regain my composure. Several friends have been bugging me about seeing the doctor, but again, since I don't feel sick... I didn't know what I would say except that I have this cough. I have no tightness in my chest, I don't get "winded".. my energy level is a little low.. but I think mostly because I don't sleep well...(from coughing all night long)... however today, I finally went and saw the doctor.



The first thing is.. I have lost 17 lbs since I last saw them, and my blood pressure has also come down. The doctor noticed that right away and made a comment on it... asking if I was "doing anything special" to make this change. I told him no...I am trying to eat small portions, and told him that my hubby and I were building a new house, so I have been busier than usual working at the house. But all in all, I haven't really "changed" anything. Then he went on with a list of questions, and when he asked how long I had been coughing... I said... "three months"... he goes... "and you're just coming to see me now???" Again I told him, I haven't been "sick"... and sometimes, I actually thought the cough was gone. He listened to my lungs, asked more questions.. then, got quiet for a moment.



"Tell me about this house building you're doing".... "what are you doing"... so I told him that we are completing the entire inside... sheet rock, mud and tape, painting, etc. etc..... "You're handling all the sheet rock.. and sanding" he asked... I told him yes.... "You are wearing a mask when you do these things" he asked .. and I answer.... no......



He ponders a bit more, schedules me for a chest x-ray, blood work and a breathing test... but says.. "I don't believe you are sick.. I want to be sure.. but I think this cough is from the sheet rock work that you have been doing. " I began to think about it and when I put the "timing" together, I think he might be "on to something". When we were sheet rocking last fall, we opened the windows in the house,but all winter, they have been shut. And we go in stages.. so .. some weeks we are sanding and hanging sheet rock (which could be why the cough reappears) .. then, we move to something else for a bit like painting ( and the cough settles down some) then it's back to sheet rock...it does make perfect sense.



I did the x ray and blood work, the breathing test will be next week... the doctor doesn't want to me use a mask just yet, in case I am "sick" he doesn't want me breathing in the "sick" while wearing a mask...but he does want me to get one, and as soon as we know the test results to start using it. He feels pretty sure.. its "just the dust".....



so... dear readers, if you have any projects of this nature going on... get a mask and use them.... I know we will from now on... our good health is too fragile and needs to be guarded... wished I had thought of it.....

my life is paint chips....

Well, maybe not my whole life is paint chips but collecting them seems to be my new favorite past time. I can't go to a Lowe's or Home Depot without popping into the paint department and pulling out some of their samples. I usually have a "basic" color in mind, and then pull out all the "families" in that line. Sometimes, I change my mind before I leave the store, but more than not, they all make it home and are tacked to the wall. I am now looking at "greens" for the living room.... once I have something in mind, I love buying those small 3.00 cans and actually doing some painting of the color. It really helps and as you all know, the paint can be very different from those little paper samples.

The pantry was yesterday's focus. Since it's nothing more than a very big closet, the color here isn't so important. It will be mostly shelves and cupboards.. so all I wanted was "some" color on the walls. Now, if you saw the "brownies" that I chose for the dining room and kitchen... this one would have to be called "coffee milk". It reminded me of the "coffee milk or tea milk" that my Mom would make for us kids. (I keep asking myself if I am hungry when I go to the paint store!!! - picking out all these different/yummy colors)

It didn't make a huge difference in the room, maybe just enough to say that it isn't white. And that works out OK with me. The game plan is when the shelves and cupboards are in they will be painted a cranberry color!!!!

Remember when I blogged about my photographer friend Dusty coming to take pictures of the chickens?? Turns out that there is a new magazine just hitting the news stands.....

and... in an article about different chicken "breeds".... one of Dusty's photos of our "girl" made the cut!!! Sadie tells me that it's "Quaker" but since I really can't tell one from the other anymore.. I will have to take her word for it.

This is a nice looking magazine, so if you're a "chicken" person, you might enjoy picking up a copy for yourself.

I seem to have picked up yet another cold!!! Honestly, this is the "sickest" winter I think I have ever had in my life. I have to wonder if I might have gotten this one from the post office!!! I am really beginning to like my little job there, the time flies by, it's always busy.. there is ALWAYS something that needs to be done... I like seeing the town folks that come in and people are beginning to look for me as well. But, handling all that mail that is coming from who knows where... I can only imagine the little "buggie germs" that come with it. I wash my hands all the time, but I think one must have got by me. If I don't shake this thing a in few days, I will call the doctor and see if I can "get something for it".

And.. it is so nice to have longer days of sun and a "wee" bit of warmth in the air... (mind you.. "wee bit" is the word).. there are bare patches of ground and even though February has just started, it has a "March" feel some days. I am so looking for spring this year.. it hasn't been a "bad winter" at all (at least for us!!!).. but since I am outside so much of the time.. I certainly appreciate the mild weather. Well.. off to dog class..................

a good day.

After "yesterday", I am happy to report that today has gone much better. Actually, it wasn't that yesterday was a "bad" day, just that it was a day that I would have been happy to forget. I do want to say thank you to my dear readers.. I got so many nice comments and emails, and I appreciate your kind words and encouragement.

So.. here's "our" boy. Chester is coming along so quickly in his obedience lessons.. he is a quick study for sure!!! He comes to classes with Camille and I three nights a week. On Mondays, he is an "official" student in the puppy class, and since I am teaching, Sadie has been handling him in the classes for me. He loves to go.

Tuesday night, he was with me again. I use him as much as I can as my "demo" puppy, just so we get some work in, but I fear he often spends much of the time waiting and watching from a crate. This past week, I asked Rick if he would mind working him in the advance class. Rick was thrilled to do it, and he's a very good handler, so I knew that Chester would be in good hands. He was as steady as any of the other dogs in this class, his stay work was perfect!!! and he's feeling much more comfortable on the gentle leader.




Guess, he figured that if "we're going to be here awhile.. might as well get comfortable"!!! I am having great fun working with him, and there is no doubt that I will miss him when he heads off for "college".. but I know for sure, someone is going to get a great dog with him!!!!



Today, we also got a full day of work in at the house. That was SO great!!! Ed worked on some more of the wiring and getting the downstairs bath ready to finish sheet rocking. It just needs some odd and end pieces and he didn't want to "ruin" full sheets if we can finish it off with scraps. I got the ceiling painted in the pantry and then Ed got the lights put up in there. That made a big difference.

Then, I was "onto" the mudroom. I really do like that yellow, but it is bright, and I have been thinking that I would like to "add/tone" it down a bit.

Stenciling!!! seemed to be the answer. So, I began to look around for stencil things. Guess what, they're not easy to find. When we did the other house, I guess stenciling was in "vogue", because you could get patterns, brushes, paints without even looking that hard. I did find things on the Internet, but I don't know.. it was hard to find just what I was looking for.

I had everyone on the hunt, and last Sunday, Kassy called to say that she was in a local store that had some stencils and she thought there was one that I might like. Since it wasn't much money, I asked her to pick out the one she thought I would like (and it's Marden's for you local folk).

And that "green blob" above....


turned out to look like this.....

Once I did that first piece.. I just couldn't stop until that one wall was done. (it was kind of nice that I didn't have to stop so I could go to dog class)

And, even better, it fit perfectly on the wall, and ended at the corner with a "half".. When the trim goes up around the door, some of the stenciling will be covered, but that's OK, because then I don't have to try and squeeze it in.

Tomorrow, I will get the other wall done. I think I am just going to do the two main walls, because the other walls will end up with a lot of trim going around the doors and window, and I don't think there will be room enough.. but, we'll see.

this house is going to be so much to decorate and finish.... better get my dear hubby moving!!!!

barns...

Tuesdays - on my drive to teach dog classes, I go thru some very pretty "country" ie: horse and cow country. Which, of course, means there are some very nice barns!!!

I love barns!!!I have always loved barns, and the fact that we have built two of them -- is a real blessing.

This beautiful barn (and the picture above) is where we buy our grain (and other farm things). It's a "restored" dairy barn, and even though it's now a store, they didn't "ruin" the inside of it. I LOVE going here, and it's (sadly) one of those places where you always spend more than you expected to.

and just random photos of some of the other barns I pass along my way. I wonder "when" they were built, "who" built them.. and I can just imagine how it was when the owner got to use "his" barn for the first time. I remember how we felt the very first night our horses slept in their "own barn".

yup, "America" will be alive and well, as long as she keeps "her barns".....

it's been a year....

Well.. here it is.. the "one year anniversary", if you will... when I said good bye to my dear little Moxie. I would love to tell you that I am doing "just fine" in this department, that I can laugh and tell funny stories about her... that I can speak her name without crying... but the truth is .. I can't. My tears are as close as if it all happened yesterday, maybe I don't cry daily, but I do still cry weekly. The memory of this "awful" day I can bring up in every detail, and sadly it does replay over and over in my mind. And sometimes the strangest things set me off.

I often wonder why it is like this with Mox and me, I certainly have and do love my other dogs.. what is it about her? And then I realized, I think...

Moxie was "there" for some very interesting parts of my life... she was "there" when we were raising teenagers. Anyone who has muddled thru the teen years will know exactly what I mean... and during those rough moments, she was "there" to comfort me, to listen to me rant.. to get me thru.

and then, another time, when the word "cancer" came into my life. By the grace of God, it wasn't cancer, but still - a tumor that required major surgery.. Moxie was there.. during those scary moments, during a six week recovery.. taking those first few walks, getting me back on my feet....



and dog classes, she was "there".. helping with the other puppies, showing off in front of the students.. making me look "good".. my little buddy.. my little pal.... she was "there'... she was "there" day to day, moment to moment, and step by step.....



and now, quite simply.. she just isn't "there" anymore.. she's always "here" in my heart, my soul, my memories... my tears.



I don't mean to make this sound as though she were my "only".. of course my dear hubby is also "there"... as is Camille, Hunter, Trevor, Tazzy , Cole and now.. even little Chester puppy... so it isn't like I don't have any other "back up" or love and support.. it's just that Moxie did it her own way.. and I guess that is what I miss.

In some ways, I am glad to have this "first:" year behind me... and it's still strange to me
that I now have students who have no idea of "who Moxie is"... because it's now Camille that covers my back...or on the farm, there is just five spaniels and not the six.. and maybe this year ahead, (because it isn't filled with all the "firsts") will be the year that I feel I can begin to heal from all of this...



but honestly... I don't think so... Hey Mox... I still love you!!!!!

hello Feb...

Well it's February 1st.. and in some ways, this absolutely thrills me and in other ways.. I am in a panic. Thrilled, because February is such a "short" month and will definitely put us on the back side of winter... and panicked, because there seems to be so much work to do in the house!!! We're making good progress, but June is getting closer.. and we HAVE to be in by June...(if not, well... I don't even want to go there!!!!)

I have a "project" that I have been playing with off and on the past couple of weeks. I thought that you might enjoy hearing about this one.

I met with a dog student last fall, such a great lady with a sweet little dog (who is doing very well with her training) - anyways, after the lesson.. I noticed she had several beautiful quilts around her house. Being a quilter, you know I just had to comment about them. I ended up staying about an hour longer just looking at her beautiful work and talking about quilts. She is very organized and has her "stashes" all neatly put away (quilter envy!!!) and various projects all together.

I noticed one bag sitting there.. and I said to her "You're doing a Grandmother's garden?" She told me not really, that it was a quilt her Mother had begun and it was just sitting there. I made some comment about.. "you should finish that, it's a perfect quilt to do while watching TV" (because its all hand pieced for those of you who may not know).. she laughed and said.. "well, I don't know about that"

A few days later, I got a call from my "new student" checking in with her dog's progress and then she said.. "when you go to teach dog classes on Tuesday night, there is a "package" for you there". I couldn't imagine what she was talking about, but when I arrived to teach.. sitting there was the "bag" that had the quilt in it. She gave it to me, to do!!!! I was honored.

During Christmas time, the quilt just sat, but now that the holidays are done, and I do have a few evenings at home, I have pulled it out and looked it over and have begun to piece it. It's almost queen sized, so I dare say - it's a couple year project, but when it's done.. it will be amazing.. and will look so grand on my bed in the farmhouse. I'll keep you posted on it's progress.....

Ol' man winter is hardly done with us, I know.. but thinking about gardens, things that are green - warm weather, gets me thru.

service dog???

"This" is my service puppy's way of telling me that he has had ENOUGH!!! He is so "subtle" with his "clues" , that it's hard for me to tell!!! Silly boy... actually, he only pulled his "meltdown" after we had been at the mall most of the afternoon.

It's been a bitter cold day. Ed was away at a "firefighters training" and I have caught up with most of the the jobs that I can do at the house. So, it was either just sit around at home, or go and do something constructive. I vote for constructive.

Kas had the afternoon off from work, so I told her I would meet her at the mall and we could sit and have some coffee together. I then took the time, and brought Chester along to do some "public" work with him. There's "lots" for him to do at the mall, sliding doors, slippery floors, all kinds of "things" with wheels.. walking in and out of the stores, and then sitting quietly while Kas and I visited.

We are also beginning to work him on the "gentle leader".. which is the equipment of choice via NEADS. This is a nice piece of training equipment, but it usually takes the dog some time to get the feel of it and be comfortable with it. Chester is doing OK.. basically I need to have him wear it more. He wasn't very excited when I put it on him before we went into the mall, but then the "things" around him kept him pretty distracted and he did OK. He's a funny boy, though, and when he is done... he is DONE.. course he is only five months old.. so, that is to be expected.

After the mall, I did run into the grocery store with him. I needed just a couple of items for supper and it was a quick trip, he walked along.. but I could tell that he was ready just to get in the truck and head for home. We didn't hear a peep out of him the whole ride back!!!










And, when it was time to hop out of the truck, he still had that very sleepy look about him. When we got inside, he took a long drink, checked out the cats to see what they had been up to, and went to bed!!! He had a nice snooze before his supper, and afterwards, right back to sleep. Long day for a little puppy dog!!!

The full moon tonite is amazing, I saw on the "news" that it's called "the wolf moon", as the wolves are likely to sing under it on a cold winter night. I guess too, from what I read, that the moon is close in it's orbit to the earth and being a "full" moon it will look bigger and brighter.

It certainly lit the farm up tonite when we were bedding the horses down. And if the wolves aren't howling, the wind is!!! As I previous stated, it's been a bitter cold day, the winds have been "huge" and I feel like they are shaking the house tonite. The fact that we still have power is quite amazing.. but I wouldn't be one bit surprised if it went out sometime in the night. So, on that note, I will close this blog and get it saved.. just in case..

and the snoring sound in the background... yup.. that's "my" service dog!!!!

brownies!!!

"Poor" Ed, just as soon as he is finished with "his" part of the housework, I am chasing right behind with either primer or paint. Because for me, this house stuff is now beginning to be fun!!! Once the mudroom had been painted, I began thinking about the dinning room. I had gone to the house of a client to work with her dog, and "fell in love" with the color she had chosen for her kitchen. After the lesson, I asked her if she could remember the name of the color... she wasn't exactly sure, but I knew I had found the color for our house.

When Ed asked what color I was thinking of.. I told him... BROWN!!! after the color of the mudroom, I don't know if he knows what to think of me right now.. Brown?? was his only comment. I went and looked at all the brown shades.. (there are LOTS of them) and came up with one that I thought would suit the bill. But, I must confess that when I opened that paint can and poured the paint out... putting "brownie batter" on the walls wasn't exactly what I was going for. Still.. it's only paint and if I "hate" it.. I'll just do it again....



Thing is... once I had it up and it began to dry.. I didn't hate... I love it!! There's a room at the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg that was wallpapered in leather (of all things) and actually this reminds me of that room. Because of the big windows and openness of this room, it carries this dark color quite well.

After the dining room, I was onto priming in the pantry. This room is just going to be a "white" color... it's small and it will end up having a lot of shelves in it.. so, white will be the way to go here.

I'm getting used to painting over my head and standing on a ladder... I can even go up two steps on the ladder without even thinking... (that's huge for me!!!)

And here is it.. all ready for "real paint"...

Ed took a "little break" from mud and tape and went back to electrical work. Now that I have some color on the walls, I want light to show it off. And if we can get the plugs working, we can coil up all the extension cords that we have been working with.

Today, he got most of the downstairs up and running, and so, after we did barn chores this evening and it was getting dark outside, we ran down to the house to see "what it looks like" at night. The dining room looked grand.. I like even better than I did before....

But almost even better... outside lights with a soft inside glow thru the windows...

OH.... HOME!!!!