Back on the Farm
i will be the first to tell you that never once in my life did i ever think i would marry a Farm Boy.
but i sure do love my AJ.
this weekend we were able to squeeze in a trip back to Hastings, NE to see AJ’s parents, and good times were, indeed, had by all.
Sunday morning, i decided to take the dogs for a walk “around the section”… AJ asked me if i knew that was 4 miles – indeed i did.
however… i didn’t realize that his parents live smack-dab in the middle of a two-mile stretch of road… so the route i took ended up being 6 miles instead of four. That’s what you get when you let a City Girl loose in the country!
here are the pooped puppies when we were only halfway home:
as one of my favorite sayings goes: “if you aren’t the lead dog, the scenery never changes”
i love my puppy bunders!
SUCCESS
whew.
OMG.
YIPPEE!!!!
THOR and I are now an Official Domesti-PUPS “Petting PUPS” Therapy Team In Training!
Saturday morning, we got up early, had a good breakfast, leashed up (with Lucy in tow… well, or… towing us!) and went for a good walk/jog/mini-training session.
It. Was. Hot… and the session didn’t go as well as i had hoped. but i kept telling myself that i can’t let my nerves flow from me all the way through the leash, or THOR will not do well at all.
we get home, i clean his ear (poor pooch has a chronic yeast infection in his left ear… i am open to suggestions on how to fix, if anyone has them), and then try a few impromptu commands in the kitchen.
he wasn’t having it.
at this point, i decided we were doomed.
instead of going ballistic in the kitchen, i walked away and decided to remain calm and consider today to be our FIRST test, and that would help us prepare for the second and maybe third (fourth?) test until we passed.
we headed out in the heat, to make our 10:30 test time, with a little padding to make sure he had plenty of ops to potty on every bush, tree, blade of grass in sight before the test.
i am attempting to remain calm…
we walk up to the testing area (amidst high heat and high winds… oh dear, this can’t be good), and meet up with Pam #1 – our awesome Class Trainer. From Day One she knew THOR would have a time at all of this… and kept reminding me throughout the class, “if he eliminates during the test, he will NOT pass!” (hence the pre-planned potty breaks!)… and she said to us, “don’t worry- we’ll hold another testing session in October.”
Great. event Pam thinks we will fail.
so i told myself to calm down (not an easy feat, if you know me), and take the test one task at a time, not to look at it as one whole mountain, just little hills to climb… we’ll figure out where we need improvement, and prepare for the test in October.
We were paired up with a test evaluator (she was awesome!) and proceeded to go through the following test objectives:
- Controlled Entry: we had to walk together through a door – THOR could not rush in front of me, or cower behind me = PASSED
- Greet a Stranger: “Hello, may I pet your dog?”, (THOR’s most favorite thing in the world: People loving on him) = PASSED
- Allow a Stranger to Pet: she brushed him, checked his paws and ears, being mindful of the tenderness of the left ear = PASSED
- Reaction to Loud Noises: dropping pans, moving wheel chairs, no problem = PASSED
- Controlled Heal with turns, & Sit Command: walk along an L-shaped course, right turn, U-turn & left turn, while leash is in loose Heal: PASSED (slightly shocked)
- Sit, Down, Stay, Come: Place dog in “Sit” (okay), Place dog in “Down” (still working on this, and didn’t complete), Place dog in “Stay” (90% on this, usually), Trainer to walk 15-feet from dog, turn around and then call dog to “Come” = PASSED (with the caveat to continue to work on “Down”)
- Greet a Stranger with a Strange Dog: we met up with Buster and Paco (i believe), “Double Trouble” as i told THOR, and of course, he thought this mean Play Time, and we had to go back and start over. the trainer was kind enough to give some ideas on how to work on this, we tried again= PASSED
- Supervised Separation: THOR got to stand in the shade with a very nice gentleman he had never met – i hid behind a tree for three (very long) minutes. Upon my return, i was told that THOR really didn’t know i was gone (he would go home with anyone) but that the kind gentleman might have some new bruises on his legs from THOR’s tail! = PASSED
- Loading & Unloading a vehicle: dog is to wait for the command to get in and out of the car – not just jump in and out at his own free will = PASSED
we walked back to the evaluation table, and our Evaluator and Pam #1 quietly discussed our scores, and Pam #1 grabbed a red scarf and placed it on THOR’s neck… um, what? We Passed? WE PASSED? i started jumping up and down… THOR, was kindly aloof, as per usual.
Then i chatted with Pam #2, or other awesome Leader, and one that gave us lots of great tips and allowed us to join her class, and she said, “Wow, THOR definitely gets the ‘Most Improved’ award!”
and very sweet, Kendra, took our picture- which made me realize, i should have gussied up after the morning’s run. oh well!
(taken at my parent’s afterward)
YEA THOR!!!!
what’s next? three-to-six months of on-site training where we will go to approved nursing homes, hospitals and retirement homes and display our “Petting-PUPS” skills. eeeeee!!!!!!!!
MORE Domesti-PUPS Fun!
before i pop out of the office for the day, and rescue my pups from their naps… i wanted to give an update on the whole Domesti-PUPS situation.
with my crazy summer travel schedule, I was in Kansas City during the Testing Day for our Domesti-PUPS training group. apparently, this is a big dang deal (duh) as they fly in the evaluator and such… so THOR and I had to miss our day, and reschedule at a time when another evaluator is in town.
Well, once i learned this, i was oh-so-bad, and pretty much put the training on the back burner. THOR and I still went to the pre-test session the week before the actual test (of which we were to miss) and just as we started our pre-test, what does THOR the Wunder Pup do? Yep, potties in between stations… that would be an immediate FAIL!
so i was happy to know we weren’t testing that weekend!!! defintely more work to do!
and now, we are back in class- tonight it is – new people, another great leader, and we hope to be more steadfast in our goal!!! THOR has been doing a better job of waiting until i tell him it is okay to Potty (let me tell you, he was not very excited about this at first!) and hopefully, a few more weeks of practice and we will pass with flying colors.
FINGERS CROSSED!!!!
Running in the Rain… Just Running in the Rain
well, this might be my first official running blog post.
I ran today– TA DAH!!!
and i took the pooches with me. (and they loved it, thank you very much!)
for the last two weeks, i have been on the illustrious Truck$ & Buck$ Truck Tour (which has completely and totally wiped me out… seriously, i slept all weekend!)… being on the road has been a blast – i have a had a chance to see more of the nooks and crannies of this awesome state (seriously) and am having lots of fun along the way. And, as you know, for me, food=love, so i have had plenty of yucky, sticky, gooey, yummy road food… and lots of sitting in the Blackshirt Tundra whilst driving isn’t so good for the booty. one might think that singing at the top of my lungs to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend by Miranda Lambert would create a slight caloric burn, but, alas, that appears (by my recent reflection) to not so much be the case…. whew.
so, after a slightly stressful day of trying to cram in a weeks worth of email reading into a few scant hours, i came home to my bored puppies and grabbed their leashes and dusted off my running shoes (trainers, for my British chums!) and out we strutted in the light rain…. well, it got a bit heavier when we hit the half-way point, but Miss Lucy was happy to keep trotting along… apparently, the lack of beating sun and radiating pavement was a good jogging combo for her… and even THOR broke into a bit of a trot (instead of his typical speed walk)…
brace yourselves – we got back to our house, and all concurred to keep on trucking — so we added another 1/2 mile through UPCO park and made our way back…
people – this is HUGE. we never ADD steps! how exciting… maybe, just maybe, this girl’s got her stride back!!!!!!
Bring your THOR To Work Day
WHOO HOO – i just got clearance to bring THOR into work with me tomorrow.
we will have our Therapy Pack ready, and i’ll probably even pack the Dirt Devil Pet Vac (just in case!)
i think this will be a great step in his therapy training – linoleum, elevators, meeting strange people, working on long-time stays without me around (all a part of the test, or real-world therapy sessions)…
i am so excited!!! Yea Forty!
This Girl’s Got a Lot of Training To Do!
whew– THOR and I had our first official Domesti-PUPS training session last night… and boy do we need a LOT of work… BOTH of us!
I am very excited to be a part of this organization, and once certified, its something we can do together for a long time. My goal is to also train Lucy so we can be one mega force…
after last night– yeah, we’ll see about that!
We missed our first class because we were in Cabo… and i really didn’t do much of the training because… because… okay, because i am the worlds worst procrastinator. I would look at THOR and think, “well, he’s pretty well-trained already… this will be easy!”… uh, not so much!
i was SO “That Girl” that laughs nervously and says, “He’s so much better at home. I just don’t know why he won’t listen to me…” as i am pushing is bottom to the ground, he is resisting, and i am saying through my teeth, “THOR! SIT! I SAID SIT! THOR!”… Everyone else’s dogs were so intent on their master’s and giving them great eye contact and so IN TUNE with the training. THOR wouldn’t even give me eye contact if i got nose-to-nose with him… rascal!
it also didn’t help that he chose to “mark his territory” every time we walked by the instructor… oy vey! (to which she kindly reminded me afterward – we will NOT pass our certification test if THOR eliminates during the test! nice.)
so, its back to potty training, basic training (sit, stay, down, come)… and he WILL learn that I am his Pack Leader. I am the source of all pleasure and pain! I am the one that knows how to fill his food and water bowls, oh yes, i am….. i think… (tee hee).
Moral of the story: (1) Domesti-PUPS is an awesome organization, and it can always use more support… and (2) THOR and I WILL Conquer this – it is good training for BOTH of us! 
April Showers…
boy-oh-boy- they had better bring me some May Flowers!
yesterday was nice though, i took the pups our for a 2-ish-mile slog through Nebraska Wesleyan University, and i would venture to say that a fun time was, indeed, had by all!
proof to that, here’s Miss Lu, crashed out in the dining room after our return:
ha!
today- my feet hurt… but they hurt in my heels, well before i strapped on the running shoes… i wish it was April 16th, so that i had a reason for walking around barefoot at work! (cool, huh? i learned about this from Crystal)
Alas, tomorrow is AJ’s birthday- YEA FOR 32!!! he is at home in Hastings visiting his parents right now, so i am going to sneak out tonight and grab some decorations!! (shhhh!)
Happy Birthday, Eve, My Love!
Pranks & Cowls
last night was a fun and lazy wednesday. it was nice to not have to be going somewhere all the time. AJ was pooped, and we even agreed to skip the take-out and eat leftovers… what is wrong with us?!?!
but i had some fun with the wii Fit! that stuff cracks me up. i had to redeem myself on the hula hoops, since Tuesday, i tried to do the 6-minute mega hula and couldn’t finish the left side… my left second toe was popping out of the socket – TMI, i know, and i am sorry– but its becoming chronic, and if i can’t even hula hoop, what is a girl to do?
Anyway—as i logged in – i got the following message…
i thought that was quite cute!
then, we caught up on some more DVR from Cabo… i tell you, that 30 Rock is a kill!
Thus, and therefore, i was able to finish The Delores Park Cowl i had started the night before. (and actually, the one i mentioned oh-so-long-ago…)… don’t cringe when i say i used Vanna White yarn… eek! i thought it would knit up softer, and a little tighter… ha! i guess this fits in with my whole aversion to checking gauge!
well, my sweet Lucy was kind enough to model it for me:
i love my baby girl!
the original idea, when starting this blog was to showcase my knitting a bit more… as you can tell, that hasn’t happened… but i do follow quite a few fun knitting blogs, where i have gathered many fun new ideas for projects, and other things! these are the knitty-centric blogs i follow:
- Run, Knit, Get Hitched! – that Stephanie is a hoot!
- Carrieokie’s Knitting Blog – the first one i ever followed
- earthchicknits – she makes awesome stuff- and has great photos
- s i x o n e s e v e n – wonderful photography, and she also has great recipes she showcases!
- I’m Knitting As Fast As I Can – this woman’s abilities baffle me!
- a Friend to knit with – she also showcases a cookie of the week – Carbo Katie likes that!
- the blue blog – i am now dying to make that twirly skirt!
and here are some that i am just latching onto:
and of course, there’s Ravelry. I am on there. I haven’t gotten into posting projects or anything… that’s just a whole other step, and a girl’s gotta work at some point in the day- right? but if you are on Ravelry, find me, let’s be friends! It is also a long-term goal to connect with more Lincoln Knitters… i know you’re out there!!!
Got Your Green On?
Fun Times With The Becker’s found some fun with GREEN last night!
Happy St. Patty’s Day!!!!!
mega post + photos + dinner last night
whew… nearing the end of tuesday… FAT Tuesday! fun times, indeed!
i am uploading quite a few photos to PhotoBucket– so here we go:
Lucy had a very fun time celebrating Valentine’s Day with her Jaunty Pink Scarf.
She also spent last Saturday (THOR, too) at Holmes Lake for the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics (www.sone.org) – cheering on Aunt Shelly– brrrrr!!!! Lu got to meet Herbie Husker… so that was exciting
and then, the goofball decided to plunge herself– it was cold… she’s nutty!
in non-dog entertainment, Thursday, we met up with the BFF for some Karaoke!!!
and Megs was so kind as to shoot a shot of the bling… good snaps, Missy!
We had a fun time singing… and being all around goofy!
here is AJ at the NE Bookstore – self-explanatory, i would say….
sooo– for the post about dinner last night… i am finally learning how to work the google reader, and am hooked on these (and many other) blogs…
sixoneseven - where i found a recipe for roasted red pepper soup
and a Friend to Knit With where i found (a) my newly prized dutch oven and (b) a recipe for bread with which to cook in it
so i attempted:
first, with the raising of the bread.
the evening prior (post Oscars) i tried for the wheat version. that yeast must have been bad… no rising here.
so in the a.m. i made a white flour version – by the time i was home from work, it was raising as suggested in the recipe. yea me!
i decided to move forward with BOTH loaves, because, what did i have to lose?
it was like a science experiment in my own oven… (though i had a pretty good idea of the outcome)
then, to the roasting of the red peppers (i added half an orange one… because)
so this is the experiment in the oven…
and this is once sliced– hahaha! (experiment successful – i guess you could say!)
AJ wanted to save the wheat for the dogs– but i fear what that may do to their digestive tract… (and we all know who would receive the brunt of that, don’t we?)
so, i am a slug and didn’t get a photo of the finished rrp soup… but, yum! (i guess i could show you the empty Tupperware in which i ate from for lunch today– but that is probably a bit much for photo realism)
on the soup: i really liked it… not so sure about AJ… but i kind of prefaced his eating it by saying, “if you don’t like it…”… and of course, i made two chicken cutlets because Goodness Forbid i serve a meatless meal… he did say it was “good”… but he’s just a sweet boy, so you really never know.
and, i may be partly to blame – i never actually told him there was a pear (gasp) and carrots (oh, for shame) in the recipe… because i know all too well, that the rrp would never get anywhere near his lips…. i am learning, oh yes, i am learning….
unless of course, the hubs is reading this, and then i would say to that– i’ll only make it when i host the friends for Girls’ Night soon!! Love you! (eek!)
btw– i am suddenly a fan of greek yogurt! yum!
so, that’s quite the post… now- to rescue the sewing machine from the fix-it-guy!
