Color me red....

It all started so innocently. A friend at work mentioned how dry her skin was and I pulled out my Bag Balm from Sheepman Supply. (Yep, I keep it in my purse!) It works wonders on dry, cracked winter skin, if you can get past the antiseptic smell. I mentioned that I bought a tin of it for Andre at the local feed store because his hands were cracked, but had also seen it in a catalog that we recently got in the mail – The Vermont Country Store. She giggled a bit when I said that and said “You can get A LOT of interesting things in that catalog”. I pressed further and she said “Ummm…..well……you know……for a woman’s or a couple’s…..needs….”. I could not remember seeing anything like what I thought she was referring to in the catalog, but she assured me she had the catalog at home and was quite surprised also. I said “That’s the magazine with the guy’s grandmother on the cover”!!!
I still didn’t believe her so I found the store online. Searched around a bit and sure nuf….. Look for yourself. http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/Shop
It was also strange that the same afternoon we had that conversation, there was a headline on AOL.com about the very same thing! Apparently they have added a line of “toys” to their otherwise wholesome and down home type of items and their loyal customers are quite upset. Time will tell if it’s a good marketing ploy. I guess if you’re going to order those things in the mail, you’d want your local mailman to think you were just getting some Vermont cheese in the mail.
The raciest thing they used to sell was Bag Balm!

Isn't it ironic.

We’re getting back about $1500 from our Federal and State tax returns.
Guess how much we spent this week on a cat emergency?
Yep – approximately $1500.

The cat is fine. He had been wheezing and making gurgling noises in his throat for about a week so I brought him to the vet on Monday. They did x-rays and found something that looked like a foreign object in his trachea. It’s highly unusual for a cat to suck something into it’s windpipe they tell me. Since my vet didn’t have an endoscope small enough to go down a cat’s airway, we were referred to the big fancy veterinary hospital in Leesburg (where they serve Starbucks coffee for dog’s sake). By the time they did the procedure, they couldn’t find anything. Guess the little bugger finally coughed it up or something. Sheesh.

I feel that every time we get a little extra money, something comes along to deplete it.

I feel bad....

So all that puppy peeing drama turned out to be a UTI after all. About a month ago I brought in a urine sample because I KNEW that Belle was peeing too much. When they didn’t find anything, I told myself to be patient and maybe her little bladder was growing….
Well it started getting worse and last week after getting up every 2 hours to let her out at night I decided there HAD to be a problem. So I got the soup ladle out (it is THE BEST way to capture urine as long as it’s right out of the dishwasher and doesn’t have nasties on it to start with! Guess no one will be coming to my house now for chili…..) and captured her urine and drove it to the vet’s office on my way to work. I was all ready to tell them to give me drugs for her NO MATTER WHAT OR I WILL GO ELSEWHERE AND TAKE MY MULTITUDE OF DOGS AND CATS WITH ME ALONG WITH ALL THAT MONEY THAT IS KEEPING YOU IN BUSINESS. When I got to work there was a call from the vet telling me that yes, Belle had an infection. So she had gone a whole month with this thing progressively getting worse and me believing that it was a behavioral issue as they suggested.
Poor Puppy. She was probably in pain and not able to tell us beyond peeing every 15 minutes and soiling her crate every day and night. At least we hadn’t been punishing her for her accidents because we knew there had to be a reason that she couldn’t control it…..
She’s now on Clovomax(?) for 14 days and we have to capture that urine again tomorrow to make sure it’s working. The good news is that she is now staying dry in her crate all night and seems to be on the road to recovery. I just hope she’s not one of those girls who has continuous UTIs.
She and Blue are now on a RAW diet. It was pretty scary for me at first and when I started with Blue - I was cooking everything. But then I started to worry about him not getting enough calcium, so after reading all I could, buying 3 books on the subject and sweating a lot about it, I dove in. Both are doing great on the diet and so far have had chicken parts and turkey necks along with some organ meats. I also give oatmeal and some veggies to supplement. (Andre was a little embarrassed at Martins the day I found Turkey Necks and shouted “Turkey Necks for 39 cents a pound!” I think he wanted to slink out of the store….)Anyway, I still sit with Belle while she eats to make sure she crunches her bones up and she seems to be doing fine with it.
At some point we’ll probably switch all the dogs over to raw, but I think Andre still needs to be convinced. In the meantime, we have switched from Pedigree(!) to Kirklands Chicken and Rice or Lamb and Rice which I’ve read is a pretty good choice as far as kibble goes.

Oh what a beautiful day....

Yesterday turned out to be so nice (low 60s!). Andre took the dogs out to exercise. A couple of them have put on some pounds over the winter because of lack of activity (not unlike their humans…). Plus they were stir crazy because we had so much ice on the ground this past week, making it impossible to do anything outdoors. He takes out the tennis balls and tosses them with a ball flinger (?) and they run and run and run. Good for conditioning. I wish I was ball motivated. (Your minds are in the gutter, don't go there!)
Some of the dogs actually retrieve the balls, some just run and others (BAD SHANE!) take the balls and run off and hide them.
Belle is just learning the Border Collie games. So here are the pics I’ve been promising.
Belle! 5 months old.





She loves her big brother Blue.


The main guy. The one who controls the madness.


Figuring it all out.


Time out for necessary "doodies".


Blue Cool down - good thing there was still some ice.


Watcha doin?


Hmmm....what are these?


Apres Play

oh

I was supposed to tag 3 more people for the 40 things about me exercise, but I don't know anyone else who blogs who hasn't already done this. So this leg of it ends with me. Sorry.

40 Things About Me

I got tagged to do this exercise (thx Julie!) – write 40 things that people may not know about me. I haven’t lived a hugely exciting or varied life so most people know the few things about me there is to know. But I’ll take a stab.

1. I was born June 13, 1957 in Washington, D.C. in a hospital that no longer exists - Hahnemann Hospital. I grew up in Herndon, Virginia and had a very happy childhood.
2. There were 4 siblings in the family. Bryson, Jeff (passed away last year and I still can’t believe that he’s gone), Keith and myself. 10 years separates Bryson and myself. They are all wonderful, caring men. My parents were the best. They have passed.
3. I took piano lessons for 7 years when I was in elementary and middle school. My mother (the church organist) introduced all of us to piano lessons and all ended up continuing on with either the piano or other musical instruments. I hated to play then, but now love it and have our family piano. Andre plays too. I also played the flute and was second seat one year.
4. I was a majorette in High School. It was a fun group of girls and a time that I remember with a smile. I dated 2 tuba players. During this recent Inauguration, I remembered that I was in an Inaugural Parade in the early 70’s(Nixon!). All the high school bands in Fairfax County, VA joined together into one group and all the majorettes and flag teams marched alongside of this huge band. Little innocent me was subjected to lots of profanity during that parade! Wow, people didn’t like Nixon? J
5. I got married when I was 19 and had my son Ben when I was 20. Too young. Daughter Erin was born when I was 28. It wasn’t a good marriage but I tried to make it work. We split up when she was 7 months old. I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.
6. I’m going to be a grandmother this year. Ben and his girlfriend Theresa are expecting. They live in Tampa.
7. I met Andre when we both worked for the U.S. Senate. He had come down from Maine with Sen. George Mitchell’s administration, when he was Majority Leader. There were lots of cute “Mainers” for us girls to sink our claws into. He was cute AND nice and we hit it off right away. We started talking at an after work get together at a local bar – My Brother’s Place – and I snared him away from a sleazebag! who kept grabbing his ass.
8. I love sushi.
9. I can’t stand the sound of people eating food. Some commercials (Grape Fruit) drive me insane. Andre has learned to eat carrots in another room.
10. I’m too critical of people, but I keep it to myself. I usually give most people a break when I meet them and assume they are good, but once they lose my respect, it’s gone.
11. I love the smell of my sheep. I have a wool sweater from Ireland that still has that strong wool/sheep smell and I LOVE it.
12. I love my hot tub, in the winter when it’s snowing. I really like sitting there and looking at the stars.
13. I like maps. Andre does too. In fact there is an old atlas that stays in our bathroom and is our “reading material”. Weird. Some people have Reader’s Digest, we have maps!
14. I really want to learn to spin wool. I have the spinning wheel, I have the wool, I just need to find the time. I get stuck like that a lot. Things get put on the back burner as I’m living day to day, and it’s so easy to just chug along and not do anything but work and sleep.
15. I like watching stupid shows. The latest is Sober House (off shoot from Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab). Also, Intervention. Wow are those people screwed up! I also like any shows with ghosts or paranormal research. Stupid I know, because I would NEVER want to come face to face with a ghost, but for some reason I like hearing stories about OTHER PEOPLE who have. Andre laughs when Ghost Hunters is on and he says “Wow, they saw an ORB!” Those shows occasionally caution that people should never play with Ouija Boards. I never would now, but when I was young our parents gave us one for Christmas!!! They used to be very popular and all my friends had one. Of course we always accused one friend of moving the pointer!
16. I don’t like work/job. I really want to win the Lottery, but only play when it’s over 100,000,000. I have to say that since I do have to work, my job isn’t too bad. I really appreciate it now that so many people are losing their jobs.
17. I don’t go to church because I became disillusioned. When my first marriage was failing my MIL wanted us to go to Jim and Tammy Bakkers ministry(!!) for marriage counseling. Oh yeah, they turned out to be great role models. Then our minister at church started having problems. He apparently was an alcoholic and went on binges, which the church covered up. Then money started missing and people saw him about town, having dinners with a lady in the choir and it came out that he had been “counseling” her through her divorce and they were having sex in his office at church. Ugh. I know they are humans and subjected to the same temptations, but come on. Priests and church leaders have to hold themselves to a higher standard because they can so easily take advantage of young boys and girls, women in despair and anyone weak in spirit.
I am religious, but I am not ready to attend church. I went to several churches in the area when my brother passed away, and found comfort in the music. I haven’t been recently.
18. I don’t drink alcohol. Not for lack of wanting. I slowly became allergic, so unless I want to do party tricks and turn all red and blotchy and stuffed up, it’s just not worth how it makes me feel. So now I’m the designated driver if Andre wants to have a couple. Works for us!
19. I went to Old Dominion University for 1 year. I took some classes at community colleges throughout the years, but I never got my degree. I regret that.
20. I read 3 or more books at the same time. I’ll read a few chapters in one and then another night I’ll start another book. I have about 10 books waiting in the basket beside my bed. I prefer non-fiction over fiction.
21. I’m not a good cook. I once made baked chicken with a coating of crushed Frosted Flakes, because I remembered someone telling me how good it was. I didn’t remember correctly. It should have been made with Corn Flakes! No one finished their chicken.
22. I pick through Chex Mix and Chinese Rice Cracker mixes, etc. and only eat what I like. I only like the Chex cereal and leave the peanuts and pretzels. I pick out all the wasabi balls and the shiny rice crackers and leave the nuts, sesame seed thingies etc. This drives Andre crazy.
23. I’m a Democrat. I’m a liberal. Tree-huggin, bleeding heart. I am so excited about the new administration. I’m very tolerant of other views, and actually like to hear debates so I can understand where people are coming from. I have no patience with bigotry, racism and hate.
24. I don’t like to vacuum or do any housework really. Andre helps a lot, which I really appreciate. If we ever get to the point where we have disposable income, I would like to get a maid to come in once a week.
25. I had guinea hens and we enjoyed them. I called them little hovercrafts because of the way they’d run across the lawn and you couldn’t see their feet. Sadly they became meals for the hawks and foxes and we gave up after a few years. Same with our chickens. After having them for 2 years, one day something got all 6 of them. Of course with the birds gone, so are the RATS. I heard a commotion in the garage one day and thought the neighbor’s cat had gotten in, so I was calling “kitty, kitty”, and then saw the rat tail as it scurried away. YUCK.
26. I don’t like talking about myself, so this exercise is a little uncomfortable.
27. I get choked up when I watch border collies work stock. I’ve been known to wipe away a tear or two.
28. I’m afraid of guns. It’s a phobia because I have a feeling that if I even look at a gun, it’s going to go off. I plan on taking a gun safety course in March at Gander Mountain. Facing my fears.
29. I was the Student Council President in 6th grade. All A’s. THEN, 7th grade happened. Went to middle school and got my first F. Very traumatic.
30. I had a BFF from 1st grade till we graduated from HS. We were inseparable. Kept in touch for a few years but haven’t seen her in 25 years. Donna Kay King – are you out there? I miss you.
31. I don’t like to “go shopping”. I do most of my shopping online.
32. We sing silly songs to our dogs. Each one has its own.
33. I need 9 hours of sleep at night.
34. Don’t make me communicate when I first get up. Questions that only require yes or no are fine.
35. I don’t like soda drinks. Ginger Ale is tolerable. I don’t like the sweetness of dark colas and I just don’t like to burp I guess.
36. I must buy the Washington Post on Sunday. The rest of the week is read online.
37. I sometimes buy Star magazine. I’m a pop culture junkie. But I’m starting not to care because they now talk about people I’ve never heard of. I don’t care what Miley is doing, but give me some Brangelina!
38. I have to buy new wool socks every year. I absolutely love them. By the end of the season the heels have blown out.
39. I am friends with a group of ladies who all used to work together at the Senate 20+ years ago. When we started leaving for other jobs we decided to meet once a month (or close to that) to keep in touch. We still meet. Good Good Friends. Hey B’s! We once had a “reading” done by a psychic. She told us we all were together in a past life. And we were men!
40. I keep the thermostat at 63, but someone keeps turning it up to 64.

Back from the land of pee

OH! Hello there.

I’m just peeking out above the mountain of pee and poo and paper towels that have become my life in the last month. Puppyhood – oh yes, now I remember. So my excuse for not blogging is that the new pup – Belle – has taken up all my spare time!

(pic by Joan McGrath, the breeder)

She’s adorable and cute, so I’m being very patient with the slow housebreaking. Can’t get mad at her over the “accidents” because, well, look at those eyes! Anyway, she’s just so busy that she can’t be bothered with asking to go out. At least she makes it close to the door (on my hardwood!) which tells me she knows she’s supposed to go out to do her business. She plays and plays and drinks and plays and squats and then right back to playing. Blue is her buddy and he kind of likes this new girl.
She has taken notice of the sheep but isn’t obsessed with going to the fence when we’re outside. She watched how Blue sticks his head through the fence to get him some sheep poop snacks and now that’s what she wants to do! EEWWW, not while you are still licking my face all the time……

This past weekend was nice and long and I really enjoyed it. I work for the Guvment and we were given the 26th off, just because we are such good little workers. That and 3 hours early leave on the 24th. Andre made French toast for Christmas morning and Turkey and fixins for dinner. Andre and I don’t exchange gifts, but I did have a couple of things for Erin, since she’s here now. She’s still looking for a job – turned out to be a lot harder than she thought it would be. I’m sure something will come along for her.

I worked the new hair sheep on Saturday and they are very nice. I’ve been just taking Heather out on them to get them settled and working with a good dog. Since they were working so nice I brought out Blue also and he was great. Pushy, but that’s fine because he had previously been so cautious to work. The sheep took off for the gate at one point and Blue put on his after burners and gathered them very nicely. We only worked for 10 minutes and stopped while things were still good. Then I brought out hyper Vic. 5 years old and still just a nut. But he didn’t upset these sheep which in turn kept him calm and I did up close work with him and then stopped when he seemed to be relaxed. I was very pleased with the dogs I worked and told the sheep THANK YOU. I’m so thankful now that I got those guys from Sue A. She helped me pick some out that she thought would work for us and they are perfect. Thanks SUE!

On Sunday, we were invited out to our friends’ farm in Romney WV to work dogs. It was a nice day and we had loads of fun. Heather was SO GOOD there – I have to be reminded not to take her for granted. She’s a mess at trials, but what a wonderful dog to work. She was so responsive to me yesterday - I know how lucky I am to have her.

I PROMISE to dust off the camera and take some pics to share. I have another long weekend coming up – Thursday of course is New Years, and I also took Friday off. Hope the weather holds and we can work dogs again!!!