It has been over a month since my last blog entry.  This year is really slipping by and I apologize for letting the blog fall by the wayside.  Still, there are times when a person has to cut their losses.  A blog is something I can currently neglect a little and not do permanent damage.  We do what we must to stay sane!

Sooooo, what have we been up to lately?  The kids had ‘fall break’ a few weeks ago and we decided to take a few days and go camping in Pigeon Forge.  Fall break is a new concept for us, but I reallylike it.  Instead of having a ton of ‘three day weekends’ they pool all those small holidays into one week long fall break.  In any case, here are a few photos from our trip.  Jazz and Lina were BOTH in season during this event, so they spent the vast majority of their time crated in the car or camper.  Thankfully it was cool and within the National Park they are not allowed on trails anyway.

My mother is still battling fatigue and chronic illness.  She moved from a 3 bedroom home on about a half acre to a small 2 bedroom apartment to cut down on upkeep and yard work.  I think it was a smart move and she seems to really like being closer to town, near her sisters and the main hospital ‘just in case’.   Her two small dogs are settling into the routine of daily ‘walks’ to the park instead of their own large yard and have even figured out that when she is to sick to go right outside and come right back in.  They haven’t traveled much in the last few years and the youngest dog likes to run a bit, but being that he adores my mother he would much rather go pee real fast and cuddle down with her for the day than take a long walk.  This is a good reminder sometimes we all need to step back and take a deep breath, then decide how we can make our own lives easier.  I’m not saying sacrifice, but simply decide what is truly important.

Around the house we seem to have most things under control.  I built a small patio out of pavers in the flower bed in front of the house.  I love it and it is super cute.  This just what I wanted for a quiet place to read while the kids play.  Also I created a fire pit in the back yard out of landscaping bricks my neighbor was trying to repurpose.  They had a ton, but like my mom above they have decided to cut back on yard work and are dismantling many flower beds in the back yard and turning the space into lawn and deck.   She was happy someone took a few.  I was happy with the free fire pit.   The weather has been outstanding, so we spend our evenings outside around the fire, often eating dinner and telling each other about our day.  The kids love it.

On a dog related note, I’ve entered Jazz in Novice Obedience next weekend in Birmingham.  I think she is ready.  We will see!!  I’ve also got Lina entered in Rally Novice up in Nashville mid November for one day.  I’m going to start her out slow and take her with me next weekend to Jazz’s show just to see how she does at the show site.  I think she will be fine, she is a very smart little girly.

Above are some photos of Lina I took a few days ago.  I was growing coat on her to show in UKC this fall, but we missed all the shows so now I have to decide if I keep growing or cut her back for the winter.  The next UKC conformation shows within a reasonable drive are about 4-6 months out.  I suppose I will take it week by week.

MICA with her qualifying Ribbon.

Mica (Waypoints Anutta All the Glitters) earned her Coursing Ability title with AKC this past weekend.  She was able to get 3 qualifying scores on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Austin, TX.  Heather was really excited and thinks Mica will be wanting to do more coursing soon.  I’ve found the dogs either LOVE IT or do not see the point.   Mica is our silver girl from Waypoint Poodles in NJ who is fostered with Heather down in San Antonio.  She lives with Quincy, one of our black Std Poodle boys.

River (Alemir River of Dreams RN, CGC) sired a litter of pups with one of Gloria’s girls at Tintlet Poodles.  Those pups are about a month old and all spoken for as it was a small litter.  I hope to drive out there in the next month to see the babies and evaluate their structure and temperaments.

Quincy (UKC CH Anutta Commander and Chief BN, RN, CGC, Therapy Dog) might have a hot date with a girl in Oregon… well, at least his sperm does.  His real mommy, Heather, is working on getting his swimmers collected, locating a vet near San Antonio to get the job done, etc.  We will see how it pans out.  I should have more information in a week or so.

Anyway, that is the basic update on our life.  The kids are in both Horseback riding lessons and Gymnastics.  Keith wanted to do Karate as well, but I told him it just wasn’t possible at this time.  We only have time for so many activities!!  I have dog training once a week, but I am hoping to increase that to twice a week if I can find a day agility class.

So yes, we are still alive, just busy like so many families with young kids.  I promise, if I have a litter coming this blog will be busy.  But for now we will enjoy our winter without pups and see what pans out next year for litters and dog related activities.

~Becky