Exciting Week

WOW - this is turning into quite a week!

First - My good friend and dog show buddy, Janet, has invited me to go with her to cheer on her lovey girl Scout at Westminster. I have been to Westminster before and love the excitement of the "big show" . The only drawback is the hotel expenses - Yikes - NYC hotels think very highly of their rooms! Now I have to get cracking on selling some stuff on e-bay!

Second - Jill is in season!!!! Woo Hoo - Shirley and I are busy getting everything arranged to get the "shipment" from her intended - CH Grangefield Montgomery (Monty). Monty is a lovely blue boy that should compliment Jill quite nicely. Of course, we do have a back plan or two - Y'all know how things go...

See Y'all

I've been tagged!

Heidi tagged me - Here is the 6th photo out of my 6th photo folder ....

Here is Star as a puppy - Yes she is sleeping in the food dish.

Tag to anyone else out there that wants to play along!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!!

Concord,NC - wrap up

What fun we had in Concord, NC. Janet brought along her camera and snapped away. Jill was winners bitch two of three days and picked up two more points from the bred-by class. She only needs 2 points to finish!

Here's Sam getting his group 1 on Friday! Woo Hoo - way to go Sam and Cheryl!

Here is Profitt getting his Group 4 on Saturday - Woo Hoo for Profitt and Cheryl!

Here is Janet's Spencer - showing off his PERFECT Score in Rally Excellence - He's just too modest for words!

Here is Janet's Lovely Scout with Handler - Cheryl Mika - What a pretty girl!

And her is Jill taking Winner's Bitch on Sunday - Thank you Janet for sneaking behind the photographer and catching this shot.

Now - where to go, where to go...need 2 more points....hmmmm - do I smell a dog show in December

See Ya'll

News flash - Concord Dog Show

News Flash - Concord, NC - Jill goes Winners Bitch for another point!!! Woo Hoo - 3 more singles and she's finished! Not bad for a down right nekked girl! Had several no shows today dropping the points down from 2 to 1 - let's hope they come tomorrow and Sunday. Maybe the rain kept them home.
Janet tried to get there in time to take a picture behind the photographer, but just missed it. Judge Christopher Neale graciously posed for another shot outside the ring.

Maryland

We arrived back from Maryland yesterday afternoon. What a great time we had. I enjoyed going to a dog show and not showing a dog for a change. It was fun going up in Cheryl's motor home but it took us 13 hours of driving time to get there. We started late Thursday and got as far as Roanoke before stopping for the night. I have to admit it was nice to be able to pull into the local Wal-mart store, fire up the generator, exercise the dogs, cook dinner and hop into bed - FREE! We were off in the morning and got to the show site around noon. We got a great camping spot at the site. All in all it was a pretty inexpensive trip. Staying on the grounds and fixing our own meals was great! We could enjoy a glass of wine or two and not have to worry about driving. However, we did manage to sneak away for some Maryland Crab on Saturday night.
The highlight of the trip was visiting with Dolly (now called Cleo), her new Mom (Sharen) and brother (Tiger). As you can see in the pictures below, she is still an eye catcher, but is definitely going to be on the small size. As you can see her new Mom adores her!

We are entered in The Tri-Star Kennel club shows this weekend in Nashville, TN. Let's all keep are fingers crossed that Jill gets those last 4 singles!. We entered Knoxville, just in case! See Y'all......

We're Off to MD

Cheryl Mika and I are off to West Friendship, MD for another weekend of dog shows. Of course it is pouring down rain and it appears we will be driving most of the way in it. I am not entered this weekend, but will be taking Lego to meet and greet some prospective girlfriends and helping Cheryl with her sporting dogs. Since the Chesapeake Bay Cardigan Club is also holding it's regional specialty at this show, I will get a chance to visit with Cardigan friends. I am looking forward to this since I missed the nationals this year (dang gallbladder!). I am taking my camera - so watch for more Cardi photos and perhaps a Brittany or two next week. If I can get mobile blogger to work, maybe before that!

See Y'all......

Agility Dog???

I just received this shot of one of our pups we placed from our last litter. At 6 months, Mugen (Lyberty's The Buck Stops Here,) is Cameron's alarm clock. Here he is trying to get Cameron to come down from his loft bed. What do you all think - a future agility dog?

See ya'll.....

Cardi Shots

Here are a few cute pictures to enjoy.....

I was sitting in the recliner with me feet up on several pillows eating popcorn when all of the sudden Star's head pops out between the pillows. Do you think she likes popcorn!

Another shot of the girlfriends snuggling on the couch!

See ya'll......

Murfreesboro

Well we had an interesting weekend. Saturday's Judge, William Bergem, had a strange ring procedure. Instead of setting our dogs up on the table lengthwise, as usual, he had all the cardigans set up on the table sideways. Most of the Cardigans were too long and had to stand with their butts scrunched up underneath them. Interesting way to look at a profile breed. Jill won the bred-by class, but got dumped in WB. Janet's lovely red bitch, Scout, went on to take BOB - skillfully handled by my good friend, Cheryl Mika.

Today was a little better, we went reserve to a nice brindle bitch that we seem to trade WB and reserve with at the local shows. Heidi's 10 month old puppy, Rush, went BOB over 3 specials. Heidi was so flabbergasted when Judge Pat Laurans pointed at her that her face went red - it was too cute - Cheryl and I hung around to cheer her on in group where Rush got a serious look.

All and all, we had a good time and got to visit with friends. One of our puppies from the last litter came for a visit and is coming on nicely. Turman (or Mugen, as his new family calls him) is a gawky 6 month old, but we will be taking a look at him in a few months. It would be really nice to have one of the puppies from that litter turn out.

I am catching a ride with Cheryl to West Friendship, MD for the Chesapeake Cardigan Regional Specialty in 2 weeks. I don't have anything entered, but Lego is going up to check out a few girls that are interested in him. Since I missed the nationals this year, I am looking forward to the trip.

Then Jill and I will head to Tri-star in Nashville to try our luck at getting those last 4 singles.
See y'all.......

Whew

Whew - am I glad this week is over. I swear I had a full week of crazy criminals. I have been covered up with sentencing reports on weirdo sex offenders, murders and theives. Boy am I burned out - 23+ years of this crap. Can I make it to 30 years.....

Thank goodness for the dogs. I honestly don't know what I would do without them. Even though I gripe about the barking and the millions of hairballs around the house, they are pure love and joy. There is nothing like coming home after a bad day to this:

Now that is pure love. We call Jill and Star - the Girlfriends, guess you can see why. Oh and goofy Spike always squeezes in the picture.

Jill is entered in the Murfreesboro shows this weekend. This showsite is only 30 minutes away so we get to sleep at home again! She only needs 4 points to finish and , dare I say this, could be a champion if she wins both days. Hope I didn't just jinx us! See Y'all.........

Jill in Chattanooga

Here is a picture Heidi took from behind the photographer at Chattanooga. Not bad Heidi!

Here is Jill relaxing after a tough day of showing. What a mistreated show dog! She was actually snoring in this shot!

Chattanooga Show

We were off to the Chattanooga Shows over the weekend where Jill (Grangefield Lyberty Savanah) went WB on Saturday for 2 more points. She went on to win best bred by and took a 4th in the herding Bred By group. She showed really well on Sunday and we were moved to the front of the line. On the final go around - the little stinker shut down on me and we ended up with reserve. Can't complain - she has both her majors and only needs 4 points to finish. Hopefully she can pick them up in Murfreesboro. The weekend was tons of fun - Heidi and I bunked with Janet and had a great time laughing, shopping and we did manage to find a margarita or two to put away. No pictures to share yet... See Y'all....

Ray Stevens - Ahab The Arab lyrics



(intro: Arabian flute)



Let me tell you about Ahab the Arab

The sheik of the burning sand

He had emeralds and rubies just drippin' off 'a him

And a ring on every finger of his hand

He wore a big ol' turban wrapped around his head

And a scimitar by his side

And, every evenin', about midnight

He'd jump on his camel named Clyde, and ride



[Spoken] Silently through the night to the sultan's tent where he

would secretly meet up with Fatima of the Seven Veils,

swingingest grade "A" number one US choice dancer in

the sultan's whole harem, 'cause, heh, him and her had

a thing goin', you know, and they'd been carryin' on

for some time now behind the sultan's back and you

could hear him talk to his camel as he rode out across the

dunes, his voice would cut through the still night desert

air and he'd say (imitate Arabic speech and finish with "Sold! American)

which is Arabic for, "Stop, Clyde!" and Clyde'd say, (imitate camel

sound), which is camel for, "What the heck did he say anyway?"



Well, he brought that camel to a screechin' halt (verbal screeching sound)

In the rear of Fatima's tent

Jumped off Clyde, snuck around the corner

And into the tent he went.

There he saw Fatima layin' on a zebra skin rug

With

[Spoken in falsetto and possibly with female backups] "Rings on her fingers and

bells on her toes and a bone in her nose ho, ho."



[Spoken] There she was, friends, lyin' there in all her radiant

beauty, eating on a raisin, grape, apricot, pomegranate,

bowl of chittlin's, two bananas, three Hershey bars,

sipping on a RC co-cola listenin' to her transistor,

watchin' the Grand Ole Opry on the tube, readin' a Mad

magazine while she sung, "Does your chewing gum lose

it's flavor?" Yeah, Ahab walked up to her and he say,

(imitate Arabic speech), which is Arabic for "Let's twist

again like we did last summer, baby.!!" Ha, ha, ha!!

You know what I mean! Whew! She looked up at him from off the rug,

give him one of the sly looks,



She said (suggestive giggles, then outright laughter) "Crazy, crazy, crazy baby!"



('round and around and around and around, and around and around and around)



Yeah, and that's the story 'bout Ahab the Arab

The sheik of the burnin' sand

Ahab the Arab, the swingin' sheik of the burnin' sand







Song lyrics | Ahab The Arab lyrics

1957 vs 2007 - School Rules

Got this e-mail this morning and thought is was an interesting contrast....

SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2007

Scenario : Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario : Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2007 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt (a whipping - not a beating - there is a difference).
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successfu l businessman.

2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario : Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college becomes successful.

2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario: Johnny takes a pack leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.

2007- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investig ates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

This is exactly why I am so busy at work!

Stupid People Wednesday

On my first post I promised that I would tell some of the funniest stupid people stories I run across from time to time so I am designating this Stupid People Wednesday. For those of you who don't know, I have been an adult Probation/Parole Officer from 24 years. I am now working on 2nd the 3rd generations of the same families. I have had several offenders say - you had my Mom, Dad, sibling and even my Grandpa/Granny on probation. Somehow, that kind of statement is weird to me. If my Mom, Dad, brother, sister or Grandparent had been on probation, I don't think I would advertise it. But these "offenders" are actually proud of it and feel that the fact I supervised their family member on probation some years back gives us some sort of "connection". Weird, huh. Oh and the term "offender" is what the State of Tennessee says we are to call out probationers/parolees. I no longer carry a caseload. My job responsibilities are presentence investigations and classification reports. Presentences are done after an offender is found guilty of a felony and has a sentencing hearing set by the court. Classifications reports are done on those who plea and go straight to prison. I interview the offenders, the victims, etc and do a background check on the offender for the court. In other words, I dig up the dirt on them. I love it, and I am very good at. Anyways on to the stories...

My all time favorite statement made by and offender is: "I am not guilty of the offense I committed". hmmmmm....I committed it, but I'm not guilty - The Judge loved that one!

My Favorite - oops you got me story is: 2 guys are sneaking next door to the local recycling plant and stealing large spools of copper wire. They go back to the victim the next day and sell it back to him. The victim, of course, recognizes the copper wire. The police are called and come to investigate. Now I should tell you that it snowed the night before. So the investigators go out back, find where the idiots cut through the fence and, you guessed it, follow their foot prints in the snow right to their backdoor. Surprisingly....these two went to prison..... wonder why....

More stories to come....see ya'll

Flowers and Football

I wake every morning to a beautiful display of purple morning glorys entwined with the small delicate red flowers of the humming bird vine. Just had to snap a few pictures to share....

Then we were off to the Titan's game. We are season ticket holders and huge football fans. Rick could not go today so I was able to take a co-worker for her first live football game. A great game but it was extremely hot. We saw way too much exposed flesh that really needed to be covered. I mean honestly, I think some people must not own a mirror. Anyway - the Titans were victorious over the Jaguars and Joyce and I each lost at least 10 lbs of water weight - GRIN!

See ya'll

Stupid Tuesday

Well, today I composed a long post about the stupid people I work with but then deleted - I wouldn't want to get into trouble for violating their rights. So I'm just ging to say - I work with stupid people, I work with Stupid People, I work with STUPID PEOPLE. I am talking about

Birthday thoughts

Wow - today is my 53rd birthday - When did I get so...well...Mature?? My mind tells me I'm still in my 30's but my knees tell me that is not true.
I awoke early today to a lovely morning. I enjoyed the cool Tennessee morning outside watching the dogs play in the backyard. Then, I got motivated to scoop. Yup, I spent the early hours of my birthday with my new x-large poop scooper cleaning up after our 8 dogs. Most are Cardigan Welsh Corgis, but sometimes I think an elephant or two sneaks into our yard to....ahem.... POOP! By the time I finished the heat and humidity had arrived. I knew it was time to go in when I felt that hot, itchy, prickly feeling on my back. I spent the rest of my day on the couch watching The Closer marathon (don't you just love Kyra Sedgwick) and HGTV Summer Showdown. Well, I tried to watch but I did take a nap or two. A perfect day, with no stress, made even better because today is a holiday meaning I did not have to go to work!
I want to Thank all the folks who sent me Birthday wishes, called or came by. and to my husband, who took me out for the scrumptious brunch yesterday.
See Ya'll.......

Birthday Lunch

Rick and I just got back from a delicious meal at Miller's Grocery and Counry Cafe in Christiana, TN where he treated me to a rare meal out for my birthday (ok, my birthday is really tomorrow). Rick has always hated eating out. I usually have to drag him kicking and screaming to a restaurant, but I think I finally found a place he really likes. Good food, casual dress, inexpensive - the right combination. For those of you that have never been, what a great place to go. Miller's Grocery is actually housed in an old county grocery store (yup - called Miller's Grocery) and serves down home, stick to your ribs, country cooking. One of those meat and three kind of cafes. For Sunday they have a wonderful lunch buffet that includes, fall off the bone BBQ, fried chicken, fried catfish, Mac and Cheese (not from the box), squash casserole, broccoli casserole, fried okra, mashed taters, 7-8 different salads and many many other delicious items. And, oh, the dessert bar - Real Banana Pudding, pies, cakes, cobblers - all made from scratch! Needless to say - we are both heading for our favorite chairs for a nap!
Heidi and Janet - I think a road trip from the Murfreesboro Dog Show maybe in order.
Oh, and for those who enjoy country music - they have a band on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Here is a video of Miller's Grocery for you'll to enjoy...see ya'll

THE PERFECT PUPPY FOR THE PERFECT HOME!

LYBERTY'S THE BUCK STOPS HERE

We received this picture of the last puppy placed from the Presidential litter. This is one contented puppy! I think Truman has found his perfect home!

What a nightmare this litter was. Star whelped a litter of 8 beautiful puppies on 2-18-08 - President's day. The whelp was textbook easy, but that did not last long. Unbeknownst to us, Star had contracted an e-coli infection in her uterus a day or two before she gave birth. The next morning, we started losing puppies. We fought hard to keep the pups alive with the help of my good friend (and Brittany breeder) Geri. Off we went to the Vet at 6:30 am. What a great Vet I have. He is always just a phone call away! We spent the entire day in intensive care only to lose 4 puppies. Star was also very ill and we nearly lost her. Her milk went bad, so....we needed a surrogate. I made a frantic post to the Nashville Kennel Club and within 4 hours was driving to meet a pointer breeder, whose husband just happened to be a vet as well. So the remaning pups were raised on pointer milk. What a site - 4 tiny Cardigan Welsh Corgi pups, suckling the enormous ninnies of a pointer.

The pointer milk did them good! They came home at 4 weeks and we weaned them to solid food. Star, the ever vigilant mommy, took right over cleaning them and snuggling them just like they never left.

No show pups developed and we found wonderful, loving pet homes for all.

Whoever said having puppies was easy and profitable!!!!!!

See Y'all.....

Spiderman Lives!

Yes, Spiderman is alive and well and lives in the probation and parole office! A few months ago one of my co-workers (ok - it's Vickie) came into my office singing the theme song to the original Spiderman cartoon. It was a particularly stressful day for me and it caused me to crack up. Yes, Old Spidey took residence in my office that day. We now look for a reason to break into the theme song while making the hand motions of throwing a web. We infected another co-worker (yeah - it's Joyce) and she joined in the fun. We have even started collecting Spiderman memorabilia. What a a sight we must be - two 50 somethings and one 30 year old dancing around the office singing:

Spiderman, Spiderman,
Does whatever a spider can.
Spins a web, any size,
Catches thieves just like flies.
Look out! Here comes the Spiderman.

Is he strong? Listen bud—
He's got radioactive blood.
Can he swing from a thread?
Take a look overhead.
Hey there! There goes the Spiderman.

In the chill of the night,
At the scene of the crime,
Like a streak of light,
He arrives just in time!

Spiderman, Spiderman,
Friendly neighborhood Spiderman.
Wealth and fame, he's ignored—
Action is his reward.
To him,
Life is a great big bang-up—
Wherever there's a hang-up,
You'll find the Spiderman!

Needless to say - the rest of the staff is sure we are crazy - but we don't care! It's fun to act crazy from time to time and age has no limit on this! So if you see me and I'm smiling to myself - yup - I'm thinking of Old Spidey!!! Hmmmm.....maybe our next litter should have a Spiderman theme..... Maybe...Lyberty's Peter Parker....hmmmm.....has a nice ring to it...... see ya'll

e-bay

I have discovered e-bay! I started cleaning out all the clothes I have kept in my closet until I lose weight and can wear them again - yeah right - some of these outfits are years old. Anyway - I put several outfits on e-bay and by golly they sold like hot cakes. So... I just added more. Hmmm could this be a new way to fund dog shows?!?! Now if I could only figure out what is the proper shipping and handling fees.

I did it!

I did it! I figured out how to add my buddies Blogs!!!!! Guess my old brain comes out of the fog once in awhile!

Work stuff

Work - everyone has to do it. I have a stressful job and it seems like the stress is building day by day. Not because I work with convicted felons, but because I am a government employee. It has became apparent to me of late, that a warm body is all that is required to fill a position anymore. There are no pats on the back and thanks for a job well done. Just stats, and numbers and BUDGET ISSUES!

I am a probation/parole officer in an area that covers 4 rural counties. I specialize in writing presentence investigations for the courts. That means when a felon is convicted in a trial or enters a plea of guilty and requests alternative sentencing (ie - probation), I do an extensive back ground check that includes criminal history, social history, victim interviews, etc. I am also taxed with writing similar reports for the felons going to prison. Yes, that means I interview rapist, murders, drug dealers, thieves, child molesters and so forth. Mostly I work with Stupid People. Yes, there are really dumb criminals. From time to time, I will try to anonymously retell some of the funniest stories I run across. Have to be careful though, and not reveal names, dates or places - don't want to violate any one's rights.

Sooo... what is my answer to job stress ----- dogs.....puppy breath....dog shows...dog people!!!!!!!

I got into showing dogs in my 40's. A little late in life, but well worth it. I have made some awesome friends and absolutely love my dogs.

There is hope - in 6 more years I can retire (actual date:1-1-2014) . I will only be 58 - so will need to find something else to do to supplement my income - hmmmm maybe run a doggie day care.........

New to blogging

Hmmmmm......My first blog - where to start. Perhaps at the beginning of this process. My good friend Janet, has been after me to start blogging for sometime. I have enjoyed reading her blog along with the blogs of other dog show buddies, Heidi and Jeri.
This weekend, Heidi and I went to Atlanta for a dog show. While lounging (or should I say - recuperating) in our hotel room after a long day of showing, Heidi whipped out her laptop and set up a blog for me. So, here I am - a 50 ish female, probation and parole officer writing about my life. Now I need to figure out how to post pictures and navigate around this site.

Jill Relaxes After a Long Day of Showing