I swear I have an affenity for these really crazy road trips. Most of them involve leaving early from work and driving all over the country till the wee hours of the morning. There were the two trips to Minneapolis for a failed breeding attempt, the trips to Keokuk for again, failed breeding trips. Then there are the ones to get dogs or drop them off. This week it was to pick one up.
If you check out Russ' blog at www.cardicorgicapers.blogspot.com , you'll come face to face with the reason for the road trip to the Quad Cities and points beyond on Tuesday. Ms Ella is a lovely little b/w girl that Kim and I co-own. Her pedigree is awesome with group winners, BIS, obedience dogs and more. She's got spunk, spirit and charms the pants off everyone. I even hear that she's got Shaker wrapped around her little finger-chases him away from his food bowl! For the boy that says-call me anything but late for dinner, that's well, unthinkable.
Connie was so gracious about letting us steal her away and it was a great evening spent with Kerri, Connie and Kim when we picked her up. Now is the fun part, letting her grow up, playing rock paper scissors to see who shows her and hoping that she turns out so she and Eddie can maybe one day have a litter together!
Thanks Connie and well, good luck Kim. I'll swap her for my Drama Queen puppy anytime you want a real challenge ;0)
Later gators....
C
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Fits him to a "t"
As you might know, I won the "name that yucky looking thing that Shaker brought in" contest on Kim's blog. I immediately recognized the very professional skinning of a tennis ball. In return, I got a copy of "Control Unleashed". Now I was in the process of ordering my own copy, so it saved me step and the book came in the mail yesterday!!!!!
Of course it would be helpful to finish a few books in progress before I started this one, bu once I opened the cover, well I couldn't put it down all night and thank GOD, Big Bang and 2 1/2 Men were repeats. Jane Eyre, Nora Roberts and the Complete Jane Austin can wait a while.
So just in the spirit of passing on a smidge of what I got out of the first night's read, well, you tell me who this might fit... Talking about reading your dog and she asks us to think about why our dog would disenage during a training session or when we ask them to do something. Here's the paragraph... "A lot of people assume their dogs are just disobedient when they disengage. Instead the handler should look at both the dog and the training structure. Is the dog stressed or simply done and needs a break? (Hummmm--needs a break?) Does the training structure simply not work for that dog so he seeks out better things to do with his time?(again, HUMMM, wonder who she could be talking about-seeking out better things to do?) Whatever is going on, the handler needs to do a lot of adjusting to help the dog succeed. "
The chapter goes on but as I was reading it, I glanced down to the floor on the left of the chair and well dear old Moosie was hanging out there. I flashed back to the DMOTC trial and his off leash heel pattern and his - later gator look- as he wandered around the ring looking for something else to do. The interesting thing about this book-CONTROL UNLEASHED, is that it's not just for a reactive dog or a dog that needs additional behavioral attention before he can continue to perform, but it's for me and Moose, who just need a little help in connecting. I might add, it doesn't help that Moose is an actor and thinks he needs to do a little improv performance for his fans.
Thanks to Sarah and Kim for turning me on to this book. I've got my work cut out for me but I also now understand that it's not fair to a dog to "make them just get over it" or to push them constantly over their threshold, playing on the old training theory that a dog will eventually get it if you repeat it enough times. I'm finding that there are more ways to ruin a dog then I ever thought possible. I see people who claim to train actually have a total lack of understanding of dogs in general. Right, Kim and Russ CGC??
I so want to get back to reading the book tonight but it's road trip time. Can't wait to tell you where when I get back!
Later gators....
C
Of course it would be helpful to finish a few books in progress before I started this one, bu once I opened the cover, well I couldn't put it down all night and thank GOD, Big Bang and 2 1/2 Men were repeats. Jane Eyre, Nora Roberts and the Complete Jane Austin can wait a while.
So just in the spirit of passing on a smidge of what I got out of the first night's read, well, you tell me who this might fit... Talking about reading your dog and she asks us to think about why our dog would disenage during a training session or when we ask them to do something. Here's the paragraph... "A lot of people assume their dogs are just disobedient when they disengage. Instead the handler should look at both the dog and the training structure. Is the dog stressed or simply done and needs a break? (Hummmm--needs a break?) Does the training structure simply not work for that dog so he seeks out better things to do with his time?(again, HUMMM, wonder who she could be talking about-seeking out better things to do?) Whatever is going on, the handler needs to do a lot of adjusting to help the dog succeed. "
The chapter goes on but as I was reading it, I glanced down to the floor on the left of the chair and well dear old Moosie was hanging out there. I flashed back to the DMOTC trial and his off leash heel pattern and his - later gator look- as he wandered around the ring looking for something else to do. The interesting thing about this book-CONTROL UNLEASHED, is that it's not just for a reactive dog or a dog that needs additional behavioral attention before he can continue to perform, but it's for me and Moose, who just need a little help in connecting. I might add, it doesn't help that Moose is an actor and thinks he needs to do a little improv performance for his fans.
Thanks to Sarah and Kim for turning me on to this book. I've got my work cut out for me but I also now understand that it's not fair to a dog to "make them just get over it" or to push them constantly over their threshold, playing on the old training theory that a dog will eventually get it if you repeat it enough times. I'm finding that there are more ways to ruin a dog then I ever thought possible. I see people who claim to train actually have a total lack of understanding of dogs in general. Right, Kim and Russ CGC??
I so want to get back to reading the book tonight but it's road trip time. Can't wait to tell you where when I get back!
Later gators....
C
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Skywatch update
Today in the blowing snow, drifting roads and brrrr cold, the entire family loaded up and went into town for Weather Spotter Training with the NOAA. Granted it was a little slow to begin with but the information was great and the knowledge we gained was priceless. Now all four of us are trained weather spotters and registered with the NWS and NOAA.
Which, unfortunately for me, means that it legalizes Alec and David to stand out in the storm and watch it. I on the other hand will be following the rules and doing so from a safe spot ;0)
Later gators.....
C
Which, unfortunately for me, means that it legalizes Alec and David to stand out in the storm and watch it. I on the other hand will be following the rules and doing so from a safe spot ;0)
Later gators.....
C
One pissed off puppy
All is not well in the household. That's an understatement. Huge one. There's a certain puppy that is carrying a grudge against me. All I get is evil glares. Seems it has something to do with a dremel-thank God she didn't try to eat it this time but did pout pretty well. But I actually think it has something to do with a thin little piece of nylon called a show lead.
And to think, she's got three weeks to kick the spoiled child act and start acting like a show dog. This one will be an uphill battle. Well, all I can say is that she is still showing all the same prospects for obedience and herding work that she did at 7 weeks. Now to make her think all that upcoming work is her idea and not mine.
I've never had one think that light weight thread was as evil as it was. We drag it behind the couch and have a pitty party for hours. Or sit on the couch, head between our paws pleading for mercy. Today was worse. I actually made her walk with me through the kitchen. Bribes of BBQ chicken helped but the main goal was to pretend that the floor was the deep dark ocean and if we touched it, we sank. So her trip through the kitchen went from the dog water bowls, the mat, to the rug by the sink and then to the safe haven of Hope's food dishes. Isn't this just pathetic?
And to think, she's got three weeks to kick the spoiled child act and start acting like a show dog. This one will be an uphill battle. Well, all I can say is that she is still showing all the same prospects for obedience and herding work that she did at 7 weeks. Now to make her think all that upcoming work is her idea and not mine.
Later gators....
C
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Friday Foto for Skywatch
Sun is shining right now but looks like another four inches for this weekend. Will winter ever end? Have a great Sky Watch Friday!
Later gators....
C
New Digs
We finally got the tour of the new office digs last night and all I can say is WOW! Official move will start on the 10th and last for 3 days, yes 3 days to move the whole place out of the 4th floor and back to 3rd Ave. Along with HPM, HEC will be joining us at the old, new office.
Along with each of us finding our own offices, thanks to Abbey and her cute little signs, we all were impressed that there is not one lick of the flood presence in there. They sustained over 2 1/2 feet on the first floor while years and years worth of document storage in the basement took over 4 weeks with 60 plus workman, to remove. New carpets, fresh paint and the chance to change things that didn't really work the first time around.
I can't wait!! It's a longer drive to work in the morning, but I get the joy of a great park to lunch in just around the corner, some great downtown shopping and of course the Museum of Art is just down the next block.
I will try to get some photos of the building next week-only issue to solve right now is parking and one good thing is I am one of the first there in the morning, so I should be able to get a good spot.
Later gators...
C
Along with each of us finding our own offices, thanks to Abbey and her cute little signs, we all were impressed that there is not one lick of the flood presence in there. They sustained over 2 1/2 feet on the first floor while years and years worth of document storage in the basement took over 4 weeks with 60 plus workman, to remove. New carpets, fresh paint and the chance to change things that didn't really work the first time around.
I can't wait!! It's a longer drive to work in the morning, but I get the joy of a great park to lunch in just around the corner, some great downtown shopping and of course the Museum of Art is just down the next block.
I will try to get some photos of the building next week-only issue to solve right now is parking and one good thing is I am one of the first there in the morning, so I should be able to get a good spot.
Later gators...
C
Friday, February 13, 2009
Another atta'boy for Moosie
He's at it again. Worming even deeper into my heart and wowing more people. Granted after the whole "make my own off leash pattern" incident, he had his work cut out for him, but after the last two weeks, he's earned that pat on the head.
I should digress though and mention he did eat the cord on the fan last Thursday but it wasn't his fault entirely. Alec left him loose for too long in the bedroom and he had to find some sort of entertainment.
So it's getting really warm out last week and weekend. The ducks are having fits in the barn so we decided to kick them outside. Now spending the winter in the barn and not having access to a pond to clean themselves off in has led to some icky ducks. No one wants to touch them. So Moose got another go at helping us out. He was great! He stood and watched the gate of the pen until I got them all together-they had been in two different pens in the barn. Then when told to back off, he ran out the barn door and waited in the perfect spot! The ducks moved outside, he dropped in behind and pushed them right into the pen outside! Then he moved them to the pond pen without even being asked too-he read my mind. I was so pleased. No rushing, a light touch and knowing ahead what to do. Way to go Moosie!!!
Next it's on to tracking. Again, warm weather around here so I took off Sunday morning in search of a place to lay some tracks. Three parks later, I found the perfect area at Wapsi. Laid three tracks, about 60-70ft long and aged them about 25 mins or so. No turns as he's not there yet. First one, he wasn't sure about it, but slowly remembered what he was supposed to do, other then downing on the snow was something he really didn't want to do. Gotta work on that. Next one, even better and more on the track then wandering. Third-OMG--I figured that I needed to try some grass, as the other two were on just 1/2 of snow. Longest one I laid. And it went by two rabbit tracks and a over a deer trail. It was his best, fastest and straightest one of the day. I was shocked, he totally went right over the deer trail and right to his glove. Atta'boy Moose!
Last night he earned his next stripe with helping to put the ducks back in the barn. They did not want to go in, didn't want to go out the gate, scattered once, no twice. They wanted to stay in the pond! When the first hen scattered, he went right to her tail, pushed her with his nose and steered her right back to the group-without being asked. Second time it was two and he grouped them and pushed them back to the rest. Finally out the gate and moving them to the barn. Almost had an incident with them running right past the barn as Moose was doing a go bye, instead of an away. He's a lefty and has a hard time understanding away. But a quick, Back and outta there, come to me and he was back in sinc with me. Right in the barn and around the gate to the outside of their pen. OOPS! So now I have to go in the pen, push them from outside around a corner and in the gate. One duck was smart and had gotten in, so Moose stood and kept that one in the corner while I got the ones in the hole out. Got them in, he moved out of the way and they walked right past him to the back of the pen. Yippee! That'll do Moose and out we went. He of course was bouncing all the way to the house, asking-when are we going to do that again??
Good news for Moosie-it will be come a daily event when we aren't worried about storms at night. Ducks out in the morning, in at night. Wish we could do an HT on ducks but that rarely happens, but I know once lessons start in a month, that he will be ready for his HSd runs this summer and fall!!!
Later gators...
C
I should digress though and mention he did eat the cord on the fan last Thursday but it wasn't his fault entirely. Alec left him loose for too long in the bedroom and he had to find some sort of entertainment.
So it's getting really warm out last week and weekend. The ducks are having fits in the barn so we decided to kick them outside. Now spending the winter in the barn and not having access to a pond to clean themselves off in has led to some icky ducks. No one wants to touch them. So Moose got another go at helping us out. He was great! He stood and watched the gate of the pen until I got them all together-they had been in two different pens in the barn. Then when told to back off, he ran out the barn door and waited in the perfect spot! The ducks moved outside, he dropped in behind and pushed them right into the pen outside! Then he moved them to the pond pen without even being asked too-he read my mind. I was so pleased. No rushing, a light touch and knowing ahead what to do. Way to go Moosie!!!
Next it's on to tracking. Again, warm weather around here so I took off Sunday morning in search of a place to lay some tracks. Three parks later, I found the perfect area at Wapsi. Laid three tracks, about 60-70ft long and aged them about 25 mins or so. No turns as he's not there yet. First one, he wasn't sure about it, but slowly remembered what he was supposed to do, other then downing on the snow was something he really didn't want to do. Gotta work on that. Next one, even better and more on the track then wandering. Third-OMG--I figured that I needed to try some grass, as the other two were on just 1/2 of snow. Longest one I laid. And it went by two rabbit tracks and a over a deer trail. It was his best, fastest and straightest one of the day. I was shocked, he totally went right over the deer trail and right to his glove. Atta'boy Moose!
Last night he earned his next stripe with helping to put the ducks back in the barn. They did not want to go in, didn't want to go out the gate, scattered once, no twice. They wanted to stay in the pond! When the first hen scattered, he went right to her tail, pushed her with his nose and steered her right back to the group-without being asked. Second time it was two and he grouped them and pushed them back to the rest. Finally out the gate and moving them to the barn. Almost had an incident with them running right past the barn as Moose was doing a go bye, instead of an away. He's a lefty and has a hard time understanding away. But a quick, Back and outta there, come to me and he was back in sinc with me. Right in the barn and around the gate to the outside of their pen. OOPS! So now I have to go in the pen, push them from outside around a corner and in the gate. One duck was smart and had gotten in, so Moose stood and kept that one in the corner while I got the ones in the hole out. Got them in, he moved out of the way and they walked right past him to the back of the pen. Yippee! That'll do Moose and out we went. He of course was bouncing all the way to the house, asking-when are we going to do that again??
Good news for Moosie-it will be come a daily event when we aren't worried about storms at night. Ducks out in the morning, in at night. Wish we could do an HT on ducks but that rarely happens, but I know once lessons start in a month, that he will be ready for his HSd runs this summer and fall!!!
Later gators...
C
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Flood 08
Getting ready to move back into the old office as it's been under renovation since it was flooded last summer. Everyone here is itching to get back to their comfort zone.
Yesterday, the new head of Home Land Security/FEMA toured the area and I have a huge beef. What I don't get is why tour a company that has the time and resources to completely rebuild and look like nothing touched it, when three or four blocks down the road are empty houses, business waiting for more funds to finish rebuilding or a historic area of town where many businesses can't return or are in limbo waiting for answers?? You got it, she got a tour of the hospital and all it's bright and shining walls and floors. She was not driven through the devestation of the 500 yr flood plain. She did not get a first hand look at what it looks like 8 mos after the flood.
Yes our elected officals told us exactly how important the people of Cedar Rapids are. They showed a video of the flood-more then likely the one the tv stations put together. They didn't meet real people struggling to make ends meet, people who can't go forward and feel like they are slipping continually backwards. Big business is not the lifeblood of this community, though I will add, it's great to see that the hospital is back up and running, but they won't have a business if the people leave, like they are now. I know many who have just up and left, moved on, created a new life, but not in Cedar Rapids.
So Governor Culver, make note-I didn't vote for you and my grandpa's rolling in his grave, but I think he would agree with me now-you are not the best man to represent the people of Iowa. You had better figure out quickly where your pay check comes from and start acting in the best interest of your state, not your wallet.
Later gators and believe me, I will have more to say on this matter.....
C
Yesterday, the new head of Home Land Security/FEMA toured the area and I have a huge beef. What I don't get is why tour a company that has the time and resources to completely rebuild and look like nothing touched it, when three or four blocks down the road are empty houses, business waiting for more funds to finish rebuilding or a historic area of town where many businesses can't return or are in limbo waiting for answers?? You got it, she got a tour of the hospital and all it's bright and shining walls and floors. She was not driven through the devestation of the 500 yr flood plain. She did not get a first hand look at what it looks like 8 mos after the flood.
Yes our elected officals told us exactly how important the people of Cedar Rapids are. They showed a video of the flood-more then likely the one the tv stations put together. They didn't meet real people struggling to make ends meet, people who can't go forward and feel like they are slipping continually backwards. Big business is not the lifeblood of this community, though I will add, it's great to see that the hospital is back up and running, but they won't have a business if the people leave, like they are now. I know many who have just up and left, moved on, created a new life, but not in Cedar Rapids.
So Governor Culver, make note-I didn't vote for you and my grandpa's rolling in his grave, but I think he would agree with me now-you are not the best man to represent the people of Iowa. You had better figure out quickly where your pay check comes from and start acting in the best interest of your state, not your wallet.
Later gators and believe me, I will have more to say on this matter.....
C
Rollin',rollin', rollin', keep those wagons rollin'!
Cell starts ringing and I pick it up to hear Alec say--"Mom, we need to talk." Gulp-what now. He had called to discuss our leaving on Friday to go to Des Moines for the weekend and seems, yes once again, winter is back in Iowa. Winter Storm warnings out for southern and west central Iowa right now. They have extended them to the central and parts of east central Iowa now.
If you remember last year at this exact show, we had a little bit of an issue getting home. As in one of the worst storms to date. Alec was up in DMAC for the weekend doing FFA stuff and Meredith and I had done the Pom and Collie specialty then the all breed with Russ. I had 1 pom, 1 collie and I think 3 cardigans with me that weekend. I-80 was closed and I was on it during the worst. We had left Sunday afternoon with all indications that the interstate was getting better, then the temperature dropped and well, it wasn't good, 4" of frozen slush. The trip from Des Moines to Central City usually takes 2 1/2 hours, I got to Cedar Rapids in 4 1/2 hours that night. Kept telling myself, one more mile, one more rest area, one more exit and I will get off and sleep the night out. Nope, plugged along and now everyone has permission to rip the keys out of my hands so I can't do that again. Anyway, once to CR, called home and was told, nope, you can't come home, road closed to the farm. So called my parents and made it, barely to their house. Got the old burb stuck 100 ft into their drive. Didn't get home till 12:30 the next day and got stuck 200 yds from the house then. Not fun.
So now it's, when can we leave or when do we leave? They are saying 5-7" of snow. I guess it's an early departure time on Friday so we get to Rus and Sherilyn's on time. At least it looks like the ride home will be smooth, or so I hope.
Keep the 4wd handy and results from the show when we get home on Sunday!
Later gators.....
C
If you remember last year at this exact show, we had a little bit of an issue getting home. As in one of the worst storms to date. Alec was up in DMAC for the weekend doing FFA stuff and Meredith and I had done the Pom and Collie specialty then the all breed with Russ. I had 1 pom, 1 collie and I think 3 cardigans with me that weekend. I-80 was closed and I was on it during the worst. We had left Sunday afternoon with all indications that the interstate was getting better, then the temperature dropped and well, it wasn't good, 4" of frozen slush. The trip from Des Moines to Central City usually takes 2 1/2 hours, I got to Cedar Rapids in 4 1/2 hours that night. Kept telling myself, one more mile, one more rest area, one more exit and I will get off and sleep the night out. Nope, plugged along and now everyone has permission to rip the keys out of my hands so I can't do that again. Anyway, once to CR, called home and was told, nope, you can't come home, road closed to the farm. So called my parents and made it, barely to their house. Got the old burb stuck 100 ft into their drive. Didn't get home till 12:30 the next day and got stuck 200 yds from the house then. Not fun.
So now it's, when can we leave or when do we leave? They are saying 5-7" of snow. I guess it's an early departure time on Friday so we get to Rus and Sherilyn's on time. At least it looks like the ride home will be smooth, or so I hope.
Keep the 4wd handy and results from the show when we get home on Sunday!
Later gators.....
C
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Mud Wars 2009
So it's nice and warm here. Record highs today and the snow is almost all gone except in the shady areas. It rained yesterday and well, there's a spring type smell in the air.
And.......... I washed 7 dogs last night after they spent a couple hours outside playing in the mud, the muck, and the totally gross mess that is my yards. Ducks love it. Horses want to go to the lower paddock but are locked in the upper. Moo is stuck in his stall, though sans blanket and is trying to push his way out. But back to the chaos crew. Tuli, Phoebe, Fred, Eddie, Max, Frankie and Moose all had to have one layer of grit and grime removed before going in their crates. It was unreal how filthy they were. Oh forgot Clairee too and that was beyond bad-rough collies and mud do not mix. Makes 8. No one was happy, including the humans, that is except for Moose. That boy is warped and wouldn't have him any other way. He gets out of the bathtub, I dry him off and then he starts bouncing all over the house. Unfortunately, he thinks that a bath equals dog show and he was all ready to head out to the truck and go! Still that way this morning.
So wet dogs, a few who didn't require bathing but still ended up a little dirty, those that were bathed and the rest who were smart and only needed paws wiped. My house has a very spring like odor-as in wet and damp. The saving grace is that today, the furnace is shut off and the windows are open. Floors will be mopped, crates cleaned, clean dog beds for all and I hate to say this, but it's going to get cold tomorrow and the rest of the week, so it'll freeze the mud and I can rest easy for a few more weeks.
Later gators.......
C
And.......... I washed 7 dogs last night after they spent a couple hours outside playing in the mud, the muck, and the totally gross mess that is my yards. Ducks love it. Horses want to go to the lower paddock but are locked in the upper. Moo is stuck in his stall, though sans blanket and is trying to push his way out. But back to the chaos crew. Tuli, Phoebe, Fred, Eddie, Max, Frankie and Moose all had to have one layer of grit and grime removed before going in their crates. It was unreal how filthy they were. Oh forgot Clairee too and that was beyond bad-rough collies and mud do not mix. Makes 8. No one was happy, including the humans, that is except for Moose. That boy is warped and wouldn't have him any other way. He gets out of the bathtub, I dry him off and then he starts bouncing all over the house. Unfortunately, he thinks that a bath equals dog show and he was all ready to head out to the truck and go! Still that way this morning.
So wet dogs, a few who didn't require bathing but still ended up a little dirty, those that were bathed and the rest who were smart and only needed paws wiped. My house has a very spring like odor-as in wet and damp. The saving grace is that today, the furnace is shut off and the windows are open. Floors will be mopped, crates cleaned, clean dog beds for all and I hate to say this, but it's going to get cold tomorrow and the rest of the week, so it'll freeze the mud and I can rest easy for a few more weeks.
Later gators.......
C
Monday, February 9, 2009
Creative Accounting
Man, do I now know the meaning of that word. Been learning lots about it working with the new software at work. When you are dealing with one company plus dozens of seperate businesses, it takes a little entry here, change here, and some wild thinking to make the balance sheets all come out. As I told Kim, still trying to wrap my head around it all. Eventually I will be as good as the other gals here.
Now I've sat back decided that maybe I can use a little bit of that at home too. Especially with all the work we are doing there right now. Add in the current spring thaw and well, it'll warp you soon enough.
Ducks-they had been living in the barn for the winter as weather was not condusive to finishing the duck house yet. But using the creative accounting method, we are making it all work. This weekend Moose helped me move the quakers out of the barn, through the yard and into their outdoor pens for a little sun, bathing and upsetting the dogs. Their indoor pen will get cleaned out and transplanted on the garden shortly and then David will have room to work in the barn on his feed room. Shuffle one here, to make room for another there!
So ducks are totally enjoying their time outside, which in turn is sending Frankie over the deep end. That boy and I are having some talks about herding etiquette, meaning do not attempt to grab the duck through the fence! Ducks have also found the pond under the snow pack and are constantly in swimming, cleaning and preening themselves. Speaking of snow pack, let's talk the down side of this warm weather...
Mud. Again let's revisit creative accounting, if we have one thing we like, then usually there's been a trade off and something we don't like. Warm 50 degree weather, snow pack melts. Water runs across ground and little corgi feet and duck webbing create mud. Frank is a new shade of red as in brown red-no white visable. Everyone else is carrying in underbelly mud amd I've done 3x's the laundry with all the towels we are using. Clydesdales are up beyond their feathers in mud, Moo is back on stall duty and I've dug out my ladybug garden clogs. The truck has been washed about every other day and I am dreading more thawing on the gravel roads. I really am not looking forward to what it was like last year.
Otherwise, same old cost accounting used here. Income, expenses, equity and such. And what would accounting be but taxes. Next item of business around here and actually I think we have it all in order and are ready to head to the preparer, cause I would really like a little of that refund to use at the National Specialty for fun money ;0)
Till next time, I'm your creative accountant, up to her knees in mud and corgis!
Later gators....
C
Now I've sat back decided that maybe I can use a little bit of that at home too. Especially with all the work we are doing there right now. Add in the current spring thaw and well, it'll warp you soon enough.
Ducks-they had been living in the barn for the winter as weather was not condusive to finishing the duck house yet. But using the creative accounting method, we are making it all work. This weekend Moose helped me move the quakers out of the barn, through the yard and into their outdoor pens for a little sun, bathing and upsetting the dogs. Their indoor pen will get cleaned out and transplanted on the garden shortly and then David will have room to work in the barn on his feed room. Shuffle one here, to make room for another there!
So ducks are totally enjoying their time outside, which in turn is sending Frankie over the deep end. That boy and I are having some talks about herding etiquette, meaning do not attempt to grab the duck through the fence! Ducks have also found the pond under the snow pack and are constantly in swimming, cleaning and preening themselves. Speaking of snow pack, let's talk the down side of this warm weather...
Mud. Again let's revisit creative accounting, if we have one thing we like, then usually there's been a trade off and something we don't like. Warm 50 degree weather, snow pack melts. Water runs across ground and little corgi feet and duck webbing create mud. Frank is a new shade of red as in brown red-no white visable. Everyone else is carrying in underbelly mud amd I've done 3x's the laundry with all the towels we are using. Clydesdales are up beyond their feathers in mud, Moo is back on stall duty and I've dug out my ladybug garden clogs. The truck has been washed about every other day and I am dreading more thawing on the gravel roads. I really am not looking forward to what it was like last year.
Otherwise, same old cost accounting used here. Income, expenses, equity and such. And what would accounting be but taxes. Next item of business around here and actually I think we have it all in order and are ready to head to the preparer, cause I would really like a little of that refund to use at the National Specialty for fun money ;0)
Till next time, I'm your creative accountant, up to her knees in mud and corgis!
Later gators....
C
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
