Today is a food day here at work. Actually it's called "grazing" food day. So in the spirit of the name, there is food all over the kitchen and we are being encouraged to just mosey our tushies around all day, grazing as we go.
So here's what I've eaten so far:
2 strawberries, 3 tortilla chips with queso dip(my homemade salsa and Velveeta), 2 cucumber/dill/rye breads, and one small(1") piece of pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting.
Oh forgot the carrot, taste of a dip to try to figure out what it is and lingering over the cheese and sausage.
I'm trying to be good and not eat too much, just a little taste of it all. And a taste of that, and that and ...... Okay, so maybe I'm not going to do well.
After work we are off to the annual Halloween Trail at Camp Hitaga. The CRKA-Canine Ambassador's group-just me this weekend, will be entertaining kids with information about dog safety. Lace, Moose, Merlot, Pete and Emmett will be going. Tonight is only 2 hours, but it's 4 long hours tomorrow.
Have a great weekend and yes, I will get photos of the trail events!
Later gators....
C
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Highly recommend!
I spent 10 plus years in the landscape industry. The hours, days, weeks I spent planting bulbs with a heavy duty corona trowel, sharped daily, is a nightmare.
This weekend, this is what I used and let me tell you, it's AMAZING!!! I'm also going to use it to plant annuals in the spring.
Can't wait for spring to see all my little pretties come up, that is if I can keep EMMETT!!!! out of the fresh dirt-seems it's perfect for digging. Rotten little puppy.
Later gators....
C
full disclosure, again
I didn't bring it up this time! One of my chat groups(which as like a 1000 or more members) is having an interesting commentary about CHIC numbers. For those of you who don't know what they means, it's a database that keeps health testing information and based upon a breed clubs "requirements" if you do the appropriate tests, you can get a CHIC number for your dog. That's it in a nutshell, but here's the interesting part that MANY breeders feel very free to omit or not even mention:
http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/chicinfo.html#numbers "The CHIC number itself does not imply normal test results, only that all the required breed specific tests were performed and the results made publicly available."
It is also the last FAQ here: http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/faqs.html "Do test results have to be normal?" "No, CHIC is not about normalcy. CHIC is meant to encourage health testing and sharing of all results, normal and abnormal, so that more informed breeding decisions can be made in an overall effort to reduce the incidence of genetic disease and improve canine health."
What I find interesting is that so many breeders brag about getting dogs CHIC numbers on only certain dogs in the household. If it's so important, why don't they get them on all their dogs including those that they know will not pass a specific health test with an appropriate score, etc?
If you know your dog's dysplastic, wouldn't it be in your best interest to make it public? And get the rest of the dog's testing done, even if you decide that you'll never use it in breeding?
Just curious. It goes right along with a person I ran across bragging about a dog's offspring having passing hips(parent did not pass), or as they put it-all tested dog's passed. Well, unless you are talking directly with the sources, OFA only posts those that pass unless an owner signs a release to publish non-passing test results. Most owners don't. Or that a dog passed it's prelim hip screening and yet nothing is posted on the OFA website? Sorry, it shouldn't stun me to see this anymore, it's all too common, but it really tells me how much of a salesmen people think they need to be.
So again, what a breeder says vs what it really means, isn't always the full monty. Ask.
Later gators....
C
http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/chicinfo.html#numbers "The CHIC number itself does not imply normal test results, only that all the required breed specific tests were performed and the results made publicly available."
It is also the last FAQ here: http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/faqs.html "Do test results have to be normal?" "No, CHIC is not about normalcy. CHIC is meant to encourage health testing and sharing of all results, normal and abnormal, so that more informed breeding decisions can be made in an overall effort to reduce the incidence of genetic disease and improve canine health."
What I find interesting is that so many breeders brag about getting dogs CHIC numbers on only certain dogs in the household. If it's so important, why don't they get them on all their dogs including those that they know will not pass a specific health test with an appropriate score, etc?
If you know your dog's dysplastic, wouldn't it be in your best interest to make it public? And get the rest of the dog's testing done, even if you decide that you'll never use it in breeding?
Just curious. It goes right along with a person I ran across bragging about a dog's offspring having passing hips(parent did not pass), or as they put it-all tested dog's passed. Well, unless you are talking directly with the sources, OFA only posts those that pass unless an owner signs a release to publish non-passing test results. Most owners don't. Or that a dog passed it's prelim hip screening and yet nothing is posted on the OFA website? Sorry, it shouldn't stun me to see this anymore, it's all too common, but it really tells me how much of a salesmen people think they need to be.
So again, what a breeder says vs what it really means, isn't always the full monty. Ask.
Later gators....
C
Friday, October 21, 2011
Happiness
I'm taking Dawn's challenge--wanted to leave it as a comment but computer won't let me. So here it is, my three(though I have tons more) happy thoughts to end the week:
1. Meredith is looking awesome at riding lessons-she's got a smile on her face and a sense of accomplishment.
2. Emmett's aroooos
3. A weekend at home to bake and bake and hum, bake some more!
Have an great weekend and take the challenge, what are your three happy thoughts of the day?
Later gators....
C
1. Meredith is looking awesome at riding lessons-she's got a smile on her face and a sense of accomplishment.
2. Emmett's aroooos
3. A weekend at home to bake and bake and hum, bake some more!
Have an great weekend and take the challenge, what are your three happy thoughts of the day?
Later gators....
C
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Military procession
Tall Kid is headed to Springfield, IL this weekend with the collie clan. I'm cc'd on the group emails to make sure that I know what's happening as well as make sure he remembers everything.
Rebecca is into this with military procession. Charts of who is grooming whom. Who is holding which dog outside the ring and who is showing what dog. And once that dog is done, which dog goes back, which goes in what crate, etc. After helping her out the first part of this year, I totally understand why it has to be this way.
First off, if you don't know the dog, they can all look the same-especially the sables. Next, it helps so you don't forget anything and that you also don't delay the judging by being outside the ring scrambling. And lastly, there's a lot of dogs to deal with.
Going to miss going with him to help but he's got his Red Headed Friend going along this trip and I'm supposed to gear up for my own collie immersion later this fall.
FYI--if you read this, Tall Kid, my good brush better be in the tack box when you get home! I know Rebecca's been trying to nab that one for a long time!
Later gators.....
C
Rebecca is into this with military procession. Charts of who is grooming whom. Who is holding which dog outside the ring and who is showing what dog. And once that dog is done, which dog goes back, which goes in what crate, etc. After helping her out the first part of this year, I totally understand why it has to be this way.
First off, if you don't know the dog, they can all look the same-especially the sables. Next, it helps so you don't forget anything and that you also don't delay the judging by being outside the ring scrambling. And lastly, there's a lot of dogs to deal with.
Going to miss going with him to help but he's got his Red Headed Friend going along this trip and I'm supposed to gear up for my own collie immersion later this fall.
FYI--if you read this, Tall Kid, my good brush better be in the tack box when you get home! I know Rebecca's been trying to nab that one for a long time!
Later gators.....
C
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Panic, not
So phone says I missed call. I see scrolling across the screen that it's the Ms' school. Panic sets in-is she sick, hug someone, sneer at the boys or blow up the science lab?
Nope.
I have the same exact same message saved in my voicemail from last October too.
You'll be happy to know that our bookworm is confirmed, again. She's once again, one of the top library users and that the Librarian would miss her if she didn't stop in at least once a day to get a new book.
Now this would be one person not happy if the Ms got a Kindle.
Later gators...
C
Nope.
I have the same exact same message saved in my voicemail from last October too.
You'll be happy to know that our bookworm is confirmed, again. She's once again, one of the top library users and that the Librarian would miss her if she didn't stop in at least once a day to get a new book.
Now this would be one person not happy if the Ms got a Kindle.
Later gators...
C
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Good morning Moon
These photos just do not do this morning's full moon justice. I wish you could have been there to stand in the light fog and see the moon in all it's glory to my west then turn and see the sun peaking out over the horizon.Oh and never mind the mess in the yard. Seems the Monsters are into flower bed rejuvenation. They are tearing out all my dead marigolds and cup plant stems. Add in the lovely dog toy massacre, well, I need to do some picking up tonight--that is unless the promised rain happens.
Later gators....
C
C
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
One ringy dingy, two ringy dingy
As you can see, the Monsters were making prank phone calls yesterday. They only got through 1/2 of the Cedar Rapids/Marion phone book. I must apologize to anyone with last names that begin with A through K. I guess they are warming up for Halloween?
Lator gators....
C
Friday, October 7, 2011
Got my walkin' shoes on!
Today is October 7th, Iowa's selected day to start getting healthy. And the best way to start? Just by walking out the door, take a little stroll and staying active.
Our office is taking the challenge and will walk at Noon today. 1 km(.62 miles) or an average of 7-10 city blocks.
I routinely walk during my lunch hour or get to work early, park at the top of the parkade, walk down the ramp, then up the stairs. Yesterday's walk around the downtown/trail was a mess because of all the construction downtown from flood repairs and the new federal courthouse. Usual routes are blocked, demo'd or just not repaved. As in your can't get there from here!
Here's the link for today's walk: Healthiest State Initiative There's a chance we could be record setters!
We're also wearing pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Other links: Susan G. Komen and American Cancer Society
For those of you who don't know, I gladly support any research and advances in breast cancer as it can also provide much needed help with other forms of cancer. But you'll more often see me wear purple in support of pancreatic cancer. That's disease that has taken both my grandfather and uncle as well as other members of my mother's family. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Photos to follow!
Later gators...
C
Our office is taking the challenge and will walk at Noon today. 1 km(.62 miles) or an average of 7-10 city blocks.
I routinely walk during my lunch hour or get to work early, park at the top of the parkade, walk down the ramp, then up the stairs. Yesterday's walk around the downtown/trail was a mess because of all the construction downtown from flood repairs and the new federal courthouse. Usual routes are blocked, demo'd or just not repaved. As in your can't get there from here!
Here's the link for today's walk: Healthiest State Initiative There's a chance we could be record setters!
We're also wearing pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Other links: Susan G. Komen and American Cancer Society
For those of you who don't know, I gladly support any research and advances in breast cancer as it can also provide much needed help with other forms of cancer. But you'll more often see me wear purple in support of pancreatic cancer. That's disease that has taken both my grandfather and uncle as well as other members of my mother's family. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Photos to follow!
Later gators...
C
Good night Moon and a failed attempt
I know, hard to see plus my camera and I were having issues last night, you'll see that in the next few photos. But I couldn't help but take this photo. This is supposed to be a photo of the big red dog. He moved. My camera didn't like it.
And this is what he's supposed to look like when he doesn't move. But now he's got devil dog eyes and look at Psycho Chick(rt) and Mother Of All(left), they have space alien eyes. 
Jeff said it was his turn now. The camera likes him I think but....
is this not scary? He's not an Edweirdo son, is he? Barks like him, alot.
And again, too dark, but you can see, the landscapers are hard at work and the clean up crew has moved in.
I promised a photo of the new chateau quack. Flamingos are guarding it right now. Waiting for our landscape crew to show up so it can get moved to it's permanent location.
And for Penni, an Iowa sunset....have a great weekend!
is this not scary? He's not an Edweirdo son, is he? Barks like him, alot.And again, too dark, but you can see, the landscapers are hard at work and the clean up crew has moved in. I promised a photo of the new chateau quack. Flamingos are guarding it right now. Waiting for our landscape crew to show up so it can get moved to it's permanent location. And for Penni, an Iowa sunset....have a great weekend!Later gators....
C
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
This, that, Turner, Click and Merlot
This—high pressure system sitting right over the top of us and my head is killing me! Ears are popping, sinus pressure, eyes are dry, and stomach upset. Though I am loving many parts of the dry spell we are having, ie the landscapers are hard at work. If it would just move a little further east, it would help some. Duck pond needs water, my newly planted bulbs need a drink and the road is so dusty right now.
That---darn cat. Daisy has gotten unusually brave and has been routinely sighted wandering the kitchen, living room and dining room, with dogs present. She wants to die, I just know it’s a suicide run on her part. Could she have had enough of Taylor Swift blaring out of the stereo in the Ms’ room? Or said no more Taylor Lautner and R Pat on the walls J heehee
Turner, Click and Merlot---each are seeking homes of their own. Family discussions as they are have resulted in some decisions.
Merlot(3 yr old black and white cardigan), though we adore her, will not be bred again and seriously needs a home with lots of activity. The Ms is moving on to Pete as her juniors’ dog, partly due to the fact that judges who aren’t supposed to look at structure in juniors dogs, do and Merlot’s excessive turn out is not helping things along. The other factor is that she is in need of someone who wants a fun agility dog or is interested in doing upper level obedience. This dog rocks – already carries metal scent articles, super happy heeling and is always ready to go. So if you want a small(26lbs) black and white blur, call me, we’ll talk!
Click and Turner(blue merle smooth collies, 6 yr old litter mates) Click is on the small side for a female at 45-50 lbs, while Turner is larger male, about 75 lbs. Both have been trained through novice level obedience, had some basic agility and herding. House trained, crate trained, travel well and easy to get along with. Click can be a little pushy, so needs a home without an alpha dog already in residence. She can also be nosy, so you must be able to deal with her wandering and snoping. Turner’s needs are a little bit different. Upon his return to our home after a short span of living away from home as a pup, he had severe trust issues. Once you gain his trust, he will do anything for you, but needs a steady loving hand and consistency. I’ve done loads of work with him at 4-h obedience classes and he does do well but is nervous. Tends to be a flight dog therefore does need a fenced yard. No need for them to go to the same home but would be nice.
If by chance you are interested in one of these guys, just drop me a line at fogebotom@yahoo.com and we can talk further. Just looking for loving forever homes for them.
Is it Friday yet? Lotto drawing tonight, I still swear I'm going to win it today!
Later gators....
C
That---darn cat. Daisy has gotten unusually brave and has been routinely sighted wandering the kitchen, living room and dining room, with dogs present. She wants to die, I just know it’s a suicide run on her part. Could she have had enough of Taylor Swift blaring out of the stereo in the Ms’ room? Or said no more Taylor Lautner and R Pat on the walls J heehee
Turner, Click and Merlot---each are seeking homes of their own. Family discussions as they are have resulted in some decisions.
Merlot(3 yr old black and white cardigan), though we adore her, will not be bred again and seriously needs a home with lots of activity. The Ms is moving on to Pete as her juniors’ dog, partly due to the fact that judges who aren’t supposed to look at structure in juniors dogs, do and Merlot’s excessive turn out is not helping things along. The other factor is that she is in need of someone who wants a fun agility dog or is interested in doing upper level obedience. This dog rocks – already carries metal scent articles, super happy heeling and is always ready to go. So if you want a small(26lbs) black and white blur, call me, we’ll talk!
Click and Turner(blue merle smooth collies, 6 yr old litter mates) Click is on the small side for a female at 45-50 lbs, while Turner is larger male, about 75 lbs. Both have been trained through novice level obedience, had some basic agility and herding. House trained, crate trained, travel well and easy to get along with. Click can be a little pushy, so needs a home without an alpha dog already in residence. She can also be nosy, so you must be able to deal with her wandering and snoping. Turner’s needs are a little bit different. Upon his return to our home after a short span of living away from home as a pup, he had severe trust issues. Once you gain his trust, he will do anything for you, but needs a steady loving hand and consistency. I’ve done loads of work with him at 4-h obedience classes and he does do well but is nervous. Tends to be a flight dog therefore does need a fenced yard. No need for them to go to the same home but would be nice.
If by chance you are interested in one of these guys, just drop me a line at fogebotom@yahoo.com and we can talk further. Just looking for loving forever homes for them.
Is it Friday yet? Lotto drawing tonight, I still swear I'm going to win it today!
Later gators....
C
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Crunch time
The Tall Kid and his canine sidekick have entered into crunch time! Standings as of August 31 so that Connor is currently:
#6 all breed (Canine Chronicle/Showsight)
#11 breed(both systems) up from #12 in July when he didn't show at all!
Interesting to note, in the group stats, 2 OES in the top 20, 3 GSD's, 2 pemmies and 2 cwcs. And I remember when the cwc's were luck to make a cut in group!
Luck has it that the Tall Kid is working mucho overtime and has built up the show reserves. Seems like he's going to be out every weekend till the end of the year. I, senora bucket b**ch, will be attending some of those shows, I just can't wing them all, especially when I get to go play with Elephants up in Madision.
And I'm winning the PowerBall this week!
Later gators.....
C
#6 all breed (Canine Chronicle/Showsight)
#11 breed(both systems) up from #12 in July when he didn't show at all!
Interesting to note, in the group stats, 2 OES in the top 20, 3 GSD's, 2 pemmies and 2 cwcs. And I remember when the cwc's were luck to make a cut in group!
Luck has it that the Tall Kid is working mucho overtime and has built up the show reserves. Seems like he's going to be out every weekend till the end of the year. I, senora bucket b**ch, will be attending some of those shows, I just can't wing them all, especially when I get to go play with Elephants up in Madision.
And I'm winning the PowerBall this week!
Later gators.....
C
Monday, October 3, 2011
How to spend a perfect Iowa weekend?
Cooking of course. No dog shows, no obedience trials, nope, stay at home weekend.
Alec's working major overtime at the Elevator as well as his 2nd job at Lowe's, so we didn't see much of him-fleeting glance was all. Praying he doesn't burn himself out, though the upcoming dog show weekends will give him time to rest, maybe.
CRKA presented a check to the K9Cola organization and helped with the leash cutting ceremony for the grand reopening of Cedar Rapid's only off leash dog park. It was pretty much washed off the map when the 2008 floods came through. Ms took EBD and Moosie for walks in the large area and I spent time talking to a lot of people about the club and dog training. Weather was perfect. Then it was to the bakery for zlincki's and fresh donuts and home to mow. Well, Hubby mowed as he had a new blade for the mower and I felt like we were on safarri in the front yard.
I headed to the kitchen and attacked the table full of butternut squash.
So what did I end up making this weekend? Two loaves of Grandmother bread, 2 double batches of squash butter(ummmm) Went out and cut herbs and got those going in the dehydrator. Lovely salsa with the left over tomatos I salvaged out of the garden and from Alec's hot hot hot, did I mention hot? pepper plant. Big pan of apple crisp, yummy meat loaf for dinner and lunches this week. Oh, roasted garlic - -used that in the salsa and meatloaf. Forgot about the corned beef I cooked Saturday. Ruebens' are my favorite and I was really looking forward to corned beef hash, that was until Alec took the remains for lunch.
Cleaned the freezer and pulled out chickens to give to my brother as well as a couple dozen eggs. We got the Chick Chalet this weekend. No wait, that's going to be renamed Chateau Quack. What ever! Problem being, my dad thought that we had double gates on one side of the barn. Math problem--building is 15' x 15'. Gates are only double coming into the yard, pasture only has 8' single gates. Don't fit. For now it's sitting on skids in the hay field right next to the corn field. As soon as my cousin gets the end rows of corn out, we'll drag it around through the field, remove the panels at the south end of Poultry Central, rip out the section of fence we did plan on taking out and get it where we want it. Then it's rebuilding fence, reroute water run off and get new doors on the building, chicken wire the front and patch two holes. It's already wired so we just need to run electric out to it!
Photos coming--it's just sitting there now and not very attractive. Though the move 5 miles from my brother's was not with drama. Low powerlines and a rogue skunk that Dad had to shoot on the way to our place. Never ever a dull moment.
Moo, Phoenix and Glory spent the better part of the day in the front paddock(aka old hay field). The Monsters spent their day barking at the horses who are not supposed to be there!
Tonight-read 4-H record books, bake more bread and what's for dinner, um, cheddar brats on the grill.
Later gators....
C
Alec's working major overtime at the Elevator as well as his 2nd job at Lowe's, so we didn't see much of him-fleeting glance was all. Praying he doesn't burn himself out, though the upcoming dog show weekends will give him time to rest, maybe.
CRKA presented a check to the K9Cola organization and helped with the leash cutting ceremony for the grand reopening of Cedar Rapid's only off leash dog park. It was pretty much washed off the map when the 2008 floods came through. Ms took EBD and Moosie for walks in the large area and I spent time talking to a lot of people about the club and dog training. Weather was perfect. Then it was to the bakery for zlincki's and fresh donuts and home to mow. Well, Hubby mowed as he had a new blade for the mower and I felt like we were on safarri in the front yard.
I headed to the kitchen and attacked the table full of butternut squash.
So what did I end up making this weekend? Two loaves of Grandmother bread, 2 double batches of squash butter(ummmm) Went out and cut herbs and got those going in the dehydrator. Lovely salsa with the left over tomatos I salvaged out of the garden and from Alec's hot hot hot, did I mention hot? pepper plant. Big pan of apple crisp, yummy meat loaf for dinner and lunches this week. Oh, roasted garlic - -used that in the salsa and meatloaf. Forgot about the corned beef I cooked Saturday. Ruebens' are my favorite and I was really looking forward to corned beef hash, that was until Alec took the remains for lunch.
Cleaned the freezer and pulled out chickens to give to my brother as well as a couple dozen eggs. We got the Chick Chalet this weekend. No wait, that's going to be renamed Chateau Quack. What ever! Problem being, my dad thought that we had double gates on one side of the barn. Math problem--building is 15' x 15'. Gates are only double coming into the yard, pasture only has 8' single gates. Don't fit. For now it's sitting on skids in the hay field right next to the corn field. As soon as my cousin gets the end rows of corn out, we'll drag it around through the field, remove the panels at the south end of Poultry Central, rip out the section of fence we did plan on taking out and get it where we want it. Then it's rebuilding fence, reroute water run off and get new doors on the building, chicken wire the front and patch two holes. It's already wired so we just need to run electric out to it!
Photos coming--it's just sitting there now and not very attractive. Though the move 5 miles from my brother's was not with drama. Low powerlines and a rogue skunk that Dad had to shoot on the way to our place. Never ever a dull moment.
Moo, Phoenix and Glory spent the better part of the day in the front paddock(aka old hay field). The Monsters spent their day barking at the horses who are not supposed to be there!
Tonight-read 4-H record books, bake more bread and what's for dinner, um, cheddar brats on the grill.
Later gators....
C
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