A Girl & Her Dog.....

Have a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.
Oh, and the mantra for the week... say it with me theres power in numbers!
I wont burn the turkey, I wont burn the turkey, I wont burn the turkey.....or the yams....or the bread.....or the.....

Peace.

I guess if one blogs, and then takes a break for a while....

Everyone gets a little crazy! Whats up with Darci? Why doesn't she write? Where is she? Whats she doing? Some one said she died!
Id like to think its all just an outpouring of love from my friends, but now even my mother has gotten into the fray!
OK. So here's what has been going on in my little sorted life.
Since becoming single again, it has opened up a whole new world for me, and I have to admit, Ive been enjoying it. The loss of 60lbs so far, has done alot for my ego, as well as garnered me more than a few looks from the fellas, and yea, I'll admit, it feels great! Got 20lbs more to drop, and I'll be satisfied.
So yes, Ive been dieting, that's one thing that Ive been doing.
Oh, and exercise. Lots of walking.
Dating? Yea, that too. There are several very sweet men in my life right now, and its been just a little crazy.
Ive moved, to a much neater and bigger place, with more room for horses and sheep, more room to work dogs, and more for me to clean up and take care of, so been doing a lot of yard work and getting this old house ready for winter.
The house heats with propane, but at 2.00 dollars a gallon, I am thoroughly enjoying the wood stove in the living room. It really cuts back on the usage of propane, and even though I started out a bit lame and lacking the firebug skills Id learned in Girl Scouts so many years ago, Ive had a few weeks practice and have become a regular little pyro when it comes to getting her fired up and roaring in the evening. So getting wood in and split and trees cut has been a time consumer too.
Did I mention I bought a chainsaw?
This thing is sooooo awesome! Makes me feel just a little macho! Some times I scare myself! LOL
Ive been hitting lots of yard sales, and picking up bits and pieces of furniture, and things I may or may not have any use for , but hey! It only cost a dollar! I'm sure I'll find some use for it eventually! LOL
Getting back in touch with my son. We lost some thing very special that we'd had before the marriage, and I'm glad to have it back now, and to be a big part of his life again. At 14 yrs old, I'm glad to say that the boy still loves and needs his mom, and still enjoys spending time with me. He is a good kid, and we have been having a blast together.
I went to a few good Sheepdog trials this summer, (Soldier Hollow, Meeker Classic, and a few smaller ones) and got to meet and visit with a lot of handlers and friends, new and old. Though it doesn't make me miss my old friends that are far away, any less.
On the working dogs front, not much to tell. Bear gets some work, but we haven't really been doing any real training. I feel like the real work Ive been having him do, is more fun than drilling, and he is such an easy dog to work with, that I really don't have to train, just put him to the task, and with very little direction from me, he/we get the jobs done. I had him go into the trailer to get some sheep out a few weeks ago, and my ram just beat him up. He suffered for about a minuet, and then got mad and put that ram in his place. He was a sore boy for a few days though. That ram plowed him to the trailer floor, and into the side of the trailer a couple of good times. But he is a tough dog, and came back. I still wonder though if having him go in the trailer might have been a bit to much to ask of such a young dog. I do have a tendency to put a good dog in over their head.
Chris, since coming back home, hasn't had much,...well, any work at all. Ive taken her to sheep twice since getting her back, and I think she and I will wait till spring to do anymore. Her forgetting some things I am hoping will be a blessing in disguise, and perhaps when we get back to working together, our relationship will have had a chance to heal, and we can start to do things right this time.
She is as bald as a dog can be right now, and looks a sight. Whelping those pups really did a number on her coat! She looks so small and petite with no hair! But she has been walking with me and getting herself back in shape, some one had her in their lap the other day and said she felt like one hard muscle! She may be bald, but she sure is fit!
Tucker, who's other name rhymes, is quite a joy. Feisty and sweet, tenacious, and cuddly, he is many dogs rolled into one. He will never replace my Lexy or fill the space that loosing Cain has left, but he sure tries hard to entertain me with his antics. What a neat and fun little dog.
Its been 3 months since I had to put Lexy down, and I still cant quit missing her. I think about her everyday, and wish she was still here. I just miss that ole girl so much. We had a thing, and it mattered to me. It mattered to her. And its gone. I miss the relationship we had. She was very special to me, and as long as memories of her are still intact, I guess I will always miss her.
So, still mourning the loss of my grand lass, and those are times when I seek solace in quiet, and try to stay away from the world for awhile, and just try to remember all the little things that made her so special to me. They are good memories, so I don't mind ducking out for a bit and thinking of days gone by.
Guess I'm a little weird that way.
But too, I am focusing on the future, looking forward to what life brings. Trying to slow down and make the right choices, as perhaps, looking over my past track record in life, Ive not slowed down long enough to do things exactly ....right?
So yea, Ive been doing a bit of soul searching, and trying to change while trying to remain the same.
Moving back to Vernal was a good move, (the first in many new and right choices Ive been trying to make) good for me, good for my son, good for the critters and dogs. Good for my sanity and piece of mind. But there is alot of work involved in getting ones life back in order, and I apologize for not being here updating any more than I have.
With winter coming in like a lion right now, and the days getting shorter and colder. I'm sure I will find myself back indoors and back blogging regular again.
So that's whats been going on round here. I'm sure I left some things out, probably lots O things, but eventually, I'm sure it will all come out in the end.
I appreciate the poking and prodding, really I do. I need it some times, to help me remember that my little world could use a few more windows for family and friends to see that we're OK and happy.
And at the moment, that is exactly where we are. Happy, relaxed, confident, proud, and enjoying life as it comes. Planning nothing and just seeing what life brings. Its all very exciting!

I Told Her.....

She really should get her priorities straight and write some thing here. She's so Bahhhhhhhd!

Ever seen a Bear work sheep?

Well, heres what it looks like!
This is at my good friend Ivans place. He generously allows me to come to his place and work Bear on his big field with his BIG woolys. This is from where I usually send Bear on his outrun.


Here on top of the hill is where I usually send him from. Its a good sized outrun, and he is starting to do a nice job with his OLF's! Im so happy with him!

These gals are thinking..."Oh no, not them again"

Nice big outrun! Lovin it!

Bringing them in.

Driving. Bear loves to drive! He will take them anywhere I ask! And has such lovly pace.

More driving. He is a lot further away from me than he looks, Im using my zoom.

Oh no little ewe. Ya dont wanna do that! Bear has never been one to inappropprietly grip, and so I have instilled a grip command in him, one in which he is waiting right now to hear

Reckon that changed their minds!

Lie Down.

Damned if Im not a lucky girl. Not only does he work stock! But he is darn handsome to view as well!

Waiting for the "Come in Here!" Bear is taking to shedding quite well.

Ivans sheep are nice to work, and its nice to have a large number of sheep to learn the shed. Bear was a bit reluctant to leave the first batch once we got the shed, but is happy to bring them along and leave the rest now. He is a quick learner.

And just a few more, because I can! LOL



And so we end the work with Bear taking them back up and over the hill to another pasture.

Tucking them in around the edges.

One tired, but very happy sheepdog!

And now you can tell folks, youve seen a Bear work sheep!
Happy Trials!

Where to begin?? (forgive puctuation and spelling, my spell check has gone out on me today)

I really have absolutly no idea where to begin this post.
Should I start with asking you all to join me in a happy dance, cause Chris and her son are soon to be back home! Woot!

Or, how bout we do a jig because school starts for Kyle in 2 more days! Yea!

I could start to grumble, because Tucker in now 4 months old, and chewing anything he can get his mouth on.Grrrrrrr.


We could rejoyce together, because the gentleman that owns the huge feild across the street from me has, as of Sept.15th when he cuts and bales the last of the hay, has given me cart blanch to use the feild (which is huge, did I mention it is huge!) to work the dogs in anytime I want. And, he is also going to keep me in good grass alfalfa mix hay all winter at a decent price! And!! He delivers!


Lets see, where else could I start? Ummm, how bout,Darci luv's her Bear!
Did I fail in all the many posts that I have written, to mention that Bear is the absolute apple of my eye! Since Chris has been away having pups, and Lexy's, Hank's and Cain's recent departure from our little family, that dog has stepped up, and is everything a girl could ever want in a friend, companion, and fantastic working dog. He has recently earned the title Sheep Boss. Is there nothing this dog cant do!?
I am....smitten.

I could, but I wont, bemoan the fact, that having a house and yard to care for is very time consuming, and is a lot of work! Especially when ya dont have all the tools for the jobs! Like a lawn mower?? Good thing for sheep! lol

How bout, Im entering the pic at the top of this post, in a Photo contest next month that is held anually here. There are several different catagories, I may enter more than one, but I just like that pic so much, that I think its worthy of the entry fee. Its only 5 bucks, so ......

We could discuss my lawn, which looks like aliens landed on it! The sprinkler system appears to be missing a big area, so I have a big perfectly yellow circle of dead grass, and inside that, a perfectly green circle of grass, which looks really weird right about in the middle of my yard. Looks like a bullseye. All I need now is a neon sign, pointing to it with the words, land here, your among friends!
Trying to get the landlord to get some one out here to look at the system, is like pulling eye teeth!

Im thinking of downsizing my truck. What do I need with a One Ton Deisel??? Looking at half tons, gas, and maybe not so many bells and whistles. But damn, I love that truck. It'll be hard to actually let her go, but I wouldnt mind a smaller payment thats fer sure.

My vaccume broke, and then it got fixed, thanks to a more than I am, mechanically inclined friend. Guys.....like ole Red says,...If ya cant be handsome, at least you can be handy!lol

Heres a random thought. I am really loving my air mattress. Does anyone know if one can find bed frames for air materesses?

Names! I need name suggestions for the new pup. I am so not able to think of a single one! Ive always cottened to people names for my dogs, if that helps. Im thinking, the only one right now that is wanting to stick in my brain, is to call him Abel, and Abe for short. You know, honest Abe, and Abel, the good brother?
I know! Thats why Im askin! lol

Im looking forward to getting out to Soldier Hollow, and Meeker here soon. It seems to long since Ive been around working dog folks, it'll feel good to get to visit again.

For all the fun Im having here, at home. I still so do miss my friends back in NC.
Big Wave you Guys!
Now Get those dogs ready for these tough ass western woolies, and get yer butts out here trialing! Bear says he can kick any of yer dogs butts! lol (he is a bit over confident to say the least)

On the diet front. Im at an empass. Dropped 30 lbs and seem to be stuck there. Cant have that! Got 30 more to go. Suggestions?? Yea, I know, put that ice cream back! lol
Ice cream makes me weak.

Heres some thing Ive been learning to do recently. Free climbing the rock wall at the New Rec Center. Its a lot harder than it looks!


It ads an element of danger that the tredmill just doesnt hold for me!

Did I mention a few weeks ago that I went to an Eddie Money concert? Outdoors, and free! Like the rest of us old hippies, he is getting old and fat, but he can still put on one heck of a performance and man can he paly that Sax! I was stage front, and danced my butt off! Had a great time!




There are, which is not unusual for me, numerous other random thoughts trying to escape my mind at the moment, but I think I will save them for later, when I can put more thought into them so they will at least appear.(lol) to be more coherent!

Last but not least, a few gratuitious pics of Bear, tending sheep from the back porch while they do a little back yard weeding.





Peace All.....

Im baaaaaaack!

Hi All!
Well, as most of you know, Julie, Robin and Chris delivered a small but pudgy litter of pups a week ago. Only three, and I wished there had been more, I know there are several other folks that were looking forward to having a pup out of this cross, but at least now we know that Chris is actually capable of caring for pups, so maybe one day we will try again.
I look forward to hearing about them, and will share what I learn, but for now they are only a week old, and not much to tell.
If I knew how to steal pics from Robin's blog, I would post some here, but I don't so here is a link to her blog where you can see the awesome threesome.
http://shooflyfarm.blogspot.com/

As for me, well, I'm still kickin. Work is starting to get a little slack, so I have had more time to get out and play. Fishing, riding, hiking. Staying close to home, so haven't gotten out of my own back yard yet, but then who would want to!? This is the most beautiful place to be.
On a more personal note, I have also been a bit preoccupied with a couple of fellas that seem to, and I haven't figured out just yet why, but the seem to think I'm a pretty neat gal. So when I'm not working or entertaining Kyle, I'm juggling those two, which is not as easy as it sounds.
The weight is coming off fast now. Guess it helps to stay busy, some times I forget to eat and have to be reminded. Dieting gets easier the longer it goes on I think. Eventually, you don't even get hungry.
Here's a few pics that friends have taken recently. Just to prove that yes, this is me, no one has kidnapped me and I'm still alive and well.



Tucker is growing like a weed, and is everything a terrier should be and more. He has a new nickname, and I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with Tucker! Which he comes to readily. He is a good puppy, but he is all schnauzer for sure. What a little dynamo, and so much fun......when he's asleep! LOL
Bear and bruin are doing well, Bear has been keeping busy shuffling sheep back and forth from front to back, and we finally get to go out to Noels again this Sunday to work on his big field. He has also taken up the position of being the fun police. If any one is caught having fun without him. He puts a stop to the game immediately, and makes ya start all over again, but with him too.
Bru, has decided that he has a dual purpose in life, and has broadened his responsibilities. He now is a guardian live stock dog and couch potato. He guards us, the house, yard, and the sheep. He is doing a bang up job, and there isn't a critter within miles that would even think anymore of invading his space. New people, might beware too. Bruin is getting more serious about his charges by the day,and doesn't really like strangers anymore. Since loosing Cain, my Chief of Security, Bru has stepped in and fill those boots for us, and we are happy to let him.
Kyle has been enjoying the summer, but soon it will be time for school to start. YEA!!!
He has matured so much since moving here and is becoming quite the young man. He feels I think, more responsible for me now more so than ever, and far be it from me to try and stop him. Except when he tries to sit down with my date, and try to lay out a curfew and limitations for his mom! LOL
And don't think he hasn't tried! Of course mom had to put the kibosh on that. He isn't quite big enough to fit into those britches yet. And I don't see it happening in the foreseeable future!


So, I reckon that about wraps it up for the moment. I hope to get some pics of Bear working at Noels, but unlike Robin, who was so nice to let me stand around and work my dog (yelling at me to move my ass here and there) Noel, will chase me, so I always have to stay a step ahead of him, cause if he gets me, I'm gonna be the one who gets the correction! So I may not be able to, but I'll sure try. Might get some one to come with me and do it for me. Hmmmmm. ENE meanie miney Mo! LOL

Doing What Best, Isnt Always Easiest.....RIP My Lexy Girl

Lexy, a stock dog. 8-12-00 to 7-17-09 RIP

Greatness has passed over to the Rainbow Bridge.

My friend, my confidant, my partner, my right arm...... my heart.

My Sheep Dog. My Lex.

A grand Lass was she.

She always brought her sheep, and she never, no matter how tough it got, ...she never quit on me. She was an honest dog if there ever was one.

If dogs don't go to Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they go.

God Bless and God's Speed Lexy, your joyous spirit will live in my heart till we meet again.

It is with a sad heart, that I must announce the passing of my friend, my heart, my Lex.
Lexy was diagnosed about a month ago with Lymphoma. A form of cancer that attacks the lymph nodes. The disease grew rapidly, but for a little while I was able to keep her comfortable through the use of steroids. Once her legs and neck began to swell to the point of enormity, I knew it was time, while she didn't hurt, and she still had some energy to attempt to do, what we came to know and love, as "The Doodle Dance" A little jig she would dance whenever she was happiest.
Her last day on earth, was for her the greatest. She came to work with me and had free roam of the shop. She visited with the customers, ate treats enough for two dogs, and was doted on by all.
Lexy's sweet nature had touched the hearts of many, as she was a dog who was wrongly treated when she was young, and still came back to forgive and befriend all who would hold out their hand for her to lick. It has been days since I am able to talk about this, I knew it was coming, but when the time came, still I was not prepared to let her go. Her gaze as she lay on the surgery table awaiting the inevitable, the unavoidable, was trusting, questioning,....and still it haunts me.
Her death was not and easy one, Lex had heart, and didn't want to give up. It took several shots to put her down, and still she would not succumb. Finally, we had to inject her into her heart. The very part of her that she always gave the most of from within herself.
Lex was a happy dog, and I know she would not want us to grieve her passing, but instead, rejoice, and shout praise. Praise for the Working Sheepdog, rejoice in the feeling of utter joy between handler and dog, working together in partnership, for the mutual love of the work, the sheep, the bond, that she gave to me with all her heart and soul, which will forever remain steadfast in my heart.
So the next time you send your dog, send them one time for Lex. She will be watching, I feel sure.

Good Bye my sweet girl, till we meet again.

Where does the time go!?

So, Have ya missed me? Oh, come on, you know you have!
So, my agenda as of late, is that there really is, no agenda.
I have been flying by the seat of my pants and the feeling is no less than exhilarating!
Working, and playing, tis the season for both!
But some times it all just starts to catch up to me, I'm finding out swiftly, that I'm no spring chicken any more, but not quite ready for the dumplings pot either!
Ive been trying to find a happy medium, where I can start to settle a bit more, but Ive yet to find that Zen place. Just goes to prove, you can please some of the people some of the time, but if you try to please all of the people all of the time, some get left, while I'm still running, trying to catch up!
So, to try to fill ya in some what, though Ive been told, a girl shouldn't kiss and tell.......
Robin, you were partially right, but about a week ahead of me, and that's all I have to say about that, except, that there are some strong possibilities, as long as I quit being so damn picky. LOL
Julie, I am so looking forward to Chris coming back home. Lex is in a bad way, and if we were to open her up to try to get the fast growing cancer out of her, she would, (A) have a 50/50 chance of not making it through the surgery, or (B) the cancer will spread throughout her body. And while she is in no pain at the moment, I have opted to just wait and see how she goes.
Kelly! Send me a kitty! Theres mice in the hay shed! Egads!
Laura, I'm just wondering whats going on with you and CR. You have been pretty tight lipped, and I just got a feeling.....
And to those of you all that I haven't mentioned by name, just know that I think about you all often , and miss the companionship and camaraderie we shared over the last couple of years. Please come and reinsert some sanity back into my life! LOL
And to my friends here on the west coast. I promise, as soon as I get time to come up for air, we will get together! It may be Soldier Hollow or Meeker, but I know I'll be seeing ya soon.
For now, my schedule has been so whacked out, I'm beat, and need to go to my happy place and find some peace and rejuvenate.

Dog work has been slack, I did need the front and back lawn mowed, so had Bear bring the sheep out of their enclosure, and allow them to graze the back yard on Saturday, and then today, I had him take them thru to the front yard, and they mowed there too. Efficient little buggers! And they fertilize too!
Tuck, has been taking a good bit of time. I keep trying to convince him that he is not really a schnauzer, but that he is in fact, a collie! He is a tough little German, and takes it out on Bruin and Bear, who look at him like they would like to eat his lunch when they go to pass him and he reaches up and latches on to their tails! I think he has Bru and Bear convinced that he is the devil incarnate! And they fear him! I call it puppy teeth! Ouch!
So if patience is a virtue, I commend you all, my virtuous friends, (except Julie, cause she likes to give me shit LOL) that haven't given me too much crap about being so AWOL lately. I really never imagined in my widest dreams that when I got back here it would be like this!
But I ain't complaining! At least not yet anyway. But I'm starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel, that looks like Zen, so I'm gonna grab that brass ring when I pass thru and hang on tight, cause I'm feeling a bit old and tired these days. LOL and its time to slow down and stop and.....,well, Ive already smelled the roses, so maybe its time to just sit down and prune that bush for awhile!
I have some great pics of some of the places Ive been, and of some trips up on the Painted Hills with the horses and I think I may even have a few, of the svelte (ha ha!) slimming down Darci! 28lbs gone so far, and only 30 more to go! Its been relatively easy, change in attitude, change in latitude!


Maybe once I get the rest of this lard off my arse, I'll have tons more energy, and wont feel so old. I know I already do, with the small loss already, but still, not enough to keep up with the schedule Ive been trying to keep! Calgone take me away!