Ice Skating

Here is the most recent video of my niece ice skating.
This is the Extemporaneous Improvisation Pre-Preliminary at Showcase 2009. She is 8 years old. The music for Extemp Improvisation is not revealed to the skaters until half an hour prior to competing. The skaters must then choreograph their own routine without assistance from anyone, including their coach.

She makes us so very proud.


If you want to view her other video's you can see them here.

Who's Missing

Ha, she looks kind of snobbish in this photo. Lacee wanted nothing to do with participating in a group photo session. She had her own agenda, as soon as I grabbed my camera, she grabbed the little brown mouse and jumped into the hammock out of view.

Jeni, and Random Thoughts

I seem to have less and less time to just sit at the computer and post on my blog lately. Many people have been asking me why I don't post more frequently. So for those wonderful, well meaning friends out there, that do not understand, I will explain.

I run a licensed daycare/preschool out of my home. I normally will get on my computer, if the children are sleeping, or have not arrived yet or have gone home for the day. Although business is slow these days, I do still have children to care for, and deal with random inspections from our Licensing office, Fire Department, and Health Department.

Dogs, cats, everywhere. Four dogs, (still having a hard time getting use to only having four now) and twelve cats, yikes! Yes, Seven cats inside, and the five ferals outside (often times, more). Plus normal trapping and rescue work. They all take quite a bit of my time. Between bathing, brushing, exercising, feeding, and cleaning up after all of them, oh and lets not forget just the cuddle and play time. I don't have much time left at the end of the day. Yes, I still have the normal household chores, and being a good wife. ( I do try, thank goodness hubby is a patient man).

Besides just my normal daily routines, we have had a few changes going on here in my house. My dogs are all requiring some extra attention right now. Between all of Jarie's health issues, which is a constant battle, Jessi's wild and energetic nature that keeps me moving, and reminding me that we have to forget our troubles and just take a few minutes each day to let our minds relax and get out and play. Then there is Bandit, oh boy, I think I will wait and share what I have to say about him in a special post.

Jeni, she is the reason I am posting today. She is having a very difficult time. For the past couple months she has been very stressed. Her stress escalated after we lost Jake. Jeni has always been very sound sensitive, and very in tune with our moods. She has always been my shadow and follows my every step.

She has become afraid of my hubby's cell phone. This all started when he received a phone call in the middle of the night from the alarm company for his work. As you can imagine being awakened from a sound sleep for the third night in a row, and have to get up and drive a half hour to your work place, you are not going to be very happy. His tone scared Jeni, and now she associates anytime he is on his cell phone, with his stress.

Now you all may be thinking this is an easy fix, just change the ring tone. Not quite that easy, the phone doesn't have to ring to stress Jeni, all hubby has to do is touch it. This has gotten to the point that Jeni almost broke her legs trying to get to me when he answered his phone. She was lying in his lap when he picked up his phone and Jeni leaped out of his lap and came running into the kitchen to find me, then she jumped up onto the kitchen counter. She couldn't hold on, and fell to the floor. Fortunately just a temporary limp that only lasted a few minutes.

So, lots of little issues we are now working on in my crazy house. Jeni loves hubby, and enjoys spending every moment she can with him when he is home, so we are working on this and will get her through it, lots of counter conditioning. No matter how well trained you think your dog is, training never stops.

For the past two weeks, all of us here only manage about four hours of sleep, so I think it is easy to say we are all tired and a bit stressed. I have neglected some good friends and very important people in my life this past month, not intentionally, my family is just needing a lot of my time right now.

She looks so tired here.

If you can, please keep some positive thoughts for Jeni, she can really use them.
I will try and catch up on everyone's blogs this weekend.

Tomorrow Is Not A Guarantee

When we get a pet, we always hope they live a long, healthy, fun and safe life with us. Then when old age sets in and the time has come, we will say our heartfelt goodbyes as they leave us with the last breath they take. Our last embrace. It doesn't always happen like that though. We are all on borrowed time. We can lose a pet or a loved one in the prime of their lives from an accident or sudden illness.

If you knew it would be the last time your pet nudges you for some attention, a belly rub, a pat on the head, a toss of a ball, would you still not be in the mood because you have more important things to do, or would you take that time to make more memories? If you knew it would be the last time you wake up to a pair of soulful eyes staring at you, or a soft purr or a quiet bark, would you start your day rather irritated at the animals who meant the world to you; because they chewed or damaged something of importance? Or would you be thankful, they are here and healthy, and alive?

Tomorrow you may be saying goodbye to them. With the finality of never having the chance of saying, "I'm sorry", "I love you", or "goodbye" again. If you knew it would be the last time your pet would be welcoming you home at the door, would you still get angry when she runs off in some area of your yard trying to entice you to play a game of chase? Would you still ignore her, or scold her for not coming when called; because you are tired and had a hard day at work today? Or would you take that few minutes to return the favor, and show her how happy you are to see her too?

If you knew it would be the last time you see your children fall asleep, would you tuck them in more tightly, and read that story to them one more time, the same one they now have memorized word from word? If you knew it would be the last time you will see your loved one walk out the door, would you give him an extra hug and kiss and tell him how much you care? If you knew it would be the last time you would talk with your loved one, would you stop and say "I love you," instead of assuming they already know? If you knew it would be the last time that you would sit and talk about your day, would you take the time to share and listen, and not put off until tomorrow, things that need to be said or done today?

You may not get tomorrow, you may not get that second chance. Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "Thank you," "I love you" or "It's okay.

Love and cherish your Friends, Family, and Pets as if today will be your last day together. Sadly, sometimes it takes a tragedy to occur before people realize what they had and to appreciate what they have before they are taken from you.

Tomorrow is not a guarantee, live for today.

Lazy Summer Days

Mikah and Buttons

Summer is here and the outside feral cats are feeling the heat. I tend to worry more about them during the summer months, as it is so difficult for them to try and stay cool in the desert heat.

Prudence and Mikah

I try to keep the ground wet to keep it cool for the cats. I also go through quite a bit of ice during the summer to keep their water bowls cool. I have a feeling it is going to be a long summer.

They look content though, don't they.

Prudence

Buttons

Their favorite place to sleep is underneath the patio swing right outside my back door. I think it is the coolest spot for them. Many times all four would be cuddled together under there.

Cloud

The Karl

The Karl sure is handsome. I still can not get that close to him. He will leave the yard if I go outside, or he will jump on a wall and watch me. I am now a little concerned, but not sure if I need to be. The last couple of days, I was thinking he looked skinnier, so I have tried to get a better look, hard to do with him without zooming in with the camera.

I noticed yesterday his fur on his right side is missing. A huge patch, almost like he was shaved just on the side. I don't see any indication that there is a problem, perhaps he rubbed the hair off somehow. I haven't been able to see his other side yet, so I will try and do that today. He is eating good and hanging out more in the shelter and in the yard, so if I determine I need a better look I may have to trap him again.

Never a dull moment.

Evening Greetings

Things are slowly getting back to normal around here. Every evening Jarie selects a toy from the toy box to greet hubby with, when he gets home from work. She patiently waits by the door until she hears his truck pull up the driveway.
She then runs laps around the house, from room to room with excitement, picks up her toy and waits for him to walk through the door. Then all the excitement begins. Her tail does not stop wagging, she pushes the toy toward him, teasing him with a "catch me if you can", game of chase. She runs around and around his legs, then stops and changes direction on him.
This goes on for about 15 minutes, just running, chasing, playing. Finally she will just fall to the floor and show her belly for a good tummy rub, then off the two of them go to the other room and settle on the couch together, so the rest of the pack can join them.
Jarie was really subdued there for awhile after Jake passed, but she is back to being her crazy self, with the zoomies everyday, and just loving being the official "daddy is home greeter". It is difficult sometimes watching her greeting hubby, as that was always Jake's job, but we are trying to move forward, a bit slowly, but we are getting there.

She is back to eating and taking all her medications and supplements, so back into healing and feeling a bit better. She still has the occasional set back of not eating one of her meals, but that is to be expected with Jarie.
Jarie does not have a favorite person. She is happiest when hubby and I are both with her, and when either one of us leave the room, she will follow. But you can really see the excitement in her when she knows hubby is coming home. That is her special time.

Happy, Happy Girl.

Kitten in Your Couch

This is cute. It really made me smile this morning.