Flowers and Such

  It rained for a good part of the day yesterday.  It was cold too.  I didn't check weather.com so that long rain storm took me a little by surprise.  I was more pleasantly surprised to see that by the time I was picking Georgia up from school it had cleared up nicely and the sun was well out and warming things up.

  When we got home from school Georgia was excited to see how the puddles had accumulated in our drive way.  She couldn't wait to go out and splash around.  It had warmed up enough for her to put on shorts and flip flops.  As she dressed for play she went on and on about how she loved splashing in puddles and asked if I like to do that same thing when I was little...I said what kid doesn't like to do that?! :)   I saw Georgia playing with one of the Corgis and Holly all around the huge puddles.  After 20 minutes or so she tip-toed in to tell me how excited she was to see that the little yellow flowers all around the big trees in the front yard were starting to bloom!  I was glad to hear that too!  Since our time here is spent in the winter months, we don't get to see much green or the colors our flowers have to offer.  It rains often while we are home and we get a few ice storms and snowy weather too.  So when the flowers start to come out, Georgia & I know spring will be here before we know it! 

  We love the spring...it is by far my favorite time of year.  The grass and trees start to turn green again and the air seems clean.  By the time spring is in full-force we are on the road.  One of the things I love to do most while we are driving in the mornings is to look at the beautiful flowers in the yards of the residential areas.  The best is when I hear someone mowing their lawn and smell fresh cut grass.  (That smell immediately takes me back to the 1970's and being at my grandparents' house...I can see my grandfather mowing the back yard and smell the grass...all like it was yesterday.)  I always love to take in the colors and purposely drive a little slow so I can take in the sights of some of the perfectly manicured lawns and pristine flower beds.  I have to admit that I do look with a little envy in my heart.  (I wonder if the people who tend to those lawns and flowers know how lucky they are to be able to do that.)  I always thought that if I got off the road, I'd have the greenest most perfectly cut grass and the biggest, brightest flowers in all of Paris, Texas.  I love being outside.  Hopping on the riding mower is one of my favorite things in the world.  My dad used to say that he could "solve the world's problems" while he was doing the dishes.  That's what I do when I am cutting the grass.  While I admit, I am not the best gardener, in my feeble defense, I not home long enough to tend to a full-fledged garden.  Well, Georgia and I love flowers and we've bought our share of pots, soil, plants and packets of seeds.  We are not exactly the most green-thumbed family, but we give it the old college try (Chandlerism).  Sometimes the flowers grow, sometimes they don't.  Sometimes we leave our potted plants at the last lot and by the time we remember them, it's too late to go back to the last town to get them...so, we start all over again. 

  If it's one thing I am glad I've passed on to Georgia, it's a love for flowers, and a general love for the outdoors.  We see a lot of Cardinals and blue birds at home and every time we spot one, we have to tell each other.  One of our most favorite things to do together is to go on what Georgia calls "nature walks."  Sometimes it's through the back area of a fairgrounds, the wooded area behind a school where we've set up or a residential area.  No matter where we walk, the important thing is that we are together, having fun and enjoying our surroundings.  Georgia and I have a passion for picking wild flowers.  As we gather them up, we'll put them in the bottom of the jogging stroller, trying real hard to keep them out of Toot's reach.  Then we take them back to the trailer and make an arrangement for the dining room table.  Since I always forget that I don't have an actual factual vase, they usually wind up in Georgia's big orange sports cup, it's the biggest cup we own.  But we don't care, we're not looking at the cup, we're looking at the flowers.

-- God, please guide my hand as I write on the slate of who my children are.

Latest Additions and Old News



Chilli



  For quite a while I've been on the hunt for new Spitz.  At one time I had a few, what I thought were solid leads on some dogs, but for one reason or another, they fell all through.  This winter, however, dogs are falling out of the sky, and they are all white & fluffy!  Well, most of them are. 

 

  The most recent addition to my dog family is a beautiful mini male who we named Chilli.  He has the prettiest gold eyes and is so friendly, he doesn't seem to know a stranger.  (I'll have to keep an extra eye on this guy to make sure he doesn't follow someone else home!)  I introduced him to my dogs and Delta, the boss/queen/princess/star of the show and welcome wagon quickly sized him up.  He seemed to meet with her and the other dogs' approval right away.  He's an excellent jumper and loves to jump/walk on his hind legs.  (I see hurdles and hoops in his future.)



Holly

  A few weeks ago, my Bible class teacher mentioned that her neighbors had a cute little white dog that needed a new home.  While she was loved and well cared for, she killed one too many chickens.  The owners felt it best she should have a little more elbow room in the country.  I took one look at Holly, who looks like the R.C.A. dog's puppy and had to have her.  She has boundless energy and yet has a good attention span.  I was told she once did a back flip on her own....hmmmm....I see a place for her in the circus spot light.

 

  Prior to Chilli and Holly's arrival, I adopted Dixie II.  She's a lovely Samoyed mix, solid white, also with gold eyes.  She's unavailable for a photo op at this time as she's currently across the street helping the rancher herd his cows.  Apparently no one told her she's not a blue healer.  Anyway, what energy Dixie II does have is spent across the street keeping in the cows in line or swimming in the pond at the back of my pasture.  Aside from that her hobbies include, napping, lounging, sleeping, sunning herself on the back porch, followed by more napping and at night she eats like one of those cows across the street.  She is seat-broke and will push a barrel from here to New Jersey for ham/cheese lunch meat.  However, it's not easy for to her fit practice into such a busy schedule. 



Left to right: Dixie I, Lassie, Fluffy, Chelsea, Delta
That's Simone helping me in the background. 2005

   Of my original line up of dogs, I have one left, Delta.  I miss every one of those old dogs that are gone now. They were all so special and distinct and I knew them well.  I think of them often and learned a lot from each one.  When I started working dogs back in 2002, I had no idea how much I'd absolutely love it!  I can't foresee myself not working with dogs in some capacity for the rest of my life.  Along with my kids, they are my passion and I feel super blessed to love what I do and do what I love...and I get to share it all with my kids!

Good Friends & Family and Good Food

  All this week Georgia & I have been looking forward to Saturday.  Our family friends Donna & Rob invited us to their place for dinner with my sister & nieces.  To my very pleasant surprise Lucy Loyal was also in attendance!  Lucy worked with my dad on Carson & Barnes and let me tell you, Dad thought highly of Lucy; they were dear friends.  He always spoke fondly of his time on Carson & Barnes and often mentioned the laughs that he & Lucy shared over coffee, at the cookhouse or in the back door.  Donna & Rob served an outstanding dinner: pork roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and capped the night off with a super bread pudding. 
  After dinner we had the awesome pleasure of watching a dvd Lucy brought over.  It was made my her cousin and featured the entire circus history and heritage of the Loyal Repensky family.  We all sat in speechless amazement at the tricks performed by these circus equestrian legends.  Head to head on galloping horse back; a hand to hand flip on galloping horse back (a woman was the bottom mount); flip flops, one after the other performed flawlessly on galloping horse back by Zefta Loyal (my new circus heroinne).  The whole night I kept thinking, how do you practice this??   And then there was Zefta's daughter Dolly, who at the age of 10 performed one of the best single trapeze routines I've ever seen.  We all sat open-mouthed and watched as she opened her routine with a neck hang on the bar followed by a one-armed plange, and the blow off trick was swinging sliding heals!!  Every performance was executed in absolute perfection...you had to see it to believe it.  We all had a wonderful time and again, thanks for Donna & Rob for the good eats and to Lucy for the great entertainment!

  "If you have to crawl on your bloodied hands and knees, you make it to the show." - Phil Chandler

Chandlerisms

CHANDLERISMS

The first Installment

  When my sisters, brother and I started to compile the list of the sayings, expressions, etc., our dad said most often, these were the top 4:
"At any rate...", "All like this...", "This, that & the other...", "...this sort of thing..."
Dad would often interject one of these phrases to give himself more time to think about what he was going to say.  He'd use these phrases so often, that it became kind of a running joke for us kids to repeat to each other to make each other laugh...all in love though!

Miscellaneous

"You go to your church, I'll go to mine." (don't try to impress your opinions/beliefs on another person too much, you might drive them away)
"There's nothing worse that a reformed anything." (referring to people who constantly talk about their old habits & how they reformed)
"They sat there like an oil painting." (larry audience that doesn't applaud)
"Dumber than a soup sandwich."
"Gillifant" (something that does work properly...mine & my sisters' personal favorite expression)
"What's the prescribed method of opening/using/operating this thing?"
"Weaker than pond water."
"Go with what you got."
"Come out blazing like Sunset Carson." (he often said this when he opened with a larry card when we played Spades)
"Lay on McDuff" (when traffic was clear to go)
"Macy's doesn't tell Gimble's what they're doing."
"Don't tell the doctor how to perform surgery."
"You know your business better than me."
"You're a victim of media hype!" (someone who believes everything they read in rag magazines.)

         
 Chandlerisms referring to someone who's passed on to the nether world:

"The doctor drew a long face"
"Threw snake eyes"
"Drew a deep six"
"Dirt nap"

                                      Lines from movies:
"Tighter than dick's hat band" (John Wayne - True Grit)
"You think so or you know so, the maid only comes in once." (Walter Matthau - Sunshine Boys)
"Drunker than Cooter Brown" (Debra Winger - Urban Cowboy)
"Why should I try 5 after 2:00, when it's 10:15." (Walter Matthau - Sunshine Boys)
"The baseball bat or New Jersey?" (Walter Matthau - Sunshine Boys)
"Mama, my legs are sweatin.'" (Debra Winger - Urban Cowboy - ATTN: ZSA ZSA!)

   We've compiled over 350 and over the last 9 years and we still come up with a new one to add to the list once in a while.  There are lots of friends who have told us over the years that Dad had a favorite movie line or expression he shared exclusively with them.   If you knew him, you know he loved to laugh and make people laugh.  While most of these expressions are funny and ring with truth in and of themselves, no one could say them with the expression and humor of my dad.

              "You can either laugh or cry." - Phil Chandler

Family Time

  It's been a fun and busy couple of days with my family.  I always have the best time when we all get together.  My nieces & nephews are always a delight to spend time with and it's cool to see how much they've grown and changed during the time we are apart.  But this year we'll spend the entire season together.  We are all looking forward to family outings, girl time and even a shopping spree or two...or ten. 
  I really appreciate working along side my family, and sharing the announcing duties with Simone is always the best!  Since we have one of the best ringmasters in the business in our bloodline, we have a knack for almost reading each other's minds when it comes to pitches, stalls, acts' announcements, etc...Not to mention we, like my dad, love to try to make each other crack up while the other one's working. I've come close to getting to Simone, but she's an oak on the microphone. Uncrackable! 
  I, on the other hand have been known to be a little less oak-like...no real major crack ups and by now I can tell when something is going to happen to make me lose it & laugh...so I can turn away and quickly go on without missing a beat.  Although my closest call came from Tavana who casually joked while leaving the ring...I quickly brought on the next act and ran back stage to laugh uncontrollably with her!  I laughed so hard that to make sure the audience would never hear, I took the batteries out of the mic.  There have been a few clowns over the years who know just what to say to get a reaction out of me during their gag. It's only by the grace of God have I been able to finish the gag without completely doubling over in laughter!  My dad did tell me once I'd have to expect the unexpected during the show (be on my toes) but to just make the announcing fun...it's guaranteed to be a riot working with Simone!
  The other thing we are looking forward to this season is the famous C & M cookhouse ran by non other than my sister Robin!  I'm already thinking about an exercise routine to help combat the weight I anticipate gaining...cuz the food is THAT GOOD!  Seconds & thirds are commonplace at the cookhouse.  I can smell the oven fried chicken from here!!  (Seriously, when Robin tells me oven fried chicken is on the dinner menu, I starve myself all day to make sure I can fill up, and up and up on it!)  Jello cakes & marble cakes & banana cakes, OH MY!
  I anticipate summer spent at the city pools & parks with the kids and I  hope to take a trip with the whole family to the Mall of America when we get in the area.  It's been few years since we've been there, but Georgia & I are already making a list of stores to visits!  Eddie Bauer Home, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn, Hannah Andersson, etc, etc, etc,  :D  And of course there are the rides...:)
  This winter has gone by pretty fast and the seasons on the show go by like the proverbial shot.  Being in a different town everyday speeds time up like crazy.  I sometimes feel like I am racing with the clock to get everything done before it's time to get ready for the show.  But this season, racing with the clock won't seem so daunting since we get to spend lots of time with my family!
   
 Here's one of most requested dishes from Robin's cookhouse:
IDAHO TACOS
Large baking potatoes
Taco seasoned beef
Shredded cheese
Shredded lettuce
Tomatoes, diced
Sour Cream
Salsa
Guacamole

Bake large potatoes at 350 degrees @ 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  Spilt length-wise down the middle and open up to accommodate toppings.  ENJOY!

"You can hear the gnashing of teeth and the clashing of silverware." - Phil Chandler

Valentine's Day With My Family



My baby & Lana making the salad! (top)
Valentine surprise from sis & nieces!



 Georgia's school Valentine party pleasantly ended with a collection of cute cards from her classmates.  Along with that came a huge bag-o-candy (out of which I scored a giant roll of Valentine Smarties...no, I didn't steal them, I asked first, lol).  In with the candy were lots of little heart shaped plastic toys, pencils, erasers, plastic heart necklaces, etc.  When Georgia brought home the list of kids I was supposed to by Valentine's cards for (which by the way don't even come with envelopes anymore, you just fold them over and seal them with a sticker) she forgot to tell me I was supposed to buy candy and/or some kind of little do-dad to put in the kids' Valentine bag.  Maybe every kid in the 2nd grade at her school thinks Georgia has a larry cheapskate mom...:/  I have been known to give old Abe a headache (Chandlerism) but I'd never gyp a kid out of his rightly due holiday candy and/or do-dad.  Oh well, I'll redeem myself at the next class party...who doesn't love homemade rice crispy treats?!  LOL!! :D     

 My beautiful family! 

  At any rate, Georgia had a great time at her party and I had a lovely holiday surprise from my nieces & sister.  They brought me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I think I've ever seen.  Anyone who knows me knows I love flowers and I've passed that appreciation on to Georgia.  One of our favorite past times is to pick wild flowers and bring them home to make an arrangement.  My family  never ceases to amaze me with their kindness and generosity...THANK YOU EVERYONE!! <3<3   I had the pleasure of making a dinner for the first night of my family's visit...Italian chicken with pasta and mozzarella cheese...everyone left the table with the appetite's satisfied.  I always enjoy cooking, especially for my family and friends...Italian is my favorite to make and eat!! 
  In all we had a very nice Valentine's Day and I hope everyone reading today's entry had a memorable day too.  I count and give thanks for my blessings everyday with my entire family being right at the top of the list!.

Busier Than a One-Armed Paper Hanger...

 



Georgia is "helping" me paint the play room! lol!

 

  The title of this entry accurately describes Georgia's winter calendar.  In the

last few days she's been invited to a birthday party, pizza luncheon, a dinner party, a school Valentine's Day party and we are in the midst of getting the invites ready for her upcoming slumber party.  I am very fortunate to have a kid who's friendly and personable (if I do say so myself).  But I have to keep an extra eye on her just for that reason.  Wherever we go, I remind her, "stay with me", "don't wonder off" and "DO NOT talk to anyone you don't know", etc... all of the usual warnings parents bestow upon their kids in an effort to keep them safe.

  Although Georgia loves circus school she always looks forward to coming home and going to "regular school."  Every winter she will tell me how she looks forward to meeting new kids.  Since we live in the country we have few neighbors, none of which have children her age.  But, we always manage to find something to occupy ourselves at home.  When the weather's warm we've taken to strolling up and down the street, Georgia on her scooter and I jog along side (well, when I can keep up with her) pushing Toot in her stroller.  We love kicking the soccer ball around, she helps me with the cooking/baking, playing with the dogs and Sherman the ferret. And since it's supposed to be real nice all week, I'll break out the croquet set!  (A personal childhood favorite, ahem, Lauren...) 

  Between school, a plethora of parties this winter, church activities, the occasional shopping trip to town, Sunday school, sleep overs, helping me with projects, like painting the play room, Georgia's had a pretty full winter.  I know she'll be sad to say good-bye to her school friends, but at the same time she's very excited about spending the season with her cousins...she talks about it non-stop lately!  No circus school this season so I will be home schooling her.  No worries, Mom's no fool...I know every trick Georgia has up her sleeve in a vain effort to slack off school work.  My medicine chest is well supplied for those "sore throats" & "upset stomachs," that will mysteriously come about when it's time to crack the school books open.

Sleep over with cousins Lana & Noah

Social butterfly, friendly, personable, sweet, playful...YES...able to get one over on mom...NOOOO!

BTW...The title of this entry is a Chandlerism (although not an original) that was often heard in my family.  More of those coming up this week

 

 





Circus Mom's Mom & Dad



Kathy 1970

 Since I was about four or five I knew I wanted to be in the circus.  Some of my earliest memories are of seeing my dad perform his magic act and ringmaster for Hoxie Bros. and Carson & Barnes.  (To this day people still comment about the elaborate Wizard of Oz themed magic routine Dad put together for Carson & Barnes.)  When my sister Lauren & I were very young, we'd play circus in the back yard at our grandparents' house.  I would start the show pretending to be my dad as ringmaster and announce, "The 1975 edition of the Hoxie Bros.Circus!"  (Little did I know I would follow in those footsteps many years later.  I did NOT set out to be an announcer, it happened very much by chance.)  Then I would climb on the very top of our swing set where Lauren was already perched waiting for me to "ride the elephants" with her.  Then she'd usually get on the trapeze bar or something and I'd hop on the two-seated ride that slid back & forth and pretend to be ZoeAnna Henry.  Although, I have to admit, my favorite of all performers was the glamorous Margurita Michelle.  I can remember her act from start to finish, even the music sticks in my memory. (Who could forget the theme to Hawaii-50?) 

 Back in the 1960's, my dad and his business partner travelled the country performing their ghost shows in theaters.  The performance included everything from big scary illusions like the burned alive to the showing of horror movies (usually The House on Haunted Hill). There was a 'seance' where the audience would "feel spirits" touch their shoulders during a black-out and an appearance by the featured monster.  Usually no one knew what the featured monster was until they referenced the marquee in front of the theater.  Featured monsters included "Gargantua the Gorilla", Frankenstein's monster or sometimes my dad would dress as Count Dracula.  (He made a convincing Dracula.)  In every town they'd take an ad out in the local newspaper for the temporary position of a magician's assistant.  I don't remember him mentioning having problems getting help...who wouldn't want easy money for a night's work as a glamorous "box jumper"?  One rainy day during set-up a pretty blond answered their ad.  She came into the theater and approached my dad about the help wanted ad.  After one quick glance at the girl who looked like a "drowned rat," he pawned her off on his partner to deal with. He told me that later when he saw her ready for the show it was,. "love at first sight."  He told his partner he was going to marry her.
  I'm certain when 16 year old Kathy Parson, from Terre Haute, Indiana answered the newspaper ad, she had no idea she would get a glimpse into what the next 10 years of her future would hold.  There are conflicting stories as to how long they knew each other before they married.  I've heard a week and I've heard a month.  In any case, it wasn't a long time before my dad made good on what he told his business partner.
  After the ghost show circuit died out my parents traveled with tent shows.  Dad of course ring mastered and they performed their magic act while Mom also performed show girl routines: web, swinging ladder, etc.  During the 10 years they were together there were five kids and a few attempts at town life.  My dad actually did a brief stint managing a drive-in theater.  He hated town life and never lasted long in it.  My mom had had enough of the road which led to their ultimate amicable split.  They remained friends until she passed away in 1980.  We'd often see my dad if the show he was with came close to Dayton.  He'd also spend the winters in Ohio and visited us kids frequently around the holidays.

Phil 2002

  My dad worked his entire adult life in show business.  He used to tell me he wanted to work until he died.  He pretty much got his wish.  Dad passed away October 10th, 2002, only 10 days after he closed with Hendricks Bros.  Many years of smoking led to a multitude of health complications, one of which included oxygen levels in the brain being compromised.  Because of this, he would have occasional delusions and act out getting ready for his magic act.  He was really in my sister's living room, but in his mind he was on the show.  He went to sleep one night and didn't wake up.  My brother, sisters and I count it a blessing that Dad died peacefully in his sleep and "on the circus."

  His ashes were spread in Colon, Michigan near Abbot's Magic shop and the graves of Harry Blackstone, Sr. and Jr.  Our mom is buried near our old home in Springfield, Ohio.

"I knew I wanted to be a magician from the time I was three years old."  - Phil Chandler



"I'd just had enough of the road, that's all." - Kathy Barone

Things Tootie Would Like To Do...

  A while back I noticed my sister, her husband and kids got a kick out of something I said to Toot.  I didn't think anything of what I was saying because I said it 100 times a day.  When Toot would reach for something that was clearly not for toddlers, I'd tell her, "That's not Tootie's" then pick her up and move her to something that was pro-toddler.  They all would laugh when I said this...and I guess it is kind of funny.  In addition to lots of things not for Tootie, there are lots of things Toot would like to do, but to her extreme dismay can't, such as...
  Tootie would like to use my pink Sharpie at her own discretion.  She'd also like to sleep with her cowboy hat on but can't find a way for it to sit on her head as she lies down (that really gets her goat).  Toot would also like to have free reign of Georgia's room even though she has an entire playroom at her disposal where nothing is off-limits.  She also bolts for the open refrigerator so she can sit on the bottom...when you try to lure her out to close the door she turns red in the face and goes limp.  Tootie would also like to take a bath 10 times a day and ride my exercise bike 20 times a day.
  Here are some things that are not Tootie's, but she often wishes they were: any and all writing utensils, my wallet, my purse, Georgia's wallet and purse, playing cards, cell phones, spatulas, drink coasters, the computer, photo albums, coins in the container in my bedroom closet, the toilet plunger, Wii remotes and everything on the entertainment center.
  The toddler years are fun because this is when kids do lots of growing and learning in a short period of time.  But along with the fun in watching them discover the world and begin to have understanding, are the challenges these years present.  Parents find themselves spending lots of time chasing their toddler around, picking up behind them and using the eyes in the back of their head because the baby moves faster than lightning.  I remember when Georgia was about two, feeling exasperated at trying to keep up with the demands of a toddler.  I often felt inadequate when it came to picking up after her, keeping her on some semblance of a schedule and making sure she had proper "kid socialization," etc...  I tried hard to keep her face clean and changed her clothes often to make sure she appeared neat and clean.  I ran myself silly keeping the toys from cluttering the floor of our little Holiday Rambler.  (Growing up with a grandmother who by today's social labeling would be considered a bit on the O.C.D. side, resulted in my strict routine in how I cleaned the trailer.)  One day, I remember coming back to the trailer from town and Georgia was sitting on the floor surrounded by toys.  The trailer was so small and there wasn't a lot of floor space.  For a second I got that familiar touch of "look at all this stuff all over the floor" anxiety.  But it quickly went away and was replaced by the realization that, "I LIVE here."  It's not always going to look like a hotel room.  It's ok if there are toys on the floor because we LIVE here.  
  Looking back, I may have spent too much time cleaning up after, looking after and tending to all those logisitcal things parents of toddlers preoccupy themselves with.  I probably should have spent more time playing with, getting dirty with and being a kid with Georgia back then.
  Well, I can say, lesson learned.  While I certainly don't profess to be the perfect parent by any strectch, I do the best I can with what I've learned over the years.  My house doesn't look like a hotel all the time, (don't tell my grandmother! lol) but I certainly don't mind seeing Toot's Gabba guitar on the floor along with her collection of blocks and books.  I don't stress too much about these things these days because in the back of my mind I know that in no time Toot will be 7 going on 8 (like Georgia).  And there will come a day when I wish I was picking up after her instead of keeping the boys away from her.  Someday soon the things that aren't Toot's won't be playing cards and pens but my make up and clothes.  And now I have truly come to appreciate the fact that both my kids want mom's company, because it won't be long until hanging out with me won't be cool.  
  When Georgia was born my sister told me to soak up every moment because newborns grow so fast.  At 7 and almost 2, I have had to relearn to soak up every moment.
       

"We promised your mom we'd look after you kids." - Arnold Barr

Farewell my Friend Pete

  Pete lost his battle with Pemphigus today.  The vet had been optimistic about his recovery but did mention that sometimes they can take a turn for the worse and not recover well if at all.  That's what happened with Pete.  He really looked like he was making a fine recovery after I brought him home from the vet.  After a few hours I let him out of his kennel for exercise and I could tell right away he wasn't doing well.  I immediately called my vet and he told me to bring Pete back in.  After more testing he found a raging infection and a very high white blood cell count along with other complications.  He said given Pete's age and the multitude of problems, it might be best to consider letting Pete go.  I saw this coming, and tried to prepare myself, but these things are never easy.  As with Dixie I and Chelsea, I was there holding Pete till the end.  These dogs did right by me for a very long time so comforting them at the end of their lives is the very least I could do. 
  Last Sunday at church I happend upon a verse I'd never seen before.  It says "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal..." Prov. 12:10a.  (The word "righteous" has a negative, upstartish connotation to it these days.  At one time that word referred to a person who revered the Lord and tried to do "right" by Him.  I don't consider myself righteous by today's standards but I'd like to think I try to do the right thing as best I can, as often as I can.)  Anyway, this verse stuck in my mind.  My guys were/are loyal to me and I have been loyal to them in their care and training.  When it is time to work, they are all business (most of the time! lol) and I really appreciate that in my dogs. When they are in the pen, I just let them be dogs and don't really interfere with their pecking order or the way they interact with each other but I do enjoy playing with them when they're not working. 
  I love what I do for a living.  I've always considered myself blessed beyond belief that I can do what I love and get paid for it.  (It's almost not like work!)  It's not alway fun, especially when there's mud, puddles and dirt and I'm trying to keep the dogs white for the show.  Or when Beau (who runs and runs like Forrest Gump through downtown Frisco, TX) runs off for hours, I'd rather be doing anything else but luring him home.  Or Pete does his famous "Wile E. Coyote" run through the back of the ring and will go anywhere but on his seat because he is too busy finding stuff to eat on the ground.  But these things happen to everyone who has dogs. You just keep going, that's all. At the end of the day, I can't think of anything else I'd rather do for a living.  And dogs like Pete make it even more interesting and fun and sometimes challenging.  But those are the best kind because I learn more about training dogs and how they think and act from the "Petes."
  Well, I did the best I could for Pete and so did the vet, but it just wasn't meant to be.  He had a nice long, healthy life and entertained lots of people.  I am glad he's not suffering anymore.  We miss him and we won't ever forget him!

"If the animal is not giving the trainer the behavior he is asking for, it is ALWAYS the trainer's fault." - Joanne Wilson  

Temporary Leave of Absence

My internet will be down for a few days. I hope to get back to blogging by the middle of next week!

By that time I'm sure I will have plenty to share with everyone.  So check back with me in a few days...

and as they used to say on Johnny Carson:

 MORE TO COME.......

Here's and ample dose of adorableness to hold you over till next time.

See You Later Radar-gator!

The girls & I are sorry to say good-bye to my right hand guy, adopted son and big bro to my baby girls...Ryan "Radar" Easley.  He's been a big help to me
over the last couple of years and will be missed.  But we will of course keep in
touch via text, calls, blogging, e-mail, smoke signals, flare, etc...Radar and I
have a great time bantaring back  & forth with put-downs and snarky comments all

given and taken in good fun. Dar is a great guy, a hard worker, a good friend

and my kids LOVE him!  That last trait is big in my book! I'm sure if

our shows get close to one another we'll visit back and forth! 

Be safe, be blessed and be in touch!

With love from your adopted family,

Natalie, Geo & Toots

"A road to a friend's house is never long."

Snow Days Snow Dogs and Busy Babies




Dixie II





 We woke up this morning to a  blanket of snow covering  everything! Surprise! :/  Snow days are just fine for snow dogs, but not for two restless kids who have spent more time indoors this week than outdoors! (Georgia has had 2 school days this week.)  



To the salon for a make-over...

                                    


But that doesn't mean they still can't go places!

     


...go shopping with her best bear buddy...



...even go on safari!



And after a long cold snow day,
snuggling with her Dar.
GOOD NIGHT ALL!

 "OUR GREATEST NATURAL RESOURCE IN THE MINDS OF OUR CHILDREN."
                                                                                                          -Walt Disney







Indoor Practice & Update on Pete

It was another cold morning but we have warmer temperatures coming this weekend. 
I've been a little behind in my dog practice with this weather so I brought the practicing indoors. Only my two new Spitz ran through some behaviors. They weren't sure what to make of being inside while going through their tricks but they caught on quickly. Eventually they will understand that it doesn't matter where they are or what is going on around them, they must mind their manners and pay attention to my directions.  I hope to get these ladies incorporated in my act asap. I will be happy if they are just seat warmers for a few weeks.
They are green but seem to be quick learners!  Dixie II and Charlotte are wonderful and welcome additions to my group of dogs. Dixie's seat trained and sitting up nicely. She's  pushing the baby carriage and rolling the barrel.  She's not exactly burnt up with energy so I use lots of hot treats to get her attention!  She'll look really nice sitting in the middle of the line up since she is the largest weighing in at about 45lbs.  Charlotte is a mini Spitz and is pretty as a picture.  She will take Dixie I's place in the line up and sit far left.  She's seat trained and learning to sit up quickly.  She wants to walk backwards naturally on her hind legs, so I will refine that behavior and work it into the routine.  She is not a jumper whatsoever, so I will have to think hard of some different tricks this lady could learn.  I have a third addition my canine crew...a little Jack Russell terrier mix name Holly.  She's full of bounding energy and sweet as can be.  She barks tough but raises the white flag very quickly.  She's solid white with brown ears and reminds me of the R.C.A. dog. 
A natural jumper, she may wind up being the "bad" dog in the act who reaks foolishness and mayhem!

Update on Pete...

Pete has pemphigus...and autoimmune disorder that is treatable with medication.  I am happy that he has several more healthy years ahead of him.  The vet says his new medication is acting quickly and he should be back to his old self in no time.  This disorder is long term, but with the proper medicines, he will be a-OK right away!  I look forward to having my class clown back tomorrow!! :) 

"Properly trained, a man can be dog's  best friend." - Corey Ford

"What were dogs millions of years ago? Wild wolves, right? They know how to hunt and fish and look for shelter. And they got this fur, see? It keeps them warm and dry in the winter and cool in the summer. They're set up a lot better than people as far as that goes. They can't get hit by lightning. You know why? Cause they're low to the ground. Now if they was giraffes out there, then we'd be in trouble. Cause giraffes are tall, see. And dogs look after their own. Giraffes don't though. They just go around looking after number one...gettin' hit by lightning....BOY, GIRAFFES ARE SELFISH!"
- Barney Fife explaining to Opie why the dogs he dropped of in the "middle of nowheres" will be fine during a rain storm

Practice Indoors & Pete

It was another cold morning but we have warmer temperatures coming this weekend. 
I've been a little behind in my dog practice with this weather so I brought the practicing indoors. Only my two new Spitz ran through some behaviors. They weren't sure what to make of being inside while going through their tricks but they caught on quickly. Eventually they will understand that it doesn't matter where they are or what is going on around them, they must mind their manners and pay attention to my directions.  I hope to get these ladies incorporated in my act asap. I will be happy if they are just seat warmers for a few weeks.
They are green but seem to be quick learners!  Dixie II and Charlotte are wonderful and welcome additions to my group of dogs. Dixie's seat trained and sitting up nicely. She's  pushing the baby carriage and rolling the barrel.  She's not exactly burnt up with energy so I use lots of hot treats to get her attention!  She'll look really nice sitting in the middle of the line up since she is the largest weighing in at about 45lbs.  Charlotte is a mini Spitz and is pretty as a picture.  She will take Dixie I's place in the line up and sit far left.  She's seat trained and learning to sit up quickly.  She wants to walk backwards naturally on her hind legs, so I will refine that behavior and work it into the routine.  She is not a jumper whatsoever, so I will have to think hard of some different tricks this lady could learn.  I have a third addition my canine crew...a little Jack Russell terrier mix name Holly.  She's full of bounding energy and sweet as can be.  She barks tough but raises the white flag very quickly.  She's solid white with brown ears and reminds me of the R.C.A. dog. 
A natural jumper, she may wind up being the "bad" dog in the act who reaks foolishness and mayhem!

Update on Pete...

Pete has pemphigus...and autoimmune disorder that is treatable with medication.  I am happy that he has several more healthy years ahead of him.  The vet says his new medication is acting quickly and he should be back to his old self in no time.  This disorder is long term, but with the proper medicines, he will be a-OK right away!  I look forward to having my class clown back tomorrow!! :) 

"Properly trained, a man can be dog's  best friend." - Corey Ford

"What were dogs millions of years ago? Wild wolves, right? They know how to hunt and fish and look for shelter. And they got this fur, see? It keeps them warm and dry in the winter and cool in the summer. They're set up a lot better than people as far as that goes. They can't get hit by lightning. You know why? Cause they're low to the ground. Now if they was giraffes out there, then we'd be in trouble. Cause giraffes are tall, see. And dogs look after their own. Giraffes don't though. They just go around looking after number one...gettin' hit by lightning....BOY, GIRAFFES ARE SELFISH!"
- Barney Fife explaining to Opie why the dogs he dropped of in the "middle of nowheres" will be fine during a rain storm

The Problem with Pete

A few weeks ago one of my Spitz became ill.  Pete (second from left) is about 8 years old and is so full of energy and eager to perform every show.  Seeing him lie around the yard was unusual to say the least.  I took him to see a vet one Saturday  evening. 
His unusual symptoms were worrying me:  drooling, unquenchable thirst, puffy exhaled breaths, diarrhea and a red mouth.  After lots of testing the vet was unsure what was causing these symptoms.  He was put on a few different kinds of meds and began

to feel better. But a day or so after the medicine ran out he started to get sick again.  I took him to my regular vet who diagnosed him with a kidney disorder.  Pete's mysterious illness is being treated and he should be 100% in no time.  I am very relieved to know my little guy will be healthy soon.  This guy is very sweet and loyal and if you've ever seen him work you can't miss him...tons of energy with a funny step to his run that usually gets a laugh from the audience!  I'll update his progress in future posts.

Speaking of dogs...I mentioned in my first post that I have been working with my sister's Corgis.  Here are a couple of pictures taken by my adopted son and big bro to my baby girls, Ryan "Radar" Easley.  (He's quite the Ansel Adams.) Francesca has mastered jumping through hoops and rolling over.  Rosie is getting the hang of the grapevine nicely and jumps into my arms like a pro!  These dogs are a lot of fun and I look forward to putting together a nice routine when they're ready to go!

 

As I write this post it is almost midnight &Toot's wide

awake! She's a night owl, much like my dad.  A little late night Yo Gabba Gabba never hurt anyone...except for the mom who has every Gabba song ever composed stuck in her head!  When Toot's 20 she'll certainly have no memory of these annoying, yet somewhere

in there is a lesson songs.  But I'll still be

singing them to myself when they roll me into the nursing home.  If you've never had the misfortune of seeing Y.G.G., spare yourself unless your morbid curiosity gets the better of you.  The creators of the show must've been on some serious allergy meds when they came up with the concept for that show.

Random question from Georgia:  What's your favorite Spongebob episode?  She loves the Hash Slinging Slasher... my favorite is Texas.

"If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either." - UNKNOWN