Adventures with Bridgit

Boston Show

2010-01-18T03:01:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, So, I havent left it as long this time to post an update! Yeha Me. Last friday, after work, Sean and I and the dogs drove down to Peterborough for the dog show over the weekend. The weather was awful all over but the M6 was clear and the drive down was easy until the lst 11 miles. Those were all uphill, on snow and ice, and in a blizzard! But, we arrived safely and checked in at about mmidnight and hit our beds pretty quickly.

Up early and off to the show at 8 a.m. Lots of entries were unable to come so the show went fairly quickly. Reo was Best Puppy in Breed and Tiva was Best Bitch! I was in shock and thrilled beyond belief. We waited for Groups at the end of the day for Reo, but he didnt get anything. Well, that's ok, he's still the best to me!

We went out to Jaqui's for our dinner on Saturday. Her son, Josh, was there of course, as were her mum and dad (Sue and Pete). There was a wonderful Ceasars Salad to go along with her fantastic chicken lasagna. And what a laugh we had. We had so much fun, thank you all.

Sunday morning I got up and took the dogs out for a lovely romp in the snow. Our Days Inn has a huge area to the side and back of the hotel that is all 'dog fenced' and so safe to let them off leash. They chased the ball and ran about and really enjoyed themselves; got to let off some steam before spending another long day in the car.

We had a quick breakfast at McD's and headed up to visit with Jan and deliver some dogfood to her. The roads were fine until we got to her little sideroad, it was covered in snow and ice, no wonder she couldnt make it out to the show!

We had a nice visit with Jan and Zim and then a walk down to the corner with the dogs running about like mad folk, enjoying the snow and the freedom, and then it was back on the road to head north.

The drive home was farily uneventful, no snow and a clear run up the A1M. We stopped for dinner at a Little Chef tha was just closing up due to a broken pipe and stopped again at a pub that looked promising. But my ribeye was chuck and Seans 'med hot' curry wasnt at all hot and the service was lacking as well. Oh well. We were hungry and it filled our tummies. We arrived home safely and were in our beds by 11. Night...

New Year Update

2010-01-06T04:05:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone,

I have been trying to update for days but the site wouldn't let me on, said it had been hijacked! Anyway, I'm here now and will tell ya what we have been up to. Not necessarily in correct order. Maybe back to front, in fact!

The latest news is that this Friday Sean and I are taking the dogs down to Petersborough for a dogshow, Reo's debut. I hope the judges think he's as wonderful as I do. (And you too, see latest head shot!)

On Christmas day we got up and opened our presents (great time)and had spinach crepes stuffed with ricotta and then smothered in a lovely tomato sauce, for our breakfast. After we tidied up we went up and house sat for Jane while she and Sean went up to visit family in Perth. Shelby and I fed in the evening while Jim and Sean filled hay nets and hung them. Jane and Sean a lovely time with the family and I enjoyed cooking our Christmas dinner on her Aga ~ I want one so baaad!

The week before Christmas the cold descended and it has been (way) below freezing ever since, so we really havent been able to get out sightseeing or even walking. The beach is frozen right down to the waterline! Ergo, our holiday plans have gone a bit tits up! However, Sean got me Tiger Woods 10 for a Christmas pressie so we have been brushing up on our golf...

On New Years Eve (NYE)we went up to Gladys' for a chili dinner and then she had her neighbours round for drinks and champers at the bells. We had a nice time and left in time to be home and in bed at 1. I hadn't had hardly anything to drink and so woke up sober and feeling pretty darn good, nice way to start the NY.

Friday was a different story and we had a nice peppered beef stroganoff for our dinner and a (few) bottles of wine and I was a bit on the 'hang-dog' side of things in the morning! Just really, really tired. So I just relaxed and hung about all day (including 3 naps) until about 3.30, at which point we headed up the road again to go to Walt and Janices' for dinner.

Sean, however, didnt get to relax. He was busy giving the office a fresh coat of paint (actually the 2nd coat)after having sanded the windows and washed the walls thru the week. He then gave it a 3rd coat on Sunday and proceeded to paint round the windows. He'll do the skirting this Thursday and the room will be finished. It does look nice and fresh and is brighter due to the lighter shade we have put on the walls.

So, about 3.30 we headed to Dunoon. They had invited us to stay over, as they are in Dunoon, but we decided we'd come home on the last boat at 11.30. As it turned out the last boat was at 9, so we ended up staying! They served a nice soup to start off and then baked ham, but the brussel sprouts let them down. Who ever it was that decided those things were fit for human consumption should be tried for crimes against humanity! Anyway, Walt had made a gorgeous cranachan for pudding and that banished all yucky thoughts of the bs'. We stayed up and had some nice wine and chatted til midnight and then went to our beds. The dogs were really well behaved and I am very proud of them!

I'll stop here for now and add some pictures before I get to work with patients. More later...

Morning Cuddles

2009-11-29T03:50:00.000-08:00

Well, again it's been a while since I last posted, but I'll update the latest events now.

Most importantly, Sean passed his Test of Competancy (TOC)and we can now move forward with getting him registered and getting his Work Permit and getting him to WORK!!!

This past Thursday was Thanksgiving but we didn't celebrate it until last night, Saturday. Tommy and Anita and their son,John, joined us from next door. John is going to uni in Aberdeen and was only home for the weekend and was going out with his friends, so he wasn't going to come over. But he then said to Anita: I don't want to miss dinner at Bridgit's! So he came over and ate and visited for a while, and then went out to meet his friends. Everyone had two helpings and there isn't enough left over to make breakfast for one...result!

In other news, Daniel continues to thrive, so I'm told. Shannon hasn't sent me any pictures. He's nearly 4 months old and the last photos I have are from when I was there and he was only 5 weeks old!!! Gonna have to get after her about that!

As you can see from the above picture, Reo is growing at a rate of knots. Had him weighed at the vets last week and he's 15 K!!! Weighs more than Tiva and only 5 1/2 months old!!! I had miscalculated his age and thought I couldn't show him til January, but he'll actually be 6 months old on the 15th of December, so maybe I'll find a show over the Xmas holidays and we'll make his debut...I'll let you know!

2009-11-05T06:18:00.000-08:00

Hi All, There isn't too much actual news to write about but I thought I would yammer on a bit and post a few pics...This is Tiva on the beach at Skegness, I stole it off Jan's site, she took it.

Sean will be arriving next week, I'm looking forward to having company again. He'll be staying to have Xmas with me, so I wont be alone for the holidays.

Shannona and Baby Daniel are both thriving. The went to a new pediatrition yesterday, one who is also very circumspect about vaccines! Daniel is now 23 inches long...tall like his daddy and has a big head apparently! That must be what makes him look like such a big baby, cuz he only weighs aobut 12 lbs.

I'll be taking the dogs to the beach later and then riding Remy. Remy has been reall good lately and a real pleasure to ride.

More later....

Daniel Robert Guillen

2009-10-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I am just back from a fortnight in Chicago where I went to meet my new nephew - Daniel. He is a gorgeous baby and pretty easy as well. He cries when he is hungry or wet/dirty and otherwise is pleasant and smily. He lays there, sound asleep, and suddenly, without opening his eyes, there is a huge grin across his face and he's showing 4 dimples! He is growing like a week and, at only 5 weeks, she is alomost grown out of 0-3 month old clothes!

While in Chicago we didn't do much besides shop and admire the baby. And watch a lot of tv while feeding and admiring the baby. Caught up on almost the whole 2nd season of True Blood and saw the first episodes of a show called The Good Wife. Really good and I cant wait til it comes over here. Mad Men is good as well.

I can't wait til Sunday, when I can go pick up my dogs!!! I have missed them so bad. Tiva quit eating the first few days but Betty has worked her usual magic and has her eating again. And she was telling me that Reo is a real sweetie (course, I knew that) and that he loves playing with the hose and getting sprayed etc. Anyway, I have tomorrow in Edinburgh doing chiropractic stuff and then I get my dogs on Sunday afternoon ~ yippee! I cant wait to get them home and play on the beach.

The trip home was long but pretty good. I had two changes (Detroit and Amsterdam) but they were quick and I only had time for a quick shop and 2 chapters in my book before we boarded. But I am REALLY tired! I hope I can sleep tonight, have anohter early start tomorrow. Enough for now...

Picking up Puppy...Meet Reo

2009-08-17T02:51:00.000-07:00

I am so sorrry I haven't updated sooner. Between being busy and being lethargic, I just havent felt up to much lately! I was working last week, but the week before that I only worked 1/2 day on the Friday and then headed south to Uttoxeter for dog shows on Saturday and Sunday and our accomodation was a tent! We got there about 8 ...in the rain. I was soaking down to my undies by the time I was done. Made a sandwich and sat in my changing tent and listened to my book on tape on my ipod.

Sat. was rainy so the show was held inside. Having only one dog in only one class does make for a long day! But it was worth it. There were 8 dogs (bitches really) in her class and Tiva was 3rd! The judge gave her a wonderful critique and graded her "Excellent"! Sunday dawned bright and slightly breezy. We were up early (Jan arrived and beeped at us and shouted across the campground...!) The show was held outside and it was gloriously sunny! Tiva was 5th, beating 3 dogs again and was, once again, graded excellent! So, good weekend for Tiva!!! The first judge was American (from Michigan) and the 2nd was from "the continent", Belgium or France. So it's nice to have two different judges and viewpoints think nice things about my dog!

After the show on Sunday I broke camp (thanking God the sun and breeze had dried things off to pack). Steve kindly came and helped whilst Gerry snoozed in the car (or maybe she was just having a good laugh at our endevours), and the job was done quickly. When we were done we all headed back to Jan's for a week of more camping and camaraderie. I stopped at a Tesco along the way to buy pillows, I forgot to bring any and had been using my jeans, but it was closed, apparently in England that's the law, no trading on Sunday!

We got to Jan's a couple hours later and there were 2 guys (John and Russell) already there with their dogs. They opened the gate for me and a little while later came over and helped me set up camp! Wow, did that go quickly with 6 hands doing the work! I then fired up my new bbq (gas and portable) and put on some hot wings and cracked open a bottle of red and 1/2 hour later we were having dinner and a drop of wine. Tiva was running loose and enjoying the freedom, though I think she wasn't quite sure what to do with all that space!

Monday was spent just chatting with everyone and helping Jan get food cooked for the next two days. Ann and I took a ride and I managed to get to the Tesco and buy some pillows and slept well the rest of the week. We also went into Boston for a couple camping things and on the way out of town I spotted a chiro office and stopped in to see if I could get adjusted (my t/s and c/s were desperate and my left had was unbearable). Fortunately the doc was on his lunch hour and gave me a good adjustment and I returned the favor. What a relief. My left hand has been pretty good since, tho not 100%, need one more go I think. On the way back to Jan's we stopped and saw Lisa's puppies and saw my new boy! More about him later.

Tuesday we got up to rain and thought it might thwart our plans to go up to Skegness and let the dogs run and play on the beach. But Jan made an executive decision and we left in 4 cars with 15 dogs at 11. We stopped and picked up Jan's mom along the way and were on the beach by noon. We gave the dogs a good run and made tea and had lunch and chased away awful little black bugs and wasps and, eventually, headed home about 5. The rain stayed off and we had a lovely time. When we got back to Jan's we had a wonderful cookout on her bbq and a few more people showed up to camp and practice agility the next day.

Wednesday I had to run to Tesco's and stopped for a puppy fix at Lisa's. When I got back at 11.30 the woman doing agility had been there since 11 and Tiva and I joined in. She really took to it and was doing the jumps and the dog walk and the tunnel like an old pro...well, maybe like a young pro. Anyway, she enjoyed it.

After an hour of that we rested and helped cook. There was sooo much food! Potato salad, pasta salads, green salads, sausages, burgers, fresh trout and mackeral, and among other things, my carrot cake for dessert...a veritable feast! It was a long day and everyone was pleasantly exhausted. We got the food put away and then just sat under the canopy and chatted til the wee hours. It had got back and forth between sunny and sunshiny rain all day so we were all damp and ready for our beds.

Thursday we slept in and a bunch of folks left and Tiva and I drove into Kings Lynn in the afternoon. On the way we stopped at Iris World and I got jan a few bulbs as a hostess gift and ordered a few for myself. Also on the way, I saw signs for Sandringham, so instead of stopping in the town we went on to Sandringham. It was 4 o'clock by the time we got there, and the house was closed, but we got to have a nice stroll round the grounds and throw the ball, getting some energy out and we also went on the sculpture trail, really neat. Then it was back to Jans for a bite of dinner (leftovers, yum) and a rather early night. Jan offered me the caravan for the night, a real bed: bliss!

Friday was a lazy day and I broke camp and got the truck loaded up and headed over to Lisa's for a girlie evening. A friend, Heather, came up and the three of us went out for dinner and then on to a pub and karoked! What a blast, we had such fun. Lisa was driving and so, not drinking, and we headed back to her house for a chat and so she could have a drink. I was staying in the caravan at her house that night and so we all went in there and sat with a bottle of wine. But we were such a bunch of weak sticks we only managed to get through a 1/2 glass each before we were nodding off and were in bed by 12. The next day we went to the outlet mall and spent a bit of money and then I went back to Jans to say good-bye and sign the contract for the puppy. Jan fed me a lovely pepper steak dinner and sent me on my way!

The drive home was really easy. The puppy was quiet in the carrier the entire way, except for the 2 or 3 times he cried and I stopped and he "did his business" and we set off again. When I brought Tiva home it was through rainstorms and she was repeatedly sick and poopy and it was a looong trip. This little guy was a doddle. He was really quiet the first few days here but has perked up and come out of his shell and is quite cheeky! He cries when he wants to pee/go out and has often used the puppy pad for it's intended purposes. Tive still has her nose a little out of joint but is quickly coming around. I think things will be a lot easier, and funner, once the pup has had his shots and can go out with us for romps on the beach and walks in the woods.

Eggie Park XC

2009-07-11T03:12:00.000-07:00

I have been very excited for the last fortnight to be going to ride Remy in my first XC of the year. However, we were practicing on Tuesday and towards the end I was going over a wide ditch, trying to anyway. He had just done the little ones without any bother. But he didn't like the lay of the land on this one and stopped and ducked out to the left as I went over his shoulder to the right! I landed on my back and was (mostly) very thankful for my body protector. I did, however, land with the bottom of the protector right across my butt and it felt like a huge rock. It took two days, but a big black bruise has come through. It was quite painful in the SI joint and I could hardly walk for 2 days! I got to my own DC on thursday though, and it has been on the up ever since.But I won't be fit for riding on sunday, so Jenny is going to take him in the open class.

High Armsheugh Farm will be well represented at the XC. Conta is down to take her horse, Sean is going on Baillie, Colin is taking Odin, Leslie is riding in her first XC on Tiny, and Shelby is going on Princess ~ oops, I mean Onyx. With that kind of numbers, we should be bringing home a rosette or two!

Our London Weekend

2009-07-11T03:02:00.001-07:00

Well, last weekend was our mini trip to London...what an adventure it turned out to be! Our flight was at 6.45 out of glasgow and, fearing the traffic would be bad, we left here at 3. we took Tiva up to the kennel and headed up to the airport. We got parked and into the airport and straight up to the bag drop and, lo and behold, no flight. Hmmm...how could that be you may ask? Well, it seems that 6.45 meant 6.45 A.M., not P.M. So there we were, 5 P.M. and no flight.

I checked around other airlines and the best price I could get was £277...EACH! So I says to Mom...unass that chair, we are driving to London! And we did. Got gassed up and road munchies and off we went. We made very good time and arrived at our hotel at 12.15 (thank goodness for SatNav).

The seminar was fabulous and I learned so much! Met some old friends and made a few new ones and learned stuff to use in the office on Monday morning. Mom went to the History Museum on Saturday and to the V & A on Sunday and then we checked out and headed home. We go back into the house about 10.30 and, hale and hearty except for a serious case of carbutt.

Blair Gymkana 09

2009-06-29T03:28:00.000-07:00

Gentle readers,

It is painfully obvious that I cannot keep this blog updated on a weekly, let alone daily, basis. So, I am just going to do it when there is actually something to tell! And on that note, here is what we did this past weekend...

On Saturday there was a gymkana in Dalry. My godson, Sean, took his 2 ponies and did a round of showjumps on them both. He then took one of the ponies and did his first cross country (xc).
He came off at the first obstacle...and the 16th...but that boy has grit and got back on every time. He came over the last with a big smile on his face and told us all he would "def-in-et-ly" do it again!

My friend, Jenny, rode my horse in the open class. They had one of the knockdown pole off, but otherwise went clear in good timea and finished 6th. last year he was 3rd. I was so proud of him/them and got some stunning photos with my new camera.

Colin also had his horse, Odin, out for his first xc. They got round with grim determination. On Odin's part, well, he was determined NOT to go...

However, Colin is also imbued with grim determination (albeit with a grand sense of humor), and he won the day, kicking on and, eventually, going over the last with style!

On Sunday Mom and I went up to go thru The Safari Park at Stiriling, but they would not let the dog go thru, even if she stayed in the car! So we went to Dobbie's instead. A good decision because I got to pick up a few camping things for my camping trip in August. I like my comforts, even if I am camping! The only thing left now is a good coolbox. They have them now that are battery/electrically cooled, so you dont have to fool with ice taking up 1/2 the room, instead of food. But I am camping at a friends farm and town isnt so far away, so I am not going to concern myself with that so much right now.

This friday Mom and I are taking off for a Friday-Sunday mini trip to London. I will be doing a seminar on Sat and Sun and Mom will do a museum or two. The seminar venue is right next door to the Natural Hx Museum, she'll love that and can spend the entire day looking at every shard and chip of bone or glass or whatever! As exciting to me as watching grass grow.

A week in la bella Italia...

2009-05-25T23:38:00.000-07:00

I am going to quit apologizing for not updating more often and get straight into last week! I dropped Tiva off at the kennels on Friday night and headed back home to pack for my week in Algehro, Sardegna. I didn't do it beforehand because I didn't want to distress the dog (nah, she's not spoiled!)

My baggage allowance was only 15 kilos, so the decisions were not easy. I had 4 days of holiday and 3 days of seminar and no clue what the weather was like! I got up at 3.30 a.m. and the taxi picked me up at 4.30 and off we went to Prestwick for the flight to Stanstead. Straight to the Holiday Inn Express once I arrived there at 8 a.m. and I was so sleepy! They charged me £20 for an early check-in and I went up and back to sleep. Just hung out reading once I woke up and was back to bed early for a 3 3 a.m. check in for my Italy flight.

Arrived in Algehro at about 10 a.m. and it was already 30 C.!!! I did manage to buy a camera (Canon 40D)at the airport, so spent a couple hours winding down and playing with that a bit before putting the battery on to charge and going back to sleep!

The next few days were spent wandering around town and lying on the beach and (duh) shopping. Nice and relaxing and finished 3 books! Wednesday night there was a welcoming party for the conference. I wore a pair of pink pedal pushers and a nice top and my pretty pink and yellow heels that just have the band across the toe.

I met a couple of nice young men from the states who are ready to graduate and want to practice in Italy and one of the speakers, Jane Cook, and we chatted and decided to go for our dinner together. I made it through the entire evening without mishap (yeah ankles) and was on my way out and there was a stupid, TINY, little step in the doorstep (only about 4 inches) and I didnt see it. Stepped on it with my right foot and my heel caught on the door and stopped as my left foot swung through. As I fell forward my right foot slipped backwards out of my shoe and my left pointy little heel landed on the side of my right big toe and I gouged a great chunk of my toe out and it started bleeding like a head lac! What an idiot I felt, treading on my own foot and blood everywhere! But hey...I didn't turn my ankle! In fact, I'll put you all out of misery right now and tell you...I didn't turn my ankle the entire weekend!!!

Anyway, the conference was great the rest of the week. I did a lot of neurology stuff with Dr. John D'onofrio and other neuro speakers. I did pediatrics and philosophy and even a session of quantum physics; now that was neat! Made new friends and hung out with some old ones and learned a lot.

On the way home I was 6 K overweight and they charged me for only 4, at £15/K. It really is highway robbery. It was all camera weight, oh, and 2 pair of shoes! so that was a bit of a blow to the pocket book, £60 x 2 flights...yikes. But still, I saved more than that on the camera...

That will do for now, tune in later for what happened on Monday!

And so...

2009-04-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

Basically, the concert, well...it didnt exactly suck, but what is one step above that? Suffice it to say that we left early and went back to our hotel.

The next day was Saturday. Tiva and I were up early and went for a long walk. et Sean for breakfast and then we hit the road. It took us all day to get home! We stopped and took pictures, stopped at scenic overlooks, stopped at ceramic works, we stopped at art shows, we stopped...well, everywhere that looked interesting. One place we stopped was Culledon Battlefield. Unfortunately, they weren't doing tours of the battlefield (pesky Easter holidays). So, I bought a soft Hee'lan Coo for Lisa's new baby and away we went again!

It took us hours to get home, but eventually, we did. We were all knackered and went straight to our beds.

Sunday morning we slept in and had an easy day. I went up and rode Remy in the afternoon and then stayed on to watch Wee sean while Jane attended a wedding reception. She was home early and we had a glass of wine and then we all went to our beds.

Monday morning we all got up early. Jane to feed the horses and me to get Sean ready for his horseshow. He was taking his new pony, Bailey, to jump at the Easter show at Rowallan. He was a bit nervous (as was the pony) but in the end, did really well.

And that, my friends, in three parts, was our Easter Weekend!

2009-04-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

So to pick up where I left off...we saw the wonderful seals. We drove the rest of the way up to Dunnet head and walked around a bit. There is a lighthouse up there, out on the windy, rocky cliff. We came back down and decided to head up to John O'Groats. So, on the road there we saw signs for Castle of Mey. That was the place the Queen Mother bought after her husband died. All the guide books told us it would be closed until the 1st of May, but, low and behold, they decided to open for Easter weekend!

So we went in and bought tickets for a tour and had a scone in the cafe while we waited. The tour through was really nice and the whole place is interesting. She decorated it herself, collected seashells, and played Cludo with the family! Very down to Earth. By the time we finished there it had started to rain and we decided to forego JOG and head back to Watton.

We had our dinner and headed back out to go to the Northern Nashville Caithness County Country Music Festival! What a mouthful. The venue was an indoor riding school. They had put down a floor and put in tables and chairs and there was a bar and some vendor booths where you could buy a sparkly cowboy hat (ich)

EASTER WEEKEND

2009-04-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

Easter weekend has been lovely! Sean and I went up and house sat at Janes on Wednesday night. We were up and on the road by 10 a.m. ~ on our way NORTH. we headed up the coast, over the Erskine Bridge, and up the west side of Loch Lomond. We stopped for lunch at The Drovers Inn and headed on up towards Ft. William.

On the way we stopped and took pictures, walked the dog a bit, and even picked up a hitchhiker! He was a French lad and we dropped him at the train station at Ft. Williams. It took us forever and we fially got to our B & B in Watton at about 7. The road up was a plethora of fantastic views, wild, windswept, spectacular veiws.

Watton is a very small town about 7 miles from Thurso. The folks with the B & B had only had it about 7 months and there were a few glitches, but the hospitality was 2nd to none and my steak was cooked correctly (rare) the first time! On the other hand, on the loo in the middle of the night I went to do a piddle and when I lifted me bum to do the paper work...the seat slid off to the side and crashed into the wall!

On Friday we were up and had our breakfast about 9.30. We had gone up north for a country music festival, which didn't start until 7 that evening, so we had the day to kill. We decided to head up to John O'Groats. However, we then found out Druness Head is actually the furthest north on the mainland ~ not JOG!

And so, we headed there. Once again, the drive was stunning, much like going up Pikes Peak, though not 1/2 as high! There was an old flagstone quarry near there and we did the walking tour around that as well. Very intrersting. Sean took lots of pics, but they aren't developed yet.

We did have a very special moment. At one point we came around a bend on a country road and a most spectacular view of the North Sea opened up in front of us. I stopped and Sean got out to take pics and I drove on up a bit and off of the bad bend. The view from where I was was super and I got out to look. As I look back there was a little sheltered cove with big boulders on the beach and fairly gentle waves washing up against them. Then...one of the boulders moved! It was a seal! As it turned out, not just A seal, but about 25 of them... Incredible!!! Sean came back and we walked down on the rocky shore, not too close though. It was really (sorry, but no other word will do) awesome. We stood and watched them for about 15 minutes. A few of them got up and went for a swim, some just moved around...but the whole thing was a really big WOW. Eventually....we left and drove on, just stunned and humbled by what we had seen.

I think that is about enough for today...more soon...

2009-04-07T03:07:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Well, it hasn't been quite as long between posts this time, but I don't have much news either! We have had a few nice, spring-like days, but it is back to cold and windy today. Grey and gloomy. Scotland!

I have been enjoying myself on Facebook recently. Have reconnected with folks I knew years ago and even with relatives. One of my cousins is doing a semester abroad and sending us posts from far-flung corners of the world. Her latest stop is The Great Wall of China! She is on her way to Bejing where she is going to meet her mother...wow.

I have been doing a bit of riding and had a good jumping lesson the last couple of weeks. Tiva is wonderful as ever. Work is ticking over nicely.

Sean did not pass his chiropractic exam the first time, but is ready to study and take it again. The problem is that the powers that be don't even know when the next test will be administered! The school that administers it, the contract is up. And the GCC hasn't even bothered to tender it out yet. Who ever thought that was a good way to run a business?

Catch-up Time

2009-03-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Well,

Another month has come and gone and I am waaaay behind on my posts, sorry folks. It may help to know, though, that not much is going on!

Sean has been studying long and hard and will be taking the train to Wales on Thursday morning, touring the testing facilities on Friday, and taking his Test of Competancy on Saturday. He'll head back up on Sunday and will get a call on Monday to tell him he has passed...that is the plan. Then he gets registered with the GCC and THEN I can apply for a work permit for him, whew.

A couple weeks ago we loaded up the Kia on Sauturday night and dropped Tiva off next door and headed down to Birmingham, to Crufts. We arrived without any bother at about 2 a.m. and grabbed a kip in the back of the car. I was woken about 6 a.m. by howling BSD's, their timbre is unmistakable! We went into the NEC and availed ourselves of the facilities and met Lisa and Chris a bit later.

Chris had a dog with him for Discover Dogs/Mali's and Lisa had Chase there to show. So we settled in at ringside to watch. The Bonvivant contingent did really well, with Chase getting his 3rd ticket and becoming a CHAMP-EEN!!!

We did some shopping and went through Discover Dogs and later we went to the Best in Show in the main arena. We watched the finals of the agility (a Pap was 2nd in the toy dog section!) and the Group judging for Working and Pastoral group. No BSD's got into the final 10 so we decided to go ahead a leave. It was already 8 p.m. and we had a 5 hour dirve, so we headed out. I drove the 1st hour but then my eyes started to cross, so Sean took over and drove the rest of the way. We got home and crashed straight into our beds, exhausted.

Up on Monday morning and over to Tommy and Anita's to collect Tiva and take her to the beach...she was very happy to see me ~ my little Momma's girl. And that was the end of our big Crufts adventure.

Easter is coming up and I am taking Friday and Monday off, so (yippee) a wee break. don't know yet what we are going to get up to. It will probably still be too damn cold to camp, so that is out. Maybe just a few day trips, I would like to see the Falkirk Wheel and I am sure Sean would as well.

So, I am back from riding Remy, he was super today, and so was I!!! I can tell I'm good because he goes well and doesn't stumble or throw his head about. Cant wait for my lesson on Thursday, maybe we'll start some jumping?

That's about it for now, going to finish dinner and watch CSI Minus Grissom...the jury is still out on it...

More later...

2009-02-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

It's a Beautiful Day!

2009-02-10T02:29:00.000-08:00

The sun is shining but it's still cold enough that the snow isn't melting. Tiva is still having fun in the snow in the garden but was so funny this morning. Last night she left her ball-on-a-rope out in the snow. When she went out this morning to get it she started to pick it up but it must have been too cold and she barely got it off the ground before putting it back down! So she walked around it a coule times and sort of pecked at it...and walked away. But (I know ~ she's weird) she always has a ball or some sort of toy in her mouth when she pees. So she walked around sniffing a bit and came back to the ball, picked it up by the throwing strap, walked three steps away and, much to her relief, tinkled! I heard the sigh from the back door!

It's Snowing...

2009-02-09T01:40:00.000-08:00

...not right this minute, but we have about three inches laying in the garden. It's the worst weather we've had in 30 years and 'they' are having to have road salt shipped in from Spain! I took a few pictures in the garden last night and this morning... and Tiva playing in the snow...

In other news, I have resigned myself to Tiva missing Crufts but Sean and I are going to drive down on the Sunday morning at the skrake of dawn (3 a.m. in fact...what is before the skrake of dawn...just the middle of the night I think!) and help Jan with the dogs and see the show. My new beau says he would like to meet us there (he's in London)but it's early days yet. More on him as things develop.

I have my trip to Italy in May all booked! Yeah! I will fly to London on Saturday, spend the night and fly out to Alghero early Sunday. I will have a few days to relax and hit the beach before the seminar starts on Thursday. I am so looking forward to it...ahhh. New beau also wants to go to Italy with me ~ fingers crossed!

Sean is studying to take his test at the end of March. We are both going down and making a mini weekend of it. Wales is a lovely part of the world and I will enjoy seeing it again.

I'll close this up for now and get on with other things.

Bye for now.

2009-01-27T04:40:00.000-08:00

Oh Dearie Me,

I have just gone online to enter Tiva into Crufts. I could swear that the last day to enter online was 30 January. Having just gone to the site, I can tell you, closing date was the 12th. I am so bummed. Having swithered and dithered until now, I had made up my mind and was quite looking forward to it. All for nought. I have just been on the phone with them and they will not take a late entry. Honestly, I feel quite deflated and down. Bummed. Weepy. Waaaahhhhh.....

2009-01-25T08:08:00.000-08:00

Well I'm back. With the first news (if not the first post) of the new year.

Not much to report for New Year's Eve or the day itself. But on the 2nd we went to a lovely lunch at Kim and Tom's house. We ended up there for about six hours, we had such a lovely time and the lunch was nice and light and very tasty.

I got back to work on the Monday and it hasnt' been too slow at all. The 'Christmas Crunch' is always a concern, but this year we have the credit crunch as well to consider. But, so far, so good.

Last Sunday Sean and I (and Tiva in the back of the Kia) joined Nancy and Jim for a jazz concert in Irvine, at the Harbour Arts Center. It was a nice venue and the band was really good. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

We came home that evening had our tea and headed to bed aobut 11. I was taking the living room trash can out to the bin and when I stepped down the back step my foot landed on a blown brick and I went ass over teakettle onto my back-side. I had to 'whisper/shout' for Sean to come help me. Tiva was trying to help, but sitting on me and putting her head on my shoulder and looking worried...well, it really wasnt that much help!

Sean came out and helped me up, got me to the sofa and brought me an ice pack. I could hobble on Monday (was quite ok with not being busy in the office) and doing much better Tuesday. On Thursday the pretty colors started coming out and it's quite green today. But I can walk. It's a long way from my heart.

Over the holidays we also saw a couple good movies. THE CHANGELING was good, but I found myself struggling to not shout at the screen! Angelina was super. Then we went to SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE ~~WOW. So different to anything I've ever seen before. Definately worth the effort to go see. There are still a couple more we want to see ~~ Revolution (ary?) Road, 7 Pounds, and Benjamin Button. That should keep us busy for a while!

Last night we went to a friends wedding reception. Wendy and Stuart had eloped to Miami to get married a couple weeks before Christmas and had the reception last night. It was really nice. They were in their wedding clothes and looked fantastic. I must say this though: I really enjoy a little sausage roll and I love cocktail weenies...but what is it with the Brits that they don't serve them hot? I met another woman there that was really nice, as well as her husband, and they invited Sean and I to her birthday party next week ~ her 30th. So, looks like we'll be busy next weekend as well!

As for the horse, there's no news because he went lame on Thursday (was ok the next day), then the dog was lame on Friday, and Sunday I fell out the door! They say bad things happen in threes, so I hope that's my 3 done!

As usual, I'll leave you with a promise of trying to update more frequently...I do try.

2009-01-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

Well, gentle reader,

It has been nearly a month since my last post, ever so sorry. There are a number of reasons for that, the most obvious being the Christmas season. And then there was me being down with 'the dreaded lurgy' since early December. And, frankly, just plain laziness! So I will backtrack here and try to catch you up.

Sean and I put the tree up, along with the rest of the decorations, on the 15th and the place looked very festive.

Tiva 'became a woman' this week. In season for the first time and seems very bewildered by the entire event. She's entirely off her food (never good for Miss Skinny Minnie) and doesn't want to play. Maybe she has cramps? At any rate, I have to be careful now about the boys and letting her off her lead!

My last day of work was the 19th (Friday) and Saturday Sean and I cooked and cleaned all day in preparation for the Christmas party. It was a smaller affair this year with mostly 'horsey friends' in attendance. But the food turned out nice and no one got falling down drunk...result! The next day we slept in and then started cleaning all over again.

The next couple days we did the last of any Christmas shopping and one of the days we had a 4 hour (lost) walk down at Auchencruive. We were all knackered, including for a wee change, the dog!

We also had a day up at Loch Lomond. We went up to Drymen and had lunch at the Clachan then went up to Balmaha and parked and walked there for an hour or two while the dog played. She was very well behaved and tired herself out.

Christmas day was lovely. We got up and opened our gifts and then showered and went up to Janes. I had intended to 'do' Remy myself, but Jenny (or someone else) had beaten me to it...thanks bunches. Anyway, we went into the house and had mulled wine and sausage rolls and Jane and Beanie and Sean and I all opened our presents from one another. (Beanie liked his first series of BeastQuest books and Jane liked her new kettle). We came home about 3 and napped! We went back up there at about 6 and the four of us had dinner and then watched Mama Mia. We came home about 11 and flaked out.

On Boxing Day...I dont remember what we did! Gladys came down for dinner though and we had a nice evening. Sean headed for bed (to read, no doubt) and a few minutes later I heard him shout not to open the front door if someone chapped it. So, naturally, I went through to find out what was up. It seems that when he went through to the back and turned the light on, a face popped up in the doorway and a man chapped the door. When Sean answered, the man asked him to call the police and said a gang of boys was chasing him. Sean closed the door and went to get the phone and when he came back the guy was gone.

Sean reported the event to the police anyway, via 999, and they sent officers out to take the full story. Funny that. He waited 20 minutes for them to show up and as he headed back to bed, he saw them outside, in the back garden! So he told them all about it. They were of the opinion that the guy had been casing the joint. After heading for bed at 9 pm, Sean finally got to bed at 10.30!

Saturday night we had our 'works night out' up at Chu Chu's, in West Kilbride. Me and Sean, Sheen and Tommy, Julie and Robert, and Nancy and Jim. We had a great meal and a super time.

Sunday morning we had a bit of a lie in and packed our overnight cases for two days and loaded up the car and headed south. I wanted to visit Jan and Zim and Lisa and Chris and all the dogs, and to spend a bit of time exploring Lincolnshire. Jan was down with the flue and totally unable to face having company. But Chris and Lisa graciously not only offered us a place to stay but included us in their daughters birthday celebrations.

And what a nice family they have. The daughters are both lovely girls, the (almost) son-in-law is a nice chap, and the grandkids are real cuties!

The first night we had a great pub meal, not bog standard by any means. The next day Sean and I took a drive up to Lincoln and wandered around town and Sean toured the castle (they wouldn't let me in with Tiva). We also got a great painting for Shannon and Bob...well, for the nursery! That night we took Chris and Lisa out and they chose Indian. Yummy. Chris had a vindaloo and I tasted a WEE TINY drop...HOT!

The next day Sean and Tiva and I went to Stamford, via Spaulding. The touristy places were closed but the towns themselves are really lovely. We had (very average) pub lunch and on the way out of town found a great little deli. We put together a thank you package for Chris and Lisa and bought some stuff for ourselves and headed back to theirs. Chris fixed dinner that night with the hugest baked potatos I have ever seen in my life!

The next morning Chris fixed us all a lovely breakfast. Then they loaded up some dogs in their van and we followed them up the road to Skegness. I have heard of the place before, but had no idea what it was, other than a holiday spot. Turns out that it is 40 miles of beach and we were just about the only ones on it! The dogs ran and played and had a ball for about an hour. By then the people were frozen and ready for the off! So we loaded up the dogs and headed out. We stopped and had a pub lunch together and then they headed home and we headed up north.

Sean did the last half of the drive and we got home about 9.30. Knackered! I told Sean that if he wanted to go out, that he should, I would not be upset...after he showered and revived a bit he decided he would go out...it was New Years Eve, after all. I had seen a sign out front at his local that they were having a Hogmanay party, so he went there at 11...and was back in 7 1/2 minutes! It was all closed up. He found out later they closed the shutters at 11 for a lock in, bummer. Anyway, we opened a bottle of wine, rang in the bells and hit our beds by 1. Ahhh...

Enough for now, night night...Bridgit

2008-12-07T03:30:00.000-08:00

I met up with a friend from high school yesterday...in Edinburgh! Susan and her family have come for a visit with her husbands side of the family and decided to have a couple days in Scotland (with very little arm twisting on my part). I had planned taking them 'oot an aboot' the countryside and over the Trossachs to Loch Lomondd. But, they had only a couple hours in Eburgh the first day and decided they wanted to stay and see more of the city and not go galivanting in the car in the countryside, fine with me. So we walked over to Holyrood House and did the tour, really nice. I have never been able to do it before as I have always had the dog with me. then, we went back up the Royal Mile and toured the Mary King's Close, the most haunted spot in E'burgh. Anohter good sight, not overly scary, but the historical stuff was quite interesting. A good time was had by all and it was super catching up with an old friend!

The weather has been so cold, ice all over up at the yard, but at least it's been fairly dry. Arran is covered up on the mountains and Goat Fell is all white. Most of the year the sun sets behind Arran and we goet some gorgeous sunsets. Last Sunday I was up at 7 a.m. (don't ask)and the sun was rising behid Arran! I took this photo, we'll call it: WINTER SUNRISE. There was a pink halo...lovely...

I have been riding a bit, but the cold puts me right off! Remy has been really good when I have been up.

We are going to get the house tidied up and put up some Christmas decorations later today. The tree won't go up until a bit later though, it's get boring if it's up too soon. We did a bit of shopping yesterday, no pressies though, just cards, the older we get, the harder it gets to buy for everyone...ugh.

Enough for now, more later.

Show Result

2008-11-23T02:51:00.000-08:00

Well, we (Sean, Tiva, and I) went along to the Land 'O Burns dog show yesterday. To cut a long story short, we were unsuccessful. Tiva behaved impecably, her only demerit being that when the judge ran her hands over her, she turned her head. We were beaten by a stunning Border Collie puppy and an Austrailian Shepherd Dog. I am sure it was her 'washboard abs', but am at my wits end trying to get weight on her!

Had a long chat with my sister last night...haven't spoken with her in ages. She and Bob are well, as is Mom (spoke with her, too). Mom is going to the Sr. Center a couple days a week and doing Tai Chi, etc, enjoying herself anyway. At the top of all our Christmas Lists (and Letters to Santa) is that Shannon be pregnant for Christmas! Remember her in your prayers everyone!

The weather has been really cold here lately, and it has snowed inland, up at the yard, but nothing here on the coast. Susan, a friend from high school, will be here with her family on Thursday, so we are hoping for good weather to do some sightseeing in!

More updates as they occur! Bridgit

Jumping my horse

2008-11-21T05:53:00.000-08:00

I recently wrote about taking Remy to Rowallan for clear rounds, and how, while it wasn't a totally disaster, it was also NOT a resounding success! Well, on Tuesday this week I went up to ride and Jane came out to give me a jump. Remy warmed up nicely and then we jumped...a meter!!! That's the highest I have ever jumped on him and it was fab-u-lous! Jane, as usual, is right. If I let him carry on, instead of trying to get him right, he jumps like a frog!

Yesterday Tiva went to the 'beauty parlor' and got all clean and fluffy. She came home looking twice her size and smelling like a new car! We sill be showing tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Also yesterday, Sean and I cooked and had the neighbors over. Dinner turned out really well, appetizer of vol-au-vents with philly and either shrimp or salmon, Stilton and Broccoli soup to start, then dinner of mallard duck, potatoes dauphinoise, green beans, stuffing, and home made cranberry sauce as well! For desert? Baileys Cheesecake! Then coffee and cards.

We taught them how to play Euchre and played girls vs guys. It was one game apiece and 11 o'clock, so, hometime. The said they enjoyed it, so we'll have them over soon for the rubber match!

More after the show tomorrow...

Bridgit

It's been too long...

2008-11-18T03:56:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, once again, I am running way behind with updating my blog. So, where to start?

Since it's a 'dog blog', I shall begin with Tiva. My brother is here for a visit and on 1st November he went along with me to the working and Pastoral Breeds show in Edinburgh, at Ingliston. Tiva was in JPB. She was so well behaved. It was a benched show, but my crate wouldn't fit in the alloted space and there is no way she would sit there quietly, so we set up in the grooming area and settled in for the day.

Mostly we watched some classes and read our books, we also took the occasioal walk with the dog. And then ~ it was our turn.

There were only 3 in our class, both of whom we had met in the ring previously. Tiva was active and alert in the class and really moved well. She also stood well and let the judge go over her without a fuss. When he put us 2nd I was thrilled and pleased and excited! The dog we beat was one that has consistantly beaten us, so it was nice to have someone prefer my dog! I am looking forward to seeing her crituque in Dog World.

We have another show coming up on the 22nd. It's a local show, so we'll go for the whole day and I have entered 3 classes: AV Pastoral NSC/Post Grad, AV/Owned and Handled by a Lady, and AV dog never having won a a 1st at this show. She is going on the Thursday before to be groomed and fluffed. Fingers crossed everyone!

In other news, I was in Finland at the end of October! I went to attend a seminar in Helsinki. I had no notion of what to expect (except perhaps reindeer, but didn't figure I'd see them in the town center!)and was pleasantly surprised. A local took us to fabulous places for dinner at night and the city is immpressively clean. The first night I had a cold-smoked reindeer coldcut kind of appatizer, really good! For desert I had lingonberry soup! It was topped with cinnamon cream and the whold meal was wonderful. Night two I had the daily special...elk sausage, also fabulous. Night 3 was lamb meatballs and our last night was at a Russian restaurant called Troika. Fantastic!

As for the horse, Remy was off work with an abscess in his jaw a week ago, don't know how that happened! The vet said it wasn't his teeth, but the dentist is coming tomorrow, we'll see what he finds, his teeth need done anyway. Once he recovered (quickly and well) I had a jumping lesson and then, last Thursday, Jane took me to Rowallan for clear rounds. How did we do, you may ask? Well, we got round the very small course (70 cm) without knocking anything down, but not much style! I was taking too many pull and not letting him go for it. Once I relaxed a bit, and did let him alone, we actually did put in a couple nice jumps. Definately need to practice, practice, practice!

It is going to continue to be busy right up to the new year. Sean and I are off to shop right now. We are having an early Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday, our lovely neighbors are going to join us. Also Thursday is Tivas' appointment at the beauty shop. Next week an old friend from high school(and her family)is coming to the UK for a visit and I am picking them up in E'burgh on Thursday for a day out in the countryside(maybe up to Perthshire or Aviemore...hmmm...) Fingers crossed for good weather! And through all this, I still have to Christmas shop and ride my horse and, oh yeah, WORK!!!

So, I better hit the road, more as events unfold!

NBSDC Show in Durham

2008-10-16T02:42:00.000-07:00

What a weekend it was! Saturday was busy getting ready for the show, cleaning enough stuff out of the car that all the necessary items for the show would fit into the car...

As Jan always has always provided lovely food in the past, I wanted to take some nice goodies for 'all the usual suspects'. To that end, one of my Saturday errands was to shop and cook! First, I went to Derby House and bought a lovely wicker picnic basket. I have always wanted one but could never justify the expense...but now, I NEEDED ONE! It's lovely...four china plates and real cutlery as well as wine glasses, napkins, and ~ get this ~ little salt and pepper shakers! How's that for tricked out? I even got a camp chair that matches the whole she-bang...and all on sale...yippee!

Anyway, I got that and then went on to the grocery store. I had decided I would make a lovely chicken salad for sandwiches, so I got a roasted chicken off the deli counter, some nice bakery rolls for it to go on, and a selection of Italian coldcuts and cheese as well. Baby potatos for potato salad. Topped it all off with some sundried tomatos, artichoke hearts, and peppers in oil, as well as some nice apple juice to wash it all down. Oh, and some Oreo Cookies!!!

Then it was off to the yard to ride Remy. While I pottered about the yard, I left Tiva in the car. She had been to the groomers on Thursday for a fluff and buff and was still clean and sweet smelling.

When I was done in the yard we went home and unloaded the car. I put the food stuff away, keeping out the chicken to make the salad with. Well, I reached into the bag and...only 1/2 a chicken! Tiva had eaten it from the ass end down to the breast without finding it necessary to take it out of the bag! She is sooo sneaky!

Suffice it to say, there was no chicken salad for sarnies on Sunday. The rest went down well and it all got eaten except the tomatios, artichokes, and peppers. But, the potato salad and Oreos disappeared as did the cheeses and coldcuts. It was an American style picnic...a tailgate party!

After our tailgate party we all headed to our respective homes. After being up at 4.30 am and being on the road by 5, it was already a long day by the time I headed back up the road. Got home about 10, unloaded the essentials and was staight off to bed. Did not even bother to set the alarm clock!

As for the show: Tiva was very well behaved, she didn't like going into her crate, but once in she laid there quietly and watched the goings on. When it was show time though ~ she did. We were 3rd in Jr PB and there was a stake class at the end of the show which she was also 3rd in! Speaking with the judge later, she said Tiva had a lovely face and she really liked her BUT she needed more leg. Well, it's not like I haven't heard that before. She did feel that she is up to breed standard height now. So, I have forbidden Tiva to grow much broader if she is not going to get taller as well. The least she can do is to stay in porportion!

A Quick Catch-Up

2008-10-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

It has been so long since I have written and much has happenend...but I'll not go into details. Basically, it goes like this:

I was in the states from 17 August to 3 September. The first week I spent in Chicago with Shannon, Bob, and Mom. I was fine the first three days and then I was sooo sick. But, by the Tuesday I was on my feet again and up to Wii-ing. What fun it is! I may still be the record holder for distance on the ski jump. We also golfed and then, as it was Friday and fish-fry night, we had the fish fry at the club~yummy.

During the week we (me, Mom, and Shannon) also took a couple other wee road trips. One day we drove down to Davenport, where we lived for about 3 years while doing our undergrad studies. (Actually, we were going to go to Palmer College of Chiropractic, but changed out minds and went down to Logan in St. Louis.) We visited some old haunts, had a bite of lunch and I bought a painting, a Bev Doolittle. Google her stuff, she's great and I have coveted her work for years. And now, finally, I have one!

We also went up to Wisconsin for a day. Cant remember the name of the town, but it is quite touristy and right on a lake, really charming. They had some supurb art galleries, but the prices started at £3,500 and the canvases were HUGE! Maybe someday...sigh.

The big event on holiday was that my borther, Sean, graduated on the 23rd. So he is now a chiropractor as well and it is our hope that he will be coming over to practice with me. Anyway, we got there late in the evening and checked into our hotel (me and Mom). The next morning there was an awards breakfast, which we all attended. Then the rehersal for the graduation. Then Mom and I went back for a nap. And my Uncle John had called and it turned out that he and Aunt Carol had come out to St. Louis to surprise us all! They were even staying at our hotel.

That evening we all went to a Mexican restaurant for a nice dinner and other family joined us. Then there was the graduation the next morning...yeah! There was a lovely reception after and Sean had a really good turnout of friends to wish him well.

At three o'clock we (about 40 of us) descended on Hot Shots, where they reserved a large part of the bar, the part with lots of dart boards, for us and we partied the afternoon away. Sean got some lovely pressies and I am sure, with all the folks that came from near and far, he felt very loved and supported. We were away by about 11 and a great time had been had by all!

In the morning it was all go party again as Sean and Julie had invited us over for breakfast. So, once again, there were about 12 of us and what a great breakfast we had. John and Carol were talking about going to Busch Farm, so we decided we would all go! So, into three cars we piled and were off on anohter adventure. We took the tam ride round the park and ended up in a petting zoo for goats! It was hysterical to see Bob try to give them bottles and feed them!

After all that we went to (duh) the bar area and had a beer. It was great...we got to the counter to order and noticed a sign that said "beer sammples limited to two per customer, please". And, guess what, they were pint sized samples...whoo-hoo!

Through all of this holiday, the weather was never cooler than about 90. So, while we did have a lovely time, it was sooo hot, the beer was VERY welcome! I did, however, end up with the first tan I have had in years, without even burning, or even peeling weeks later...again, I say whoo-hoo!

Well, there is still another week to cover, but it's late and I have to leave in 6 hous, about 5 a.m., for a dog show in Durham. So, more when I get back...keep your fingers crossed...

Weekend in Lincolnshire

2008-08-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

What a weekend we just had. On Friday I worked until 11.30 and had every intention of being on the road at 12.00 ~ but you know what they say about the best laid plans. Tiva and I got on the road at 12.45 and had an uneventful trip to Jan's house, arriving (via Sat Nav directions, thanks TomTom) at 7.15, only 15 minutes later than I had said I would be there!

Ann was already there with her dogs, and Jackie was there with hers. I also met Garth, Brian and Jerri, and Martin. I got my tent all set up in the paddock and went back to the house where Jan had some dinner for me. We all sat and talked and helped Jan do stuff until at 11.00, I couldn't keep my eyes open, and begged off and went to bed.

It was windy and poured rain off and on and Tiva was very restless. She finally settled, after eating a bowl of food at 2 a.m., and we slept for two hours before getting up at 4 to set off for the show grounds at 5!

That is where things started to go wrong. One of Martins dogs jumped out of her crate in the truck and caught her chest and teat on a hook! Jan got that cleaned up and it was decided to go ahead and take her to the show. So, a 1/2 hour behind schedule, we set off in a 2-car convoy. We arrived at 8.45, later than planned, but they put the start time back from 9 to 9.30, so the immediate pressure was off.

Later, while Jan was in the ring, one of her dogs got ill! It seemed to do better after a bit but then relapsed. So arrangements were made to swap dogs and rides around and, with me still to show Tiva and one of Jans dogs in for best of BOS and BV (it won BV), I ended up riding home with Brian and Jerri and Tiva and Jans dog!

As for Tiva, she really showed well but we didn't get placed. Her critique was fairly ok and she was rated V. Good. I did go home with the best dog, but I wish everyone else knew it!

We got back to Jans and, once again, she had dinner ready for us. The two dogs had gone to the vet and were blood tested and stitched and sent home. After sharing a couple bottles of wine and (I sincerely hope NOT) boring everyone with chiropractic and health chat, I headed to my bed.

I woke with a headache, due (I am sure) to the long, rushed, stressful, day on Saturday, and the sunburn I acquired. I slept in until called for my breadfast. After a couple aspirin and a lovely omelette, I felt better and, along with everyone else, pitched in to help get food etc ready for the BBQ in the afternoon.

There was tons of food and desserts. Chris was grill meister, ta very much! Jans food was supurb: coleslaw, potato salad, kebabs, chicken, ham-, lamb- and even ostrich-burgers...wonderful. I made my special carrot cake, everyone seemed to like it, Yeah.

It was a gorgeous day (again) and folks came and went through the day. Tiva spent the whole day loose in the paddock and the yard, playing with all the different dogs and puppies that came for a visit, it was lovely to see her playing and fun to see her cousins and aunties, not to mention her siblings.

With the intention of leaving at 6, I duly said my good-bys. A half hour later, I started on my second round of good-bys. On the way out the gate, which Jan opened, I was chatting with her and ended up going back to get a bag of dogfood from her! At which point it was 7.45! Yikes. Then I ended up staying another 1/2 hour as Carol was on her way with her new, imported, American Quarter Horse...which, of course, I wanted to see! So, I finally got on the road at 8.30.

I got home, exhausted, at 4 a.m. I had to stop at the services past Penrith and lay down in the back seat for a while and then went to the pumps and filled up. My gas light had come on way before Kendall and I couldn't find a station anywhere! I was actually starting to think that I would have to get a hotel room, as I didn't want to completely run out of diesel, that's is really bad for a diesel, innit? But all was well and I filled up and pushed on. I got home at 4 and was asleep by 4.07. Up at 11 and working for 1. Now it's 10.15 and I need toothpicks to hold my eyes open, so I'll say goodnight.

And a huge THANK YOU to Jan and all her lovely guests, who made the weekend wonderful!

Until next time, when I should have some pics to post,

Bridgit

More News

2008-07-20T03:47:00.001-07:00

It has been quite a while since I last updated, but that's because I don't have much to report!

Mom arrived on the 17th for a two week visit. We sort of just schlupoped around for Thursday then had a lovely dinner at Jane's in the evening. Friday I worked and mom went and visited with a friend.

Saturday we went over to New Lanark Village and spent the day there. It's really quite interesting and what a beautiful setting! We walked about for hours and the weather stayed quite good. We were bushed when we got back and just vegged out for the evening and watched some tv.

We are off now to the yard. I'm going to ride and give Remy a jump and then we are going to see Mama Mia! Until later then...Bridgit

2008-07-08T12:41:00.001-07:00

Finally getting around to an update! Friday was meant to be spent at the Eglinton Horse Trials watching the horses go cross country. It didn't turn out that way however! I stopped for diesel and ~ oop ~ filled up, to the tune of £60, with petrol! I had the sense not to turn the car on, but it still had to be towed to the garage and they couldn't drain it until later in the day, so no horse trials for me and Tiva!

Instead, I we came home and went on the beach for a while and then I came in and started cooking for my party the next day. Potato salad, carrot cake, devilled eggs, and ribs, chicken and pork shoulder on to marinade. Lots of pressure off for the next day.

So, that was Friday. On Saturday I did the rest of the cooking...smoked the pork shoulder and shredded it and made the BBQ sauce for it, smoked the ribs and made the sauce, made the baked beans, Waldorf salad, and green salads, iced the cake, and still managed to get a bet down on a friends horse.

The horse, Sacriledge, went of at 9-2 and won! So, I made £52...yeah!

Julie and Robert and the girls arrived at 5.00 and they had made all sorts of red, white and blue balloon decorations the day before and put them out about the house on Saturday. They were lovely. Everyone else started arriving about 6 and we partied til 1.30. Everyone loved the food and there were no leftovers. That is definately a first! Well, not quite true, there was Waldorf Salad left over, I guess I'll have to serve that for the next 8 years before it gets eaten...

As for Tiva, she is well and enjoying her romps on the beach. We are looking forward to going to Jan's in August, it won't be long now. Mom will be arriving next week as well, so the rest of the summer is looking busy.

TTFN...

Rimini, Italy

2008-07-01T04:15:00.001-07:00

WoW...Well folks, that doesn't quite cover it, Italy was great. The seminar was supurb, and Dr. D'Onofrio blew us out of the water! It was wonderful to be in Italy again and nice to hear from people who knew and loved Dad and remembered him fondly. One Dr. told me that he had the most fun ever one night and it was with Dad...and wouldn't tell me about it!

My flight home was delayed and I was very last minute for my connection at Gatwick, but did make it, though my luggage didn't. It arrived by taxi on Monday afternoon.

I picked Tiva up from kennels after work on Monday. Betty said she went on a two-day hunger strike, but a bit of fresh tripe sorted that out! She has lost a bit of weight, but otherwise seems neither up nor down with having been in kennels ~ whew.

This will be a busy week as I have my anual 4th of July party on Saturday! I have to do the shopping on Thursday and on Friday I will be out at the Eglinton Horse Trials, where I sponsor a jump every year. I am looking forward to that and hope the weather will be nice.

And last, but definately not least, Remy and Jenny were 3rd in the open at mini-Blair! I haven't gotten the details yet, but cant wait to hear the blow-by-blow.

Later...

Muirmill Derby

2008-06-23T00:51:00.000-07:00

Good morning,

Yesterday was the Derby at Muirmill and Stacey and Remy did the Derby at 85 cm. They had one pole down and were 6th. I was very pleased with both of them and really didnt expect her to do better. The rain was so hard that Shelby withdrew, everyone was soaked to the skin. But after waiting for nearly 4 hours, we werent giving up without a go!

I did tell Stacey she didnt have to if she didnt feel safe and to just go steady, not take any risks. So they went really well, it was just unfortunate that the others in the 85cm class has already been in the 55, 65, and 75 cm classes! So they already had seen all the jumps and knew the ground and all the shortcuts...I would have been shocked if Stace and Remy did any better than they did.

I am really looking forward to Italy at the end of the week, leave on Wednesday, and NOT at the crack of dawn...even better! It will be a working holiday as I am gong for a seminar, but Tom is meeting me there and An and Michael arrived Sunday night for a few days break before the seminar starts. I can't wait! Ahhhh...

Horsey News Today

2008-06-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
Well, the last few days were very eventful. The highlight was that, on Thursday, Stacey rode Remy in the clear rounds, outdoors at Muirmill. He was very keen and while he wouldn't settle down in his warm up (she would have needed another 1/2 hour) he jumped lovely and she rode him really well. As it turns out, this Sunday is the Derby at Muirmill (Remy and I were 3rd out of 50, 2 or 3 years ago, the picture at the top is him in the lineup!) So we are planning to take Remy, Stacey will ride, Colin and Odin, Shelby and Onyx. However, it is raining cats and dogs, so if the ground is boggin or it's still raining, we'll not be going anywhere!

Friday was eventful. The police showed up at my door; but I must start that story on Wednesday evening...I had Tiva in the back yard and was throwing the toy for her from up in the back corner. As J. came through the (already open) gate, Tiva ran up. I called her to come back and she stopped at the end of MY bit of garden and came back.

J. came on round the drive and shouted over to me, I said I wasn't happy about what she said and then her husband came out and started shouting as well. At which point Tiva came running over, from behind me so I didn't see her to shout her to stop and I didn't hear her because she was neither barking nor growling. She ran up and stopped short of J. who reached out and swung out with her arm. As Tiva jumped back, eyes still on J., her husband drew back his leg and round-house kicked her in the ribs. I was sick. Shouted 'stop that' and he swung round and planted his foot on my raised garden and got right up in my face and growled 'I'll kill that dog'.

Then he shouted something about her being out of control. I said 'she's not out of control, she didnt bark or growl or bite'. Then J. started shouting about something on her sleeve and showing it to me saying 'what's that what's that'. I almost laughed, probably would have if i wasnt so angry and upset, shocked really. I said slobber (it was from where she swiped at Tiva, it was a small (bout an inch) of foamy slobber. He started shouting 'prove it, prove it'. I said, prove what. 'That she didnt bite her', he shouted. I said 'she didnt, show us the bite then, where's the bite mark?', he was so ridiculous, I was almost laughing. I said do you want to stand there repeating yourself or discuss this? Anyway, I eventually got into the house, shaking like a leaf. At first tho, I couldnt find Tiva. As it turned out, she had run into the house and was in the scullery.

So I spoke to my solicitor the next morning (Thursday) and he suggested I NOT call the police as it would just inflame the situation and gave me the number of a mediator. I called them and they told me what they do (didnt sound like much)and said I would think about it.

And then the police show up on Friday! They were very biased (oh, did I mention the guy upstairs is a cop???)and also suggested mediation. I said I had already considered it but didn't think they (upstairs) would go for it and they said they would go back upstairs and speak to them about it. They were up there for another 1/2 hour before I saw the car leave. So I guess I'll call the mediator 1st thing Monday. It is all very depressing.

Maybe tomorrow will cheer me up.

2008-06-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

Well, we (me and Tiva) met Debbie Flemming and Ella and their dogs at 7.30 a.m. last Saturday and we headed down to the Champ show in Preston. Ella did really well with her Gronendal, BP dog and BP bitch were litter mates, bred by Ella, and her bitch took BPIS! Tiva showed well and had a very pleasing critique, but the judge (Mr. Sonny Strom)put a stick on her and she's 54 cm, not the required 57, and so he wouldnt place her higher than last. Other than saying that her ears were a bit big (I'm sure she'll grow into them) and she could use more charbonnage (again, she IS still a puppy, his comments were very positive... "exc head & expression. high set ear-a bit big. parallel lips. bite & teeth ok. nice mask. enough neck. gd back. well angulated. enough chest. Ex bone for size. Gd feet. Moves with v gd balance & stride. Ex coat & colour. Could do with more charbonnage" I am ok with not being better placed, but I feel she still has time to grow and it is only an inch that she needs. When are they expected to reach full height? Aside from that, we had a lovely, successful day. My friend, and Tiva's breeder, Jan, did well with her Mali's and I was torn when BPIS was being judged. Who to root for? My old friend and tivas breeder, Jan? My new friends Ella (groney puppy owner/breeder) and Debbie (handling)? Or perhaps simply the Terv? I was glad I didn't have to choose and, in the end the Gronendal was triumphant! So, the ride home was good as well!

Dr Tiva

2008-06-12T14:23:00.001-07:00

I am learing all sorts of new stuff these days. One of them is how to load a photo show onto my blogger, so here it is! Counting down to Saturday and the show. gotta wake up hellish early to meet my ride, but I'll be there with bells on! See you all there.

Some cute pictures

2008-06-11T12:16:00.001-07:00

Me again,

What a lovely day we had here, sunshine, not much wind...beautiful. It seems as if Tiva isnt in season after all, so Preston is on for us. Here are some photos I took today, Dr. Tiva is IN!

And a few others of my not-spoiled baby! Just beccause she likes her pillows fluffed just-so...and fresh sheets...nope, defiantely NOT spoiled! Well, maybe....just a weeee bit...

And, finally, a bit of fun on the beach. Tiva is getting used to water!

WEEKEND UPDATE

2008-06-10T02:45:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Well, I spoke with Debbie Flemming and we were in the process of making plans to ride down to the Champ show together,BUT....Tiva 'became a woman' today...in the middle of the night in fact, yuck! So it looks like we, or at least she, wont be going. I would still like to go but will have to find a dog-sitter for a long day first of all. We'll see...

No other news really, the weather has been lovely so I have bbq'd on the grill a couple of timess, it's great! A nice tip for corn on the cob ~ I cooked mine on the hob first, since we cant get it in the husk here, then I basted it with chipotle sauce and put it on the grill ~ yummy!

Camped out in the back garden with Beanie (my Godson) on Friday night. He helped set up the tent and put the sleeping bags in and figured out how to use the air blower to blow up the mattress. Then he found my new solar lights for the back garden and wanted to put them together and put them out, so we did that. Then we had corn on the cob and sausages for our tea. We went to the beach and played with Tiva for about an hour and came back and crawled into our bags and read 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' til Sean went to sleep.

I was freezing and didnt sleep a wink, and snuck into the house at 4.30! Thought I'd gotten away with it but later Sean told someone that I had come back into the house...OOps, caught out! We all had a laugh about it.

Spoke with Jane last night and Remy is sound, so I will try to ride today after work. Beanie called me as well at about 8.30 wanting help with his homework, which was on house rules. Funny that Jane had just spoken to him about it on Friday and we had made some rules.

So, he says, this is what I have so far: 'The first rule in my house is that I change out of my uniform when I get home or else my Godmother give me into deep trouble' Tee Hee.

August Weekend Is A Go!

2008-06-03T05:53:00.000-07:00

Another sunny day in Scotland and I am pleased that I have been able to arrange the to not work the 1st weekend in August. This means that I'll be able to join the Bonvivant BSD Family at Jan's for her annual 'do', in conjunction with the dog show! I am really looking forward to it, and to seeing all Tiva's sibs.

Yeah,

Bridgit

SKC RESULTS

2008-06-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo,

Here is the critique of the puppy that won and of Tiva, not too bad I thought!

(8,1) 1 Pratten & Johnson’s Bergeau Rainbow Art, very pleasing, stylish, well balanced puppy, pleasing head, eye & expression, good outline, nice hindquarters, moved & showed well. BP; 2 Gilmore’s Bonvivant Raffine, smaller puppy, good head balance, eye & ears, nice neck & outline, well coupled, made the most of herself standing & moving 3 Crawford’s Corsini Latin Dancer. JB (5,1) 1 B Raffine; 2 C Latin Dancer, liked this puppy very much. Carrying a little extra weight which showed on the move but I would rather have her like this at her age than the other way. Pleasing head, eye & ears, good body shape, standing looked lovely & when she hardens & matures should do very well; 3 Neatham’s Zarna Apache Sunrise.

I cant wait to see what the judge at the BSD show had to say!

Bridgit

Sunday news

2008-06-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy Sunday,

Well, the weekend was a bit of a wash. Saturday was gorgeous and sunny and hot. I went down to the fun show in Ayr and set up beside the ring. We were in the first class, AV Puppy. Gladys said there were about 30 in the class. We made the cut down to 12 and then were placed 6th, so not too bad a result. The judge spoke to me at the end (I was told a number of times that he did not speak to anyone else) and said "I realy liked that, it's really nice. It was a tough class". So, that was nice. And we got beaten by some nice dogs, so I wasn't displeased. However, the dog he put first was a GSD puppy, nice head, but it couldn't stand up straight and when it walked, it was lame. How can that be good for the breed?

Today, Sunday, we went to another 'fun show'. Now, maybe it's just me, but I have put a lot of effort into going to ringcraft classes, finding out how to best handle my dog, what kind of leash to use, what grooming needs to be done, etc. Today, we entered AV Puppy and were placed 4th of maybe 12-15 or so. BUT...the winning dog, an Irish Wolfhound, wasn't groomed, when the judge looked the dogs over he was sitting, and, when his young lad handler moved him, he had him on his right side and the dog was away from the judge, she couldn't see well how the dog moved. Now, my only question is this: if all that stuff doesnt matter then why am I wasting my time going to ringcraft class and learning to 'do things right'? In the next class
1st place was a puppy that wasnt even placed in the puppy class! Whats up with that???

Honestly, I didnt mind getting beaten, but I would like to know why??? I think I'll have to call my mentor and she can talk me down!

In other news, Remy is still lame and I cant find Epsom salts in all of Ayrshire to soak his foot in...good grief!

Guess how I got woken up this morning - at 4.30 a.m. I might add? A live bird landed on my shoulder, I thought it was Tiva pawing me to get out. I turned over to ignore her and 'flap flap flap' it flew away to the top of my wardrobe! So I had to get up and try to catch it and put it out. It got behind my wardrobe and I had to pull out my dresser, to then pull out the wardrobe. At which point I caught it only to lose it again! At that point it flew into the back of Tiva's crate (that she sleeps in without a door) and settled. I went and got the door, put it on and hauled the entire crate outside and took the top off and birdie flew away...whew. I went back to bed. I think I'll just stick with an alarm clock, thanks very much!

Enough for now, gonna go nurse my sunburn...

Bridgit

Slow news day

2008-05-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

Hi again, Not much happening to day, except it was lovely and warm and sunny and Tiva and I were on the beach romping. I thought I would put on this cute video from when she was wee...she is such a sweetie!

I have just decided that tomorrow we are off to an open show in Ayr! I/we haven't been to ringcraft class or even practiced at home since we returned from NBSDC two weeks ago, so it will be interesting. I'm not even sure that I'll be able to move her round the ring because my ankle is still pretty bad. My friend, Gladys, is going with me, I may draft her in to help. I think she used to show GSD's. Fingers crossed. We'll enter AV Puppy and Prettiest Bitch! The show doesn't start til 2, so we'll have time to get there and practice a bit...I shall report back!

G'night,

Bridgit

Tiva pics

2008-05-29T02:33:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

Just talked to my friend Jane, she takes care of my horse and has been a wonderful friend to me. I had called the farriers yesterday to pay an emergency visit to Remy to check for an abscess. Jane says that by the time they got there he was 99% sound and the farrier didn't have to do anything!

He is sounder than I am...still some serious pain in the front of my ankle. I walked Tiva to the edge of the water this morning, thank heaven she was happy enough to have the toy thrown for her, I couldn't have walked her very far. Here's a pic or two from this morning...

Go on Mom, throw the ball!

A tired, wet, dirty, HAPPY dog!

Tiva, playing keep away with the ball

Happy, happy, joy, joy...

Well, that's all for now, enjoy the pics.

Bridgit

SKC and NBSDC Weekend

2008-05-28T04:37:00.000-07:00

I am going to back track this entry to last weekend. On Friday, the 16th, I had the car all loaded and just had to throw in myself and the dog, Tiva, and off we set to Strathclyde Country Park to meet 5 other gals and their 13 other dogs! We were all camping over the weekend and competing in the Scottish Kennel Club (SKC) Championship show on Saturday and the Northern Belgian Shepherd Dog Club (NBSDC) on Sunday.

I arrived about 7.30 (TomTom did well) and as I set up my tent, Jan was heating chili on the stove. Sue and Jacqui had a French loaf and Ann provided the cooking facilities...thanks to all of them. Lisa was our other 'team member', she and Jan were Tiva's breeders! We had a great, open-air dinner and talked and got to know each other and hit our sleeping bags about 11.30.

It was soooo cold that I was up about 5.30 and had Tiva walked and ready for our day..NERVOUS. We left for Ingliston about 7.30 and got there in time get a good space ringside and we settled in.

I am so new at this that I can't remember all the awards that 'our gang' got ~ but we really cleaned up! I had Tiva in Puppy Bitch (PB) where we got 2nd and in Jr. Bitch (JB) which we won! You could have knocked me over with a feather! Jan made two of her dogs up to champions and did well with her others, in fact, she went into Best in Show! Ann, Lisa, Sue and Jacqui all placed well, though I cant ennumerate all the wins, as I said, it's all still Greek to me. So it was a great day for TEAM BONVIVANT.

Having placed in the top four also means that Tiva has qualified for Crufts...WOW.

Sunday we had sunny, hot, and windy weather and TEAM BONVIVANT had a repeat of all that success, except for me and Tiva. We got nothing in PB and, though we did win JB, well, we were the only entry. It's still a pretty ribbon, though! Our personal success was that, with Lisa's patient help, Tiva spent the day happily sprawled out in her new crate! Now I won't have to have her constantly attached to my wrist and will be a bit freer to move about.

I have to say thank you to the whole team for all their help, support, and kind words...thankyouthankyouthankyou! And I look forward to seeing you all again over the summer.

Bridgit

Coursliehill XC

2008-05-27T03:21:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I'm gonna try this blog thing! It seem a good place to post pictures and keep everyone up to date on my doings ~ we'll see how it goes.

I'll start with the last few days.

Yesterday (Monday 26 May) was what they call a Bank Holiday Monday here in the UK. It turned out that the Coursiliehill Cross Country was back on this year! I haven't been doing enough jumping lately to be ready for it, so Jenny was going to take Remy in the Novice Class-2'9".

I rode him out on our first hack last Thursday, though, and he picked up a stone in a front shoe, I got it out but it apparently bruised pretty good first. Then I rode him in the (very hard) field on Friday and Jenny jumped him in the school on Saturday. Jane noticed that he was going a little short and they stopped the lesson, but it was too late. By afternoon he was hopping lame! Jenny tubbed it with Epsom salts and then I did it again in the evening and twice on Sunday, but he's getting worse, obviously developing an abscess. No XC for him on Monday then. Shoot.

Sunday afternoon Me, Jane, Jenny, Stacey, and Tiva piled into the Kia and off we went to walk the course as Jane was still going to be going in the Open class. There are a couple of really exciting jumps and one really scary: a row of tires to jump with a drop on the other side (probably about 4 ft down) then 1 or 2 strides to another row of tractor tires, so quite high (about 3'6") and all on a slight left hand bend! And it's only the 3rd jump on the course!

The rest of the course is much like it was two years ago, steps, a coffin, and a palisade. No water, the crick was dry with all the sun and wind we have had lately!

Here's Jane and Bart on their ride...

That's all for today, I think. Tiva and I will be going to the stable to see Remy and then to ringcraft class tonight.

Bye now,

Bridgit