Should I Stay or Should I Show?

When we brought Schultz home we had made a commitment to the Breeders family that we would do everything that Tyson requested we do. It was a promise I vowed I would do and I would do it with honor. I had promised that I would show Schultz and Geoff promised that he would be involved with Hunt Test and "hunting" [obviously].

I had never shown a dog in my life. I knew nothing about Dog Shows, the people, nothing. To say the least, I was terrified of the unknown and I was terrified to break my commitments. In my book. A promise is a promise.

I signed Schultz and I up for a handling class as this was the first step in the process. We had 3 months or so before our first official show and I was looking forward to learning and understanding what this was all about. My first class went just like this:

Teacher - [well known in the dog world of GSP's showed Schultzy's mom] You and this dog have no right being in the show ring.

Admittedly I did feel that she had some merit to that comment as I was completely clueless as to what was going on. But I would go home and practice EVERY day with Schultz. We would stack and Geoff would check him over. I would run my circles in the front yard present him run back and around again into a stack. And every class would end with a snide comment about how horrible I was doing or how terrible he was showing or how disgusted she was with my efforts. And every single week I would go home and try, TRY to do better.

Our first show was The Boston Christmas Show. The anxiety I had about this weekend cannot be put into words. But by God we certainly looked the part didn't we??

me and schultz boston 1996

And then something terrible happened. "THE JUDGE" aka COW looked me directly in the eye and said the following: You have no right to be showing this dog. You don't belong in the show ring.

I wish this were a lie. I wanted to die, cry, be any place but in this ring in a wool suit with nylons. Hence this face while still in the ring.......

Oh yeah borderline blubber fest captured in action. I cried the entire way home and BEGGED Geoff to not show Schultz anymore. He managed to talk me out of it.

The positive note of that weekend: This is the first time I ever met Leslie Ruddock. In the nicest way I know how to say it. This woman is hard core. She told me not to worry about it and keep going. She always said that to me. But there is a lot that she doesn't know. I took Geoff's kind words of encouragement and Leslie's and I kept practicing. I kept going to shows. I focused all my attention on Schultz and did my best to ignore people around me. It was really hard. It was hard to have people stand next to me pretending that they were not talking to me and tell me I didn't belong. It was devastating to find out the terrible things that people would say about me behind my back. I always thought the points went to the DOG. I don't see CH. In front of any human I know. And for a long time it showed in my performance. I had let them get the best of me.

i don't even know what i'm doing in this picture but i'm certainly not engaged.

But I was showing with this lady......

Les with I think Sexy Rexy.

Les looking all bad ass!!

It wasn't all a loss. Schultz and I had our good moments in the Ring. Our first big win was in Maine. This was the day the Judge gave Schultz a butterscotch candy and his eyes crossed. Then an airplane went over head and Schultz was completely mesmerized by it. The judge was highly amused. I wanted to die because I was in front of the BAG that "trained" me how to show dogs. 

Our first big win and Schultz's first Major.

Our second big win. I didn't want to go to this show. I figured if I dressed horribly nobody would notice.

God he was so beautiful. This was his last big win.

We spent close to a year with nothing. Until we went to a show in Springfield and three other dogs that looked EXACTLY like Schultz got put up and we were dead last. I called it quits that day. I've done a lot with my life and my life with dogs since then. I'm proud of what I've accomplished with them even if it isn't recognized by the AKC. There are a lot of mean unhappy people in that world that wanted nothing but the worst for me. They created damage that as far as I'm concerned can never be repaired. Regrets? Maybe. For not defending myself and allowing that community of people to shit on me at will. So, If you ask me or "Tell ME" that I have to show a dog. You've got some hard selling to convince me why I would ever put myself or my dog through that again.

Some other random photos:

"always keep your eye on the judge holly" we won this day too.

this is what "bracing" looks like [this is also what a fanny pack looks like with a skort]



Status Check

Really? No inspiration flowing in my direction. In fact it has been a glum few weeks. I've been thinking about my blog and I'm kinda bored with it. There is nothing fun going on in here. All serious all the time.

I was thinking about my old favorite radio station 92.1 WCDQ high up on the top of Mount Rialto Radio broadcast live from the Elegante` Ballroom. That station totally rocked and played stuff that you never heard on the radio. Saturday Mornings use to be The "B" side. This is when they would only play songs off the "B" side of a record. This also meant that it was not a song you would be familiar with. Mondays were Blue Mondays - Reggae Wednesday's, Dead Trax Thursday and Free Form Fridays with the classic Switchin To Glide played every Friday @ 5 PM by The Kings. So I got to thinking about themes because I need some ques to help get me inspired. I've got some changes and updates that I would like to do with this space. Starting next Monday I hope to have a whole new look and feel [or maybe not] and some new topics to brighten it up wee tad.

Lexie's Joint

I recently went to this place with my SISTER

Located on Islington Street in Portsmouth NH. The place ROCKS. Small, diner type atmosphere. Perfect portions. Not a burger you have to unhinge your jaw for. Ridiculously tasty fries, shoe string style. So glad I went here. If you haven't tried it out. [hint hint Dana, Vinny, Deb, Jean] you really should. Its worth it I promise. You can check out their menu here. I had the Blue Angel and Sarah had the Stairway to Heaven. They were both aaaaahhhhhMAAAZING!

Twelve for 12 - Round 2!

The second race in my 12 for 12 series was held in Nashua NH - Freeze Your Buns Off 5K. It was a "brisk" 33 degrees at 9:00 AM. What a fun race this was. NICE AND FLAT. I had an all time record run of 33min 35 seconds. See what you do to me hills??? You are harshin on my mellow. Even with that pace I was put in the Puttah Group. Oh well. It was fun and I completed it. Only TEN more to go. The next race is on March 24th at the Holy Grail in Epping NH. Rumor has it there will be free BEER for all racers. Besides that they have really good food. If you have never been it is a must!!

Other photo shots from the event:

For your place markers they handed out Popsicle sticks with your number on it. Oskar thought it might be something for him.

And this is the face he made when I told him he couldn't eat it. A pure Schultzy moment! I love you Butter Bean and all your silly faces!

Have You Ever Thrown A Fist Full Of Glitter In The Air?

Holy GLITTER madness! I'm in the process of doing a crafty swap with my girls. Although I think I've gone a wee bit over board I have to show you some of the magic that is shaping up in my house. I found this from the blog "A Beautiful Mess" And please pardon me as I expound on how awesome this site is!! Its a project paradise and I'm in love LOve LOVE with all of it. Where was all this stuff when I was in my twenties? Oh wait the inter webs did not exist. We were running code on dummy terminals that were black and green and I was using a first edition Macintosh. If you have never seen their goodness it is a MUST. These girls got talent and I am envious!

I made these adorable glitter jars as part of my swaptastic package. I followed this tutorial if you are interested in giving it a try. Here was my end result!

Now what to put in them??

Because the swap occurs sometime around Valentines Day I thought I would go with some lovey dovey goodness. Cause who doesn't like to receive a nice Valentines gift that they can use year after year?? So I decided to make a little banner which I have never done before. Here is what it looks like so far.

What are you crafting???



Munchkin Man

Erik with his new water slide 1999 / 2000?

Erik is my one of my three nephews. I have two of these pictures hanging in my house. It was taken on my Minolta SLR with b/w 400 speed film. I remember setting up this water slide in our back yard because it was his birthday. It took FOREVER to blow up the sides and assemble quickly. When we completed, I was slightly jealous that I could not join in on the fun. Growing up stinks sometimes.

This is how I will forever see Erik. No matter how old he is. Its sad really. I still call him my little Muchkin Man because he was such a little peanut. When he turned double digits he told me he didn't want me to call him that any more. That made me sad. Secretly I still do call him that. I CANT HELP IT!!

And now?.....

He's a little stud machine rockin it out on the guitar. He plays amazingly well considering a few short years ago he couldn't play a "D" Chord. He sings on Saturdays with the lovely Emily at Cafe KiLiM I'm so proud of how far he has come. If you want to go watch him play you have to order the Mocha Latte` Espresso. It is awesome and the server makes pretty chocolate swirls. He will only put in 3 shots of espresso [not seven as requested by Holly ] They are all very talented kids. Well the ones that actually play an instrument. Its a fun free little concert if you are looking for something to do on a Saturday.

Munchkin Man Rockin it out.

I'm proud of you bud! Keep on Keepin On!

xo AR

Birthday Week Over

Its official. Birthday Week is over and I am sad. {insert deep pathetic sigh}

But it didn't end without some serious FLAIR.

Geoff and I went to the Portland Pirates game and we had some seriously rockin seats!

It was a super fun time and I can't wait until we do it again. As long as nasty smelling onion girl does not sit next to me giving me the play by play of the game...Showering before going out is beneficial to not only your own personal hygiene but to those around you.

The following day my Sister In-Law Holly took me for a pedicure and a little champagne! Of course we went to Acorn's and they treated us like ROYALTY!...

ooober goober picture but hey! who really cares.

Holly's Hobbit Foot - freshly shaved and painted.

my chubby little flippers. i told amy i could pinch with my toes and she ran away!!

It was a fantastic long weekend! I watched this movie on my day off. If you have not seen it, I HIGHLY recommend it. Now its back to working out like a Mo-Fo! My next race is in FOUR little weeks.