Gosh... It's Been A Year....

Time sure does fly when you're having fun!  I've been thinking that I needed to post a post to the blog.  I did NOT realize that it's been more than a year since I've posted!  EEK!!!!!

I am sorry that I've been remiss in keeping everyone up to date.  Facebook is very seductive and that's where I've been spending most of my time, when I'm not doing crochet.  So...  let me bring y'all up to date!

Last February for my birthday, I went to California with Banner to compete in the NOFCA Grand Course. He did OK...  finishing 3rd in the Greyhound Breed coursing and advancing on to Finals.  In Finals, he did not finish in the points, but he did finish.  He took home the honors for High Scoring ORC (oval race champion)!  Woo Hoo!

Following the Grand Course, I gave him a well earned rest, not bringing him out on the coursing field until this past October or November. He ran well, picking up some more coursing points towards either his LCM or LCX. I don't remember if it was an ASFA or AKC event in which he ran.

Summer was spent being lazy.  Nothing interesting at all...

In either Sept or Oct, my friend Laurel got a puppy from Gail Burnham - Ellie aka L.E.  She's a pistol and she's keeping the boys on their toes! She does NOT have an off button.  Both boys are in the best shape that they've been in in a very long time.

All else are doing well....

Where has the year gone???

Good Lord! Where has the year gone?

It seems like it was only a couple of weeks ago that I last posted here. Oops! Try it's been nearly 8 months!

A lot has happened in that time. Sadly, we had to say good-bye to an old friend, BJ. BJ took a huge piece of my heart with him when he left, and it has taken me forever to recover. In truth, I'm not sure I have recovered from that loss. Even so, the puppies, which are now two years old, have done their best to fill that hugh chasm.

The puppies - Banner, Glory & Nampa.... my 'three stooges'...

Banner has finished two field championships during the past 8 months. He finished his AKC field championship in April and just this past September, he finished his ASFA field championship with a 2nd place finish in the Open stakes on Saturday at the Grand National. That boy is a talented runner. I cannot wait until he sees Mr. Jack this winter. I'm hoping & praying that he continues to course all in one piece. That is my biggest fear... that he breaks. In addition to his running titles, Banner has picked up his 2nd major in the breed ring. Now, he only needs 5 single points. They may take the longest, altho' we have dogshows on 10/10 & 10/11 sporting a 3 point major both days. With luck, maybe he'll cross over for the points to finish his dual championship.

Glory hasn't done much in the breed ring, but not for lack of try. Many judges just do not find her their cup of tea for any number of reasons: too moderate, popping elbow, too muscled... However, she picked up a 1st placement at the Grand Nat'l to add 40 ASFA points to her quest for that field championship. And, she picked up a major in AKC lure coursing in April. Only time will tell with her. Regardless of whether or not she gets any titles, she is a sweet, loving pup. She is very much her momma's daughter in attitude and temper.

Nampa is another talented boy. He has to have close to a 20' stride on him! He finished 4th both days of the Grand Nat'l to finish his ASFA field championship, pending confirmation. I think I've counted all his placements & points correctly, but, one never knows for sure until that confirmation is received. He may still need a placement. Argh!!! Nampa most recently had his coming out party as a "special" at the Elk City, OK shows. On Saturday, he put on such a show in the ring that the judge was laughing 2 hours later. Yep, he's special! However, on Sunday, he kept 4 on the floor to take best of breed over a nationally ranked special, Ch Gaia Woodland Waltz. In the group ring, he made the judge's cut. I'm proud of the boy. He's a keeper.

*** Pictures of the Grand National can be found at Big Paw Prints.

Other than that, I'm very proud to say that my loving hubby, Rob, took on a new job in March with a company called CompRay. To date, they seem to be a very good company and good to their employees. Hurrah!

Other excitement around here has been some interesting weather. Now NM is known for its rainbows and we see many, quite a few of which are double rainbows. However, NM is not known for nasty weather. Back in late August, early September, we spotted this just over the hill from us. Thankfully, other than a couple of fences coming down, there were no injuries or severe damage to dwellings. These things are scary.

Oh, and after 5 days of feeling sick, I finally went to the doctor. I have pneumonia. Joy - NOT! At least, they did not admit me to the hospital but sent me home with medication and orders to take it easy. Go figure...

Yours in hounds.....