My Week

I made the most of the week leading up lock up.  The news keeps changing about the coronavirus.

I got to see Alan on Wednesday.  I hadn't seen my son since Christmas.  He was in town for a check up.

In the evening we had our AmVets meeting.

Thursday I went to yoga followed by our retro version of Hot Buns.  I dressed like this

We had some hail on Thursday afternoon

Saturday and Sunday I took Amber to Champaign for AKC Rally trials. There was some snow on the way there on Saturday.

Saturday

This is the video of the 3rd leg that awarded our AKC Advanced Rally

As you can see, it snowed and was slushed on Saturday

 Here's to compare our scores and Amber and I are #402.  I was surprised because I put that number over my plastic armband which had our last number of 1402 from the last trial in Caseyville.  This is the score sheet for the closure to her Rally Advanced A Class to get the title. This was purple sheet for the 4xx level entries.  We got a score of 89 which beat the minimum passing score of 70 and the other two entries was an absent and a non-qualifying score.

Here is Amber posing with her Rally A Advanced title on Saturday morning.  I was able to move up in the trial in excellent category after that.  I maintained the same numbered armband.

Then I requested to be bumped up in category to Rally excellent A class and got a red ribbon in the afternoon.  Nothing to snicker at there.

Sunday
Amber achieved her "AKC Rally Excellent A". She's a sniffer in the ring and I think we're in the wrong business. Three qualifying trials make a title. One on Saturday completed an Advanced title so we bumped up the other three trials to earn our Excellent title. We did it.

 This was our second leg AKC Rally Excellent A class trial with a score of 88. A blue ribbon but in all fairness the other in this class was absent. So we got the blue ribbon.

 

The 3rd leg is the final trial for Rally Excellent A title. I felt pretty good about it when it was over. We scored a 90 and a blue but we were the only one in this class. Videos are good because you can notice when the judge is writing in relation to my behavior.

I noticed the worst error for points was the double side step (back by the window) because I only took one step. I was focused on regaining Amber from the sniffing near the wall. 
Judge was writing during the "about turn right about u turn" (#212) sign right after the jump and again at the "left turn -forward" (#34). 

We got a score of 90 on our third leg for Rally Excellent A Title. Entrant Number 402, border terrier, is the only one in Rally Excellent A class so we got the blue by default.  I'll take that.  Qualifying is what will matter in the future as we now enter B classes of rally. 

The congratulatory cake honoring the new title holders was absolutely beautiful.

 Receiving the ribbon for excellent title and the photo brag station.

Now I'm told that the next level is 10 trials with double entry in advanced and excellent signs.  Arr!  No wonder there were so many in those categories. https://www.akc.org/sports/rally/get-started/

The CPE agility for April 4th at fairgrounds, a state run facility, was canceled. A little bit bummed about that because Amber has been through numerous classes in agility and nothing to show for it. I think I'll maker her a special "Amber Connolly deserve it" ribbon.  We will work on some tricks.

Amber is on a waiting list to do nose work in July.  At first I thought her sniffing shouldn't be encouraged by studying nose work but then it was explained that her rewards would be based on finding specific scents like birch, anise or clove.  It might refocus that nose of hers.  I tried Vicks on her nose and that was a disaster as she tried to remove it.

Now we are all quarantined. Everything is cancelled all around me so no reason to go out. My gym classes will be via Facebook live at home. 

My Week

Wednesday I had lunch with Michael.  In the evening I took Sophie to rally practice followed by Legion Riders meeting at 6:30. 

Sophie was offered her 1st official hospice visit but the patient didn't make it overnight for Thursday's visit.  However, the patient did see Sophie on last Monday's regular visit through the nursing home.  Then on Friday, I got an email from Therapy Dog International that all visits were suspended because of the corona virus.

Thursday evening I went to the visitation for Martha.  Her and her husband Ken attended many patriotic events like the Flag Lowering Ceremony at Lincoln's Tomb and honor flight homecomings.   It was a short visit because I had to get back for Agility 101 class that just started on Thursday evenings for 6 weeks.  This time I'm not a student but an assistant instructor.

Saturday I went to New Salem for a workshop by Margo Krager of Reproduction Fabrics.com.  I'm glad I went but the details were very specific.  I knew some people that attended.  The crowd was a mix of quilters and reenactors.  Lunch was provided.

In the afternoon, Ms. Krager will presented “4000 Years of Indigos: From Egyptian Mummies to American Cowboys”.

Sunday was daylight savings.  A friend on Facebook stayed up to watch the clock on her computer at 1:59 jump to 3AM.  Interesting but I wouldn't do that.  I went to monthly Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.  Best turn out yet but I was disappointed that I saw a member that didn't sit with us and I tried to find him after mass for this photo.  Bothers me.

I fixed the dogs some St Patrick's Day scarfs.  I want to finish my sewing projects that were put of.

When I work Amber and Sophie at the club, one has to be kenneled and Sophie doesn't like it.  She shakes that little kennel that's on top of a bigger kennel like an earthquake.  I even cover it with a sheet.  So guess who will be kenneled at home more?  I did not know she didn't like the kennel because she will sometimes go in when the door is open to nap.  Close the door and I have a cry baby pekingese.

The paperwork has been processed. I am now a Worldstrides Course Leader Educator.  That's the temporary position for tour buses.

Alan got his promotion.

I went to our Women's Overseas Service League luncheon and can't take the bashing of the president any longer.  I shall not return after years of this bashing. She must assume everyone there has her point of view while I'm biting my tongue. In particular, politicizing Covid 19.   I gain nothing by attending and leave feeling bad.   I noticeably got up and left.  I did get an apology via email which I accepted but still question whether I want to submit myself to more shit.  I came home and gave the dogs a brisk walk-it-off.   In the evening I went to a discussion group on saints at church.  Then relaxed to a blazing fire in the fireplace.
 

 

My Week

Feb 25: We were supposed to have 4" of snow and we did have a lot of snow but it was so wet and slushy that it was more like white coating.   This video was on the news.  It snowed the size of snowballs.

I went to Mass for Ash Wednesday at 7AM.  Afterward I went to exercise class.  The parking lot at PowerWorks was scant and the 2 levels of classes were combined because many stayed home and schools were closed.  It was a good workout.

I fixed rice ramen with oriental vegetables and scallops.

I was at interveterans council meeting Wednesday night and told them of Dianne's story briefly. There was a vote to get a check for her for $100. Her phone cuts off at midnight so I drove her to bank right away.  Thursday evening I went to the Catholic War Veterans meeting.

Friday I attended the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Desert Storm Remembrance ceremony.

 Womens Overseas Service League:  Myself, a prospective member of WOSL, IDVA Dir Chapa LaVia, Gwen Dhiel, Grace Miller and Joan Garvert

Here's a link to photos from the State Journal Register that were taken at the event:  here

Saturday we had our state Catholic War Veterans meeting here in Springfield.  Poor showing for that also.  I dragged a tote of history records which I had been hoping that a priest from Chicago would put in their museum (and leave space in my garage) but he got called away.  I thought some of those present would like to see them.  They are heavy but only one looked at what I brought.  Then trying to round people up for a group photo was like herding cattle.  The 2 from LaSalle were about to leave without my request.  I insisted.

Sunday was beautiful and warm.  People were getting out and I opened the new windows that I had installed last November.  I took Amber to the nursing home to do some tricks.  She did rather well.  I got to demonstrate her new basketball skills.

They seemed to get a kick out of it and I think Amber likes it too.  I need to get her a basketball jersey and a better coach.  
Later there was open agility practice at 3-5 then rally practice at 5-7 so Amber is tired.  Sunday night there was a thunder storm and poor Amber shivered in bed.  I could not console her. 

Monday I took Sophie to the nursing home and in the evening I went to the American Legion meting.   I shared information exchanged at the Interveterans council meeting for which I'm our post delegate.  I happened to win the 50-50 drawing and will give that to the lady veteran in dire need.

I end this after missing the coffee table with my wine glass and busy with a clean up.  No worries...I have a box of wine glasses that my son gave me for Christmas that I never used and now it's time to open that box.  Hope I got all the shards of glass cleared.