My Week

Busy day on Tuesday.   On Tuesday, November 30th, the Springfield (IL) Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC)  hosted its 13th program honoring the birth of our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST.   Illinois was the FIRST state in America to put up a Nativity display in its State Capitol.  Since 2008, 32 other states have followed Illinois' lead. The primary goal of the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The SNSC's secondary goal is to make the public and the media (statewide & nationwide) know that we, as Christians, have a constitutional right to express our faith in the public square, as long as it is privately-funded and temporary in nature.

Our featured speaker, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield. Other speakers include Tom Brejcha, Founder & Chief Legal Counsel, Thomas More Society, Chicago and an SNSC member; and Gary Pierce, Key of David Ministries, Springfield, State Senator Darren Bailey, and State Rep Brad Halbrook.

CHRISTMAS carols performed by Majestic Praise and Worship, Springfield.

Chaplain Steve Holden and veteran Rosemary Connolly, Wreaths Across America, will place a wreath in front of the five flags representing all branches of the U.S. military.

The créche and manger will stand in the Illinois Rotunda, in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, which allows us to express our CHRISTIAN faith in the public square, as long as these displays are privately-sponsored and temporary in nature.

The Nativity Scene will be available for public viewing, during normal business hours from November 30th through January 6th, 2022.

 Wednesday and Thursday were clean up days before the busy weekend.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds doing CPE agility. I put up my Christmas lights on Thursday since the weather was nice.  I realize that some of the bulbs were dead and still dead even after a replacement.  Oh well, it'll do.  Not many get to appreciate lights on this short street.  Next year I'll need new LED lights.   I printed out the course maps for Friday at the library and then realized that Thursday-Friday-Saturday is Chatham’s Light Up the Park drive through Christmas lights.  It’s a $5 donation.  

Amber got mail from AKC. Seeing is believing when I get a certificate in the mail. Amber's Beginner Fast Cat (BCAT) title is for real. Expecting another to upgrade that "BN" title soon.

 Friday I got 2 blue ribbons.  One run was a NO TIME. At the buzzer, I had to stay behind the line and guide her thru tunnel, teeter, jump and table at a distance. She kept coming to me by the line. We will need some distance command practice.  On afterthought, I wish I could also see a recording of my body language that could have gone wrong.  Well, I wasn't the only one with the problem either and for that I can't hang my head low.

My other was a "No Time" because she side jumped off the teeter and I put her back on and finished the  course.  That was considered training in the ring.  I think there may  have been something that Amber sensed about that teeter because she likes teeter.  I notice the same problem with many others.  It may have been off balance or something that the dogs detected.  The judge was from NY and was really nice and smiled a lot. She played music from her phone during course set up. Dance-like music that really reduced stress and boogie.  These photos were taken on Friday because I remember those hiking style shoes ripping a hole in my sock and breaking skin.  Notice that Amber smiles.  You can see the bars for her are set at 8". She rarely drops a bar but has occasionally. Amber is 12" at the withers which determines her jump height. Amber is getting buff muscles I noticed.  I'm getting compliments from the other exhibitors now and I find it flattering since most have more experience.   I got to give a lot of credit to Lisa in Mechanicsburg for our practices. 

 

Photo credit   Ramona Boston

Photo credit   Ramona Boston http://www.rlboston.com

 

 This was taken Sunday after our last run.  Believe it or not the final ribbon was not yet prepared before taking this picture but had to get the picture in before the level 1 dogs ran and the course torn down.

Thanks Shelly for taking the picture with my cell phone.

  Friday 12/3/2021:
               Snooker L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Score: 41 (Q)  Time: 27.33 seconds  1st Place

               Wildcard L3 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Distance: 100 yards  SCT: 47 seconds
               Score: 0 (Q)  Time: 26.48 seconds  1st Place

               Jackpot L4 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               No Time  {see map above}

    Saturday 12/4/2021:
               FullHouse L2 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Score: 28 (Q)  Time: 30.81 seconds  1st Place

               Standard L3 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Distance: 151 yards  SCT: 71 seconds
               Score: 0 (Q)  Time: 43.35 seconds  2nd Place

               Colors L3 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Distance: 90 yards  SCT: 43 seconds
               Score: 5 (Q)  Time: 22.14 seconds  2nd Place

               Jumpers L3 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Distance: 152 yards  SCT: 59 seconds
               Score: 0 (Q)  Time: 40.45 seconds  1st Place

               Snooker L3 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Score: 44 (Q)  Time: 41.12 seconds  1st Place

    Sunday 12/5/2021:
               Jackpot L4 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Score: 55 (Q)  Time: 36.66 seconds  1st Place

               FullHouse L3 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Score: 32 (Q)  Time: 36.36 seconds  1st Place

               Wildcard L3 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Distance: 94 yards  SCT: 45 seconds
               Score: 0 (Q)  Time: 34.80 seconds  1st Place

               Jumpers L3 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Distance: 129 yards  SCT: 47 seconds
               Score: 0 (Q)  Time: 39.26 seconds  2nd Place

               Standard L4 -  8 Inch - Judge: JoLee Yeddo
               Distance: 190 yards  SCT: 80 seconds
               No Time {jumped off the teeter and considered the run as training in the ring}

Now here's some really festive agility team with a Portuguese Water Dog on Saturday.  (She knew I took this picture as she entered the ring while I volunteered as a leash runner)

I stayed to help a little with some of the packing up.  I made it home in time to see Sean and turn around and make it to Mass at the cathedral at 5PM.