A dog on the table

**** Note: Readers be forewarned, this is a ranting post. If you do not like whining, just skip it. If you are curious about what a dog groomer has to complain about, read on....

You've seen them everywhere... A bent old woman with fluffy fluffy hair and a little dog on her leash with fluffy fluffy hair. Yesterday I had a run in. Maggie Hatt and her little shitzu Colby. (Names have been changed to protect the not so innocent) Maggie comes in.
"OOOHHHHH, my arm it is hurting so bad, and my knees! My knees!"
"What happened Maggie?"
"I've been giving Colby his baths and he has hurt me....."
Red flags one and two: She has been bathing her own dog, which she doesn't brush. That means whatever tangles and mats Colby started with, they are bigger, meaner and cemented into his coat now. Also, he is a Shitzu. If he hurt her, that means he's a hellion in the bath.
"I'm so sorry Maggie.."
interuppting "Yes, and I can't brush him. It hurts him so bad and he doesn't like it."
Red flag three: She has trained him to hate brushing and fight until she gives up and lets him go.
"How would you like him groomed?"
"I want him, I don't know, like 2 inches long all over. I want him to look like a teddy bear or a puppy."
OK, barring the two different animal species, She wants him too long to clip, which means hand scizzoring the whole dog. Sigh.
'OK, I'll see what I can do."

So long story short, he's actually a nice dog but hyperactive and afraid of everything. He fights being brushed, which unfortunatly I have to do all over. He's afraid of the clippers, the dryer, the kennel, my smock, well everything in my shop I guess.
After fighting with him and his wispy coat, I throw him in the bath, condition the heck out of him, rinse and dry. At this point I am sick of this dog who has pooped in the bath and on the table. Forget the 2 inches, he's getting shaved. I decide one inch will be fluffy enough, so I start to clip him and he is terrified of the clipper. I mean scratching, biting terrified. I get him in a chokehold Mr. T would be proud of and clip the little bugger. I hand scizzor his legs and head to moderately OK ness. Then the nails. He's screams when he feels the least pressure. By the time I'm done my nerves are shot and my back is killing me.

But the washmop looks adorable. I mean Cute. I potty him, call her, and cleanup while I wait for her to come. It was such an ordeal that only now do I realise my second dog is a no-show.

She shows up.
"Oh he is so cute blah blah blah." fine. I just want to go home and feed my screaming baby.
"How much?"
"30 dollars please."
"Oh, my husband and I are on a fixed income." What? He is a real estate agent! What's fixed about that?
"Oh."
"And he thinks we spend to much on Colby anyways."
I'm getting a little heated. It would be better if she just paid and took little Colby home, who has peed on my foot in excitement when he saw her.
"Well, having a pure bred can be a little extra time and money. Colby is no ordinary dog and his coat needs extra care. I was going to suggest you bring him in monthly so we can keep him looking cute and fluffy. (instead of twice a year and being mistaken for a dirty welcome mat) I'm sure you and your husband thought about this when you first got him. That will be 30$ please."
Mollified by the thought that her baby is extraordinary, she pays up and leaves.

Just another day in the exciting life of grooming. While writing this, I thought of my brother Matthew, who had to try and decorate the homes of dozens of Maggie types. Now that would make ya crazy.
One last tidbit- as Mattie leaves, her fluffy transparent hair almost lifting off in the faint breeze she says:
"Oh! Do NOT go to the new hairdresser! She doesn't even know how to back comb!"

Happppeeeey thangsgeeeving!!!

Here's our table for Thnksgiving. It seemed so small with only three places set. We had a nice dinner and played cards afterwards for hours. Then we watched the Italian, a russian movie about an orphan looking for his mom. It was incredibly slow moving ala most foreign films, but the ending was happy. I am a total happy ending kind of girl. Life is tough enough. I hear and deal with so many horrible things going on with people and children that when I watch a movie I don't want it to be like real life. I want it to be like imagination. I know this is shallow and if you look at movies as an artform, terribly narrowminded. But I tend to look at movies like asperin or a ferris wheel trip. Take me somewhere besides here, tell me a good story, a leave me with a pleasant feeling. I guess movies are my cheap therapy. How do you like your movies?

And in other news, here are my chinks:

I'm not sure why the pics loaded like that but you get the idea, The tops and little doohickeys on the sides under the cochos are hand tooled. I think I am going to try and sell them at the artisans' show here in Meeteetse in Dec. I really like them, especially the tooling design, but I want mine to be made of softer, thinner leather.

Getting sick of the video....

So I understand all five of you who read my blog are probably getting sick of the caleb video by now. Ron and I got back from Vegas last week and things just haven't seemed to stop.



Las Vegas was well, Las Vegas. Part of me wants to really pump up this trip with all the amazing things God did, but to me personally it wasn't that kind of outreach. Last year I was six months pregnant, which was interesting, but I was still my own person so to speak. I could go go go. This year I took Caleb and left later than Ron so we were only there five days. I felt really out of the loop and this year there seemed to be less cohesiveness within our ministry team than past years. Add on to that the fact that the only time Ron and I are really involved with the PBR is during the finals with the outreach.

So it was a bit awkward, a bit discouraging. At least for me. The gals from the Outreach put on a hospitality afternoon for the riders' wives and I really enjoyed that. Just talking and relating on a real level with some of these women. Ron is persevering with the stock contractors, they're a tough bunch to nail down in one spot! The church service went really well, which was encouraging for everyone. They held it at 8 o'clock in the morning because the perf started at 11:00. I didn't really think anyone in Vegas would be interested in an 8:oo church service but nearly 1200 people showed up, which was great!

When we got back the latest DTS was returning and we were hosting their graduation at the church. I helped out with their debrief week, which gave me an opportunity to do a bit of teaching. I really enjoyed that. I talked about how to share a 2 month outreach in 5, 10, and 30 minute segments. Also a bit on how to reenter life after being gone and being a part of such amazing things. This last school had been in Pakistan- they had great experiences and great stories to tell.

I've started Christmas prep since I will be making a lot of gifts this year. I finished my chinks and will post a pic soon, but this is a LOOOONG post so I'll let you go with that.

Caleb, 8 months

I guess it was time

So for the last two months Barney had really been going downhill. Several times I was thinking we would have to put him down but he always seemed to bounce back. Not two nights ago. He lost the use of his back legs, which had ahppened before. We would give him some Deromaxx, which is an inflamation reducer, and teh next day he would be up and going again. But this time he had been off his feed for a couple days and I couldn't get him to eat the pill. His gums, tounge and inner eyelids were white instead of pink which usually means heart failure, but when Bill, our vet, looked at him he said it was probably kidneys or liver because he wasn't panting heavily adn didn't have wateron his lungs. So we thought we'd leave him one more day and see how he looked in teh morning. I had decided if he wasn't a lot better I'd have Bill put him down.

Well, that night he started howling. I had just been up with Caleb and so I asked Ron to check on him. Ron got up, carried him outside to pee, carried him back inside and laid him on his bed and he died a few breaths later.

I knew something was wrong so I got up and Ron told me. I had thought I would be a wreck losing Barnabey, but I think all the ups and downs in his health had prepared me a bit. So now it just hits me every once in a while.

Barney had been with me through a lot of major events in my life, he's been with me longer than Ron! Just running my hands through his soft, thick coat was so comforting to me. We ended up burying him in the back yard. I'm going to miss that old dog.

What to do ....

Ron left in a frezied rush this morning. His friend, who is working up by Wapiti (about 45 mins from here) spotted a big herd of elk. I guess there are some massive bulls in there, so they're going to try and get a shot at them. Ron isn't exactly the traditional type hunter. Guys out here get horses and pack them miles and miles into the mountains and spend weeks hunting down elk. Elk are really spooky and tough to hunt. Ron is more of a jump on an opportunity, take a day and try to shoot an elk. If it's a bull great, but the meats all the same.
I took my hunter's safety course online, but missed the field day so I will have to take it again next year. I wanted to try for a deer.

So here I have the whole day before me. I have one grooming appointment this afternoon, and I really should be cleaning my house, but there's only so much cleaning I am motivated to do.

I've started a pair of chinks, so I will probably work on those. I've really enjoyed making them. I am going to tool the tops, so they will be kind of personalised too.

This one's for Nonni

Caleb at 7 months.

The weather outside is frightful

This morning I woke up to 2 inches of snow on the ground!! 2 Inches!!
Actually, it was pretty. The snow blocks so much noise that everything feels hushed and quiet. Ron isn't feeling well, so we started out the morning with hot tea on the couch enjoying the peace and beauty. I started getting these urges to decorate with lights and greenery, which puts me on the same schedual as WalMart.
I was planning to go to a horse auction today, but both Ron and I felt like the Lord is saying now is not the time. Which is an act of faith for me because horse prices are really low right now and with the snow will probably be even lower. And looking at the sale catalogue, there are some nice horses in this sale!
But I will wait. If anything, I've learned that waiting for the Lord's timing, while excruciating at times for this impatient girl, is for the best. My natural mode is to think of something to build/make/create/or buy and RIGHT NOW I want to make it happen. I like instant gratification!
Thinking of my mom and dad in Mexico, enjoying the sun and that certain feeling of being on a mission, of high and lofty goals, of helping people and seeing the results, the adventure, the sacrifice. Normally I would be really wanting to go, but not in this season of life. I'm happy being more settled. I so much love the uncertainty and adventure of travel, but I'm OK not being the one to go. At least for now.

I like living in a small town, I think I really do...really

So a couple of days ago I was DYING to get to Billings and do some shopping, and it didn't happen. I got depressed for a while feeling trapped in such a small town, without any opportunities for entertainment, that I made a list of things I DO like about living here. It gets hard sometimes. I feel so isolated, ingrown. I know I'm meant to be here, but that doesn't make it any easier when I'm feeling trapped. So before I get depressed again, here's the list:

1. If there's any kind of contest with prizes going on I enter up because I always win something! (Usually for lack of participation) So far: 1 hour massage, mousse cake, 15$ at local restaurant, 15$ at local chocolate shop, free latte at the coffee shop (yes we do have coffee. I try to time it when the wife is making the coffee because it tastes better when she does it. Although I know it would never fly with Uncle Chunkle)

2. When I go to the highschool volleyball game I simply pass Caleb on to the person next to me. I get to watch the game unhindered while he works his way around the bleachers. It's awesome!
I never used to go to the games, but we have a high school senior girl living with us that plays so she got me hooked.

3. I can ride ride ride. My entire life I have wanted a horse (Trixie Belden started me on it) and finally I can ride as much as my butt can stand. That is a life saver for me. Also a cheap form of therapy.

4. The waitress at Lucille's cafe knows how I like my coffee, what dressing I take on my salad, and how done to cook my meat. She also knows when my parents are gone, Caleb's birthday,
and Ron and my anniversary.

5. Caleb will grow up with everyone knowing him, watching out for him, and relating to him. This is a good thing, because it's not just adults, it's high school students, senior citizens , all layers of life here. They will include him in their life as the normal way of living. He is already more accepted and know than Ron or I am! People see him as belonging to them, to their community. And in a healthy, not scary way.

Well, that's it so far. I felt better after these five.

The Crow

I got to thinking about Native Americans on my last post- when I was in Indiana I had this idea about Native outreaches and being a part of Indian culture. I was so virtuous it was almost laughable. The thing is, most people feel that way, fed on a steady diet of movies about the wild, free, noble, nature loving Indians. The truth is somewhat different.

Native Americans live in a Soverign Nation in the midst of our Soverign nation. So they have their own laws and rules. If the Us were to chase a criminal and he went to a reservation we would have to ask permission to catch him within res borders. The indians could say no and it would have to go to the supreme court to overrule their wishes. And if it were an indian who was the criminal the gov. would have to release him to the tribal council to be judged and convicted if that's what the indians wanted.

They truly are a different culture. Everything about the Indians is circular, whereas I would say Americans are totally linear.

There are a jillion dogs on the res. They raom around in packs and occasionally attack people. The indians don't care.

Kids are well loved but raised void of any discipline. I'm serious. None. They are like wild animals and eat junk food and pop. This is not just a blanket statement. You would think they would all grow up rebellious and they do, but they are so family adn relationally oriented that they don't rebel against their family. They stay connected.

Because of that, even though any indian who wants to go to school can have a totally free ride to any school of his/her choice, they rarely go to college or finish a semester. They also rarely leave the reservation.

The res has no hunting season or guidlines, so their are no longer any wild animals on the res. Except for dogs.

There is a stronghold of poverty, alcohol and drugs on the reservation that is unrivalled even in many third world nations. It's incredible. If the indians ever were loosened from that bondage- watch out! There is such power within that culture- a drive, competitiveness, a willing to risk anything to win or accomplish a goal. There is just such a feeling of hopelessness and apathy- they are truly a conquered people.

I believe we suffer as a nation and as a body without thier voices.

Get some coffee and settle in, this is going to be long!

So here's what I was doing last weekend- that's right, The Curly Poodle had an entry in the Meeteetse Labor Day parade. Possibly the only parade in America to hand out free alcohol at 10:00 in the morning-Mimosa anyone?? Ritz is on the left and Tia on the right in the pic. Ritz is in a modified T clip and Tia is in a Bikini clip. They both did great and I had fun. The phone calls have already been pouring in so that's good for business!

The latest on Little Buckaroo- 2 new teeth! Yowza! Both are in front on the bottem. The little champ hasn't been that fussy, thank you Jesus. He is growing so big. Still not real chunky but there's enough to squeeze his thighs. He is such a cool baby. Loves other people and doesn't cry that often. Except when I'm on the computer. What's up with that???

New Saddle- The cowboy has done it again. Always when I'm least expecting it, he pulls out an incredible surprize. We were headed to Billings with some friends and had to stop to feed Caleb. We were going a different way so we just happened to be close to a saddle shop. We stopped, they went in to look around and I stayed outside in the car to feed Caleb. When I came in they had a barrel saddle on a rack and Ron asked me what I thought. I sat in it ( it's a 14 inch, perfect) really liked how it felt, we looked it over; it was really used but in great shape and really well made (except for one fender, update to follow.) I turned to tell Ron how much I LOVED this saddle and found that he was already at the counter making it happen!

***Update- when looking over the saddle we found a weak spot on one of the fenders. I tried to baby it along for awhile, but sure enough it ripped through when I made a hard turn and the whole stirrup fell off. So the saddle is in the shop, hopefully out soon.

Why I love Schnauzers

I took this picture shortly after I saw Caleb, two chubby fists tangled in Tack's beard, pulling himself closer to Tack. I managed to get to him BEFORE he put Tack's beard in his mouth, but it was stomach wrenchingly close. This little dog is so awesome. Do you see Caleb's fist underneath his chest? What interesting expressions they both have....

My last day........

So for the past three years I have been working at an afterschool program for kids. Why would a girl who doesn't really like kids all that much work for an afterschool program? Mostly because of my boss Erin. She has become a close friend that I truly enjoy. And somewhere along the way I really began to like some of these kids.
My past experience was that I hated babysitting, but was unable to tell someone 'no' so I got stuck babysitting all these little hellions. Ugh.
So then I start doing this afterschool program because the pay is good and the hours are short and Erin is so much fun and I begin to realise- I actually like this. The kids say things that are so funny. Their personalities are so strong- they haven't quite been diluted to sameness by school and peer pressure yet.
So I will miss this part of life. It feels good and right to be moving on, but I have some awesome memories that I am glad to be taking with me.
Do any of you have a job you no longer work at but still miss once in a while?

Girls with Guns

What happens after the VBS? You got it- the girls get wild! This is the female side of the AWESOME team that came from Colorado to put on our Vacation Bible School. Each morning they poured their hearts out to our kids, and in the afternoons we would go do something fun as a team. We went prairie dog hunting, took a trip into the mountains (where Barney fell out of the pickup without anyone noticing and then showed up a half an hour later on the trail), and went to see the sights in Cody. Ron and I loved having Ronny, Marcella, Ruth and Nancy here. By the By, I never shot that pistol- I'm pretty good with a .22 but that handgun is out of my league!

before and after

Guilt, a heavy load

Where does it come from and why do I succumb to it all the time? I'm sure society would like to lay it all at my parents feet but I just don't accept that. Mom, did you guys motivate through guilt? Because it seems like I feel so guilty for EVERYTHING these days. Why I'm not a better wife, friend, communicator, planner, etc. It's such a mental battle all the time. I feel like I use so much energy fighting off this feeling of failure that were I to finally throw it off and believe that I am truly doing things well, I would float away on a cloud!
Why do I set such a high standard, and then feel lousy when I never meet it? I am trying to hear the Lord clearly on my life but it feels so foggy and distorted.
I'm tired of this crap.

Summertime

It felt like we were living in a movie portraying small town life:Saturday night and the whole town was gathered under the cottonwoods by the river. A huge red and white tent had tables set up underneath it and a long line had formed by the food. Everyone had brought desserts, children, even a few dogs. Dusk fell and someone got up to recite cowboy poetry on a makeshift dance floor. Corky and the Crowd thinners tuned up and the dancing began. The seniors gathered around the bonfire, young bucks threaded through the crowd looking for dancing partners and mothers started rocking their babies. Some good natured elbowing was going on as people got their last bids in on the silent auction.
A summernight in Meeteetse.

The Cowboy and Little Buckaroo. What could be sweeter?

Why Why Why?

So I was flooded with the incredible motivaiton to purge our crap currently being stored in a shed in the back yard. The shed is supposed to be Ron's office but because of the sheer amount of garbage we haven't made it past the few feet swept clear by the door.
Garbage bag in hand, I sorted, I threw away, I uncovered a bookshelf with a lot of books I would like to read.
Seriously proud of myself, I was backing out of the door so I could get a better look at the serenity within when I heard a voice behind me:
"What are you doing?"
My heart sank. It was the Cowboy.
"Hey, what are you throwing away???"
It was then that I knew I was in trouble.
Snatching the garbage bag from my hand, the following was heard:
"This is a perfectly good pen! I can get the ink to flow again."
"You would NEVER see THIS being thrown away in Africa."
"We can use this paper! it only has a few marks on it!"


See title.

I'm so proud of my garden! Last year the tomatoes took over and the zuchini crossbred with some strange vine. THIS year the lettuce is in nice fluffy rows, the peppers are hopeful and the tomatoes are staying in their cages. I can't wait for tomato and mozzarella salad with fresh basil.
Vegetables in Wyoming are only eatable when they are grown in the back yard, so our diets aren't varied, but they are organic by necessity!

I was really undecided about this blog. I love blogging with the fam, but I didn't know if I wanted to commit to my own blog. However, considering I would like a future in children's books, both writing and illustrating, this will be a good daily writing exercise. I don't think this will have too much of a theme, just dailys from the west. The Cowboy already thinks I spend too much time blogging, but every girl needs a few obsessions, right?