Tripping on the Trip before the Trip

Damn.  I thought I was ready for this trip.  I thought I had done enough in advance to ease into my one day off before my trip to Tennessee. But I usually fall into that pre-trip trap, and today was no exception.

First of all, kudos to my girls for doing so well at VAST in Turlock Friday evening and Saturday.  Jemima was her playful self, and Q'd all her runs.  She even won a few, including Performance Pairs with Katrina & Maddie, and Pf Snooker with a Super Q!  The Vixenator killed that Snooker.  OMG that was a blur!  And it was FAST and CLEAN.  RUN FAST BARK LOUD!  She did great in her other classes, with a bar here, and a tunnel suck there.  All in all, I was super happy with both dogs.  

Looked like this in Turlock Saturday afternoon.

A heavy wind came in late afternoon.  Blew over a few canopies, blew down some of the fencing, and kicked up some major dust.  Just in time for us to pack up and head home.  Those were some bodacious winds driving over Pacheco Pass!







My friend Mona is loaning me her older Acura for my trip, and I took it to Turlock for another test drive.  Those winds hit it hard.  Would've hit my truck harder.  (I must say I was glad I wasn't riding my motorcycle.)  The front brake rotors are a bit rough on the Acura, so it's going back to the mechanic tomorrow to have that smoothed out.  Otherwise, it's ready for the Road.

Blue suede shoes

Speaking of which - remember my flat tire coming home from Woodland a few weekends ago?  Finally had that taken care of last week via Costco.  Viggo's got new shoes.  Much better ride!

 It was a week of car care.  Hopefully I'll be done with that tomorrow.  Better be.  We're leaving Tuesday.







And so today.  Blissfully slept in.  During my second cuppajo, I completed an arduous half-hour plus brain-beating assessment for a job opening I'm applying for.  I love my job and my boss and it would take a lot for me to leave, but it's a good opportunity for practice, including my interviewing skills if I get that far.

Reconciled checkbooks because of course the bank statements showed up now.  Did all my laundry including sheets.  Packed up my agility clothes/shoes in a separate suitcase that I'll pull out when I get to Tennessee.  Washed and trimmed my hair.  Yep - flip it upside down and cut straight across, and voila!  Layers!

Just washed my hair and can't do a thing with it

Brushed, bathed and blew out the dogs.  Oh how we hate baths!  Such torture! Until they're over, then it's wild kingdom in the living room.

And then things calm down again until the dryer monster comes out. MUST KILL IT!!

And the fur flew.

Really?  You're going to take my picture now?

Even though we will be trialing in a dirt ring under cover, we get the dreaded baths.  So not fair.

Hey - there will be a judge in that ring.  There will be thousands of aussies there!  Must look our best.  Suck it up buttercups!









Unpacked the Acura from the weekend and moved stuff I won't need back into my truck.  Repacked the Acura.  Plenty of room!  The ASCA Nationals are in a big horseshow complex again this year, and we'll be setting up in a stall.  So no canopy needed, no sun shades.  Taking a soft ex-pen, a smaller grass mat.  Less all around.

Made the bed.  Packed some coffee fixin's/food stuffs.  Oops!  Almost out of kibble!  Hopped in the truck and drove to PetPals.  Grabbed a latte', and headed to Heart Dog for a lesson.  Mona & Vixen's sister Lizzie joined us.  We practiced some fancy moves on a wicked fun fast course.  Thank you, Kathleen!  Practiced with Jemima, too.  Wild girl.  She nipped me grabbing for the frisbee.

Nothing Snoopy can't make better

Home.  Take Acura to the mechanic; drop keys in through the slot.  Walk the uphill mile back home.  Finish the laundry.  Tomorrow - work all day.  Squeeze into the dentist hopefully for a newly chipped tooth.  Really?  Now??  Grab a few groceries.  Pick up the Acura after work.  Pack my travel clothes.  Load all into the car.  Sleep.  Get up.  Go.  Until then .....