Good for a laugh!

Besides our agility friends and the people who are really in our day-to-day life, not many people get to see the true Neena.  When Kim posted about the C-BARQ (Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire) on her blog, I completed the questionnaire for Neena and two of her red-flag area's were stranger-directed fear and touch sensitivity.  This is a pretty accurate description of Neena, she often has a hard time meeting new people, especially in stressful situations, and it is compounded when folk (usually well-meaning dog lovers!) try to pet her.  She needs her own space and luckily, early in our agility career, Sarah & Amanda pointed out to me the more I touch her...the more she freaks out!  So truly, if you meet Neena and she snubs you, don't take it personally!  She snubs me all the time lol!

It makes me feel warm and fuzzy when she is comfortable and enjoying herself.  I wish more people could see her like that, she's a nut, and she makes me laugh all the time!  Today I couldn't wait to download my photo's after our walk, I knew there was going to be some funny shots of the 'real' Neena!  And I was right!

This is my favorite!

These pics are a little silly too, but I love them...it makes me feel like a total crazy dog lady, but last week one of our dog friends commented that they hadn't realized Neena smiles...and it warmed my heart!  So these aren't 'true' smiles...but they are close...

And I was trying to come up with a banner for my blog...was going for a 'long road' type shot...the results weren't quite what I wanted, but I'm happy enough!  These were a few of of the 'rejects' that I thought were still blog-worthy lol!

Season Opener

Man was it ever a freakin LONG winter...seriously, going to Vegas to watch 3 days of awesome modified racing spoiled me...and to go from that high to NOTHING...lets just say there were days I didn't even want to be around myself lol!

We were supposed to have 'Practise Day" the beginning of the month...I was super excited about it...and then it rained.  And there was so much water, the first race of the year was cancelled.  Bummer.  Things finally dried up enough for us to have our first race of the season last weekend!  The pits and infield were still pretty wet, in fact James was pumping water out of the center to water the track.

I headed out a little earlier in the day than usual, spent a little time running errands for Kathy, and then a little time chatting with James.  He had something fun to show me...this is where they normally pump water for the track from.

Its been so wet and the dugout is so full, the water truck has some company!  Some Canadian geese decided to lay their eggs on the dock...silly birds!  James is such a nice guy he's come up with a plan so that they won't disturb the little guys when they have to start pumping from the dugout...no worries!

Speaking of 'wildlife'...my 'wild dog' spent most of her morning hiding on the floor of the truck...chicken!

On Saturday the trucks, hobby stocks and hornets raced, lots of the drivers gave their wheels new paint jobs over the winter.  They looked great!

These guys make me giggle...they have attitude even in the line-up.

I have only watched the hobby stocks race a few times, they are mostly guys from the Calgary area and we had them down a few times (that I remember...eek) last summer.  I also got to work with them in High River when I played up there in August.  They are a fun group of guys and a pleasure to work with...well actually, all the classes were awesome on Saturday...no complaints from me at all!

Why hello there my lil shadow!  What are YOU doing in the photo lol!

That's better lol...

As far as I'm concerned, it was a fantastic opening night!  Great people, great racing...it was a fantastic warm-up for this weekend!  Two day show at BCR...Sprints & Modifieds...its going to be F.U.N.

Branding...Peters Style

Have to admit, this years branding went off pretty much without a hitch...there was no fist fight, no 'angry driving', nothing was broken on purpose...sheesh...guess we are mellowing with age!

All the snow/rain that Southern Alberta has gotten over the last few weeks made the farm...well...a sloppy mess.  It took extra-special planning, including this 'yellow straw road' that lead the babies back to their mommies, to get'er done.

We don't believe in tables...that's what tailgates are for!  I am the 'needle girl'...and the bolus girl...and the "Jen, come look at this and tell me what we should do" girl.  Its going to be fun when I'm a vet lemme tell ya!

I was dog sitting for my brother and his girlfriend, Doby...well...he's Doby.  I finally had to be mean and tie him up but have you ever tried to tell a poodle that he should stop chasing the calves?

Just when we were finally ready to get started, it was decided we needed a break.  Men.

Warren and Jordan were the calf pushers.  This, is my absolute favorite picture from the entire day.  It actually made me laugh until I cried

Lots of people will tell you that that 'real' branding involves horses & ropes & holding the calves by hand.  We have used a calf table for years, and in all honesty unless you and your team are VERY experienced...I truly believe this is the safest way for everyone.

Here is our brand...

And our lease eartag is #28, I always thought my racing number should be 28, but it just never felt right!

The dogs all had a great time playing in the 'mud' and dugout...yuck.  I deal with a lot of sh*t on a day to day basis (literally), but getting the dogs home in my car, and then bathing them both was EXHAUSTING!  Neena might shed like crazy, but her coat is SO much easier to care for than Doby's!  Wow!

Dad's been saying for years that he's selling his cows, this year was 'supposed' to be our last branding...and then half-way through he whispers to me "I'll never get rid of my cows"...that's what I thought! 

Ah, I do love my little red-necked family!

Its a long way til Homestead

I grew up watching Dale Earnhardt and his black #3 car racing laps on the NASCAR circuit.  Dad was a fan, by association I became one too.  In 2001 at the opening race of the season, a bad accident took Dale Sr's life.  Its hard to explain what he meant to his fans, although I suspect fans of all sports would feel the same about their favorites.  Its also hard to explain how the death of someone you have never met can be so hard.

You know, I don't just jump on anyone's band wagon...but once I decide I'm a fan...because of your ability, and your attitude on and off the track...I'm a fan for life!  After Dale Sr died, I had to find a new driver to cheer for.  I didn't want to jump on his kid's band wagon just because...I do remember taking some time to think it through.  However, in the end, I did decide that I wanted to be Dale Earnhardt Jr fan...because I liked his style, and I like his attitude.  But I won't lie, there IS still a part that is loyal to him because of his Dad.

When I realized there was a race at Talladega the weekend after our wedding, I KNEW where we were going...I totally ruined the suprise, but I didn't care...I was going to TALLADEGA!  And I was so happy I cried when MY GUY won TALLADEGA and I GOT TO WATCH!

We also visited Daytona USA on that trip, Dale Jr had won the Daytona 500 that spring...when you win that race they 'confiscate' your car and it goes on display for that year.  They don't clean it up, there was still confetti stuck to the car...it was very cool! 

Sigh.  So it started with...well some 'big talk', undoubtedly in a race car shop or a pub...but I have a friendly rivalry going with a pal.  Of course I think Dale Jr is 'The Man'...and he's a Denny Hamlin fan.  What started as a bet to see who'd finish the year ahead of the other has developed into a weekly competition.

Week 1 - well lets just say the loser had to take a sip out of a bucket...which had been 'doctored' throughout the race.  It was pretty gross...but I won that one ;)

We missed a few weeks, and seriously can't remember at least a few of the bets...which means they can't have been that great lol!

Week 7 - loser had to wash the other guys car/truck.  I won that one...and I ALMOST felt bad about it lol.

Week 8 - loser has to wear the other driver's apparell for a day, somewhere of the winner's choosing.  I SO wanted to win this one, I ONLY have girly Dale Jr shirts...woulda been SO funny.  But I lost.  My day of shame is still to come...

Week 9 - loser had to put a "I heart Dale Jr/Denny Hamlin" decal on their rear window...for a month!

I lost that week too.  Usually I feel like a teeny bopper in my sunflower...but now I feel like a red neck lol!

Week 10 - This was my facebook status for a week:
Denny Hamlin is amazing! Dale Earnhardt Jr bows down to Denny Hamlin's pure talent and skill everyday. I have seen the light and now I am a Denny Hamlin Fan!

Week 11 - well, I owe an hour of my time. I have the feeling I might be doing some house cleaning. Blah.

I haven't exactly been 'winning' the last month or so, but that's ok.  When Dale Jr and I finish the year ahead of Denny Hamlin in points, I get to decide what a certain sprint car will look like next year (on the flip side, we lose and I have to wash said sprint car.  Sigh.)

Ah...its all in good fun, but it IS still a VERY LONG way until Homestead!

Like Wine?

My Mom and her husband have a lot at King Arthur's Lakefront Resort in Vauxhall.  Together with a large group of friends, they spend a lot of time out there during the summer, and wine making for the camping season has become something of a hobby.  This weekend I headed out to Enchant to help.

Saturday was spent filtering wine, and preparing the bottles...Carol is demonstrating the proper technique for sanitizing and rinsing the bottles.

Ever heard the phrase go big or go home?  I think we bottled 18 batches...which filled over 200 2L bottles and another 120 1L bottles.  At which point I feel it is necessary to reiterate that this 'stash' is shared by a LARGE group of friends.

My job the second day was "Label Girl"...I'm not going to lie...I fought the urge to find a ruler.

Of course we had to sample the fruits of our labor while we slaved away...this is my Magic Wine Glass...it is magically NEVER empty.

It actually went pretty quickly...we got a lot done in a few short hours!

Which is a good things because these carboys are still waiting to be bottled.