I'm working on my goals for 2011. Writing them all out and sorting through them.....is like running a marathon for my brain...that is for sure! No pressure but today is the 29th, best to dig deeper. Here is a note I got today:
"whilst in the pursuit of a grand and wonderful dream, should you all of a sudden round a bend and see before you an enormous uncharted mountain with towering cliffs, jagged rocks, and seemingly impenetrable walls, just consider it a sign that your dream is considerably more worthwhile than you had previously imagined, and that you are exactly where you're supposed to be."
I'd best go get another cup of coffee before I tackle the goal setting mountain that is before me. See you on the other side.......
Seize the Day!!!!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
More Wool Crafts
The week before Christmas, I ventured down to Kenleigh Acres Farm. My friend, Adele, was taking a felted soap class and I thought...what the heck! Maybe I could cross a few names off my Christmas gift list with a craft project.
Adele brought a felted soap that she made at home.....before she took the class and got the secret "how to's". I love how she wrapped it in yarn!
Shannon started the class giving the basic instructions....
The whole process was pretty darn simple....wrapping a nice bar of hand-milled soap in wool fibers.....and then taking that wool through the felting process. As the wool became felt...it got tighter shrinking onto the soap...sort of like a wool sweater when it is put in a washing machine. Not that I have ever done anything like that before......
My hands have never been so clean! Good thing the soap smelled good and was moisturizing!
Here is what Shannon says about felted soap, "The gentle exfoliating wool eliminates the need for a washcloth and shrinks with the soap. When all of the soap is gone, you are left with a nice wool scrubbing pad."
Here is my attempt at felted soap....shown next to Adele's felt soap.....not too bad if I say so myself.
I went home and made another felted soap and gave all my crafty attempts as Christmas gifts. One friend wants to do a little class with her daughter and a friend....so I'll be make a few more of them. Fun way to be productive during these endless rainy days of winter!
Seize the Day!
Adele brought a felted soap that she made at home.....before she took the class and got the secret "how to's". I love how she wrapped it in yarn!
Shannon started the class giving the basic instructions....
The whole process was pretty darn simple....wrapping a nice bar of hand-milled soap in wool fibers.....and then taking that wool through the felting process. As the wool became felt...it got tighter shrinking onto the soap...sort of like a wool sweater when it is put in a washing machine. Not that I have ever done anything like that before......
My hands have never been so clean! Good thing the soap smelled good and was moisturizing!
Here is what Shannon says about felted soap, "The gentle exfoliating wool eliminates the need for a washcloth and shrinks with the soap. When all of the soap is gone, you are left with a nice wool scrubbing pad."
Here is my attempt at felted soap....shown next to Adele's felt soap.....not too bad if I say so myself.
I went home and made another felted soap and gave all my crafty attempts as Christmas gifts. One friend wants to do a little class with her daughter and a friend....so I'll be make a few more of them. Fun way to be productive during these endless rainy days of winter!
Seize the Day!
Vision Board
Okay, I wrapped up the photo part of my 2011 vision board today! First, let's start with the board from last year....
Yes that is a tissue covering a more "personal" picture! One of the web sites I followed in helping me make my board suggested that I put a picture of myself onto the board...this makes it more personal and thus allows your brain to see yourself in all the pictures (or something like that). So I photo-enhanced a picture of me.....and I did not want to traumatize or be responsible for any coffee spit onto my blog friend's computer screens. You're welcome!
Here is what is on the board: 1) google earth pictures of fields I would like to haul out to 2) a trip to warm sunny beaches with palm trees 3) Jillian Michaels who would like to shred me for 30 days so I too can be hot 4) sheds, sheds, sheds and more sheds with a pen and a big picture of the 2009 USBCHA finals field 5) England and Wales 6) a made-up picture of a project I am dreaming of. The board is also huge and I have made it so very much more detailed, including more of my life!
Today, I begin working on my goals for 2011...I am going to write them out and attach them to the board as well.....
2011.....I hope your ready ........
Seize the Day!!!!!
It was pretty small (11x17)...and focused on sheepdog trialing...all of it! It is fun looking at it today! What was accomplished in 2010 that resembled my vision board? Well, I am making a recovery from panel-itis. The 2010 board included two large pictures of sheep going straight through the cross drive panels! Sally and I have put down some real nice runs...hitting panels like the photos I glued down at the end of December 2009. I also did make it into two double lift final gos. As I cut out those pictures of Aled Owen and Roy from their winning World Trial run.....it was fun dreaming of a day such as that. To be honest, I have subconsciously looked at my Vision Board daily....it sort of blended into my wall, right there beside my computer screen. As I look at it today, I am synthesising how much it played a role in how my year of trialing played out.
Here is my Vision/Dream Board for 2011.....well at least parts of it....
Here is what is on the board: 1) google earth pictures of fields I would like to haul out to 2) a trip to warm sunny beaches with palm trees 3) Jillian Michaels who would like to shred me for 30 days so I too can be hot 4) sheds, sheds, sheds and more sheds with a pen and a big picture of the 2009 USBCHA finals field 5) England and Wales 6) a made-up picture of a project I am dreaming of. The board is also huge and I have made it so very much more detailed, including more of my life!
Today, I begin working on my goals for 2011...I am going to write them out and attach them to the board as well.....
2011.....I hope your ready ........
Seize the Day!!!!!
Monday, December 27, 2010
What Is It About the Holidays!?
Just as I thought I had made it through the holidays unscathed.....successful at being a duck and embracing joy.....I got hit by a truck! Really...what is it about the holidays that makes for unfilled expectations and let downs? It's funny...well not really funny but ironical that the more we try to "make" everything happen a certain way.....we end up feeling empty, let-down, depressed and cynical! Today's homework from Reverb10 is....
Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?
Reading this question...and processing my answer, I've discovered one of the secrets to happiness! That is seeking, looking, finding JOY in ORDINARYY moments!!!! Not making joy come from out-of-this-world expectations from an in-the-mind huge event. Sometimes it seems that big huge events have the potential of bringing out a focus on what was missed, a focus on what did not happen instead of all that did! So let's look at this question again:
Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?
One of the most profound joyful moments of 2010....was raising my pup, Gyp. Not just a minute ago, she came flying through the doggie door and put her two front feet onto my lap...giving me a huge hug and just resting her head on my chest for what felt like forever. Those daily little moments fill my cup with delight....seeing the world through the eyes of my pup....finding the wonder and excitement in the simple and ridiculous.
I could write more on other profoundly joyful moments that include my boys, husband, friends....but I will leave it with the pup and my journey with my dogs.
One goal for 2011: finding joy in ordinary moments.....and then stopping to soak it in....take a mental picture of that moment and let it fill my soul....steep myself in the joy and let it permeate my being! I'd also like to find myself preparing for the big events with tools to bring out along the way....so I can find joy in all that happens as it happens and let go of expectations. Funny, I find myself back to Get vs Make....instead of making joy happen....I get to find it along the way......bring it on 2011!
Seize the Day!
Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?
Reading this question...and processing my answer, I've discovered one of the secrets to happiness! That is seeking, looking, finding JOY in ORDINARYY moments!!!! Not making joy come from out-of-this-world expectations from an in-the-mind huge event. Sometimes it seems that big huge events have the potential of bringing out a focus on what was missed, a focus on what did not happen instead of all that did! So let's look at this question again:
Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?
One of the most profound joyful moments of 2010....was raising my pup, Gyp. Not just a minute ago, she came flying through the doggie door and put her two front feet onto my lap...giving me a huge hug and just resting her head on my chest for what felt like forever. Those daily little moments fill my cup with delight....seeing the world through the eyes of my pup....finding the wonder and excitement in the simple and ridiculous.
I could write more on other profoundly joyful moments that include my boys, husband, friends....but I will leave it with the pup and my journey with my dogs.
One goal for 2011: finding joy in ordinary moments.....and then stopping to soak it in....take a mental picture of that moment and let it fill my soul....steep myself in the joy and let it permeate my being! I'd also like to find myself preparing for the big events with tools to bring out along the way....so I can find joy in all that happens as it happens and let go of expectations. Funny, I find myself back to Get vs Make....instead of making joy happen....I get to find it along the way......bring it on 2011!
Seize the Day!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
6 More Days
That's right.....the count down begins with the day after Christmas! My Christmas was fab this year.....the family was together and we saw THE BEST MOVIE...which is one of our holiday traditions....seeing a movie Christmas day. All the boys in the family wanted to see The Fighter....and I went along because I got to pick the Thanksgiving day movie. Boy....am I glad I did! In real life...I am not a fan of boxing, however, this movie was amazing. In addition to quality face time with the fam.....I got a set of ramps for Christmas. I can now put sheep AND a 4 wheeler into my stock trailer....which brings me to the meat of this post....6 very important days left in 2010.
Outside, the heavens bring Ark building weather.....inside there is a whole lot of honest evaluation and planning going on. I've found a few websites that I'm using to help me create a better vision/dream for the coming new year.
Create a Personal Manifesto with Gwen Bell With Gwen's help, I am building a personal vision board. One I can use when I loose my way, the going gets tough, or I can't get up.
I'm also working on my goals for 2011. This daunting task has been made easier by Lululemon's Goaltender This web site has a quote, "Mediocrity is as close to the bottom as it is to the top." Now if that does not give an overthinker fodder to fill a day!
Another "idea" I have been thinking on lately is dreams. Not the kind I have at night dreams....but the dreams that fuel my goals. It is an illusive mind exercise...that what we think on is what we become. The idea that we manifest or attract what we think. That idea certainly has a new age feel to it.....and yet Philippians 4:8 tells us how important it is to focus our thoughts. Perchance this is one of those Universal Truths that in appearance looks so dang easy....and yet for the application of, I must train my mind For me, finding the balance of honest, critical analysis vs. focusing on the positive vs. fear/worry vs. dream/goals is a daily challenge. If you have ever read The Secret.....the whole manifestation idea is presented in a "name it; claim it way" and made to sound easy...very Pollyanna-ish. Then John Assaraf, who helped write The Secret...came out with The Answer...a book I found to be very fascinating. Mr. Assaraf has a web site Achievement Goal Transformation Here are a couple of other web site the delve in deeper.... White Hot Truth ....you have to look around to find things which can be frustrating for a type-A person.....or can be enjoyed with a good cuppa Joe. Mike Dooley helped write The Secret and his web site is interesting. Totally Unique Thoughts or TUT for short....it is worth a look around.
I have also mentioned the Mondobeyondo Dream Lab with Brene Brown and The Gift of Imperfection. As I signed up for this class, I could not help but wonder how participating in a class of self-acceptance would tie in with visualizing, manifesting, and goal setting all that I want to become in 2011! Sort of feels like the other side of the knife...I'll either end up a little healthier or have multiple personalities!
So here's to 2011 and the six days left to prepare for its first blank page to fill......wrapping up 2010 with all its glory and lessons learned.
Seize the Day!
Outside, the heavens bring Ark building weather.....inside there is a whole lot of honest evaluation and planning going on. I've found a few websites that I'm using to help me create a better vision/dream for the coming new year.
Create a Personal Manifesto with Gwen Bell With Gwen's help, I am building a personal vision board. One I can use when I loose my way, the going gets tough, or I can't get up.
I'm also working on my goals for 2011. This daunting task has been made easier by Lululemon's Goaltender This web site has a quote, "Mediocrity is as close to the bottom as it is to the top." Now if that does not give an overthinker fodder to fill a day!
Another "idea" I have been thinking on lately is dreams. Not the kind I have at night dreams....but the dreams that fuel my goals. It is an illusive mind exercise...that what we think on is what we become. The idea that we manifest or attract what we think. That idea certainly has a new age feel to it.....and yet Philippians 4:8 tells us how important it is to focus our thoughts. Perchance this is one of those Universal Truths that in appearance looks so dang easy....and yet for the application of, I must train my mind For me, finding the balance of honest, critical analysis vs. focusing on the positive vs. fear/worry vs. dream/goals is a daily challenge. If you have ever read The Secret.....the whole manifestation idea is presented in a "name it; claim it way" and made to sound easy...very Pollyanna-ish. Then John Assaraf, who helped write The Secret...came out with The Answer...a book I found to be very fascinating. Mr. Assaraf has a web site Achievement Goal Transformation Here are a couple of other web site the delve in deeper.... White Hot Truth ....you have to look around to find things which can be frustrating for a type-A person.....or can be enjoyed with a good cuppa Joe. Mike Dooley helped write The Secret and his web site is interesting. Totally Unique Thoughts or TUT for short....it is worth a look around.
I have also mentioned the Mondobeyondo Dream Lab with Brene Brown and The Gift of Imperfection. As I signed up for this class, I could not help but wonder how participating in a class of self-acceptance would tie in with visualizing, manifesting, and goal setting all that I want to become in 2011! Sort of feels like the other side of the knife...I'll either end up a little healthier or have multiple personalities!
So here's to 2011 and the six days left to prepare for its first blank page to fill......wrapping up 2010 with all its glory and lessons learned.
Seize the Day!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Back To The BCTC
There are so many things to love about going to the Border Collie Training Center.....big fields....variety of sheep......and friends. Friends that don't get bored talking about dogs....all things dogs: training dogs, running dogs, watching videos of dogs running, looking at pictures of different dogs.
The day of dog work gets started pretty early: drinking coffee around the breakfast table and talking about goals for the day. Then it is off to the bowl field where we set sheep for each other.....
My dogs need practice working sheep while I ride a 4 wheeler. Somehow the 4 wheeler seems to give them permission to do what ever they want, which might be chasing me and leaving the sheep....or being terribly wicked with the sheep ignoring my corrections that turn to screams. When I set...I get the additional benefit of the BCTC workout program......and I walk the sheep to the set out.
I shared earlier that one of my biggest goals was to get some video of my dogs working, especially Bella. I was hoping some video might show me pre-tension build up so I can further sort it. It turned out that we filmed each other......so the person not setting ran the camera.
I took my Canon to the post with me as I sent Nell on her outrun. I wanted to capture her lift and fetch.
These sheep were set on alfalfa so she really had to lift them with authority and then let them go. Together, we have been working on the fetch.....confidence and thought are my goals with Nell. I'm also asking her to stay behind and not slide off to catch an eye to slow them...unless she hears different from me.
The sheep look like there were coming at quite a clip...which they were...but I wanted Nell to stay behind and not slip off to the side to slow them.....she is very good at that maneuver but with practice she is getting better at staying behind while staying far enough off to make a reasonable pace.
Attitude of Gratitude....I have so much to be thankful for. 1) a husband that gives me passes out of the house for dog weekends away 2) a family that does not mind my absence 3) friends that welcome me, encourage me, and aren't afraid to get after me 4) friends with big fields and sheep! Sometimes I get caught up in "wishing" I had more......that I lived closer, had more property, more sheep. When those thoughts come creeping in...I stop and find the blessings in what I do have. And then I grab my notebook, review my goals and kick myself in the butt!
Seize the Day!!!!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Back to Knee Deep
Yesterday, I drove down to Knee Deep Ranch for what might be the last time in 2010! I have to admit...I love visiting this ranch. Earlier in the week, Alvina asked if I minded helping with the cow feeding chores....HECK NO! Mind? I love it! So we found ourselves back in the rickety old...oh wait, I mean super fine "built Ford tough" ranch truck...the same one that has holes in the floorboard so a girl must be careful getting in and out of it....off to feed the cows.
I got to see another portion of the vast ranch.....up on top of the world. I sure hope these cows appreciate this view....some folks pay very good money to wake up to this beauty every morning.
Somehow, I do believe...those cows only had one thing on their mind! Breakfast in bed!
The "country way of life" is so different from the "city way of life"....here we were, feeding cows in the middle of pretty much no where. We climbed a one lane rocky road in 4L......thick forest surrounding the high hill meadow...and out of nowhere comes a man! And he stopped to chat!
Such is country life....led at a whimsical pace.....hint of music in the background....a drum beat that only those living the life can hear. I so appreciate the shared dose of that medicine...it brings a girl back to a life well lived.
Then it was on to dog work! I can not believe....well I can but, I am so impressed with how great the dogs are looking at Knee Deep Ranch. Each of them are coming along and are becoming quiet the partner with their person. I have to say....that was the best part of the day!
A close second was getting to work my own dogs......each of them had a go and I took advantage of the big field choosing long drives and medium outruns. Sometimes Sally does not get to work....mostly because of lack of time and the fact the other girls need a bit more training. It was fun working Sally in the big field.....doing huge long drives......working her on picking up the pace and taking all the flanks I was giving.....then giving the reins back and having her be responsible for holding a line.
Another day in paradise! Certainly one of the things I am most thankful for in 2010.....Knee Deep Ranch and the friends I have found there.
Seize the Day!
I got to see another portion of the vast ranch.....up on top of the world. I sure hope these cows appreciate this view....some folks pay very good money to wake up to this beauty every morning.
Somehow, I do believe...those cows only had one thing on their mind! Breakfast in bed!
The "country way of life" is so different from the "city way of life"....here we were, feeding cows in the middle of pretty much no where. We climbed a one lane rocky road in 4L......thick forest surrounding the high hill meadow...and out of nowhere comes a man! And he stopped to chat!
Such is country life....led at a whimsical pace.....hint of music in the background....a drum beat that only those living the life can hear. I so appreciate the shared dose of that medicine...it brings a girl back to a life well lived.
 |
| Alvina and Old Red...the F*rd! |
Then it was on to dog work! I can not believe....well I can but, I am so impressed with how great the dogs are looking at Knee Deep Ranch. Each of them are coming along and are becoming quiet the partner with their person. I have to say....that was the best part of the day!
A close second was getting to work my own dogs......each of them had a go and I took advantage of the big field choosing long drives and medium outruns. Sometimes Sally does not get to work....mostly because of lack of time and the fact the other girls need a bit more training. It was fun working Sally in the big field.....doing huge long drives......working her on picking up the pace and taking all the flanks I was giving.....then giving the reins back and having her be responsible for holding a line.
Another day in paradise! Certainly one of the things I am most thankful for in 2010.....Knee Deep Ranch and the friends I have found there.
Seize the Day!
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