Happy New Year 2014

A word to the wise, to start off the new year:

Do not let the universe, or Murphy, or whoever you believe in, hear you say "I plan to get 5 more years out of this vehicle", for he/she/it seems to enjoy a good laugh.

Soooooo, I have some sad goodbyes to close out the old year, and some happy hellos, or things I plan to be happy about soonish.

Goodbye Dear Pilot. You served me well and kept me and Star safe when the other guy came sliding at us across the icy road. You have carried all 5 of my dogs, which was going to be the theme of this year's letter, and will still be. You looked so sad and lonely when we said goodbye in the wrecking lot. I'll try to remember you instead as you looked a year ago, in last year's letter, full of happy dogs ready to hit the road. Today I am grateful that everyone walked away from the accident, that the other guy was honorable, (and insured), and that Star and I both have very good chiropractors. Also that we had a great road trip to Colorado this past summer - one of many over the years.

(Mom, close your eyes and scroll past the pictures ...)

27 December 2013

Goodbye Dear Rock Crawler. I can't believe I had you for 15 years! You and Network and I (and Lily one year as well) enjoyed the most awesome adventures on the Rubicon Trail. Then you followed me to Washington, a little smog exempt insurance policy in the garage in case of Sudden Catastrophic Loss of Pilot (SCaLP) while I was an unemployed student. You looked so sad and lonely when I gave you back to Toyota Inc (too busy to deal with a private sale), but feeling more confident about my future these days, I set you free to find another adventurer to care for you.

31 December 2013

Hello Red Hot Sienna. You seem to be very nice - comfortable and roomy as well. I'm sure I will come to love you too in time. I already love your big clear windshield and bright shiny headlights, and all that space in back for crates to keep my doggies safe and still more room for all their agility gear. Welcome to our family. I am sure we will have many adventures together. I expect our first road trip will start before the month is out, as we say ....

01 January 2014

... Goodbye Washington. You've been our home for 3 1/2 years. I loved your beautiful summers and enjoyed a little snow in your mild northern winters (I wasn't here for any harsh ones). You gave me a master's degree, a good start at my accounting career, and a huge pile of wonderful agility friends who I will truly, truly miss. The SCaLP incident happened on the way to a competition on our home turf, and the many hugs and heartfelt concern you shared when I stopped by later in the day brought tears to my eyes. I was also relieved to see a friendly agility face at the scene of the SCaLP, when Rosemary stumbled upon us and stopped to make sure we were ok. You all are a very special family and I am so glad that Julie introduced me to the sport and to y'all. My future plans do include an annual agility trip back to the area.

Sunny and Star along the Spokane River

Hello Utah!

When I landed my first permanent accounting job in 2012, I felt confident that it was a place I could work for 10 years, and enjoy professional growth and participation in improving the business practices of a company with good people and good intentions. So confident in fact, that I immediately bought a house 2 miles from the office, in January 2013. I winced a little when reading an announcement from corporate the next day saying that the company would soon be sending most accounting jobs to India. Nothing happened until late September, when I was given 4 months notice that my job was going away. Please stay and train the Indians, they said, and we won't just toss you out into the cold. Me? Train the Indians?!? Ha - All I heard was opportunity knocking. I've done this before! "Can I show you how to do it?", said I.

Before the 4 months was up, they asked if I would consider relocating to SLC. I groaned. This wasn't anywhere in my plans! (refer to opening sentence of this post). A quick google search of "agility clubs in Salt Lake City" yielded 5 unique hits, and I suddenly found myself on the phone with someone who had responsibility for improving business practices. He had heard about me and thought I possessed the skills that he wanted on his team at the US headquarters. I said I would be honored. My first project is the perfect combination of all my skills and 25 years of experience, as I will be a liaison between the accounting department and the Oracle software implementation team.

So here's to 2014 - a year in which I plan to make no plans!

And here's a silly ode to the doggies who rock my world:

There once was a Lab pup named Network

    For 13 years he was my best dude

Though spoiled as a pup

He trained me right up

    And taught me that Labs are the best mates.

Then along came #2 - Lily

    With soccer balls she got quite silly

I got her at five

She brought us alive

    That Lab sure could run willy nilly.

As Network declined in came Sunny

    Through five surgeries he stayed sweet as honey

His sighted days are over

Yet he remains a Reading Rover

    He brings joy as he spends all my money.

Now Star, oh my Star, she is precious

    My heart dog, her face leaves me breathless

She's my agility star

And makes me stretch far

    She's perfect! This Lab does my life bless.

I didn't need three, but Xander found me

    To stay in the sport, a "next dog" is key

He came storming in

To make me grin

    Lab #5 - enthusiastic IS he!

Some of my favorite group portraits:

Lily and Network, New Year's 1999ish, CA Mountains

Network, Lily and visitor Chevy, July 2004, CA Beach

Star and Sunny, May 2010, CO Dog Park

Star and Xander, August 2013, CO Dog Park

PS - Colorado has the best dog parks

PS - Colorado also has Safe Harbor Lab Rescue, where I have been volunteering for 5 years, mostly from afar. In moving to Utah, I am also moving half way back to Colorado. Only a day's drive away, with the most beautiful scenery along the way. (And yes, Joy, I will be closer to CA too!)

Pawsitive Works will be upset if I don't plug them as well. I played a minor part with that organization in 2013, and still love and support Canine Angels Service Teams, although I didn't do much in 2013.

And one last PS - Thanks to my uncle Randall and cousin Hillary for rescuing me from the SCaLP, in your Sienna. I think I knew the minute you opened the back to load up my piles of stuff from the side of the road that I was looking at my next vehicle. If not for you, I might still be shopping. Or I might still be sitting on the side of the road waiting for a ride. Thanks for being there that day.

Goodbye 2013

Hello 2014

Yellow dogs and Red Hot Sienna - ready, set, go!