LAX First Game

We had our first Lacrosse game. What fun! the boys did quite well but we were out scored today.

Devin did well in all positions played and was our only goal scorer - he was thrilled. Yay for my boy! He flattened several kids to get ground balls, made several other really good plays. I think he is going to do well because he is not afraid of contact or being physical.

My voice is a bit hoarse from yelling to help coach the boys. It was a great getaway from the dog stuff.

On to some other topics - Robbie has to have shoulder surgery on April 13. They want to scope his joint to find out what is causing the instability. It will be expensive and the recovery time will be a nightmare but we need to be aggressive in treatment to try to give him the best chance to resume his active life and career. I'm so not looking forward to his therapy, trips to Maryland, the cost involved, and the restrictions on his active life. UGH!

Got on my bike today - had a great spin indoors. Listened to some heavy music; kept me motivated and my average speed was much higher today. I couldn't stay on long since we had to leave for the LAX game. I am starting to feel stronger and am getting used to the new riding position that my pedal extensions cause. I'm still not where I want to be and I may never ride outside but really - never say never. Just maybe not too soon.

No OCD

Robbie had his Xrays done yesterday at my local vets to rule out Osteochondritis (OCD). He does not have it - but he does have laxity in both shoulders with the right shoulder being more lax.

OCD would have been a much preferred diagnosis as the surgery repairs the issue with 100% success. He is scheduled to see a specialist near Columbia, MD. This vet practice specializes in orthopedic issues and has done arthroscopic surgery to repair tears in the shoulder ligaments. We can hope that Robbie's is mild and will not require surgery AND that he will return to normal function. It's all unknown at this point. Just the horrible waiting game to find out if he will be able to do agility. At this point, he can be a normal pet with minimal issues. The wear and tear of agility may affect his front though.

If he cannot do agility because of this issue, I do not know what I will do. I got him to do herding and agility. He probably wouldn't hold up to the turns necessary to keep up with sheep either. It's all a big question for now. I hope to know more on Friday after his visit.

I'm Amazed

Wow - the boys on our Lacrosse team are seriously out of shape. We had them run 2 laps around a partial lacrosse field. I ran with them and they struggled. I'm way older than they are and had no issues doing the laps and several boys were suffering. It really shocked me to see young kids not able to do a gentle, short jog.

On a good note, practice was a blast. I worked with one of the other coaches and we did some offense drills and I was able to help. The boys did really well and our future goalie is impressive. Very fast reaction times.

In talking with one of Devin's football coaches today, this boy plays ice hockey. No wonder he has good reaction times. He's fantastic. Devin did really well with all of his drills - his skills are really coming along. We have a unscheduled practice set for tomorrow for anyone that wants to join. I'm looking forward to it.

The Nightmare Begins

The news was not good. Robbie didn't have Xrays so we do not really know the extend of the news except that the vet was able to manipulate his shoulder in and out of the socket way more than he should which leads him to believe we are dealing with some sort of shoulder luxation. Shoulder luxation would be similar to having your knee give out on you when you went to put weight on it. It can be congenital, it can be from trauma.

He is scheduled for Xrays on Monday even though my appt yesterday was specifically for the f-ing Xrays. I was very pissed that they weren't prepared to do them when I told them that was why I was bringing him in!!!! UGH!

Prognosis depends on how bad it is and what the root cause could be - if that can be determined. Worse case scenario is that his shoulder parts are not formed properly - this is congenital and surgery rarely helps. This would be a career ending issue. Best case scenario is that his ligaments are loose from injury and they will heal themselves with rest. Surgery may be required but I do not know at this point.

I've talked to 2 friends that have dealt with this same issue in their border collies. One required surgery, one required rest and therapy. Both are doing agility and were seen by the same vet out in Pittsburgh. Believe me, I will take him to that vet if he needs surgery. I want the best possible chance for a full athletic career - the reason I got him. I cannot rehome this boy, my family threw an absolute fit when I told them we might have to place him in a pet home. Husband and son adore this dog as do I. Like I need another dog that sits at home and looks pretty! I'm down to one competition dog.

I will keep running and cycling in hopes that I can try some racing (running) to replace agility. I can't keep collecting dogs to do agility with and I get too attached to place them in new homes when they don't work out. If your shoes don't work out, you get news ones. I know some folks that take that philosophy with dogs. I'm not one of them.

Will post more information as soon as I have some details.

Not Sure What to Call This One

I hopped on the indoor bike and did a 30 minute work out - it is raining out today and I didn't feel like doing the Treadhell. My legs felt good but I had some kneecap slippage in my left knee. I'm wondering if my position needs to be changed now that I am starting to make progress. Something to pay attention to for sure. My speeds are improving - not by leaps and bounds but nice and steady. Woo Hoo! Running speeds and distances are improving too.

I had a discussion with a friend of mine about my 4 yr old Border Collie, Gusto. She thinks I should do some AKC trials and get him qualified for World Team try outs next year. This is not the first time I have heard this; it is now the third or fourth time I have heard this. Here is the catch - I dislike going, entering, doing AKC shows. Unfortunately, international competition for USDAA (my preferred venue) is every other year and Gusto probably will not be ready this year. Or I should say, I won't be ready. Gusto actually is doing quite well given who he has for a handler. I do have to say that I am getting a bit bored with agility. I just don't have any serious goals for this year since getting Gusto's ADCH. I plan to qualify him for Nationals and I want to do well at Regionals and I do have IFCS in the back of my mind but I am just not motivated. It may have to do with Robbie's upcoming xrays which will happen in the next 2 hours.

I'm watching college basketball, I cleaned, I cycled and I am trying to occupy my mind until it is time to take Robbie to his appt. I'm hoping for answers or at least to rule out stuff. Waiting sucks!

First Outdoor Practice

We did our first scrimmage with the boys at LAX practice last night. The sport of LAX is extremely fast and fun. I am surprised at how quickly the boys are learning how to throw, catch, craddle and scoop. I know it would take me MUCH longer to learn - I'm sure their youthful brains help them.

I am not able to really help; I'm observing and learning. If I see anything, I will talk to the Head Coach and ask questions. So maybe in that way, I can help. If he gives the kids instructions that I don't understand or they seem confused, I will ask a clarifying question so the boys know what to do. I did that last night for one of the drills.

Devin did extremely well in the scrimmage last night - he played a Defense position and was able to steal the ball several times and run down the field. The scrimmages will get Devin excited for the sport, he absolutely hates skill drills.

During one of the lectures (short but necessary), Devin got all fidgety - he learns by doing so listening to verbal instructions causes him to tune out. I was secretly laughing in my head because he reminds me of me. At the end of practice, I was talking to the other coaches and Devin came up and got my car keys and got in the car. Thankfully, he doesn't know how to drive yet, he probably would have driven off and left me there. He does watch me shift the Stang's manual transmission so I have a feeling it wouldn't take him long to learn. I better start hiding the keys, he loves the Mustang.

What a Beautiful Day!

Went for a run and remembered to take my IPod and Nike Plus equipment so I could track my results. I love that little piece of gear. It talks to me and I definitely push a bit more when I wear it.

I twisted my ankle on Saturday at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and could barely run my dog at this trial on Sunday. I iced it, elevated it, wrapped it and by Monday morning, it felt great so I thought I would try it out today. I wrapped it and went. Felt great. My left hamstring, however, was very tight so I will be doing lots of stretching today.

Tonight is our first outdoor LAX practice. This should be interesting. I have no idea what I am doing and am sure I am of no help at this point but Devin loves that I am out there with him. I guess that is important for now.

Robbie, my young Border Collie, has his xray appt on Thursday. We are checking for OCD or any other issues in his shoulders and elbows. He seems off in the front end after exercising so I need to check this out further. He has already been seen by a PT and a Chiro Vet. After his adjustment on Wednesday, he is showing improvement but I also have not done any agility training with him and will not until after the xray results are done. I hate waiting but I need to rule out any issues with his joints.

The weather is beautiful today - the perfect Spring weather to get outside and shake off the Winter blahs!

What Fun

I went back to Middle Creek today - dressed for the temps so I could stay longer. I sat at a picnic table and had my camera at the ready. I was pretty happy with most of my shots. The first picture here is an eagle stretching it's wings - unfortunately, my zoom lense is lacking. I already know what will be on my birthday and Christmas list this year - more camera gear.

I really enjoyed going up there and trying to get some pictures. I listened in on a presentation to a group of elementary school kids and got to view the eagle close up using someone's telescope lense (there is another name for it but it totally escapes me at the moment).

I joined a local photography group. Their new member meeting is coming up and I am not able to attend due to teaching an agility class that night. I will have to try to get to another meeting though.

No work outs to report - my left knee is bothering me so thought I should take it easy today.

A Very Cool Sight

I took these pictures today at Middle Creek Wildlife Management area. The tundra swans and snow geese arrive every Spring on their migration back to the North. The management folks at Middle Creek estimate the numbers ranging from 100,000 to 150,000.

Too bad I don't have a functional camcorder - the noise that goes with this vision is amazing. Tundra swans have a unique sound, the snow geese are just noisy and the immature bald eagle soaring is peaceful. Three different sounds all in the space of seconds.

Wishing I had a bigger zoom lense and a tripod - I had gear envy seeing all the photographers there trying to capture this sight. It is truly amazing and not everyone gets to witness this spectacle!

First LAX Practice

We had our first practice for the Developmental team last evening. What fun! Luckily, several guys showed up that actually have a clue about how the game is played and they did a great job showing the boys (myself included) the proper techniques. I was really fun to see how the boys improved with each attempt. Let me tell you this - keeping the ball in the stick is NOT easy.

Devin was so glad that I was there helping - he commented several times. That just made my day! He did really well with throwing, catching, scooping but needs work on cradling. His throws tend to be super fast but not a lot of control so he will need to work on that too. I think he really enjoyed it.

I confess that being the token Mom helping out made me feel a bit like a fish out of water but one of guys helping specifically came over and talked to me which put me a bit more at ease. One of the Mothers came and asked me questions too so I will help in some small way even though I never played and have ZERO clue how to coach this particular sport.

We will have fun learning together and I look forward to the season.

I Laughed Until I Cried!

A friend sent this to me - not sure where it came from but holy crap is it funny!

ONLY A MAN WOULD ATTEMPT THIS
Just try reading this without laughing till you cry!!!
Pocket Tazer Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife. A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Tazer for their anniversary submitted this:
Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie. What I came across was a 100,000-volt,
pocket/purse- sized tazer. The effects of the tazer were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety....??
WAY TOO COOL! Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button and pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I'd get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs.
AWESOME!!!
Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.
Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two triple-A batteries, right? There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target.
I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong?
So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and tazer in another. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water.
Any burst longer
than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.
All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and (loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-A batteries) thinking to myself, 'no possible way!' What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best.. .?
I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, 'don't do it dip shit,'
reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and . .
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD . . WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION . . . WHAT THE HELL!!!
I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs. The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.
Note: If you ever feel compelled to 'mug' yourself with a tazer, one note of
caution: there is no such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself!
You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor.. A three second burst would be considered conservative.
IT HURT LIKE HELL!!!
A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace.
The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was. My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I had no control over the drooling.
Apparently I pooped on myself, but was too numb to know for sure and my sense of smell was gone. I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head which I believe came from my hair. I'm still looking for my nuts and I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return!

P.S... My wife, can't stop laughing about my experience, loved the gift, and now regularly threatens me with it!

If you think education is difficult, try being stupid !!!

Hello Moron

My husband set out for work today at his normal time, by 8:30 he was parked on one of the major roads on his way to work. Traffic wasn't moving - most likely an accident from the white out conditions or the fact that the roads were super slippery. An hour later, he calls me to let me know he is coming home because he can't get to work and nearly had several accidents. Two and a half hours later, he still wasn't home and I went out and was working on clearing our horribly steep driveway so he could actually climb the darn piece of pavement. Some MORON comes flying up on Greg as he is slowing down to make the turn to our driveway and PASSES him on the inside as G is trying to turn. I screamed at the MOTHER F-ING MORON - luckily Greg notices me screeching and doesn't turn while the MORON continues on his merry way, tormenting other unsuspecting drivers.

If I was a javelin thrower, I would have chucked my shovel at the mother f-ing moron driving a dark blue Chevy or GMC pick up truck. If I find you on the road, I will hunt you down with my silver Expedition (as long as dogs or child is not in the truck with me). You have been warned - you idiot.