Walking Snicker

This morning was the first time in 2 1/2 weeks of working that I felt guilty leaving the house. The morning went better than I had expected. I got ready for work in record time, had my lunch packed, coffee poured and the game plan was to take the dog for a walk before work- at least 30 minutes if I could squeeze it in. I tried, I think we got 20 or 25 minutes in - I walked him to the library and let him run in his favorite spots - the ground cover that he LEAPS through. I have to admit, I LOVE watching him leap through it! But it was a stressful walk - he was pulling, I was stressed, had to keep watching the time. I don't think it accomplished what I wanted. I kept reminding myself - CALM ASSERTIVE - but it wasn't working, it was more like STRESSED ASSERTIVE - not a good energy to share with the dog.

So, when we got back to the house, I had everything ready to go. My lunch was packed, the dog's food was ready, his treats were already outside and all I had to do was take him out. He didn't want to go out, he just got in and wanted to stay in. When I leave in the morning, I leave him in the backyard. The girls let him in when they get up. And then when they leave, they put him back out. He doesn't behave well in the house just yet and I am learning it's because he has too much energy. I've been reading and watching Cesar Millan's books and TV show, The Dog Whisperer. Everything comes down to some basic rules: EXERCISE, DISCIPLINE AND THEN AFFECTION and communication is based on NOSE, EYES AND THEN EARS. So our words mean NOTHING but our actions mean EVERYTHING!!

Everyday I will keep trying - I will keep trying to be the pack leader - 24x7 - CALM ASSERTIVE. I'm not that good at the calm part and maybe not that good at the assertive part. When I took my dog to see Leonard, he instructed me that I have to get myself in that state of mind first, then the dog will follow. So I can get this through meditation or yoga. I have never been able to meditate in my life, but I think I will have to try. OY! HELP! IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCED AT MEDITATION, PLEASE WRITE TO ME! I NEED HELP WITH THIS!!
Right now, I would say he is "better in the house" than on a walk, which tells me that he still doesn't respect me or see me as the pack leader. I instill consistent discipline in my house for him and all members of my household uphold it. So, we have followed the instruction of Leonard, I have put into practice the things that I have read and seen on the TV show. And I do see a difference in my dog. We both have a way to go, but that's what today is. The here and now.

As for my guilt from this morning, I will just try to do something better for him tomorrow morning. Afterall, it was the first time that I heard him whine while I was locking the doors and bark as I walked down the driveway. If it means getting up a little earlier, so be it. It won't hurt me to get a walk in before work, it will clear my head, get my blood pumping, prepare me for a mentally challenging day on my new challenging job. Besides, today was the first time I walked him in the morning and plan to walk him after work just like every other day. Maybe tonight I'll take him an extra long walk - as long as my foot can stand it! It will help him sleep better and me too!!

As an additional note - I came home from work and took him for a walk - he was HAPPY!! He ran and played while we were walking. So all's well that ends well. Besides, my honey ended up coming home early today because he was not feeling well. So it really ended well today.

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen

Happy Memorial Day...always remember the soldiers

Today is just one holiday set aside to honor our veterans. In my own family my Grandfather served in the Spanish American War in the later 1800's. My father served in the Army Air Corps (which later became the Air Force) and then the Air Force; he fought in both WWII and Korea. My Mother was even a volunteer nurse's aid while she was married to my Father and traveling with him. He later retired from the service in the 60's. I honor their memories not just because they are my family, but because they were patriotic and taught me to honor my country.

Today I remember, honor and appreciate all those who served my country to preserve our right of freedom. I appreciate that we have the right to speak freely, to have opposing opinions, to vote our hearts in the polls and to support our government in local ways. It's a wonderful country and for those of you that have never gone to another country - please do - then you can understand how fortunate we are to live in America.

All past, present and future soldiers, I SALUTE YOU!!

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen

Finished My 2nd Week!

Today I finished up my second week on the job. One thing I realized today was how much I still don't know!! There's so much that I don't know that I don't even know what I don't know - does that make sense? I expressed that to my manager/trainer and when I did he assured me that I am getting it and know alot more than I realize. Wow! What a day to finish off my week and head out for a nice long weekend.

Hope you have a great weekend, enjoy Memorial Day Holiday!! Grill out!! Eat Food!!

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen

Happy Monday!!

Week 2 and all goes well. Tomorrow I have my first face-to-face meetings with a client, which I'm looking forward to! I rode the Coaster again today and that went well. The job is a good thing!!

This week is finale week: tonight is the season finale of two of my favorite shows - 24 and Heroes. Thank God for TIVO!! Going to watch Jack Bauer kick some ass on 24 and save Heroes for another day....:) Then who will be the next American Idol? Will it be Blake or Jordin? What do you think?

This week I'm going to enjoy my new job, enjoy the finales, and write all about it!! :)

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

My First Week at Work

Well, even though I was stressed while I was off work and didn't get to REALLY enjoy my time - there's something to say about not having to get up at 5:30am and start my day!! This week was my first week on my new job. I had to recalibrate my internal timing to wake up early.

Fortunately, day 1 I didn't have to be at work until 9am. So I got up around 6:30am. The office is at least an hour drive from home, if there is heavier traffic, then it's 1 hr 20 min. My first day, I made it just in the nick of time. The rest of the week I needed to be there at 8am because there were meetings everyday at 8, so I had to get up at 5:30am, take care of the dog and myself to get out of the door in time. After 4 days of driving in heavy traffic, crawling along, I decided to ride the Coaster. It's really great here in San Diego, I can get the coaster about 10 mi from my house, ride it to the station closest to my office in 20 minutes, then catch a shuttle to the driveway at my office!! I'm at work in 30-35 minutes and have had time to listen to my book on IPOD, relax and I loved it!!

I learned alot at work - I am working in the telecom industry for a hardware/firmware manufacturer. I have to learn the industry, the language, the hardware, the process, the supply chain and my customers!! I'm well on my way, I've had many training meetings all week. It's very interesting and I'm glad that I accepted this position. I believe I will do really well here.

The company is global and I love working with global teams. I find it to be fulfilling, fun, and interesting making friends in other parts of the world.

The fun things that I did this week - I got to shop for new clothes for work. I got some really cute clothes. Since I'm still recovering from my foot surgery, the shoe thing is the challenge. I bought 2 pair of Ugg Clogs, very cute and will work when I have to dress up. The only problem, the first time I wore them, I got blisters on toes - OUCH!! So, I had to give those a rest this week and will have to wear bandaids on my toes and wear socks when I want to wear them at work.

We went out to eat on Saturday night to celebrate my new job! That was sooooooo good! We went to Vera Cruz Fish House in San Marcos. It was fantastic! I got Blue Nose Sea Bass and all I can say is that it was so delicious that a day later I recall how delicious it was. MMMmmm! I spent alot of time walking my dog this weekend, after listening to Cesar Millan's book. Everything he does with his dogs are after they have been exercised. So, I've been walking as much as my foot will allow.

I'll try to write more often, this week was just a bear. But I have to get going - it's almost bedtime! I'm not used to going to bed so early, but I have to or I can't get up! Take care!!

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

Transplant delayed for now

The kidney transplant did not happen this time. But it's ok, at least we know it's coming and could come at any moment in time. :)

God bless you! and Thanks for the prayers.

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

Kidney Transplant

Today we got the call that my soon-to-be husband could get a kidney transplant tonight. There are alot of conditions and he's just one of the folks on the list that has been notified. We won't know for another hr or two, but it could happen.

Please pray for this to happen, either today or sometime soon. He would feel soooooooo much better if this would happen for him.

More on this later and have a great weekend!

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

My career continues...........YEAH!!

Good news!! I received a job offer that I accepted yesterday. It was with a company that I feel is stable, has a good product and will offer me the opportunity to learn a great deal. AND the plus is they are a hardware manufacturer. I am fascinated with manufacturing and have tried to learn as much as I can about the manufacturing process as I could over the years. But this opportunity will really get me entrenched in all the moving parts. I'M JAZZED!!

The commute is a typical San Diego commute, so I finally join the madness!! Books on TAPE!! Hit up the library this weekend to pick some up. PLUS, the hours are flexible so I will be able to work from home some, go in late, stay late, to help miss the traffic. And another part of my plan is to head to the gym early in the morning, work out, shower and get ready for work there. Lots of people do it, I can too. It will help me get back on track.

And the reason I know I can do it is because my doctor told me yesterday that I can wear whatever shoes I want, as long as they are not uncomfortable and cause my right foot any pain. So that's a BIG plus. I can hit the gym, walk the elliptical for the full time now and it's great!! Lose some weight, eat right, have an exciting and demanding job, have my wonderful fiance, great kids, and a loyal dog. Wow! It sounds perfect! (but we know it's not, but we try!!)

Glad to share the good news, if anything comes up or changes, you'll be the first to hear!!!

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

Snicker Dog Training

So much has happened since I last wrote - my best friend came from Cincinnati to visit me in San Diego. We didn't have tons of plans, just to hang out, eat sushi, drink some wine and TALK!! I have not seen her since last October the weekend I went home for my son's wedding. We had time together then, but not like we planned for this weekend. Just us...no interruptions!

BUT she is allergic to dogs - not as bad as other allergies she has - but nevertheless the dog can't jump on her, can't have much direct contact with her and certainly can't bite at her. She won't put up with it and on last Thursday afternoon, I finally decided I wasn't going to take it either! So, I took the advice from one of my readers and found Leonard Ludovico. The best part is that he is only 35 minutes north of my house and had time available Thursday late afternoon.

So.....for the sake of my sanity, my family's, my friend's, we took Snicker up to see Leonard. He instructed me on the phone that I have to give up the "positive clicker training" for now. That those commands are BS and self-serving for the dog. That he will respond to the command when he wants to in order to just get the treat or the pet or the reward. Rewards are good, but they should not be the reason the dog sits, stays, walks right, etc. etc.

We got up there and within a few minutes Snicker was on his way to becoming a better behaved dog that ended up respecting me by the time we left. I learned how to be the leader of our pack. I'm still learning and will persevere every day. After just one hour and a half lesson I learned how to control him, how to walk him, how to keep him from biting, how to keep him from jumping AND like I said...I'm still pushing forward every day and 'practicing' how to be the LEADER OF THE PACK!!

And the entire weekend was a success because of the training. He tried to jump on Sherry just a couple of times, she pushed him down, told him no and he stayed down. He has virtually quit jumping on us and has quit biting us. He still walks terrible on the leash, but I was able to take him to Fiesta Island and let him run off his leash in a place where there are no distractions. It was really fun because he kept his eyes while we were walking around. I could tell when he was getting stressed and needed more structure. The leash went back on, I kept him by my side, he settled down and I was pleased.

Leonard gave me some parameters - no strangers petting him, no public dog parks, keep the leash on in the house for a while until he can be trusted to keep his eyes on me, no toys when he's alone except outside, toys in the house only when we are playing with him, and not to be emotional when training him - quit talking to the dog, use actions, not words.

All I can say is - so far....so good....so until I get a job, I will make lesson #1 last until I can afford lesson #2. Thanks Leonard!

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

It's been a while

Thanks to all of my friends at MyBlogLog who checked on me to see how my job search was going. All I can say is that "IT'S GOING". I did get an offer, but it was a little low for my experience level, so I am still looking around. I've had lots of phone "screenings", then pretty many second interviews on the phone, then 4 companies that invited me for face-to-face interviews (so far), already been to 2 of them, have one today and one tomorrow, and got an offer from one. So, I guess I'm doing pretty good. Afterall, it is a process.

The thing is it is taxing. It takes alot of energy, time and positiveness to keep on the search. I can't give up because I need a job. Everyone is asking me if I am enjoying my time off and frankly, I'm not. I'd rather be fighting traffic, complaining about long commutes (it is Southern California ya know) and going to work dealing with issues and problems, than to be home searching jobs, cleaning, cooking, laundry, aaaagghh!!

I did move into my townhome a couple of months ago and I still had a few things to unpack and setup and/or decorate. I have taken a little time to do that and even today, I'm going to start setting up my stereo. Need my music for my sun room and my upstairs. I spend most of my time in my office, so music maestro PLEASE!!

The BEST part is being able to spend time with Snicker. He is learning sooooo much. We've been going to positive training (clicker-type) and it's been really good. He can 'watch me', 'sit', 'down', 'take it', 'leave it', 'drop it' (sometimes), 'stay' (kind of), 'come' (most of the time), learning loose leash walking with sits and watch me's while walking. I have been taking him everywhere I can - he's fun to take places because he's so cute.
He is pretty good MOST of the time.....

Then it happens..........the transformation from good BOY to HOLY TERROR!!! (Remember, he was a rescue, he's about 1 yr old and has some bad habits that I'm trying to break) He BITES at us and nips us to get us to play with him, but he doesn't just want to play, he wants to play rough. He includes biting as part of the play, he jumps up on us, bites, if we stand and turn (to ignore him) then he bites our heels or the backs of our legs. I have tried everything the trainer suggested, I have tried everything I see online by the 'experts'. But nothing seems to work. We aren't giving up, but it's taxing. Could use some advice is anyone out there reading this is an expert or has overcome this with their dog. He is fixed, only about a month now, so I know that will help at some point.

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt