SPYteam Training

Four of the six new SPYteam members (Jr. Ski Patrollers) met here for BSI and CPR/AED training. They are all now first responder CPR/AED certified.

CPR/AED training

Teens make it so easy to tell when it's about time to cover a new subject.
BSI training.

After a simulated antibacterial and yuck handwashing, they learned how to get contaminated gloves off without contaminating themselves or anything/one else.

Meet the new SPYteam members now ready to tackle Ski Patroller training (and the white powder they missed today):

Ciaran

Alysha

Taylor

Karmin

I am really looking forward to this ski season and working with these kids.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day found us sitting down to dinner with my extended family and later with Dave's extended family. My family included my 94 year old dad and step-mother; my sister and her husband; four of the five nieces; one spouse and boyfriend; and my 8 month old great niece and nephew. Dave's family included his uncle and friend; his sister and brother; his sister-in-law; his niece and one of three nephews and a great niece and nephew. Families are so important. We are blessed.

Luke, Dave, Kendra and Abby

Dave, Luke, Dad, Kendra and Abby "Aunties" Emily and Vanessa toasting the twins occupying their former high chairs.

Visitors

Wednesday, Kerstin brought Anna, Klara and Lupin for a romp in the last of our snow. After the initial chase and tag games (which were too active to catch all four dogs at once on film) the dogs settled into exploring the snow covered, leaf pile.

Lupin, Cedar & Willy

Lupin, Cedar, Willy & McKenzie

Anna was also too active to catch a picture of. But, happy, baby Klara was totally into posing. Snack time. McKenzie could not get enough of Klara. She is enamored by all babies - human and canine.

New Favorite Picture

My new favorite picture was taken by Toni D. I had crashed: my wrist was broken; and we had traveled a tough, uphill, mile back to the trailhead. Team Nookies was still all smiles with tails and ears high (ears out are "up" for silly Willy).

Muku & Nome Enjoy the Snow

I am a couple days late with this blog post. Nome and Muku's families got snow before we did but I admit - I was having way too much fun with the camera and our snow to get theirs posted.

Hi,
Winter has arrived a bit earlier than usual here in Vancouver, and we had our first snowfall of the year yesterday (if you can count a few centimetres as a snowfall!). Both Muku and Ben were raring to go outside and play...even though it was only 7:30am, and I think we woke up all of our neighbours with all the hooting and hollering. Here's the photos of Muku and Ben playing in the snow together.

who has the longer tongue?

Hi all,
Kay Lee, here is a picture from last night for fun. This was at the end of our nighttime walk and playtime in the snow and on the streets. No cars and such a beautiful snowy night.

So great to see your chinooks in the snow and Muku! Muku and this whole litter just look so much alike. Nome is have a blast in the snow. I kept trying to make a snow man or structure in our yard yesterday and he had so much fun jumping on it, biting it and destroying it. Like any toddler really.

Nome lifted his leg to pee for the first time a few days ago. He only does it for trees. In our yard he still pees just standing there. I thought he'd stay a toddler for ever but I guess not.

Last night for the snow walk we rigged up a tank top of mine and put two collars on it one near his front chest and legs and one on the mid-back - so that there was no pressure on his neck and then clipped on his leash and he and I pulled my daughter on her sled down our mild hill. He also pulled my son on his snow board down the hill...he loved it. I got him going so that it wouldn't hurt him and he kept them going easily. Just a couple of times to see how he and the kids liked it. they all did - no surprise. Happy winter to all!!!
Sue & Nomie

Kitty Stayed Warm

It is cold for November. The water in the outside dog bowls did not melt at all. The snow is too dry for snowballs. While the dogs ran about outside, Kitty settled in under the wood stove. She is getting added warmth from the soapstone cat.

The view outside my office window as I type.

Finally the White Stuff

We awoke to just the right amount of snow for my wrist - too shallow for the dog sled and too icy for the scooter. I can't be tempted to do either activity. I did however grab the camera and let the dogs out for an early morning run and rowdy game of Chinook tag.

snow makes a spry girl out of McKenzie

Cedar poised to "tag" the other two

contact

Willy Cedar

McKenzie (she still has sleep in her eyes)

my flagpole eagle

November 22, 2010

It is 34 degrees out and soaking foggy. We got a few snow flurries yesterday and at 4 am the ground was covered but alas it is melted now. Probably a good thing because I would be going more nuts than I am not being able to use my left wrist. I would want to be on the sled. Because it is so cold, I have the outside kennel door open so the dogs can go in and out of the house, through the dog door, without needing to open a door. That said - Cedar just came in looking like she had rolled in some mega racoon or deer poop piles. The light is dim in my office so I rushed her outside for a better look and clean-up.I don't know where she found them. I have never seen them on any of the dogs or cats but Cedar is covered with colossal stickerburs. Much better than poop but just about as hard to get out of her fur.

Winter Ready

The flower beds are mulched. The firewood is split and stacked. And the tender plants and hanging baskets are tucked away in the greenhouse. I am so glad these fall tasks were completed before I lost purposeful use of my left wrist and hand.

A major storm has arrived. We have high wind and pouring rain. Snow is on it's way.

The dogs are inside - all cuddled up.Tonight I filled the bathtub with water (no electricity=no water to flush and other necessities). Then I remembered that last Wednesday I had taken post harvest pictures of the garden and greenhouse.

fuchsia baskets and potted plants in the greenhouse

berry beds in fall color Scarecrow "resusa" Annie in need of a new winter coat. Willy in search of any last fruit or veggies

Mushing Weekend

Tonight I am sporting a purple cast. This morning my wrist felt good enough to chance a much needed shower. The effort, while it felt good to get clean and wash my hair, proved a bit much stress on my injury. I covered the casting with purple vet wrap to remind me not to try anything involving that much movement for a few more days - and to cheer me up. Now I just need a red hat.

Last Thursday, I took Willy and Cedar to eastern Oregon for a 4 day, dryland, mushing event. As I drove over the pass on snow and ice, I lamented not bringing my dog sled. But surely the campground would be free of snow.

My campsite, scooter and last of the sun

As soon as I had everything set up and was ready for a spin, it started to rain - freezing rain. Everything was quickly covered with a layer of ice. Scratch running the dogs. I headed to the communal log cabin for some communal wine and dinner.

This event drew mushers from as far away as San Diego, northern Idaho, BC and all points in between. The staging area was packed. Except for the start of the Iditarod, I have never seen so many mushers, dog trucks and dogs.

Friday morning I waited until everyone had left the campground and the ice layer had melted before the dogs and I ran to the staging area about 1/4 mile away. We then ran a mile loop and came back to take pictures of other mushers.

I tied Team Nookies to a tree and wandered around taking pictures. My scooter was tiny compared to the other impressive rigs - but I had breaks. (see 11/7 post) What's 3" of snow when you have breaks?

Some of these dogs have seen Nome, others will next March.

Saturday the staging area was even more crowdedTeams of 2 to 16 dogs ran the many miles of trails.

Saturday Team Nookies took a trail along the river. I did not want to get into continual passing issues with so many teams on the regular trails. There was also less snow by the river. Willy and Cedar ran as fast as the wheels on my scooter allowed them to go. I had never seen them sprint like that and with tight tugs. About a mile out, I found myself flying over the handlebars. A squirrel had distracted the dogs. They took a sudden, 90 degree turn while my body continued going straight. I am not sure that I wasn't knocked out. When I got my wind and senses back, I became aware I had a lot of pumice grit in my eyes and mouth. Fortunately I had a helmet and cold weather clothing on. I knew instantly that my wrist was probably broken but all else felt in one piece. Soon the dogs lost interest in the chase and came back with the scooter and kisses. After brushing off the coating of pumice and slush, I jumped on the scooter for a fast ride back to and through the staging area to the campground.

I always carry a BLS first aid kit. Ice for an ice pack was readily available all around the campsite. Before long, I was splinted, iced and relaxing with a glass of fine wine. I did not want to miss the mushers, potluck, banquet so turned down offers to drive to the emergency room in Bend. Saturday night, even after imbiding with the other mushers, was very uncomfortable. The worst was taking the dogs out to "go". I had to manage two strong, excited dogs camped in the middle of a few hundred excited dogs; the flashlight; and getting the inevitable poop into the bag all with one hand.

Sunday morning I drove back over the pass to the ski area to meet up with the Jr. Ski Patrol. Dave had everything under control so I headed down to Eugene and Urgent Care.

The real bummer is that we are supposed to get snow here this weekend and I won't be able to run the dogs.

Team Nookies

Typing Handicap

I had way too much fun at last weekend's, 4 day, dry land, mushing event. That was until a squirrel distracted my dogs who were running full-out. Their sudden 90 degree turn propelled me face first over the handlebars. Thank doG for helmets. I only got a forehead bruise and a severely sprained, probably broken wrist. Along with my new cast, I am still wearing the clothes I had on during my crash. I desperately need a shower but this picture is worth publishing. McKenzie is letting me know she is there for comfort. More of the story tomorrow when I hope to be able to use the fingers on my left hand.

Father - Son Play Date

Kay Lee,

Nomie and Dakota got together today for a long playdate at Ali's...they were so cute and with the little Pug Henrietta - what a trouper! Here's the best pics of them together. Hard to get a moving target...Nome still has so much puppy energy!

Sue