At the end of March, I embarked on a journey right off my Bucket List. Out of the past 30 weekends, I have spent 25 of them…yep, 25 of them…on the road.
Out of those 25, one was at Convention. The rest have been at dog shows. I have braved Motel 6, (where they left the light on for me), Super 8, La Quinta, Red Roof Inn, and a variety of mom and pop motels…any place where pets were accepted. I have slept with Muffy, on her weekends to show…
and Lexi, on her weekends to show…
and Muffy and Lexi when they were both showing.
I’ve been to Gray Summit, Auburn, Louisville, Dewitt, Dekalb, Crown Pointe, Wheaton, Waterloo, Decatur, Jefferson, Scott County…and the list goes on. As Johnny Cash sang, “I’ve been everywhere, man!”
For someone who refuses to drive on highways with more lanes than I can count on two fingers…I have braved Milwaukee, the suburbs of Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis, and a score of other “larger than West Burlington” cities. Oh, yes…four score and seven…let’s not forget Gettysburg. But at least I didn’t have to drive there.
I burned my candle at both ends. I attempted to answer business emails on my iPhone. I struggled with questionable wi-fi connections to keep up with my design team duties.
I relied upon the support of all of my dear friends at The Paper Players (I love you, Players), and my bestie, Brian, at Pals Paper Arts, to get me through these months. I launched my Lesson of the Month program… never dreaming it would be so successful and that I would be faced with hundreds of cards to produce. I am sitting here with 323 unopened emails, needing bunion surgery on both feet, and a tendon sheath tumor removed from the palm of my left hand.
And what motivated me to embark on the Summer of Insanity? A childhood dream of owning a show dog. Well, make that three show dogs.
Lexi started out her show career in Minneapolis in January, winning the Minnesota Boxer Club’s Best Puppy and Grand Sweeps awards! What an honor!
And she garnered even greater honors at the American Boxer Club Regionals in Gettysburg October 9 -11th, winning her very competitive 12 – 18 Month Class, not once, but twice. Of course, there were wins in-between.
She has one more show scheduled this year. It is next weekend in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. She needs three more wins before she earns her champion title. It’s hard to believe that she was once this little:
As for Muffy, the state of Wisconsin was good to her! On day five of the Waukesha cluster, Muffy showed beautifully, winning her first major.
Six weeks later, she won her second major in Wilmot, Wisconsin, becoming Champion Cimarron’s Do You Know the Muffin Man.
Wow, Ann! What an incredible past few months you have had! Congrats on the success with your girls and I am so glad to see that Brody is looking good! It’s been forever since I stopped by – ever since Google Reader went farewell, I am finding that not all of my favorite blogs transferred over to my new feed reader. Anyway, that has been fixed now!
Like you, I have been super busy and woefully missing my bloggy friends as well as craft time. I am glad to see you back and your cards are stunning as always!! I hope your surgeries go well (or went well if you have already had them). Please give the boxer trio a good scratch on the head from me and my little Lexi sends her most excited schnauzer roos to you as well 😉
WOW! I am about your age and I have been wondering all summer where you get your stamina. You have done a great job, but I can understand why you feel the need to stay home and stamp. I have always wondered how difficult it is to give your babies to someone else to show. Also, who trains them to behave and stand correctly. Yours are so beautiful. Give them all a hug from me and I will continue to enjoy your beautiful creations. Blessings to you.
Wow, what a summer! You have got to be tired. And proud! You are earning big titles for your babies, and they are so sweet. 🙂
Btw, I had a Lapidus bunionectomy on one foot this summer…the granddaddy of all bunion surgeries. That was on June 25th, and four months later I am still relearning to walk without some pain. (:roll eyes:). So..good luck!
Wow! What a post! I wanted to tell you that I’m so glad you took a weekend to go to Convention this year! It was an honor to meet with you and chat over breakfast as you practiced your bow-cheesy demo!!
Oh my goodness!!! You have certainly had a crazy busy few months. I am exhausted just reading about it. And, then to top it off needing surgeries. Yikes! Welcome back and take a deep cleansing breath! Best of luck to your sweet furry friends!
I too have been busy but only for most of October, volunteering at a friend’s office….I too am happy to be back at home, though I was only gone during the days… I have to agree that after certain ages, travel or working after retirement!, does take a toll on us! Your pics of the three babies are fabulous and keeping fingers and toes crossed that the girls continue to win and that Brody will soon be on their trails and will also be a big winner. They are all champions in my eyes! Congratulations and pats to them – and to you for all of the crazy travel!
You are so brave to go to all those places. I know when I go to Atlanta, I don’t like going into 12 lanes either.
Whew! I am exhausted reading about your adventures. Thanks for sharing your babies with us. I think you have done great keeping up with everything! Congratulations again on the wins!!
Wow Ann, what an amazing journey, one you will never forget! Thank you for the recap. I really had no idea you were doing SO much! You are a wonderful boxer mom!
loved the recap on your personal and doggie journey. i’m so excited for brody to get his place in the ring!
Ah Ann, welcome home! What an adventure you’ve had!! Congrats to the girls and best of luck to Brody. I love the picture of the 3 of them at the window. ; ) I’ll bet Kim has really missed you. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and your little ones. You might get to be a champion’s grandmother!!
Welcome back Ann! You are always the first blog I look for because I love your style! Even more though, I love your stories about your fur babies! Show dogs or not, they are three beautiful pups and you are all truly blessed to have each other. Enjoy some downtime, you’ve earned it!
OMGosh–how did you ever keep up with that schedule? Congrats to you and the boxers. The girls are beauties and Brody is gorgeous in my eyes too. Good luck with your surgeries.
You’ve been missed very much Ann! Wow, what a journey you’ve had — I so enjoy reading about your travels and shows with your precious fur babies! And your absolute love and devotion to them is so admirable, I’m honored just be in the circle of Pals with you. Welcome back Ann! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us! Love and blessings to you always!
Congrats, Ann. That is quite an accomplishment with the boxer kids!! I showed Afghan Hounds when I was young (in my 20s) so I know what you are talking about with the travelling. AND we never did make it to champion.
LOVE the photo of the three of them standing on their hind legs at the window. SO CUTE
Wow, Ann – I’m exhausted just reading about it! Welcome back to SE Iowa. I hope all goes well with the surgeries.
Welcome home! That is some schedule you have had. Good luck with your surgery.
I can’t imagine the schedule you have kept and the miles you have driven. I’m exhausted just reading about it. Your Boxers are lucky to have such a dedicated Mommy.
Welcome home!!! And will be praying that you get your surgeries scheduled and over soon!!!
Wow, after reading this, I need a nap. Hopefully you’ll get a well-deserved rest. It was so nice of you to bring us up-to-date on the Schach 3. You know how I feel about this breed and I love living through this with you even if from long distance. And Brody has always been my boy. I see no scars just a beautiful boxer; trophies & awards aside, he already is a champion.
Glad you are back. I enjoy your blog so much! You are at the top of my list! Love your style and writing. I love seeing the photos of your dogs and I live vicariously through you and them. They are beauties. Now rest up, give the boxers plenty of hugs, and get on with the card making. I don’t know how you do it all! Nancy B
Glad you are back. I enjoy your blog so much! You are at the top of my list! Love your style and writing. I love seeing the photos of your dogs and I live vicariously through you and them. They are beauties. Now rest up, give the boxers plenty of hugs, and get on with the card making. I don’t know how you do it all! Nancy B
I have enjoyed reading about the furbabies. It is good to have you back with more time for stamping too.
You are amazing! But you fulfilled a dream and still kept up with all of this. Very proud of you and I love your designs. Welcome back!
I applaud you! What a go getter you are Ann. I am so happy you will be back in the Stamping world again. I have missed you.
Love the update on everything that has been happening with you and the furbabies. I think I need a nap you made me tired….ha!
I don’t know how you did it Ann, I am exhausted just reading about all your travels! I am so happy that you got to realize your dream! Congratulations to Muffy and Lexi on all of their wins!! Enjoy this time off for a while and relax with all your babies! Welcome back, I have really missed you!!
Really neat to see this outline of your furbabies! What a tremendous feat for all of you and thanks for sharing. I am glad you are back; but, would always check in on your blog anyways! Your talent is too good to miss! Have a great weekend!
Wow what a whirlwind career for you and the boxers! You have been one busy lady and we appreciate all you do and I know your babies do, too. Good luck as always.
It makes me tired reading your post, Anne! I am so happy you were able to fulfill a bucket list item. Your dogs are so beautiful. My brother had 2 boxers and we loved them so much! Enjoy your time at home! I am an avid fan of yours!
What an amazing experience! You are one fabulous boxer mom!
You have been one busy lady! Congrats on all the wins. But it will be good to see more of you on blogland!
Wow! What an amazing summer. I can’t believe you managed to do all that traveling and still did all the Stampin’ Up work. You’re one fabulous woman!
Welcome Back! We’ve missed you, but know how important your fur-babies are — and how proud you are of them!!! Many congrats to all of you!!!
Ann I am so exhausted reading your post. I don’t know where you find the strength. I hope you’ll be able to enjoy some time off before Brody starts showing. Can’t wait to see your “down time” creations!
Wow! You have been “a travelin man” and you’ve “made a lotta stops.” 🙂 I enjoy your blog not only for your amazing cards, but also for the stories of your beloved fur babies. I’m looking forward to what you will be sharing with us throughout the holiday season. Welcome back, Ann!
Congratulations Anne in getting to fill your “bucket” and in the amazing road show you’ve been this past year. I’ve faithfully visited your blog to read about all of the happenings and of course to view your cards. I love your style which inspires me every time I see one of your creations. Can’t wait to see what you’ll have for us now that you are “back”! (Love the puppies too and so does my 7 yr old).
Welcome back!
Lorena 🙂
Whew!! What a dedicated mommy! Welcome back….you’ve been missed.