that's our boy!

Today was Dog Daze at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. It was an all day event for dogs which included agility tests, obedience training, booths from local pet-related businesses, and the best thing of all, dachshund races!!

Frank had never participated in a dachshund race before, so I wasn't sure how he would do. Any of you that have met Frank before knows he tends to get easily distracted and scared. A few days ago I started "training" him for the race. Basically I would get him to sit and stay in a particular spot and then I'd walk 10 - 15 feet away and then call him to me. I would also have a squeaky toy with me to keep his attention. We would practice this 4 or 5 times a day. He picked it up pretty well, but again, who knows how he'd do at the actual race with tons of people and a bunch of dogs.

Well today was race day. There were about 25 doxies participating. Frank's competition included: Oscar, Crazy-Eyed Molly, Paco, and Rhemus. I am proud to say my little turbo weiner dog won every one of his heats and came in second place in the final!

Frank won a prize bag that had dog treats, a pair of dachshund socks (for me, not the dog), a sticker from the Florida Dachshund Rescue, and a beaded collar that said "Second Weiner".

Here is a video of the races.

In other news, I wanted to wish a Happy Birthday to my sweet husband. His birthday is tomorrow. As I write this Alabama is beating Georgia pretty badly, FSU won, and Frank won 2nd place in the races - not bad way to start celebrating. Not bad at all!

a trifecta tribute

Yes, I am still around. I have been lazy lately and haven't felt like posting. Well, that and the Olympics were on and I was glued to the tv. Those were some good games! Alas, they are over now and I have found new things to occupy my time...mainly spider solitaire and channel surfing.


Now it's that oh so wonderful time of the year when military families PCS (permanent change of station) to new places. Our friends Mark & Emma are one of the families that are moving. Mark & Emma moved here the same time we did 4 years ago. Chip and Mark worked together at the test range and became friends. We all happened to go to the same church and that is how I met Mark's wife Emma. We all hit it off and have been friends ever since. A few weeks after that we met Austin & Ashley. Answering their call for friends at our Sunday School Christmas party, we all hit it off. That started the super power known as the trifecta, as Emma affectionately dubbed us. Here is a picture of all of us at another Christmas party in 2005.



We spent many a weekend hanging out, going to movies, playing Goofy Golf, and going to movies. Last July Austin & Ashley moved to Jacksonville, but we all remained in contact and still got together every now and again. But now Mark & Emma are moving to Ohio so that kind of diminishes the chances. Of course, there is the phone and the internet, but come on, it doesn't replace actually spending time together.


A few weeks ago Austin & Ashley came into town so we could all hang out one more time before Mark & Emma moved. We went out to eat at the Crab trap in Destin for Ashley's birthday. We also all cheered on Team USA together watching the Olympics. One highlight of the weekend was playing Rock Band on the PS3. Few of us had played that game before, but we had a great time living it up. From me belting out Creedance Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate One"(oh yes I did!), Emma playing the heck out of the cowbell on Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper", or any of the guys playing the guitar or drums, we made quite the band. It was a lot of fun.


Here are a few of the pictures from the weekend.

This last picture cracks me up. Yes, I am well aware that it isn't remotely in focus. After we ate at the Crab Trap we walked out on the beach and took a few pictures. We thought it would be nice to get a picture of us all together. So we asked the first guy that walked by to take our picture. We don't realize until after he takes the picture that he is drunk and doesn't hold down the shutter on the camera to focus the picture before he takes it. He didn't give us warning when he took the picture either. I mentioned to him I wasn't sure if we were all looking and he said "It's too late now" and handed the camera back and staggered away. Thanks!

We'll miss you Mark, Emma & Sarah Beth! Best of luck to you as you move on to Ohio! Enjoy having seasons again - I'm jealous!!