another year gone by... reflecting on 2012

When I was younger my mom was always telling me not to wish my life away, and, that as you get older time just goes faster! I never really believed that I was wishing my life away and I certainly never thought that time would speed up to the point that you barely even realize that it is going by until another year passes! When you are young and have your whole life ahead of you it never seems that time goes fast enough you are always looking forward to the weekend, graduation, getting your drivers license, Christmas, etc... When you become an adult and join the "real" world you are forever wishing that time would slow down a little bit! 2012 saw me turn 45 years old!!! I cannot even begin to understand how I went from a rowdy teenager to a 45 year old woman in what appears to be just a couple of years! The really great news is that I have been blessed in my life with so many wonderful things! It is because of this that I am so incredibly aware of how fast time goes :-) I think if it is possible 2012 was the fastest year I have ever experienced! It was a fabulous year, and, at the same time there were some not so fabulous things that although inevitable, still hurt. We lost Able in 2012, it still amazes me that he was 13 and a half years old! it still feels like he should be that silly puppy or crazy agility dog that was an integral part of many of my fondest agility memories. 2012 brought a lot of happiness and great times as well, my oldest son got engaged to a wonderful girl, my family has a lot to be thankful for and I never take any of these things for granted! 2012 brought me my wonderful Journey puppy from Poland and a chance to make a new forever friend in her breeder Marzena! 2012 was a fantastic agility year for me again :-) I had the opportunity once again to spend my working time with so many fantastic people,teaching and at the same time learning :-) I went to so many awesome places as well! Spending the majority of the month of November in Australia was obviously a highlight of the year :-) Not just being able to experience such a fantastic country but meeting so many wonderful people as well as reconnecting with people I have not seen in years! I had the extreme pleasure of being selected to represent the United States with Maze at the WAO World Agility Championships in Belgium. Words cannot begin to describe how wonderful it is to be able to represent our fabulous country overseas doing what I have made my lifes passion, career, hobby, and, obsession! I freely admit that I love the sport of agility and I love hanging with my dogs. To be able to combine that with International travel, different cultures, and, styles just makes it one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I was once again lucky enough to have had a fabulous year of competition in the states as well! Maze went 6 for 6 clean at AKC Nationals ultimately making the Finals and earning a spot on the podium! What a thrill! In Spet. it was time for USDAA Nationals where all of my dogs made me proud! maze was a 26" finalist in both GP and Steeplechase!, SoBe was on a super DAM team who made it to the Team relay!, Danger made his debut at USDAA Nationals and had the greatest time, and, to topic off Wally was overall 2nd place P 16" team dog, wan, the most wonderful thing of all... 16" PSJ WINNER!!!!!! It was the crown jewel on our year of competition for sure. As we head into 2013 it is time to reassess goals, set some new ones, and, get ready for another fabulous year! I know one thing for certain, as New years resolutions come and go, this one will stick... no sweating the small stuff, be the best person that i can be, focus forward, and, love every minute of this life! HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!