All Kinds of Stuff

It's been one heckuva week since the 4th. We've entertained a lot, BBQ'd a lot and I'm extremely tired from it all. But it was all wonderful and although I hate the heat of summer I love the getting out and doing stuff part of it. The weather has largely been cooperating so when I have energy, I train dogs.
As I mentioned earlier we went back to agility class. Moto and I were demoted back into Beginning Agility which actually is a good thing since I forgot a lot of the really important foundation work. He doesn't like being up high now (i.e. the dog walk, teeter and A-Frame) and since I don't have any of these items, it will be a slow recovery. He also isn't real high drive so in class we've lowered the jumps to 12" (mind you he's 19" at the shoulder) to help him pick up speed and drive. While he'll never be like his sire Shiloh - who could run at World Team times during his youth - he may, I hope, be able to lope around the course at a moderate pace. This might actually be good for me as Shiloh went so danged fast I frequently got lost once we got to the Advanced level. With Moto I may have time to look around and find where I need to go.
Articles are gaining speed and confidence. I haven't added a 4th article yet, however I did see the lightbulb go on and I believe he understands the exercise now which makes it fun for both him and me. In Obedience he really takes pride in his work and I love it when he trots happily back with the right article, beaming as if to say "I did GOOD didn't I??"
In amongst all the guests we've had here the vitamin supplements have been kicking in and the pain is finally easing off. What a RELIEF. I still tire more than I ever used to and naps have become my friend. I hope at some point I really can begin an exercise regimen as I do not like the little fatty tire around my middle. And I REFUSE to give in and say "it's just old age" - to hell with that! I'm not sinking into that without a fight.
Lastly I think my brain is functioning better but when I have to talk a lot (like when I'm doing Welcome Wagon) I do discover that sometimes I "blank out" and it's really scary as I struggle to find the word I'm looking for. Along with this or maybe as a result of this I find I'm a lot less outgoing, have fewer things to say and prefer to sit quietly rather than engage in conversation. I'm making myself be my former self but it does take work. In fact, recovery is HARD WORK! I understand now why a lot of people just get addicted to pain killers and give up. It is the easy way out - this is very painful emotionally and physically. But to remain positive my husband is the best ever and continues to be patient and understanding and supportive. I am so lucky to have met him and am deeply grateful he is in my life.
So that is the latest here - trying to train when I can, but not as often as I'd like, resting up from all the party-giving, and the struggle to a complete recovery continues.