School starts soon

TWO MORE WEEKS!!!! SEPTEMBER 4!!! I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!

Too bad it is such an expensive time of year.

We gathered up the school supply lists and headed to town today. Spent 2 hours at Walmart and gathered up everything the kids needed - except for backpacks and lunchkits. I am pretty sure we have enough of those laying around now.

Went for lunch and then home to get everything labeled and organized.

Doyle arrived home with the mail and inside was Shayne's time table and school fee list. OUCH.

I can hardly wait to get Bailey's. Oh...also have to remember to pay Bailey's bus fees or she won't have a way to get to school.

MONEY MONEY MONEY

TTFN

Carrie

Last camp out before work starts - and more kid problems

On Saturday, we received a phone call from Doyle's cousin Cal and his wife Lorraine. They are in town from Nigeria where Cal works building oil and gas refinerys.

It was a good thing the trailer hadn't been unpacked or unhitched as we headed out around 4 pm for an overnight visit.

On the way there, I had some sunflower seeds. The kids all asked for some. Immediately after eating them, Shayne said "the roof of my mouth is itchy". We told him to have a drink of water. 5 minutes later he started complaining of "heartburn" type symptoms, so we stopped in a little town to get some Tums and Rolaids for him. Well, that didn't work...and the heartburn by this time was so bad Shayne was crying.

Then the itching started. I had him lift up his shirt and he was blowing up with little tiny hives. We took off for the nearest hospital - 20 minutes away.

When we arrived, they called the doctor and when he arrived he took one look at Shayne and gave him a shot of antihistemine. Wow...did that ever work fast. It also made Shayne very sleepy. He had a good hour sleep at the hospital while we waited for Doyle to come back (he had taken the truck and trailer to his cousins to set up before dark).

In the meantime, Melissa had asked the doctor about a new cast (it was put on horribly wrong and then cut to make room and then taped back together). He laughed and said "yes but not tonight...I have company over and my dinner is still cooking. Come back in the morning and I will do one.".

Doyle arrived back and picked up Shayne and I. We went and had a great visit. Shayne slept for 12 hours that night...but is feeling great. Melissa has a brand new cast and now no pain from her arm. So all is good.

ttfn

Carrie

Hyde and Gunner - August 2007

Well, it was a month and a day between visits to Dale's to see the boys. I was very excited as Dale had been telling me that they were advancing by leaps and bounds.

Hyde is getting very quick in his turns and is just amazing. And Gunner has finally had his "come to Jesus" moment and is working nicely for Dale (finally!!).

When we arrived we had a little chat with Dale - just catching up. Also introduced Shayne and Bailey to her as they had not been down before. Then Dale said "want to see my new pet?" She laughed and said "I have a duck...named Flower". Flower was born in a flower pot on her lake lot. Momma duck took off so Dale kept Flower. She had him in the house but he now lives in the barn as Dale is away at a futurity in Oregon this week.

We started this time with Gunner. Boy what a difference in attitude. He was actually interested in working. He looked happy too. Very calm and relaxed. Dale is working the mechanical cow and also tracking cows with him now. Her main comment was if he continues with the learning and not fighting, he could well be better than Hyde. That is exciting.





Hyde blew me away yet again. His speed and agility is something to watch. He isn't quite working on his own yet but soon. Dale doesn't correct him very often. And he is prepared for every move that the cow makes. And you can actually see him set himself up - it is just amazing.






Dale and I also discussed Hyde showing in October. She isn't sure if he will be ready...said he probably could be if she really pushed him...but she doesn't want to. Doyle and I told her that the final decision has to be hers as she is the expert. We don't want to push him and blow his mind. She said she would push a little bit more than she is now when she gets back and we will make the determination on the show around September 3. So keep watching.

I am just stoked about all this still.

TTFN

Carrie

Week 2 of vacation

It all started out great. No more injuries at home to report - which is always peaceful.

We spent Sunday in Osoyoos. It wasn't a great day - overcast and not overly warm. Doyle and the kids went to an amusement park and had a blast. I stayed at the campsite and surfed the net!!!

On Monday we were up early and broke camp and headed back to my parents. Took some nice scenery pics along the way.

Tuesday we spent a quiet day at my parents for the most part. Mom and Dad went into town for mom's hair appointment and shopping. We met up with them for spaghetti again...yum.

Wednesday dawned bright and sunny and it was decided to spend the day at the beach in Riondel with Mom and Dad's neighbors. It was a great day. Lots of swimming in the lake and then did some tubing and waterskiing - or rather everyone else did while I soaked up some more rays. Had a great BBQ dinner. Long windy drive back though. Doyle normally does the driving but he and dad imbibed a little too much.

On Thursday we headed out for home. Went as far as Radium Hot Springs. Spent a few hours in the hot spring pools and just relaxed.

On Friday we were up early and headed for Olds to see Dale and the boys. All is well there (will post more later).

Then after calling my chiropractor in Red Deer and hearing that it would be an hour to two hour wait for a treatment we made the decision to go directly home.

Melissa was very happy to see us pull in the driveway around 7 pm. And we were too.

TTFN

Carrie

Trying days for a mom

Hey all,

It has been a long couple of days while on vacation. Got a call from Melissa a few days ago telling us that her cat was limping. She decided, against advice, to give her some advil...not knowing that it was deathly poisonous for cats.

On Friday, we got a frantic phone call from Melissa saying that her cat hadn't moved from the bathroom floor for 2 days and was vomiting all the time...so she got her friend's mom to come out and take her to the vet. Word from the vet wasn't good...kidney damage etc., but that they would also be looking at other possibilities for her being sick.

On Saturday, Melissa called again saying first "I fell last night and think I broke my arm". And then "Princess isn't getting better and the vet said I may have to put her down". At which point, Melissa broke into tears. Princess is her very first pet.

I, being the calm cool collected mom as always, blurted "get your ass to the hospital". Oops...wrong thing to say to an upset hormonal 18 year old. LOL She started to cry harder saying she felt so bad about poisoning her cat and that it would be her fault if the cat died. I calmed down enough to say "you didn't know...and we worried about her". That helped among some other stuff I said. She told me that the vet would be calling her later that day or in the morning.

So she toddled off to the hospital to find that she had, in fact, broken her left arm just above the wrist. She told me that the guy putting on the cast got it a bit tight so he had to split it and in doing so, cut her arm with the cast saw. Stupid small town hospitals. When she told me that I again said "get your ass back to the hospital for a new cast". My girlfriend, who picked her up from home, took her back and spoke with the doctor and the way the cast is split is fine...but I really think when I get home I will take her for a 2nd opinion on that.

Melissa called again this morning. She is home, very sore...but very happy that her kitty, Princess, is home with her and may be on the road to recovery. Vet sent her home with strict instructions on feeding (prescription food etc.) amounts to be fed, how often etc. If she doesn't eat it all in the next 5 days then we could be in trouble. Melissa was also given a list of things to watch for - attitude - lethary etc. She is also to keep track of litter box visits.

So I think Melissa will be a very busy girl this week.

I sure wish I was there to give her a hand. And sure hope that nothing else goes wrong - especially with the horses. Not much I think she will be able to do with a broken arm.

TTFN

Carrie

The start of week 2

Well, we left Christina Lake this morning (Friday) and travelled to Osooyos (have no idea how to pronounce it so you can all just guess). It is in the "desert" part of BC. A few more hours away from my parents place yet.

The campground is on a little bit of a hill but just as nicely set up as the last one. We have a fantastic view of the lake.

We spent the afternoon at the beach after getting set up and are now back at the campsite and I am waiting for supper to cook. That is the part I LOVE the most about camping - Doyle does most of the cooking. LOL

We are now comtemplating renting either a boat or a seadoo for a few hours tomorrow but as I am scared of the water, I would prefer to stay on land. And I sure can think of more things that we could do for the rates they all charge around here.

As you can tell, there is actual WIRELESS internet here at this new campsite that does work. I will post more later as the holiday continues.

TTFN

Carrie

Vacation travel time

As Doyle made reservations for us at Christina Lake campground, we were off from my parents nice and early on Wednesday morning. All the lots are privately owned (which seems to be a common thing here now) but some are rented out when the owners are not here. Some of the sites are just stunning with how they have been set up…patios, bbq’s, fences. It is like a little summer community. The beach is very nice too – sandy with WARM water. The kids are having a blast – spending most of the day in the water. I have gotten a few good pics and have put the video camera to good use. Doyle went and rented some kid bike helmets and they all went for a bike ride while I did up the laundry and tried to get on the internet here at the campsite. Not sure of the problem, but no one could get it to work. The next campsite supposedly has free wireless internet so I will get online and upload all this.

TTFN

Carrie

Vacation - the first few days

Saturday morning dawned cloudy and cool…which is perfect weather for travelling in my book. We started off just an hour late – which is better than normal for us. LOL

We headed off to Red Deer to see Dr. Smith (my chiropractic genius) to see if he could figure out why I haven’t been getting better. I took with me the 3 reports from Dr. Harris, Ann (my IMS therapist) and Lisa (my massage therapist). He read them over and then took me into his x-ray room and took a bunch of pics. Said he would compare them to the results I brought with me. He then proceeded to give me a fantastic treatment. He got things to move that I KNOW haven’t for a LONG time. I felt relief immediately. I am going to see him again on our way home and get his opinion at that time as to what can be done for my poor body.

After leaving Red Deer, we travelled south some more, by-passing Calgary and all it’s congestion. We ended up spending the night in a road side rest stop by Skookumchuk as all camp grounds in the area were full (what else should we expect for the August long weekend).

Sunday morning we headed out to mom and dad’s in Wyndell. We arrived around 10 am…startling all. They weren’t expecting us until at least 3. LOL Ha Ha – got the last laugh on that one.

The afternoon weather was bright and sunny so we headed to the beach at Twin Bays for some water fun…or rather so Doyle and the kids could have some water fun. I sat on the beach and soaked up some rays.

On Monday, the forecast was for rain so we loaded into the truck and headed over the “Pass” for Trail. We did some shopping at WalMart (groceries and some trailer items that we realized that we did need after all). Then went to the Colander for spaghetti. Aunty Linda and Uncle Marvin met us there for the 4th year in a row. We caught up on all the kids and grandkids and had a great visit. We then headed to Fruitvale to visit with Aunty Ilene and Uncle John, who normally also join us for spaghetti. Uncle John is recovering from surgery (hip replacement). It sure is good to see him more upright and in such good spirits.

TTFN

Carrie

p.s. pics will follow once I get home

LOL - forgot to post all this before I left

Semi is back from Sharon and Roy’s and in fantastic shape – if you don’t look at her poor mouth. Here’s hoping she is in foal. That will be a stunner if it gets all the chrome from mom and dad.

It was a busy week getting ready to head out on vacation. With working full time to do vacation cover off, it made getting ready a little harder. Doyle spent much of the last weekend and week finishing the new wood fencing so we could move the big group of horses (including Dolly and Semi now) out to lusher pasture. As well as get Sonny and Molson out onto their new pastures as well.

Molson has been a bit of a character to deal with this last week too. We had brought Sonny in from the main herd as he was being a pain in the ass. At the last moment we decided to try putting Molson and Sonny together. It is a great mix. Sonny is very patient with Molson even when Molson is being a brat – meaning when Molson is either biting or kicking Sonny for DARING to come up to me for petting. Apparently I am Molson’s person – not Sonny’s any longer – or so he thinks.

The trailer packing finally came together on Thursday. We had attempted to try it out for a night – to ensure that the air conditioning worked – only to head back into the house after the power went off due to a storm. We had a couple of them during the week which made the grass come back in nice and green again.

Hay this year should be a good crop up here…or at least the first cut. Prices won’t drop I don’t think though with the farmers getting used to charging the higher prices for the last few years.

Anyways. Time to head off for today.

TTFN

Carrie

Wow - time is flying

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted. And this will be the last one for a little while again as I am headed out in the morning for vacation.

Things here have been HOT. Our weather has been unreal this year. I know most of you in the states are used to hot weather but we, up here in Canada, are not...or at least not used to it happening like this day after day after day.

the horses are all doing really well. We have finally managed to get the fencing under control to the point that we could move the big herd to a new larger pasture - that actually has grass. And Molson and Sonny are now pasture pals and doing great - also moved to a new pasture.

We brought Semi home on Thursday night after breeding her to my friend Sharon's stallion, Peppers Gunsmoke. Here's hoping that this one took!! Her chest is doing great - still a little scabby in a couple places though so we are still looking after it as well as we can.

Still no luck selling anyone but that's okay - they can wait until I get home. Melissa, my oldest, will be home while we are away and she is comfortable showing them but not actually selling them. So if anyone does come out, she will just tell them that I will be home around the 20th and they can call then.

Dale is still thrilled with the boys. So that is always a bonus. I keep watching the video I got of the last visit down there and still get goosebumps watching Hyde work the cows.

Well, time to run off to bed. We are off early in the morning to my parents in BC - hauling the new "mobile guest house". It will be nice to see Mom and Dad and the little brats (Shayne and Bailey).

Will write when I get home and show off the beautiful BC scenery that I, of course, will capture on film in all it's glory again this year. LOL

TTFN

Carrie