More family pics

Here are some other shots that we did not get printed:

Family pics

We went on Sunday, December 14 for our very first family pics. Shameful considering Doyle and I have been together for 19 years. Most of them turned out really good.

The Family:

Doyle and I with the three still living at home:
The 5 kids (Mark, Luke, Melissa, Shayne and Bailey)
Mark and Autumn:
Doyle and I:
Melissa:
Shayne:
Bailey:

Horses and the winter

I am now debating what to do about Lucky. She has one blanket on...maybe will put another one on her tomorrow and bring her into the inside outside pens for a couple days. See how she handles the cold.

I am trying to feed her really good...but she is being really finicky this winter it seems. She is getting her senior feed, beet pulp, calf manna, hot water and oil twice a day. But she doesn't seem to want her night time feed. Most of it gets left. She has also gone off her hay....wanting only the leaves. I am hoping that if brought in to a small pen where she has to eat what is there...it will perk up her
appetite.

Everyone else is handling the switch in temps really well. Molson and Hyde have gone through a 1200 lb round bale in A WEEK. While Molson really doesn't need to eat that much, Hyde did. He is now nice and round top to bottom front to back.

The rest are on 30 acres of knee deep grass and all are looking like they could drop a foal any day - even the two geldings. LOL

I am going to try to get pics of everyone but am scared to take my good camera out when it is this cold.

Winter has arrived in Alberta

It is officially FREEZING here in Alberta now.

We had a really nice run of fall...right up until mid week (Dec 13). The temps
started falling really strongly yesterday.

Started out at -2C yesterday morning...by late this afternoon it was -30C (before factoring in the windchill).

Chiropractor/personal trainer/nutritionist

Well, my chiropractor has given me the okay to go ahead with some more advanced stuff now. My back has been feeling not to bad...my scans are showing great improvement in lots of areas. My pain is way way less than it has been in a long time - which is FANTASTIC.

So he gave me a "free" consultation with the personal trainer/nutritionist who works in his office (she is also his wife...LOL). I had my first appointment with her last Tuesday.

We went over exercises, nutrition and did a basic evaluation of my body. OUCH. NOT good. I definately have a lot to work on. She was, however, surprised when she did my body measurements that both my upper arms are the same size and both my thighs are the same size and my left calf is only 3/8 of an inch bigger than my right. She said it is very rare for someone to be so balanced. LOL

We went through a bunch of other things as well.

For now she wants me to monitor my eating habits and to do a minimum of 20 minutes on the treadmill a day. And I go back to see her next Monday afternoon at which time we will go over my eating plan and add more to my exercise program. It will be moderate right now until we get home from our vacation and then we will go full steam ahead.

She figures that for me to reach my goal (to be down 15 - 20 lbs), as long as I follow exactly what she says, I shouldn't have a problem meeting it in 4 - 6 months. YIPPEE!!!

Shayne, Bailey and I go to the optomitrist

And we all need glasses.

Shayne needs a stronger prescription for all around use. Bailey is getting some for distance - reading the board and watching tv.

And I am back in glasses after 8 years. I had ICL (Implanted Contact Lenses) surgery in 2000. This surgery took me from legally blind without corrective lenses to perfect vision. I have known over the past year or so that my eyesight was worsening - especially when driving...and finally broke down and went. And I was right. I really need them for driving.

so all were ordered and received. The kids are very happy with theirs but I was not. I got a headache right away wearing mine...and noticed that I could not read the dash when driving and that the periferal vision was foggy. So I called them and made an appointment to go back in to have them checked.

I went through another complete exam (new dr.) and she changed my prescription a little bit and I went into "anti-fatigue" lenses which will help with my vision problems with the glasses. So next week, I will have my new glasses AGAIN. LOL

More dr. stuff

Well, I made it to the two specialist appointments by the 8th of December.

The first was a urologist. He said that while the results of my abdominal ultrasound showed some fullness in the tubes between my kidney and bladder it wasn't enough to cause him any concern. He did tell me about proper hygiene stuff. He also said that if my bladder infections get worse or prominent once again I am to go and see him immediately. He also recommended that I have another ultrasound in a year.

My other was with a gynocologist. I have an endometrial polyp and we are keeping an eye on it. So currently, she has me scheduled for a hysteroscopy for the end of January and we will make further decisions after that.

As for all my other medical stuff...my blood pressure is still normal. And I am now on a low dosage birth control pill to see if that helps with my pms problems. LOL

So here's hoping that all that will settle itself down in the coming months.

Buddy bowl

Every so often during the year, the kids have a fun day at bowling. This was the November fun day. It is called "Buddy Bowl". Each member of the Youth Bowling is allowed to bring a friend.

Bailey brought Tamara.



And Shayne's friends were all busy so he bowled with Brandi (my 3 year old neice). Little kids start out with using the "bowling ball guide"...but as you can tell that Brandi had had enough of being treated like a baby and was trying to throw the ball like Shayne.


Everyone had fun.

Shayne and his bowling accomplishments

Shayne is doing really well in bowling this year. He has attended a couple big tournaments already.

One was Zones for Provincials. He came in 2nd. He had a couple rough games but overcame them very well and showed remarkable composure throughout.

The other was 4-Steps. They compete "in house" and then go to zones and then provicials and nationals. He came in 6th at Zones.

His coach is very proud of him.

His average this year has increased from 140 to 198. He is currently sitting at the top of the average board for the youth bowling league.

Here he is showing good form from start to finish:

Shayne's actual birthday

is December 5.

We had a quiet night at home. He had tried to make plans to go out with friends but they all have jobs.

We cooked his favorite meal - bbq steak, baked potatoes, shrimp, veggies, salad and, of course, the ever popular ice cream cake.

More birthday brunch pics

Melissa and her gift:
Shayne and his gift:
Mark and his new coat for work:
Doyle and I:
Bailey:

Birthday brunch

Every year we do two birthday brunches. One in April/May for the birthdays in the first six months of the year and one in Nov/Dec to celebrate the others.

We get together at Moxie's Classic Grill on the north side of the city and chow down. It is a great time to catch up, take pics, eat good food and have a few merry drinks.

This brunch was to celebrate Mark, Melissa, Shayne and Coreen's birthdays.

Luke and Coreen:

Mark and Autumn:

Shayne and Melissa

Shayne is mistaken

As I was driving him back to school after his suspension, we came across some animals trotting down the road towards us.

Shayne says with a surprised tone to his voice "LOOK MOM - DONKEYS!!!"

I burst out laughing. The poor boy. He was sooo embarrassed.

What he was actually looking at was two MULE DEER.

Dec 3 - Dr. appointm"ent - EI Info Session

I had my follow-up dr. appointment today. It went really well. My new blood pressure medication is working...I am back down to normal. We also discussed some other medical issues and she has booked me into a couple specialists. I see them in December.

I went from there to my EI Info Session. This is a mandatory session where they tell you what your expectations are while collecting EI (Employment Insurance). We had to take in our first filled out form for job searching. While informative, it was also confusing about some things...like the distance you are required to travel for work. They say 40 km one way. Well that doesn't really get me anywhere...living out in the country. Then they said "well, one hour commute". Oh...okay...that helps.

At the end of the session, I wanted to talk to someone about this stuff but there was no one around. OH well, guess I have their phone number just in case.

Dec 2 - Yet another interview

Well, I have done yet another interview. This one is the 2nd with one company but a different department. It is to cover a maternity leave. It sounds really interesting as well. But not sure if I am what they are looking for. I seemed to have a good rapor with the supervisor and the interview went really well. I guess I will wait and see what happens.

Dec 1 - More interviews

Well, went on one more. This one was fascinating.

The job was with an industrial supply company on the west end of the city...so the drive was a little much.

It was helping with the training center. It involves booking the tradespeople in for either their indoctrination training on new job sites, booking the testing for the jobsites (alcohol and drug testing), booking the tradespeople in for their recertification training (WHIMIS, CSTS etc.) as well as looking after all the employee files.

The only problem I could see with it they were saying that they may get a new building...and the sites they were looking at are either in Devon (2 hrs one way) or Nisku (1 1/2 hrs one way). So the drive would be horrid.

they said that they would be letting me know by the middle of December.

Nov 28 - Stallion Advertising is DONE!!!

And I am very excited. This ad will run in the Western Horse Review magazine 3 times over the next year.

It showcases Gunner in a show setting, Hyde in a great 3/4 shot (taken by my friend Paige) and our ranch logo (made by my friend Belinda).

I can hardly wait to see it in the January issue!!!

I will scan the ad and post it later as I can't seem to get it to go from the proof. Sorry all.

Nov 26 - Job didn't pan out

Well, the job at the Engineering firm did not pan out. They called and told me that they were going a different direction. Mentioned that they picked someone with more experience and better skills. Hmmm...maybe I should have asked what I was missing.

The other one with the trucking company apparently didn't pan out either as I have never heard back from them.

Nov 26 - Another interview

This one was really weird. It was for a plain old data entry position...at an industrial supply company. I got there a few minutes early...didn't know how long it would take to get there from here.

When I got called into the office, I was interviewed by one lady. She touched on my jobs - asked why I left - what I did (to expand on my duties listed). Asked me about how fast I can learn things. Then asked "Why are you just doing data entry and admin stuff? Your resume shows me that you could do so much more."

HMMM

So then she told me that the data entry position was filled internally...but that there was a job opening up right away in another department that she felt I would be "great at". It is an executive assistant position in the dispatch center. Job duties include payroll, HR, billing, payables. A bunch of stuff I have never done - or so I thought and said so (but did say that I learn fast...LOL). And she said "oh yes you have - right here, and here, and here" as she was pulling stuff off my resume. Very cool.

So now I have another interview with the head of that department next Tuesday.

Now the only issues I have with this job is it covering a mat leave - so a year. So that would mean me looking for another job - possibly - next year at this time again. The lady did say that they really try to keep employees - find other places for them to go if it is a temp position. the other is it may be too much for me as I really don't think I have the experience in all these different things to just walk in and take over such a big job.

Nov 24 - School called - kid is in trouble

My "good" child...went "bad" today.

They staged a protest at school. Apparently they are not allowed to wear bandanas in school - something about Gang affiliations with the different colors etc.

So there was a bunch of kids that sat in the hallways this morning and refused to go to class. Shayne was one of them. According to the principal (who I do not have a great relationship with and most of the times, don't trust anything he says), the kids were given the opportunity to go back to class without punishment. There were 15 who did not - and again - Shayne was one of them.

He is now serving a 3 day out of school suspension. And has PILES of work to do here at home as well as keep up with his homework. I went into the school tonight and picked up his books and the envelope of assignment sheets from his teachers.

After doing some research I have found out that there is a rule in the school district that there is no "headgear" allowed inside the schools unless it is for religious purposes. So no "hats", "bandanas" etc. Also no jewelry etc that will make a group of students stand out from the others - when asked what type of stuff they are talking about it is the big blingy stuff - anything like swasticka etc.

The gang stuff is starting to reach the smaller towns - drugs, etc. - are becoming more prominent. They have sent a letter home indicating that there is going to be "security" things put in the school at some point this year at the doors to check for guns/knives etc. (like at the airport).

I knew that this protest was going to happen but as Shayne has never involved himself in these things before (this is not the first at the school over dress code), I didn't think he would be in this one. I never found out how many kids were in on this at the start...but there were only 15 that received suspensions. He does have his homework for these three days...so if he completes it he won't be
behind.

We have talked to him about this saying "if it was something you really believed in then you made your point...but when given the option to go back to class and not be punished by the school...you should have taken it." When asked why he went along with it...he said "because it is a stupid rule". So I asked him why he didn't go in on any of the other protests...he said "don't know".

I am hoping that he will think before acting next time...and to make sure it is something that "he-himself" believes in whole heartedly and not just because his friends are doing it.

Nov 24 - Interviews have started

I had two interviews today.

Interview #1 - held at a nice brand new building....all done up nice. People were very friendly...people dressed down in jeans, sneakers, t-shirts...people dressed in 3 piece suits...people in "cowboy" gear. Very interesting group. Job sounds great. It is a civil engineering company. They build bridges, overpasses...also do municipal planning...and some other stuff that I can't remember. They are very "forward" thinking. They do not want any employee to stagnate in their job. You are allowed to ask to be put on special projects if there is one that you are interested in...they want you to expand your knowledge...take courses...learn and grow.

Interview #2 - was weird. Only 15 minutes...didn't ask lots of questions. Told me about the job - asked me if I had questions - told me a little more about the job. Then said "we can't match your salary demands and it is only part time". So ???

I wil hear from Interview #2 on Thursday...and Interview #1 on Friday. One more interview set up for Wednesday afternoon as well.

I also came home to phone calls for another interview. Will have to call him tomorrow.

So out of 13 resumes sent out in the last 2 weeks, 4 interview calls.

Nov 20 - Newest update on Kirby

This is Jesse's e-mail:

Sorry it's taken so long, but the boys and I have been busy, we've been doing puppy classes, meeting lots of people and other dogs, and of course, horses(whom Kirby absolutely loves). He also loves kids. I had a 5 year old walk him around and he was a real prince for her(ie: better then he normally is with me), and sat for her when asked. Her dad was enormously impressed. He's also been nominated to socialize the petrified chihuhua in our class because he's very good(or disinterested) in her. LOL. All in all he's doing pretty good, housetraining is slow progress, and to top it off, today he started peeing like a big dog...already....i've attached some pics of him, and also his little bro Moose.





Boy...he sure has grown hasn't he. I sure love these updates from Jesse on how Kirby is growing and maturing. I am very happy that he has gone to a great home!!

Nov 20 - Job search

Well, I have been applying for jobs like crazy the past two weeks as I have a form to complete for my Employment Benefits.

I now have two interviews set up for Monday. One was supposed to be for tomorrow but they called and moved it.

One is for an engineering company in Sherwood Park...the other for a transportation company in south Edmonton.

The transport company one sounds good - she told me it is for a "backup" position to help with the work load - filing, phones, billing, paying drivers etc...which is what I did at Trimack Transport. She also said the hours can be flexible so that would be nice too.

Show pics finally arrived

I received the pictures of Gunner showing at both the Supreme in Red Deer and at the Calgary Wrangler Futurity.

The photographer in Calgary isn't sure what happened but he only ended up with one picture of Gunner and it was not great. I will not be posting it.

The two pictures of Gunner in Red Deer were good...one especially. It is the one we picked to put into our advertising this year.

Here it is:

New things

We have a new look. Everyone else has been sprouting all these fancy blogs and I just had to follow along.

Thanks to Staci and Steph for all their creativity...with the blog as well as the website - which is going to match!! Pretty cool.

They have also done work on my other website "Foaling Around" too.

Remembrance Day

One thing about my son...he is not a reader/scholar when it comes to english/social studies...and is not very creative so when he comes up with something good...it has to be shared. Shayne wrote this poem a few years ago but I like sharing it each year at this time.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Young Men
Brave and strong
Leaving home
To protect the people
Strange lands
Enemy lines
Battle fields
Slow moving tanks
Fast flying fighter planes
Bombs bursting
Guns firing
Bullets bite
Hurting, killing, dying
"D Day"
Silence
Peace reigns
Hero's welcome
Parades for all
Medals Awarded
WE REMEMBER

By Shayne Thompson

George Merril Thompson - RIP

It is today that we sit back and remember all those who fought for our freedom throughout history. My own father-in-law fought in Europe. He was in the airforce.

He passed away 4 years ago and we sure miss him and his stories. I sure wish I could have had a tape recorder or something over the last 4 - 5 years of his life...he would pull out his pictures of the war and tell me stories all day.

His funeral was held on Remembrance Day. We arranged for an honor guard for him. It was a beautiful service.

We all sure miss him.

NEW FENCE LINE IS GOING UP!!!

Two lines of my new fencing is almost complete. We are building pens for outside mares to stay in when we start our breeding program in the spring.


The outside perimiter of the pens is 66 feet in length and each pen will be 33 ft wide. One of the long pens will be split in 2 to make 33 x 33 ft pens. We will have 5 pens in total. Each pen will also have a small shelter in the northwest corner and individual water troughs.


Doyle, Shayne and Melissa have been working for a day and a half on it. They are working on the back side and then will do the front. The back side of the pens is beside one of our pastures and we want to put Lucky and Lance out there before the snow flies.



They will then work on the front side which will have all the gates in it opening into the yard.. We won't be doing the inside fence lines to make the big rectangle into the smaller pens until early spring.

One other nice thing about re-doing all this is the fence lines will now be SQUARE to the yard and barn, EVEN with each other, and has allowed Doyle to make better alleyways between the barn and the pastures and the yard and the pastures.

I will keep putting pictures up until they are all done.

My handsome son

It was "formal day" at school on Friday. They were having their Remembrance Day ceremony and the kids were requested to come to school "dressed up".

After going through Doyle's closet on Thurday night, Shayne found a shirt and was going to wear his own pants (which was a good idea as Doyle were massive on him). Friday morning, Bailey came into my room and grabbed a tie for Shayne.

This is what Shayne looked like when he got home from school.


I did not get a picture of Bailey but she had on a black skirt and a white shirt.

They both looked really good.

Maggie's new bed

With winter coming - and the hay bales bought and in the yard - Maggie has grabbed a new bed - at least for now.

Doesn't she look comfortable?

Update on Hyde

We went back to the vet today as I was unsure if the foot was getting better or not. While he is walking better for the most part, there are still times where he seems unsure on the foot.

Dr. Doyle met us at the door and said "bring him right in". We went into the radiology room and she took x-rays of his foot. There are still signs of "gas" in the foot so I am to continue with the epsom salt soaks 2 x per day for the next 3 days...as well as get the farrier out to try to open up the foot more for it to drain.

I also asked the vet about Iccthamol and she said "if you can find some - go for it". I laughed and said "my girlfriend sent me some from the US". She said "that's great!!". I guess she didn't hear me last week when I said I had some.

So we are still working on the problem...but it is getting better. Thank goodness.

Oh...his behaviour today at the clinic was really good again. There were mares in the clinic this time and after an initial "hey ladies" and a smack from me to say "enough"...he just dropped his head and walked past them...not even flicking an ear. Everyone got a good chuckle out of it.

NEW DRYER!!!

YIPPEE!!!

Is it cool to be this excited about a new appliance?

Maybe???

Well, this one sure beats the old. Taking only 1 hr to dry a massive load instead of 4 or 5!!!

What a savings on the power bill and my time this will be - but mostly on the power bill!!!

Stallion Advertising

Well, it is that time of year...which is actually a first for us. We are going to do up our stallion ads...or rather have someone make them for us. But we need to pick our photos. I don't have any good show shots as of yet...so am going to go with something I have taken.

We are doing a 1/6 of a page ad and putting both boys on it. We are going with a working shot of Gunner and a conformation shot of Hyde.

Now for the part I need help with - chosing the shots to go with.

Gunner's choices (please pick your favorite):
1.

2.

3.


Hyde's choices (please pick your favorite):
1.

2.


The text in the ad is going to be very simple - the horse name and pedigree and our contact information. If you think anything else should be put in there, please let me know.

I guess I should also say that the ad is going to be in black and white. Any suggestions of layout would be appreciated too.


Thanks all!!

Kirby update

Here are the latest pics from Jesse of Kirby (her Maggie/Max puppy).

Jesse's boyfriend went and got his puppy last weekend. He is a Norweigen Elkhound...named MOOSE.

They apparently get along really well now. At first, Kirby was very protective of Jesse and her things...and he was also trying to discipline Moose.

They look to be best buds now don't they?

Hyde worries me

Over the weekend, I noticed that Hyde was "wobbling"...not appearing to be quite steady on his feet. Not walking well...stumbling...not fluid.

His appetite was still good...but he just didn't seem right. With the heart issues of last spring, I was really scared that something was going on. I booked him into the vet right away.

On Wed, we travelled to West Wind Vet Clinic to be met by Dr. Doyle (same vet that helped me so much with Semi). She had gone over his chart and was also concerned that things had worsened. She listened to his heart, lungs and stomach and said things sounded exactly the same. She took his leg pulses, checked his gums etc. And said "hmmm...not the heart."

We then took him for a walk in the clinic so she could try to see what I was seeing...and she said "hmmm...I think he is lame on his left front". So we went back in to the exam room and sure enough - an ABCESS!!! (Which was Paige's guess)

Thank god.

The abcess is located right along the outside of the groove that surrounds the frog. Dr. Doyle dug it out...it is pretty deep. He has lost some of the sole of the hoof that makes up that groove.


His behavior at the clinic was spectacular. I had to help Dr. Doyle by holding a flashlight. I ended up with only 2 inches of lead rope in my hand and he just stood there.

I was sent home with instructions to stall him...soak his foot in warm water and epsom salts 2 x per day and bring him back on Monday if he wasn't better. I may just take him in anyways...better to be safe than sorry.

I wasn't sure how to go about soaking his foot...so it was a trial and error thing this morning for my first try. He was a very good boy...once he realized I wanted him to stand there with his foot in the small pail he did. I am very proud of him and very happy with how smart he is. And also at how well he has retained his training from Jason on how to be a good boy. LOL