Fuel still very expensive

Despite a drop at the NYSE to $118.58 a barrel…gas continues to be very expensive.

Here in Alberta...we not only refine the oil - but it is dug up here as well...so there are no shipping costs of any sort. We do not buy on the world market as well.

Edmonton (where I work) has 2 of the largest oil refineries in Canada...the other is in Fort Saskatchewan which is only 25 minutes away.

Right now at the Flying J - which is the cheapest place you can buy gas. We are paying $1.269 per litre. which works out to $4.62 a US gallon (if I have my conversions right). That is for regular fuel

For diesel we are paying...$4.49 a gallon.

And it has dropped drastically since Paige was here...and since I went to Saskatoon with Hyde.

When I went with Hyde - I was paying between $1.359 and $1.469 for diesel.

Still waiting for camera - August 2

It finally arrived at Paige’s and she rushed like a madwoman to get it out via fed ex for me to arrive on Tuesday. I am sooo excited!!!

Now comes the wait over the rest of the weekend for it to arrive on Tuesday morning!!!

Hyde is such a good boy - August 3

We had a horrific accident yesterday with Hyde.

He laid down WAY TO CLOSE to the fence and rolled over...getting ALL FOUR feet caught in the livestock wire.

I watched him do it from the house...put down the phone...ran to the back room to see him through another window start to struggle. as I am pulling off my socks to put on flip flops (fastest shoes to put on), I yelled WHOA HYDE. And he did. Just stopped and laid there.

So I run out - thank god it is only 150 yards - if that. So then I am thinking - now what??? NO wire clippers...no help...good lord...I am in TROUBLE.

He lifted his head and looked at me and put his head back down. I reached out for his HIND FEET and said DON'T KICK ME!!! he looked at me again and laid there. I got his hind feet out of the wire squares...and started to push him over. Well, I am not very long limbed so we kinda got stuck once he was right overtop of his tailbone. LOL And he was still laying there. I let his feet back down towards me, still saying "easy". He would just lift his head enough to see where I was and then lay it back down. I got his hind feet completely untangled...lifted the wire so his feet were on the ground...and then went to check his front feet. They were okay but not under the wire...so I did the same thing - lifted the wire - thank god it wasn't completely attached to the post that was at his belly.

I yelled at him to stay put...and ran for the barn...hoping to get a rope and put it on a back foot and pull him over from the other side. Well, by the time I got out of the back side of the barn with a halter and lead...he was standing there waiting for me. NOT A MARK ON HIM!!!

I was just stunned. I thought for sure I would be calling a vet on an emergency fix it call or a "put down" call. I then cried a bit...gave him a big hug. MAN HE IS SUCH A GOOD BOY!!!

So this morning, I got up...went out...did chores. Couldn't figure out why my arm hurt. Pulled up my sleeve and have a weird looking bruise (see attached pic). Took me about an hour to figure it out. It is from the wire...and me pushing Hyde's legs up and not having the leverage to push him higher because of the wire pushing into my arm. The bruise continues for another inch or so under the arm yet as well.


There are more lines coming up in bruises...but I don't think they will be so bad - you can see the one starting in the 2nd picture - about 1/2 inch lower - right now it is just two small dots.

I guess if there has to be a small injury from this incident I am glad it is on me and not him.

Still riding - August 2

Hyde and I enjoyed another short ride tonight in the pasture. there is a nice round clearing - probably 160 ft in diameter that is fairly flat - so that is where we worked today. I just did work at a walk again...did some figure eights, some stops, reverses, and tight turns. We then meandered around a little more of the pasture - closer to the house and road than he has been.

He just got nervous when we turned to go into the clearing and couldn't see the other horses tonight. Bounced a bit until I jabbed him with my heels and then he settled. then he spotted the neighbor riding in his field. OOPS. That didn't last long which was good...lol

My rides are very short but we are doing one a day. Which is really good for me. I don't want to overdo it for my back. I know Hyde could take more but I am happy with them...and what we are accomplishing. I am more comfortable each time I get up on him...which is a big thing.

Tomorrow I think we will return to the arena in the morning for a short ride before I head over to Jason's to ride GIDGET. That could be interesting as she only has 21 rides - EEPS. I HATE RIDING GREEN HORSES WHEN I FEEL SO GREEN MYSELF STILL. She comes home on Tuesday.

Website changes taking shape

I have been playing with the pages for Gunner and Molson to get them more “professional” sounding instead of just your basic “here is my stallion isn’t he beautiful” stuff.

Paige has been helping lots as she knows WAY more than I do about their pedigrees and earnings in their backgrounds than I do.

So here’s hoping I can do as good a job on theirs as she did on Hyde’s.

Then it will be off to Rondee and Ding’s blurbs as well.

Pheonix changes color - August 1

Well, so much for staying a light sorrel. He is now almost a liver chestnut in color. Such a flashy boy. And BIG.

He is now 4 months and 2 days old. Time to start thinking about weaning and sending him on to his new home.

Handsome Hyde

Here is my boy relaxing at home.

Group shots

Here are the two groups.

The first is Rondee, Ding, Angel and Lucky. Ding is in the front...followed by Rondee in the blue halter. Angel has the bald (white) face and you can just barely make out Lucky's legs in amongst everyone elses.


The second group is Ace (red bay), Cuba (black) and Skeena with the blaze face.


Both groups are in adjoining pastures. One of the pastures is about 12 acres (where Rondee is) and the other is about 25 acres. No wonder all the horses are sooooo fat!!!

Rondee - August 1

Here is Rondee girl. She sure is a sweetheart now that she has figured out that we aren't going to eat her. LOL

She is always at the fence waiting her turn for some pats...and is usually the first to start the long walk up for them as well.


Her temperment is pretty low key for the most part out in the pasture. She isn't the boss by any stretch of the imagination.

Her eye healed up really well - you can see the small scab just above her eyelid. She is very good about me looking it over now.

Ding - August 1

Well, the name Ding stuck. She knows it and it is very original. LOL

She is looking really good...has filled out and I am sure she is growing.

She has shown no ill effects from going up and over the fence and her leg that was scraped up a bit has healed really well.

She is very very friendly and only shows attitude if she doesn't get all the attention that she thinks she deserves.

Here she is coming up from the back pasture for her pats.

Video of the boys showing in Saskatchewan

When I called to enter Gunner in the Moose Jaw show I asked the lady (Elaine Good) about photos from all the SCHA shows. She said they decided to go with videos instead this year. So she gave me the lady’s name to call. I am going to call and order the videos of Gunner at the Moose Jaw show as well as the ones of Hyde at the Lloydminster show.

I can hardly wait to get them to see how the boys look from the judge's perspective.

GUNNER GOING TO FIRST SHOW

Jason and I were talking today and he said that Gunner is ready to show.

Right now, Jason and his full contingent of show horses are at his Uncle Scott’s right now for some practice shows. A few of the big boys get together and “pretend” they are at an actual show. They work the herd etc. with turn back riders etc.

Anyways. Jason’s uncle told him: “If you aren’t going to show that Gunner horse at Moose Jaw…then I am”.

So Jason called to see about entering him. I said if you think he is ready then go for it. He gave me the name of the lady to call and I did it.

HE IS GOING!!!

People are frustrating - August 1

Why do people insist on just thinking about themselves. I put myself out there for others but never feel as though I get the recognition for it or have the “I’ll help you” given to me in return.

Like helping friends out when their lives get hectic and out of control. Taking on other people responsibilities – looking after them to the best of my ability – to only be “forgotten” in the scheme of their lives.

It is extremely frustrating to have to call people again and again to remind them of their obligations.

Maggie the Guard Dog

While I was home alone, Maggie appointed herself as my personal guard. She went everywhere outside that I did and was never far away.

Here is a shot of her outside the barn while I was untacking Hyde.

My mini-vacation

Mini Vacation – July 28

Doyle and the kids are off camping and I took a couple extra days for myself here at home. Have been working like crazy on the house…doing some website updates for clients and RIDING.

After the wind finally all blew away...I went out and caught up Hyde for our "every 2nd day short ride".

Today was going to be different though as I can't ride in the arena. Molson, Dolly and baby are in the pasture that borders it and I am still not quite comfortable on Hyde to ride him when others will more than likely be running and screaming on the other side of the fence. My arena is an outdoor by the way.

So I decided that we were going to try a mini-trail ride in our front pasture. There is enough distance and trees between where I wanted to ride and the other pastures that I felt comfortable.

So off we went. He had some good impulsion going...more than in the arena. And was keen and eager - looking all around. Not spooking at anything. We rode through a few small bushes...up and over a couple hills (man made)...following Shayne's quad tracks. He looked really closely at the quad tracks going through the swamp but we by-passed that.

Once we got up towards the house and he could see that his pasture was right there, it became a little interesting...a little bit of a test of wills and training. He figured we should go back to the barn...and I wanted to make one more loop. He put up a bit of a fuss...screamed...tossed his head...pranced. I made him do a tight circle and walk on. And HE DID. We got to a clearing and we did a couple turns on the hind quarters (both directions), a reverse, and a couple figure eights. And then started back to the house.

It didn't help that at that point, "someone" started whinnying for him. So he figured he needed to go fast. That also did not happen...and he fussed up again. So another couple tight circles and he walked like a gentleman back to the barn.

So I figure I won this round. It was a little tense on my part but I DID IT.

Sounds like a lot but we were actually only out there for about 15 - 20 minutes. LOL

Early start on breeding decisions

With Hyde home next year for sure...we are now into the debate on who to breed to him.

Rondee for sure. Gidget if she is still here. And probably Dolly.

Skeena is a maybe...it will depend on how much riding Bailey is going to want to be doing.

And then comes the debate on outside mares. I think we will keep the numbers way down next year for outside mares...maybe two???

Guess we have 6 months to make up our minds hey?

But advertising is going to start soon in any event.

A pasture visit

Melissa and I went out to the pasture to check on everyone today...get up close and personal.

Everyone was up at the water trough so we got to see them all fast. Ding, of course, was right there - pet me pet me. So was Angel.

But the one that surprised me was Rondee. She came up but didn't want to be patted at first. She kept walking away...so we would turn around and go back to Angel, Lucky and Ding. She soon got tired of being ignored and stood there and let me pat her all over...head, neck, shoulders, back, hips. I was very happy. And the look on her face was priceless...her lower lip drooped and she half closed her eyes. She was really liking the attention I think.

Lucky is feeling and looking good...very little rib to feel...and her butt has filled in better again. I don't think Angel is in foal...even though she is round enough to be...her back end and legs are filthy...i am thinking "cycling mess".

WE DID IT!!!

Went riding - that is. LOL Not all at the same time as Bailey's confidence isn't to the level of me riding a stallion with her on her mare.

But Bailey did ride her horse for over an hour. And she did really well. Walked and trotted - did circles, figure 8's.


Then Melissa got home and caught Ace, and the two girls went for a trail ride - about 10 minutes down the road and back. And even though Skeena (Bailey's mare) wanted to get home really fast, Bailey managed to keep her to a walk. Had to do lots of pulling on the reins though.

Doyle fixed my old saddle so the stirrups move again.

While the girls were gone I caught up Hyde and rode for about 1/2 hr. We did lots of walking and turning. Trotted once around my arena and loped once around. Then went back to walking and turning.

I must be doing something wrong though because everytime I ask him for a tight hind end turn to the left at the walk he speeds up and trots off. LOL So back to the drawing board tomorrow to see if I can figure it out before we go to Jason's next. LOL

Bailey's riding lesson

We went over to Jason's to pick up Bailey's mare. She has been there for a week with Jason tuning her up.

Jason got on her first and showed Bailey how good she was going...told us that she was good all week.

Then it was Bailey's turn. Up she got and around the arena she went with Jason giving her pointers on holding her reins...using her feet...how to use the reins and her feet to make Skeena do things. Then he said "I'll be right back - I am going to get my own horse".

When he got back, he rode beside her correcting little things. It made it easier for Bailey to understand what he was meaning because she could watch and then imitate him.

They walked and trotted. Did some corner to corner trotting too. And then it was OFF ON A TRAIL RIDE.

Wow...you could see Bailey's confidence grow from minute to minute.

She had a blast. Let's hope it continues at home.

Frivolous spending - July 24

I took Cathaleen's advice and did some frivolous spending with her gift.

I bought:

Xti Camera
28 - 70 f/2.8 lens
70 - 200 f/2.8 lens
training dvd
2 - 5 hr fast action batteries
1 rapid charger
deluxe case fluid top 3 foot tripod

I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR IT TO GET HERE.

Paige and Holly - I will need all the help I can get from you ladies to learn how to work this new machine.

Now to sell my current Sony Camera.

Dr. appointment - July 22

Well, once again I traipsed off to the doctor. This time for my full physical. I have been sick more in the last 10 months than I have been in years. Flu, bladder infections, sinus problems, lung problems...you name it...I have probably had it.

So since I saw this dr. in March, I have had 2 rounds of lab work done...all results are NORMAL. Right smack dab in the middle of normal yet. Lungs sound fine...heart sounds fine. Body reacts to everything normally. Blood pressure is a little high so she wants me to monitor that myself for the next 10 days by going to the monitors that they have in the pharmacies...and then fax them to her.

She took family history but it didn't seem like she thought that any of the problems in my family would bother me - not sure why. I asked about menopause too and she said "you are having regular periods...you are not menopausal". And that was that about that. LOL

She did double check my thyroid by feel and said she wants an ultrasound of it as it feels enlarged (my sister has a goiter around hers and my mom has a cyst on hers). She is also having an ultrasound of my pelvic area - kidneys, bladder etc. as I am tender down there...and always seem to feel like I have a bladder infection starting...and going...and starting...and going.

So I guess we will wait to hear on that later.

Oh...also asked about my weight gain. Her big response was "watch what you eat". I gave her a run down of my normal daily food intake and she said "sounds good so I guess watch your portion control". I could have choked her. I asked about nutrisystem or jenny craig or anything like that and she said "weight watchers"...so I guess I will have to decide if that is the way for me to go - again. Didn't work the first time so ??? That is why I thought something like nutrisystem where your food is sent to you in portions. LOL Not quite as easy to cheat. LOL

Anyways...so I guess all my feeling crappy is in my head...hmmm...maybe I need a psychiatrist???

Excitement at work and a gift - July 20

Just over a week ago, my co-worker Cathaleen became a little richer. We have what we call a "brass pool". There are tickets sold for $10 a piece. All the funds go into a pot. 10% off the top goes to registered charities. The balance goes to the owner of the pulled ticket.

Well, Cathaleen won just over $22K.

She had been talking about taking Pat and I out for dinner to celebrate her good "fortune"...and we were all looking forward to it.

Well, today, instead of setting a date and a time for that...she gave Pat 2 envelopes. One for Pat and one for myself. She then hightailed it out of the office - she has been sick - and is now on holidays. Pat put my envelope on my keyboard as I was out at a dr. appointment...but brought it up asap on my return. Told me to open it, read the letter and then we would discuss it. Needless to say that made me a little worried.

So I open this envelope. Inside is a short cute note from Cathaleen saying that she loves working with me....and here is a little something to help me out with either Hyde's vet bills...or "better yet" go spend it on something frivolous or on something that I have been dreaming of having for a long time.

She gave each of us a cheque...I don't want to say how much online but it was way more than she ever needed to give me for any reason.

Can you believe that? I could just choke her!!! Maybe I will when she gets back - but in a nice way. LOL

Helping people isn't always easy

Some friends of mine moved into town and brought their horses here to be boarded. Both horses were up for sale...but not moving.

Jason offered to take their mare to a sale for them and they agreed on that.

So I hauled her over to his place so that Jason and Dan could put a couple rides on her. She was at one point very well broke. But I just heard from them and apparently she is being an absolute cow. OH NO.

But they managed.

They then loaded her up to haul her to the auction house and ran into more problems with her. She started to colic. So Jason called the vet. Took her home...stayed up with her all night...then hauled her back to the auction where she ended up right at the end of the sale.

Jason ended up buying her back and taking her home. She is decently bred for a cutting horse so he is going to use her for test breedings on their stallion.

The hardest part of all this was the dealings with my friends...they were not overly helpful about the vet stuff when she was colicing...so that went on my bill. They also have not made much of an effort to see the mare here at my house but told me that they went all the way to this auction (which is around 3 hrs further than coming here) to say good-bye to her. That just kinda makes me mad.

Hyde

After a couple trips to the vet and to the University of Saskatoon, it was determined that Hyde has a heart condition - a murmur. This is not uncommon in horses or in people.

In Hyde's case, it is the cause of the exercise intolerance in that the valve in the right side of the heart - which is the working side - does not open and close properly...so his body does not receive all the oxygenated blood it needs to work hard.

In consultation with the vets, Jason and ourselves, we have decided that for Hyde's wellbeing, we would pull him from training and showing and have him at home for me to play with.

The vets at the University said that he can be used as a breeding stallion as this is a congenital defect - meaning caused during development in utero.

While this is a sad time for us as we were really looking forward to seeing Hyde in the showring, we have to do what is best for him. And we also have to remember that Hyde was never supposed to go for training/showing either...and that quite possibly it was the hard work that made this problem show up.

We will be taking it easy with Hyde from now on. I am going to ride him a few days a week to keep him in shape and will just enjoy having him home.

Visit to Jason's - July 13

Went over to Jason's this morning. Dropped of Skeena (Bailey's mare) for a tune-up.

Watched Gunner work. He was a lazy boy today. Jason had to keep after him constantly to keep moving...get going. An all around bad horsey day for Gunner.

I got a couple good pictures thanks to Paige showing me how to work my camera properly.



I did get to ride him for 1/2 hr or so to cool him out. He is very touchy compared to Hyde. Very active on the leg aides, even though my legs hit 5 inches higher than Jason's. I then got to sit on him while Jason rode his 2nd horse - who was also not very well behaved.

Jason's friend from Texas, Dan, rode some 2 year olds and pushed the cows around helping Jason. It was really neat to see them work together.


After we put those horses away, we went and caught Hyde. Put my new saddle on him. And off we went to the arena. Even after putting the stirrups to the very top hole, they are still about 3 inches or more too long. LOL

I got a more intensive lesson - even without stirrups. I learned how to do my turns properly...and why my feet should be where they should be. He also told me a bit about how he trains and why so that when I get to that point - like loping and coming to a stop - that also means that Hyde is to back up 3 steps...not just come to a stop (but that will be a little while in coming as he stops sooo hard and fast that I don't want to end up on my nose).


As we were untacking Hyde and loading him up, I asked how Gidget was doing. She apparently has had 7 rides...no issues. She has already been used as a turn-back horse - being ridden by Dan. She did do a small crow-hop on Dan yesterday as she was being a little stubborn and didn't want to lope so he gave her a bit of a jab with the spurs and she humped up. He rode her through it, pulled her down to a walk, asked her to lope again and off she went. They both figure that she will make a good little riding horse.

So all in all a good visit.

Rondee...

is coming around. went out today to check on her as doyle said he
didn't really notice yesterday how her eye was doing. she came right
up to me and let me pat her all over her head - including right beside
the cut.

went back into the house and got a bucket of warm water and a cloth to
wash it out with - maybe get some of the scab off. But she wasn't
having any of that. I just rubbed her neck and shoulder with the
cloth until she was okay with that and then just did a little squeeze
of water over the eye. She was NOT impressed but didn't try hard to
get away.

I had doyle put some dermagel on my hand and while it took about 10
minutes I managed to get the dermagel all over the cut - on top of the
scab - hoping that it will soften the scab and tonight I can get it
more inside the cut. It is still seeping - clear fluid...hoping there
is no infection or crap under the scab.

I think she will come around to being friends pretty quick.

Maggie and Max - July 6

Paige took these pics.

Max was very happy to have Bailey's pink shoe. That will teach Bailey to leave her shoes out by the trampoline...fair game for a puppy.


The one of the two dogs together is a good one to show how much Max has grown. He is behind Maggie. We figured out the other day that Max is just coming up NINE MONTHS old. LOL He is going to be one beast of a dog I think.

Calgary Stampede

Tuesday morning dawned bright and early and we headed to Calgary for the Stampede. We arrived at the hotel around 1 pm. Barry unhitched the truck and trailer and headed out to Banff to go biking. The rest of us went to the Stampede to do the rides and trade show.

Here Bailey and Shayne get set to spin on a ride:


Paige and I spent a few hours watching the cutting. Paige helped me with the settings on my camera and I was shocked to see that I actually got a few half decent ones. They would have been better if I had been closer - and without the fence in them...but good nonetheless.


Wednesday we went back to the stampede and watched the Rodeo in the afternoon...did some midway stuff/trade show stuff...and then went to the chuckwagon races and the grandstand show - which was really weird!! The fireworks were ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. This time it was my camera's turn to not work so no pics of any of this...sorry.

Thursday morning was "home time" for everyone. Paige and Barry headed out south to go home and we headed north.

It was a great visit...but definately not long enough.

A hectic and sightseeing Monday

On Monday morning, we got up to an injury to deal with. Rondee and Ding decided that the grass on the other side of the fence was better tasting and knocked a board off. Rondee then cut her face - right above the eye - on a nail (we think). She was pretty spooked by the whole ordeal and we were not able to get it doctored very well...even with Barry being sooo much taller than her. It was draining really
well, so we decided to just keep an eye on it.

We then headed into Vegreville to do some grocery shopping, get Paige and Barry's truck looked at (see her blog), and have lunch. We also took Paige and Barry past the "Worlds' Biggest Pysanka" (in plain english - a ukrainian easter egg). Paige's camera wasn't working so we didn't get any pics. Barry, Doyle and Shayne went to the golf course to hit some balls while us girls went shopping.

We then took them to Mundare to see the world's biggest SAUSAGE. We live in an area where there are the "World's biggest" weird things. The town of Andrew has a Mallard Duck...Vilna has a perogy...etc. And the sausage is a disgrace - it does not look like a sausage at all...dirty minds abound when adults look at it. LOL

Monday night we decided to turn Rondee and Ding out with Lucky and Angel and had yet another accident. Angel decided she needed a closer look at the new girls and started running...which made Rondee and Ding turn tail and run. They went right over - through - the fence. No injuries except for some minor scratches...thank god. We locked them in just across the fence from Angel and Lucky after that.

P.S. I did some websurfing and here are pics of the egg and the sausage. Should we not be proud???

Gunner's turn

Then it was Gunner's turn. While we were waiting to take Hyde's pics...Paige noticed Gunner and his neighbor playing. Aren't they cute?


As Jason had worked him that morning we just took pictures. Wish we would have thought to brush him first.

But we still managed to get some good shots. In one he looks just like his sire, High Brow Hickory.

Paige and Barry see the boys

On Sunday, we went over to Jason's to see the boys. Jason caught and worked Hyde for Paige and Barry.


Jason did a short warm up:


Then worked the flag:


And some cows.




He did very well considering he had a month off. You can sure tell he misses the work.

Both Paige and Barry were happy with Hyde's progress. She said it was very neat seeing the two boys after them being with me for 2 years.

Paige and Barry also got to ride Hyde a little bit.



After a good rinse off, outside we went for Paige to take a few pics of Hyde (more like 200 or so...lol).

Busy week of vacation with the Strawn's

Paige, Barry and the rest of us had a blast while they were here.

Paige and I e-mailed each other as they made their trek through the US. She kept us up to date on where they were and how the girls were doing. Here is a pic of Ding at one of their rest stops.


They arrived Saturday evening with no problems.

The two girls settled in very well. We put them in one of the inside outside pens for the night...and turned them out in the small pasture by the house on Sunday morning. They were so interested in the grass that I had to chase them a bit to get some action shots. LOL

My first riding lesson

As I need to learn how to handle these well broke cutting horses before they come home, Jason has offered to give me lessons when I am over there. So I went and caught up Hyde...Jason found a saddle that would shorten up enough for my little legs. And off we went for our first lesson together.

We did lots and lots of walking around the arena...tight and wide turns in both directions. Learned how to neck rein him properly...figured that one out myself. Did some trotting.

We rode for about an hour with two breaks - one while Jason worked a young horse on the flag. And one just when we were talking about other horses. Poor Hyde...when that flag started up he stood at attention - ears forward - almost vibrating to go and work. He followed the flag with head and ears the entire time. It even got Gidget's attention for 5 or 6 minutes.

Rondee and Ding news - July 2

Paige sent the following update on the new girls getting ready for their road trip to Canada.

Rondee and Ding had trailer school tonight--Rondee of course knows how to get in a
trailer but that does not mean she will do it every time. Ding had never been in the trailer that I can think of.

I was bushhogging, so Barry and Madison did the school.

They did great--loaded and backed out 4 or 5 times-- no issues.

Bailey and Skeena getting lessons

After talking to Jason about Bailey and her fear of riding, he has agreed to take Skeena (Bailey's horse) and put a good 7 days on her. The last time I rode her after she freaked Bailey right out, she did a few crow hops for me...and with my back and crappy balance right now...this is just safer.

I am going to take Bailey over with me when we drop her off and Jason will watch how she goes for me and then Bailey in his arena...determine what needs to be worked on the most.

Then when we go pick her up...Bailey and I will ride her again to see if anything has changed. If she doesn't calm down, then we may sell her to a more experienced kid and look for something that Bailey can and will ride. Or we won't if things don't change with Bailey's fear....???

Jason also said I am welcome to bring Bailey over every weekend for a lesson too.

Housecleaning madness

WENT NUTS on the weekend cleaning the house. Had my sister, neice and nephew out to help as well.

Paige and Barry will be here soon so needed to get as much cleaned up as possible.

Paige has allergies and I want her to be able to be comfortable in the house.

We washed walls, windows, cupboards. Did a complete overhaul on the floors with washing and vaccumming. Even vaccuumed all the furnature.

And Doyle and Jeff (nephew) did a bunch of outside work as well...mowed the lawn, did the whippersnipping, fixed a bunch of fence.

So it was a very busy time for all.

Gidget goes - July 1

Well, I took Gidget over to Jason's today for her 30 days (little cow took an hour to load - finally ran her in to the trailer through a pen - had to chase her with a PLASTIC SHOVEL as she kept trying to run over top of me). When we got there, he took her and tied her in the arena while they worked other horses.

Jason is a firm believer in tying horses. He said you can find out a lot about a horse that way. How patient they are...how well they will take to new things...etc.

I am hoping for good reviews about her.

Sonny moves again

Well...it happened. Jason sold Sonny. He put him through his dad's "Cow Horse Sale" on saturday. Said he went to a rancher up north. So he will at least have a job.

The advertising on him was not great. Listed him at 15 hh and 1250 lbs. SOOO NOT TRUE. Jason didn't have the particulars so they guessed.

He didn't do to bad on him...got $2900. So didn't make anything on him once you figure in what he cost in feed for 6 weeks (as he had to live in the barn) and the training Jason put on him.

Jason figured he could have done better had Sonny not "misbehaved" in the ring...he crow hopped and kicked out when asked to lope. And he struck at another horse - after the other horse struck at him. BAD BOY.

Broke down - June 29

today and emptied my closet and dresser of all TINY clothes. I have become resigned that I will NEVER EVER wear size 7 or smaller again.

Gave some of the shirts to Bailey...the rest will go to good will. I even went through all my dresses. I am keeping the newer stuff that fits...and got rid of everything else, except for my grad dress and my wedding dress.

Did that ever make a lot of room in my closet and dressers. It filled TWO BLACK GARBAGE BAGS

GOTTA RAISE

YIPPEE

I can't believe it. After so many years of working at places where raises were few and far between...I am on my 2nd raise with this new job. Not that I should be saying new anymore as it has been 9 months already.

Anyways. In January of every year you get a 'cost of living' raise - it was 2%. Then in July of every year, you get your big "experience - reviewed" raise. Well, I got 5.89%!!! This works out to in total almost $2/hr in increases in those 9 months.

THEN ON TOP OF THAT...they DOUBLED my VACATION!!! I now qualify for FOUR weeks a year instead of just TWO.

They determined the vacation increase when they did a survey on their vacation policy. They asked us all individually to submit our total year's experience in related jobs. So I put my 14 years as an administrative assistant and my 10 months data entry at a trucking company.

So that was a DOUBLE YIPPEE letter I got!!!

Hay crops...

are being cut for the first time this year up here. They are pretty short. And some were rained on. We have had pretty unsettled weather for the last week or so.

Weather reporters saying "nice weather" and then we get rain...or vice versa.

It will be interesting to see what prices are like this year with the soaring pump prices.

Gunner going great guns - June 22

His attitude is even improving. He is more alert...friendly...and happy than I have seen him in a while.

He is starting to really "think" on his own when working the cows...and has gotten even faster. He is now turning with the cow's nose instead of waiting for the cow to be past him before he starts his own turn.


Jason is very happy with him.

I however, am not very happy with any of my pictures from today. I have been playing with my camera's settings and EVERY picture was blurry.

Doyle and I even got to ride him a bit. I cooled him out and Doyle took him for one turn of the arena. It will be so great once my new saddle gets here and I have something that fits me better than Jason's. LOL

Flowers everywhere

Well, finally got around to shopping for flowers and then got the front garden cleaned up and ready.


Doyle hauled my 4 whiskey barrels out and filled them up with fresh dirt.

I decided to go with an orange, white and yellow theme this year. All my petunias are white and yellow (never seen yellow ones before).

And I found orange and yellow daisies (with purple centers).



I also found some orangy colored begonias and some red little flowers (have no idea what they are called though).


Each whiskey barrel got 6 white petunia plants and one bundle of daisies - alternating yellow and orange.

And the main flower bed was done in the rest of the flowers - with each color and type being matched from side to middle. Never let it be said that I am unorganized...maybe a little anal retentive when it comes to this but I think it looks great. LOL


I am very happy with the choices this year. I normally have pink and white or purple and white and was getting tired of that...so this is a great flower year.

Business stuff

Have been playing in some programs here at home to do up business cards and letterhead.

The logo Belinda made me is great.

I finally got the business cards made - with the logo and our names etc. on the front and Hyde and Gunner's pedigree info on the back.

The letterhead has the all the business card info on the top of it.

Both the business cards and letterhead are on a beige mottled background paper.

Now to figure out how to do up some stallion advertising flyers.

Puppy love - June 19

Here is a new pic of Max and Maggie. He sure is a big boy now hey? That is him on the left - with the black/grey mask on his face. He is now 7 months old I think...lol...time sure flies. Still a goofy puppy for the most part...but is learning how to go after coyotes pretty quick. He is a very noisy barker when he needs to be. Is leery of strangers and vehicles still.


We are planning on letting them have pups...maybe I will have better luck selling them than I have selling the horses. LOL

EEPS DENTIST

Finally broke down and called the dentist. Have had a toothache for a while. And the other night was flossing and a piece of tooth came out. Dentists and I do not get a long - I am TERRIFIED.

But I called, made the appointment and kept it.

My back is killing me...stomach is upset. LOL

I think he lied to me and did two fillings and not one. oh well. i also am being brave and booked an appointment for a check up and cleaning for next week and then to get a new filling and another old one replaced in July.

Gunner gets show experience

Gunner went along to Claresholm yesterday to get his first taste of the show life...and took to it like a duck to water.

Jason said his eyes were bright and his ears were forward the entire time...and NO STUDDINESS!!!!

He did a practice work, where they work a few cows over a set amount of time - no judging - and just settled in and did his job.

Upsetting news

Apparently yesterday morning, Jason and Dan were up early and worked all the horses that would be showing in Claresholm.

Hyde warmed up really well and worked the first cow really hard. But during the 2nd cow, he started to slow down. By the 3rd cow, Jason was having to really push Hyde hard...and when he laid the reins down, Hyde just quit.

So Hyde's show was cancelled. He still went for the experience though.

Anyways. Jason is positive that Hyde has a problem of some sort. Jason is going to take him to the big vet clinic here early in the week to see if they can come up with anything definate.

As long as whatever it is is easily managable and he can still show, Jason will take him home and continue with him...also if it is not EXPENSIVE. If not, then Hyde will just come home.

I COULD JUST CRY!!!

OUTRAGEOUS FUEL COSTS

Regular fuel on Thursday was priced at $1.29/litre. In US funds that
works out to $4.77/gallon.

Diesel is right around the same amount.

Both are expected to go up in the next month - of course, before
summer vacation. LOL

Equines everywhere - June 1

Everyone else is in this post - so all accounted for. LOL

First is Ace - 11 year old bay gelding. We have owned him since he was a weanling. He is a very patient boy. Loves the babies but can't be a bit bossy so we usually try to keep him with horses that won't try to be the boss. He sure tries to pose hey?


Then there is Angel. She is Lucky's last foal and she is 10 years old this year. She is Melissa's horse. We aren't sure what we are going to do with her. Melissa has moved to the city and with all the youngsters that we now have to get going...I am scared she is just going to sit and be wasted. I would love to try breeding her again to one of the boys but with her not being registered, it just doesn't make good business sense.


Gidget is next. She is Molson's older sister - Semi's first foal for us. She has sure darkened up this year too. We will be getting her going under saddle this summer. And then hopefully on to a new home. With how friendly and smart she is...she shouldn't take much to get going. We think she would make a great lady's horse and with some miles under saddle, a great kid's horse as well.


Skeena is Bailey's horse. She is 16 this year...and will be getting a much needed tune up as soon as I get my new saddle.