Evil Fairy - Evil Butterfly

Not sure which Bailey is being.

With the wand - fairy??


Without - butterfly???


Halloween has arrived again. And with it comes the magical MAKE-UP and costumes.

As the kids have gotten older the costumes have gotten less elaborate. This year, Bailey's costume is black sweats, shirt, hoodie with green wings, a veil of some sort, a black wand and LOADS of make-up - green and pink and white eyeshadow with THICK eyeliner, some glow in the dark glitter, black lipliner and green lipstick and some pink and green stickers.

Shayne's is even simpler as he is going as HIMSELF. Shayne and 3 of his friends are going to be at a friends for the night playing x-box and Wii.

Melissa, on the other hand, being all of 19 this year, has gone and bought herself a "vampiress" costume...complete with SIX inch platform shoes. The outfit is a little short (to my mother's eyes) but is very cute and NOT TOO REVEALING (thank god). It is a velvety material with red satin and sequins and comes with a little cape. The shoes are very funky - thick black platform bottom with clear soft plastic over the foot and red satin lacing through the back of the heel and to go up around the ankle.

Just a short rant

Kids and parties?

I know kids are going to drink. I did it...my three oldest did it. But it seems to get younger and younger that they start.

Is it better if there are adults there to supervise? If parents have given their consent?

What age would you give the okay for your kids to go to a party - knowing that there will be alcohol there - free flowing???

Maybe I am a stick in the mud. But I don't think kids should be "drinking to get drunk" until they are in their later teens.

Thoughts??? Feelings??? Experiences???

Melissa gets "artsy"

Just before supper, Melissa looked outside and got all excited. She came bouncing into the kitchen saying "MOM...where's your camera". I told her and she said "set it up for me to take an outside pic please".

So I did...and off she trotted.

She came in and wow...what amazing sunset pictures she took.




I didn't think the trees in front of the house could ever look good...but she managed to use them in a great way!!!

Insurance and stuff

Well, I got on the phone today to get Melissa's insurance card from our insurance agent - she has misplaced it. Which, in turn, means that she can't re-register her car. So she is now driving mine - at least until tomorrow.

I also talked to them about my house insurance as we are switching brokers.

Man...the questions they were asking. Square footage, age, electrical, plumbing, shingles, size of deck..and on and on. I had to get off the phone and search for our appraisals and home inspections. And even then, couldn't find all the answers.

So I am going in there on Wed to speak to them in person and will be hauling a wheelbarrow load of paperwork with me that they can sort through to find the answers.

I made sure to tell them about my new camera and all my saddles etc. I also told them about my Royal Doulton figurines and they said I need them appraised...especially the one my grandma bought for me the year I was born. So that will happen on Thursday if I can find a place to do it.

Kirby

Well, one week into his new home and he seems to have settled right in. And as you can see by the pictures, this soon to be "big dog" is living IN THE HOUSE. Jesse - you are way braver than me!!!

Jesse (aka Jessica) has been e-mailing me with updates all week. She sure loves this little guy. And I am sooo happy to hear that. I always worry when my babies (be they horses, cats or now dogs) go on to their new lives.

According to Jesse, Kirby now weighs in around 16 lbs - probably more than that as that was a few days ago. He has also had his first bath - of which he was probably in serious need of.


Jesse also said he gets a long great with her boyfriend Greg.

Jesse and Greg are very brave people as they are going out this weekend (or soon) to get Kirby a "little brother" in the way of a Norwegien Elk Hound (possibly named MOOSE???).

I can hardly wait to see pics of the two boys playing with each other.

What a hassle

it is to use travel vouchers.

We are going to Cancun, Mexico in January. I was being "all good" and everything in my booking of the airfare...trying to use our travel vouchers that we received after our debacle of a trip for our cruise last February when they lost our luggage.

Anyways. I was on United.ca - and then realized that I had to call in to use our vouchers. So I did this...went through this HUGE verbal system where I had to tell them the flights I wanted - spell everyone's names etc. I just reserved the tickets so I could talk to someone. Well, it turns out that MEXICO IS NOT ON THEIR DESIGNATED LIST OF PLACES YOU CAN FLY TO. Good lord.

Same with American - who we also have vouchers from. They CAN'T be used on flights originating in CANADA. Go figure...why the hell would you send someone vouchers that they can't use - see we live in CANADA.

You also can't use these vouchers on flights that start with one carrier and end with another.

They get you coming and going don't they.

So now I am on the look out for maybe some weekend trip that Doyle and I can go on to use the vouchers. Too bad most of the costs of those trips will be OUTRAGEOUS.

Video and Pics of Gunner showing

I have contacted everyone that I can to order pictures and video of Gunner at all three shows - Olds, Red Deer (Supreme) and Calgary (Wrangler).

Now to wait - not so patiently - for them to arrive.

There wasn't a photographer at Lloydminster, Moose Jaw or at Olds. I have the video of Lloydminster of Hyde and Moose Jaw of Gunner. Still waiting for the video of Gunner at Olds.

Pics have been ordered and paid for for Gunner at the Supreme. There were only two pics to chose from so I bought both. I paid a little extra to get separate CD's of each picture and they will be ready to go onto my website or to be used for advertising.

I can hardly wait!!

Interesting healthy eating idea

While sitting at bowling last night, I got to talking to one of the dad's that came in to pick up his two girls.

We got onto the topic of healthy eating after Bailey came up and asked if we were going to McDonald's.

He said that there was a study out that showed that if you only ate items that you could buy from the "outside walls" of a grocery store for a month, you would lose weight and be a lot healthier. I thought about it in terms of the grocery store across the road from the bowling alley and boy...it sure makes sense.

On the outside walls of most grocery stores, you will have your aisle of fruits and vegetables, your deli and bakery and your meat department. Nothing processed or boxed for the most part.

It was a very neat conversation. And then towards the end of it...I found out that he is one of the local chiropractors and his wife is a nutritionist/personal trainer. They have a joint office in Vegreville. I asked him a few questions about my back and my health and he said "come in and we will see if we can help you - do some chiropractic work but mainly get my wife working with you for fitness and healthy eating".

I am going to go in and see them early next week.

Shayne has a car

Here is Shayne's car. He is going to help Doyle fix it next summer - it needs a head gasket and a new windshield.


But other than that it is in great shape.

He is very happy to have transportation for when he turns 16. With that comes FREEDOM and the chance to get a job (because then I don't have to drive him).

Soft core round bales

Here are a couple pics of our bales. You can tell they aren't tightly bales or wrapped as they look "mushy" instead of nice and firm.

They are a little more yellow on the outside than I normally like but when you reach in it is nice fresh smelling green grass.

The bales are 75% grass and 25% alfalfa...so perfect for free feeding.

Hay has arrived

Well, half of it.

It is nice stuff too. The bales are soft core - so we may go through them faster than expected. I think we will get 10 more just to be on the safe side.

We put the first one out yesterday for Hyde and Molson. That was hilarious.

Hyde wanted the bale all to himself...and tried as hard as he could to keep Molson off it. He put his chest right up to the bale...stood almost on his tiptoes to see over the bale (and when you are maybe 14hh that is hard) to see where Molson was. He spent probably the first 1/2 hr running around the bale trying to chase Molson off. Molson would just walk around and take another bite.

Within 2 hrs, they were standing side by side eating. I think they are buddies.

Cats and their presents

While sitting here at the computer this morning, Cloud brought a toy to my feet.

A REAL LIVE TOY. A big fat mouse.

The little sucker was pretty brave...jumping at her face.

I tried to intervene and catch it to toss it outside, but Cloud took off with it. It is now LOOSE in my house somewhere because she lost it.

Good thing they don't bother me much. LOL

Kids and activities

With the start of the school year also comes the start of the after school activities.

Shayne, of course, is doing his bowling. And Bailey decided she was going to try indoor soccer.

Well, soccer lasted all of 2 practices. Bailey just isn't keen on "playing hard" as she is still at the age where she would prefer to have fun. So she has now joined bowling again.

Bowling is also under going a change. They have TONS of kids this year in the league...so much so that it is hard for the kids to get through their 3 games in the 2 hours that they have. So the coaches are starting up a Tuesday night league for the Senior kids. My two would move.

It would mean a lot more one on one with the coaches which would be great for Shayne. His is one of their most promising young bowlers.

Not that you would know it after yesterday though. Bailey on her first day back bowled a 193 game - Shayne's highest was a 154...well under his average.

Puppies are leaving

We have had 5 puppies leave for their new homes since Saturday.

The first was "Kirby". His new owner is Jesse Kelleher. She is very happy with her new little man. It was "fate" that brought these two together I think. Jesse's old dog got very sick and had to be put down on the day that Kirby was born. I wish them all the best together.



Next was Nora. She was bought by Ken and Gwen Gregg at the very young age of 3 days. She is going to be their "little dog" protector. Gwen has e-mailed me already and said that Nora is fitting in very well.


Two puppies left together. They are going to be sheep protectors...and will each have their own "child" to love. I have not heard how they are doing or their new names but I am sure they will do great.


Our little white male left yesterday. No name as of yet but they sure liked him a lot. His new people were in a hurry and I didn't get a chance to get a picture of him leaving. I hope they will send me one soon.

Our last sale is a big male. His name is Smoky. His new people will be here, hopefully, on the weekend to pick him up. They had a bit of a family emergency out of province so have left him here until they come home.

New Farrier

I hope I found a keeper.

Her name is Erin...and she is great. Young and enthusiastic...and knowledgeable. The horses responded to her really well with only Gidget really testing.

Ace and Dolly are always my test for the farrier. Ace had an injury to his front knee and every once in a while he HATES for it to be trimmed up. But he was a good boy. And Dolly with her trust issues can be hard to do...not that she is mean...but if she gets scared it is hard to do her feet...and she sometimes doesn't want to "bend" her knees and hocks to get the feet to where they need to be.

The two boys were in the barn the entire time everyone else was being trimmed and NO NOISE from either of them. It was very interesting to see Molson watch Hyde and imitate him. Both stood for the most part at the back of their stalls with their butts to the other horses.

So all in all a great day. And we have already REBOOKED!!! For December 23. I will have to figure out someway of getting heat out in the barn.

Turkey Soup Day

Normally I make my turkey soup within 2 days of Thanksgiving...thus ensuring LOTS of turkey in the soup.

Well, with going to Calgary getting in the way...the turkey soup is going to be a little sparce on turkey. OH WELL...they were told to NOT eat the turkey leftovers.

I got the soup started at 11 - simmering everything up (left over turkey pieces, gravy, mashed potatoes). This helps soften the meat making it easier to get into little pieces. The gravy and mashed potatoes make the broth really nice and flavorful.

Now it is time to add the veggies and chunked potatoes. In about 45 minutes I will add a bit of shell macaroni and the soup will be ready to eat before Doyle goes to work and the kids get home from school.

Hopefully, we will have enough soup to last for supper tomorrow night too.

I LOVE TURKEY SOUP !!!

Lance has issues

Got home yesterday and Doyle told me that his new horse, Lance, didn't seem to be feeling good. Said that he had been laying down lots and hadn't been interested in food at all.

RED FLAGS!!!

As I don't know the horse well - or his history - a phone call to Mom and Dad was made. I told them what was going on and they would relay it to Brian and Sarah when they got home (they are renting an apartment from Mom and Dad). Brian called and I told him what was going on ... and he gave me some history.

Lance has gas coliced before and they walked him out of it. Other than that he has been healthy his entire life (he is 18 by the way).

I had already turned Lance and Lucky out in the arena and had pushed them around - walking and trotting - to see if that would get anything moving and it could have been cause there was a bit of a "smell" in the air when I was done. LOL

I also got on the phone to Paige. We decided to give him some Banamine just to help him out a little with the pain and that seemed to do the trick. I also walked him out into the pasture to see if he would be interested in the long grass...and he ate a little but not much.

I kept a close eye on him for the next 4 hrs...going out and moving them around the arena - IN THE DARK CARRYING A FLASHLIGHT. The last time was at midnight...Lance was laying down again so I kicked some dirt at him and he got up and the two horses loped off and he bucked and kicked and farted.

This morning he was up and ready to eat...doyle gave him some oats while Lucky had her senior feed. And then he tossed them their hay. Both horses ate all their grain and have since cleaned up their hay.

I have been watching them closely today and Lance is very alert and interested in seeing all the stuff at the front of the house that he couldn't from his pen behind the barn...so I think we are safe.

My favorite pics that I took at Calgary

This is a stunning grey horse. I am not partial to them but wow!!!

So I took more pics of this one that any other - LOL - except mine and Jason's of course.

This is Loren Christianson riding EBR Eye Candy (Playgun x Ban Jo Pat)

Jason's Derby Entry pics

Here are some good ones of Jason on his 4 year old - Really Rockin Rey (Dual Rey x Stop N Short)

Open Derby pics

These are a few that I took later in the afternoon. The Derby is for 4 year olds.

This is Les Timmons on Little Miss Mercedes (High Brow Hickory x Little Miss Mecom)


This is Scott Hanson (Jason's Uncle) on Quick N Stylish (Playing Stylish x Smart Quickalena)


This is Gerry Hansma on Lenas Alamo (Caught Me Lookin x Wild Rose Lena)

Playing with my camera

netted me some really good pictures at the show. I didn't take too many of the Open Futurity Class, other than Jason on Gunner and his own colt.

These ones are of Jason on his 3 year old - Tivios Dually (Dual Pep x Little Bitty Angel)


I think this is my favorite - love the leg position:

Wrangler Cutting Futurity - Gunner's results

Well, the poor little man was not feeling good when he got to Calgary...and you could sure tell. His whole demeanor was cranky and so showing that he really did not want to be there.

Jason showed him through the first go and with a couple good cows and some nice work on Jason's part...they got a score. It wasn't great...but it still counted.





On Thursday, Gunner's "bumps/hives" were even worse and in discussion with Jason and his Uncle Scott we made the decision to pull him from the competition. There was no point in souring him and/or getting a really bad showing. It is also nicer to the other competitors who actually have a chance on getting to the finals to not use up the cattle.

While I am very disappointed that this happened, there will be other shows in the future.

This season, however, is over. We are not going to push Gunner to show in Utah. He is going to go home with Jason and get turned out there on a small pasture with a buddy and will rest. We will start over in late December and do some small shows in January and see where Gunner's mind set is then.

Again with the sales

Well, things seem to be moving. I have had lots of interest in Gidget and Molson.

One couple came to see Gidget and have made an offer. After talking with Jason, he is going to take her next week to tune her up a bit - remember she only has 20 rides - and then these people can go there and try her out. After they try her there...we will discuss the deal on the table.

And I have a scheduled appointment for a viewing on Molson. It is for the 26th of October.

As for the puppies...we had a bit of a problem with their ad. It wasn't showing up in the Edmonton area listings on Kijiji but in TORONTO. OOPS. I e-mailed them and they were nice and moved the ad for me on Wednesday morning.

By last night, I had one of the last two males sold (deposit was e-mailed to me) and a lady coming today to see the remaining two. I also had a gentleman from Vancouver phone me and ask if he could come and see them - weird hey - but he was actually flying into Edmonton for the weekend.

I also have 4 people waiting in the wings just in case these last two sales on the puppies don't go.

Hmmm...maybe this would be way more profitable than the horses...maybe I should start looking for another female and do puppies instead of horses???

Sunset

Bailey and I were outside last weekend watching the sunset. I ran in and grabbed my camera and got this really cool "red" shot.

Maggie, Max and Carrie

Here are our big puppies. They are so lovey dovey. Everyone that has come over to see the pups has commented on their good nature.

We do, however, get the question - "What are they like when strangers come over and you aren't home". My answer is always the same "I don't know cause I am not here". LOL

This is Max looking into the dog pen at his puppies. Maggie still won't let him in to play.

Dwarf kitties

Our cats seem to get smaller and smaller every year.

Here are a couple of our 5 week old kittens on the couch.

YIPPEE

I FOUND A FARRIER. Her name is Erin.

She is booked to come on October 21!!!

I had to go through 3 others to get to her. They all asked who I had been using, and when I told them, they laughed and said "oh really...you don't know how many of these type calls we have had in the last couple months."

Found HAY!!!

Doyle’s boss, Bob, told us the other day that he has 52 rounds of hay left and we are welcome to it all. It is a 70/30 mix of grass and alfalfa…so perfect for free feeding. And the cost is the best part. We haven’t found anything for under $65 a round – but he is selling this to us for $45. And is going to DELIVER IT!!! I am very excited!!!

WE also have a lead on some really good alfalfa squares…which I will use to supplement Lucky if needed.

Hyde and Molson

These two are pretty friendly. Hyde is definately the boss though. Molson gives pretty quick.


What a difference in build. Hyde is very refined and Molson is stocky.

Molson needs pics

Molson needed some pics taken for a potential buyer so off I trundled.

He sure is fuzzy this year.

And look at that - he has NO mane. Stupid boy rubbed it all off.

Hyde gets dusty

Hyde found a dirt pile to roll in yesterday. What I would have given to have had a zoom lens with me.


He looked hilarious when he stood up and saw me with the camera. You could tell he was trying to put on his “I am beautiful” strut as he walked towards me but I just laughed. Poor boy.

After I commented to him how dirty he looked...he just went back to eating.


I sure hope he starts building his winter coat soon or I will be blanketing him.

Lucky comes in for the winter

Caught Lucky up yesterday and brought her in. Lucky did really well this year on grass. Her body condition is decent…good rib coverage…a nice belly…still a little thin at the withers and the hips-tailhead…but with the grain starting that should fill in quick. She sure looks good for an old girl of 32.


I am also on the hunt for a new winter blanket for her. Everything I have is too big or small or too light.

Lucky and Lance are going to pasture together this year. We were told he is not one of the most aggressive horses out there and at 18 he can use some extra feed as well - I think.

Lance is very happy to have a "pen pal" right now as he has been on his own for almost a year as his last pasture mate, Breeze, was humanely put down due to a tumor last spring. He sure is a handsome horse.

Mares getting hairy

Went out yesterday and checked everyone over really good. Checked for hair, body condition, attitude. LOL Took halters off those that had them on as the winter hair is making them tighter.

Angel:


Dolly (showing a little Molson baby belly):


Rondee:


Gidget:


Ding:


Skeena kept hiding so no picture of her today.