Sept 4 - DATE NIGHT

Doyle and I decided at the last minute to take in the World Professional Chuckwagon races at Edmonton Northlands.

Doyle called and got us reservations at Colors Restaurant. The restaurant has 5 levels of seating with floor to ceiling windows so that every seat can see the track. The lowest level of seats is probably only 20 feet up from the ground outside.

Our seats were on the 2nd lowest level and we were about 100 yards past the finish line. And the food was fantastic. We both had prime rib and baked potatoes...and started with a shrimp cocktail.

I sure wish I had brought my camera as I would have had a great angle to take pictures.

The action was great. They ran 10 races. Jason Glass had already cinched the title..which made me very happy as we grew up not to far from each other (many years ago).

There weren't many penalties either which was great.

It was a great night.

Forgot to mention

That Cuba left in July. He went for training at Will Hanson's. Mike said he was doing good...a little stubborn about things at times.

Mike has decided not to bring him back here for the winter as his friend now has a small place and a couple horses.

We wish them both the best with each other.

August 31 - New job

started today.

Day one was in Edmonton for training. We signed all our hire-on paperwork, went for coffee, then back to the office for some training. We learned how the computer systems work and then it was time for lunch. It was a beautiful day so ate on the patio at Sherlock Holmes downtown.

The afternoon was spent learning more about the computer systems they use.

It was a long day.

Tomorrow will be the true test. Out to Vegreville for my first day of "real work".

August 29 - Rondee is growing up

Mentally that is.

Christina was here today to do feet. The last time she was here was at the end of May.

At that time, Rondee was very flighty and freaked by everything we were trying to do with her.

This time, she took everything fairly well. She would also walk away from stuff and then come right back to me and put her head against me. Christina thought it was cute...and amazing that she had come around that much considering how hard she fought us doing her feet in May. She still wasn't sure if she "needed" her feet done and was pulling it out of Christina's hands. So I said "hold on" and went and got a bucket of grain and a small rubber container (I am not above bribery).

So with every foot, Rondee got a small amount of grain. Enough though that Christina could nip the foot and do some rasping.

There was also no "wide-eyed" OMG moments, even when she scared herself jumping sideways away from the metal stand that she had hit with her foot, hitting me and then bouncing back to hit Christina. She then just stood and shook for 10 seconds until she heard both of us going "it's okay Rondee". She took a big breath, sighed and relaxed.

I am happy that my time with her (what little there has been this summer) has stuck.

August 28 - Ding heads off to learn to be a big girl

Ding left this afternoon for 60 days training. She is at a TWH facility. Young girl is the main trainer. She has been training and showing her own horses for 10 years...and doing well. She has an outdoor arena, round pen and miles and miles of trails and fields to use. Everything is outside - BONUS for me. Oh...her round pen is in the middle of the pen where all the horses are. I asked why and she said it helps the horse learn to concentrate on listening to her.

Ding settled in really well...walked through a herd of very well behaved horses to get to her pen - it is 10 x 20 pipe - and runs alongside all the other horses so she won't get lonely.

This girl's own horses were very well behaved as we walked through...one came up fast and she said "bella slow"...and the horse slowed down and stopped until Ding went past. They were all very friendly too.

Her plan of action is to play with Ding for a couple days on the ground - do basic stuff to see what she will take and what she needs more work on. She will then start with the tack and start riding.

She said I can come out every weekend if I want and for the last couple weeks she is there, I can go out there during the week and we can ride together in the arena and around the place before she comes home.

So I am happy with my choice so far.

August 28 - last day at work and new hair

What a day. It was long, exhausting etc. trying to make sure everything that I could get done got done to help Tanya out. They interviewed new timekeepers YESTERDAY. So there won't be anyone there to help Tanya for a bit.

We had a great lunch - brought in Boston Pizza and laughed and chit chatted lots. It was a great way to end my time there.

After work, I headed off to do some errands - dr. app't, pick up meds etc. - and then off to SWIZZLESTICKS hair salon for a much needed updated look.

HA HA

I asked friends and family what they thought...general consensus was to stick with the basic style but go different on the color. Many said go really dark. Some said red. So I compromised. I went really dark brown with red streaks. It looks great!!!

August 21 - farm gets a new address

I got home from work today and noticed my address sign had been installed. I also noted that the address on it was different than the one we were given when we purchased the property 9 years ago.

We were given 53089 Range Road 181...but the sign says 530067 Range Road 181.

Hmmm...wonder what is up with that.

I e-mailed the lady at the county office who is in charge of the addresses and signs. She said that we must have been given the wrong address. Interesting.

So I guess we have been using the wrong farm address for NINE years. LOL

August 21 - out with the old - in with the new

Despite the fact that the lawyers in Vegreville were unavailable to meet up with me, I was offered and accepted the job.

It was such a relief to go in and give my notice at my timekeeper/payroll job. The job, while busy, was a good one. The 1 hr commute and all the overtime was the part that dragged me down.

I couldn't devote any time to anything else as I was exhausted by the time I came home from work, got supper done and cleaned up around the house a bit. Plus the fact that on my weekends off, it was spent getting groceries, cleaning, laundry etc. as I wouldn't have another chance for another 2 weeks.

The job at the law firm is doing real estate with another lady...they are busy enough that they need two of us. She will take care of the main part and I will do all the reports and follow-up stuff (whatever that means). It has been awhile, which despite what other firms have said this year, doesn't seem to matter to them.

The pay is pretty good. It is a paycut from Jacobs but that is to be expected...jobs from different aspects of life here as the current job is with a company in the Oil and Gas industry. But the time home and the commute being cut in half each way, plus not having to purchase a bus pass a month is a great big savings.

they also offer a pension plan, benefit package, rrsp plan and a bunch of other things.

SOOO EXCITED!!!

August 17 - Interview went well

Initial interview went really well. It was with the head of Human resources. This is a BIG firm - they have 3 floors in one of the office towers downtown and satalite offices in 4 towns surrounding the city. They were fine with what I asked for salary wise. She told me I would fit in really well...that my experience and schooling would be a great asset to the firm. And she wants me to come meet the two lawyers later in the week.

August - misc updates

Work is still hectic. Still learning - or trying to. Have been putting in lots of OT - something that I really don't want to do again. So talked to the boss about it and said "I really can't be doing this much OT due to the kids, horses, life etc" and he said "I understand and things are going to change right away". So I relaxed. Then 4 days later, he came out and said "Until further notice, you will all be working 12 and 2.". Which means we will be working 12 days and then getting 2 off...so much for "understanding". I also booked the September long weekend off as they seem to have issues with you needing a weekend off or a "whole" weekend off. He asked "why"...so I told him I had plans. He asked what...I told him I was going out of town. He said "we will have to discuss it later"...WHAT???? So needless to say, I am not happy.

I had a girlfriend e-mail me a job ad not realizing I was working so I responded to it. I have an interview tomorrow (Monday) after work. It will be a pay cut from what I am getting at this job but if I get this newer one I will be working in Vegreville which will be half the commute time - half the gas - and no bus pass to purchase...so it would all work out in the end. This new one is at a law firm doing real estate stuff.

Hay is growing really good for a 2nd cut...now to hope that the weather cooperates. I did, however, notice on Friday while driving into work that the leaves in places are already starting to turn yellow.

Kids are getting ready for school. Only 14 days left of summer vacation. Bailey and I went and got her school supplies last night and we will be going to get Shayne's this afternoon along with a few new clothing items for both.

I am hoping I start to feel better this week too as I have been feeling sick - really sore throat - for the last week...and TIRED. I slept lots yesterday and felt good last night. So maybe I am on the way back. I have also started playing with my camera again...going to do the dvd that came with it this week and then get going on my course again.

augu 16 - Gunner settles in

Gunner is enjoying his quiet life in the pasture now. Not pacing near as much. Still runs up to the fence to check on everyone that he can see but there aren't any long hours of pacing. He is still standoffish...he walked right past me today in the pasture...close enough for me to touch...but didn't stop for petting or anything. Makes me sad that he is like that as I do love my friendly, people loving horses.

August 16 - Mare update

All are looking really good. Am happy with how they are getting along.

Ding is headed to the trainer in 2 weeks.


Gidget may go again for one last attempt.


And Rondee will just stay home and be a broodmare.


All three girls are due at the same time. I think Gidget is just fatter. LOL She is a thicker built horse too. I think Gidget and Rondee are due the same day and Ding the day after. Ding doesn't look preggo at all yet. But they would all only be 3 months along.

This is going to be my biggest foal season ever. I am nervous but also excited. It will be very cool to see what Paige's breeding program will do (Gunner - Rondee and Ding) mixed together like this.

We are still struggling with grass. Not as bad...but still could use more rain. 2nd cut on the hay crops doesn't look great either - it is all pretty short. Our leaves are turning already and we had frost on the lawn this morning when I went to work.

Aug 11 - Flowers

Was playing with my camera out in the flower garden and got these two good shots.


I was using my big lens on a bunch of different settings. Going to try my small lens on macro and see what I get - next sunny day.

August 11 - Marble has arrived

Shayne finally got his new house kitty. This one came from his friend Brady. He was picked out at the beginning of July but wasn't old enough to come home.

I know...we have lots of barn cats...but they are wild and Shayne wasn't interested. LOL But at least Shayne has gotten away from the "grey" color. He has had 6 cats since we moved out here - 5 have died - and now this one. Let's hope this little guy lasts a while.

He is a typical baby...full of energy for about 45 minutes and then he crashes whereever he has ended up. Loves to sleep on people.




Shayne named him Marble because he is orange and white - like MARBLE CHEESE.

Aug 1 - Pic of stage at Big Valley

Here is the pic off the net of the stage at Big Valley. One confirmed dead, numerous injured.

We had friends out there and they said it was unreal. They were watching the storm come in but the wind that took down the stage was actually 20 MINUTES IN FRONT OF THE STORM. It came out of nowhere they said.

One minute it was calm and then next "all hell broke loose" was one person's feeling about what happened. The cell phone towers went down so there was very little communication.

I turned on the radio and everything had come to a standstill. All that was on was the announcer telling people to stay calm...that emergency assistance was on it's way from EVERYWHERE...and they were taking phone calls from people looking for family and friends that were at the venue and from people at the venue telling their experiences.

In a strange scary way, it kind of reminded me of 9-11. Definately not on such a large scale but the coverage seemed the same. The tears and fears were definately the same.

August 2 - More severe weather

Got up this morning and started listening to the radio and heard that there was a possibility of more severe weather so went onto the weathernetwork.com and found this:

AT 10:40 AM RADAR SHOWS A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS FROM 20 KM NORTH OF SMOKY LAKE 40 KM EAST OF BARRHEAD. ANOTHER LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS FROM 30 KM NORTHEAST OF WHITECOURT TO SLAVE LAKE. BOTH LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS ARE TRACKING SOUTH-SOUTHEASTWARDS AT 60 KM/H. SOME CELLS IN THIS LINE CAN PRODUCE STRONG DAMAGING WINDS, LARGE HAIL, INTENSE LIGHTNING AND LOCAL HEAVY DOWNPOURS. THIS IS A WARNING THAT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING IN THESE REGIONS. REMEMBER THAT SOME SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE TORNADOES. LISTEN FOR UPDATED WARNINGS. NOTE..A SUMMARY OF ALL WARNINGS AND WATCHES FOR NORTHERN ALBERTA IS AVAILABLE IN THE WWCN16 CWWG BULLETIN ISSUED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS BULLETIN. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST PUBLIC FORECASTS FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
POSSIBLE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS MORNING AND THIS AFTERNOON. THIS IS AN ALERT TO THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS..LISTEN FOR UPDATED STATEMENTS. IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES TAKE IMMEDIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
A COLD FRONT SWEEPING DOWN FROM THE NORTH IS COMBINING WITH A WARM HUMID AIR MASS TO CREATE FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EVENING HOURS. THE MAIN THREATS WITH THESE STORMS ARE STRONG DAMAGING WINDS, LARGE HAIL AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS.

They also said that these warnings are for almost the entire province...from south of Calgary to Slave Lake. Calgary is 4 1/2 hrs south of me...Slave Lake is 4 hrs north. WOW.

I am definately going to keep my eyes open and on the windows more than I had planned on today.

August 1 - Tragedy at Big Valley

Big Valley Jamboree is a massive country music festival that is held in Camrose (about 2 hrs from me) every August long weekend. They have big artists show up each year...this year the closing act is Tim McGraw. The festival starts on Thursday night and ends on Sunday.

They have a 400 acre site with camping etc. They have a main stage, a small stage, trade center, bull riding etc.

A big storm came up tonight around 6 pm and BLEW THE MAIN STAGE DOWN. The news said that the storm hit in minutes...one minute it was nice - the next horror.

Billy Currington was just finishing up his set...Kevin Costner and his band were getting ready to go on. Reports are that there were 100 people on the stage at the time of the collapse.

Currently, they are saying 1 dead, 4 critically injured, 4 seriously injured and some smaller injuries.

They have brought in cranes to lift the stage right now and they have ambulances there just in case. No word on people trapped.

Winds were clocked between 100 and 130 kmph. 100 km is around 60 mph.

What a horrible thing to happen.

They are saying on the radio that there are 20,000 people there today - just camping on the site - that is not including the people that are just there to watch during the day and go home.

Here is one newspaper article that shows the collapsed stage:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Stage+collapses+Alberta+music+festival/1853574/story.html

July 26 - Catch up post from a busy lady

All this new stuff has me either too tired or too busy to do anything computer wise. So here is a jumble of updates from the month of July:

I am busy working and exhausted by the time I come home. Lots of mental stuff with this new job - and all NUMBERS. Numbers have never been my best friend so I am now at age 41 trying to get a long with them. LOL

Things have been a little unsettled at work. The girl that started with me turned out to have a "bit" of an attitude. She complained lots - expected things to be done differently now that she was there - and caused some strife between our office and the site we get the work from. She also made a few mistakes in her work. She was talked to a few times about things but it didn't seem to make any difference so she was let go on Friday.

So now I am on my own doing this site payroll - I think. EEPS I do have help from a couple of the other girls so if I get stuck or behind I can go to them...but am very nervous about it because I still have not been shown how to do EVERYTHING...and EVERYTHING has to be done by tomorrow at 11 am!!! I am working today - and worked yesterday...and will continue to work every day until they hire someone else. Which could be a while as the two big bosses are away on vacation.

In other news, the kids are doing good. Bailey has been having friends over and been over to friends houses this month...Shayne seems to be content to stay home by himself. Doyle is working lots. We had a massive storm go through last weekend - took out trees, apartment roofs etc. and also the power. So the refinery shut down and they called him in to help supervise - so he had to cut his camping trip short with the kids. They are supposed to be up and running again today and then he can have a few days off.

Melissa is going through a "transition" herself. She was having a hard time at work so gave up and got layed off. Not a great way to end things but it is done. She is still registered for school at the end of August so I think she is going to take some time off - go visit the boyfriend - meet her bio paternal grandparents after not seeing them since she was 18 months old - and then go to school. After that she will decide what direction she is going to go in.

The horses all look good. Have not been able to spend much time out there - this getting up at 4:30, gone by 6:15 and then home after 6 at night is still tiring. I have been going out and giving pats (looking everyone over) each night which everyone but Gunner is happy about (he is a very standoffish boy that one).

Everyone is fat and happy so I am too. The grass has really come up after that week of rain - and I am sooo thankful for that.

Hay crops have been cut for the first time. Not that there was much to cut. The neighbor only got 10 rounds off of his 40 acres. Crops looked to be around 8 inches tall and pretty sparce. I think we are going to have a hard time finding hay at a reasonable cost this year. SCARY.

July 11 - BUSY BUSY BUSY

It has been a whirlwind this last week with the new job. There has been so much to take in and so many new procedures etc. to learn even though I am doing the same type of work as last year. There are a lot of new things with this job too. With my old company all I did was enter the time and then the payroll girls did all the reconciliations and reports but at this job...I am not only doing the timekeeping but all the reports as well. Their computer program is also NOT as user friendly. Lots more keystrokes to do the same stuff. So by the end of the day, my fingers are SORE SORE SORE.

But it is very metally stimulating as you have to constantly think through every step. And I like that.

I worked Saturday - so a day of OT already - and it sounds like that will continue indefinately.

I have also been asked to go up to Fort McMurray tomorrow night (Monday) to go through the Syncrude orientation at the plant site as well as the "J" orientation. This is to facilitate the work load I think. Nothing specific was said just that they needed one of us to go up there and do this and they picked me. So my flight leaves at 5:45 tomorrow night and I come home Tuesday night. I will be one tired girl!!

Not that I am not tired now. I slept a full 11 hrs last night. This getting up at 5 am is hard now that I haven't done it for 9 months. I am sure I will get used to it again...but it may take a few more weeks. I managed to get all my laundry done, go for a pasture walk and see everyone. I think they missed me as I was going out there 2 - 3 x per day before I got the job but have been too tired the last few days. Everyone came right up for pats...even Dolly!! After that, Doyle and I went to town for a lunch date and then got groceries. it was a relaxing day and I needed it.

Anyways...it is now 9:30 and I am going to head to bed. I have no idea what exactly is in front of me for work tomorrow nor do I know what to expect when I get to Ft. Mac. I sure hope I don't have to ride the big bus with the trades people!!!

July 11 - maybe in trouble???

I got a letter in the mail from the gov't asking where I was in January.

I put on my EI report that I was unavailable for work - did not claim the funds.
they are wanting a written explanation.

I have got it mostly done up...waiting for an e-mail from one of the staffing agencies as she contacted me while we were in Mexico and we set up an interview for the week I got back. So hopefully that will help my case.

They state in the letter that they are not "at this time" requesting re-payment.

UPDATE: I sent away my letter explaining my absences as I also had to list the vacation I took with the kids to my parents in March and the day I was away in Toronto with Bailey at Bowling Nationals. I printed off all relevant documentation from the EI site and also the e-mails regarding the interviews that I set up while in Mexico. I have not heard anything back from them at this point (September) so am hoping that all is well.

July 9 - Taylor and Kenny

are my new best friends. LOL Just kidding.

Bailey and I attended their outdoor concert. WOW...great artists.

Taylor is so young but so polished. And she is sure "down home". LOL Very personable young lady. Quite the role model.

And Kenny...what can I say. First time seeing him in concert and WOW. He is just a bundle of energy and very talented.

Too bad we were too cold to stay and enjoy the entire show. Temps were around 10C and it was windy.

July 6 - 9 - New job

The new job started after the July long weekend. Things were pretty slow the first couple of days...did up all our paperwork, played with the computers to look at the programs etc. By late Tuesday, we had started in on the filing and got a good dent in the backlog...unloaded all the boxes of files that came from site into the filing cabinets. We were sure ready to do "real work".

Well Wed dawned with new hope that we would be "working". And we did. Boy did we ever. The programs are very different than at my old job with Bantrel but still very user friendly. We all made a few boo-boos but that was good because we had to learn how to fix them.

There is also WAY MORE to this job than I thought. We are doing reports, and checking things that I didn't even know needed to be checked. And that is only with the timekeeping portion.

Today we are doing the reconciliations. EEPS.

We are also now today (Thursday) two days behind on this jobs time. OH OH. LOL But hopefully we will catch up soon.

There is also a chance I may be working some overtime already this weekend.

Oh...It is also still raining - that makes 5 days in a row. Now I am worried that my flowers are going to die from drowning not heat stroke. LOL

July 6 - Denver isn't feeling well

He has a bit of a runny nose - clear - and is coughing.

Could it be because he had never seen rain before and may have gotten a chill? Not sure if horses are like people or not. He is nursing fine and ran to catch up with everyone when they came up for water.

Guess we will just keep an eye on him and see if he gets over it on his own.

UPDATE: He was fine in a few days.

July 6 - Misc. happenings

Got the website almost done. Just didn't get new pics of the girls on there. That will happen tomorrow.

And I am going to update my blog tomorrow too I hope (which as you can see I am still doing).

In other news, we put our old holiday trailer up for sale...and then had some people complain about the soft spot in the floor that we ignored. So Doyle thought he would check it out. WOW WHAT A MESS. He has pulled up the floor from the middle of the trailer to the back end - taking out all the benches, cupboards and now into the bathroom (toilet and sink out) to rebuild the floor. All the small 2 x 2 support board were rotten and some of the plywood floor too. Must have been one hell of a leak. And he just finished re-building the entire back outside wall of the thing too. Guess we will be working on it (or he will be) for a bit longer before we sell. Maybe we will now ask a little bit more seeing as how it will be all rebuilt. LOL

July brings rain

July 2 - IT'S RAINING - IT'S POURING!!! YIPPEE

OMG - got up this morning and there are PUDDLES!!!

Went out to feed Gunner - but decided to put him out on his bigger pasture - and came in with wet feet (through my runners) and my pj pants wet half way up my calves!!!

I am sooo excited!!!

You can already see the difference in the lawn color. now to get some sun. but that may not happen today as the clouds are low, and look rainy. So here's hoping we get some more moisture today.the forecast is for rain for the next 4 days!!!

July 4 - Grass was damp this morning but not the driveway. Still a little mucky in places. Grass in pastures is getting pretty sparce in places but the horses are all pretty round so whatever is there is packed full of whatever they need and everything they need. LOL

July 5 - the weatherman can be right every once in a while. Forecast last night was for showers off and on all day today. Well, we got them!!! It rained for probably 3 hrs today off and on. Nice light showers with no wind so it just didn't evaporate immediately.

Things are greening up really nice. Now to hope that the forecast is just as accurate for the next 5 days - calling for showers all week!!!

Canada Day fireworks

We went into Vegreville for the fireworks. I read up in my camera manuals and in my photo course books about taking pics. Not sure if it really helped or not. Also took my monopod - which was more of a hindrance. LOL

In Veg, the fireworks are set off one at a time. Not in a big burst...and you sit so close to where they set them off that it is like they are right overhead.

I tried to get good shots - took around 300 pics and got maybe a half dozen that are decent.

July 1 - EMPLOYED!!!

My interview on Monday went really well - I think. I was happy with it...very comfortable. The Director - J - and I discussed the job as well as my previous one at Bantrel and she said they are very very similar. She said she was happy that I was knowledgeable about what the job would entail as well as very happy that I knew more about how "onsite" payroll worked.

When I left she said they would be making their decision and she would be making phone calls by 3 pm on Tuesday. I didn't receive a call or an e-mail so hoping that they just ran into some problems or couldn't quite make their decisions and I will get a call tomorrow.

YIPPEE - HOORAY I AM EMPLOYED.

It is our "Canada Day" holiday today so wasn't expecting a call today but she is working. I got the call on my way home from the city.

I start at 8 am on Monday. Now to go shopping for dress up clothes. I have "outgrown" everything I have.

Spring Bowling Camp-out

Coach Kevin, Coach Corinne, Doyle and I braved the elements and the kids to do an overnight camp out at Pinehurst Lake.

Doyle and the kids left at 8:30 to head to Vegreville to help pack things into the trailer and load the kids up. Kevin and Corinne took their truck and the boat.

By the time I arrived after my interview, everything was set up. Maybe it was a good thing I was late. LOL

We settled in to making supper that night.




And then enjoyed each other's company around the campfire.



There are just a few rules that the kids follow while camping to make the experience a learning one...each child is required to provide some of the food (burgers, eggs, etc.) and what they provide they must cook. I think it is a great idea. Some of these kids have not ever been camping and certainly have never cooked outdoors/over a fire...and in one case...NEVER tried to cook anything before.



After all the kids had gotten out on the boat and had their "middle of the lake" swim, it was the adults turn. Kevin, Doyle and I headed out. I took pictures while Kevin and Doyle fished (nothing caught).


As it was just an overnight trip, we packed up in the early afternoon (just before the rain).



I must say I was very proud of the entire bunch. There were no squabbles at all...even amongst the girls. And everyone pitched in and helped.

Even though I am not much of a camper...I look forward to going again next year.

June 27 - 28 - Interview and camping

Am ready to go for my interview in the morning and then drive 2 hrs to meet up with the campers. So not looking forward to the drive. I hate driving.

I also hate dressing for interviews. Didn't bother me before but have not had 2 with the same people so I am basically down to one outfit. EEPS. So maybe up a bit earlier and go to town and buy another shirt. LOL

Trailer is packed for the trip. Doyle and the kids are heading out at 8 am to meet up with the big group. All camping gear will be loaded into our travel trailer and then they will be off. coach and his wife are going and will take kids - hopefully they will only need to take one vehicle now that our truck has one extra seat.

Doyle and the kids left at 8:30 am on the 28th.

I am headed to the city to West Ed Mall to the apple store to get my phone fixed - hopefully. Then off to my interview.

From there, I have to go pay our yearly property taxes and then to the lake.

June 26 - Denver

Gets a name - or rather the idea of one.

After going through all the papers etc. and trying to figure out what to call the little man the name SKIP N SLYDE came to mind.

After mulling it over and chatting with Paige and Melissa about it...the name evolved into SLIP N SLYDE.

Now to wait until his black socks come in so I can see what his white feet are going to tell me for markings and get him registered.

June 26 - 2nd interview

Well, I got a call to come in for a 2nd interview today. Turns out the director wants to meet with the shortlisted candidates. Only problem originally was that they wanted the interview on Monday. I had already told them that I was going to be away Monday and Tuesday camping with the bowling league (kids group).

So D (interviewer) said he would contact the director and let me know another day to interview. Well, I stewed about it for a bit and then called him back, left him a message saying I would just head out camping late.

He was very happy when he called me back but still asked if it was okay for me to be late camping as he didn't want to disrupt things or cause problems with supervision etc.

So now I have interview no 2 on Monday at 1 pm.

Will keep you all informed.

June 25 - Stars fade away

Wow. Melissa just came home and said she heard that Farrah Fawcett died today and MICHAEL JACKSON.

I did a bit of internet searching and according to all I can find - it is true.

I knew Farrah was close but Michael?

He apparently went into cardiac arrest at his home and couldn't be revived.

June 24 - At last

I got a call to come in for an interview. I was really starting to get discouraged. Sending out as many resumes a week as I was...I was thinking that WalMart or Tim Horton's was going to get all my attention over the next couple weeks.

Anyways...this interview is with a construction/engineering company. They are based in Edmonton. The position is for a timekeeper - so the same thing as I was doing for Bantrel last year.

The interview went well...I think. All the interviews this year have been weird. Not many questions asked...told about the job...asked if I had any questions...and then they said "we will let you know early next week".

So now the wait is on again.

June 20 - Gunner worries me.

Gunner has been lame for a couple weeks.

At first I thought it was bruising because the pen he was in had gravel way down and with his pacing he brought it up and got some rocks in his feet. So I did some soaking and moved him to a new pen and he seemed okay.

Then he got sore again so I had the farrier out to re-trim as I thought it was too much sole just at the toe. She said "nope...thrush". That was last Friday...so on Monday (after getting some meds from the vet) we started treatment for that.

Last night, he was so sore that he refused to lift one of his front feet (oh...only sore on the fronts). So by this time, I am scared that I have missed something...so we were off to the vet this afternoon.

After watching him walk and trot, and then doing the pressure test with the foreceps looking thing, the vet said "well, it isn't thrush, I can't see any bruises or abcesses coming...but boy is he sore. His entire right foot is showing sore and the toe on the left. Let's go do some x-rays."

So off we went into the x-ray room where he took a lateral of the left foot and then a bunch of the right.

He found one teeny gas pocket in one foot but said "that isn't it". No navicular, coffin bones were good.

I had told him that I thought it was the trim job...way too much sole left on the toes compared to everywhere else and it seemed like he wasn't walking level on the entire foot. He concurred with me and said for me to get the farrier out to take the sole on the toe down a little bit. He also suggested I buy some "Magic Cushion" and pack his right foot for a few days to give him some relief. When I was leaving, he told me to relax and start enjoying the horses again...and to trust in my judgement on what could be wrong as he knows that I know what I am doing. (He was Hyde's vet).

I am so happy that it isn't something major...and something I had missed in trying to doctor him myself. So relieved that I didn't even flinch at the vet bill. LOL

(I am not knocking the trim job of my current farrier as we are correcting things with Gunner's front feet as we go along but things are just not right with his feet right now with how they were trimmed and what we are going for. It will take a while to fix everything).

June 19 - hay found

YIPPEE

I was chatting with a friend last night and she found me an ad for hay for sale. I e-mailed the lady last night and she called. We bought 2 "skids" of small compressed squares of timothy hay and 2 - 1000 lb squares of 80% alfalfa hay. Each skid has 24 bales on it.

The guy is also taking orders for hay for this year...so we will see what this stuff is like and will be ordering it if it is as good as it sounds.

Doyle is on his way home with it right now. He called and said it is nice. He also found out that it is the same hay that Jason buys. So that is a good recommendation as Jason feeds year round.

We are needing hay right now as we still haven't had enough rain for the pastures to be really good. We are still feeding Gunner but the rest of them seem to be doing okay.

This could be fun!!

My high school is having their 100th anniversary next July. I think I am going to get tickets to go. Looks like it could be lots of fun.

They have a huge website already built for the party. Just spent the last half hour going through it. if anyone wants to peek here is the link:

http://www.cci100.com/

June 18 - Gunner's going to be a daddy

Took Rondee and Ding into the vet today. It was quite the spectacle getting them to load. I wanted Rondee in first and then Ding in the back. Well, that was not happening. Rondee said "hmmm...maybe"...stepped in with her front end and then flew backwards. AFter that it was absolutely NO.

So we loaded Ding. She took a little grain to persuade her to get in but she did. We tied her up and shut the divider. Then tried with Rondee. I am not strong enough to hold and pull with my bad elbow so Doyle got in the trailer...which is a big deal as he is very nervous.

We tried everything and no go. Then Rondee got loose. Doyle cornered her and caught her and we tried again. This time we opened the divider and moved Ding's butt over.

Once Rondee saw that she had lots of room and could get right up beside Ding she walked right in. So now I have a scared hubby in the front of this trailer with two horses between him and the door.

I had him untie Ding and retie her to the next spot and then bring Rondee in further and tie her. I then told him to just duck under Ding's neck and come out. He did great. I am very proud of him!!!

So off I went to the vet clinic. The assistant came out and helped me bring them in together...which was a good thing as Rondee is a very nervous nelly. Ding, however, went "oh...treats...okay...coming". LOL

Both of them checked in foal to Gunner (Young N High - High Brow Hickory x Young Gun daughter). They are due on April 30 and May 1.

We then had to do the same thing at the vet clinic. Load Ding and then Rondee and put them both in the front section of the trailer. Good thing this vet clinic is willing to help out with stuff like loading.

So that means, with Gidget, I have THREE maiden mares foaling in two days. Let's hope they space themselves out a little bit.

But YIPPEE!!! My cutting horse breeding operation is off and running.

June 16 - more rain

If I couldn't see it and hear it with my own eyes, I would not believe that it was actually raining.

After two weeks of seeing this big rain clouds and storms go by us, this one actually stayed on course and hit us dead in the middle of the big line of cloud.

I hope it is a big one cause we desperately need moisture.

I spent all morning yesterday and again today moving the big sprinkler around the backyard and into Gunner's little pasture to salvage some of the grass. Maybe I will be able to give the wells a break for a day or two.

June 15 - Interesting phone call

I got a phone call today from the Dodge dealership in Vegreville. They want to sell us an extended warranty for our truck. After listening to the spiel and then telling the lady what we do with the truck...she agreed that it may not pay to get it.

We went onto cost and I told her that we could not afford it in any event due to my unemployment. She then asked me what I do for a living. I told her that I am an administrative assistant. She said "really...send me your resume". We are looking for a couple new people and the boss is wanting to go by word of mouth instead of advertising. She then asked if I had any work experience in Veg so that the boss could talk to those people as well instead of just those on my resume. I told her who and she wrote them down...then gave me her e-mail address.

So I have sent my covering letter and my resume off to her.

Maybe something will come of putting my resume into a job this way. LOL

June 16 - Gidget is in foal

I heard from Dale this morning.

Gidget has been confirmed in foal to Whata Sansation (Hotrodder Disco x Peppy San daughter). He has earnings of $7000 +.

I can hardly wait to see this foal.

She is due around April 30, 2010.

June 15 - Rondee and Ding breeding news

I am taking Rondee and Ding in on Thursday at 11 for their preggo checks. I have been teasing since Thursday and no signs of impending heat cycles. They would both be at Day 19 or further (that was yesterday).

I am also still waiting to hear from Dale on Gidget. If she didn't show signs of heat on the weekend then she was going in for her ultrasound today.

So I have three maiden mares all bred the same weekend. eeps. I may be in trouble next year.

Gunner and his incessant pacing

This boy is going to drive me nuts. I wish he would just settle in and eat. He paces all day and night.

Normally it is at the one end of his pen - the closest to the horses pastures. He screams every once in a while and will stop and eat one or two bites and then go back to pacing.

Well, today he found something new to pace about. Our neighbor brought his cows to the property across the road. So now, while he can hear them he can't always hear them. So he is now pacing at both ends of his arena sized pasture.

Poor boy just can't win.

Dolly's messed up breeding season.

We brought Molson home the weekend after Denver was born...hoping to breed Dolly back on her foal heat.

He was happy to see a girl...and she was happy to see him. He bred her twice that day and then left her alone. Not sure what happened but maybe we missed her heat?

So we waited 4 days and saw nothing so I went and bought a shot of Lute to bring her back into heat. 4 days later she was in again and I watched closely for 5 days and only saw him breed her once. He would roar up to her, stance, posture and then walk away. WEIRD.

So I took him home...hoping that he got her.

We then decided after watching Gunner pace and be a total brat, that Dolly would be a perfect mare to tune him in and teach him some manners. Figuring that she was totally out of her heat cycle after it being over a week since Molson had bred her or showed interest.

But NOPE...wrong. Gunner roared in...and while Dolly tryed to tune him in, he just was having none of it...and ended up breeding her 6 times in a matter of hours.

It was a hot day and even when he wasn't trying to breed her, he kept her and baby moving so I finally caught him and put him away from her to let her and baby rest.

We decided after this that Gunner would live by himself this year and we will wait and DNA Dolly's baby next year to see who the daddy is.

WHAT A MESS!!!

June 11 - Equine Chiropractor

I had one over today to work on Angel and Dolly.

Angel has been sore in her withers since I brought her home from that breeding lease over a year ago. She sure needed it. She was out in her two first vertebrae (behind her ears), two in her neck, 4 in her withers, 2 in her mid back, two just as the back goes over the hips and her pelvis was tipped. Her shoulder was also out a bit and her tmj joint.

Poor girl, no wonder she didn't want to do anything - especially under saddle.

Melissa (yes another one) was very good...very patient with a horse that has no idea how to stand square. LOL Angel stood really good for the exam part...but HATED the adjustment. Every pop of the hand on the mallet caused a big jump sideways and a long look. The massage and accupressure after all was done she loved - dropped her head, closed her eyes, took really deep breathes, sighed lots. And you could see an immediate difference in her strides...Melissa said she saw it...I HEARD it as she was trotting behind me. Much more even and fluid.

Dolly was next. As you all know, Dolly has trust issues...and it is getting worse as she seems to be losing sight in the eye that was hurt two years ago at the breeders. Anyway...she did not like the exam at all. Went everywhere to get away from this strange lady...pulled us all over the place. I finally left to go and get doyle's help and when I came back, she was standing nice and calm for Melissa. She was out in 2 places in her neck, her pelvis was tilted and was especially bad in her lumbar area - probably due to the problems with her hocks. We decided to do a minimal adjustment...just trying to do the lumbar as that is where she was really bad. And amazingly enough, she stood there like a perfect lady while she got adjusted with the mallet...so everything got done.

Then the massage started - with LOTION (you know that scary liquid gel stuff that will eat you when it touches you). Well we were off to the races again trying to get that done. AFter the lotion was all applied she then stood again for a bit of an accupressure treatment in the really tight spots. When we turned her loose, she trotted away and YIPPEE...her back feet were going in stride with the front instead of a sort of bunny hop.

Melissa will be back on the 23rd to do a follow-up with the two girls. I may get her to look at Gunner due to the rigors of the training and now breeding season when she is back.

I was very happy.

June 12 - IT'S RAINING

Sort of. LOL

It started out feeling like a mist that you walked through...and then the drops started. It has been trying really hard for about an hour...long enough for the surface of the sidewalk and the deck to be wet...but not enough to stop the dust from passing vehicles.

So while we are getting moisture, unless it does this continually for the next MONTH, I don't think it is going to do much. LOL

Another job bites the dust - June 11

Well, I heard from the staffing agency. I didn't get the job at Shell. The picked someone else from another agency...but did say they were impressed with me and I was 2nd runner up.

Guess I keep looking. Will maybe have to apply at Walmart and Tim Horton's. LOL

Denver plays

This is the little man's first foray into a pasture with his mom AND his dad. He sure romped.



But first he had to be a pain in the "tail" to his dad. LOL Molson sure wasn't sure what to make of this but knew that if he gave Denver shit really bad that both Dolly and I would make his life hell for a few minutes.


And then he posed. He sure is a nice looking colt.

Pretty bird - June 10

I was at the table one night last week and heard this "click click click" sound from the window...looked up in time to see this bird tapping. Princess (our fat house cat) then jumped at it and almost knocked herself silly. The bird flew away.

I grabbed my camera and ran out the door. It sure didn't want it's picture taken even with my big zoom lens. I followed it around the yard, watching it land on both holiday trailers (at windows) and tap tap tap.

Weird.

I did manage to get these three shots. In the first shot, look for the spot of orange...that is as good as I could get before he flew away. Sure is a flashy thing hey?

Job Hunt

Wow...I can't believe that the summer is almost here and I still don't have a job. I am sending out between 20 and 40 resumes a week. I am on the "lists" at 4 staffing agencies in the city and still nothing.

I don't know whether I am under qualified for the jobs I am applying for...over qualified or whether people are just not hiring.

I wish that when you applied for something you would get some sort of a response. That they wouldn't leave you hanging. Even just a "received your resume" response - SOMETHING.

Oh well, something will come up. And if not, I can always go to Tim Horton's or WalMart (both in Vegreville) as they have their "we are hiring" signs up.

Denver poses

This is one cute little bay. I am not a big fan of the color but he is really cute. LOL

New horse pics - June 10

Went out today and took some pics of the horses.

Here is Rondee. She has become a pocket pet so the zoom was used for most of the pics except for the extreme close-ups.




Here is a pic of Denver and Molson. Denver is finally being brave and following Molson around. Molson is Denver's dad.


And one of Denver with his mommy, Dolly.


Here is the young man at home (Gunner). He is out in a new small pen - more like an alleyway between pens - but they have grass in them. So he was chosen to be the "mower" for these small areas.


Here are pics of Ding. She too had to get up close and personal with the camera. LOL

Max - June 9

Max is coming into himself. While he loves attention, it has to be on his time and at his request. He is normally pretty good this year about listening...he is starting to actually stop and come back to the house if I yell at him when he goes to go after a car. It is still a work in progress but it is happening!!!

He is also getting better at me being in his space when he doesn't really want me to be. He sooo wants to be right beside someone all the time, but you can see him debating it all the time. "should I - shouldn't I". He wiggles and squirms and whines. I just sit and let him decide. Most of the time it takes him about 5 minutes and he is right there panting and slobbering all over you.

I have also been working him letting me grab his neck and giving him a shake...rattling his ruff...and looking at his teeth. He has gotten really good about it...usually just falling over on his back and whipping his four legs in the air.

All this was tested this morning when we found him with porcupine quills in his mouth. We ignored them to start with so we could see just how bad they were...he came up for his morning walk with me to feed the horses and got some scratching on the ears. Then Doyle came out with the plyers. We got him on his side and I managed to yank out 4 or 5. then he got away.

We let him go and went back to the house. Doyle grabbed cat food and fed the barn cats (who all like to be at the house). He then stood at the back door...and I went out the front to trap Max on the deck. When we grabbed him, he fell to the deck and Doyle sat on him and we got all the quills. Giving him cookies every 4 pulls.

Once we were done, we let him go. I still had a few cookies in my pockets so I sat on the steps and let him decide how badly he wanted one. Maggie, of course, was right there getting her fill. It took him 5 minutes maybe to come up for one. Once he realized all he was getting was cookies and scratches, he almost crawled on my lap for more attention.

What a dog.

Interesting email - June 6

Not sure how many of you will remember the little grey mare I talked about after the Supreme Horse Sale last october. Well, I blogged about her a little bit saying that I had really liked her.

Well, her new owners apparently read my blog. And I got an e-mail from them today. They are having a dispersal sale and have offered me this mare for what they paid for her at the Supreme Sale.

Too bad I don't have any extra cash laying around. She was really nice.

Here is her pedigree:
TWIST AND SHOUT

2/28/2005 AQHA Grey Mare
Doc O'lena
Smart Little Lena
Smart Peppy
Smart Little Pistol
Docs Hickory
Miss Silver Pistol
Pistol Lady 2 Be

Doc Bar
Doc Tari
Puro's Linda
Trista Tari
Son O Sugar
Sons Round Tuit
Oklahoma Cowgirl

Bad news on Gidget - June 3

Gidget has been at Dale's for two weeks. And this is tonight's update on her training while she is there:

Hi Carrie,She has been pretty bad.I have to work the crap out of her to just get a complete circle.She decides every second to take off and go very quickly in any direction she chooses,and then when you force her to go where you want with the legs,she kicks out with her hind legs.She has not been made to listen by the people you had her with prior to me and called to task,that has made her think she is running the show,all of which will take time to fix.I can almost guarantee she will attempt to run off with someone and/ or hurt them severly. She has no problem loping except for the fact that she is out of control when she goes fast,even harder to turn and stop.

I e-mailed back and told Dale to stop working her. I can't see putting more money into her at least this year. I will see what she throws next year and will decide from there what I am going to do with her longterm. THIS SUCKS!!

Breeding season

Both Rondee and Ding were bred the weekend of May 22. I then heard from Dale that Gidget was bred the same weekend.

Now what does that mean? Well...that I could have 3 maiden mares all foaling at the same time next year. EEPS.

But I am glad things are going well for me in that regard.

Now to get Molson home (as there isn't any room for Dolly where he is living) and get Dolly bred back to him for next year. Am hoping to get him here in the next few days to catch Dolly on her foal heat.

Gottem figured - May 25

It sure doesn't take them long to figure things out. Denver is now two days old and has totally figured out his legs and what all he can do with them.




Dolly is a pretty laid back mom allowing her babies a bit of freedom to run and play - but they are to stay away from the fenceline where the other horses could be standing.

Denver likes that fenceline as it is a good place to race.