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.