Cuttin News

The end

2011-03-04T20:31:00.002-07:00

The time has come to close the blog. Just not enough time to go around with everything we are doing right now.

Thanks to all who have followed me through the last couple of years.

On to other things.

TTFN

Carrie

Short update

2010-09-06T18:13:00.000-06:00

Well, it is almost fall. I have not kept my promise to myself to keep the blog up to date but am hoping to at least get this years updates done soon.

This year has gone by very fast...too fast I think.

Kids are all doing good. Shayne has started his last year of high school - and has a very busy schedule. Bailey is back at the regular High School and is enrolled in Grade 9. She has a lot of work to do to make sure she continues on with her friends at the end of the year.

Melissa and Mike have left Fort McMurray and have just moved into a condo in Lloydminster. Melissa is working in Vermillion doing sheet metal work at the College.

Luke and Coreen are doing good. So are Mark and Autumn.

Horses are all good. We are up to 13 of them now. Ding had a red dun colt (sired by Gunner) in mid-April. Rondee followed with a sorrel filly (also sired by Gunner) and Dolly finished up the foaling season with a red dun filly (sired by Molson). All three are for sale. We are expecting 3 foals in May next year out of Dolly, Gidget and Rondee. All are sired by Gunner.

We didn't get any riding in this year. Partly due to the weather - it rained LOTS this summer making the arena a mess. And with the rain came the MOSQUITOS. I have not seen them this bad for years...poor horses were driven nuts. Even bug spray didn't help for long.

The dogs are doing really well. We had another litter of pups in March who all went to great homes. But due to Maggie developing Mastitis, we decided to get her fixed. She is looking much better. Max is doing good as well...he is now wearing a collar and we are working on "leash" lessons with him.

We did a few more renovations around the place. My office is complete, the upstairs bathroom is complete. Shayne's new bedroom is almost complete. Next on the list is to change the floor in the TV room upstairs and paint and do the floor in the basement. We have also done some "garbage trips" with stuff from the shop and basement that we no longer need. I have also done a big "clothes" cleanout of the house. All this will be donated.

We spent a week in BC at Mom and Dad's. Had wonderful weather and it was awesome to see them again. They say they will be here in the fall (October) which will be wonderful.

Stay tuned for more detailed updates and pics from our year.

HORSES STOLEN IN RYLEY ALBERTA

2010-07-14T22:53:00.000-06:00

Nine much loved horses were stolen out of their pasture on July 11, 2010 on a farm by Ryley in east central Alberta.

Rosemarie and Tiffany are frantically searching for their beloved pets.

Molson, one of the horses that was stolen, was born and raised here. He is also the sire of two of my current horses - Denver and Havana. He is a stunning boy - a stunning shade of orange with perfect "everything". He is the last foal of my best bred mare, Semi.

We are desperately seeking any and all information leading to their safe return and there is a reward offered.

This is the flyer with pictures of the horses for your information. If you know anything about this...have seen the horses...please call the Tofield RCMP (as per the flyer). You can also e-mail me for more information and I will get your messages to Rosemarie.

Please feel free to pass this flyer and information on to any and all horse people that you know.

UPDATE:

Molson and his herd were found 3 days later a few miles from home. Molson had a small injury but last I heard he was healing up really well.

Updates are coming

2010-05-03T21:15:00.000-06:00

We have had an exciting spring.

Short family updates:

Both Shayne and Bailey are now working at McDonald's in Veg. Means more driving for me...but maybe less spending in the long run as the both now have spending money.

Bailey also has her braces. She is pretty sore still and I think already looking forward to getting them off.

We found out that Mark and Autumn are going to be parents. Doyle is excited at the prospect of being a grandpa. I am excited too but not sure what my role will be or what baby will call me. They have picked out some cool names too. Maybe time to start doing some baby shopping - or at least baby window shopping as we don't know whether it will be a girl or a boy yet.

Luke is still working for the same company building cabinets. Coreen is working on her journeyman ticket (red tag???). I know I probably got that wrong.

Melissa and Mike are still in Fort Mac. They are now in a basement suite of the house they had the bedroom suite in. And loving it. Not sure about loving Fort Mac...but loving the fact that they have more room.

Doyle is just finishing up a shutdown at work. Made for some long shift schedules and long hours on top of that. He will be very happy to be back on a regular schedule.

I am still plugging away at my job. Busy season is starting so not much time to do anything else. My photography course is back underway. I have one more photo project to do for Unit two. Unit three looks to be interesting. I also have a potential job photographing a horse show mid-May. Going to look over the info sheets I was sent and then will get back to the lady this week to confirm. Kinda excited but kinda nervous too.

As for general stuff:

We went skiing in Jasper for a weekend. Spent way too much money but it was great to see almost the entire group together. We missed Mark, Autumn and Coreen.

We had puppies both the end of March. 5 little ones to enjoy. They are almost ready to go to their new homes now.

We have also had two of our three foals born. Both sired by Gunner and out of Rondee and Ding...so Paige's breeding program has started on it's second generation with a bang. Both foals are wonderful. A red dun colt and a sorrel filly. We are now just awaiting Dolly's foal - she is due anytime between May 4 and 12.

Anyways...in depth updates with pics will come soon. I promise.

Dear "Anonymous"

2010-02-21T09:09:00.001-07:00

Who ever keeps commenting on my blog as Anonymous - PLEASE STOP.

It has always been my policy to not approve comments posted by Anonymous. If you want something posted and you are on as Anonymous - put your name!!! Otherwise you are out of luck.

Also - COMMENT ON THE POST that you are looking at.

Nothing bugs me more than getting stupid SPAM comments...or comments that have nothing to do with my posts!!!

Gone too soon

2010-02-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

I spent the day reflecting on my time with a great horse.

Of all the horses I have bought and sold in the 9 years since we moved out to our new farm, Hyde got under my skin the most. I had tried to convice myself not to get close to another horse - or at least as close to one as Lucky - but he snuck in and got me.

It has been a year since Hyde passed away suddenly from septic shock. And in someways I am still in shock from it.

I will always be grateful to Paige and Barry for selling Hyde to me...will always appreciate the hard work both Dale and Jason did to mold Hyde into the great little cutting horse he was...and will always be sad that he could not do what he was meant to do.

And even sadder that he has no offspring to carry on where he left off...at the beginning of what could have been a great career.

Here are some shots of the two of us from the beginning as a 2 year old, when he arrived in Alberta; to the end, when I took my final lesson on him at Jason's the day he came home to stay:

Office is done

2010-02-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

I now have a home office. Very exciting.

We worked on it - or rather Doyle worked on it - over the holidays and we finished it in late January with the purchase of a big desk system.

After a couple shopping trips to get desk organization things, I now working on getting everything out of boxes and into the filing cabinets but it is slowly coming together.

Next to buy for the office - or to take and have done up - is artwork for the walls. Maybe some family - horse - pics of my own??? Or go and buy something? Decisions - decisions!!!

The start:

New floor:

Soft brown paint:

Setting up the desk:

All done and ready to go:

One year ago

2010-01-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

My family and I were sitting on the beach in Playa Del Carmen enjoying the last day of our two week vacation in Mexico. All was good in the world. Or at least where we were.

At home, Melissa was going through hell. Trying to get a hold of me, spending time on the phone and on the internet with people asking for help and advice.

My old mare, Lucky, was down and dying...and Melissa was horribly lost and afraid.

With help online from Desiree and on the phone from my parents, she made the very hard but adult choice to call the vet and have Lucky put down.

We got back to the hotel and I went to the cyber cafe where, by accident, Paige told me how sorry she was to hear about Lucky's passing. I about fell off my chair as all I had gotten so far at that point from Melissa was "call me NOW".

I went back to our room and fell apart.

It was the hardest day of my life...and would not get any easier for yet a couple more as I had to wait a day and a half to get home.

We said our goodbye's on Monday, Jan 19, 2009.

Lucky will always be remembered for being the most stubbornest thing in the world I have ever owned - be it to be caught or ridden by an experienced rider...but also for being my best friend when life got me down.

She lived the life of a queen...retired from anything at the age of 20. And was just loved and cared for until her death at the amazing age of 33.

I will miss you forever, my beautiful buckskin girl!!!

Olympic Torch Relay 2010

2010-01-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

On Wed, Jan 13, the Olympic torch went through Vegreville. While I had to work, we were still able to see the torch run as it went right past our office.

At 9:30 one of the volunteers came in and gave us some small Canadian Flags and told us the torch would be by around 10.

So we waited...and waited...and finally heard some loud music. We ran outside to see the "Coke" sponsor vehicle with music blaring and some people waving from the back of it.

We went back inside after seeing the torch turn the corner to go down past the elementary school.

We came back out around 5 minutes later to watch it go by.

What an experience. Wish I could have participated in the entire morning event at the park though as it sounded like it was a lot of fun.

christmas 2009

2010-01-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

We had a very quiet Christmas this year.

Melissa and Mike came down from Fort Mac and spent time with us, Mike's family and all their friends.

My sister Jodi, her hubby Fulton and their daughter Brandi joined us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Everyone seemed really happy with their gifts - both received and happy with what they had given to others.

All in all - it was a great holiday.

Denver is growing

2010-01-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

Denver is almost 8 months old. He is growing up lots. Getting bigger than I thought he would at this age.

He is being moved from the herd into the barn tomorrow for his "big boy" training.

My back and body feel like they are able to take on the task of doing some halter work etc. finally...could be a fun time for all.

Baby Bellies 2010

2010-01-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well, the bellies are starting to show. Gidget and Rondee are due on April 30 and Ding is due on May 1. Dolly is due May 20 (or so)...she is a little harder to pinpoint as we pasture breed her.

Gidget (Skip To My Lucky x Semi Sweet Doc x Docs Adonis) is in foal to Whata Sansation (Hotrodder Disco X Lu Lady San x Peppy San) NCHA earnings of $4500.

Rondee (Smart Little Rondee x GDA Playboys Melody x Playboys Guard) is in foal to Gunner (High Brow Hickory x Diablos Young Gun x Young Gun).

Ding (Slydun Haida x Goldy Tari x Doc Tari) is in foal to Gunner.

Dolly (Sonnys Sondance X Entwistle Fiddle) is in foal to Gunner or Molson (it was a bad breeding season for her).

Ding has had issues

2010-01-16T13:29:00.000-07:00

We sent Ding off for training at the end of August. She did really well with Nicole. Was very trusting and willing to work. Nothing was hard for her...she just listened, learned and excelled.

She started having a problem with her front feet being really sore around the middle of September. Nicole and I checked her over and didn't find anything so I asked my farrier...her response was "the ground is really hard and dry and that is causing problems with a lot of horses". So Nicole started putting hoof moisturizer on her feet and that helped. Nicole also started putting her out in the arena at night so that she could exercise and not have to stand in one place on the hard packed ground in her little pen.

I also told Nicole to let her out with her horses as they had been together - or rather side by side - for almost a month. Well, Ding decided she needed to be the boss and found the herd alpha mare and started a kicking fight.

Nicole went out the next day after breaking up the fight and found that Ding's leg had a small cut. So she doctored it by hosing it and putting on ointments. That didn't seem to help as the leg started to swell.

On Oct 10, I went out and the bottom of the leg - not quite to the hock - was swollen. Thinking it was a strain, we put liniment on it and wrapped it. Well, by the 12 (Thanksgiving), the leg was so swollen and sore that Ding wasn't walking on it at all. Nicole called me and I went to pick her up calling my vet on the way.

After speaking with the vet it was determined that Ding had cellulitis really bad. Her leg was swollen all the way to the hip...it was horrendous to see (and stupid me, in my concern, I didn't take pics.).

We put Ding on stall rest, hosed the leg 2 x per day and she was on antibiotics. This went on for 6 weeks. We finally had the swelling down to just the fetlock.

In consultation with the vet, it was determined that we needed to start wrapping the fetlock to "squeeze" out the remaining fluid in the leg. So we started on that regime.

But it didn't work. So Ding went back to the vet in the middle of November. They shaved the back of her fetlock and x-rayed and ultrasounded it. They found a broken splint bone...but no tendon damage thank goodness.

She also had some small sores around the fetlock that they called scratches. I was told to take her home, doctor the scratches and once they were healed Ding would be scheduled for surgery.

On December 9, Ding had her surgery. It was short and sweet...around 45 minutes from start to finish. She spent the night there and then came home on the 10th. I have a small 3/4 inch piece of her splint bone to add to my collection.

It is now January 16, and Ding is recovering well. The fetlock still swells (stocks up) but the vet says that is normal for the trauma the joint has gone through.

She is now in one of the inside/outside pens for another 2 weeks, and then can graduate to the new board pen. We are going to bring Dolly in tomorrow to buddy up with her as she has been on her own now for over 3 months.

Here's hoping she has a complete recovery.

Happenings

2010-01-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

Well, the new year started off slow. I was sick for the first week or so. But am now starting to feel better thank goodness.

Work is going better. Things are smoother. Hoping they stay this way. It has also slowed down which is helping. We are now moving through all the backlog of reportings and getting them out. I am sure our clients and the banks are happy now too.

Kids are not so happy to be back at school. Exams are coming up for Shayne soon so he is trying to work hard. Bailey is a working well with her Outreach program. She now goes Tuesday and Thursday with Friday being an optional day.

Melissa and Mike are happily snow-boarding on the small hills outside of Fort Mac. She says she is pretty sore but could stay out there all day. They also did some "apartment" shopping...getting a small table and chairs and a double burner hotplate.

Doyle has been working lots...they have had a few problems at the refinery so he has been putting in lots of extra hours (on his days off yet). His special project is scheduled to start next week but he is going to work on it on his regular shifts until it gets to be too much and then he will switch to straight days.

The weather has finally improved. I could go out to do chores without 18 layers of clothes on today.

I did notice one problem though. Ding's fetlock is swollen again. It is soft and mushy feeling so am hoping she just sprained it or something. With the cold and the snow, all the horses have had iceballs in their feet. I have been trying really hard to keep them out of hers but it is almost impossible. Am now thinking of maybe wrapping it for a couple days to give it some extra support...but not sure if I should or not. She is officially one month post op. 2 more weeks and she should be able to go out onto a bigger pen...but with this newest complication or worry, I am not sure.

All the others are doing really well. FAT and sassy. Farrier is booked for the end of the month and we will do shots and wormer for all. Also going to pull Denver in and really start to play with him. Hoping he sells in the spring.

I am starting to get a bit more excited about the babies...it is getting closer and closer all the time. 3 1/2 months and we will have our first homebred cutting babies!!! Well, almost...3 of the parents were born and raised at Paige's. LOL

Photography course is up and going again. I have some ideas for my next "photography assignment" pics but now just have to wait for the perfect outside conditions. I want to take one of Bailey in her bright pink and green jacket sitting in front of a frosted bush. But whenever it is nice enough out and bright enough out, there is no frost. So we may have to just suck it up and persevere and do the picture when it is freezing out. LOL

Am going to work on my x-mas pics and will get them up soon.

Hope all is well with everyone.

It's been awhile - AGAIN

2010-01-03T19:06:00.000-07:00

Life got hectic this fall.

I started my new job in September thinking "it's something I have done before...how hard can it be". WOW...what an understatement.

This firm is HECTIC...and extremely BUSY with their real estate practice. In the first month I had 12 transactions (closings) for myself. What a steep learning curve. I found myself, and still do at times, sleeping, dreaming work...NOT good. So bad some nights that it would wake me up.

I am enjoying it for the most part...but it is a little more than I had thought I was getting into. I am sure in time (it has been four months now) that I will relax and be able to go with the flow instead of constantly questioning myself.

In other news, Bailey was having a very hard time at school. She attends a junior/senior high school. Lots of DRAMA - as she puts it. Grades were suffering...she was starting to get into trouble. So we have explored the option of "outreach". It is a "correspondence" type of schooling...they do attend 3 days a week and are expected to attend with all assignments completed in their books as if they were there all day every day. It is going really well. The "school" is also only 1 1/2 blocks from my work and the lawyers have made her feel welcome to come and working the lunch room if she wants to or needs to.

The horses, for the most part, are doing really well. Gunner is his "self-centered" self still. Doesn't like any attention...will walk away if you are coming towards his pen and stand with his butt to you (not in a nasty way - but to say "get lost"). It is sad as I have never had a horse like that. The big group finally got out onto the back pasture and are FAT FAT FAT.

We sent Ding for training and she had an accident. One of her own doing. The little "cow" feels like she needs to be the boss in all herds and took on the top girl at Nicole's. Well, she got kicked. Ended up with cellulitis. That took us from Thanksgiving (Oct 10) to almost the end of November to treat. When she was still showing signs of something else possibly being wrong, she went back to the vet. This visit showed us a broken splint bone. So on December 9, she underwent surgery to remove the broken piece. She is now 4 weeks into her recovery and doing marvelously well.

Shayne and Bailey were also going 90 MPH with their bowling this fall. It seemed like we were off to a different tournament every 2nd weekend. While they did not place high enough in any of the tournaments to go on to Provincials, I am very proud of how well they did. Shayne has come a long way in his confidence and he is bouncing back very well from having bad games to good ones instead of just giving up. Bailey is also finding her competitive edge again.

Melissa spent the summer with her boyfriend, Mike, in Saskatchewan while he was working. She also met her bio-paternal grandparents this summer. It was a very emotional time for her. When Mike's job was up in SK, they came home and both started really looking for work. Mike got a job in Fort McMurray at one of the big refinery's up there. Melissa then got work with a sheet-metal company out of Sherwood Park but her work would also put her up in Fort Mac with Mike. They are very happy.

My parents are doing really well this winter...considering. My mom was diagnosed with COPD and congestive heart failure just over 2 years ago. She really struggled for a while - and it didn't help that she has had 3 different doctors. This winter was better for her though it seems.

Dad had an accident in late September. He was up the mountain with the quad getting wood for the winter when the quad moved...he jumped over and grabbed the handle bars and it flipped over on top of him. He pushed it off, got up and walked back to the house - 1/2 mile. When he got back, the neighbors were over and they finally convinced him to go to the hospital where he was diagnosed with 2 non-displaced fractures of the pelvis and a severely separated shoulder. OMG!!! He spent a week in the hospital and then came home with limited help.

He is doing really well now...back to travelling short distances, going shopping etc. Mom was a fantastic nurse and got over, I think, a lot of her fears about doing things on her own.

Doyle is working hard, as always. We have done a little bit more outside - or rather he has. He has also finished my office. We now need to outfit it with a desk. He has also been granted a special project at work which will see him working straight days for a year or so again...this job starts January 12.

There won't be any travelling for us this winter though which makes us sad. We had though about going to Vegas in February but decided against it. We have a few other more important things to spend our funds on right now.

I will be trying to post once a week from now on - it is one of my New Year's Resolutions. My others are to work harder on my eating program...to get in a bit more exercise...do more photography work.

Nothing specific but things to concentrate on.

I wish everyone all the best in 2010. I know for me...I will be really hoping it will be a better year.

Sept 4 - DATE NIGHT

2009-10-04T13:02:00.001-06:00

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

2009-10-04T12:54:00.000-06:00

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

2009-10-04T11:18:00.000-06:00

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

2009-10-04T09:30:00.001-06:00

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

2009-10-04T09:28:00.000-06:00

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

2009-10-04T09:20:00.000-06:00

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

2009-10-04T09:18:00.000-06:00

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

2009-10-04T09:14:00.000-06:00

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

2009-10-04T09:13:00.001-06:00

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

2009-10-04T09:11:00.000-06:00

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

2009-10-04T09:07:00.000-06:00

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

2009-10-04T08:49:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-22T17:12:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-22T17:04:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-22T16:59:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-22T16:57:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T21:09:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T21:05:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T21:02:00.000-06:00

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???

2009-09-21T21:00:00.001-06:00

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

2009-09-21T20:57:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T20:55:00.001-06:00

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

2009-09-21T20:53:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T20:51:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T20:47:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T20:39:00.000-06:00

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!!!

2009-09-21T20:36:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T19:59:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T19:57:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T19:55:00.001-06:00

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

2009-09-21T19:53:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-21T19:52:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T10:28:00.000-06:00

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.

2009-08-02T10:25:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T10:24:00.000-06:00

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!!

2009-08-02T10:23:00.001-06:00

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

2009-08-02T10:14:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T10:12:00.001-06:00

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

2009-08-02T10:10:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T10:05:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T10:04:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T09:59:00.000-06:00

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.

2009-08-02T09:53:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T09:51:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T09:50:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T09:49:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-02T09:35:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-19T11:17:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-19T11:13:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-19T11:10:00.003-06:00

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

2009-07-18T20:34:00.001-06:00

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

2009-07-18T20:32:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-18T20:31:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-18T20:28:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-18T20:26:00.001-06:00

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

2009-07-18T20:21:00.000-06:00

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.

Learning how to work these legs is hard

2009-07-18T20:17:00.001-06:00

Denver had a hard time laying down as do all newborn foals. I managed to catch one attempt from start to finish.

Bay boy gets a name

2009-07-18T20:12:00.000-06:00

And it is Denver. All of Dolly's babies have had "city/country" names. We started with India, and then had Cuba, Rio, Paris, Pheonix and now Denver.

He is a cute little thing...one hind sock and a few white hairs in his forehead. and NO dun markings at all.

Here are a few "day one" pics.

Bay colt - May 23

2009-07-18T19:36:00.001-06:00

Dolly foaled a red bay colt this morning between 12:30 and 1 am.

As I was crawling into bed, I looked out the window to check Dolly from and saw her lay down - get up - lay down. Said to Doyle...Dolly's foaling. Ran out of the bedroom, grabbed the camera and the flashlight and went out.

Saw the whole thing - only my 2nd birth ever watched from beginning to end. And the first of one of my own. Strange that it only took me 28 years to finally see one at home.

He is tall (for a cutter), nice head. Red bay - not Dolly's normal dark black/brown bay. Has 1 or 2 socks (really short ones) and maybe a snip. No dun characteristics at all that I can see.

Doyle also watched.

Baby has pooped and Dolly has passed the afterbirth. Just in to warm up as it is chilly. Doyle and I are going to put a bunch of hay into the big stall and put them inside. Then will make sure he nurses.

He is already bucking and trying to run...so thinking he is pretty healthy.

Thank goodness - it is done - and done safely.

Foaling and Breeding Season 2009

2009-07-18T19:34:00.000-06:00

Dolly is following her pattern to a "t". Started dripping milk at some point this morning. it is starting to flow heavier. So we should have a baby in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

I am very excited...sire is Molson. So this will make Sly a grandpa!!!

May 22

Both Rondee and Ding were in strong tonight. Debated breeding...brought Gunner out...and got the deed done with Rondee. We debated Ding but ??? I just don't know about breeding her this year (she is 3). Her and Rondee are matched for size and weight...so ???

I was pretty nervous doing this as I have never hand bred before...only pasture bred. Gunner and I have been working on manners and boy did it show. He was extremely well behaved - kept one ear cocked towards me for the most part. I only had to yank on him once and that was when Rondee kicked at him and he wheeled around and kicked back...missed her thank goodness. But other than that, he was really really good. He is also a gentleman...talked..."huffed" at her...smelled and licked and nibbled before mounting.

I do have to build something a little more secure. My farrier was over and she helped me by holding Rondee but the forward motion was almost too much for everyone.

So maybe in 340 days, I will have my first homebred "cutting prospect". I am excited.

Powerpoint is driving me to drink (almost) - May 24

2009-07-18T19:32:00.000-06:00

I downloaded a new program...didn't work to convert the powerpoint to a video file.

So uninstalled it today - and found a new one. Installed it and it got right to work. Easy to use - until right at the end. It kept telling me that my dvd's were full when i was pulling them out of the packaging.

So dug through my computer programs and found one that was compatible and used it. YIPPEE - MADE A DVD. But it won't work on my dvd player. It does, however, work on Bailey's "el-cheapo" dvd player.

And we discovered a problem. One of the slides stuck or something during the conversion process. The music keeps playing. then the slide unsticks and everything proceeds with no music until the next slide that has music attached.

All of this took me SIX HOURS.

I am almost ready to TOSS my computer or something.

Oh...and because I downloaded a trial version, there is a watermark (says "unregistered program") on the bottom of each slide now.

I called the bowling co-ordinator and discussed with her and I am going to call the support line for the program and if the purchased version will fix this problem and we can go with the 2007 version then we will share the cost of purchasing.

I WILL NEVER DO ANOTHER ONE OF THESE!!! (unless everything else goes smooth). LOL

Vegreville paper gets it right!! - May 23

2009-07-18T19:31:00.000-06:00

Our home newspaper did a much better job of things. You can read all about the girls here:

http://www.newsadvertiser.com/newhtml/VNA%20May%2018,%202009/VNA%20May%2018,%202009.html

The story starts on page 1 and ends on page 28.

And wow - even shayne made the last line.

The perfect birthday present

2009-07-18T19:30:00.002-06:00

Hubby and kids went shopping on Friday and bought my birthday gift. It is an external hard drive. ONE TERABYTE. A massive load of room!!!

I was sooo excited. Attached it to the laptop to get an error. it runs on a 32-bit system. My laptop is a 64. Well, crap. After two days of messing with it, trying to find a support line or e-mail addy. Doyle finally said "call Future Shop".

So I did. The tech there had me go into the drive, make a new folder and put the autorun programs into it. That would "shut them off". He then said "treat the hard drive like it is another "folder" and just copy and move stuff onto it like you would from one folder to another.

So I am moving all my laptop pics right now. All 21 GB of them. EEPS. I will do the same with my documents and music.

Will then head over to my desk top and do the same. It will be so nice not to have PILES and PILES of cd's laying around as backups now.

May long weekend = winter??

2009-07-18T19:30:00.001-06:00

Woke up this morning to temps below zero again. It is COLD. Wore my winter gear to do chores. And it was TRYING TO SNOW. I can't believe we are almost to the end of May and we are still getting winter temps and snow.

Forecast is a possibility of up to 3 inches of snow this week.

UNREAL!!!

Poor judgment - May 14

2009-07-18T19:24:00.000-06:00

The Edmonton Journal picked up the story of the Alberta bowlers doing so well at Nationals.

Our coach and his wife were contacted by a reporter and sent a bunch of questions to them via e-mail to ask the three girls about their experiences. Corinne spent hours on the phone with the three girls and also myself, as well as Coach Kevin. All the answers were then typed up and e-mailed back to the reporter.

We all waited with baited breath for this great story of these three girls from a small town doing so well. Never before has there been a National title at a small town bowling lane anywhere in Canada.

When the story came out, we were sooo disappointed. The reporter, instead of touching on the fact that these girls did so well, picked up on just one of the girl's one answers to a question. I thought that was in such poor taste. To take a young girl's response and turn it into an entire article - and then to not even take it in the context she said it in was horrible for this girl.

None of the other questions answered by any of us were talked about in this article which I think is a big shame.

To read the article click the link below:

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Rennie+headed+life+gutter/1587749/story.html

Interview at Shell - May 13

2009-07-18T19:21:00.000-06:00

Well, I had one today. And it went GREAT. Or at least it felt like it.

The job is out at the Shell Scotsford Refinery in Fort Saskatchewan. Around a 40 minute highway drive.

I met up with the "boss" (aka "K") and he took me on a tour of the place. We talked about the job...and he showed me where the guys all work. We then went into his office (an ATCO trailer) and we sat down with his 2nd in command, "D". They told me about the position and asked me a few questions.

The job is basically to take over the billing operation for this department. It may also involve data entry of other things, and going to meetings. So it sounds like it could really evolve.

D's first questions for me were "have you ever worked in a place like this". I answered "yes". He smiled and nodded. Then "does it bother you to work around all men?". I answered "no". He smiled and nodded again. Then "So swearing isn't going to bother you?". I said "ummm...no.". He smiled and laughed and said "thank god". LOL

They both said they were extremely impressed with my resume...were thankful that I had other "industrial" construction experience...and then asked when I could start. I said "immediately".

They looked relieved. We then talked about the hours of work and wage. K has been begging and putting in requistions for an admin for 3 months. Shell finally gave him the go-ahead but did put limitations on the job as to hours of work and wage. But as more of the area is developed and more of the facilities are built for this group, the duties will expand and so will the hours. K said at the most the hours for this position would be 8 hrs/day for 5 days one week and 4 days the next...same hours as K. the day starts at 7:30 - so I am figuring that it would end around 2 pm to start with.

K then took me on a little bit larger tour of the refinery and said "will let you know on Friday".

So here's hoping!!!

Horse time - May 12

2009-07-18T19:20:00.000-06:00

I went out and spent some time with the horses this morning - it is a beautiful day today.

Spent time with the bigger group - Ace, Angel, Lance, Cuba and Skeena - patting everyone. Then went and saw Gunner - and wished again he would finally settle in and calm down so he could go out on pasture. Maybe once the girls are all bred, he can live with them.

Then thought I would grab up a shedding blade and head out to Dolly, Ding and Rondee. Ding is always happy to see the shedding blade - and so is Dolly. Today, however, I had to follow them out into the big pasture. I got Ding done from head to toe - and am happy to report that she is filling out again. The grass is really coming in and she is getting grain 2 x per day.

Then it was Dolly's turn. She is not high on the totem pole, so I only managed to get one side done but she was very happy with that much.

Then I tried once again with Rondee. I have been out there 3 or 4 times and tried and she has just said "nope...not today". Until today. I started on her neck and then went to the shoulder, making sure to give her the room to leave if she wanted. I did the one side but when I went to do her other side, she stepped away...at least until she saw me turn my back on her to do Ding again. Then she bumped my shoulder, so I turned around and did her other side.

I love it when they decide they want the attention. I think it makes for a better relationship.

Decision on Gidget - May 11

2009-07-18T19:12:00.001-06:00

After thinking about Gidget for a few days, I made the decision to leave her with Christina and get a few more rides on her there...and then take her to Dale Dodd's to be bred to Whata Sansation.

I headed out to see her on the weekend and both Christina and I rode her. She definately is a stubborn girl and will do well with some tougher training which she will be receiving at Dale's while there being bred.

Gidget and I trying out a few things:

Christina and Gidget having their turn (with some stubborn thrown in for good measure):

Gunner is settling in - May 10

2009-07-18T19:09:00.000-06:00

Melissa rode Gunner last night for the first time since we brought him home. While he has been ridden outside at Jason's, here was the true test as he can see everywhere through the three planks on our arena. He was a little "out of it" to start with (watching everything) until she put him into a good lope. He was good when asked to work but when just standing still he was very anxious and would not stand still. He wasn't bad but his full attention was not on her for sure.

I got on him as well for a few minutes and did some turns on the haunches etc. and again his attention was more on what was going on around him than me. I am sure that will come with more riding here at home.

I took these pics this morning. He is coming around even with being in his pen...likes to get pats again.

Family pics (of the 4 legged kind) - May 9

2009-07-18T19:07:00.000-06:00

We have been bringing the pups out into the yard to play and get a little more exercise than in their dog run. And this is what happens. Maggie lays down...Max come over to protect...and the pups are in "Family" heaven.

Until it is time to try to excape. If they go out the front side of Maggie, Max steps on them until they go back to mom.

Rondee and Ding - May 9

2009-07-18T19:01:00.000-06:00

Rondee is starting to fill out finally - is really roaning in the flanks too.

This pic shows what she does with her feet while she is eating. I also noticed today that she does a "nose swish" around the entire pail like it is water and then eats Half of it ended up on teh ground - silly girl.

Ding is really growing into herself. I can hardly wait until she fills out more as she is going to be one stunning girl.

Update on Gidget

2009-07-18T18:52:00.000-06:00

Gidget is still at trainers. And it is not going well.

Shannon (Seredipity Horse Training) has been gone for two weeks or so on a family emergency or so I was told. I think she was home for a day just before I left for Toronto.

I then received an e-mail from an acquaintance of Shannon's (and the farrier that is being used) saying that she had taken over the riding as of last weekend but as of yesterday still had not been on Gidget.

After speaking at length with Christina, the story just got better - or worse depending on how you want to look at it. Apparently, Shannon has ditched on all her clients. She ran into some big personal problems (not the family emergency that I was told about)...so instead of telling people the truth and getting them to come pick up their horses and refunding money...she ran home to Mommy.

While Christina is willing to finish up Gidget for me "for free" it still doesn't feel right that she has to take on this responsibility that was entrusted and paid for to someone else.

I have repeatedly tried to get ahold of Shannon through e-mail and through the phone but nothing is working...so am getting a little more upset about this every day.

I think this is a lesson that all of us have to be cautious with. While young trainers are everywhere, really look around. Not all are what they seem. I am all for giving someone young a chance as the only way they can get to be an experienced trainer is by someone like me taking a chance on them. But this young lady has a lot to learn about life and business skills.

You do not take someone's money and then disappear (and I'll be honest here - I am not the only one she left in the lurch).

I also have decided that never again will I pay someone upfront for training. I think it should be like every other job...you get your money when the job is finished. I have never had a job where I got paid for my 40 hr work week before I did any work. So neither should a trainer.

Interviews start again - May 7

2009-07-18T18:50:00.001-06:00

After months of sending out my resume and being "on-call" at numerous staffing agenices around the city, I finally got a call yesterday about a job interview. This one was set up for me by one of those staffing agencies.

The job is working at the Shell Refinery in Fort Sask. The job is in the new construction area working in the frieght office - railway and truck freight. It is doing admin work - also a bunch of data entry of all the frieght weigh-bills etc.

The pay is decent and so are the hours of work - 24 hrs a week to start split to 6 hrs/day Mon - Thurs.

After the training, there is a big possibility of more money and more hours a week (going to full time).

It is a foot in the door to one of the biggest oil and gas companies in Canada. So here's hoping!!!

The end of bowling - for now

2009-07-18T18:49:00.001-06:00

We are all still really tired but still really excited. The girls were on the news last night - none of them made the "talking" cut of what was on tv but that's okay. They were all together with their coach and the big banner. I am going to try to scan in their "team win" pic that was taken at the awards ceremony so that I have it on my computer.

Bailey traded one of her shirts for a Newfoundland team shirt. Coach Kevin traded one of his shirts and his hat for a Newfoundland team jacket for Shayne - saying to Shayne "okay now you owe me a trip to Quebec". That is where Nationals is being held next year. LOL Both Shayne and Bailey are PUMPED to do well next year so they can compete at Nationals.

I am spending the day NOT talking - or trying not to - so that I can get my voice back. I am also cleaning up all the suitcases, putting away all the "gift" stuff that Bailey received from all the provinces she played. And have the laundry finished already.

Spring bowling starts tonight for both kids - this is more fun - but I think now that they have seen Nationals it is going to be very competitive for them - and between them.

Finally a day to relax...or is it - May 6

2009-07-18T18:46:00.000-06:00

Just because we are home doesn't mean we necessarily can relax. We have gone over a few things and decided on what needs to be done first. And that is fencing.

Doyle has a list of what fencing materials we need and will be going shopping tomorrow to get it all. We are hoping to have the pens finished by the end of the weekend so that Dolly can come in. We are also expecting our first outside mare to be here in just over a week. She was due to foal on Monday but is holding on. Lady wants to breed on foal heat so soon.

We also went through the house trying to decide what to work on and the concensus was the office needs to be finished and the main bathroom (which was started over 3 years ago. I think it needs to be re-painted and then the tub surround needs to be bought and put in and then we are done in there.

We have also decided NOT to start on the basement or kitchen this year. One of them will be a 2010 renovation.

A proud parent - May 5

2009-07-18T16:54:00.001-06:00

As well as being extremely proud of Bailey and her team, I also have to say that my two older kids were great this weekend too. They got along extremely well, did lots together, were there for Bailey when she would get down on herself and didn't want to be cheered up by anyone.

Getting along for siblings can be really hard...but finding neat things to play with helps. In the bowling alley (like in many places) there are the coin machines where you can get stickers, toys, candies. Well, these two found one that dispences FAKE FACIAL HAIR. so they stuck some money in and got an eyebrow (yes just one) and sideburns. And boy did they have fun!!!

They did a few things on their own. One of which was going to Canada's Wonderland (it is a huge amusement park). While there, they played "ring toss" (carnival game) and Melissa won a FIVE FOOT TALL GORILLA (that was also 5 feet around). She brought it back to the hotel, contacted the airline to see what it would cost to bring home and was told "good luck getting it on a plane at all". So, on her own, she went to the front desk at the hotel and got the address to the Children's Hospital and took it there and donated it. She left them her name and address and they said they would let her know who received it.

The other thing they did was very sentimental. They went shopping for my Mother's Day present. After asking me a bunch of questions, they left. Came back, handed me a tiny gold bag. I opened it and inside was a metal ring with the word "Lucky" engraved on it. I started to shake and then cried. Then Melissa cried. The coach turned around and saw me, and went "what the heck...you okay". I showed him the ring and told him the story. He shook his head at Melissa and said "NOW???" And then laughed at her when she sputtered back at him (they have known each other for 8 years). The other moms that were there also cried.

I guess you can say they are both growing up!!!

The many faces of our Bowling Team

2009-07-18T15:11:00.000-06:00

The girls went through a big range of emotions this weekend. I tried to capture some of them with the camera - even if it was just a quick glance:

Or hiding:

Visiting with family who came to cheer you on:

Being serious or not showing any emotion (even after getting a strike):

Making nice with the coach:

Cheering each other on:

Waving at the photographer:

Looking at the parents cheering you on with disbelief that parents can really be like "that":

Standing with new friends:

Even sitting on the glass floor in the CN Tower:

Nationals - headed home

2009-07-18T15:00:00.000-06:00

Well, we all arrived home safe and sound. What a day.

The Awards stuff ended at 11 pm last night and then we had a 45 minute drive back to the hotel. Everyone was gone this morning by 5 am to the airport...so you can imagine what that was like when we arrived...it seemed like 1000 people all lined up to go through the same airline. Probably was close. LOL

Flight home was good for us parents...nice and quiet. Not many of us rode with the teams though as the YBC had booked a single plane to take all the alberta kids.

When we arrived back in Edmonton, I got on the phone and called CTV and told them about the kids (all the Alberta kids - not just mine - ha ha). They managed to fit us in...and met the kids at the airport for a quick interview.

And the northern Alberta Continguent with their medals.

Nationals - Awards Ceremony

2009-07-18T14:41:00.000-06:00

After the girls were announced as the winners of their event at the lanes, everyone headed out for dinner. The teams all went to the Legion for a Victory dinner. The parents headed off to restaurants of their choosing.\

It was then off to Oshawa again. This time we needed tickets and were assigned seats. I really wasn't happy with that as our seats were fairly high up and off to the side. I was not holding out much hope for good pics. Plus the fact that I was almost too tired to hold up my camera with the big long heavy lens. LOL

I also had almost NO voice left after all the screaming (oops I mean cheering) at the lanes.

While they seemed to keep the awards moving quickly it still took forever!!!

The girls event was called first at Nationals (compared to Provincials where it was called last).
The girls walking up onto the podium:

Coach Kevin following:

Receiving their medals and flowers:

At last - VICTORY!!:

Then all the other events. I am proud to say that Alberta did VERY WELL!!!

The ceremonies completed around 11 pm and then we were off to Toronto to the hotel to pack. The kids stayed outside for a bit at the hotel trading shirts and more pins etc. Getting phone numbers and e-mail addresses to keep up with their newfound bowling friends.

This weekend was a blast for all involved.

Nationals Day 3 - May 4

2009-07-18T14:21:00.000-06:00

We have 7 games to do today again.

The bowling started later than the other days. It all started at 10 at the lanes. The girls were doing really well. But seemed extra nervous. The morning went by really good with them winning 3 of their 4 games. What they didn't know was they only had to win 4 games out of the 7 today to win the gold.

They went off at lunch with the coach and the other teams as per usual. We parents went off for our own lunch and took our time. Peter (Jillian's dad) went back to the hotel over the lunch break to do some work and to pick up Shayne and Melissa (more on this adventure in another post).

We got back to the lanes a little late for the first game of the afternoon to find Coach Kevin really mad at the girls. Apparently, they had snuck over to the score board when Kevin went to the washroom and found out the standings. We had tried really really hard to keep the whole weekend about "having fun" and not about "winning" with them. So the afternoon did not go as smoothly as hoped.

The girls were extremely nervous knowing that they were facing 2 really tough to beat teams in the afternoon - remember they only had to win one more game. We lost the first one and by only a few points. What a disappointment. The 2nd game we tied, and only because one of the players on the other team fouled. The third game was the kicker - the last of the day. If we lost this one, the gold would be out of reach.

The girls got up there and did their very best. So did the other team. It came down to the last frame!!! Cortney was very very stressed. Coach Kevin took her aside and just told her to relax and to throw when she was ready - NO RUSH!!! The other senior girl threw her first ball and took out a 2 pin. Cortney did the same - took out the 3 and the 2 pin. The other girl threw and took out her opposite 3 and 2 pins. Cortney then tossed her 2nd ball taking out the head pin. So now both girls have one ball left and both have 2 pins left to knock down. EEPS. the other girl threw first and hit the head pin - leaving a 3 pin standing. Cortney, by this time, is bawling...so is her mom. The rest of us are holding our breath...on both teams. WOW

Cortney wound up and tossed her ball and HIT THEM ALL!!! We won by a margin of 3 points!!! IT WAS AMAZING!!!

This meant that with the tie in the afternoon we had won the gold - BY A MERE HALF A POINT!!!

After everything was over, we finally got a good group shot of the team:

Nationals Day 2 - May 3

2009-07-18T13:51:00.000-06:00

Sunday dawned bright and early. We thought we would beat out the breakfast rush in the hotel restaurant so ordered breakfast in. There must have been a lot of others who did the same thing as our food arrived COLD...with not enough cutlery and the coffee carafe was EMPTY. But at least we got ours, some people didn't before it was time to head off for the day.

Girls were off again by 8 to head out to the lanes. We arrived around 9 to see them start their first game. Enthusiasm was in short supply with our girls. Not sure what is up with that. They are always serious but WOW - not even a smile or cheers when they would get a strike. We even dragged out our cheering gear of blue and gold pom poms and made up cheers but it didn't work.

They still did really well, winning 5 of their 7 games. This places them tied for FIRST with 10 wins. The 2nd place team has 8 wins, third has 7. So it is a pretty tight race.

We are trying to keep it from the girls where they are in the placements so as to not put a lot of pressure on them. But ??? I think they know...maybe our tension is rubbing off onto them???

After the games were all done, we went and picked up Shayne and Melissa from their day of fun - they went to opening day at Canada's Wonderland. It is a MASSIVE amusement park. Melissa won herself a MONKEY. The stupid thing is almost 5 feet tall...4 feet around...and probably weighs 30 lbs. I have NO IDEA how she is planning on getting it home. LOL

Then went out for dinner and then to the CN tower - our only siteseeing adventure of the entire trip. That was pretty cool. On our way back from there we went past the Much Music building and then drove through a MOVIE set that was on one of the streets. Cops were out directing traffic - letting some through. it was pretty neat. Wish we were here for a bit longer so we could see more sights.

Nationals - Day One - May 2

2009-07-05T17:22:00.000-06:00

We were up and mobile by 6:30. Bailey and I showered first and then went down to eat the buffet breakfast to find that the hotel had set up the tiny restaraunt for meals for the teams. The place only sat around 80 people at once but there was probably 400 bowlers and their families to sit and eat all at the same time. The line up was out the door. STUPID. So anyways, kids and coaches left for Oshawa for pics etc. before the opening ceremonies at 8. We left shortly after 9.

Opening ceremonies were held in GM Place in Oshawa. They were short and sweet. The kids did a walk on parade thing...province by province. Then they had 5 or 6 short speeches.

The flags carried in:

The girls waiting to get lined up:

The Alberta Team starting in:

Jillian, Bailey, Cortney and Coach Kevin in the stands:

There are 366 competitors in both 5 and 10 pin bowling - team and individual events.

The entire Alberta Team:

ll the teams and the coaching staff:

The kids then got on the buses and headed out for their lunch - obligation.

We headed out to find the bowling alley and then found a restaraunt. After eating we went back to the lanes to watch the girls.

NOISY!!! 16 teams of 3 kids and coaches (8 boys teams and 8 girls teams) plus all the parents etc. watching. We had a blast. Jillian's mom went to the dollar store and bought pom poms - gold and blue. That really got us going. The girls all bowled really well. Bailey's wrist (which she had hurt 6 weeks prior to going to Nationals) held up until the middle of the 6th game...we went out to the van and got the ice pack, tylenol and the brace and that seemed to help.

This tournament is a POA tournament as well. Each team has a combined average that they have to beat. The two teams playing each other have their averages. The team that gets the winning point has to beat their team average by more than the other team. You can also get a half point if you tie. After 7 games, there are 3 teams who have won 6 games, 2 teams who have won 5 games and I don't know about the other 3 teams. Our girls at the end of Day One were tied for 2nd with 5 wins.

We went back to the hotel and discussed dinner and the one place that we really wanted to go to was busy busy busy. So we all piled into the big van and headed out to find somewhere to eat. We ended up at Boston Pizza. It was a great night of friendship and team building.

May started with a bang

2009-07-05T17:11:00.000-06:00

May started with a bang - or rather a rush.

We headed out to the airport on Friday for Toronto. Left Bailey at home to be picked up by her coach as she was flying out with the team on a different flight.

The drive in was uneventful. When we got to the airport, we could not find Julie - our travelling companion. She is Cortney's mom.

She has never travelled outside of Alberta before and has NEVER been on a plane.

We got through customs fine and into the boarding area where we grabbed a quick bite to eat to take on the plane with us.

The flight was good. Julie did really well during the entire flight too. Was a little anxious during take off and landing but that is okay.

We arrived in Toronto around 2 pm Toronto time and waited for our rental vehicle. We were supposed to have a 13 passenger van but they could only give us a mini-van for the first day. It was a tight fit but we made it.

Driving in Toronto was an interesting experience. Wide wide roads and PILES of traffic.

Got to the hotel and checked in. They had a nice room for us - a little squashed once we got the roll-away cot in there though. Good thing we wouldn't be in there for long. Had a good view of some buildings from our room - no parks to be seen anywhere.

We headed down to the restaraunt and had a good meal and sat back and waited for the kids to arrive. When they did, they ate and we headed to bed - with it being midnight by this time.

Tomorrow would be a long day with the opening ceremonies and then a full afternoon of bowling for the girls.

Bad horsey mom I am - April 30

2009-07-05T17:10:00.000-06:00

OMG - I am just about ready to go to the loony bin I think.

I am sooo not organized this year for anything horsey. I was out with Dolly, Ding and Rondee tonight and Dolly is really starting to get "friendly". Which normally does not happen until she is around 3 weeks from foaling. Well...here I am thinking "this is really weird". She took a half step forward and I bent down to check her bag and she is starting to bag up already.

So now I am really confused. I have had in my head for months that she isn't due until June. Well, turns out that she is due between May 20 and 28. HA HA on me hey?

I had to go back through the archives on my yahoo group to find out when I posted that I had put her and Molson together as it isn't in the one daytimer that I did keep from last year.

I sure hope I keep myself more organized this year.

This also means that her shots are all one month late.

So now we are rushing to finish the fencing before she foals too.

What a great little town - April 25

2009-07-05T16:39:00.000-06:00

We did a bottle drive today for the Youth Bowling - and to help out with the girl's trip to Nationals that is coming up soon.

We went out in groups - 1 adult and 2 - 4 kids in a vehicle. We sectioned off the town into six and off we went. We started at 9 am and we planned on ending around 3.

At 10:30, I received a DISTRESS call from the bottle depot from Shayne - "MOM - COME HELP WE ARE SWAMPED!!"

My response: "WHAT??? ALREADY??? WE JUST STARTED!!!". My group hadn't been having much luck so off we went. I was absolutely stunned when I got there. There was already a pile of bags of bottles around 25 bags long and 6 bags wide and 7 bags tall already. And they just kept coming.

Coach Kevin with his group went to around 15 houses and collected PILES AND PILES. So much so that Shayne finally told him he wasn't allowed to go anymore.

We had a spot right outside the bottle depot and people coming in would give us bottles as well.

After sorting all the bottles and cans etc, we ended up with a grand total of $1680 (and some change). Then the bottle depot themselves donated $20 to us. We also received two donations of $100 that day that was dropped off at the bowling alley.

All totalled since we started fundraising a month ago, through the bottle drive, a hot dog sale, a silent auction and just cash donations, we have raised over $3000.

What a great little town.