NEW YORK HERE I COME

Haven't posted in awhile as there really hasn't been much to post about. Spring is finally here I think. Water running everywhere. Walked my Golden Retreiver today for an hour. She is now a black golden. Had a beauitul weekend at the lake and the farm. We were able to sit on our front deck on Saturday afternoon and enjoy a good drink after a hard days work at the farm. My husband Brian decided to help Sherry with some chores. When he starts something he is determined to finish. Decided to clean out Cat and Ande's shelter. Took out four bucket loads with the loader. While he was doing that I decided to spend some time with my filly Peps. She is a little bit of a bull dozer when it comes to being led. Walks all over me. We spent an hour with Sherry's help educating her on the finer points of being led. By the end of it all she walked down to her pen like an old soldier. She learned fast. Sunday morning woke up to another beautiful day. Had our morning coffee on our front deck listening to the birds and enjoying the peace and quiet. Decided to take my boy Blue out for a ride. So Rose (golden retreiver) Blue and I headed up the gravel road, which was very soft so perfect footing. On the way back, passed the same group of horses that we met on the way out but this time Blue decides that he is a big fancy show horse or something; head up, snorting to beat the band, tail straight in the air and pranced all the way home. Crazy old fool. Maybe its just spring and he feels good. I kinda enjoyed it myself too.
One more day and we leave for the bright lights of New York City. Leave april 1st. It is around 60 degrees F during the day so am looking so forward to wearing short sleeves, no coat and no winter boots. It will sure be a nice break, missing a few days of the mud and slush will be great. Hope to walk off a few pounds. When the Oakleys travel anywhere it is a forced march. So much to see in so little time. Have to make good use of all the day light. That's my husband's motto. He has been researching and making notes for a month already. Will tell you all about it when we get home. Everyone have a good week.

SPRING COMES WHEN!

Here it is the 17th of March. happy St. Patrick's Day to all the Irish folk out there. Spring is suppose to arrive here at 5:44 a.m. on Friday. How they know they exact time is beyond me. It is still well below normal here and we just received another 1 or 2 centimeters of snow on Sunday, although those who live west of Edmonton didn't get any. I got a call today from a fellow from Nutri Lawn wanting to sign us up for lawn care. I told him to call me back in May sometime when I can actually see my lawn to know whether it needs care. I am so sick of winter. This is the first time I have actually hated winter. But in 15 more days I will be in New York City. It is 14 C there or 55 F and there is actually grass and flowers there. Will be a nice reminder of better things to come. My son Robert's graduation (Universityof Alberta) Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology and Rangeland Management; dinner and dance was on the weekend. It was two fold for me. One we are very proud of his accomplishments. It doesn't seem possible that 5 years have gone by and on the other it is sad to think that he's all grown up and possibly gone from us very soon. He will be working for the Nature Conservancy in Lethbridge this summer. He found a nice place to stay. I think it helped him alot when he mentioned to the fellow that his Uncle played Major league baseball in the 70's and 80's. this fellow plays for the Lethbridge Bulls. Rob's sister Angela came in from Saskatoon for it as well. A quick visit, but always good to have her home. Anyway that's life around here.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY

what a gorgeous day today. The Siberian High has finally left. It's been bitterly cold this week. We are about 30 degrees warmer than it was on Monday, maybe even 40 degrees but who's counting. Even the birds are happy. Opened my door today and the sound of the chickadees and sparrows was so nice to the ears. It will be sometime though before we see any type of greenery, although Angela did find pussy willows while out riding the week she was farm sitting. Stupid trees, little did they know that winter was still here. Even the horses were fooled. Earlier in February, they were starting to shed already. Thought it was a good sign. Oh well, its almost the middle of March, and spring officially arrives on the 21st, so there's no way we'll have more cold weather right. God only knows. Thanks to my good friend Sherry (Fernvalley01.blogspot.com) for analyzing pictures from the past year of my riding. I know I didn't like what I saw myself doing and she pointed out today the same issues that I was having. I know Angela (oakleydvm2012) mentioned the same things to me earlier as well. I have had lower back trouble for some time and I think I have been compensating for this in my riding posture. The last two times that I have been out riding since I really hurt my back from my spill, my posture has changed and my horse had noticed as well. Both rides were amazing, felt the way it did from my younger riding days. I know even sitting at the computer or on the couch, I cannot slouch or do the old couch potatoe thing. My back hurts now if I don't sit right. Maybe this accident was meant to happen, just like it was heaven sent that I found Peps to replace my old girl Schiroc. Not only in appearance are they alike, Peps is more mottled, but still very much the same, but her mannerisms and escape abilities are almost identical. Anyway thanks Sher, I really do appreciate the critique. The horse with the yellow leaves for a background is my old girl Schiroc and the other one tied to the fence is my new mare Pepsi. Do you think they look alike?

Yes I AM ALIVE

I've been asked where are the new blogs. Well I just haven't had much to say. I enjoy reading everyone else's stories and just feel I don't really have anything interesting to say. Been very busy with the day to day life of a mom and wife. My daughter Angela (dvm2012) was home for a week in February. Spent a couple days with her at the farm. She was farmsitting. We enjoyed some nice days. Went for another ride, 2nd time since my accident. Blue my gelding was so excited to get out as was I. We even managed not only a lengthy jog, but also about six or seven strides of a lope. Felt so good. Worked with my young filly Pepsi, (coming 4 this month). Lounged her and put the saddle back on her, first time since the accident. Angela put the saddle on her yearling, and the two of us walked Eurus and Peps down the road. Peps seems to not have forgotten anything. Took the bridle, saddle etc like a pro. Been doing alot of bending and giving to the bit with her. She is such a sweetheart. My son and I are quite the avid Oilers fans so we spent yesterday(Trade deadline day) glued to the TV; he had his cell phone programmed that every time there was a trade, he would be notified at school.Then spent last night talking and digesting all the trades. I find it a great way to spend time with him. He's so busy with finishing his 5th year of University, we don't get alot of time together. He graduates this April and could be gone from home not just for the summer but permanently. Not sure if I'm ready to have my first born leave the nest. He had an interview for a summer position working in the Ya Ha Tinda area near Banff. Riding horses for the whole summer.(Now that's hard to take) Angela and I told him that if he does get this position that we are coming for a visit on his off days and he is taking us riding. I've always wanted to go there. Someone still owes me a ride either there or somewhere close to the moutains, but I won't mention names, She knows who she is. My youngest is graduating grade 12 this year and is very much the social butterfly. We're taking a trip to New York City the first week of April. She's hoping to find a grad dress there ($$$) yikes. Also wants to catch a play on Broadway. Will be exciting. Regardless what everyone's individual thoughts are on the horse drawn carrige situation in New York, I do intend on at least checking it out and seeing for myself whether these animals are abused or not. If my first instinct and thoughts are that they are indeed abused, than I will refrain from this activity. I am hoping though that they are not as I am really looking forward to seeing Central Park this way. I would post pictures of my week, but Angela has not forwarded me any. She has them all on her camera. some can be seen on her blog, oakleydvm2012 and I will post others once she gets them to me. I know spring is around the corner as my boy Blue is shedding like crazy. He and his mom were always good indicators of season changes. His mom Schiroc was never wrong in the 26 years that she was with me. (it's been almost a year since she left me). He has her ability. So although it is -27 with that dreaded wind chill and there is 3 feet of snow on the ground, I see light at the end of the avalanche. Till next time.