"Ah, this is a better angle...."
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Gotta Love them...
babies...
Maxie's first venture out into the world took place this morning with his mum, Maddie not far away. This little boy is all legs and is the apple of his mum's eye (so much so that she wont let Evan anywhere near him!). She tolerates me for a little bit having a pat, but you can hear her saying, "Ok, thats enough for today thanks!" after a few minutes. Naturally that doesnt help him bonding with us!
We have moved all the remaining mums-to-be up to the house paddocks where we can keep a better eye on them and have moved Trousers, most reluctantly down into the paddock behind the house with Vera. Trousers was very quick to let Vera know who was in charge buy rounding her up. They will be let out into the alley way of a day to pick. We are very happy with Trousers and the way she has recovered from her loss... she has put on some weight, her coat is nice and glossy and all discharge seems to have stopped. We decided to change both Trousers and Vera over to Mitavite Gumnuts as their needs are very different now. Trousers tends to eat at rate of knots... so Vera will have a run for her money. I had to laugh at Trousers this afternoon after putting her in the alley way - she was not a happy camper and galloped around the alley way. Nothing wrong with those knees! Needless to say that she was more than happy to gallop into the yard when she saw that there was some feed around!
Both Trousers and Vera are loners in their own way... so it will be interesting to see how the relationship dynamics evolves! Nanna will continue to come out of her yard of a day while she is waiting to deliver. Sweetie and Libby are not amused as they are right next to the house where we can watch them. Still no sign of the next one to come... here we go again playing the waiting game ... AAArgh!
The relatioship with Susie and Joey continues to amuse us... Joey says, "I must get my dinner first!!" Susie says, "No, no... I must be fed first... lets rear up and buck and carry on - first to rear and buck gets the first dinner!" So, after they have done their routine carry on.. its Joey who eats first and Susie says, "But there is nothing for me!!" I swear that horse must be blonde.
"Susie, susie..." I yell "Over here.... yooowhooo"
"Ah, I knew it was there" she says, and mumbles that life in the training stable is much more organised as there is strict routine and everyone knows who gets fed first!
This happens every feed time! lol
Both Evan and I enjoyed yet another night of undisturbed sleep last night... how nice is it to sleep right through the night? Evan played another Poker Tourney online last night and came second, which is quite an achievement I think.
Today saw a visit from Adam Tozer to take off Joey's shoes, and give her a trim and also trims for both Libby and Sweetie and with both Libby and Sweetie heavily in foal, it was not much fun for Adam!
Tomorrow sees a day at work ... I was starting to struggle there for a while with my lack of sleep.
I have also threatened Evan with taking a picture of the couch in the kitchen... you know that one that now acts as our wardrobe! I aspire to be a Stepford Wife you know..
Hooray !
Helen.
Monday, October 10, 2005
STOP THE PRESSES!
Dateline: Monday 10th October, 2005 - 1.00am... Maddie finally delivers a healthy colt.
We knew yesterday that she wasnt far off and it was a matter of hours... of course she had to wait until the end of my shift to have bubsie... I go outside, see Maddie on the ground with Bubsie not far from her (and of course she waited until I went inside and was at near collapse to have him). A quick bolt up to the house to get Evan and both of us spend the next 3 hours down the back with Maddie and Max (Mad Max, lol). We had to call the vet in because of the unusual bleeding from Maddie (who had a small tear in the vaginal wall), but at this point (5.00pm Monday afternoon) she is doing well and most of the bleeding has stopped.
Maxie is a little (um not little) darling and is very much like his dad, Dantibes.
Ok, enough rambling from me (who is b*sausted), on to the pictures!
1 down, 4 to go.
Helen.
We knew yesterday that she wasnt far off and it was a matter of hours... of course she had to wait until the end of my shift to have bubsie... I go outside, see Maddie on the ground with Bubsie not far from her (and of course she waited until I went inside and was at near collapse to have him). A quick bolt up to the house to get Evan and both of us spend the next 3 hours down the back with Maddie and Max (Mad Max, lol). We had to call the vet in because of the unusual bleeding from Maddie (who had a small tear in the vaginal wall), but at this point (5.00pm Monday afternoon) she is doing well and most of the bleeding has stopped.
Maxie is a little (um not little) darling and is very much like his dad, Dantibes.
Ok, enough rambling from me (who is b*sausted), on to the pictures!
1 down, 4 to go.
Helen.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Joie De Victorie (on the right)... sharing some hay with Susie (Star Ferry). Has taken awhile to settle in and is not sure about Susie but she seems to have turned the corner today and has started to tuck into her meals with as much vigour as Susie gal. She is a sweet gal and is very quiet and is very happy to have a cuddle and a pat. For some reason I have started to call her Joey... I have no idea why.. the name just came to me (as they all do!)
SUNDAY....
It's now Sunday... 3.00pm and I was sitting on the couch having an afternoon cuppa and chatting to Evan about this and that... he asks me if I have been posting much on my blog and I said to him that I usually jump on here (well, at the moment anyway!) at about 1130-ish and go from there. He asked me what was the latest gossip and for the life of me... I had no idea what I said last night or this morning as it turned out to be.
Scary thought isnt it?... usually I know what I go on about but I have to admit that last night that I hit a wall and ended slumped over the keyboard and had a nap whilst in the progress of typing my blog. Um, does that tell you that Iam tired? Hmmm.
I guess I would like to take this opportunity... (being Sunday afternoon and being a little bit more awake to fix up what I wrote last night!) to apologise for anything that didnt make any sense if you have read it before my corrections this afternoon! lol
Maddie is not far away now and we have moved Nanna into the same paddock (so that they can be mummies together) - well the to-do of Nanna! She is not happy about being in with Maddie one little bit.
Scary thought isnt it?... usually I know what I go on about but I have to admit that last night that I hit a wall and ended slumped over the keyboard and had a nap whilst in the progress of typing my blog. Um, does that tell you that Iam tired? Hmmm.
I guess I would like to take this opportunity... (being Sunday afternoon and being a little bit more awake to fix up what I wrote last night!) to apologise for anything that didnt make any sense if you have read it before my corrections this afternoon! lol
Maddie is not far away now and we have moved Nanna into the same paddock (so that they can be mummies together) - well the to-do of Nanna! She is not happy about being in with Maddie one little bit.
Saturday....
I have just woken up from watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkahban on Austar... um, I think I only saW the first 10 minutes of it and then I must of dozed off... which is pretty normal behaviour at the moment.
It was a very hot day today with blustery winds that were just downright unpleasant to work in. No way did I get to have my slow day.... started off with a trip into Warwick and a fight in the underground carpark (and you think that Sydney is bad??).
You take your life into your veritable hands (and it is way worse that Parramatta in Sydney!) just trying to find a carpark in Warwick - then you have to negotiate the hoards in the mall and try to survive your trip into the local Woolies Supermarket.
Can you tell me who on earth makes the decisions on how many checkouts are open? Couldnt they see that the ques were at least 6 deep on the 5 open checkouts?? Obviously there is no planning, and they have no idea. And they wonder why people stand there and are reading their magazines and have no plan to buy them! Evan decided this day to come shopping with me and he was not a happy chappy, at all.
Makes me think back to the good days in Sydney where we could get Shopfast (more often than not referred to as "Shopforget") delivered to my front door and my only thought would be, "I wonder what item they will forget this time??" which was my only major problem with them, yet the convenience of the whole thing was terririfc. At least when they forgot something, they made up for it next delivery. Now they were the good days - not having to spend my leisure time standing in some que 5 deep because Woolies Management didnt have the foresight to plan for peak times. AArgh!
I wonder when we will get online shopping here at Massie Lodge. Don't hold your breath ok?
Joire De Victorie is slowly settling into her new surrounding with her and Susie still trying to sort ot just who is the boss. She was very light on when she arrived... need to feed her up me thinks.
Maddie is still refusing to give out the ET of A with her foal... Note to Maddie: "Hey Maddie! A full night's sleep would be a good thing!!!" Maybe tomorrow I will get the chance to have a quiet day (and I might even fold the washing too... lets not get carried away!!) watching dvds etc.
Caramel has now settled down and is working very well with Evan... I knew that it was going to take sometime for the penny to drop for her... Iam really pleased for Evan... after everything that has come to pass between Caramel and himself, you can see that there is now a level of trust
I must sign off and go now and have a look at the ladies and get a few more zzzz's. I think the last 2 weeks have caught up with me and I have just had it.
Until next time
Helen.
You take your life into your veritable hands (and it is way worse that Parramatta in Sydney!) just trying to find a carpark in Warwick - then you have to negotiate the hoards in the mall and try to survive your trip into the local Woolies Supermarket.
Can you tell me who on earth makes the decisions on how many checkouts are open? Couldnt they see that the ques were at least 6 deep on the 5 open checkouts?? Obviously there is no planning, and they have no idea. And they wonder why people stand there and are reading their magazines and have no plan to buy them! Evan decided this day to come shopping with me and he was not a happy chappy, at all.
Makes me think back to the good days in Sydney where we could get Shopfast (more often than not referred to as "Shopforget") delivered to my front door and my only thought would be, "I wonder what item they will forget this time??" which was my only major problem with them, yet the convenience of the whole thing was terririfc. At least when they forgot something, they made up for it next delivery. Now they were the good days - not having to spend my leisure time standing in some que 5 deep because Woolies Management didnt have the foresight to plan for peak times. AArgh!
I wonder when we will get online shopping here at Massie Lodge. Don't hold your breath ok?
Joire De Victorie is slowly settling into her new surrounding with her and Susie still trying to sort ot just who is the boss. She was very light on when she arrived... need to feed her up me thinks.
Maddie is still refusing to give out the ET of A with her foal... Note to Maddie: "Hey Maddie! A full night's sleep would be a good thing!!!" Maybe tomorrow I will get the chance to have a quiet day (and I might even fold the washing too... lets not get carried away!!) watching dvds etc.
Caramel has now settled down and is working very well with Evan... I knew that it was going to take sometime for the penny to drop for her... Iam really pleased for Evan... after everything that has come to pass between Caramel and himself, you can see that there is now a level of trust
I must sign off and go now and have a look at the ladies and get a few more zzzz's. I think the last 2 weeks have caught up with me and I have just had it.
Until next time
Helen.
Friday, October 07, 2005
I'm still here...
just in case you thought I was not going to post tonight... mind you it is only 12.50am - the night is yet a puppy!
It seems that Nanna is getting used to the new routine and now stands with anticipation with her head over the rails just outside the side door of the bedroom, waiting for me to come out and do my rounds....
"Have you brought something yummy for me??? Maybe some bread or perhaps some apple??? Listen, if you want to come around 50 times a night and stick that torch under my belly so that you can stare at my udder... you had better bring something with you... you got that? Oh, and I can tell you, it aint going to be tonight..."
Reception from Maddie was somewhat similar... "Didja bring anything with you this time?" With a fairly disdain snort to follow. "Im not telling you if its tonight or tomorrow or ...."
A quick check on Susie and the newbie... yes they are actually within feet of each other now.... Susie is boss..
Where are Sweetie and Libby? Ok, I can see two shapes right down the far bottom of the paddock.... both standing... but I guess I had better go and check them out... Iam hoping that they decide to come up to the top of the paddock for the next check... I really have had sufficient exercise today.... why do I need more?
Our new arrival to Massie Lodge, Joie De Victoire, arrived today for a 3 month stay... still with her shoes on... (why do trainers insist on sending horses to spell with shoes on??") Based on my very very rusty knowledge of French and backed up with Alta Vista's BabelFish site, I think her name means "Joy to Victory" ... please correct me if Iam wrong. I will check her out more closely tomorrow in daylight and take some piccies for all to see of our newest arrival. We will get Adam out next week to take her shoes off and to do a few trims...
Tomorrow sees the annual running of the Warwick Cup... and we were actually planning to go ... however, it seems that we have some guy coming over to check out Caramel and Lenny... so that has mucked up that plan... Iam thinking though that tomorrow (or is it today?) will be a day of rest for us with a few minor exceptions... food shopping (yuk!), Caramel's work (she is now being worked every day in preparation for the sale in January) and Iam even contemplating folding the washing on the couch in the Kitchen... dont get too excited, Iam only contemplating it...!!!
It has only just occured to me that I havent brought out my soap box for such a long time...(is that a good thing or a bad thing?), perhaps I should bring it out soon and give it a dusting... Iam sure that there must be something that is irritating me at present (apart from lack of a normal sleep pattern) - watch this space!
Well its time for me to do my final round - you guessed it, Evan is having a wonderful sleep and I have to go and wake him up (which is not much fun I might add). All four canines are in coma's in various parts of the lounge room with Lancey underneath the Dining Room Table with a vast assortment of my socks and shoes that he has been collecting during the day while I have been at work. All four of his legs are twitching and Iam sure that he is dreaming of running through a paddock or swimming in a dam. He is making cute little noises while he is doing this... I would love to know what he is thinking.
Lancey, where is my other Ugg boot????? AAAArgh!
Helen.
It seems that Nanna is getting used to the new routine and now stands with anticipation with her head over the rails just outside the side door of the bedroom, waiting for me to come out and do my rounds....
"Have you brought something yummy for me??? Maybe some bread or perhaps some apple??? Listen, if you want to come around 50 times a night and stick that torch under my belly so that you can stare at my udder... you had better bring something with you... you got that? Oh, and I can tell you, it aint going to be tonight..."
Reception from Maddie was somewhat similar... "Didja bring anything with you this time?" With a fairly disdain snort to follow. "Im not telling you if its tonight or tomorrow or ...."
A quick check on Susie and the newbie... yes they are actually within feet of each other now.... Susie is boss..
Where are Sweetie and Libby? Ok, I can see two shapes right down the far bottom of the paddock.... both standing... but I guess I had better go and check them out... Iam hoping that they decide to come up to the top of the paddock for the next check... I really have had sufficient exercise today.... why do I need more?
Our new arrival to Massie Lodge, Joie De Victoire, arrived today for a 3 month stay... still with her shoes on... (why do trainers insist on sending horses to spell with shoes on??") Based on my very very rusty knowledge of French and backed up with Alta Vista's BabelFish site, I think her name means "Joy to Victory" ... please correct me if Iam wrong. I will check her out more closely tomorrow in daylight and take some piccies for all to see of our newest arrival. We will get Adam out next week to take her shoes off and to do a few trims...
Tomorrow sees the annual running of the Warwick Cup... and we were actually planning to go ... however, it seems that we have some guy coming over to check out Caramel and Lenny... so that has mucked up that plan... Iam thinking though that tomorrow (or is it today?) will be a day of rest for us with a few minor exceptions... food shopping (yuk!), Caramel's work (she is now being worked every day in preparation for the sale in January) and Iam even contemplating folding the washing on the couch in the Kitchen... dont get too excited, Iam only contemplating it...!!!
It has only just occured to me that I havent brought out my soap box for such a long time...(is that a good thing or a bad thing?), perhaps I should bring it out soon and give it a dusting... Iam sure that there must be something that is irritating me at present (apart from lack of a normal sleep pattern) - watch this space!
Well its time for me to do my final round - you guessed it, Evan is having a wonderful sleep and I have to go and wake him up (which is not much fun I might add). All four canines are in coma's in various parts of the lounge room with Lancey underneath the Dining Room Table with a vast assortment of my socks and shoes that he has been collecting during the day while I have been at work. All four of his legs are twitching and Iam sure that he is dreaming of running through a paddock or swimming in a dam. He is making cute little noises while he is doing this... I would love to know what he is thinking.
Lancey, where is my other Ugg boot????? AAAArgh!
Helen.
11.55pm..
and all is well.... or maybe I should say, that all is as well as it could be expected. Hmmm. Today was definitely hell day for me... probably because I had to work, it is the middle of my working week (well I only work three days?) and I got a speeding fine.
I knew that I was doing over the limit this morning on the way to work. I also knew that the local Toowoomba constabulary cruise the highway in an unmarked blue Ford Falcon. However, because of my malaise due to, yes you guessed it... not enough sleep, I was not giving my journey to work my fullest and most undivided attention. What the hell was I thinking about when I noticed the Ford... ah, I remember now, I was trying to work out what the hell I was going to wear to the Warwick Races on Saturday and whether I needed to stop off on the way home and buy something new.
I know, shame on me... not keeping my mind on the job. I knew after accepting my golden award from the Constable that I was going to have such a good day. Not. I decided that discretion being the better part of valour, that I would sms Evan the good news, rather than tell him. My news was greeted with ... "Oh, No!" .... I messaged back, "Oh Yes!".
I have been finding that my tolerance level at work has lessened quite considerably and that people that dont normally bother me, really give me the ... irrits. So, I opted to have the office out the back and let Tanya do the front desk. By lunchtime I found that even the phone was stretching the friendship and offered to do the filing in the brochure room. Safe at last.
Come 3.00pm today though, I hit the wall and fell down in a crumbling heap into the chairs in the rec room and read the papers while drinking a can of "V". By 4.00pm I had enough and left for the day. While the people who I work with are really quite nice, they actually have no idea what I do when Iam at home and dont really understand the pressure that we are both under at the moment.
I heard today from my friend Sue Black who lives up near Brisbane, that there were fires behind her house and that there was smoke and embers everywhere.... now that would be scary and with the current hot dry climate.. anything is possible. It is a real concern.
I would love to be able to tell you all that Maddie has finally had her foal. But that statement is not true. Her tummy has dropped, looks like bubs is in the exit position just waiting for mum to give the word... but for some reason she isnt. I really must tell her the next time I go down tonight to check on her that there are no prizes for the mare who holds on for the longest!
Well, its 12.30am ... im sitting here yawning my head off ... I will make one more trip down to Maddie before I pass the torch to Evan (who is having a wonderful sleep at this present time, snoring his head off) who will be on watch for the rest of the morning.
I must admit that the novelty has worn off "marewatch", with the first couple of nights enjoying being a night owl and Iam quite over waiting for "Broodmares Inc" to find the right time to have their babies.. now, who is going to stand up to Sweetie and tell her to pull her head in and give the word to the other mares to have their foals?
Um, not me... she's a lot bigger than lil ole me. Yipes! Evan???
*yawn* ....
Helen.
I knew that I was doing over the limit this morning on the way to work. I also knew that the local Toowoomba constabulary cruise the highway in an unmarked blue Ford Falcon. However, because of my malaise due to, yes you guessed it... not enough sleep, I was not giving my journey to work my fullest and most undivided attention. What the hell was I thinking about when I noticed the Ford... ah, I remember now, I was trying to work out what the hell I was going to wear to the Warwick Races on Saturday and whether I needed to stop off on the way home and buy something new.
I know, shame on me... not keeping my mind on the job. I knew after accepting my golden award from the Constable that I was going to have such a good day. Not. I decided that discretion being the better part of valour, that I would sms Evan the good news, rather than tell him. My news was greeted with ... "Oh, No!" .... I messaged back, "Oh Yes!".
I have been finding that my tolerance level at work has lessened quite considerably and that people that dont normally bother me, really give me the ... irrits. So, I opted to have the office out the back and let Tanya do the front desk. By lunchtime I found that even the phone was stretching the friendship and offered to do the filing in the brochure room. Safe at last.
Come 3.00pm today though, I hit the wall and fell down in a crumbling heap into the chairs in the rec room and read the papers while drinking a can of "V". By 4.00pm I had enough and left for the day. While the people who I work with are really quite nice, they actually have no idea what I do when Iam at home and dont really understand the pressure that we are both under at the moment.
I heard today from my friend Sue Black who lives up near Brisbane, that there were fires behind her house and that there was smoke and embers everywhere.... now that would be scary and with the current hot dry climate.. anything is possible. It is a real concern.
I would love to be able to tell you all that Maddie has finally had her foal. But that statement is not true. Her tummy has dropped, looks like bubs is in the exit position just waiting for mum to give the word... but for some reason she isnt. I really must tell her the next time I go down tonight to check on her that there are no prizes for the mare who holds on for the longest!
Well, its 12.30am ... im sitting here yawning my head off ... I will make one more trip down to Maddie before I pass the torch to Evan (who is having a wonderful sleep at this present time, snoring his head off) who will be on watch for the rest of the morning.
I must admit that the novelty has worn off "marewatch", with the first couple of nights enjoying being a night owl and Iam quite over waiting for "Broodmares Inc" to find the right time to have their babies.. now, who is going to stand up to Sweetie and tell her to pull her head in and give the word to the other mares to have their foals?
Um, not me... she's a lot bigger than lil ole me. Yipes! Evan???
*yawn* ....
Helen.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Today is...
um, I know what it is.... (some thinking music please?) ... um - ah yes, today is Tuesday (only reason that I know is that tomorrow its back to work). We have been fairly hectic with not only Mare Watch at night, but mucking around with the horses during the day.
The weather has turned quite hot already - whatever happened to Spring? There is something quite countrified about mucking around with horses during the hot weather. However, there is no glamour involved with this (just in case you think Iam painting a pretty picture... it isnt!!) Im not sure if its the fact that the dirt and dust actually sticks to you; or maybe its the fact that the flies are back in town... I do know that by the end of the day I feel pretty yukko (and perhaps stinko as well). I suppose with both of us being like that it doesnt really matter does it?
Today saw Chris making another visit out to undo Caslicks on the Union Leader of Broodmares Inc. (the one with the fly veil on - Sweet Air) and her Union Secretary, Libby (Miss Independence). As you can see from the photo they are not at ALL happy about this and quite frankly I dont blame them (Yipes!).... I decided not to take any photos of Chris in action from the rear, as it was way too gruesome this time and might actually make some of you a bit queasy! Needless to say that both mares had to be sedated. OUCH!!!
Chris had a final look at Trousers, gave her a final flush out and gave her the all clear of infection. Which is good news on all fronts.
Maddie is still holding on to her foal with an udder that even a cow would be poud of! All four mares are pretty sick of their stomachs and I guess are waiting for the "all clear" from Sweetie to deliver. So, not only do we have Maddie and Nanna due, Sweetie is 5 days away from her due date and Libby another week after that. Needless to say that Mare Watch now includes a walk around all of the ladies to see what they are doing (or not, as the case may be). They are all feeling the heat at the moment.... if only there was some rain in all of this? Hah! What's that?
Evan and I have been having some in depth discussions about naming Lily (yep, she is definitely staying with us). We have come up with the following (remembering that her mother's name is "Splendid Feeling" and her dad's is "Private Agenda"):
1. Feeling Splendid
2. Splendid Agenda
3. Private Feeling
4. Splendid Lily
5. Private Lily
6. Private Splendour
I must say that Iam taken with no.s 2, 4 and 6. I guess it also depends on how you present the names to the Registrar of Racehorses.... Comments are more than welcome on this!
Well, the peak is well and truly over and the trough has settled in for the night and Iam knackered (Iam sure that it has something to do with the fact that we had to move Sweetie and Libby twice today and they are both ten tonne tessies who dont want to walk anywhere and I cant say that Iam not surprised - if I had to carry such a heffalump like a growing foal for a good 11 months, Iam sure that I would be pretty cantankerous and obstreperous by the time baby decided to deliver)!
Just quietly, you can see my natural maternal instinct coming through, can't you??
Goodness knows how I will get through tonight's shift.... anyone got a can of "V" handy?? Its time for me to get up on the lounge and have a catnap - Iam yawning just thinking of it!
Night Night... *yawn*
Helen.
The weather has turned quite hot already - whatever happened to Spring? There is something quite countrified about mucking around with horses during the hot weather. However, there is no glamour involved with this (just in case you think Iam painting a pretty picture... it isnt!!) Im not sure if its the fact that the dirt and dust actually sticks to you; or maybe its the fact that the flies are back in town... I do know that by the end of the day I feel pretty yukko (and perhaps stinko as well). I suppose with both of us being like that it doesnt really matter does it?
Today saw Chris making another visit out to undo Caslicks on the Union Leader of Broodmares Inc. (the one with the fly veil on - Sweet Air) and her Union Secretary, Libby (Miss Independence). As you can see from the photo they are not at ALL happy about this and quite frankly I dont blame them (Yipes!).... I decided not to take any photos of Chris in action from the rear, as it was way too gruesome this time and might actually make some of you a bit queasy! Needless to say that both mares had to be sedated. OUCH!!!
Chris had a final look at Trousers, gave her a final flush out and gave her the all clear of infection. Which is good news on all fronts.
Maddie is still holding on to her foal with an udder that even a cow would be poud of! All four mares are pretty sick of their stomachs and I guess are waiting for the "all clear" from Sweetie to deliver. So, not only do we have Maddie and Nanna due, Sweetie is 5 days away from her due date and Libby another week after that. Needless to say that Mare Watch now includes a walk around all of the ladies to see what they are doing (or not, as the case may be). They are all feeling the heat at the moment.... if only there was some rain in all of this? Hah! What's that?
Evan and I have been having some in depth discussions about naming Lily (yep, she is definitely staying with us). We have come up with the following (remembering that her mother's name is "Splendid Feeling" and her dad's is "Private Agenda"):
1. Feeling Splendid
2. Splendid Agenda
3. Private Feeling
4. Splendid Lily
5. Private Lily
6. Private Splendour
I must say that Iam taken with no.s 2, 4 and 6. I guess it also depends on how you present the names to the Registrar of Racehorses.... Comments are more than welcome on this!
Well, the peak is well and truly over and the trough has settled in for the night and Iam knackered (Iam sure that it has something to do with the fact that we had to move Sweetie and Libby twice today and they are both ten tonne tessies who dont want to walk anywhere and I cant say that Iam not surprised - if I had to carry such a heffalump like a growing foal for a good 11 months, Iam sure that I would be pretty cantankerous and obstreperous by the time baby decided to deliver)!
Just quietly, you can see my natural maternal instinct coming through, can't you??
Goodness knows how I will get through tonight's shift.... anyone got a can of "V" handy?? Its time for me to get up on the lounge and have a catnap - Iam yawning just thinking of it!
Night Night... *yawn*
Helen.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
An Eerie Sunset..
sets this afternoon after Bushfires to the west (Inglewood way) blow smoke all around us. Its a bit of a concern after there has been little (and in some cases) no rain. Whoever said that the Darling Downs is no longer in a state of drought, needs their head read! (Obviously must be a politician?) lol
We are literally living in a tinderbox and until Mother Nature finds it in her heart to let the rain storms actually come through our property, rather than go round, we will be carefully monitoring the situation. How disheartening it is to watch the rain go round, time and time again. When we were living in Sydney, the rain was a pest, a menace... how wrong could we have been? Perhaps those idiots in Government (local, state and federal - iam not discriminating here!!) should get out of their offices and visit the real country areas.
Speaking of public service twits... Ergon Energy have now taken the prize for most uncaring Public Service department after giving us 1 days notice for a planned maintenance outage. They have no idea how much we depend on the electricity ... for the pump (to get water to the horses) .. for the house pump (to get water to wash your hands, make the toilet work etc etc). Just when you think that Telstra is the worst public service department on offer, along comes Ergon Energy and they make Telstra look like they are doing a good job! AArgh.
Its been business as usual today with Evan working the yearlings today; lunging Caramel and alternatively walking the 2 boys and the 3 girls. Caramel is starting to come along and you can see how much she has grown since we have started working her. (Yes! There are photos to come!). Lenny is growing into a very nice type and we have had an offer for him to sell, but.. I dont think that Evan is really keen on giving this boy up.
Lunchtime sees a beautiful Lamb Baked Dinner (which is nice for a change... I always remember my mum insisting every Sunday lunch be a baked dinner.... Lamb, Pork, Beef... with baked potatoes, pumpkin, peas and gravy ...) and a chance to sit still with a full tummy and close my eyes for half an hour. Heaven.
Maddie is continuing to hang out in the stable... which Iam thinking is where she will have bubs when she decides to have it (with "when" being the operative word). Nanna and Trousers are doing a fine job as the combined Victor NT around the house. Nanna has taken to making herself welcome in the feed shed (?) and not even a closing door pushed closed by the wind can deter her from doing her vacuuming job in there. Its quite a sight to see both Nanna and her wide berth tummy and Trousers with her arthritic knees trotting down to the ute from their paddock to see who can do the best clean out job! Still, both of them are happy to be together and that is the main thing at the moment.
Nanna has been good for Trousers after her period of loss and after a bit of a shaky period one can't be without the other. Even when one is in the mare crush... the other has to stand in the other one!! Makes me smile to think how much they have become friends in the last month or so. When in the paddock with the others, would not give each other a look or a glance. (Which I think was the Sweetie influence, just quietly).
Its actually starting to get dark and I have forgotten to take their fly veils off.... yeah I know always forgetting something, however, with this current work schedule, Iam not surprised!!
I know that I havent said that Life is good for quite a while as Life has really been a challenge... but it is good... isnt it?
Helen.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Thank Goodness, Its...
Saturday, when all semblence of normality seems to return to Massie Lodge.... well, within reason of course at this time of the year.
Chris the vet came and gave Trousers a bit of a once over yesterday and flushed her out with some purified water to get rid of all the yukkiness... and another injection of oxycytocin - it took 3 flushes to get her clear. Today I brought her into the crush and gave her bot-bot a bit of a wash and clean to get rid of all the "bits and pieces" after Chris had re caslicked her yesterday and she was a very good girl of course and so far today, there has been no discharge or yukkiness... her appetite is "normal" (which means that she chases the ute when Evan brings the hay down from the hay shed) and her and Nanna are still very good friends, even though wet mares tend not to hang around with dry ones.
Chris did mention that most of the mares he attended were running to Sweetie's work to rule this year ... (2 weeks late and give the humans a scare...), so Maddie is running to plan. She has been doing something a little different today, she has been taking herself into the stable for periods of time, instead of spending all of her time down by the fence with our next door neighbour's mares... her tummy has dropped and I would say that it wont be long. Nanna is now due and I expect that she will definitely work to Sweetie's rule of ... 2 weeks late etc. etc as she is a good friend to Sweetie. Isnt it time for a new leader of "Broodmare's Inc."? Hmmm. Iam just imagining what Sweetie is going to be like delivering her foal and Iam not looking forward to it.
Evan and I are both b*sausted (which is my shorthand for "bloody exhausted") and have spent today just trying to take it easy....getting ready for tonight of course. Thursday and Friday at Telstra were, normal ... full of lots of people Telstra bashing. Good to know that somethings will never change!
One thing that I have to mention about late night / early morning television. It sucks. And, Iam not speaking about free-to-air (that sucks without having to mention it!!). Iam talking about cable tv... we have more tv channels than you can poke a stick at, and do you think that you can find something decent to watch at 3am? Not on your life!
However, in saying that about free-to-air tv, we were very priviledged today to be able to watch Channel 7's coverage of the Group racing in Sydney and Melbourne, although I have to ask why Channel 7 thinks that a kitchen show is more important than the spring carnival? It's good to see that TVN and Sky still can't get their act together even for the spring carnival.... AAArgh...
On a more positve note... I have to say that Makybe Diva is still the girl and I reckon a force to be contended with for both the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
so, GO THE GIRL!!!
Bloody hell, forgot to give Lenny and Jake hay... no wonder Lenny is throwing his bowl around the yard - talk about demanding!!!
Nice guys finish last, but we get to sleep in.
--Evan Davis
Helen.
Chris the vet came and gave Trousers a bit of a once over yesterday and flushed her out with some purified water to get rid of all the yukkiness... and another injection of oxycytocin - it took 3 flushes to get her clear. Today I brought her into the crush and gave her bot-bot a bit of a wash and clean to get rid of all the "bits and pieces" after Chris had re caslicked her yesterday and she was a very good girl of course and so far today, there has been no discharge or yukkiness... her appetite is "normal" (which means that she chases the ute when Evan brings the hay down from the hay shed) and her and Nanna are still very good friends, even though wet mares tend not to hang around with dry ones.
Chris did mention that most of the mares he attended were running to Sweetie's work to rule this year ... (2 weeks late and give the humans a scare...), so Maddie is running to plan. She has been doing something a little different today, she has been taking herself into the stable for periods of time, instead of spending all of her time down by the fence with our next door neighbour's mares... her tummy has dropped and I would say that it wont be long. Nanna is now due and I expect that she will definitely work to Sweetie's rule of ... 2 weeks late etc. etc as she is a good friend to Sweetie. Isnt it time for a new leader of "Broodmare's Inc."? Hmmm. Iam just imagining what Sweetie is going to be like delivering her foal and Iam not looking forward to it.
Evan and I are both b*sausted (which is my shorthand for "bloody exhausted") and have spent today just trying to take it easy....getting ready for tonight of course. Thursday and Friday at Telstra were, normal ... full of lots of people Telstra bashing. Good to know that somethings will never change!
One thing that I have to mention about late night / early morning television. It sucks. And, Iam not speaking about free-to-air (that sucks without having to mention it!!). Iam talking about cable tv... we have more tv channels than you can poke a stick at, and do you think that you can find something decent to watch at 3am? Not on your life!
However, in saying that about free-to-air tv, we were very priviledged today to be able to watch Channel 7's coverage of the Group racing in Sydney and Melbourne, although I have to ask why Channel 7 thinks that a kitchen show is more important than the spring carnival? It's good to see that TVN and Sky still can't get their act together even for the spring carnival.... AAArgh...
On a more positve note... I have to say that Makybe Diva is still the girl and I reckon a force to be contended with for both the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
so, GO THE GIRL!!!
Bloody hell, forgot to give Lenny and Jake hay... no wonder Lenny is throwing his bowl around the yard - talk about demanding!!!
Nice guys finish last, but we get to sleep in.
--Evan Davis
Helen.
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