Only a few more days

Christmas has come and gone and we have almost made our way all the way to 2010. Craziness!
I'd like to say alot has happened this year....but it hasn't really. Yes alot work wise, but nothing much else to report. I have the odd highlight of course but this was a pretty nose to the grindstone kind of year. No regrets....working towards my dream just requires some other sacrifices.
I can only wonder for what 2010 will being my way.....

Only a few more days til mom goes home (sad) it's always hard to say goodbye when you don't know when you'll see them again.
I have tomorrow off so we are going to spend the day together. After my jumping lesson which I'm super excited about. I'll be riding Ralph and Amy is teaching me. Mom is going to use her new video camera and practice so I'll have a nice video to look back on yay :)

At the moment there's an absolute snow storm out there.....brrrr.
I think it's time for some hot chocolate before bed. I got some new pictures of Ralph today and posted them. You can email me if you havent seen them already and I'll send the link.
Sweet Dreams.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas....

Well Christmas is just around the corner. My mom made if here safely to visit for the Holidays. I'm so excited I don't have to spend it alone. This is the first time I've been away from home for the Holidays. I miss everyone!
Things at the farm are good. It's been cold and snowy but luckily with the barn, arena and heaters it doesn't affect the day much except turn outs...chilly!
Ralph is doing great. He's getting stronger each day and I can't wait to start our jumping lessons. Maybe while mom is here I'll use her to my advantage to snap some pictures :)
After Christmas I have a few lessons with Amy before she heads to Florida and then I start riding weekly with Glen.
The other young ones are fabulous. So easy going and amaze me with each ride.
I am starting to feel better as a rider too with all this time in the saddle.
I'm getting a good feel for how my facility will be run back home being in charge here at this time. I now have boarders too so it's pretty much a mirror image of what I'll be managing in the future.
Well stay warm, hug your loved ones and enjoy the Holidays.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Shawna

I'm Baaaack!

Hi All. Well again it's been awhile since I've written. Seeing as it's now officially winter and everyone is leaving I am going to start blogging again....after all I'm going to need someone to talk to haha.
Things here continue to go great. The weather has turned from Fall to -15 and snow....how did that happen? Brrrrr
Last week I treated myself to a one week holiday in the Dominican for some much needed R and R. It was FANTASTIC! Bit of a shock to return home to this cold.
Now I'm back to the grind at Millar Brooke. The first load of horses left for Florida yesterday and the next leaves on Wednesday. There will just be one other staff member and myself at home for most of the winter, they are in Florida until April.
My horse, Ralph, is doing great and I can't WAIT to start our jumping lessons :)
I've been riding a few of the young horses and they are coming along very well. My heart certainly sways towards working with the young ones.....training has always been my passion.
I'm going to be riding 4 a day all winter and will rotate them out as needed since I have more then 4 to ride.

Other exciting things since I last wrote. For a week I got to ride Contino....Jonathans HUGE grand prix horse. He is so incredible and I really felt tiny on him as he's bigger then Ralph. I'll have to add the pictures. I've also got to ride a few of the clients horses and all of them are equally as fabulous.
We've been clipping like crazy....no hairy horses around here. Really need to do laundry! Everything is itchy haha.

I finally got around to putting up my Christmas decorations tonight. Mom is coming to visit so I'm excited to see her!!
Hope everyone is doing well.....Talk soon I promise.
TTFN

Big things can come from small places

Well today is a pretty big milestone in my life so had to write in my blog. As of this moment I co own a horse with Millar Brooke Farm. I never would have thought in a million years I'd be here, working here and now owning a horse with the possibility of showing. I have amazed even myself on this one.
I'm feeling pretty lucky, proud of all my hard work and greatful for the opportunities I've been given.
I am proof that big things can come from small places and you can never have dreams to big or too far out of reach.
I am going to keep dreaming, keep reaching....the world is my oyster as a friend once told me.....

My mom has been here visiting me for the past 4 days and what a great 4 days it's been. She is such a beautiful ray of sunshine in this sometimes rather dark world. What a great feeling it is to come home to a "mom" cooked meal or to have someone to share these amazing moments in life with.
While she's been here she's been working to help make my life easier and to help get my apartment in order so I have the things I need to nuture myself and take care of myself. I feel great and home feels great. Today is a GREAT day.
One of the things I really needed and she helped make a reality is a car :) As of today I am also the proud new owner of a 2005 Saturn Ion red sports car! I said I bought two kinds of horse power today haha....one to ride and one to drive.
I am thankful to have had these past few days off to spend with my mom and make big things happen.
Nothing is too big to achieve and no dream is too big.
Just don't forget when the world gets busy to always pay it forward....karma will treat you well.

Hello Hello

Hello blog readers....if there's many of you still out there.
Things with me are fantastic. Many exciting changes on the horizon which I will update you with in time.
I have commited to staying here through the winter.....brrrrr. Not sure how excited I am about the -30 temps again especially since it's just around the corner. I CANT believe it's already SEPTEMBER! I've almost been here for 8 months now....crazy hey. Time moves too fast. This year has been packed with so much excitement, adventure, life lessons, hard times and fun ones. I feel like I've grown leaps and bounds in every which way.

I am getting stronger with my position here and feel like I'm gaining new respect from everyone. Ian stopped me at the end of a convo to tell me I'm doing a great job....which coming from him always means the world :)
Those few thankful words make the hard days worth it.

Amy and Jonathan leave tomorrow with 4 horses to Europe and Ian leaves from Spruce Meadows in a few days for the Masters. Me.....I stay home as usual haha.
When Amy gets back she talked about having some more time to work with me and the young horses....quite excited about that :)
I should get to bed though.....losing my train of thought.
Take Care TTFN!

I'm still alive....

Hello everyone.....it's been a long while since I wrote in my blog so I figured it was about time to make an appearance.
I am doing fantastic at Millar Brooke. I have been riding lots....usually between 2-4 horses a day and loving every minute of it. It pays to ask for what you want. I've always been a bit of a go getter.
I don't remember the last day I didn't ride. Even on my days off....I ride :) Happy Camper!

Everyone has come and gone more then a few times now. They've been to Bolton, Palgrave, Blainville, and Ottawa. I actually got to make a day trip to Ottawa and hang with the crew and actually watch some of the show. While I was sitting with Amy on the fence of the ring I looked over to see Beth Underhill sitting beside us. I of course went up to say hello and see how things are going. It feels great to be able to approach these riders and actually have them know who I am :)
It was a very hot day and I got to enjoy some shopping. Picked up some new breeches and boot socks. Being here is causing me to have a taste for quality expensive things which my *ahem* savings account seems to be complaining about as the savings that is happening in minimum. I keep telling myself it's all an investment for my working wardrobe LOL. rolls eyes.....

In about 10 days or so Amy and Jonathan will be heading over to Europe and Ian will be heading back to Spruce for the Masters. Always coming and going around here. I'm about the only constant besides the maitenence crew haha. I enjoy it though as show grooming just isn't for me anymore.
I adore the Barn Manager title and having the horses that stay home.
We are bringing a few more of the young horses in so I'm looking forward to working with them more this fall.....ugh.....fall. I can't believe summer has come and almost went. The leaves are changing and falling far too fast for my liking. I know just how cold Ontario winters get and I'm not so sure how I feel about living through another one.
I have been here 7 months now....crazy hey, how fast time flies.
I've gained leaps and bounds of experience and enjoy just taking it all in.
I haven't really formed a plan for whats next. I had intended to be here for a year so we'll see. I continue to keep my eye out for a dressage trainer I'd like to work for next.
The future is all so unknown and for the moment I am just living in the Now and it's a fantastic place to be.
So how is the Island? I really really really miss home!
I still have a few horses for sale back home if anyone is looking.....
Hope this finds you all well. TTFN
I am relaxing this evening and got myself a movie to enjoy!

Update

Well time is flying by again as usual. I have now officially hit the 6 month mark here at Millar Brooke.
I went home for a one week vacation....it was so nice to see everyone and have a little more down time....not that I had much time to have down time with so many things I wanted to do haha.

Back at the farm here everyone is getting ready to head to the Bromont show tomorrow. We have plenty of staff so it'll be a great time to get caught up on everything that needs to be done here at home. I get to put in some more riding time which is greatly appreciated. I'll be riding Amy's mare Piccobello (very excited about riding her :) ) as well as Ralph who is one of the young horses.....but he's massive....I'm sure he's over 18 hands.
The next few weeks will fly by I bet. Horses will be coming and going each week to different show circuts.
Life never cruises in the slow lane around here...pedal to the metal and let's GO!
Just thought I'd drop a few words in....hope everyone is doing well.
TTFN

Guess what I did today.....

Today I had such a great day that it brought me back to my blog to share. To some people it would be no big deal but to me....it made my whole week :)

So it started off as any other day....I was pretty tired and people telling me I look that way :( Hmmm I'm 24 I'm NOT supposed to look tired lol. Anyway I've been working pretty hard lately as the crew was away at Spruce for 4 weeks so I was running the farm at home with two other staff. I've been riding Cash lots and lunging a few of the young ones to get them back in the swing of things for riding.

I like perfection and worked my A$$ off to get things perfecto for when the Millars arrived home. It paid off as Ian told me I'm doing a fantastic job and everything looked great......a HUGE compliment coming from him :) I was pleased with myself and my efforts.

I was excited for the others to come home as it's been quiet around here. I will miss my regular 7 am-4 pm days with a lunch break but oh well....ce la vie!

We are currently a little under staffed so that all the grooms who were at the show can have some down time to relax and catch up on some much needed R and R before heading off to the next one. Today flowed well though and we have a good team.

I've been ridng Cash and loving every minute of it. Yesterday I went out to ride in the jumping field with Jonathan and his lesson. It was great to watch and he helped me with a few things as well. I take every bit of coaching I can get and just love when I get the opportunity to.

So back to why my day was so great......I GOT TO JUMP! I was running around like a mad barn manager all day and finally the time came to ride. I was getting out all my tack and ziging and zaging through people in the barn....Amy, Ian, the vet, the other grooms ect....it was a busy place this afternoon. Amoung all the hustle and bustle Ian mentioend to Amy we need to start putting Cash over fences, then looks at me and says "Can you jump?" I quickly think in my head....hmmm well yes I can jump, not like people around here can jump but yes I can hang on and get over it haha. No I actually can jump and I LOVE to I'm just out of practice. So I answered back with a yes. He told me to set up a couple cavellettis. I must have been grinning ear to ear. Amy got on her horse and said she was going to hack outside then would be back to help me. I thought ok great so I headed to the ring to get Cash warmed up. He feels like a completly different horse to ride now that hes getting stronger. His power and fitness are back in order and he feels even better. I worked on the things that Jonathan had pointed out the day before. Ian was lurking on his cell phone by the door....I was trying to ignore him as it's a little intimidating riding while Ian Millar watches you.....

So Amy rides back into the ring and gives me a few pointers. Tells me to pick up my canter and ride the cavelletti. Again....pretty sure I was BEAMING :) Other then a few mistakes and the odd bad distance on my part the ride was great. The jumps were little but here I was riding at Millar Brooke Farm with Amy Millar giving me a little lesson while Ian is now sitting at the rail watching me jump. I was trying to pretend he wasnt there haha. I felt on top of the world.....I still do. It's amazing how one little thing can mean the most when its something you really want and appreciate.

Ian is going to jump Cash out in the grass field tomorrow. Amy said I need to make sure to go watch as Ian is really good about critiquing everything I'm doing wrong and explains what I should do better and work on. So I'll go set fences so I can watch and be apart of it all. I'm so grateful for every ounce of knowlegde that gets offered to me. Any chance to learn and better myself as a rider is graciously accepted.

Tomorrow is going to be a good day too.

Only 7 days now until I come home!!! A much needed break and I'm excited to see my friends and family.

Well I really need to clean my aprtment and do some laundry but this was a moment in my adventure I just had to share.

Thank you world...today was fabulous!

Hot Hot Hot

WooooEEEE has it ever been hot here! I'm not complaining though....I adore summer <3>
I am so excited about my visit home....22 days :)
Things here at the farm have been going great. I continue to ride Cash and with each ride we both feel stronger and more like a team. He's a great horse.
We have a new pony foal here....she's SUPER cute! I'll have to get some pictures of her.
Other then that not much else is new. Everyone is still at Spruce Meadows but will be returning home within the next 2 weeks. Then it'll be time to get ready for Blainville and Bromont.
Sorry this one is so short....I'm really tired so I think I'm going to hit the hay!
Happy Trails.

31 days and counting....HOME visit!

Hello All. OOps it's been almost 2 weeks since I last posted. I'm still here and things are still going very well.
My blog finally made it whole circle and Amy asked me about it. I told her that I've written it from the beginning thinking my boss should be able to read it and it be ok. So I sent her the link and told her to read away. If there is anything that makes her uncomfortable I will gladly remove it as it was never my intention to cause an issue for Millar Brooke Farm, it's staff or clients ect. This whole blog writing started as a way to let my family members and friends know how things are going without having to tell the same story 50 times. I never would have immagined it would have grown this big with so many people around the world following my story. I definatly don't hold that lightly and am always thankful for this experience and for the support from everyone reading. I have had grooms who have been hired to work here read it before coming and they said it was a great window into "A day in the life...."
It's not always easy or glamourous but when I write I never put anything negative...besides my own thoughts or feelings which I'm entitled to have, but still cautious in what I say or how I word it.
Hi Amy if your reading! Welcome to my blog.
Things at the farm have been carrying on as normal with everyone away at Spruce Meadows. I hear the horses are doing very well over there and we actually managed to watch one of the televised classes that Ian and In Style won! I saw Nikki on tv.....it was nice to acually see whats was going on over there. I miss Spruce dearly as I used to work there.
I've been riding Cash every second day.....I am really starting to love that horse. It's always a pleasure to ride him :) I am working hard on the tips Amy gave me to work on trying to always improve myself as a rider.
I really want to get back into a lesson program as I feel it's an important part to keep improving and getting stronger.
I had the day off today....well I worked for 2 hours first thing this morning as I had a horse leaving I had to get ready before he got on the truck. Once he was safely loaded and pulling out the driveway I made sure everything was set for the day and I was going back to bed! I slept in after that, cleaned my house and made myself up. Went grocery shopping and had a 60 minute massage....mmmmm I sooooo needed that. I can actually move now. I had no idea how many knots I had in my back and under my shoulder blades. My finger tips keep going numb when I muck stalls and I found out its because knots were pinching a nerve when I moved a certain way....ouch. Might have to do this a few times a month. I feel great and today was a beautiful day.
I'm not able to make it home in time for my friends wedding which I'm SO extremly dissapointed about, however Amy was nice enough to offer me time off once everyone gets back home and settled. So I'm coming home again for a week.....a few weeks late but home none the less! I told Lisa I'll make it up to her and we can have a whole day of post wedding party so I can see and hear everything about that amazing day. Love you girl! I'm really really excited to see my farm, horses, Merissa who is running the place for me and taking such good care of the farm my mom said it's never looked better. Thanks Merissa and Leyland! Can't wait to visit with you....and I'm going to SWIM. Port Alberni summer here I come. Things to do.....swim in Sproat lake, go for a boat ride/tubing, visit all friends and have post wedding party, hang out with family, go tubing down the river which is the best way to spend a day ever, dance into the night with all the girls I miss like crazy, ride my OWN horses, visit my wonderful neighbour and family who lives across the street :) Oh man so many things to do. I get so excited thinking about it.....31 days!
I'm also on a fitness kick to get back in shapre before then haha. I got some pounds to lose! Bought all good food today and am going to start going to the gym a few times a week. Going to try for 5 but I know how tired I am some times at the end of the day so we'll see. I CAN do this.
Anyway I should un wind and get to bed. Back to the grind tomorrow. Thinking of you all and will try not to go so long without writing again....TTFN

Live Happy, Laugh Often, Love Much

Hi All,

Wow June 4th already. Time is passing by so quickly. The days continue to get more warm and summertime is just around the corner. One of my best friends gets married in one month today. I hope I can be there for her on this next amazing journey of her life....thinking of you babe!
We are growing up.....when we stop to turn around and look back at where we came from I hope we are all happy with what we see. We should live in the now and stride forward with our heads held high and be ready to experience whatever life puts in front of our path. Everyone is walking a different journey that is suited to each and all their hopes and dreams. Dream big, reach for the stars and never give up.
I am living proof that hard work and dedication pay off.
Everyday that sun rises and sets I am more and more happy with where I am. Everyday I am thankful, everyday I miss my family but their support helps me in knowing that I am exactly where I need to be for right now. I love you.
Tomorrow is going to be an incredible day. I have a lunging lesson with Ian and Centre Ice and a riding lesson with Amy and Cash. Any rider knows just how truely excited I am right now!
I have two more days with them before they head off to Spruce Meadows with he rest of the staff and horses who left earlier in the week. I will be manning the farm again. I have 7 horses inside, and 13 outside and 2 other staff to help me. I am confident in taking charge and priveliged to have the faith put in me to take it on. Thank you Millar Family. Such wonderful people who have dedicated every part of their being to achieve their dream and strive towards greatness. I have said it before but the countless hours, hard work, riding, teaching, training that they put in far exceeds my expectation of what I had previously thought. It brings me such joy to be here, to be apart of their legacy, to be part of the Millar Brooke team.
Thank you world for my 24 years and heres to many many many more. One foot in front of the other I will continue to walk along my path. Goodnight TTFN

These are the best days

I have another day off today :) I was so excited yesterday when Amy said I could have today off as I sure wasn't expecting it. I think I'm going to do nothing as I havent taken the time to do that since I got here.
I slept for 12 hours....apparently I was more tired then I thought haha. Doing nothing feels so great.
I got to ride yesterday !!! I am so happy. I rode Cash walk, trot, canter and he felt awesome. Can't believe he hasn't been in work for so long as he sure doesn't feel like he's had time off. I really feel a connection with that horse. Maybe it's just because I was the one to bring him in from the field and clean him up into the beautiful creature that he is. I've seen his transformation from dirty feild horse back into the strong, elegant athlete he once was and will continue to be. Amy told me yesterday he and In Style actually have the same sire so they are half brothers....how neat is that! I felt so free on the back of that horse. Again I am right where I need to be and I LOVE what I do.
It was a surreal experience to be on the other side of the arena....riding...with Amy Millar and the other students around me. I am so very thankful for every experience I get.
Each and every day I stop and think to myself where I am and how I got here. It's been an incredible adventure. Anyone can do anything if you just want it bad enough and put your mind to getting there.
My mom had a good point about my blog....she said to just keep it more to my personal feelings and what I do in a day instead of actual little details about my day. I'll just keep it more personal and use it as a way to share my thoughts and feelings with you. Maybe my words will give you hope to reach out and achieve your dreams. Maybe my words can make a difference in your life like so many people , words, quotes and stories have made a difference in mine.
Life is far too short to not live like today is your last day.....so go out and do whatever blows your hair back.....right mom? Thats her new favorite way to live. Live Life on the edge. Good Luck. RIP Smiley...Always loved and Never forgotten....too many friends taken too young. Miss you <3

Hello!

Hi All,
Haven't written for awhile. Been pretty busy and haven't taken the time.
I've also been thinking....since I have sort of taken a step up I have to be very careful what I "put out there" From the beginning of my blog I have been very careful to not be negative or to give out too much information. I try to stick to events that are directly related to me ect.
I always say.....my boss should be able to read this and have no issues about what I wrote. I always keep that in mind. That might be affecting my writing as I don't always know what to write.
It's good to have everyone back at the farm. I really enjoyed the time on my own but its a whole different world when everyone is back.
Everyday I am thankful for where I am.
At this point I'm still not riding, we haven't had the time to get into it yet. Hoping we will soon though.
I have the day off today....which is why I'm writing at this hour haha. I think I'll go into town again and pick up a few things.
Diva is doing great. She's getting used to the farm and runs around like crazy in the evenings. She's so fit and thin! Looks good though.
Anyway I just wanted to poke in and say I'm still here....just don't know how much input into my blog I'll have now. We'll see.
TTFN

I need better shoes....owwww

Thats it....I need to go buy new shoes....again. Since I've been here I've worn out two pairs of cheapish shoes and already put a hole in my new cheata print gum boots hahahaha.
Next day off I get I'm going on a hunt for really really good work shoes!
Today was a long day getting ready for the horses to come home tomorrow night.
It's 9 pm and other then stopping around 6 pm to go get groceries before the store closed I worked right from 7 am this morning. Tomorrow is going to be even longer as Patrick is riding at 7:30 am so that means I'll feed for 6:30 am, up at 5:45 am. Yeesh. Get all my chores done and then head to the airport at 1 to get our new groom YAY. I'm excited to go for a little road trip....the farthest I've ventures around here is into Perth LOL.
Once we get back she's being thrown right into work....hit the ground running as they say around here....welcome to Millar Brooke HA! So that we have everything ready and perfect for when the horses arrive around 8 pm.
I can't beleive these two weeks went by so fast.....another two weeks and they'll all be gone again to Spruce Meadows and I'll do it all over again.
I should puyt my groceries away and clean my apartment now that the barn is so clean. Thats the story of my life though....(right mom?) the barn has ALWAYS been cleaner and the horses have ALWAYS gotten everything before me :) Wouldn't have it any other day.
TTFN

What a beautiful day

Today started off as any other normal day. It was a little cooler this morning and was trying to rain....the weather forcast called for 27 degree weather....I thought HA yeah right. But sure enough this afternoon it cleared up and all of a sudden got hot out. WOW I was amazed. I had a very busy day that flowed smoothly.
The horses were well behaved today which I was so happy to have as yesterday with the wind they all wanted to run and try to give me a heart attack. No running remember.....so I was out there catching everyone as quick as you can say stop it. Silly horses. I caught them all with no problems though and they either went on the walker or we went out to hand graze instead.
I just love In Style, he has the best personality ever and is so inquisitve and cuddly. I am thoroughly enjoying getting to spend so much time with such incredible horses and am blessed to have them a part of my life.
I just adore the weather in Ontario and wished we didn't get so much rain on the Island. I mean it's nice here at least every second day if not every day. Even when it's ugly one day is usually all it lasts. I try to remember how cold it gets here in the winter too but for now it's beautiful. The blossoms are coming out on the trees and the hairy horses outside are starting to look more shed out and sleek. The inside horses are clipped all the time so they never have hair anyway.
I took some pictures today of a horse named Cash that I'm supposed to get to ride soon. He's been turned out in the field for a year and half and has just been brought back in. Today was his 2nd ride since being back and he looks fabulous. I can't wait to get on him. He was apparently quite the Grand Prix horse in his day.....I'm told he's 14 or 16 ish now.
I started preparing the barn for everyone to come home. 10 horses come back on Saturday night and the other 14 come back on Sunday. So from now until then I have 24 stalls to bed and have ready. Keep in mind I'm still just me. But a new girl comes on saturday.....yay! Looking forward to it. I've had the "young lads" as they call them around here to help me with the grunt work though. They ever so nicely stacked the barns mile high with shavings bags and hay so I'm set in that department.
I have a good handle on things around here and am feeling pretty content with it all.
When the weather is this beautiful and the scenery is so amazing I look around and just take it all in everyday. I really do love my job. The hard days, the stress, the long hours, the sore muscles and feet that ache....but there's so many pros to the cons that are all just part of it. It's definatly not a place for everyone but for me.....it's perfect. I am exactly where I need to be right now and am loving my life.
I love quotes.....so here are two of my MANY favs:

Live well, Laugh Often, Love much.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, Forget the ones who dont. And believe everything happens for a reason.
TTFN

Busy Busy Busy

Hi All...I know this week I've been off writing my blog as much. I've been pretty tired by the time I get home so haven't written. I need to sit down and do it as soon as I get home while I'm still buzzing before I just want to sleep haha.
Jacque....I'm still here I promise.
My days are definatly longer here at the farm since I'm alone as I need to stay until I get everything done. Some days that goes according to plan but as soon as I need to do something else like scrub buckets, give hay to the ouside horses, hand walk one of them or something else comes up suddenly it takes alot longer to get things done.
The horses continue to be great. We had a new one arrive yesterday but then he turned around and left again for the horse show today and I traded for two more. So now I have 5 in the barn and 14 outside.
I'm doing ok here by myself though. Feeling pretty confident about running the whole kit and kaboodle :) Besides being alone is only temporary.....
The sunshine is back out and beautiful today. I love Ontario weather!
Oh guess what....I overflowed my toilet today....oops. It was actually nothing I did. The pump got clogged down at the front of the barn which in turn over flowed my toliet upstairs. So I walked into a bit of a mess in my bathroom when I walked in.....water everywhere. Willy helped me figure out what is was and I cleaned it all up.....good as new. Willy is fixing the pump now. Apparently this toilet likes to have a mind of its own and everyone has an issue with it.
I really enjoy being here and running things my way. I mean "The Millar Brooke Way" but I answer to me. It's a nice change from the past few months. Almost feels like running my farm again except way nicer and way more work with horses that have more of a daily schedule that I do. I wish someone told me when to eat, when to excersize, when to sleep.....maybe then I'd be a skinny minny lol.
You will all be so proud of me.....I made an attempt to be social on saturday night. I was talking to a friend I had met online and he talked me into going to a country concert that was playing in town. They were called Ambush and it was a good show. It was so nice to meet some other people I don't work with and enjoy an evening out. I paid for it the next day though as I stayed out past my 10 pm bedtime LOL. I made it through though. I'm only 24 and going out and then working the next day already is getting harder hahahaha. The next night I went to bed pretty much right after work. Got up to do night check and then went back to bed (and you wonder why you haven't heard from me) Today I feel much better and am all caught up on my sleep. I feel like I've been faced with a choice of one or the other.....have a career or be social....I can't have both at the same time. Make being young and being so driven hard at times as the days you want to have a "normal" life you pay for it more then the rest of them.
Now that I've worked from 7 am until 6 o clock....I'm HUNGRY and going to go make myself some food.
Talk to you soon....I promise.
TTFN

Happy May Long weekend

Wow Friday already....I've been slacking on my blog writing. Whats new....hmmm I now have TV and a Phone with unlimited long distance YAY. I emailed out my contact info incase anyone wants to call or mail me :)
Each week I seem to be getting my apartment closer to feeling like home. Now I just need to find energy to go into town and meet some people so I can have a little bit of a life outside of work.
I have almost been on my own, in charge of the farm, for a whole week and things are going great. My other groom left yesterday so today was my first day flying completly solo.
I'm really enjoying my job. Apart from one really stormy ugly day the weather has been beautiful and when I see the sun rise every morning I'm thankful for such a beautiful thing to wake up to.
I just love all these horses and am getting to know In style and Picco really well.
I am learning so many things here for how I want to run my facility. I can't wait for that day!
I went into town yesterday to buy groceries and am pleased I'm starting to learn my way around. "Town" really isn't very big so it shouldnt take me THAT long haha.
I know this is kind of short but I need to make dinner before I have to head down to night check so will try to write again tomorrow.
Have fun May Long campers!!! This is the second year I am missing out on and I am thinking of you all. It's one of my favorite weekends of the whole year.
TTFN!

PICTURES

I posted some pictures on IH for you all to see :) http://www.islandhorsesforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=34594

Today was a good day :)

Well today was a great day. Aside from the 4:45 alarm clock that I wanted to throw across the room this morning....I hit snooze for 10 minutes which I NEVER do. The second time the alarm when off I jumped out of bed to get the day kick started so I wouldnt fall back asleep. Had a quick breafast and got ready for work. Headed downstairs for 5:30 and got all the horses fed, groomed, show sheets on and they were on the trailer and pulling out the driveway by 6:30....good for us half hour early! Sandra left with this load so I am all thats left. Well I still have one girl but she will be leaving us on Thursday....the job just didn't work out for her. So the hunt is on again. I was excited to recieve a post from Madison who is going to be coming for a trial on the 23rd so at least I know we have someone in the works. After Thursday I'll be on my own....which for right now is fine as the work load I am more then cabable of handling.
Ian came in this morning before he pulled out to go over the last few things he wanted to touch base on. With that note I held my head high and told myself I can do this.
The sun was shining brightly and by 10 o clock it was already getting warm. The rider came to work with the horses so I got In Style ready for him, then Picco and then Cash. Cash is the gelding who we brought in from the field. I still need to do some serious grooming on him so he looks more like the Grand Prix horse he once was and not a shaggy dirty field horse haha. Seeing him under tack gave me a whole new impression of him. He's a pretty boy. Tomorrow I plan to pull his mane and attack his tail with a bath and a bottle of show sheen....wish me luck!
Got the horses on the walker and turned out. Gave Stevie and Picco lots of loves today, took them out to enjoy some grass in the afternoon. Got a 30 minute luch today....yay for lunch :)
I have two barns fully cleaned out now, the main barn and the student barn and buckets scrubbed so I just have 4 stalls to finish in the clinic barn. We are quite pleased with ourselves for getting it all done right away.
Lots to do in the next two weeks so I've been making lists for things I'd like to do around here.
After work tonight (I was done by 5) I took my camera around to enjoy my surroundings. It's such a beautiful place and tonight I just walked around with Diva and was thankful for where I am. I sat down out in the field by the rock where Big Ben is burried and just took it all in. I need to resize the pictures so I can post them.
Today was a great day :) TTFN

Who needs sleep?

Started at 6:30 am this morning so we could feed horses early and get the first load on the 4 horse by 7:30 am. Got the horses groomed, walked and wrapped to go in the 4 horse. After they pulled out we did the same for the big semi trailer. Loaded 10 horses and away they went. All the clients, Amy and Jonathan left for the show today. Ian stayed behind to ride his 4 horses who are leaving tomorrow.
We are starting at 5:30 tomorrow (ICK) as they are hauling out of here by 7 with the second load.
Today was my first real day in charge of the farm but Ian and one of the other grooms, Sandra, was here so it didn't quite feel like it yet.
We ended up working until about 6:30 tonight by the time we got everything done, packed and ready for the next load tomorrow.
I only have one more crazy morning to get through and then I get to go back to 7am until 4 pm days.....YAY WITH a lunch break even. So stoked for that!
I'm learning quickly the responsibility I am holding now and I will continue to grow into my position, as Amy says it.
I am going to be involved with hiring (and firing) new staff....I won't go into detail on that one however I am going to learn to have a back bone right quick. For all those people I've ever allowed to intimidate or control me.....this is payback. I am now learning to be a real boss. To take no shhhhhh from anyone. I needed this!
Anyone want to come be a show groom? It's not easy and I will scare you before you even get here with the details. However in order to find someone who will really fit the drill that needs to be done as this is not an easy job to do and it's not meant for everyone.
I have my lists galore of routines for Piccobello and In style over the next two weeks. I am nervous but excited to have two Grand Prix horses in my care and 15 horses outside. And LOTS to do around the farm.
I brought Cash (Air of Gold) in from the field today so he can be In Style's turn out buddie. He was owned by Margie Engle at one point and he too was a Grand Prix horse until he got injured. He's been off for the past year and a half to heal so we are bringing him in to be worked again. If he's good I get to ride him :) The rider who is coming will be the first to get on him though.
I'll write more tomorrow.... it will be my first real day in charge with no one else here. Sandra pulls out of here with the second load of horses first thing and I believe Ian is pulling out right behind them as he didn't leave tonight like I thought he was.
Wish me luck! Now I'm going to bed seeing as I need to get up at 4:45 am....OMG Gross! One more day of insanity.....one more day....then I get to sleep......mmmm sleep. Goodnight!

My body hurts

The past few days have been very long and full of things to do as we get ready for the horse show. I worked from 7 am until 8 pm tonight, non stop.....I am so far past exhausted it`s not even funny. Right from the get go this morning I was tired and a little dizzy so you can only immagine how I feel now. I don`t know how much longer I can keep going as this pace. I need to slow down. With everyone leaving on Monday I`m not sure I`ll be getting a day off until they come back....hmmmm.
I haven`t been riding yet as we have needed all hands on deck to get packed and horses clipped ect. We only have tomorrow left to get everything together then they leave Monday morning. Amy said she`ll watch me ride when they get back from the show so we can hopefully put my program together before they head off to spruce meadows.
She did mention I might be able to ride on or two this time but we`ll see what happens.
It`s so stormy here tonight. I was clipping Monte when all of a sudden the power went out and there was thunder and lightening outside. It rained like I have never seen rain before...and I`m from Vancouver Island! Within like 30 seconds the main yard was flooded and sheets of water were falling from the sky. The power did come back on so I was able to finish clipping thank goodness haha. Ìt`s still really windy and I can hear it wistling past my windows.
I think there was alot more I was going to write about but my brain cannot even function and my hands don`t want to keep typing. I`m going to grab some food, have a shower and head to bed again. Wake up and then do it all again tomorrow.....whew!
TTFN

What a day!

Today started off as any normal crazy day around here.....feed clinic barn, feed and water outside horses, clean clinic barn, put Mercy on the walker by 8 am so she can be ready to be jumped at 9 am.
Finished stalls and waters, got Mercy ready for Patrick.....it was too rainy and wet to jump on grass today so at least we didn't need to bother with corks. Helped in the student barn, got Simply ready for 10 am, put Mercy away. Helped get Eurostar ready for Alex and off to his lesson. Put Simply away, cleaned some tack, went to help clean tack in the clinic barn. Got Monte ready for Alex and put Eurostar away.....this is what we do all day lol.
Fed hay at 11:30 and swept. Got outside fields ready for the other youngsters to be turned out. Turned the young ones out so now I have 15 horses outside. As the days go on everyone is telling me everything I need to know while they are gone. Everyone leaves on Monday for the show in Palgrave. I will be staying home with In style and Piccobello as well as all the outside horses and two other staff. It will feel like a vacation for me after these past few weeks. I am going to spend the time getting the barns in tip top shape, learning where everything is, doing some field matenience ect. I think it'll be a good two weeks. When they return they will be here for two weeks and then off to Spruce Meadows for 5 weeks.
I'm happy the way it has worked out so this first two weeks feels like a good introduction to it all.
Once they get back from Palgrave (and things hopefully settle for a few days) Amy want to see me lunge and ride so we can put a program together. There has been so many things happening and things on the agenga lately to worry about starting something new. We needed all hands on deck to get ready for this nect string of shows and that I completly understand....even though I'm very eager to start my program with the young horses.
The vet was here today and went over giving needles with me. He wanted to make sure I know how to give intramuscular and intervenus needles so that if the need arises while I'm here alone I'm cabable. Of course I would never make a decision like that, on one of these horses, without talking to the vet or the Millars by phone FIRST.....just wanted to make that clear. But I feel better knowing how to do it, what to give for what ect.
I have lists going through my mind every minute about what horse is doing what, who's on this routine ect. I have alot to study. I told them I wants lists!
Nikki and I went out with the vet to give vaccinations to tall the outside horses. It went quite smoothly so we were pleased.
The Bell satellite guy came today so I have tv now YAY. And guess what day it is.....THURSDAY....which is GREYS ANATOMY....so of course we had a grey's night over here. Told everyone to come and eat junk. It was good times!
The phone guy was supposed to come to but he never showed OR phoned my cell phone like he was supposed to. When I called they company they said he was here twice....but funny how the satelite guy found me no problem and the phone guy couldnt. There's people here everywhere....arg im still bitter. Now I had to reschedule for NEXT week and I keep racking up my cell bill with all the customer service calls. I'm really afraid my cell bill is going to be around $400 or something YIKES.
Anyway today was busy....like everyday...but today I started at 7 am and was still working at 8:30, went and did night check and finally quit in time for my tv show. LOOOOOONG day.
I need to go to bed now. Oh and Diva got to run around the farm all afternoon off leash so she`s tuckered out beside me haha she was in her glory with all her friends.
Two new girls also arrived tonight and will be starting work tomorrow.....yay my new staff. Always another adventure waits just around the corner.
Also on another note....(sorry I keep jumping topics here) last night I read an article I believe Christi on IH posted...it was all about life`s choice. And if happiness is a choice....choose it. You can wake up each day and choose to be in a good or bad mood. I am a strong believer of staying on the posotive side to life and I feel it makes a difference in not only my day but in everyone else. So go to bed tonight, reflect on the day and choose to wake up happy and enjoy tomorrow. Sweet dreams all TTFN

I finally feel "home"

Well I was about to go to bed as it's 11 pm but I thought about the people I told that I'd be writing in my blog tonight and felt bad with the thought of them sitting at their computers clicking "refresh" until it appears. HAHA ok ok maybe I'm not THAT exciting but a girl can wish right hehehe.
I had the most wonderful day off today which I so badly needed. It started by convincing my body to sleep in past 6 o clock. I woke up at 6, 7:30, 8 and 9 but managed to stay in bed until about 10. Got up and wandered around the house, let Diva out to pee. Got my cleaned up and ready to go into town. Walked through the barn first and took a couple pictures since I don't normally have time to. One of the girls mentioned there was a meeting at 11 so I figured I better stick around for that. Sat down with Ian, Amy and Jonathan and went over a few topics we needed to cover to get ready for the next round of horse shows. I am meeting with Amy tomorrow as well to go over more of what I'll be doing while everyone else is gone. I hope I get the answers to my questions I've been going over.
Tried to put Diva in the apartment but with the people meeting below she wanted to make a fuss....so to not make a scene I brought her with me. I drove to the next town over, Smith Falls about 25 minutes away to go to good ol Walmart :) I spent WAY too much money today but I really needed to make the apartment feel more like home and more liveable. So I bought a 27 inch TV, a phone, an alarm clock, dish clothes, a really cute dog bed for Diva and a food dish, some toys, plates and cups for me, cheeta print gum boots for mucking stalls (he he he) I thought they were cute. And a few other little odds and sodds. I came home and dropped it all off. Got some people to help me wrangler it all up into the apartment. Brad took me over to get a table for the TV and I might go back to the shed tomorrow to get the matching coffee table since I know it'll fit. Then I went into Perth and went to a few little stores....already mentioned the things I bought......
The girls needed the car after work so I came back to the farm to trade off with them. I had wanted to spend more time walking around Perth and enjoying the nice sunny quiet day but that will have to wait until next time. Had too much to do to get settled this time around. Don't worry I will post some cute little pictures from around here once I get to them. Spent the whole evening re arranging my apartment, cleaning dishes and putting things where I want them to be.
Ahhhh for the first time I feel happy in my space. It's not done yet as I still havent finished all the cubbords or made it to my bedroom but it's a work in progress.
Now it's late so I'm going to take Diva out for the last time before I turn in. Sleep well everyone. Hug everyone who's close to you as you never realize how much you miss them until your miles away. I love you family! Sweet dreams.

One day at a time

Well I'm in a slightly better mood today. It's hard to stay grumpy when the sun is shining and you have a few minutes after work to just take it all in and breathe. Today was a Monday....which usually means quiet days as there are no riders so it's a day all about cleaning and the horses. Today 3 of the other grooms were off though so Nikki and I had to man the Student and Clinic barn ourselves.....which is 21 horses. As well as I was doing the 11 outside horses....craziness.
The farrier came today to do the foals outside. I was so pleased my work this week has paid off as they all stood and were pretty quiet. He told me a story of how when Silver was just a baby getting his feet done he drug 3 people down the whole length of the barn and into a stall full of stuff. So I was happy to see him stand like a champ in a big field with his 3 buddies around. This past week I have worked with them everyday putting hatlers on, picking up feet and grooming them. Giving myself a pat on the back for that one :)
But because I had to tend to that poor Nikki was stuck in the barn doing a ton of chores! 4 people to run all 3 barns today was not a fun task but we managed.
Got every bucket in the place cleaned and scrubbed, stalls look beautiful and the horses got put on the walker, turned out and groomed. Not a bad day at all.
I finally decided to take the time to get my apartment organised. I called Bell and ordered a home phone and satellite tv service....now tomorrow I have to go buy a phone and Tv hahaha. I hope I can sell it before I return to BC as that is something I do not want to pack and ship! I'm hoping then it'll start to feel more like home....yep I'm putting roots down in Ontario, thats a scary thought. Got my dog, (and soon to be) Tv and Phone....what more could a girl want :)
A massage....yep I could REALLY go for a massage. I have a strong pain between my shoulder blades and I wish I knew what was causing it. Everytime I do go to the doctor for an "ailment" they just tell me I'm working too hard and if I keep pushing it it will keep hurting. Well.....sorry....I'm a farm girl. I'm not about to slow down anytime soon. I am getting older (I know I know your rolling all your eyes at me because I'm ONLY 24) but I am already feeling it. Horseback riding and training young horses really has its bumps and scrapes. I have tendonitis in both wrists which the doc said could turn to arthritis in the one I broke when I got bucked off two summers ago, a back that gets tight and gives me migranes and all kinds of other weird things. STIFFNESS.....since when do I get stiff when I sit down haha. Ok I'll stop with the I'm so old and I hurt talk hehehehe. I can just picture my dad saying "better take care of yourself over there" "be careful" don't worry dad....I'll do my best :)
Thank god I have a day off tomorrow! This is one day off I feel like I have earned! Yes I just had a week to go home but that was by no means restful in any way, shape or form.....that was just work outside of work. Am I ever going to know when to stop? Don't think so....I get that from my Mother. She's supposed to be retired but I think I see her less now that she's "not working" then when she was haha. She always has some fantastic idea she's planning to work on next. You go mom! I miss you....
WOW time has flown by again....why does work usually go slow and then free time at night goes WAY too fast *sigh* It's time to go back to the barn for night check to tuck the ponies in for the night.
I'll get back to writing details soon for those enquiring minds. What kind of things do you want to know?
Talk soon.....TTFN

I'm in a hurry to get things done

I'm so tired.....that about sums up the majority of what I feel like when I get home from work. Some of these girls are so gung ho to get out and go to town after work. Not me. I feel like I want to just be a hermit and snuggle up on the couch with my dog and fall asleep. After 10 or more hours a day of complete chaos and no breaks I really don't want to be around people. Is that normal? My head buzzes and everything hurts so laying still in total silence feels sooooo nice.
I feel like since I started this process 3 months ago I was so happy and so ready to get up and go. I don't know if it's just because I'm exhausted right now or what but I just don't want to be that happy at the moment. I have my days like everyone of course but this week has been wearing on me. I mean I still have my posotive outlook of where I am and the people, places, horses I'm being given acess to however.....I am on a very particular journey. I am here to learn. I didn't set out to just be a professional show groom.....I did that 6 years ago. I don't just want to train young horses.....I already know I can do that.....I want to learn and be a part of new techniques and ideas. I have a hunger inside of me to better myself and won't be satisfied until I can achieve that.
I have taken a step up since we've been home and I know as we go along things will continue to rise, I just question if it's in the right direction for me. I need to sit down and talk to Amy again. I just had a good talk with my mom and (again with the lessons I'm learning) here comes the "stand up for what you want and believe in" one again.
Ok going to stop myself there......I could rant on and on I'm sure.
More about the actual details of my day......
Started at 7 as usual....fed the clinic barn and headed out to feed the outside horses. The foals are sure growing on me. I work with them everyday putting the halter on, picking up feet and grooming them. Cute little suckers. Headed over to the girls and boys fields and fed them and checked waters. Drove back to the clinic barn to get the stalls done and horses turned out. The barn was a zoo today with lessons again so amounst the wheelbarrows and flying sawdust were riders and their horses trying to make their way to the arena. We are in full swing getting ready for the next show which is Palgrave. Well actually I think a few of them are leaving on Monday to go to Bolton but thats just a one or two day thing. Next week they all leave for a week for the Palgrave show....then they come home for a week and are off to Spruce!
I have been learning everything I'll need to know around here for when they are gone....maybe that's why my head is buzzing. It's just a little overwhelming at the moment.....which I knew it would be.
Does anyone know Simply SM? He's a huge dark bay that was standing at stud at Spruce Meadows back in 2003 when I worked there. Anyway he's one of my horses I'm grooming now.....I just love how small this world is sometimes. I have 4 fantastic horses in my barn.....Simply, Eurostar, No Mercy and Monte.
Got to learn more about the outside fencing today so I spent some time fixing ods and sods out there. Cleaned mountains of tack....leaving out tons of things but as I type my wrists are really starting to burn. My tendonitis has really flared up since we've been home from Florida. Maybe I should go dig out some more of the Tendonil cream and put it on myself.....maybe it'll feel better. I could wrap them like I do for the horses lol.
I have completly gone off track and so I think I'll leave you with that. I think everyone reading should sign up so you can reply to me. Not one reply in the last 3 or 4 letters.....haha just bugging you. But I do really really like to hear from you. I've been very lonely since I came back to Ontario with no TV and still no phone (I'm working on it) but in the meantime all I have is you....feeling guilty yet? Is it working? WRITE TO ME :) Miss you!

Start of a new routine.

Things are slowy starting to settle back at Millarbrooke. My routine changed again....I'm getting very used to this haha.
Since I've been here I've been working in the student barn, except the odd day we'd switch it up and I'd be in the main barn. Now I am over in the clinic barn. It's really nice as it has all been reno'd. So I'm in charge of 4 horses in there as well as the outside horses.
My day goes like this....hay and grain the clinic barn, mix feed, load RTV and head out to the fields. Feed the 3 three year old mares, check electric fences, drive to next field and feed the 4 foals (weanlings and yearlings) and check fences, drive to the next field and feed the 3 old geldings, and lightening who's only 4 and check their fences. Each day I check their hay huts and get Willy to help me add more when needed. The fields get round bales so free choice hay.
If waters need filling then I take the other RTV out to fill them all. It's a great tool to have these RTV's !
Back to the barn to get stalls mucked out and horses groomed. I have two riders in there so I get their horses ready as they need them.
When I have time I head out to work with the foals. They haven't had much handling and the farrier comes Monday so I've been haltering them, brushing them, picking up their feet. They are getting better but its quite the task to work with one while 3 other curious ponies are taking the brushes out of my back pocket, tasting my hair or playing with each other and pushing them away. HAHA makes it more interesting I suppose. I really like the foals.
Amy and Jonathan have been working with the young ones that are under saddle. Then we are going to form a plan for who I'll be working and what my schedule will be when they leave for the horse show next week I believe. I can't WAIT to ride. I'm really excited about having my own string of horses to work each day. Anytime they work the young ones I`m suppose to watch if I have time so see what it is they are working on and to get to know them a little more. Mister is still my favorite :) Annie is a close second.
It certainly is more lively with all the students here everyday though. From 9 am until about 3 this place turns into a busy busy place. Almost resembles a horse show. Students come and ride their horses as well as watch other lessons and it's a whole group event. Alot of hard work and dedication goes in it each day.
Feed hay at 11:30 and sweep, clean tack, pick stalls, fill wateres, keep the rest of the barn clean. Horses get turned out and put on the walker.
Anytime I have a slow time I go help out the clinic barn but today I had enough things to keep me really busy.
In the afternoon all the horses get groomed and put away. Feed hay at 3:30 and sweep, head to the outsides fields and feed them, check fences. Wash buckets and mix feed for the next day. Feed grain to the barns and wash buckets.....I think that about sums it up. Today we did course build in the arena as it rained SO hard last night and the jumping field was really wet and there`s lessons going on tomorrow.
The schedule went up today and my next day off is wednesday. Maybe I`ll get to finally organise my apartment so I can feel settled haha. I was only here for a week after Florida, then I packed up and went home for the week now I need to unpack and feel like I live here.
Sleepy time again....goodnight.

Diva and I made it

After a long day of travelling, Diva and I finally made it back to Millarbrooke Farm around 1:30 am this morning. Got settled and went to bed. Had to be up for 6 to work today....ugh,
I was excited to get back to the grind but still sad at the thoughts of leaving home again. As much as I love seeing everyone I'm starting to think it's easier to just be away.....I get so emotional leaving the place I grew up with all my friends and family behind. Since when did I turn into such a sap!
It's also hard this time because the trip home was about organising life so that I could commit to being here. In the past few months I've sold my truck, sold 5 horses, left my farm and moved almost completly across the country, basically completly closed my business at Secret Creek Stables. There's nothing left going on there besides a few boarders, now my horse trailer is for sale..... I feel like everything I own is soon going to be gone. I know it's only for the better to move onward and upward however there's a part of me really hanging onto what I have there. I guess that's just normal.
This is good, I feel good, I'm overwhelmed by where I am and who I worked for. In the big picture I soooooo happy but in the right now I'm still wondering if I can do this? Well those aren't the right words....I know I can do anything I put my mind to, and THIS I CAN do. I'm not afraid of change....I embrace it and am excited for it. I suppose I am allowed to have nerves....this is a big leap for me. Like I said....wish me luck!
Today rolled along rather well. Got back into the routine and can't wait for whats to come :)
Only a week and a half until the others leave for Palgrave...then it'll be quiet around here again.
Off to bed for tonight. Gotta catch up on some much needed sleep. TTFN

Onto the next chapter of my life....deep breath

I'm sitting in the Calgary airport with Diva on my lap typing to all of you out in cyberspace. Stayed up late last night to get everything packed and got up early this morning to make sure I had everything. Said goodbye to the farm again...not knowing when I'll be back again...I tried not to think about it as I'm turning into quite the cry baby as I get older lol.
Mom drove me to the Airport in Courtenay. Stopped off at Bridles and N Bits to get a new helmet. They have GPA's on clearance :) But I still want a Charles Owen. I'm riding with the big rigs now...gotta look the part haha.
Made it to the airport and said goodbye to my mom. I was a blubbering mess as my dog and I headed through the security gates.
Boarded the flight and it all went quite well.
Travelling with a dog is not the easiest thing in the world when they are right with you. Especially a little dog that only wants to be on you and not in a little crate. I sedated her for the flight and she slept well but now seems to be zonked right out in my lap. I still think I'll give her another pill in a few hours before our next 4 hour flight. That ones going to be the test!
I'm excited to get back but its so bitter sweet leaving the farm. Lots of changes happened while I'm home and I'm sure convinced that I can make almost anything happen if I have enough determination to. I'll touch more on that later.
I know you have all been wondering what I'm up to and will be happy to know I'm back on track with my blogging.
Computer needs a power source so I think I'm going to pack up and head to my gate.
For all you Islanders experiencing the beautiful weather.....it's snowing and cold here in Calgary at the moment....brrr.
Next stop....Ottawa Ontario. TTFN

Things are good

Hi All....I see my avid blog checkers all still looking in to see whats new. Well I have been home for 4 days now and my one week mark to be here feels like it's creeping up fast.
Theres lots of work to do around the farm and I am pressing to sell some of my horses. It's good to be home and see them all, family, friends ect.
My days are packed with apointment after apointment but it's a great way to get life in order because it forces you to get all the things you've been meaning to get done....done.
The weather is fantastic and I feel so great to be here for a short while.
Hope you are all enjoying your horses and this wonderful spring weather. Life is good <3

So excited for whats to come

I had a great day today. Still slow but very enjoyable. I was working in the main barn...which is where I was when I was here back in February working with the people from Florida who I am familiar with. The routine is the same it's just a nicer set up ect.
All the horses got fed, cleaned, put on the walker and outside. Being back in the cold weather isn't as much fun with all the blanket changes. The horses are wearing either their sheets, stables rugs or both while they are inside depending on temperature. Then to go outside you take one or both blankets off, put a cooler back on and then a turnout blanket over top. Tails get brushed, hooves get picked and they get fron boots, bell boots and back boots. Because of the wind today some of the horses were fresh and wanting to run around. As soon as that happens they have to come back inside. I was reflecting today about how funny it would be if people had the same fight or flight instinct horses do. I mean we do in some way, but when we are excited or scared I don't just run around and snort....I think that would be hilarious though...haha..can you immagine!
Amy came in to ride Picco and then we sat down for our meeting. It was so great to finally get the facts and not be up in the air as to what is happening.
I am going to be the new at home barn manager and trainer for the young horses :) I will also get to ride some of the schooled ones that don't go away to the shows to keep them fit. I'm really excited about that. Amy said in the next two weeks we will start riding the young ones and see where they are in the training and form a plan from there as to how many I'll be working ect. They are between 3 and 6 year olds....some have 30 days others have a little bit more time on them.
So....the current managers are leaving which means what I am about to take on is HUGE! I am it...I will be running Millarbrooke Farm (with the Millars help of course)
They are here to help me and there's still lots to learn but its going to be a process. I will have other staff at home to help me which made me feel better to know that. We are in a transition time with lots happening and I am very excited for whats to come. I feel this is just going to open so many doors for me and look so good to have on my resume. I also already have so many ideas for things to add on to around here to make what they already have even better.
I am leaving tomorrow to come home for a week and when I return I`ll be ready to take on my new task at hand.
I'm told I will be having lessons as well to make sure I`m on track with the young horses. I am responsible for feeding and taking care of the 10 outside horses as well as how ever many will be left on the farm when they go to shows. Over the winter there was 12 in the barn and the 10 outside.
They leave again in two weeks....so I have alot to learn and fast! They are going to Palgrave then come back home for a week and then are off to Spruce Meadows for 5 weeks. WOW talk about things happening fast.
I`m forgetting a million little details but I should really make some dinner, do laundry and pack....I have to be up around 4 am and leave here at 4:40 in order to get to the airport which is in hour away before my flight.....ick...early morning! So I am going to bed soon hahaha.
I will still have access to the internet at home so feel free to comment or email me secretcreekstables@gmail.com
Take care and chat soon!!!!
I'll be back on the Island in a matter of hours now :D !!!!!!!!!!

2 more sleeps....

Today was even slower then the rest haha. I'm rested and ready to go back to insanely hard work in Florida now! Days go soooo much faster when you have things to do.
I know this is only temporary as the horses are on a bit of a rest period too. But we had NO RIDERS today....none. Amy and Jonathan were away at a clinic. Ian is still in Vegas and returns home tomorrow. He ended up in 14th place at the World Cup Finals.
So today was a quiet one. Got everyone fed, groomed, turned out and on the walker and that was about the extent of my day. Cleaned and organised every piece of tack, equipment, anything I could find to organise....I organised haha.
Finished the day at 4. Came home and had a good chat with my mom. I am meeting with Amy tomorrow to discuss my duties and future status here at Millarbrooke farm. I am also going to ask if Diva can come back with me :) So I spent my evening thinking up questions I need to know as well as things I'd like to see happen around here. I feel ready for our meeting now.
Went back to the barn at 7:20 to help Jonathan put Aubie away again. It's nice to have some time to chat when we aren't running around like crazy.
Now I am making myself some roast beef and green beans for dinner....yummmm

Ohhhhh....and.....only two more sleeps!!!! And one more day of work until I'm home <3

Slow and Steady

Can't believe I forgot to write about the BEST part of yesterday! I got to drive Ian's beautiful insanely expensive Mercedes into town to get cleaned and then back again. What a hot little car to drive! I was excited they asked me to as that car is his pride and joy. I drove very carefully and responsibly however the power in that gas peddle was incredible. So fun!

Today was back to being slow as molasses in January. The weather went from sunny to rainy and cold brrrrr. But over all it was a much better day. I put my talent of talking and problem solving to good use today and tried to confront "the issue" that is going on. I feel much better that we were able to talk about it. Still won't fix it entirely but at least the story becomes more clear.
Amy and Jonathan were both away at clinics today so we only had one rider. Ian is in Las Vegas still at the World Cup with In Style. They get home in a few days and then things will start getting busy around here again.
Only two more days of work til I come home. I am SOOOOO excited.
I am having a meeting with Amy before I leave to discuss my position here just to become more clear on what is expected. I also haven't asked if my dog Diva can come back with me. I am REALLY hoping they'll say yes. Some of the other grooms say theres a no dog policy as there are already too many here between Ian, Amy's and Jonathan's dog.....however if I'm staying home while they go to shows I really want her here. Besides, she's smaller than a cat...she really is more like a cat than a dog anyway. It wasn't such a big deal before when I was a travelling show groom but now things are changing. I miss my puppy!
Worked from 7 until 4 today. Then I had to go back at 6ish to help Jonathan put Aubie away after his clinic. Unloaded him off the trailer, gave him a brush and washed his legs. Cleaned his tack and loaded it back up as he's doing the same thing tomorrow. Left the barn again by 7:30....and I'm going back again at 8:30 for night check haha. Oh well....not like I can go very far from my apartment anyway. Oh I just realized I havent uploaded pics of the new place.....better clean up before I take pictures though haha. Still havent really unpacked and organised. I better go make dinner before heading back to the barn. Goodnight

Getting excited to come home

Today was busier...which is good as it makes the days go by faster. Workin conditons here are still difficult...but luckily it won't last. I'm being fairly vague about it because I never know who is reading and I'm not about to put out too many details or things I shouldn't. All I will say is this work enviornment is only temporary and soon all the bad feelings will be gone.
Millarbrooke is a beautiful farm and our surroundings are just gorgeous. With the weather being warmer now I might actually venture out for a walk after work and see more of it....that is if I can find the energy after work. I am still tired from Florida and I am working straight through so that I can have my week off to go home next week. It's definatly taking it's toll though...my body is tired and looking forward to a break. not that coming home will really be a break because I'll still have 11 horses to feed, clean and take care of. But at least I'll have a little bit of help...hopefully....(family? any volunteers?) I want to sleep in for at least ONE day while I'm home haha. Home will still be home and it'll feel so great to be there. I need that right now.
Only 3 more work days til I fly out first thing Tuesday morning :) I am flying from Ottawa, layover in Calgary then arriving in Comox by 11ish. I have a few meetings between there and home but I'll be on the Island YAY.
I should get to bed....I'm trying to sleep as much as humanly possible to make it through the next few days.
Goodnight

Change is good....right?

I made it safely back to the farm in Perth. Yesterday was the first day back. Work was....well...more character building haha. Lets just say there are alot of changes going on and some people are not happy about it....and I'm sort of in the middle of it all. I am not "causing" the issues however I suppose my talents are being seen and asked to stay/move up while others are not.... I also found out today one of the other grooms has decided to leave and go home. He will be missed as he does a fantastic job. He just misses home and wants to go back to school, so we understand. Anyone else want to come be a show groom?
All my life I have had the same little lesson to deal with....not to let what other people say bother me. I have a hard time with that because I care about people and I like to make everyone happy. I know (especially in this industry) that you can't please everyone, all the time, and there will be people who don't like you. I'm still getting used to that idea.
In moving up this professional ladder I am learning so much more about myself and what I need to become and get better at. Already since I've been here I've had to stand up and ask for the things I want. I need to have an opinion and a voice....and know how/when to use it. I need to have a backbone and stand up to the people who try to undermine me. I'm getting better at this but of course there is always room for improvement.
Today went better. But not by THAT much. I have to go and do nightcheck tonight at 8:30 pm.
Only 5 more days until I get to come home for a week....YAY I am so excited to see everyone! And the island.....the weather in perth has been good however its way more dry then humid Florida so my skin is screaming. I am ladeling the cream on and its just not working fast enough. My hands are already cracked and hurt. Must by more intense hand cream!
Oh I am getting distracted now trying to talk to my mom on Skype...TTFN!

40 miles to Canada....

Woke up this morning at 5 am. Finished packing and said goodbye to the Florida house. The barn looked so empty with everything loaded onto the truck. Fed the horses and put two loads on the walker to stretch their legs before the long haul home.
We had to go load up a clients horses at 7:30 and then come back to load ours. We were loaded and pulled out the driveway by 9 am. Goodbye dream barn….it’s been swell.
Sandra and I climbed aboard the big rig. It was her and I, the two drivers Lyle and Andrew with 10 horses in tow and we hit the high road.
What a bouncy ride these things are in the cab….apparently the horses travel better then we do. I`m getting used to that….the horses always get better then I do haha it`s something I will always live with.
It`s quite roomy in here with two beds and the two front seats. I laid in the top bunk and slept off and on for the first 5 hours. I think Jacksonville is the only place I really remember being awake for lol. We stopped once to use the “facilities” and then didn’t stop until 5 and a half hours in to feed and water the horses, re fuel the truck and feed ourselves an early dinner. The time is now 4 o clock and we just pulled back onto the road in Georgia. I bought a cute shirt that says “Silly boys trucks are for girls” haha its so me…and I have to say I LOVE the South!
We haven’t gotten that far away from paradise and yet the sky has clouded over and it looks like we are in for a wet night. Glad I’m not the one driving. I’m having fun in this big rig J
Read the first chapter of my books and broke open the goodies I brought to munch on. Think I`m going to hunker down for another nap….yep this is a hard way to travel haha. I`ll write again in another few hours I`m sure….TTFN
Didn’t turn on my computer again until 27 hours into the trip. I have done a lot of sleeping which is good and bad at the same time. Sandra and I are used to working hard everyday and all this lazing around in a big rig has us so stiff and sore. I’ll have to ask the guys what states we have all driven though now. Last night we took shifts for who got to sleep in the bed and who sat in the front seat while the drivers rotated as well. I listened to country and thought about home. I have an awful lot of time to think about a lot of things….
Fell asleep again around 4 am and didn’t wake up until 6:30 am Tuesday morning. We stopped to feed and water the horses and let ourselves visit the little girls room. We are defiantly in cooler weather now so we put the sheets on the horses. They are all clipped up for show and used to Florida weather like we are. We drove through some crazy thunderstorms and lightening last night. Scary stuff….glad I was just the passenger and not the driver. The first truck stop this morning had no water and had an issue with fuel so we went a mile and a half down the road to a quaint little place to refuel and water the horses. It had a really good restaurant with a down home feel. Everyone knew everyone and was so nice. I’ve said it before but I LOVE the south.
There were lots of miles in between there that I’m leaving out but it was the middle of the night so nothing too exciting happened.
We are currently sitting at the boarder waiting for the scary boarder men to come look in our trailer. We have 8 Canadian horses returning but also one of the clients horses that was bought down in the US so they are dealing with the broker ect. FUN FUN. We need to water these guys again and theres no water here so we are hoping they hurry it up.
I think we only have like another 2 or so hours to go until we are back in Perth. Home sweet Home. Will write again tonight…..

Goodbye Paradise

Today was our last full work day in Florida. Groomed the horses and put them on the walker twice, out in the paddocks and hand grazed the ones that don't go out. It was bloody hot today....last load home, packing day was much cooler. Luckily the drivers were around to help and did the majority of heavy lifting for us...yay men.
By about 12 both trucks, trailers, the black dodge and every vehicle we have was fully loaded and ready. The barn looks empty and Grand Prix Village looks like a ghost town. It's amazing that this incredible place sits empty pretty much from now until next winter as it just gets too hot here to function. Oh to have that kind of money and those kinds of choices.
We'll be leaving without In Style tomorrow as he is flying onto Las Vegas for the World Cup. Good Luck Stevie!
We said goodbye to the other grooms and to a few of the clients from here who we've met. I even got a little gift from the woman who bought G Force....he's doing awesome by the way <3>
Left work by 4:30 and went to Walmart to grab a few things for the long trip home. Sandra and I are travelling with the horses in the big rig (the big blue one you all saw pictures of) There are two drivers who switch on and off and we get to sit in the back and sleep....for 30 hours....no stopping. Oh man! Should be quite the trip.
But we actually went out for dinner after with the drivers tonight and they told us they do try to stop every 5 hours or so, so I was glad to hear that. I still think it'll make for quite the roadtrip.
We are heading to the barn at 5:45 tomorrow. Feeding the horses and getting them on the walker to loosen them up before their long drive and we plan to load by 8:30 and on the road by 9. So next time you hear from me I will be back at Millarbrooke Farm in Perth Ontario. Great white north HERE I COME!
I wanna make a snow angel haha.
Ok must get back to packing. I'd be worried about being tired but I get to sleep for the next day and a half so I don't really care about being up late tonight hehehe.
TTFN Goodbye Paradise....I will be back sometime.
Oh and please write your comments when you feel the need to....I enjoy hearing a response so I'm not just talking to myself lol (mom that means laughing out loud...she's new to computer talk....oh and dad too since he has now embraced the world of computers) Love you miss you....see you in 9 days!!!

So excited!!!

I'M COMING HOME !!!!! April 21st to the 28th....one whole week. It won't be like real days off though as while I'm home I have to run my farm so my barn manager can have a break haha. Oh well...It's not like I'm used to having it easy anyway...maybe if I can just sleep in ONE day :) That will make me happy. See some of you in 11 days :) *insert extreme happy dance*

Down the last stretch

Today was slow going. Things are really starting to wind down now and both of my horses had today off and Assini went home in the first load. Ian and Jonathan are the only ones left riding here. Amy headed home today and so did more of the other riders.
Tomorrow is the LAST show day here at the Wellington Festival for us. Ian and Jonathan are riding in the $25 000 Grand Prix. So with 4 grooms and 7 horses our days take forever to go by. At first we thought this slow time would be a nice break for us, but when you are so used to working so fast day in and day out....when it's slow like this you get lazy and want to sit and sleep.
Only two more work days and then Monday we start the long 30 or so hour drive back home....I'm kind of excited for the roadtrip but I can't say the others feel my same enthusiasm haha. At least we have horses showing tomorrow and then Sunday will be packing day so we should have more to do then today.
The weather has been beautiful as always. It's been a nice livable temperature...cool mornings (which I LOVE) and then it gets hot for the afternoon.
There's talk that I MIGHT possibly get to come home for a one week visit. I'm waiting to hear back from Amy tonight. What a big pain in the arse I am though....she asked us yesterday if we wanted a week off all at once or just a day or two here and there. I said it didn't really matter much to me but I thought I'd have some time to at least think about it. Well they are so on top of things that by today the schedule had been made so when I went to ask if I could go home it didn't look promising. I gave Amy a call tonight though to explain my thoughts and why I felt it would work better. She's currently en route of the long drive from Florida to Perth so she said she'll call me back later tonight once she stops driving and has time to look at the dates ect.
So fingers crossed! If so I'll be coming home from April 21st to 28th.....please please please universe. I would love to see my family, friends and farm. Especially since I don't know when the next opportunity will be when I could get the chance to have a whole week off.
I'm on night check tonight so I should probablly go make some dinner and get organised to head back to the barn at 8 pm. I will update as soon as I have an answer about home :)
TTFN

PICTURES

I posted more pictures on Island Horses for you all to see http://www.islandhorsesforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=33867

I am high on life

I am just smiling ear to ear today. So many things happening, so many dreams coming true and so many becoming even bigger. Even a few months ago if you told me I was going to be here doing this I would have never believed you. I am exactly where I need to be for right now. I strongly believe everything happens for a reason and those who dream big and work even harder to get there...will get there. Nothing can stop me and I am on a mission.
Two grooms and 10 horses left today. Started at 6 am, put all the horses on the walker and hand walked the rest before their long trailer ride home. Groomed them all up nice and loaded them onto the truck. Its so neat how those big rigs load. (again I need to upload the pics I took)
With 4 grooms and only 7 horses left in the barn out day felt empty. We actually had time to WATCH the show today :) My two horses showed first thing this morning so by 10 o clock my horses were done. We got the barn cleaned and our other chores done. So by 1 o clock we got to watch the $10 000 stake class that Ian and Jonathan were riding in. Our horses did well today coming 4th and 6th out of 30 or so riders. (again I got good pictures of them jumping since we were outside in the sunshine) I almost felt guilty for just sitting and enjoying it....and getting paid for it. But really...we never sit so it was a well deserved break. By 2 we headed back to the barn to get the show horses cleaned, wrapped and put away for the night. We were done and off work by 4....that has never happened once since we've been here :)
Tonight the 4 of us went out for dinner to a Thai restaurant...mmm it was yummy. Went shopping to pick up a few things and am now happily at home and almost ready for bed. I am dog tired this evening after waking up at 5....blek! Had a great talk to my sister who I miss SOOOOOOOOOOOO much. I am so proud of her and everything she is working towards. I'd like to think she's taught me a few things about a thing or two haha.
Ok...time to shower and sleepy down time.
T minus 5 days until returning to the great white north....TTFN!

Packed and ready to roll....load # 1

Started at 7. Mercy and Aubie were showing today so I got them ready to be lunged and ridden then headed to the show grounds. Kaila was able to help me take one so it worked out well. It was actually (dare I say it) COLD out this morning. The wind was blowing and everyone was whining how freezing it was....haha just wait til we get back to Candada. Me being the hot blooded one was loving the coolness of the day and actualy felt human instead of a big ball of sweaty grossness. As I sit here and write I do actually have a sweatshirt on for the first time I think since I've been here.
In between getting horses ready we were busy cleaning and packing up the barn. The first load of 10 horses leave tomorrow and we had to pack as many of the trucks and stuff on this load as possible. With 10 going home we are going to be left with only 8 horses for this last week. Only 6 days now until I head home.
Had a great talk with Ian and Lori today about what I'll be doing at the farm and which apartment I'll be in ect. I'll wait until I get there to actually comment on what my position is. I am very excited about it and I am definatly moving up in the world. It's going to be alot of responsibility but I feel like I'm up for the challenge. Wish me luck :) Goodnight Ya'll....Oh I should upload pictures...I've been trying to take lots the last few days.