Hey Stranger

Well it's been a long while since I last posted. People keep commenting on how they can't keep track of me when I haven't written on here so I thought I'd add another update.

I left MBF in May 2010 and Diva and I drove across Canada! That in itself was a fun trip. The most I had ever driven was about 6 hours or so in a day, so driving 10 or more hours each day was a whole new experience. I actually didn't mind the driving and enjoyed the scenery all the way across. I have to say though BC is still the best place to live! So beautiful!

I returned home to the farm, my horses, and my family. It was so great to see everyone. Port is still the same but the people in it have changed. Friends have grown up and settled down or moved away. I came to the realization really fast that I didn't know where I fit in it all anymore. I've always just put my focus on work and figured the rest would just happen as it was meant to. A friend told me I tend to live in the extremes of Black and White and that life really happens in the Grey....interesting thought. I'll work on that.

I just got back from a 4 day trip to Calgary. Went to the Stampede and to Spruce Meadows to visit the MBF clan. It was so great to see them all again!!!

Other then that we've been working away getting the farm ready to sell and horses as well. I'm moving to Langley in August to start a new job over there. Will update as I go along :)

I'm flying back out to MBF the second week in August to go visit Ralph and come to a final decision on if he'll be coming home or not. While I'm there I'll look at the other young ones too.
I sure miss everyone back East.

Well I think thats the gist of it. I'll try to keep posting more often again...
TTFN

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