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