I hope everyone had a nice, pleasant Thanksgiving. Ours was pretty much normal for the crew here. We were lacking only my little sister, and my big sis's hubby.
My big original plan for the day was to head down to the Black Friday sale in Shipshewana to drop off a stud horse. For anyone that cares, there isn't anything wrong with him, I just have no room for a stud at the moment, and although he is a sweetie, I have that whole 'impending problem' feeling that just won't go away. I know I don't have time to start 2 colts in the spring, and he's 4. For an arab, that's perfect to start - however, Lady - my big sorrel - had a baby oh.... 3 years ago June who has been on my roster since birth. Sorry, but the filly gets higher priority based on ... well... she's mine & I said so.
I think I'll have time for one colt between baby feedings, & issues, just not time for 2. Oh, and I'm homeschooling my little guy now, so that's a little bit of time shaved off the day as well.
SO... with luck, Ma & I will go to the fabric store for a few sale items I can use to make some kiddie Christmas presents, and keep away from a little trouble.
Monday, we have an appointment to get the stud gelded. Hopefully that will make him more sale-able, and at the least, I'll be able to turn him out with the girls without worrying about any hanky panky consequences, oh, and quarter cross breds. blech.
The reason, by the way, for NOT going to Shipshe? -
1) prices at auction suck, especially at Shipshe. He would probably bring in around ... $40 or so. IF I was lucky, that is, and THAT would not even cover the auction fee & coggins, let alone the gas to take the truck and trailer down there.
2) No one wants a 4 year old stud colt. Nope. Gelding, well - maybe. But untrained stud never gets the draw that even an untrained gelding would.
3)My biggest beef with him is that he is simply a stud. Loose those loose parts, and I think I can tolerate him until he is sold, or given away - if it comes to that.
IF you know of anyone at all that would like a good little prospect well, send them my way. I will cut them a deal, and he will be gelded before I post again, for shore.;)
Friday, November 28, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Sugar Nazis
Well, I had to go to a nutritionist appiontment last week, so they could 'educate' me on the proper things to eat, etc.... except, during the course of the consult, I corrected the nutritionist oh, 4 - 5 times or so. LOL. I now have to take blood sugar levels 4x a day (no biggie, just an inconvenience) . Larry went with me to chaperone the nutritionist appointment. I think he went to protect the docs, cuz I was ready for a fight. 
Basically, I made them push me through, and I pointed out several times that they simply had not even read my information that they insisted that I fill out.
For those that care, my sugar has consistently tested normal - low. so, bite me.
As I had said a bazillion times before - I don't need no stinkin' sugar nazi trackin' my moves.
I have proven time & time again that you don't need a title to know how to eat halfway healthy... oh, and I have NOT changed my diet whatsoever. So, there.
Basically, I made them push me through, and I pointed out several times that they simply had not even read my information that they insisted that I fill out.
For those that care, my sugar has consistently tested normal - low. so, bite me.
As I had said a bazillion times before - I don't need no stinkin' sugar nazi trackin' my moves.
I have proven time & time again that you don't need a title to know how to eat halfway healthy... oh, and I have NOT changed my diet whatsoever. So, there.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Loss of faith in schools, now.
Some of you may know of my utter dissapointment with public schools in general. They are overstuffed, understaffed, and prone to ignore kids that think outside the box.
As a result of this, I chose to put my son into perochial school. They have a much better reputation of excellence in education, not to mention instilling a morality in kids. At least, that's what I thought.
During the 2nd week of school, my son's teacher wanted to have a meeting with my husband and I about our boy. At this time, she told us that he wasn't keeping up to the level that she anticipated him to be. THE SECOND WEEK OF SCHOOL!!!! As you could imagine, this kinda irritated me. This was by tues. or wed. of that week, as well. I would like to meet the kids that are totally back into the swing after a week and a half of school. I decided that I would give my SON a chance to see if he got into the swing, but as time went on, I realized that he was not being given instruction. He was not being worked with, but he was being continuously put down and reprimanded for not keeping in step. I started keeping a close eye on how he was handled, how he reacted to school related stresses, and how he started to become more and more reluctant to GO to school. Then I started to watch how controlling the staff was becoming, and how they were actively trying to force him into their mold.
I went to this school as a child. I went to this teacher as a child. THIS is not how they worked way back, in the stone age. I could understand him falling a little behind IF there were more than 8 kids in the class. I could understand them telling me he needs extra help, extra work, or even a tutor to keep up, but no. I was told during the second week that they wanted him to repeat 1st grade next year. WTF?
This is not teaching. A friend told me this teacher should be reported. I agree. I am considering it. I am infuriated that they would treat my son this way. I am infuriated that they would treat ANY child this way.
These people get a premium for this level of 'education'. I am beyond words with this one folks.
In the long run, I have pulled him from that school. I will not subject him to another second of their condecending bullshit.
Just had to get that off my chest. OH, and there will be no more church. My faith in that religion was trampled long, long ago. I was glad to see on his report card in the section that handled religion - he needed improvement in recitation of prayers, and areas of that nature, but the one section that counted for me was that he excelled in caring for others and showing a concern for the other kids and their well being. He also was marked as a big positive for taking responsiblity for himself, and other practical areas of real life.
As a result of this, I chose to put my son into perochial school. They have a much better reputation of excellence in education, not to mention instilling a morality in kids. At least, that's what I thought.
During the 2nd week of school, my son's teacher wanted to have a meeting with my husband and I about our boy. At this time, she told us that he wasn't keeping up to the level that she anticipated him to be. THE SECOND WEEK OF SCHOOL!!!! As you could imagine, this kinda irritated me. This was by tues. or wed. of that week, as well. I would like to meet the kids that are totally back into the swing after a week and a half of school. I decided that I would give my SON a chance to see if he got into the swing, but as time went on, I realized that he was not being given instruction. He was not being worked with, but he was being continuously put down and reprimanded for not keeping in step. I started keeping a close eye on how he was handled, how he reacted to school related stresses, and how he started to become more and more reluctant to GO to school. Then I started to watch how controlling the staff was becoming, and how they were actively trying to force him into their mold.
I went to this school as a child. I went to this teacher as a child. THIS is not how they worked way back, in the stone age. I could understand him falling a little behind IF there were more than 8 kids in the class. I could understand them telling me he needs extra help, extra work, or even a tutor to keep up, but no. I was told during the second week that they wanted him to repeat 1st grade next year. WTF?
This is not teaching. A friend told me this teacher should be reported. I agree. I am considering it. I am infuriated that they would treat my son this way. I am infuriated that they would treat ANY child this way.
These people get a premium for this level of 'education'. I am beyond words with this one folks.
In the long run, I have pulled him from that school. I will not subject him to another second of their condecending bullshit.
Just had to get that off my chest. OH, and there will be no more church. My faith in that religion was trampled long, long ago. I was glad to see on his report card in the section that handled religion - he needed improvement in recitation of prayers, and areas of that nature, but the one section that counted for me was that he excelled in caring for others and showing a concern for the other kids and their well being. He also was marked as a big positive for taking responsiblity for himself, and other practical areas of real life.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
arabs can be fun
I can't do all my barn work myself, but thank goodness I have such a great hubby (don't make me regret praising you, hon.)
Tonight, my Dearest went out & cleaned all the stalls (except one that needs attention before the snow flies) and spread lime for me
Lucky me! Show me a girl that wouldn't appreciate that, and I'll show you a snotty little shit. Mom went out with me to help handle the horses, and give them dinner, tuck them in, etc. etc.....
The usual course of action is: distribute grain & hay, then move the Arab stud, bring in Ma's paints, then my girls, then the weanling & pony. The weanling, I believe has not really been handled much in his short life, and has some serious trust issues with people. So, I am working with him slowly, and steadily to gain his trust, and teach him that people are good. Because of his breeding, this must be done very carefully and calmly - he's an Egyptian Arabian, which I have been told can be a little hot blooded lol!! 
I will tease about him, but he just doesn't understand life with people yet. He's comin' though.
I will tease about him, but he just doesn't understand life with people yet. He's comin' though. I decided after watering everyone and latching their gates that I wanted to go in & see how spooky he really is. Yep. Me & my curry comb. Hey, the little guy was a disaster. He needed it. Dirty, skinny, loosing his foal coat (he's almost 6 months old) and he SOOOO needed it.
Well, he was apparently not imprinted, or if he was, it wasn't done properly or as thoroughly as I do. He got a crash course tonight though!! One hand with the curry, the other on his halter, and with a little nervous dancing on his part, it wasn't long before I had one side brushed out, worked on his belly, and some little de-sensitizing done. Mom came in & tried to settle him with some baby talk & coddling while I did the off side. I don't think it helped much, so I'm going to try to either do it alone, or get her to lay off the coddling for a while.
He did well, and he's substantially lighter in color already. Above are the old pics. I'm callin' him Sparky. I think that will work for now anyhow. I'll try it for a few days and see if it sticks.
His Daddy is from a world famous Arab barn in England. Mom is much more local. Mom's barn name was Claudia, Registered name is SHS Mar Norusa. She's the dark grey to the left....
Dad's registered name is HS Tadeusz. Pictured above. He was bred by Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones. I'm thinkin' Sparky's going to look like Dad color wise..... Suggestions for barn names would be appreciated
Never really tried this one before....
Never really been much of a blogger - usually it's only when something phenomenally strange happens, but seeing as I have little to do at the moment, I'll give it a shot for a little while at least.
My hubby & I are going through a pregnancy for our 2nd child (which, incidentally is why I don't have too much going on right now business wise) who is supposed to be a boy - but we'll see in January for sure! I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes a few weeks ago for the 2nd time - which in laymans terms means I'm diabetic now until the end of this pregnancy. How bad is it? well, time will tell for sure, but you can bet your ass I'm probably going to have to get a blood glucose meter of my very own, and use it for a few weeks anyhow to see if it's something that can be managed with diet alone, or if I'll need pills or insulin. Been through this before, and it was no biggie, but I'm dealin' with a bunch of super drama-queen-prone docs this time around, so stay tuned, I'm sure it will become a big fat hairy ordeal before it's over. But, I promise, I will be sure that I will make a mark on these people before it's done ;)
I have 2 horses here at the farm that are very rideable (by me anyhow) but I have had to put that on hold for the moment as I have started to loose my balance. Damnit. Hopefully all goes well with this baby, as I have a 4 year old that needs to learn how to trail ride, and a soon to be 3 year old that needs to be started under saddle, oh, and if I don't find a good home for my mom's rescue Arab, he'll need to be started in the spring as well - as a 4 year old. If you don't know what all that means, ask me or another horseman.... it's easy enough to explain.
Hunting season is looking particularly gloomy for me, anyhow. I have 2 arrows for my bow. Yep. 2. If I loose one, well, it will be a real pain to get in a second shot if the opportunity presents itself. Or with target practice, even. Damn. Just waiting for shotgun to open, and hoping it's a nice *warm* morning. Otherwise, I probably won't be doing too much hunting (hard to climb a tree with a budda belly goin' on - how DO those big redneck guys do it????)
Ugh. Enough for now.... more later.
My hubby & I are going through a pregnancy for our 2nd child (which, incidentally is why I don't have too much going on right now business wise) who is supposed to be a boy - but we'll see in January for sure! I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes a few weeks ago for the 2nd time - which in laymans terms means I'm diabetic now until the end of this pregnancy. How bad is it? well, time will tell for sure, but you can bet your ass I'm probably going to have to get a blood glucose meter of my very own, and use it for a few weeks anyhow to see if it's something that can be managed with diet alone, or if I'll need pills or insulin. Been through this before, and it was no biggie, but I'm dealin' with a bunch of super drama-queen-prone docs this time around, so stay tuned, I'm sure it will become a big fat hairy ordeal before it's over. But, I promise, I will be sure that I will make a mark on these people before it's done ;)
I have 2 horses here at the farm that are very rideable (by me anyhow) but I have had to put that on hold for the moment as I have started to loose my balance. Damnit. Hopefully all goes well with this baby, as I have a 4 year old that needs to learn how to trail ride, and a soon to be 3 year old that needs to be started under saddle, oh, and if I don't find a good home for my mom's rescue Arab, he'll need to be started in the spring as well - as a 4 year old. If you don't know what all that means, ask me or another horseman.... it's easy enough to explain.
Hunting season is looking particularly gloomy for me, anyhow. I have 2 arrows for my bow. Yep. 2. If I loose one, well, it will be a real pain to get in a second shot if the opportunity presents itself. Or with target practice, even. Damn. Just waiting for shotgun to open, and hoping it's a nice *warm* morning. Otherwise, I probably won't be doing too much hunting (hard to climb a tree with a budda belly goin' on - how DO those big redneck guys do it????)
Ugh. Enough for now.... more later.
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