A long overdue update

Well, life got in the way of blogging yet again. You'd think that if I was that busy, I'd have all kinds of things to blog about...not so much.  :-)

Here is a bit of a summary:

Work:  I have been applying for new jobs within the government.  I have been doing tests and interviews like crazy.  I also had to study and write three French tests to assess my level of French.  (Since I work in the capital, almost everything has some level of bilingualism required.)  I totally aced my tests and got a higher level than what I required for my job!  I'm sure with some work, I will be able to achieve the sought after level of "exemption" - which means I will never have to do the tests again.  Not bad for an English girl who just learned French in school!

Home:  I've been busy trying to get my yard and garden in shape. I'm not much of a gardener, but I like my yard and flower beds to be neat and tidy.  The weeds have other plans though.  We've also repainted a spare room and fixed up our bedroom a bit.  Next project is repainting the main floor. 

Pets:  My cat was sick on the weekend - he is borderline anemic (low red blood cells) and we are watching him closely.  He has been acting better the past couple of days, but time will tell if there are more problems.  I had x-rays done on Tuesday and they didn't find any tumors or masses and his kidney and liver are fine, but there could be bone marrow problems.  *sigh*  It is hard when your pets aren't well - trying to decide about what treatments and tests are worth it and which ones aren't. 

Horse: Rusty is doing well and seems to be enjoying his extremely relaxed schedule of 1-2 rides per week.  We have had two lessons this month and we have our last one tonight.  He is moving to his new barn tomorrow afternoon!!!  I'm really excited, but also can't believe how fast the month of May is blowing by.  I have taken him out in the hayfields a couple of times and he was giving me a bit of appy-tude, but I was able to outsmart him.  Ha! 

He doesn't like going out on his own very much.  He will walk along fine, then stop and do two 90 degree turns on the haunches and face home. He doesn't spin fast, bolt or jig, he just ignores any aids and turns to face home. I find it quite funny, because it is really quite a lame show of disobedience.  I just then ask him to turn back towards the fields, pop him with a crop and he continues on.  If I'm paying attention and catch him before he stops completely, I give him a tap with the crop and he just grunts and keeps walking.  What a guy.

Riding confidence: I had a good thing happen on Monday. I was out riding alone in the fields and I wanted to take a picture.  I had my camera and case hooked on the saddle horn. When I went to grab the camera, I dropped the case!  I was out at the back of the farm and didn't really feel like taking Rusty back and then walking alllll the way back to get my case.  I have a hard time mounting from the ground, so I had a bit of a dilemma on my hands.  I decided to just get off Rusty, get the case and walk back to the barn.

I was part way back and decided it would be much more fun and faster to just ride. So, I had the genius idea to just lower my stirrup a couple of holes to help me get on from the ground. It totally worked and I was able to get my case AND ride back.  Ha!  Turns out that even at two holes longer, I could still keep my foot in the stirrup without any trouble.

And that is about all that is going on here... Can you handle the excitement??? lol

Stay tuned for a report on the new barn this weekend! (and hopefully some pictures!)