Taking a blogging break

I have decided to take a short break from blogging. Most days, I open a browser window, sign in to my blog and stare at a blank page, not knowing what to write.

I haven't been feeling well for the past couple of weeks which is probably the causing me to feel this way about my blog. I'm having a flare-up of an auto-immune disorder and it is very painful.  I'm working with my doctors to treat it, but it is slow going.  I'm fine, the pain is manageable, but it is very tiring. I just find that dealing with this takes all of my extra energy for now.

I'm sure I'll feel better in a few weeks, the snow will melt (a girl can dream!) and I'll be out doing stuff with Rusty.  In the meantime, I will continue to browse everyone's blogs to keep up with all the news.

Just so you know - Rusty is fine and weathering the winter like a champ. He spends his days stuffed into a round bale, with a herd of 4 or 5 old mares.  I'm hoping that by mid-late March we can be out doing some basic work to get both of us ready for spring!

A little update

I've opened a window in blogger several times over the past few days, trying to find something to write about. I have a few updates, but none of it really warrants a post on its own, so you'll get a bulleted list of random tidbits that are floating in my brain! (and maybe a couple pictures of Rusty...)

• I'm reallllly close to getting a transfer at work - it is something I've been working towards for a while now and it looks like it will finally happen in the next couple of months, or maybe even sooner.  I really need a change from my current position - things are slow here and I really need to be challenged a bit more or I get lazy and complacent. 
• I went to a showmanship clinic last weekend -it was kind of interesting... I might still do a post about it, but I didn't get any pictures, so it might be too boring.
• I was all excited about starting to get Rusty fit again since the footing at the barn and on the trails was perfect.  Then it rained.  And then we had a flash freeze (-28C overnight) and everything was icy.  It is now warm again but the laneway is probably icy and wet so not so safe to work on. I'm really missing an indoor right now!
• I was thinking of going to a Josh Lyon's clinic for a couple of days, but the barn hosting the event is really slow in getting back to me with answers to my questions. They aren't making it easy to register either - right now, they want me to drive 1 hour (each way!) to their farm just to drop off a cheque.  So, based on that, I'm not so sure I want to go now.  I'm fickle like that.  :-)
• I haven't started taking lessons again yet. I'm debating on whether it is worth the time and money...
• I'm obsessed with finding a used dressage saddle. I don't even like riding English that much anymore!  But I really like Rusty in black and want to see how he looks all decked out in English tack. I obviously need to get out more or something.

 We went for a walk dow the driveway when the snow was still nice. I had the dogs with me and they were happy to be out.  Every time I would ask Rusty to halt, he would look back longingly at the barn and his round bale, hoping I would get the hint.

 After the walk, I turned Rusty out in the round pen without his blanket so he could roll.  He wasn't interested.

 He wanted to be right in my face the whole time!

Gypsy is getting better each time we go to the barn. She doesn't bark at the horses anymore and even let Rusty sniff her a bit. She is nervous in this picture, but at least she isn't barking!

Pizza anyone?

With five pets in the house, things can get a bit wild.  Especially when three of five pets are young and playful!  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...











Houseguests...

I gave up a beautiful riding day on Sunday to help out my new houseguest.  Check out the picture:

The little border collie on the left is Gyspy, my father-in-law's dog. My in-laws are in Florida for the winter and Gypsy spent all of January at dog trainer's house.  We just picked her up on Saturday afternoon and she will be with us until the end of March! Yikes! I hope we all make it that long.

She is about 16 months old and is a total handful.  We live in a small-ish house in the city, with a small back yard. I knew that I needed to take her out to the barn to run while the weather was nice, because she was going to be cooped up in the house all day.  She is ok in the house, but she paces.

And paces.

And paces some more.  She has a few things to chew on - her favourite being a piece of deer antler - which  is one of the few things she can't shred.  She tries to be good but she just has so much nervous energy that she can't help the pacing. We have worked out a schedule where she will be walked 3-4 times a day, so hopefully that is enough to keep her sane.

She is also terrorizing my poor cats. The big cat is NOT amused and has retreated to the basement where he has food, water and a nice bed - he ventures upstairs at night when the beast is in her crate.  The kittens are a bit more curious and I think in a few days they will get along ok.  Somehow Charlie and Gypsy have come to some sort of agreement. Charlie isn't afraid of her and Gypsy walks by and turns her head the other way and completely ignores Charlie. Roxie is having a harder time - she and Gypsy stalk each other through the house - Gypsy tries to herd her, but if she gets too close, Roxie hisses and smacks her nose.  Roxie also gets to a high point and gives Gypsy the stink eye, making the dog nervous.  It is kinda funny, but kinda annoying all at the same time!

I'm watching you!

 It was a bit of a hectic weekend trying to manage 5 pets with different needs!  Hopefully everyone adjusts to the routine and calms down a bit as the weeks progress. I think Max is the only one that is truly happy to have another dog in the house!