Arena Sand is Moved Out

This weekend DH moved the excess sand out of the arena.   It's been on the list in the job jar for awhile but it finally made it to the top!   Lucky Me ( and Terrie too!)  We are entering into a deep freeze this week so the ground was frozen (so was DH) and we have no snow on the ground, so it made the travel path solid to move the sand out without dragging mud back into the footing.

Here is what the arena looked like at the start.   This is after about 20+ tons of sand has already been moved out to fill the bottom 2 feet of our 400 feet of hydro trenching.

 Here we are in progress.   I was the operator of the rake and shovel moving the banks from the sides.

Here is DH with the leveller on smoothing out the lumps and bumps.

I can't believe how much bigger the arena looks with all the sand moved out.   We will work on riding in the pen now to find the spots that need to be fine tuned to make the foot just "so".   I am sure there will still be the odd deep spot and light spot here and there that will need a bit of adjustment.  But overall this is a huge improvement from when we moved in.   We estimate that we removed approximately ~80-100 ton of sand!!!   At this point, I am REALLY happy that I never spent the quoted $5,000 to buy the necessary sand for the outdoor ring.   Because....by the look of the pile DH made outside I will have enough here or at least enough to get a really good start on the already decent base.

We had a special visit from my cousin Alan and his wife Laura today.   It was great to see them and visit with them.  Laura is expecting in July and she looks fantastic!!   Alan will be back later in the winter to help us with our coyote problem.  Now that we have seen the tracks as close to the barn as cutting through the outdoor riding ring, he's will help us thin out the pack to make sure we don't have a major incident in the future.   I hate to do this but at the same time I would be even more upset to find that I had horses chanced or a dog lost to a much too brave pack.

On a Molly note...she has got all of her vaccinations now, so she is eligible to attend her puppy training classes.   She weighed in at a whopping 36 lbs at 4 months and 1 week old!   I hazard to suggest that she will be a big boned girl when she is grown!   She got to play with her second cousin Georgia today.   Molly couldn't even come close to keeping up with the sleek, long legged hunting dog of Alan's!

After watching the cat sit on the foot rest of the kitchen island bar, Molly has decided that she also fits well on the foot rest!

 (Please ignore DH's muddy pant leg...obviously he has been working outside...most likely on something that I am the beneficiary!)

From the Kitchen...
I made (for the first time) Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Soup.   It was delicious!  I would have roasted the peppers a slight bit more on the next patch to save myself the headache peeling them.   The bits that were black scorched well, where really easy to peel...so now I know!

Internet Rant & Inschallah's Birthday

I missed an update from last weekend’s January thaw…I was able to get all the fencing strung on the 3^rd pasture!   We just need to work out a gate and then 3 fields will be secure.   3 done and 3 more to go!   Who would have thought we would be able to string fencing in January? That makes last Sunday another productive weekend on the farm.

I have been lamenting the last several months since the move about my dreaded internet service.   I would never change living on the farm but rural internet and TV services in Southwestern Ontario, Canada for being such an industrialized, first world country have a lot to be desired.  I went from unlimited download wireless internet with Shaw to a cellular 3GB stepped up download with Bell.   We are not bandwidth hogs by any stretch of the imagination, but seriously who can live with a 3GB limit in this technically savvy day and age?    I just find it very annoying and contradictory that Bell considers the turbo hub a “residential” product yet the packages have such limited download.   The clincher for me is the fact that the same company (Bell) also sells cable internet and the residential users Ultra light package includes a 15GB download.   How can 1 company have such different philosophies for the same users?   AND to add salt to my already open wound that is bleeding GB over use at the tune of $10 per step up over 3GB, these cable home users are paying merely half of what I pay and they get 5X the bandwidth!!

A friend from the office, Jamie, has been “helping” me with my death by GB’s.   He frequently downloads shows and lets me share them from his portable drive.

He’s the tech savvy, in the know, on the cutting edge of all things electronic guy around the office.   When I can’t figure something out, whether it be how to hook up a new device or just want to know what the best software or latest upgrade is for whatever the device…he’s the go to guy.    He passes me his drive today and with mock pity in a contrived voice, gives his best Scarlet O’Hara of today’s era, “O, but have mercy on the 3Gig User.”    We both broke out laughing and he totally made my Friday!

The last thing for this Friday night post…I want to send a big shout out to my good friend Greta and her lovely horse Inschallah.   Today is Insch’s birthday and he’s a ripe old 32 years old.  Yes…that’s right, 32!   This I believe is a testament to the love and devotion he has received from Greta for the 29 years of his life that she has owned him.   I believe what Antoine de Saint-Exupery said is truly our obligation; “You are responsible, forever, for what you tame.”   Greta is a divine example of this love and devotion to her obligation.   Insch is a wise old soul.    He has a gentle soft eye and has the essence of an angel radiating from his core.   Thanks to photographer, Marian Adoranti for sharing these beautiful pictures she took of Insch last summer.   As you can see they captured his genuine eye and magical presence.   Love to you Greta for caring for this guy just like he’s family.

Time Will Not Stand Still

I don't know about you but time is going by at a blistering place these days.   So much has transpired since my last blog post.

Saturday night DH and thought we would have a date night.   We thought we would go catch a movie since it's been many months since we have gone to a movie.   By the time we get a few free hours, we are so tired that I would just fall asleep.   Anyone who knows me knows I watch very little TV.   Watching a movie in our living room and not falling asleep is such an amazing feat that DH actually tells me he's proud of me if I stay awake!
Well, I knew we were getting carried away thinking we would catch a movie because when I did night chores Izzy was "off".   She had loads of hay in her tail and when I dumped her oats in her bin she backed up and looked all for lorn at me.   Then she kicked at her stomach and I knew at that moment that she was colic-y.   So date night consisted of 3 hours of hand walking Izzy, two times on and off the trailer to help get things moving with an anxiety poop and a gram of bute to help her with the pain the gas was giving her.   Saturday turned out to be +15º so I think the rapid change in temperature upset her system.   She was totally fine the next morning and has shown no repeat signs since.
So, date night with DH was spent in the arena spotting each other off from 3 hours of hand walking!   Is that true love or what!?

DH and I got all of our Christmas lights and outdoor decor taken down and put away for another year.   All the lovely greenery that my mom put together has been taken down.   All the beautiful wreaths are gone and all that remains is the greenery in the urns and pots.   The driveway pots would have been naked if the greenery was removed from them.

The pump room has the plywood up on the interior walls now.   DH has to re-route the water line form the pump now in order to have the water tank moved in to the newly created pump room.   Maybe this weekend!   We have our 2 heaters running for the time being and will keep the 2 small areas warm enough to keep the water from freezing while we enter into the second deep freeze of the winter.

I had planned to have my first riding lesson since moving to the farm on Sunday, but it turned out Joe was a bit under the weather since he had an accident on his way home from Brantford on Thursday.   Sadly, the result of the accident meant that my coach of 15+ years is no longer driving.   In typical Joe fashion when I spoke to him early this week, he is taking this change in stride.  I hope to plan a clinic (with Lynda's help!) at some point in the next month or so to bring him down for the weekend for teaching and a tour of the farm.  

Molly is growing like a little weed.   She has been entertained this week by her "Aunt" Terrie's dog Tink.  The 2 of them tear around the arena like they own the place.   Molly has been training wonderfully.   The house accidents have been almost nil...one little pee this week but that was after 9 hours at home alone...so I am cutting her some slack!  She even knows to stay out of the arena when we are riding...and if she comes in Izzy has no trouble turning and chasing her out!

DH says that he wants a day off!   What's with that!   I have no idea what a down day is other than a down day at the steel mill where I work which translates into a very long workday for me if I have equipment going in.   He's a funny man; ain't he!

The Happy Accident

There have been a number of people in the past months that have noted to DH and I about how happy we seem to be on the farm.   That it shows in our faces, our conversations and our interactions with others.

I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on this, because I feel the happiness and I am glad that it is reflected throughout my being.   I think this farm is just a catalyst to happiness.   It’s opened the window of possibility and closed some doors of negativity that needed to be left behind.   It’s like anything new; it’s exciting, interesting and breaths hope into the heart.  

The purchase of this farm was fraught with turmoil.   I few of you already know the issues we encountered with the realtors, the banking system, the lawyer and of course the ongoing issues with the old owners.   But through all that “junk” there was a fresh start.   There was a chance to build something together.   There were dreams being realized and new dreams being imagined.  There were opportunities waiting to be taken.    I have made the choice to be happy and once you make that choice it becomes so much easier to live in that lifestyle that feeds your happiness.  

We have free will to be happy…Make happiness the choice.   Yes, I know what you are thinking!   I have drank the cool aid and I am some crazy hippy farmer now.   Maybe you’re right…but I know I have control of my happiness; it’s up to me to be happy.   It’s not up to DH to make me happy, it’s not up to my circumstances, it’s not my boss’ job or my families job or my friends job.  It’s not about having things or money or stuff to be happy.   It’s about making a choice and following it through.  Some days following it through is easier than others!   I am not naive enough to believe I am never grumpy (DH will certainly vouch for this one!), that I never have a bad day or I never get discouraged.  It’s knowing and believing that I own my happiness and if I am unhappy it’s all up to me to make the necessary changes to be happy.   Even tho some days it seems my resolve to be happy is tested at every task I set out to accomplish, I can still choose to make them into opportunities or make them into struggles.   It may be a corny mindset for some, but it’s working around this funny farm!

I consider the purchase of this farm “A Happy Accident”.   This was not the farm we set out to buy…it was actually stroked off the list very early on in our search due to price/size.   How this farm came about was through turmoil, stress, a tough decision to sell without a place to live and a week’s vacation in Barry’s Bay that was the farthest thing from a relaxing vacation.   We signed an offer on a house to buy, we sold our house unknowing that the house we had intended to purchase was sold out from under us, we had 6 weeks to find and close a deal on a new house and after some silly negotiations the stars aligned and we got the farm.   That’s a very simplified synopsis of events but fate intervened and things have turned out just as they were supposed to.   So, happiness for me comes from being flexible, having gratitude and appreciating that things don’t always turn out as you expect but there’s a darn good reason for it.

So, to my friends and family that have seen a change…thank you for being so honest and sharing that.   Happiness is contagious just like negativity.  I want to surround myself with positive…and I know that starts with me.  

On a totally different note, here is the progress report for the Pump room  - The spray foam has been completed and now we can get on with moving the tank and lines into one area, closing it all in with a real door and installing a heater.  

Here is the before and after pics of the new pump room.   Likely will be more progress on this over the weekend.

BEFORE

AFTER

Molly has been a superstar this week.  Spent her first week at home alone in the day and has Zero, yes you read that correctly folks, ZERO accidents in the house!   Look at how much she has grown...This is her on the cat's bed a week ago. 

  This is her from the first week we got her!

I also was lucky enough to have my old friends from high school over for our annual Christmas in January get together.   It's so great to have connections to these wonderful friends...it's a lifetime of memories that we share.   Having friendships like the ones we share are priceless.   Lisa and I have actually been friends since grade 1!  That's nearly 35 years we have been friends!  We are linked together forever with memories of times gone by and the fun we have planned for the future.

Love you girls so much!

DH and I have spent this week settling back into the routine of our day jobs again.  The 2+ weeks off at Christmas was fabulous.  I could really adapt easily to the farming lifestyle!   Doing chores, walking the dog, completing odd jobs, riding, cooking, spending time together and tending to life from home.   My car never even left the driveway for 10 days!  I think that’s a record for me.

But as I know this is a good life…it requires some funding and thus I tend to the office duties and projects at work with a new zest for a new year.  

To end off this post I have recently finished reading the book “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor.   Check out his TED Talk about the concept of the Happiness Advantage here.

We Have Power

What an adventure!   The Hydro is Upgraded!
The hydro upgrade started 2 months ago...it's still not completely finished yet but we have one major farm milestone completed this year and it's only Jan 4th!

Today we had our power switched over to the new central metering.   First things first...we have a long list of people to thank for all the help they gave us through out this major upgrade.

Mom and Dad - Thanks for all that you have done for us so far...this hydro challenge has just been one of the many projects you guys have not only helped with but have given up many, many hours of your time to help us.  We couldn't have done it without you guys...especially the early mornings and the late nights trenching.

Jeff from Yager Electric - I'm not sure Jeff knew what he was getting into with us.   This all started with the old owners rudely kicking Jeff off the property at our final walk through.   We could only assume they knew they had a lot to hide based on what we knew at the time of purchase.   Now we know they had a lot to hide and Jeff has been there since day one helping us sort out this mess.   We are getting there and we sincerely appreciate all that he has dine in the last 2 days getting us up and running again with an all new system that meets code and will provide us with more than ample power for anything we decide for the future.   It's all the little stuff left now...well maybe not the arena lighting upgrade; but that will certainly be less stressful than these past 2 days!

The Crew from Haldimand Hydro - What a great crew!   We had 5 trucks and a contractor for the pole drilling show up first things this morning.   I believe the crew was 12 guys in total and they worked in the very cold wind today.   They installed 2 new poles on the opposite side of the road, terminated our power, ran all the wiring to the new transformer on the central pole and also removed the old transformer and the old poles then hooked us back up with main power.   John was exceptional today!   He spent the entire day up in the air in one of the bucket trucks and was still in a good mood and smiling at the end of the day when they crew was packing up and on their way.    It was a nice treat to see the back deck full of orange and yellow reflective cloths enjoying a hot lunch off the BBQ today.    We supplied a hot lunch of burgers and sausages to the crew since it was such a cold day and what the heck...it was Friday and who doesn't like BBQ for lunch on a Friday!

Rob - Thanks for loan of your generator.   It was great having 2 on site so that we had lights in both the house and the barn to install the new panels.  Way easier for the guys than head lamps and I certainly appreciated having running water all day even tho we had no hydro!

So...we are inspected, hooked back up tonight and thinking ahead to what's next!

 3 of the 5 trucks

 4th truck in the drive...fifth truck was out of view along with the contractors rig with the drilling machine.

 John up in the bucket.

Staircase Repainting...
In the mean time, I spent some time over the last several days painting the staircase.   Painted the toe kicks white and the treads brown.   It's not the long term plan to leave the stairs painted; we will in time replace the treads with oak and stain them to match the floor.   But since that project is in the distances the painted staircase helps clean up the area since this was the biggest unfinished mess we left behind after the carpet removal.

Here are the stairs with carpet.

Here are the stairs before I started wood filling, sanding and painting.

Here it is withe kicks painted.

Thanks Mom for finishing the odd treads today as I was outside.

This is the finished staircase...

Feathered Friend Update...
More fantastic birds have made their way to the feeders.

Izzy Video

I tried to get this video into YouTube last night but was not having much luck...since this Tech Geek is not familiar with YouTube!   But after some choice words and a bunch of google "how to" searches I was able to get it up.
Here is Izzy and I schooling in the snow in the outdoor ring yesterday.   Video credit goes to DH...thanks honey, I know you were cold!

Or if you would prefer you can go to my new YouTube Channel and watch it there.

Izzy Video

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my family, friends and blog readers.
Wow!   Where did 2012 go?!
I can't believe that we have been on the farm for 4 months already.   This place feels so much like home already.   It feels so right being here; like I have known this place in a former time.   I have moved to houses before were things take a bit of time to "settle in" and start a routine.   I'm not sure if this place has a different feel from all the others because of the flurry of activity that ensued at closing or if it's because it was truly the right place and fate intervened.   Either way the purchase of this farm is for sure the highlight of 2012 for me.    I don't think that awe and wonder of having this place as our own little slice of heaven will ever go away.   (I know some of you are reading this thinking I have totally lost my mind!)   Well don't get me wrong...for all of you have that have told us how much work this place is or wow do you ever get off the farm for the work or have asked if we are sick of the endless amount of work.    Thank you all for your concern but really the work is a labour of love.   NO it's not all rainbows and kittens...cleaning up the old owners crap and some of the work has been frustrating, hot and irritating; but overall...I wouldn't change it.   I am so grateful for all of it.   It's given me back the imagination of possibilities and that's something that settles into ones heart and makes even those mundane tasks have deeper meaning.    I hope all of you have found something that makes your heart grow in 2012 and that will carry you into the future.

We rang in the new year with our neighbours from the old house.   Thank you Rob and Tracy for the laughs and fun.   It's always good to get together with you guys and I am sure that 2013 is going to be a great year for your family as well.   For some unknown reason it has become a tradition with DH and I to have Chinese food on New Year's eve.   We ordered this year from our favourite Chinese restaurant in our area.   Yin's in Waterford.   If you have never been there you have to check them out.

The first day of 2013 was welcomed in with sunshine.   The temps were a bit colder than we have seen so far this winter.   But the sunshine made my day.   I decided it was a perfect day for outdoor riding since there was a good snow cover over the outdoor ring and the glorious sun had arrived after several days of cloud.   Izzy was a superstar.   I can't be more pleased with her progress.   She's really starting to become a horse and I can see her proportions filling out into a lovely lady from the leggy pencil necked kid that she was.

On Dec 28th Terrie and I went for the first moonlight ride on the farm.  What a magical evening!   Thank you for sharing that experience with me...it's one for the memory book.

Here we are as captured by the trail cam.

Then look who was out checking out our tracks 44 minutes later!

The birds here are providing a great deal of entertainment.    Not only are the Jays a bunch of squawking fools at the peanut wreath but the cute little blue birds flit in and quickly out with their lovely orange breasts and metallic blue backs and the wood peckers have really started to enjoy the new suet blocks.