Snow day

Yesterday morning Eastar was turned out for less than an hour before he wanted in so Martin got him for me as I was in the bath. Sadly at the same time it started to snow heavy & Eastar wasn’t happy at all & very jumpy (Martin projecting onto Eastar possibly), anyway sweet Martin wiped the snow from Eastar’s face which clearly he liked as he sent Martin flying trying to rub his face on Martin’s arm & continued this game all the way home :p Poor Martin was so jumpy he couldn’t take the rug off as he said Eastar was moving around all the time, love all his effort though & think he deserves a medal.

Today I didn’t even bother turning Eastar out & opted for a little wander to see what he made of the snow. Frustration & disbelief are the feelings he displayed most clearly. He wasn’t fussed with snow under foot, but the point it was covering any chance of food simply wasn’t funny! He tried pawing at the ground & pushing the snow aside with his nose, yet couldn’t find any trace of juicy grass. With that he took to having a roll before admitting defeat & heading back to his stable (still in search of food) where he found his treat ball full of pony nuts & a rack of hay.

I’ve had some hopeful news on a companion this week & although a slow process I keep my fingers crossed that she might be with us in a few weeks. Her name is Bean & she’s a real stunner at 16yrs young.  Watch this space!

I’m not 100% sure we can afford to take on another or even that my boss will allow a bud for Eastar, but I truly feel he needs one. Maybe I’m wrong & we’ll find that he still only wants 40mins to an hour grazing before he starts pacing around, speeding up as time passes until he’s a sweaty anxious twit. But I hope he will completely settle & be happy again like he seemed when he had sheep for company/wasn’t the only prey.

Is Eastar the one for me? Yes of course he is!!

I’ve been doing some serious thinking since my fall as I’d been asked by a couple of people to "really think if Eastar’s the one for me"! I didn’t want to be writing about it until I was 100% sure & I knew I couldn’t write the blog without mentioning what was churning over in my mind. Of course it’s good news & it was never really doubted but I did promise I would "give it some serious thought", so I did!

Eastar’s here to stay, fact!

1.     OK so I need lessons - Simple, riding school 15 miles away & on my list. 

2.     Something more suitable - I don’t want an old plodding school master! By spring/summer I’ll want a bit more life/spirit.

3.     Never again will I get a chance to have a horse as fab as Eastar – Ability, character, charm, personality (I adore a quirk) not to mention his stunning looks so I ain’t about to let him pass me by now!

So I’m batting above my weight, but like I say come summer I’ll be the rider he needs & in the meantime we (think I can speak for him too) love spending time together & just chillin.

We did have a wee ride today (1^st time since falling off). My coccyx still hurts but riding didn’t seem to irritate it anymore than general moving, so I just had 10 mins & then took Jamie & Ellice up & down.

Eastar was a dream & behaved very well despite me feeling?? I don’t know… Less sure of myself/ more alert, not panicky or anything silly like that. I was firmer than normal & nipped any nonsense in the bud (before I got panicky?), I felt one step ahead due to my heightened awareness/ nerves. So yup my fall has shaken my confidence (maybe not a bad thing) & I’m not planning any hacks out until I’ve had some lessons at a riding school.

Today was the first time Jamie had ever ridden & I have to say I felt very nervous (not to mention sorry for Eastar), so his time was cut short. Jamie had a friend over so his mind wasn’t on it & he wasn’t listening. Eastar was alert & not sure with Jamie on his back (holding the reins at a stupid height).

Ellice however is becoming a bit of an old hand so I only have to walk beside/ jog behind as they trot off. Eastar really changes when Ellice is in the saddle, his head goes down & he responds beautifully to her with such gentle movement. To see them together could make me burst with pride! Ellice is in total control with perfect seat & reins, she uses her legs 100% & the reins don’t even flicker when she asks him to turn. I so would love for her to have lessons & when we can afford it I’m sure she’ll be happy to accompany me. She’s a natural & the beaming smile she gives as I’m flagging behind is amazing!

WOW it’s been ages!

To anyone who’s been coming back to read our latest tales (my moans & worries), I’m sorry you’ve had nothing new to read. I guess writing my blog became boring/less important than other daily things so got pushed to the side :’(

Well you’ll be pleased to see that today I’m full of thought, news, questions & maybe the odd moan too.

Where to start?

Well wherever I start it’s gonna be a long one so sit comfy & keep with me, because in places I’ll regress then leap forward almost in the same breath. Plus there will be plenty of out loud moment question, no doubt making it quite random (just like me) :D

Our last ride out (Thursday) has sadly given me lots of time for thinking /over analysing as I’m laid up in bed mostly. Umm yes I fell off & in the process have irritated an old injury (broken /splayed coccyx /tailbone). This means I’m in pain at the slightest movement & thus a grumpy cow that’s best left alone to sit on her beanie ring cushion.

Thursday…

The day didn’t start so well with Eastar battling from the word go.

In fairness it’s been a few weeks since we’ve ridden out & he could have just gotten used to the easy life & therefore simply didn’t see why it should change now!

Another thing to think about is he had his teeth done 10 days ago & although this is a good thing as I know all is well (bar a small wolf tooth that may cause irritation in time if not now), with big wuss boy maybe it’s all still a bit sensitive??  I know last year he made out he couldn’t eat for a week & was aloof towards his owner. This time I gave him a carrot before the dentist had even packed his tools away & although Eastar made a bit of a meal of it at first, after being told to “stop being so silly” he finished it no problem & came looking for another.

So anyway…. (see I’ve started already, I do love to digress/leap about).

First thing Thursday morning I go to his stable & he’s no doubt thinking; 

great my human has arrived meaning out of the stable & to my field.

Nope that’s not the plan today Mr Eastar.

Err why am I tied up here? OK a good groom, this is fun. What….. I see a bridle!  No, no just a rug please human & I’ll be good to go…..

And so the battle began!

Eastar really didn’t want the bit in his mouth! He clamped his teeth shut weaved around & wasn’t having any of it; he even quickly pushed it back out the first time I got the bit in. Normally you just present the bit & in a few seconds he’ll take it no problem. Ok so he’ll then play with it pretty much constantly, but that’s not bad is it?

Finally after a good few minutes I got the bit in place & he played & chomped to the point that after 10 mins of riding he was slightly foaming at the sides of his mouth & kept trying to rub it on his leg any chance he got.

Saddled up & ready to go.

He wouldn’t go where I wanted. I tried making him stand still if he wouldn’t go my way, but I wasn’t forceful enough or for long enough & then when moving again still he wouldn't turn back my way :( This long battle ended with me giving up halfway through & figuring I'll let him go his way until then towards the gate (about ¼ mile) as then he'd have no other choice but to turn & go my way in the end. This worked but was I wrong to give up? Yes I think so too.. On our way back up he still had the odd moment where he wanted to turn back, but wasn't successful/ I wasn't having it any-more. We got with 50 yards of the track to go up the hill (where I’d wanted to go in the first place) & he simply wouldn’t take it. We battled in circles both getting crosser by the second until Martin tried to lead him & failed (Martin still isn’t confident around him) & Eastar was simply getting more wound-up. At this point even I could sense martin’s lack of confidence/fear so decided to hop off & lead Eastar myself before we escalated the situation further. This worked well & 10 paces later I was back in the saddle as happy as a pig in poop.

What I find odd is that Eastar wasn’t making his way back to the stable, but down the drive?? If he didn’t want to be ridden/go out why not head for his stable or even field? Why down/away from home? Maybe because that's the way he knows best I guess? We walk that route & a majority of our rides have been that way, plus when we go up it's for a longer ride.... Are they that cunning/sneaky? No, I don't think so?

As always Eastar was quite tense walking up the tree covered track, but we worked through with lots of calm reassuring words & rubs on his neck making for a pleasant ride. We even had our 1^st wee canter together & I was totally elated with how he moved. I remember beaming back at Martin who was trailing behind on the quad to see if he had seen us & his thumbs up complete with massive grin said he had.

Never mind cloud 9, think cloud 99 because that’s where I was! Now full of confidence & at the top of the hill I wanted more, so asked & got a fast trot almost immediately & as I pushed for more the bucks started & around we went. 

Bucks of excitement? Um I don’t think so & they certainly felt more like “Buck Off”!

I stayed seated for about 4 or 5 but began seriously cracking my coccyx on the back of the saddle & it didn’t take too long for me to become totally unseated & head dive over his shoulder down hill (I kicked off left stirrup as I knew I was going & wanted to avoid the rock that side). Eastar simply stood by the heap on the floor that was me looking worried (didn’t even take advantage of the long grass he was stood in).

And so on to my next topic of thought!

Barefoot or Shod

It could be said that Eastar seems to be struggling at times when we ride out. By struggling I mean he takes grassy routes where he can & stumbles quite often. After reassurance from his previous human, my thoughts on this are/were/ no are….

• All horses even shod ones take the grassy path where possible.
• He’s an anxious sod so isn’t concentrating on what he should be, therefore stumbling if he’s not looking where he’s going.
• We have a fab qualified Equine Podiatrist every 4 to 5 weeks & Eastar’s feet are trimmed for bare by someone who knows barefoot inside out.
• His hooves are in great condition 
• And lastly.... Bare is best / Natural makes sense I feel in most walks of life!

However I’ve had it put into my head that our terrain is simply to hard going & have even been told “I’m mad to have him barefoot”!

Before I even had Eastar (fluke & easier too as he’d been barefoot for 8mths already) barefoot was the way I wanted to go & I “thought” our mixed terrain was a bonus for barefoot care? So like the true stubborn mare I am we’re bearing with it & although I’m having the odd doubt put in my mind, I still feel it’s the right way to go (mostly anyway)! Eastar manages the tarmac drive/roads very well & gravel isn’t even an issue (pea type).

Ahh and so we must come to the moral, or in this case my findings/thoughts I've come away with after writing this novel;

1. I need a tighter rein & should stop worrying about hauling on his mouth! I don’t think I would ever haul, but because I’m worrying about it maybe I’m not having a good enough contact (especially when he's playing up/being a stubborn shit)! 
2. The more thought I give it, the more sure I am that his girth was too tight on that fated day & I got my just deserts! I know because when checking with my hand before mounting I had wondered if I should knock it down one as it was a squeeze, but thought “no, it’s a bit tight but ok”. WRONG! Better to have knocked it down & if the saddle slipped I could have put it back up… Painful lesson for us both. BAD human!
3. Lessons are a must! Yes we can continue our ground work, but I 100% need some brush up lessons as I can't be sure of myself & with a fall under my belt too, I know my confidence has been knocked! To start with though I want it to be a friend/un-judgemental eye to set me on the right path.

Well I think that therapy has worked a treat :) It's funny how writing things back can jolt the memory of other things (like the girth... that had gone completely out of my head until just now). 

Please, please feel free to post a comment or email me any thoughts, I'd love to hear your opinions.

Totally & Utterly Exhilarated!

Grandad has been in my thoughts so much this last week or so & as tomorrow would be/is (?) his birthday there’s a very heavy feeling in my heart.

Trying to shake my low mood I decided to take Eastar for a ride this evening & blow a few cobwebs from between my ears. It was a total impulse thing & the original plan was to give him a good groom, but once done I found myself tacking him up :)

Off we headed down the drive but the darn gate bleeper wouldn’t work meaning we were locked in, so turned around & went up the hill instead. At the time I was really quite miffed that the stupid gates wouldn’t open, yet in the end going up to those fab views on horse back was out of this world & has left me feeling totally & utterly exhilarated!

The only down point was Eastars blatant lack of manners at every lot of gates! He simply wouldn’t stand still long enough for me to get back on... I’d get my foot in the stirrup & after 1 or 2 bounces off he’d go, so we’d stop & start over again. He catches on quick mind & decided now he’d wait until I was half on, then very rudely off he’d go leaving me scrambling to find my seat & other stirrup. Mounting a 16.2hh from ground level isn’t the easiest thing for a short arse like me so this really wasn’t at all welcome, especially since it’s a new habit he’s developed for me! Eastar also dictated when he’d had enough & wanted to come back down, but I let him as I was worried about his feet…Eastar is barefoot & although I truly want to keep him that way, I do worry about his feet as he seems to stumble an awful lot (IMO) & I get the distinct feeling that the stony bumpy track hurts more than the concrete drive, meaning our rides are never as long as I’d like at the moment.

How to get a humans attention

The end of my weeks holiday is in sight (boo) & I haven’t even ridden once (double boo). Ok so I did sit oh his bareback but that doesn’t really count. I’ve just felt too weak /generally crap to be able to ride & it seems this cold still hasn’t ran its bloody course yet despite it now being at least 10 days.

That aside I have spent time with my big bay boy just milling & chilling. Yesterday I thought I’d take my book to his field & simply sit & read. Eastar seemed happy to see me & after some serious scratches he followed me around until I found a place to sit. I sat on the lovely soft tuft of grass (bit damp but heyho) with my book & fag while Eastar just looked at me as if to say “what you doing down there”? I told him I wanted to just sit & read for awhile, but I guess that wasn’t his plan! After a little forage around in my hair & a sniff here & there he decided that the book was his next target to get me moving. A nibble of a page, a wipe of a grubby nose followed by a nudge of my arm & hey presto the book was tossed aside for Eastar time. We played a little & of course had more scratches (what else is life for huh) before I said my goodbyes & off I went leaving a rather sad looking horse behind.

When I brought him in I hung around in his stable for awhile as it was funny watching him not know whether to eat or come over to me, bless. Mart came to find me & decided to try & close the stable window for me as I’d been asking for a couple of days (wow just days & not weeks). A bad habit I know but I’d left his stable door open & Martin had also left the outer door open (eeks) a little bang as Martin worked on the window & Eastar got scared :( I was around the other side so Eastars path out was clear & he took it in the blink of an eye! Off he went straight for the door leaving me calling & chasing after him, thankfully as soon as he was out he stopped turned & followed me back in :D Phew I’m glad he feels safer with me than off running the estate again! That said he did have freshly picked parsnip leaves & baby carrots in his manger + some hay hanging around, so maybe that helped too.

Eastars new pad

Eastar was turned out yesterday in his temporary field while we finally finished his permanent one. He was happy enough as the “tennis court” field has lush grazing but he seems to become fretful quicker there. Sure enough within a few hours he was on the pace to come in & as I can’t afford to have the temp field churned up, he got his way. Thankfully Martin was just finishing pulling up some old fence wire that was half buried in the grass, so Eastar was soon taken to his new pad :D

He spent a good 5 minutes patrolling the parameters & checking out every inch /seeing what was about before settling to the important business of grazing. He’s rather intrigued by the chickens & although used to two or three clucking around his stable or field, a flock of 20 is quite a new thing to observe it seems. Either way he was more than happy for another 6+hrs & then was in no real rush to come in. Today he spent the whole day out & was still grazing/content at 6.30pm when I brought him in.

The bosses eccentric (step) son has come to stay with his wife who's completely fallen in love with Eastar. Back off Mrs.... You maybe famous, you may have dated Huge Grant (ummm would I go there? Yer maybe) but this dumpling is mine so keep ya hands off. That's two of the bosses daughters in-law who have fallen for my sexy beast & both ride very well, so I know it won't be long before I get asked "can I ride him". I wouldn't mind really (I guess) although when one brought a crop on her last visit I really panicked & even practised how many ways I could say no without using the words "cheeky cow, crop or take that near him & I'll slap you so fecking stupid"! Thankfully she didn't ask.

What a fecking day!

Don’t know why the day has been so shit but truly it has! I’m off work, I’ve managed a lie-in & an afternoon nap, yet still the day was covered by that same flipping grey cloud (more like jet black).

After a very low day (worst part detailed below to my shame) I took Eastar for his evening stroll & couldn’t resist jumping on when we were almost home & I had someone to give me a leg-up. I had no bridal or saddle (just head collar & lead rope) & when I spotted Martin I asked for a leg-up (much to his horror.. on concrete with no hat too). I simply sat on Eastars bareback (ok & occasionally lolled around his neck) until he found his stable, which was sadly all too quick.

Another memorable point to the day (for less pleasant reason) was me finally blowing at Ellice! Geeez boy did I blow too, saying that it has been coming for sometime. I don’t smack & although I shout for not only Scotland but the rest of the British Isles too, rarely does anyone take any notice in this house. That was until today! Ohhh it’s been some years since I let rip like that & in truth I hope it’s many more years before my temper raises its ugly head again. I can honestly say I’m totally ashamed of myself for the way I went at her.

It all started with me moaning about 12 eggs not being cleaned or dated (they only lay 3 or 4 a day) which is such an old argument & her screaming back at me which was not the best move towards a woman on the edge. She screamed & ranted then finished with the “I hate you” statement as she stalked off to her room slamming doors (foolish route when it’s such a shit hole & another age old argument) of course like any “dog with a bone” I followed with not only steam, but great fucking flames streaming from every oraphis!

It ended with her room completely pulled out (bed etc all on landing) only leaving a massive pile of crap to sort in the middle of the floor (which filled the whole room may I add) & her sobbing like a brat after its first real reprimand! I went down & sobbed like a baby too before going off to chill with Eastar who totally settled my mood within seconds.

As ashamed as I am, I have to say that maybe it was needed! Ellice’s room is now cleaner than ever & Jamie has never moved so quick to simply clean/clear anything in sight to avoid my wrath being turned his way. I’m not proud of making my children scared of me (even if only for 5 mins) but maybe sometimes it’s needed? After all my parents could simply look & I would step into line! Why? Because I knew what was next if not (cane, slipper or simply a darn good wallop), yet mine seem to push & push because there is nothing after the shout…  

Hoof trim day & seedy-toe… No!

We had our Equine Podiatrist out today (Deane, she is lovely) sadly she didn’t think there had been any movement on Eastars heels (10+ mins a day of walking / trotting on hard surface to try & spread his heels/frogs) which was a bit of a let down after all that jogging up & down the drive! That said my weight loss over the last few weeks is very pleasing & as I can ride now that will help save my feet while working on his, so it’s not all bad :)

Also Deane told me Eastar has the slightest starting of “White Line Disease” & that it’s nothing to worry about as long as we’re keeping his hooves clean, so I just need to keep an eye on it for now. Of course that wasn’t good enough for “worry-wart” me (she said disease eekks) so I immediately did some research… It seems WLD is also known as “Seedy Toe” (ewww nasty name) & is an infection & nothing more (phew panic over). Its fungus/bacteria in the white line area of the hoof & could be caused by many factors it seems. I know his stable is super clean as I pull ½ to ¾ of it out everyday & wash down with jey 3 times a week, his feet are done daily & often washed off too especially if muddy, so could it be simply wet ole mud & maybe a bit of sheep poo too? One of the (supposed) possible links did make me chuckle; Feeding carrots and apples daily - While feeding occasionally as a treat is fine, they should not be part of the horse’s staple diet. He’s had 6+ carrots a day for years at his old home & never had an issue, if anything I give him less so I think we can rule that out too (if only he knew he’d love that comment).

Great Joy A Tom-Tom

Yup he’s brought it!

I thought I disliked Sat-navs as you know, but now it’s been confirmed & also upgraded to DESTEST! Why?? One fat yellow man – Homer Ruddy Simpson… Umm you got it… he’s changed the voice & now it has even more words (plus abuse) to spit at me as I drive, in fact 3200 of them or so I’ve just read to my utter delight as you can imagine.

Umm just had a thought *mwahahaha/bestest evil laugh* I wonder if Edward Cullen is available as a voice choice :D Uuummm now that could make a journey a little more fun (possibly more distracting too). If you don’t know who Edward is… Where ya been? He’s the ohh so yummy Vampire from Twilight (Newmoon Eclipse etc).

Ohh can’t believe I nearly forgot! Totally (in my opinion) funny story about Martin & his satnav.  We’re travelling along & Martin asks me to switch on the sat nav & wait while it locates its position, then press enter as postcode is already entered *yawn*… I wait but nothing happens so I tell him, but then add “ohh hang there’s a message it says…. please     lift     sun-visor      as    can’t     get     clear      signal”… I furrow my brow & look at him with the best puzzled look I can summon!

A very shocked Martin replies”WOW - how fucking clever… is that what it says”.

To which I reply (while laughing almost to death) “No you twat of course it doesn’t”! Well I laughed all the way around Edinburgh, sat-navs can be fun after all :D

Yer I know I'm a horrid wife... But way up here I have to find fun where I can & Martin makes himself such an easy target :D At least it gave the kids time off from my warped humour. 

Ahh & on the smiley note I think that’s enough for now ;)

Let my week off commence!

What’s been happening at Eastarville of late

I don’t know what my problem is (well I do as its part my of illness) but I just couldn’t be arsed to write my blog for the last few days, couldn’t be bothered to do much in truth! I did manage an early post on Sunday (a right old moan) & despite the day turning out very good I never came back :’(

So what’s been happening at Eastarville of late?... 

Since we have repeatedly concurred going down the drive, I thought it time we had a go at going up the hill & into the wilderness… So that’s what we did on Sunday afternoon & It was amazing; even though Eastar was a tad jumpy at times (there is a video on YouTube for those that want to see) we managed a pleasant hour on the hill & I felt truly alive! He did start a wee freak-out on the way back down so I had to dismount & walk him part of the way, but it was down hill into trees (where horse-eating monsters could live lol) so I understood at this early stage in our relationship ;D Not only was it a new place (which he’s never so good with) but there was a fair wind too so I had been prepared for him to have the odd panic moment, yet he managed better than I expected (all this PLUS a almost novice on your back). I‘d promised Ellice’s a ride too once we came down & as soon as she was on Eastars back his head went down into super placid mode like an old school master (bless you gotta love my big bay boy). Elle was confident she could manage alone & didn’t want a lead rope this time & Eastar (as I said) was in “school master mode” so we let them go with us just trailing behind. Both were complete stars who made my heart overflow with pride! Elle was a natural & Eastar lived up to his name “E – a Star”  :D

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday were super flat days for me :(  meaning I went on autopilot & did what needed doing, but nothing more.

That brings us to today… A crap hard start (yet again *yawn*) & although I really wanted to cancel my natural horsemanship lesson, I didn't thankfully as it became a bright point of my day! Of course with my head all over the place I found it hard to concentrate if I didn’t work 110% at it, especially after the 1^st hour when everything turned to blah blah/brain overload. Thankfully my teacher was very patient & although she doesn’t know my health history I simply said “sorry meds are making my heads a bit fuzzy” & Shelley sweetly said she’d type the lesson out for me so I could manage my homework better (sometimes people renew your faith in mankind). In today's lesson we retouched on the previous visit & also tried the driving game, circling game & some lateral flexion too. This means we have now covered 6 out of 7 "Parelli" games & we only have the “sideways game” to go... Wahoo! I do however know this means we really need to practice the other games so we can complete them with ease/naturally & without much thought, before I can fit anymore information into my fluffy headspace. But after 2 lessons I feel we’re coming on a treat, especially when you put our “special issues” together :D

Moan, Rant & Bitch

Todays blog is a good old fashioned moan! (not much new there then)

Top of my list are “Electrical items! It started with the kettle 6^thAugust, two days later it’s the hoover, followed the next day by the oven! I believe(d) in the saying things come in 3’s so I thought that’s it over then. Wrong! Then my phone gave up having any noise or images & my laptop screen snapped & is hanging off/half on.  Leaving lastly (or at least I bloody hope so) the washing machine that has been falling apart slowly/ is shot too & I gave up on it tonight!

• The cooker still hasn’t been replaced & we’re managing with the hob (works on certain settings) & the grill/top oven.
• My phone although silent still gets me by
• My laptop (as I said) is still hanging on, but I can’t move the screen/close it.
• The washing machine could be a simple part, so I’ll look into that tomorrow.

Money…. I’m pissed at not having any!

My tips haven’t been bad this Aug & I’ve been trying to save to buy Eastar, yet each time I get some it’s taken for petrol/ dinner money etc. I should easily have £370 yet only £120 remains. My purse is the same.. I put money in & when I go for it there’s zilch. I know Martin is great at taking a £20 for some milk & never putting any change back. Yer I know *sigh* I’m a lucky woman to have a horse who costs ‘us’ about £100 per month! I just want to save & for over 3yrs I’ve spent my tips on household stuff, so feel I should be able to hoard it & save for my horse if I want too!

Ohh Money again… This time Birthday money & yes I feel awful already & I haven’t even written it yet, but fuck it I will anyway!

If you read an earlier post you will already know that for my birthday I was given a nice cheque off my boss & told to spend it on something frivolous & fun! Reality…  Jamie needed new school trousers (3 pairs purchased) plus rugby boots as his were at least two sizes too small & Ellice needed new school shoes, so it was bye-bye birthday cash. Its Martins birthday in a couple of days & the boss has given him the same nice cheque to buy what he wanted… And what is that? A sat-nav! I can’t think of anything worse to spend cash on at the min. If nothing more than because I hate the bloody things as they make me jump every god dammed time & the voices really grate on my nerves! He needs new work boots so why not buy those? Because stupid twit here will find the money for those when he’s moaning his feet are all wet. He also wants some new jeans & tops but will he buy those? NO, a sat nav is what he has his heart set on.. Funny coz mine was set on some nice size 6 Toggi country boots, which somehow turned into size 10 Rugby boots amongst other bits!

Anything but a sat nav, PLEASE!

I don’t have a gift for him yet but the way I feel at the moment, wrapping “Step-by-Step Cooking” (book he got me) is seeming more like a plan by the second! Well it is more suitable for him & I'm skint. 

Other idea is a washing machine part with matching instruction book :D

I know, I'm a delight xx

That will teach me!

Eastar likes to come in by 8pm or well before dark (which ever is first), but tonight I was busy so thought he’d be fine if I was a little late. Sadly time ran away with me & it was v dark & 8.45 by the time I remembered :O I know.... what an evil woman forgetting/making “Lord Fontaroy” wait!

I went round to finding a worked-up Eastar (nothing like the rocking horse from the first few weeks tho..) prancing about all sweated up & anxious, yet clearly not wanting/standing still long enough to be caught..
I however couldn't help myself & had to stand there for a bit to simply admire him as his paces looked  fantastic! I guess this must be his extended trot that I’ve heard about *WOW*!! 
He was jogging around with fantastic long strides & declaring his objection to his obvious abandonment =’(  I couldn't keep him still long enough to get the head collar on & Martin wasn't helping the situation by waving the torch around like a flippin disco light bugging the hell out of both Eastar & me *gggrrr*.... After a bit I had a thought that Eastar might make his way back to the stable if the gate was open, but to be safe Martin should block the route to big house... Martin... Mart? Ummm seems my thought was vocal (nasty habit). Before I could ask his opinion Martin had opened the gate & was gone.. Eastar opted for the open gate but decided the main lawn was the place to be, so headed that way :O ......

The perfect lawn with its ohhh so straight stripes & immaculate edges, now has whopping hoof prints everywhere complete with churned up bits for good measure!! Not content with that (why would he be)... Eastar makes his way along every strip of grass that surrounds the big house & while passing snacks on a few  baby trees (cutting them by half I suspect)!!! Each special one planted by the various grandchildren as they come of age, each with it's own wee plaque & each gonna carry a darn fine ear-bashing for me I bet! *hugee gggggroan* Do I want daylight to come?

I got the leadline around Eastars neck on a couple of occasions but he wasn’t standing still for anyone just yet, so I admitted defeat & after a little "drag" around I opted to let go....
If you're not reaching for the tenna lady/wet with laughter already, let me help with a bit of visual... 
Drag = me jogging/being pulled a bit too fast for my little legs to handle on wet grass while slipping around in squelchy fucking stupid CROCS!
Need more? Surely not! Luckily I can help anyway...
In my seemingly "new found wisdom" not only was I wearing Crocs that turn into "fucking ice-skates" on wet grass, but also a rather lovely “long traditional nightie that had to be tucked into my knickers" to stop me tripping over it! Ummm I hear ya, it is a good job I'm so far from civilization!


Anyway visuals aside & "The Shenanigan Continues"... By this point (as I'm sure you can appreciate) my patience for Martins "disco light torch" is wearing a tad thin *putting it mild*, meaning my request changed from “honey could you keep the light low please & maybe a bit steadier?”.. To “KEEP the fucking light low & still.. Am I speaking English? Do you understand that LOW means the bloody ground & NOT my fucking eyes!!"... Umm (hindsight n all that).. Thankfully I have a husband that's 1 in a zillion & makes allowances for my "Leo" temper. On the other-hand of course, he could have been  laughing too much inside to register/care what I was saying?.. Either way I'm darn lucky me finks =)

Thankfully not long after that the chase was over (total of 35minutes, but who's counting :D) & although still a wee prancy Eastar followed me to his bed.

If you're wondering;

1. Yes my boss is home. 
2. No I'm not sure if she saw "a slightly crazed horse trampling & devouring her gardens" or "the ghostly figure" chasing him. However I would hazard a guess that if her attention was not grabbed by those facts, it MUST have been drawn by the tourch darting here there & everywhere! 

 I haven't had a call ((yet)) & thank gaud tomorrow is Sunday & my day off!

Tales from Eastar-Ville =)

Eastar got a new toy yesterday: D  “Likit Snak Ball” which he wasn’t fazed by at all, in fact I think he may have had one before. He rolled it around for a minute or two but didn’t seem very impressed; maybe we’ll have to try some treats rather than Dengie mix. I left Eastar to his dinner (in manger) & sat the ball on the clear patch by the door. Within seconds of me leaving all I could hear was the banging as he whacked his ball around (meaning he chose the ball over his carrot, apples & hay!). This morning his stable was a mess, so the first thing was hunt the water bucket that had been shoved & buried. The ball was buried over in the far corner & his hay was only half eaten! Normally Eastar will eat all his hay then clear up any mess (fallen hay), but it was all still there today. Umm so I think the ball is a success after all :)

Teehee - I must remember to make sure he doesn’t have it if we have friends staying as his stable is below the flat. I’m told it’s bad enough with the Jackdaws that live in the roof, owls hooting & the odd cough or sneeze from the sheep. We’ve only had one person (Louise) stay there since Eastar moved in & she said there was the odd bit of knocking but nothing major. However Louise is a sweet girl who possibly wouldn’t say if he had kept her awake all night. Heather on the other hand isn’t one to flower things up…. and is coming to stay at the end of the month, so I’ll soon know for sure :D

Talking of Heather’s visit, I can’t flippin wait! It will be so great to see her as I miss her so much, plus it means I get to see my yummy god daughter too *yay* Poor Hebs though doesn’t know what she’s in for =) I lured her here with a free ticket to see Monty Roberts but plan to extract every hint & tip I can, while cramming in as much riding as possible.

Riding…. Yup we went for a ride today & it was great! :D I dropped the stirrups another two holes and although I felt “wobbly footed” (need to work on that) overall I felt a lot more stable/ not so tilted forward. We only went down to the road & back (about 2 miles) but by that time Martin was back from the school run & could film us for me to see how my position is these days.
I'm feeling brave click here  if you want to watch.

There is a funny bit at the end of the film... Once untacked Eastar decided it was "stable" time & as I turned to put something down he was halfway in the stable! I made him back out & also around a wheelbarrow for punishment, so he then sulked a bit & refused to follow me to the field, he could only keep it up a minute mind :D

A Good Start

Today started very well with the sun coming through my curtains & the birds signing so happily, as if summer had finally found its way to Scotland *I've seen the weather forecast for tomorrow & sadly not*. 

Although my day off I decided to get up anyway (desperation for tea) & hopefully be the first into Eastar stable. Still a little bleary eyed I went down stairs & thought I must be dreaming as there she was, Tweets my missing cat!  As I walked through the living room she jumped onto the outside of the window with a meow, I was so please to see her as she’d been missing for 6 days but there she was large as life & looking very well on it too. Her coat has thickened up a treat & she seems fatter/ sturdier & unlike the waif thing she normally is. Tweets is only 15months & we think she’s part wild cat & her litter mates certainly confirm that suspicion with their vicious ways, although tweets thankfully is the most loving cat ever. Her fur is black, but underneath it’s white or a gingery colour (depending on time of year). She also has faint tabby stripes showing through her coat (in the right light) & a chunky fluffy tail.

Anyway Tweets came home safe & sound but I think now she’s coming of age we’ll have to accept she’s a cat that likes to be up the hill hunting. She was very reluctant to come in & then only really stopped by for some food & some fuss off Scooby-Doo (her best friend), before taking off again into the trees :'(
At least she was spayed as a kitten & as we have no neighbours I know she’s only not here because she’s a true free spirit, just as she should be!

Now I must drag my arse to the shower/get myself sorted & then show my face at work to check that Sue knows what she’s doing, then……. Who knows :D

Do you know where my pants are

It’s been 3 days since my last blog therapy session & the last post (cloud nine) is a hard one to follow since that was such a brilliant day.

Not much has happened at “Bonkers Towers” just the odd guest (in every sense of the word). Although a slightly funny story…. I go into work Tuesday morning to find a Lord wearing a long white *feminine* dressing gown (spare we leave in rooms) down the far end of the laundry room in the dark (clearly trying to hide/panicking as to what to do now staff had arrived). I simply say good morning switch on the light & ask if I can help, to which he replies do you know where my underwear is please Sally, I can't find them? Well it was hard to keep a straight face, but I managed it. I looked but couldn’t find them so off he went. I then called the bosses bedroom & asked “Do you know where the Lords pants are *with a slight snigger*”? With a less than amused tone she replied “why would I know where his pants are, Sue ironed them call her”! Still laughing I remembered now Sue saying she was putting some bits in the airing cupboard as they were still a little damp, so dash off to look. There they were & at that moment my boss came out of her room so we met on the landing. I’ve found his Lordships pants I said, but couldn’t help myself & burst out laughing to which in the end she did also (I do love to start the day with a giggle).

The bosses good mood continued so when the time arose, I decided to have a wee bit of a moan about my days off not really being days off. I was given today (my day off anyway) along with tomorrow & Friday to make up :D not so bad huh, but….. Always a god dammed but *ggrrr* I must pop in on Thursday & Friday morning to sort staff out.  How do I always end up back at the same place? Ooh well it is what it is & I’m still a happy bunny with the few extra hours I’ve got back.

On the plus side you may have noticed the words “sort staff out" & previous to that "Sue had ironed”… Yay I have a member of staff called Sue who started this week & her first shift seemed to go well.

So that must bring me on to Eastar! We haven’t really done much “work”, but have been for a stroll & had some good grooming too :D

It rained so hard yesterday morning that Martin came to me at work asking if Eastar should come in. I said he might have to if it continues but his stable needs sorting & time to dry first. Like the fantastic husband he can be, he said he’d quickly muck out so at least that would be done before I finished work (YAY). Next thing I know Martin has come back saying Eastar looked all sad & wet standing by the gate almost begging to come in, so he did. Seems Eastar has Martin right where he wants him. :D

I did a massive clean out of the stable this morning. It gets a rinse out almost everyday, but at least once a week it has a huge haul out so everything can be scrubbed down with jeys & water. Then comes the essential oils (yer you can mock) a few sprinkles of tea-tree, cedar & lavender. This helps keep the flies & bugs etc out, plus after the stable has dried out there is the faintest smell of lavender when the straw is disturbed that I hope Eastar will find relaxing. Maybe it’s all pointless? I do keep it down to just a drop or two & air it well/leave to dry, as I know his sense of smell is so much greater than mine.

On Cloud Nine

What a fantastic end to the day!

After tea I decided to spend some more time with Eastar practising some of our homework/Parelli games, so went around to his field. I wanted to do a recording of our session, not because I’m good (far from it) but so friends could see & offer opinions/tips.  Martin was playing (saddo) army gaming poo so that left only the children! Heyho worth a go.

Anyway the session wasn’t our best, but with giggling children & 2 dogs bounding around it wasn’t so surprising. If you are curious enough to watch our first attempt I apologies in advance for the seasickness you’ll be left with. Truly I may as well have tied the camera to a chicken!

Wobbly out of focus film aside, I was happy with the vibes after our session so decided to go for a ride. I decided we’d ventured down the drive since that’s where our riding issue started & we easily made our way right to the very bottom & down the road too. I was so proud of us both as this can only mean we are both more relaxed/trusting each other.

I could have gone for miles but could sense Eastar becoming a little tense & I really wanted to end on a good note/not push him too far, as he’d done so well & gone at least 3 or 4 times as far without a panic (a few worry moments easily calmed with a hand on the neck & gentle words). I also knew the children were waiting at the top of the drive to film us coming back up & we’d been at least 20 minutes already, so we made our way home.

If you want to watch our slightly embarrassing film you can do so Here...., but you have been warned about my Parelli noviceness & also the children’s wobbly filming.

Two months since Eastar Sunday & a huge waffle :D

Eastar Sunday /4th July was when my honeybear arrived & I can’t believe I’ve had the big guy for 2 months! It’s gone so bloody fast & has been a little bit of a rollercoaster at times… Through a horses eyes fecking unsettling to say the least I'd bet! Looking back I guess my emotions have been all over the place with not only Eastar’s arrival/my unexpected lack of confidence, but also my Grandads death. The poor dumpling was left with a carer who wasn't so sure of herself in those first couple of weeks & then just as he thought he could rely on her, she turned into a sobbing mess who vanished completely for 3 days then only reappeared here & there for the next few weeks. Thankfully for me although a bit of a “Fretful Fred” at times, Eastar’s also a very forgiving & loving chap who’s a HUGE bright star in my life. The last 2/3 weeks have been totally fabulous & I couldn't have asked for more! Eastar last threw a paddy in my presents 11th Aug/ the day after I returned from my trip south & it was the worst I'd ever seen him (almost called Shelley for help). He last threw a paddy for Martin almost two weeks ago & settled as soon as he saw me, before I even got into his field.
Our time so far has been restricted but as my work load eases, our relationship continues to grow & he certainly has my heart for keeps (I know, in reality *vegetarian or not* he'd have a go at eating it).

Today we chilled a bit on the forecourt & had fun with the kids & Scooby-Doo, although Elle found it less funny when Eastar took out half the “blue grass” plant she’d brought Martin *oops*. Eastar then decided he was being left out & wanted a cup of tea too, so progressed to steal mine which in the end I gave over as it was so funny to see him pulling faces at the unfamiliar taste :D
I thought we'd try some games but Eastar wasn't really into it & seemed as if he just wanted to go out/EAT after being shut up all night. We managed a pretty good yoyo until a stone found it’s way into his hoof & was clearly uncomfortable (poor baby), I noticed it instantly & picked his feet before ending our time together with a little walk around & nibble at his favourite spots :D Then he got what he wanted & was given his field, or was it what he wanted?..

On the way to the field Eastar the eager beaver wanted to dictate the speed which I corrected by making him do a circle & follow my lead. He also wanted to snack (or attempt too) at every possible opportunity which I wasn't up for either. At the gate he was a complete gent & gave a nice entrance, head collar removed I gave him his normal forward rub & said goo-on then, he stood there :( no sheep still today just those in the distance! He then walks a few paces & begins to graze. Is Eastar lonely?
The companion issue is a big thing for me & something I'm not sure about at all!
We all know that horses are herd animals & a massive part of me thinks I'm neglecting his needs by not having a companion for him (in some books I've even read it's classed as abuse *eekks*!). Yet there are those who say "some can manage without & it's so much easier in the long run (not to mention cheaper)". So what's right? From Eastar's history I know he's not one for herd politics & was often picked upon/ more a lover (of food mostly) than a fighter.
Ask me if Eastar is lonely & I'd say no, but when the sheep get taken in for a dose I'm not so sure. He doesn't call or anything like that & overall doesn't seem that fussed, but there is something *incy niggle I can't put my finger on* like today when I turned him out.. Maybe it's just him seeing if they're around/other more vulnerable prey on the hill? There are other sheep & cattle in the next fields over which he can hear, but I'm not sure about see?

I'm pretty sure the sheep coming & going isn't good but I have no control over that. I do know that by the end of the year there will be none for sometime /if ever. Do I just carry on playing it by ear until November & see how he is then, or do I need to sort something now?


Can you answer any of the questions above or do you have opinions /comments? (be gentle)
I get hardly any comments & I wants some (two to-date & both from the same person *btw thank you*). I know I get views as I've checked my stats (two different counters) & have a couple of loyal friends who for some reason seem to find my rants amusing, but not even they leave COMMENTS!

To ride or not to ride *yet*?

Day off (ish) & as per norm no lie in was possible as Martin really can’t be quiet. I’m sure his rule is “I’m up so everyone should be too”!
Got to stable to find it empty apart from a beaming Martin telling me he had found Eastar sleeping, so took him out since he disturb his slumber (wonders if I’ll be taken out too then?). I was looking forward to seeing Eastar 1st thing plus I’ve never seen him sleeping :’( tis not fair & I think may call for an early hours visit to his stable! Is that bad? OK yer I know it is. I’d just love to see him sleeping but he’s always up & ready to go no matter what time I go in (generally between 6.30am & 8am), but today Martin goes in at 7.30am “without the outer door waking Eastar”, better than that he has to tap the stable door while cooing to rouse the sleepy dumpling.. So not fair! GGGRRRR! I want to be the one cooing, but I have to admit it is nice how Martin has taken to Eastar; he simply wouldn’t give Riad (last horse) the time of day & certainly wouldn’t be anywhere near unless a fence or door was between them.

My plan today was to spend some time with Eastar & possibly ride, but with *big house* shopping along with more hoovering than expected, time ran away along with my energy. I don’t want to go round & spend snippets of time (I do that anyway with scratching or simply chilling), I want to spend a good couple of hours doing some ground work & move on if the feeling takes us. Tomorrow…. Turning in to Martin ekks!

The big plus-note for today is that Brian came up in the tractor & dragged away the last root ball that was blocking our track up the hill *yay*. I can’t wait to get up there & just ride! Going nowhere yet exploring it all :D It’ll be fabulous!
Although part (the sensible bit) of me thinks I need much more ground work & then I should tackle down the drive (which Eastar hated on our previous attempts) before I go up “into the all out open” of the Perthshire hills? Or is the openness the way to go? No sheltered scary drive?? Ohh I dunno?
My horse owning friends all think I should ride now & are unsure why I’m putting it off, but Shelley (NH/Parelli instructor) advised against for now. However the main thing that was putting (or should that be keeping) me off Eastars back was the fact of
seriously achy legs & long 12/16hrs shifts at work.

Ummm to do, what to do!?

Me & Horses (the history)

I thought some background information might be called for *well it’s being given anyway*.

I started riding at 7+yrs & got my first pony for my 9^th birthday. My Dad also had a horse but embarrassingly was into country & western shows (yer dressing up as cowboys & indians) so I blame him for me being dressed like an Indian & entering competitions at the local embankment. Thankfully the make-up & outfit disguised me enough for anyone to spot me despite it being in the paper *school could have been hell*. Sherry /my darling pony hated all the fuss of painting her hind & face, not to mention being confined in a stable for said torture to happen! So in the end Dad let me give up & enter more girly friendly things like kiddie gymkhana (we avoid “Best turned out” though as she really hated all kinds of fuss, plaits, dressing up & so did I).  A couple of years later & circumstances change so Sherry is put on loan to a friend before being sold :’( 

Fast forward 13yrs (give or take)…. Riad is the next horse who was a shared horse with my best friend Heather. Riad was an ex Point-to-point who could be lively & wasn’t the smallest of chaps.  I didn’t have Riad for long as I became injured only a few months after getting him (from falling down some stairs) so Heather took him on alone since I couldn’t even muck out & had no chance of riding in at least 12 months (it took 5+ years to become pain free in the end).

I had longed for a horse & now lived at a house that had it's own stables so the need only grew. After 3 years of empty stables I decide it had to be now & after much trawling Heather finds an add for "A Big Bay Gentleman". We meet, I fall in love & so my dream becomes!

I had always thought horse knowledge (like riding a bike) never leaves you & I never gave a thought to “if I still knew enough”.

Almost as soon as Eastar arrived all the knowledge I thought I had was simply gone & it had also taken a shed load of confidence with it too!

Reality hits, it was 24yrs ago that I knew anything about horses & then I was just a wee kid doing it mostly at weekends... After that Heather carried me through/was at my side & we did things together. Now Hebs is hundreds of miles away & I'm all alone * HUGE wobble*

In those first few days I honestly thought I remembered nothing (in the scale of things I don’t really, but it's more than enough to get by) even the basics I thought would be cool, were odd at first. He seemed so big, so strong, so?? I don’t know... not scary as such.. above me/to much for me?? Not sure that’s what I mean, but best I can do at min.... Of course Eastar sensed this & acted accordingly /like any prey animal around an uncertain predator, if she's unsure I want the hell out of here PANIC!!

Thankfully as I did the day to day stuff I realised the horse care knowledge was still there & my confidence was slowly coming back too. Then Shelley (natural horsemanship instructor) came for a free visit & showed me so much in 3hrs that Eastar's & my relationship has simply blossomed from there on in. I became more empowered/ more wisely confident & Eastar became almost instantly settled (found a leader worth being lead by). We play with a few of the Parelli games but mostly just hang out, with the odd stolen ride down the drive. I do think both my confidence & Eastar's trust in me has grown enough for us to try a gentle hack out, so that's the plan this week.

What I really need is someone locally who's sympathetic to both my "greenness" & Eastar's "Nervousness" who can show me how to lunge (something I've never done) & generally give me some tips on riding etc. I do plan to carry on with the Parelli, but I also want to ride!

Someone do a couple of online lessons please! (Parelli)

While the boss is away, the mice (or mouse in this case) will play!

A lazy start this morning :) umm always hard when she's away for the night... I did manage to drag myself into work by 11am (only 3 hrs late) & did a measly 3 out of 5 hours work! But in my defence.... I have tomorrow off yet have been asked to quickly hoover the hallways & stairs, plus do the shopping (and a few other bits n bobs)... See a day off never really is what it suggests here! Yer I think I can finish 2hrs short since shopping will take 2+hrs (including the drive into civilization) & the hoovering.. although doesn't sound much there's 3 flights of stairs & 5 hallways!!!  I'm convinced, are you?

Anywhos, Parelli is the word of the week!

I really need to put some work in with my big beastie before I book our next natural horsemanship lesson. We had homework to do last-time but it's been such a mad month we've done FA in truth. Yer I use the basic techniques to make everyday life easier, but that's about it & sadly even our "general everyday stuff" has been cut to 2 or 3 times a week this month due to work etc *my poor abused horse*

I wasn't sure "Parelli//Natural Horsemanship" was really something I had the time or inclination to get into (overpriced bollocks I think were my thoughts), but Eastar needs all the reassurance he can get & he responds really well to the Parelli techniques. I do have too say though, the basics of Parelli seem to be "common sense" & what we all do naturally around our horse/s. OK so some people go for the "beat the brute" approach, but that's never been me! I am however not the most patient of people *possibly understatement of the year* & would normally give a more (vocally & body language wise) aggressive (for want of a better word) approach to a misbehaving horse, which simply wouldn’t work with Eastar. The main issue I have with Parelli (apart from general cost of stuff needed) is that I’m finding learning really hard! I have read so much that my head spins with yo-yo's & porcupines, yet it still doesn't sink in (sometimes even make sense). I know this isn’t helped because overall I find “horsey language/terms” a mission to understand, so am battling that language barrier too.

Today I took another look at youtube as I really think watching is the way for me to learn, but sadly there's not that much on offer by way of lessons :( There are lots of amazing clips that make my heart ache with longing thoughts of Eastar & me being that close, but nothing I can really learn from. You can pick up things from some of the clips, but I need a "lesson-plan" approach rather than a "look how much we've learnt" one. Oh & yes I know there are DVD's out but they have a price tag that I refuse to pay/can’t afford!

Someone do a couple of on-line lessons please!

Other people's incompetence!

Decided I could sit waiting all bloody day for email to arrive, instead went to hunt-out food…. Being someone who’s around food all day, it’s amazing how little I eat & when I do it’s generally shit (quick ease grab stuff that takes no thinking). Today I missed breakfast, lunch & although clearly hungry, found myself cleaning the kitchen, hoovering through etc until my tummy finally demanded food & I grabbed for the weetabix!

Alas before I knew it the kids were on their way home & I still hadn’t got to Eastar (who was happily grazing) & enjoying the gardener throwing over leftovers from the veg patch.

Thankfully Martin had agreed to cook spag bol & by 4pm I was out where I’d longed to be for hrs! The sun had faded but that didn’t matter as there was nothing to do but have fun. No rota, no routine, just whatever we liked or took our fancy :D I took a couple of brushes because a scratch is always needed & I do like a sheep-poo free scratching area (call me picky).

Then comes the squealing (btw we don’t have pigs) & I realise Martin has gone to cut someone’s grass as a favour & the kids are arguing, plus demanding dinner! Pretty good timing as both me & the silly dumpling had been so engrossed in scratches, my foot had got underneath his hoof & boy does it hurt (don’t think any real damage). I stupidly went round to his field in silly lightweight shoes (as good as barefoot) & wasn’t paying attention so it’s my own fault.

Martin didn’t get home until coming on for 6pm, so it’s a good job I did dinner :D He means well it just seems to always work out in someone else’s favour, rather than mine!

**update**

BTW now 8pm gone & still no email grrrrr how hard is it to reply? A price is all I want, or even an email to say site is up & running sorry for delay! I guess it’s hard being perfect *can also confirm it's lonely* :D hahaha couldn't resist.

Stolen time isn't that great after all!

It's a lovely day today which I guess is helped not only with the sun glaring brightly (I know almost forgot it was Scotland...), but also that the boss left after breakfast leaving me to get on. I had Tracy Chapman blaring, the washing machine going non-stop, the bosses bed stripped, her room + bathroom cleaned & all other bedrooms rooms ready for this weekends guests, plus managed a little light dusting down stairs. If that wasn't enough I also did the shopping list & still left by 11am (amm-errr, who's telling?). I have 4 or 5 more loads of washing & a shed-load of ironing to put away, but I feel alot has been accomplished for one day & the sun is shining!!!

I can almost hear Eastar calling from his field *ok so reality is... he's scoffing & not that fussed either way*, but I have some sales to sort first (gggrrr). I know I should be grateful for sales, but in truth I find ebay a total chore & for soooo little too. I sell almost nothing these days but then again I simply don't have time to put into it, yet I still can't seem to shut down despite it bugging the shit out of me! I fell totally off the "Power Seller" ladder this week & in truth I couldn't give a feck! I guess my fees will rise a bit, but as I sell & list so little it will hardly make a difference. Maybe it's time the shop went too? Umm food for thought there! I need to do some math, but I truly think I need to close the shop & speed up the end of "whippy - the Queen of Cream".
That's decided then *I think* :D After all if it wasn't for that, I could be mucking the stable or even better riding Eastar. I came home from work early (as above) & planned to make the most of my stolen free-time with Eastar... Sadly as always I had to sort/check for sales first, put them through & now I'm awaiting a reply (ggrrr) from the girls in factory as one of the sites is screwed.

At least while waiting I've done the weekly shop (on-line) & am now blogging too! Wow check out super woman & her productive day *mind my dust though*  ;)

Soon I'll be out catching those rays & spending time with my big dumpling, that is if I break out within the next hour/before kids get home & want tea etc etc

Laters x

Sods law

Day off & it's raining! Ain't that just typical :( So I've retired back to bed for some brain numbing tv.

As it's my day off, I was wide awake by 7am *cheers Mart* so that was the lie-in fecked. Now the alarm man is here so I have sirens blaring everywhere, I had no warning & almost had a heart attack when it started. It's the big house alarm which is also connected to our house & the farm, so if it goes off we all know about it & are supposed to go running/ at least call to check all's ok. Just as I'm thinking "shit naked all but my dressing gown" in pops Martin shouting over the din "sorry was meant to tell you the alarm man is here"!

Did have fun with Eastar this morning though. He was very pleased to see me today (think he likes the dressing gown & boots look). We hung around on the forecourt for some socialising with Scooby-doo  (Newfoundland /Flatcoat cross) Eastar sniffing Scooby & Scooby not being quite so sure of something so big. You have to remember up until July Scooby-doo was the big bear of the pack, the bulshy young brute who tries to dominate all. Now all of a sudden there's an even bigger beast who Scoob's not quite so brave around :D He did lie still for quite awhile & allowed Eastar to sniff him (part laziness as Scooby never moves unless needs must) but then I think those big nostril became to much. Was really funny though to see him go around the back of Eastar & crane his neck in a desperate attempt to sniff Eastar's bum :D He's at least 3ft too short & when Eastar turned his head around it was as if he was saying "Don't even think it short-stuff cause I'm watching you" at which point Scooby came skulking back to the front. 

Lucky for Scooby Martin had come out meaning Eastar & I could find amusement elsewhere, so I let Eastar roam freely to investigate..... :D Eastar I'm sure looks to Martin as "treat man" (did try & tell him, but he who knows best LOL) so is always very interested in his arrival & will move around sniffing & lipping at his clothing :D Martin however is still a little terrified & jumpy (providing great fun for me). I told Mart to chill as I'm just trying to help him desensitise & he's 100% safe :D  

Don't worry, Martin is in no danger as Eastar is a sweetie. Yer he has his tantrums but this is generally if he thinks I've buggered off & he's left with nervous Martin as his only protection. Eastar is just a big scaredy-cat who took sometime to settle, maybe if we'd had a companion horse he would have settled quicker? But he certainly seems settled now & ready to teach me so much. He can easily be misunderstood & possibly Parelli techniques would do him the world of good? Now I have more time off work we can look into that a bit more.

Ohh almost forgot..... I have booked two tickets to see Monty Roberts at Gleneagles for October 2nd. Not sure who will come with me yet? I had thought Hebs would possibly like to come, but it is a massive journey up (darn good excuse for a visit mind) so we shall have to wait & see. Maybe it would be good for Martin to see?? He could learn something which could only help with his nervousness around horses?
As I say we shall see as I haven't really asked either, in fact Martin doesn't even know I've spent £50 on tickets :o) But it was my birthday money.

It's a strange day today....

All the guests have left the big-house (massive sigh of relief) & since the mad time is over it was also time for the staff to go home too :'(  I know Angie has driven me mad, but you can't help but love her! I got to work this morning to find her already & waiting to leave. There she sat in the kitchen (an hour early) with her coat on & her case beside her wearing the biggest smile I had ever seen :D After two weeks she'd realised she couldn't do it  but didn't want to let the boss down (who would have been more than happy to let her go home). Then this afternoon Lou left too!!! It was really sad to see her go as she's been a dream & is so so sweet that I'd adopt her if I could. Sadly her dad felt the need to take pictures of us together *oohh I so hate pictures*! I can't believe I agreed and so easily too... I can only guess that I was distracted by his oh so yummy accent (almost a pur, but more lion than cat).

So then there was just me :'( Plus washing mountain of course.... at least I won't be bored :)
I escaped at 1pm & left the boss to her lunch on the promise that I must go back to get the washing in soon, but other than that, that's me for the day & tomorrow too! *yay, yay & more bloody yay's!*

So it's finished! August has ended (all but a few stragglers next week) & overall it's been so much better than the usual exhaustion/nervous breakdown, thank goodness. This year we had half the amount of guests (possibly even a third), there were days off & although I thought it a myth... I actually got a student that worked & could even do so on her own initiative with no sulks, tantrums or arguing!

I think I'm going to get the washing in, so I can chill & not think about work for another  41+ hrs.

A massive flippin sigh, then another & another!

Days like these really piss me off! One sigh after another, teeth so clenched my jaw aches & my brow so furrowed my eyebrows are tickling my nose! What's wrong? Everything!

I know I'm just stressed & the fact that I was sick yesterday morning after taking my meds (meaning they didn't get chance to get into my system), then forgetting last-nights too hasn't helped to say the least. Add to that a stressed boss who snaps &/ complains she's tired! Ggrrr really gets me that kind of stupid comment... I'm running around like a twat wiping the arses of them all & she's got the cheek to tell me she's tired & stressed! Wake up & smell the coffee love.... You don't know what life is, no matter about fucking stress & tiredness! Harsh... Maybe, but I feel better so who cares.

Then of course there's my help... Angiee, a 200yr old Philipinoo lady who's loosing her marbles *putting it fecking mildly!* while giving mine a darn good bash too! The one year I get a good student who works off her own initiative/ is helpful, considerate & so sweet/nice (they do exists after all & I honestly could keep her as my own but fear I would be arrested for kidnap) I also get ANGIEEEE just to fuck me up! Gaud knows I try to love her & she is fab, but she's under my feet all the time, she walks behind me while i'm in front of my Aga /right in dangers way.... mid service too (hard when you can't see her at shoulder-blade height behind you), constantly telling the same story 6 to 8 times a day, 7 days a week, 5 weeks she's still here... AAGGGHHHHH! *you get me?*
And last, but by no means least.... On yes there's more stress bursting out of me yet! We have a house full of spoilt brats that need a darn good slap & parents that could do with one too at times! How can they sit chatting while their kids are squirting ketchup at each other & throwing water across the table? How can a kid get away with asking to go swimming (minus any please) & when the mother says "soon honey I have some-things to do first",  reply "well you better hurry up then!" I can tell you they don't speak to me like shit & neither will I take their crap aimed at my staff. One snotty nosed brat took the micky out of Louise's accent & then ordered her & Ellice to tidy her room.... I don't think so madam! This maybe a 9 bed mansion but I can tell you there ain't room for another bitch here & that's a cert!

Just having a quick scan back & there are a lot of explanation marks in that post & I bet most shouldn't be there?! :o) I'm so bad at grammar *as I'm sure you can tell from reading thus far* & I truly would love to understand/learn the correct use of punctuation etc.  Alas I'm short of a teacher :'(
I feel an idea coming on..... If you're a tad OCD about said matter I'm happy for you to copy this into a word doc, make corrections in red & email to me :D
I know peoples bad use of "your/ you're & there/their/they're etc really pisses me off.

Think I'm gonna finish here as this really is a fecked off rant with a dash of erratic pish... I need to brighten things back up, so think another post could be in order later today when I've cheered up spent time with Eastar & chilled :D

BTW... Can you tell I took last nights missed happy-pill & then todays am pill 2 hour later... Since then I've had 3x V&Cokes *all on empty tum.. tut tut* while writing this over a 3hr period, so am feeling much more chilled/slack jawed or should that be "slack fingered" lol, hence the waffling on openness. 

END NOW! 

Bank Holidays are pretty poo

I no longer remember what it's like to moan about Bank Holiday weather or dash off to DIY store as I always have to work them :'( *woe is me!*

This weekend has been busy & not that pleasant at times, sadly it's not even over yet as the guests are here until Tuesday.

Children! Actually other peoples (which are generally the worst kind) & some of the "more fortunate"... are truly the worst (just the kind I'd like to lock in the cellar). They get candle wax everywhere, press the serve/clear button repeatedly, are cheeky or darn right rude to my staff, have water pistols etc in bedrooms & cause so much mess which they never tidy.

Rugrats aside the weekend has gone smoothly so far & have had some really good comments about the food! The tomato & basil jelly with goats cheese went down really well last night, as did the slow roast pork & todays roast too.

I was so glad to get the evening off though, as my legs & feet are killing me. I spent some time with Eastar playing in his field, mainly chasing sheep & giving loads of scratches, then got him ready for Ellice to go for a ride as she'd been upset by those RATS!.. Umm sad as she was I couldn't resist so nipped off for a quick ride down the drive a couple of times. It was fabulous to be back in his saddle & things felt so much calmer. We didn't go far or for long & we didn't get any speed up either, but it really felt as if we rode as one (for first time). I so wanted it to last longer but poor Elle was nagging for me to hand him over :'( Alas only 7 to 10 days left of the mad time & then I can ride as much as I want :)

New Rules for Flat

I’ve been thinking & since “Iams Man” (in a minute Sal) /Martin never seems to get around to things, I should try & get my needs fulfilled elsewhere : D Easy, not like that (well it’s not on the list but hunky chaps willing too… ooohh enough). Anyway I’m thinking from now on I’ll only offer free accommodation (i.e roof over head) in a beautiful rural part of Scotland, to those who can help me check things off my list!

I’ve had my bedroom wall paper for 8/9months & still it sits there & not on the walls. My living room was half decorated 3½ yrs ago, another half attempt (same bits) was done 6 months ago, when will it ever be done? The rest of the house is the same (or worse) & I so dream of a garden with a little meditation hut/hide-away. Then there are Eastars needs (rider & field wise). So if you need to get away & can help me out, feel free to message me!

All guests wanting to use our flat must offer one of the following, in exchange for free accommodation

1. Riding instructor /good rider & give free lessons during stay
2. Decorate agreed room/s during stay
3. Clean my house
4. Help at work in or outside
5. Clean windows (yup big house too)
6. Create my ideal garden hideaway/nest
7. Erect fencing for my winter paddock
8. Build my barbeque
9. Build storage in my garage/clear crap to fit the car in!

10.  Build tree house (always wanted one)

A bat some swallows & a horse....

Maybe I should write a book "tales from behind the green baize door".... Saying that, this summer has been very quiet & extremely short of funny/embarrassing moments (it ain't over yet though... So who knows). The oddest/funniest thing this summer has been me dashing around the upper floors chasing a bat! To say my boss has a phobia of bats is a slight understatement, also the fact that we had 11 guest sat down to dinner meant the bat had really chosen it's timing badly. To cut a long story short I got two guests to help (bosses son & his friend) one wanted to simply kill rather than catch & the other it turned out was pathetic to say the least! I got the darn thing after the men almost brought the chandelier down with a landing net & made so much noise my boss came to investigate *just what I needed* she squealed "is that what I think it is"? No just a large daddy long-legs I reply while forcing her into her bedroom & slamming the door telling her to stay there until I say please!
The queens cousins were at dinner that night & I do wonder if tales of the heroic bat catching housekeeper will reach her :D

Swallows... I'm just a wildlife magnet obviously! Last year my thing was owls (rescued 2 in as many months) but this years it's swallows. The nest just by the stables produces 3 broods each year & this latest lot have taken to sitting on the main stable doorway. I walked in Monday not knowing 5 chicks were just inside the block perched on the main door :( Of course by rude entrance sent them scattering & calling for Mum (was a bit worried towards the end when she showed up & began swooping around). Two fledglings flew for a tiny open window & one missed, hit the frame sliding down the back of a huge unit. Three hit other windows & were easily caught then released. Thankfully Martin came & moved the unit forward slightly letting the little stuck one fly free. Phew :o)

Now that just leaves a horse :D Things always have a way of coming back to my horse :o)
What's puzzling me is how a horse can be (or at least be seen to be) one thing to someone, but a totally different beast to someone else?

To the previous owner Eastar was a total gent & never a lively chap, in fact she'd say more a whimp/gentle giant.... Yet here he often has his tantrums for unknown reasons & charges around his field doing wee bucks & rears while farting along the way. Some mornings he'll charge out & chase sheep doing his farting rocking horse routine, some evenings I'll go to bring him in & off he goes with another episode.  Can I notice any change? Nope, clueless as to why/what sets him off!
I was told he'd notice any changes in his surrounding & possibly throw his handbag (I take this to be a version of my so called "farting rocking horse" routine), yet he'll happily follow me anywhere & not bat-an-eyelid if there's a huge fat tractor sitting in his path or some other machinery belonging to the loggers that he's never seen before. Cars, vans or other obstacle are normally parked right in front of his stable & at times there's less than a cars width for us to walk through, but he'll just follow not really taking much notice & certainly not worrying about it!

Then there's the riding (ohh if only). I have tried to ride & he battles to turn for home every time :( I thought it was something to do with the tree covered drive, yet lead he'll walk it happily. So I thought it my lack of confidence, yet he did the same with someone else (not to same extent but she didn't ride for long, or as far down as I have tried). Katie also let him get a bit of speed, but straight away he was into little bucks, so she stuck with a trot.
I am so desperate to ride him, but know I need lessons. I also can't risk injury at the min with work, so I'm putting it off until early September when work calms down & an injured cook/housekeeper/skivvy/bat catcher won't matter as much.

What I need is a riding instructor who wants a fantastic break in a beautiful place & is willing to swap 6/8 hrs of lessons for free holiday accommodation. *Applications via comments please lol*