My Name Is Harry

Thank You

to all that left comments after my last post. 

It is never easy losing a pet which has become part of your family. 

Within hours of being in the house with just the cats I called hubby in tears. This is to hard I miss her so much. I want another dog. I know it is to soon..but when is it not going to hurt. 

So I started looking. Some looking mess I was in tears at the computer looking for dogs..with no enthusiasm at all..just looking.

After our Pyr Sammy died we always said we would get another and maybe this was the time. 

As it turned out I saw an ad with pictures of Golden Doodles. 

Not sure how I would feel about it we went to see them. 

With low vision I said to hubby..your decision whatever you say..we can still look for another Pyr or maybe it is to soon and we need to wait.

Arriving we found a wonderful breeder who had been doing this for 9 years and this was the last litter. It was time for her to retire and spend some time travelling with her husband.  We met both the female and male dogs. Very friendly and well behaved just loved them both.

  

It was not long and hubby  walked over to Little Harry and said..this is the one. 

I was so surprised because I knew he really wanted another Pyr.  

Nope he said this little fella I really like..lets take him. 

Well with the low shedding and a lot of other positives  like the parents on site and likng what I saw..lol..I was game if he was. 

So here is Little Harry 

I  am still having my moments thinking of my Kally girl but I know she is out of pain and that is a big issue with me. 

This little fella brings with him some laughs and the hope he has a healthier life than our poor Kally had. 

This little fella is one smart pup. Sits for his leash..very few piddles..runs for the  door when he wants out. I think we have a good pup so far. 

No regrets getting another so fast. It is a compliment to Kally that she left such a void in my lives as big as she did that it was not a home with her gone. 

Let the games begin..lol.

We are now living in Harry's World..lol. 

It should be an interesting ride. 

Helen-Mary maybe I can make a dog bed for him..thanks for posting your project. 

Have a Wonderful Safe Canada Day Weekend.

Goodbye My Little Kally Girl

Kally came to us as a sweet little pup. 

Easy to train with a very quiet personality.

An overall sweet dog.

Unless there were socks around..lol. 

She ate over a dozen socks in her 8 years with us. 

It did not seem to matter how careful we were or our guests. She could find them and off to the Vet again. 

We finally figured out all her secrets, thank heavens..lol

The big thing was her allergies. 

23 of them!!!!

Yes we tested her and it was staggering!!

For most of her life this poor pup had to be on steroids. 

We tried everything and always had to come back to the pills. 

At 2 she was x-rayed to find both her hips were completely out of the sockets. 

We decided to keep her until she showed severe issues with that also. 

We paid for a Pure Registered Breedable Puppy. 

Needless to say we never did breed her. 

In the end it was the allergies that took her. 

Because of the steroids she got Cushings Disease. 

Finally it was time to say goodbye to my best friend. 

We had our daily routine and our special times of the day. She was my other half. 

It is hard  to not have her in my life and only in my heart. 

Another pup will have to make its way into my heart the way Kally did. 

Because I live where and how I do there will be another dog. 

The tears will be there still but mixed with happy ones I hope. 

I sure miss my Little Kally Girl

Such a Special Dog and My 

Friend

Low Vision & My Cart

My blog title should change but no...I like it and even with not being able to sew very much it may as well stay. 

The horses still are my number one love and sewing used to be my second. It has been taken over with my dealing with low vision. More stories on that to follow Maybe a little subtitle is needed. 

My little cart is working out well for the warm weather. There are issues  that are interesting at times. I do stay very close to the grass when driving up the road to the barn. Last week a very wide load  with a pilot truck front and back along with two police cars whipped past me. OH MY!! He did not come close to me..but the overall size and my little cart..WOW! 

To think I used to drive a tractor trailer and take wide loads out west with my hubby..and now to my little cart. LOL

Talk about downsizing..lol

The one thing you need when dealing with most problems in life is humour. Believe me it is being used over time right now. 

Services for people with low vision are expensive if even available. Just going for a Dr. appointment takes major planning with both drivers (if you can find one) and the Dr.'s office. 

The one thing people say is call me if you need anything. That is not easy. You know they are working and have other issues they are dealing with  so you don't like to bother them. 

If you know someone out there with health issues not just vision loss. Change that and call them and say I am going shopping or to the medical building on such and such day ..would you like to go with me. Just that small change makes it so much easier on the persons guilt feeling and in the planning. 

Vision loss is nothing compared to so many other health issues. It is just a darn pain in the butt trying to get from here to there...lol. Oh ya!! and a few other things..lol. My main point is..it could be a heck of a lot worse. 

So

One day at a time

It is a learning process 

Max & Bill

Max & Bill

First visit to there new stalls

They have been watching for weeks from there paddock that something big was happening in the barn
Finally it is time

Max as expected was pretty nervous coming in but it did not take long for him to settle in. 

A quick sweep of the floor and we left them to relax and check out there new surroundings.

With that we found that some how our weekend was over

How did that happen!!!

Warm Weather

Long Hot Days 

with

No Rain

Forecast today and tomorrow for storms and I really hope we do get some nice long soaking rains that help the crops. 

North of us has been a combination of flooding and forest fires. What an odd combination in one province. 

As you can see Tippy is handling the hot weather very comfortably..lol

The barn still needs more work but that is going to happen when it cools down a touch!!

A picture of my old garden. The plan was to start it again but the barn has taken so much of my time that I decided to go with some containers instead for this year. 

One step at a time. It has taken me years to figure out taking on to many projects just does not work..lol

Well off to the barn to bring in some warm horses so they can have a cool restful day. I don't think they will mind if  all the work is done or not!

Enjoy the day!

Barn Renovations Update

                Fantastic weather and I am loving it. 

There  has been the odd rain shower to keep the grass green. 

The barn renovations are almost done. This weekend should finish the last stall. 

But lets face it barn work is never really finished..lol

This is the stall for our mini's. Isn't it cute. The next one ocer is for Raz the Oldenburg. Check out that one board that went darker with the stain. If I did not find it so interesting the way the wood is and the way the stain went on I would change it..lol. 

We are so lucky to have a great friend that has helped us with the planning and building. This project would have been an entirely different story 

without his help. We appreciate his help so much. 

Thank you Steve!!!!

Needless to say the yard at the house needs some attention now the barn is almost finished. 

Enjoy this great weather. 

Slow Progress Now!

It was a busy weekend!!

Pressure washing has started.  The few stalls left to be taken down are not a big project. This weekend will be more cleaning before the painting can start never mind building stalls.  We need longer weekends. 

The sand is in most of the stalls which was another big job.  What a great feeling to get to this stage. 

I am hoping to get my new scooter in the next few days. With the price of gas maybe that is a good thing..lol.  Just a few more weeks to go and we will see if my eyes have changed since my last appointment. 

Rain is needed so badly. So rain dance whatever..lol. we need your help. It is wonderful seeing the sun out and the spring weather but it is very dry. 

Enjoy the day!!

Let The Painting Begin!!

Good Morning!!


What a wonderful day..the sun is finally out. I am in the beginning stages of a huge project. We are rebuilding all the stalls in the barn. This weekend we are digging all the stalls out and putting new sand in for drainage then the building starts. It is supposed to rain but that is ok as long as the weather man is right that the temps are supposed to remain in the teens (C) So now the painting begins. Lots and lots of boards to be painted. 

Last weekend being Easter we had a great time over at friends. The meal was fantastic and the laughs endless. Once the meal was over the kids..(all in there 20's) decided to get the draft horses out and go for a ride. Some of these lovely horses had never been ridden but they sure did not care. I am not sure who had more fun the kids or the horses. 

Off to the barn!! This project is going to take sometime to finish..but at least it is started.
Have a great weekend.

Spring And Changes

Spring is here. We had 2 weeks of incredible weather. The ice went out of our lakes earlier than ever before, what a treat.  Then the cool weather returned. It is cold but at least we are without the ice and know that the warm weather is not that far off. 


I have started my seeds for the veggie garden. It is so exciting to be able to plan on playing with the soil again. It has been a few years since I have had my garden so I am back to reading and planning where everything will go. It is early yet for Ontario but it does not hurt to play..lol. 


I had my 6 month check up with my eye Dr. yesterday and things are not good. Back to monthly visits and yes I AM able to drive for now. One more episode and I will not be able to.  That may happen now or who knows when..weeks, months, years!! Unfortunately with the dramatic changes in the last 6 months there is concern.The Dr. said it was time to start making plans in case things don't work out sooner than later. 
 So with that in mind hubby said to just go ahead and get an electric vehicle so I can get used to it now     


So here is my new ride.tada!! 

It will take 3 weeks to arrive but at least it is ordered. It even has a weather cover so I can keep fairly comfortable in bad weather while driving. 

It comes with headlights, brake lights, signal lights..drink holder..lol. 

Goes 18km an hour. It is like a golf cart but narrower and more heavy duty. Very powerful so no problem getting from here to (the barn) there. 

  

I will be putting all sorts of reflective on my wind cover which will be fun. 
Lol..maybe my granddaughters can help make it a cool looking cover..lol


Enjoy the sun!!

Some Weeks..Ugh!!

I have been missing for awhile...I know!!!

Well it all started with our boarders Quarter Horse putting his leg through the steel gate. His back leg slipped on the ice while his leg was caught in the gate. I was by myself. He is not a calm horse so I was not a happy camper when I came upon this scene. I have a wooden cane..so I tapped his front leg..and keep saying his name..and he finally pulled it out before going to the ground. It was an effort to get him to his stall..he hobbled and limped the entire way. I knew he had damaged himself but how badly I was not sure. Called his owneer and started pain meds. In the morning he was a mess. More TLC and if you can believe it..he is ok after 3 weeks. Just bruising!!!! He is SO lucky. Big thing is..I am not so sure he learned anything from the experience..lol. Darn horse aged me!!

Then..her other horse must have been playing around with the other horses and fell and had a huge hematoma on her side and hip!!! Good grief..both of them in a week. Called the vet and had her checked out and she is fine!! Messy but fine. Most of the swelling is gone. This horse is such a sweet thing!! She has the biggest brownest eyes you can sink into just looking at her. Her biggest love is her young owner the daughter of our boarder. That horse adores this girl..it is something to see.



We have lovely new doors on the side of the barn and the big front door is new. I love them..just awesome. With age doors become an pain..lol. One handed opening is a dream. I love them..lol. If it is possible to love doores..lol
But!!!! During the building I never thought that "Fat Cat" our rescue from the Human Society would react the way she did..she hide..or left for awhile.Well Poor thing I called and called. Fatty does not like noise or other people at the barn other than me. She thinks of the barn as hers and mine and there is no need for anyone else to be around at all. The week I have been pretty sad because with all the calling no Fatty Cat!! I thought maybe the coyotes had gotten her or maybe her health had finally gotten to her. (If you saw her you would know something is wrong..she is oddly built..probably why someone dumped her years ago). Anyway last nite after all was finished with evening chores I went back to the barn..and quietly called her. The barn was very quiet with the horses eating being the only noise. I just called in a very quiet voice Fatty girl..come on baby girl..and I heard the little call back and a thump down from the hay in the mow upstairs. She looked down at me talking away. She would not come down the ladder no matter what I did so I went up slowly with food and water. Poor little girl was so hungry. I wish she could tell me what had happened and where she has been. What a relief. When I go up to do chores this morning I hope she is still there and will let me havea closer look at her to make sure she is ok. This is when you wish our pets could talk..I know she has a story. Her little life has had way to many sad stories, I am just glad she is safe in her barn again. BTW..she has been with us for over 5 years and has never left the barn other than to walk around the outside walls staying very close to the building. I can pet her but not catch her to pick her up..even after all these years.

So that has been the barn stories. Personally life still has its challenges but as long as my pets are ok..I am ok!!! Lets hope the drama is over for awhile at the barn.

Keep warm and safe everyone. Snow coming our way today. What an odd winter!!!

The Desk!

I DID IT..managed to load the picture..not sure why I had trouble before..but in edit.I managed to load the picture....love it!!

I have no idea what I have done..or if it is blogger but I can't post pictures. When I click on the picture icon it won't open up the folder with my pictures. Anyone have any idea what is wrong?

On Sunday I was wandering around Kiiji which is like Ebay and found an Oak Roll Top desk..OMG!! They are so expensive and I have wanted one for years. That kind of money needless to say I could always find a home for in other places. Horses..dog..cat..vet..redecorating..appliance..whatever. Well this price had me calling the people. Just like that I said I will buy it having not even seen it. Yesterday morning it arrived. The nice man said he would deliver it. It is in perfect shape..just what I have always wanted for height and over all size. I am one very happy girl. Being solid Oak it weighs a ton so it sure is not moving period..lol.

When the download feature finally works I will post a picture..grr!! How annoying when I have found such a great desk.

One of the horses hurt himself on a gate as I was bringing them in last nite so off to the barn to see just how sore the poor lad is this morning.

Enjoy the day!!!

Strange Winter

I guess there are times you have to be careful what you wish for..lol. Just after my last post we got a dandy snow storm. Did not hurt my feelings..lol. Then it all changed and now we are back into rain and ice. Some areas in Ontario have no snow. Today I heard we are supposed to have above normal temps from now on. That is ok..as long as I can walk and not slide all over..lol.

Hubby and I had some fun time at the barn on the weekend. The cats are totally craving attention. Nothing would do but to sit down and have some cuddle time. Tippy of course had to go on her wagon ride when I took hay out to the horses. That is her job..lol On the other hand her brother Dusty is not allowed on the wagon..lol

The horses had a wonderful time wandering and eating. It was a perfect day for them. They enjoyed every minute of finally being outside all day.

Needless to say the barn got to stay clean a lot longer also..lol.

Enjoy the day. I am off to do some purging of some sewing items I know I am not ever going to get at. May as well pass these things on to some people that will enjoy them.

Hard Work

I had to post this picture from a few years ago. THIS is winter..not what we have now. No sleigh rides this year so far. I know it can change very quickly..and hopefully we can get out and have some fun this year. This lovely team belong to our neighor..fantastic horses.

As I mentioned in my last post we don't have much snow but we do have lots of ice covering our pastures and the small paddocks. Poor horses are so frustrated with not getting out. So yesterday my wonderful friend that boards her horses with us came and we spread the good stuff ..lol..from there stalls on the ice. Shoot me..I was in bed by 6pm.last night .lol..lol..but we got it done. Boy was I sore and feeling my age!!! But seeing the horses out today made it al worth it. Sure enough today we were able to put the horses out in rotation in our small paddocs. We had some very happy horses.

So tonite we got them all in and bedded down to come home and see on my computer screen.....we are under a FREEZING RAIN WARNING...boohoo..again.Ugh!!!

So considering the forcast I thought for tomorrow I would do some baking for the freezer. This of course means getting down one of the old scales we have. Rod's Dad was a baker and so was Rod so we have recipies in large amounts lol..The reason for our collection of scales. It may end up with hubby doing the baking...I usually stick to the smaller recipies but we will see how brave I get. One of the best new toys we got is our Kitchen Aid..oh do we love that lovely red beauty sitting in its corner. It sure does a great job when we make our Christmas Cakes..Again this year we baked over 50lbs of cake!!!!Some years we have doubled that..ugh..big job..but good..lol

End of another day..Keep Well

This And That!

What an intersting few days. I looked out the window last week one day and could not see the planters on the front deck!!! White OUT!! Wow!!! Within 10 min. the sun was out...go figure. The horses are not having the best of winters with the ice in the fields..STILL.

Do you love old barns?? Well I do and I hate to see the ones that are falling down with no effort to keep them together. There is that point of no return..and it breaks my heart. Why let it get to that point?? What are people thinking. The new manufactured barns ;have no personality..are cold manufactured looking buildings that leave me empty. With the economy the way it is funding sure is not there. In fact the small farm is in danger never mind the old barns. We are lucky in our area we still have lots of old ones around but again land is being sold to investers and the homes rented out with the barns empty and falling apart in so many cases.

We do have an Amish community that have moved into some of the farms. It is nice to see when a crew arrives to work on fixing up a barn.

Our friend we get our hay from is always working away at doing barn repairs. Every visit for hay I just love looking at the old beams..the old hand made wooden ladders. When the barn is full it is an impressive sight. Not being one for heights..lol...I have never gone up top when it is full. lol. What a relief it is low right now for us to get our hay...lol. Did ya!! see how high that ladder goes..OMG!! In my younger years I helped put hay in and loved every minute of it. Time for the younger ones now to do that. We got our small load of hay and off home we went. Gotta love those visits!!

Well back to some sewing. Hey did you know that there are self threading needles for a sewing machine. My threader is off so I have had a terrible time threading my machine ... as in couldn't..lol. Found some Schmetz Self Threading needles at the CNIB online store. They work Great!!! Handy!!

Enjoy the day!!

Judi

Slipper Cold Day

What an unusual winter we are having. I just wish we could settle into winter or be done with it. Freezing rain again last nite. When I went out to start the pickup truck the doors were all frozen shut. No point in forcing them it will just damage the rubber. Good neighbors got me to the barn for chores and my brother is taking me up to the barn at lunch. Hopefully the sun this afternoon will get my doors working.



Dear old Gilly who will be 30 this year was happy to get outside yesterday for a short time. In her old age she has gotten fussy. Afternoons will be fine thank you...lol. She prefers most mornings to stay in her stall. Hey..thats fine with me. She is the last of the original line of Welsh ponies that have lived on this property for many years. Kinda sad really.

Well time to get some work done around here then head out and try that darn old truck again.

Keep warm..and watch your step!!!

Happy New Year 2012

So how was your Christmas/New Year celebration? We had a wonderful holiday. Rod came off the road with lots of time to get our last minute running around done. He loves to play cribbage so many games were played with howls of laughter coming from a table full of holiday treats to keep them going during some very loud games..lol. Now we are all on a huge cutback. It was great while it lasted..lol. Not being used to eating such rich food we are wandering around with a dazzed look on our faces!!

It is a New Year and I am back. We have had some difficult times since I last posted. Rod's shoulder is beyond repair so he is working with a physi to try and build up muscle around his tear. It is the best it gets. Now with working his other arm to compensate he is having issues with it. Not fun..but what can you do!!

Then the other health scare. Lumps in one lung. Many tests and trips to the Cancer Clinic and they are not malignant. Whew!!! His Dad died of lung cancer so it brought back a lot of memories. Now he has a CT Scan every 3 months and an interview for 3 years to make sure there are no changes.

I can honestly say THANK HEAVENS for our horses!!!! They keep us grounded. They need us and we need them. Having to go to the barn multiple times a day to feed and clean is our sanity. No matter what is happening you HAVE to get out and look after them. Just walking in the barn to the happy snickers/whinneys/foot stompin makes you smile no matter how your day is. That old saying about what a horse does for your soul is so true.

Our little mini Pepsi picked up a nasty virus a few weeks ago with a fever to go along with it. He is fine after some meds and a tonic to build him up again. He is our comedian so it is not good when he is down and out. Poor little fella was feeling pretty down.

Raz the new Oldenburg mare that our boarder got and her palimino do NOT get along. We have had some dandy issues there and Raz is in a paddock on her own. I think she is used to that and much prefers to be on her own. It is ure is better than the vet bill that our boarder could face if the 2 mares get together again. Under saddle they are fine..in a field forget it!!! Guess I did not mention the new mare before..now THAT is a story!! OMG..she is incredible. From Germany..with a story and a mystery that may stay that way. Next time!! Never a dull moment in a barn..lol.

My vision is getting worse. Distance is ok..so far. But to sew ect is so difficult. I may have to start selling off some of my sewing goodies and machines. CNIB is coming out to help with some of my daily issues. I love my new IPAD2. As much as I use my desktop I find the IPAD great when relaxing in my chair and wanting to read something on the net or listen to or watch something. Love audible books..they are great!! In my ever changing ways due to my eyes I have decided to start my veggie garden again. I was so busy with sewing ect I had given up the idea of starting it again after my knee surgery. It won't be as big but I think it will be fun to play around with a small one to start with. I used to do a lot fo freezing and bottling before my arthritis. Still won't be able to handle a lot but we will see what the spring brings this year. With these cold temps and talking gardening..oh well..lol

I hope everyone is well and looking forward to a Wonderful New Year!!

Enjoy the day. I hope to be back on a regular basis. Keep well.