SPRING - I have proof!

 - There is no snow.

 - Copper is not wearing a blanket anymore (and she is so white!!!)

 - Phoenix is spending a huge amount of time sprawled on the warm ground, or rolling, or any other form of relaxation.

 - Tumbleweeds and tornadoes of horse hair.

 - There is a slight, cautiously optimistic green starting to poke through the ground.

 - Parker is bored and harassing the other two.

 - Evening chores happen while there is still daylight left.

 - Every time I walk out the door, I smell melted manure.

 - Baby goat kids!

(Photo by Selina Bailey)

Mildred gave birth to three (!!!) healthy perfect babies on Easter weekend.  Two girls and a boy.  

A couple days later, Lucy surprised everybody with her one little girl kid. It's like a goat maternity ward in the barn these days.  Wow.  

I am starting to think about getting back to work, and I miss all my riders, but my recovery is still going way slower than I'd like.  Generally I'm feeling much better, but I struggle with fatigue and weakness.  I'm getting help and working with my doctor to find the right medication.  I may not feel ready to start up lessons again, BUT I am getting out to the barn twice a day, enjoying spending time with my horses, and even taking my dog out for walks around the yard.  That is all improvement. 

If you would like to brave the mucky barnyard and my dirty hairy horses, we are up for visits - just contact me.  

An update on the First Day of Spring

Yes, it is our annual manure melt and shedding season on the farm.  Yay!

I am slowly recovering, and it is going much more slowly than I'd like it to.  But I've had to learn to be patient.  I'm still not sure when I'll be ready to go back to work.  Soon, I hope.

Some of you might know that my husband was nominated for a Juno, for Recording Engineer of the Year.

He's wearing his Ariat jeans and I'm wearing my formal cowboy boots, haha!

 We spent the weekend at the Juno Awards in Hamilton, and although he did not win, we had a good weekend.  John organized an Engineer-Producer discussion panel event, which was a success, so we were pretty happy about that.

I'm sure you'd like to see some pictures of us all cleaned up and NOT wearing barn clothes…!

This is me having my picture taken with Alanis, although Alanis is not having her picture taken with me.  

I'd love to see my riders again, but March break has come and gone and I have spent it recovering from being tired all weekend!  I will keep you all updated and let's hope we can all get back in the saddle soon!  Until then, here are some pictures of goats for you.

A Progress Report

Hello!  I'm still here!  I thought it would be good to let you all know what's going on out here at Punkeydoodles Corners.

I'm feeling much better, although still having a hard time with fatigue. I can get out to the barn twice a day, and take the pug for a short walk, but I wear out very easily.  I think it's the medication.  I often feel very unsteady on my feet, which is not a pleasant feeling when cleaning up in the barn or walking past a large hooved animal. This has improved though; for about a month I felt like I couldn't walk in a straight line!  I'll be seeing my doctor later in March, and see if we can figure that out.  Otherwise, these meds seem to be doing their job; I feel much more like myself again!

The horses are getting bored.  I think they could use some company, so if you want to come out for a visit, feel free to give me a call.  Most days now I can handle a visit and I think I'd like to start seeing people too.

I'm not sure when I'll be back to work.  I expected to really be back on my feet by this time, so at this point I'm thinking maybe May. At least that way the barnyard will be dry and cleaned up.

Right now, we're getting into my least favourite time of year: manure melting and shedding…. but hey, it's part of life.  I'm just so grateful that I can go outside and pat my horses, when a few months ago even that wasn't working to make me happy.  I'm glad I don't feel like that anymore.

In other news, this weekend my family and I will be in Hamilton for the Juno Awards!  John has been nominated for Engineer of the Year, and I'm super proud of him, and man do we ever need something to celebrate this year!  Here's a link to the official Junos site, if you want information on viewing the Sunday telecast or the Saturday live stream.

I expect to be very worn out next week!  I have decided to not worry about how I'll handle the excitement of all the events.  I have people around me to lean on if I get exhausted and wobbly, and for the most part I get to sit and applaud.  I can do that.  I'll even put on some nice clothes and brush my hair!  (You wouldn't even recognize me!)

(Remember that time Angelina Jolie wore the black dress with her leg sticking out the side?  This is my farm girl approach…)

Beautiful view from the house!

The little kids are growing up.

Ivan is as handsome as ever, right?

And Parker is veeeeery fuzzy.  

But not for long now.  

Winter will be over soon.  Enjoy your March break, and we will be in touch!