Twenty Legs on the Plains
 

I'm not sure how this will go but due to popular demand, I've decided to 'blog' our lives on the farm. Two adopted Kitty Katz, one horse, one pony, Himself and me makes twenty legs. In a beautiful patch of Oz, our exploits may bore you, entertain you or surprise you. Who knows.
It's not gonna be anything grand be assured. Just a chance to prattle on perhaps.
Hope nobody minds. Just ignore me if you do... :) names have been changed to protect identities :rolleyes:

Page one...
It’s a sad day on the farm. We’re down to 16 legs. Doofus the cat has gone to hospital for a catheter as he has urinary retention. He’s been off all day and lethargic but I initially put it down to an early morning soirée with a fox who’s been creating havoc every dawn for the past week or so. It was a choice between watching Doofus rip the house apart and letting him out, so out he went at 4am. I thought he’d been in a tumble with the fox and bashed his back/pelvis; he came home looking whipped.
He slept on the sofa all day and not even putting on ‘Bolt’ cheered him up (He loves that movie). So after a busy day with the other animals, we took a quick trip to the vet and there he stayed. It’s a sad evening but I’m sure he’ll be home soon. I never got to kiss him goodbye so I pray he'll be safe.

This morning the equine dentist arrived for Stinky. It was hard watching my 17 hands of horse being gagged and lip bound, but it was for his own good. His overgrown teeth made it hard for him to eat. Tubby watched to whole process and quivered behind me for much of it (14 hands of ginger-covered lard quivering is quite a sight). He even rested his head on my shoulder with dopey eyes which was a first for him. He was gelded at 2 and a half and it’s taken over a year for his hormones to tail off. This drop in testosterone has meant he’s more amenable to being in with Stinky and less inclined to bite, chew and stomp at me. It’s been quite a journey with the stubborn little so and so. But the light is sweet.

The heavens opened this afternoon and left us up to our eyeballs in mud. Again. The driest state on the driest continent and we’re getting most of our annual rainfall this week it seems. The boys had a quick turnout where they slid round like Bambi on Ice, followed by the decision to stable them for the night for fear of them breaking a leg, or worse, in the slippery goo I have for a paddock.

Anyway, that’s all for today. There’s more Grey’s Anatomy to get through. We're all warm and dry and I feel well :wink:

Your 'blog' is a wonderful idea Pud's Friend! :idea:

I like the thread name "Twenty Legs", but I daresay from your opening chapter, the number of legs will vary from episode to episode. :D

Your animal's names are certainly interesting and I daresay there's a story behind most of those as well. Maybe we'll get to hear about them as your story proceeds. :wink:

I look forward to the next installment. :rolleyes:


BTW.... I still have a red face for not realising that you meant a DVD rather than a text book when you spoke about Grey's Anatomy in a recent thread. Just goes to show how niaive I am. :o

Love it, Pud :)....... I hope the other four legs come home in tact and feeling much better :hug:....Damn Fox..:mad:

Love it, keep more coming.

More......more.......more please, pud!! I hope KK comes home soon feeling much better. And I didn't know that horses had to have their teeth filed down sometimes. One of our rabbits (years ago) had teeth that kept growing too. Sure hope you all dry out soon!!! :)

Page 2.

It’s been a miserable day. The wind is howling, the rain has been lashing and we’re barely hitting 15 degrees. It was 30 last week ! The boys had even started losing their winter coats. It now seems like they’re standing out in the freezing wind in their undies. Poor things. They were stabled last night to protect the field; much to their disgust. You’d think they’d been in for a week had you seen them hoon out this morning.

Tubby is like a wind-up version of Bullseye from Toy Story 2. His best dressage move entails galloping off at (what he thinks is) lightning speed, bucking and farting as he goes. He’s such a bundle of spirit. Stinky on the other hand is far too elegant to show himself up. Think Black Beauty theme song and the horse off a Ferrari logo. He glides across the ground, full stretch, nostrils flared power trotting, looking down at the cartoon pony going like the clappers by his side. The odd cow kick to the side to show his dominance, a skid start and they’re off. It’s been carrots all round to make up for me not spending much time with them. It’s too cold for me but they don’t seem to mind.

We went to see Doofus at the vets. I was a bit upset since I hadn’t said goodbye before he was whisked away yesterday. We got 10 minutes with him; he howled his way in to us, mortified to be seen with a frill around his neck, and worse still, to be wetting himself with a catheter in. He’s having a trial without the catheter tonight and if that works, I’ll collect him in the morning. Who would know the house could be so empty without him. Pud searches for him at times and has become very clingy. She never got to say goodbye either. Just waiting for a phone call…

I forgot to include the sheep in my calculations. They add 96 legs to the equation. But they’re a constantly changing number and will be off to the sales on Monday all being well. But that will be another story. Sheep are truly stupid creatures who never cease to amaze me. I left their gate open by mistake last week. I noticed this fact the next morning and thinking I’d just lost a grand and a half, I was overjoyed to find them standing in the middle of the paddock, quaking in their hoofs at the site of an open gateway. They didn’t want to risk walking through bless them.

Anyway, that’s all for today I guess. The highlight of the afternoon was stepping on a lizard. He survived I add.

I’ll tell you about Stinky’s 'Fence Tourette’s' tomorrow

Just a quick one tonight.

Exhaustion has set in from running after the sheep. Darned things.

and Doofus is back home but is looking very sick... it will be an all night vigil I reckon. Keep your fingers crossed for us. :(

Awwww, I pray Doofus will be alright..:hug:

I'll say a prayer for poor Doofus....sure hope he recuperates from his terrible ordeal. And the mental picture of Tubby "exploding" out of the gate, is too much!!! Thanks! :)

The cunning little devils got the better of me.
 

4
Last night was a miserable, long, exhausting, upsetting and anxious time. Doofus continued to be unsteady on his feet, unable to pass water and could not meow (much to his confusion). My poor little mate.
Himself appeared more upset by all of this than me. I think this is because he sees Doofus as my protector, my friend; my company when home alone. His poorly condition has had us in a state of unease bordering on panic. I woke through the night and slowly but surely, he seemed to pick up. Then finally, this morning, the sweetest little pitter patter as he came down the hallway, into the bedroom and up onto my shoulders where settled for the remainder of our sleep.

It’s been a long day of watching and waiting but he seems to be slowly picking up. Himself has been taking him out for boy-time breaks and I watch them walking down the lane, side by side. Doofs would never usually let us walk with him (he hides his daytime stakeouts from us) but now he’s happy to have the company. And when it’s time to head for home, he appreciates the lift too!
I don’t know what’s happened to his meow. ? But my little hero is back on track and that’s enough for me.

Today should have been ‘Take-the-sheep –to-mart’ day. Instead it turned into something of a nightmare. The damned, blasted, blinkin’, freakin’, idiotic pains in the proverbial asre got the better of me and declined to board the trailer of delight. They must have heard where they were really going!! So after an hour of to and fro, avoiding the trailer, jumping the fence, cutting themselves, head butting a tree, getting stuck in a fence and generally giving me the right run around, I admit, I gave up. I almost cried!!! They are such frustrating creatures. It’s enough to drive one to drink!!

I’m settled in to watch Flash Forward and Himself has gone to the Fire service; home soon.

So we are a full complement of legs on the plains.

Thanks again pf! So glad to hear Doofus is feeling better. Is that him in your avatar? I'd heard sheep were really dumb creatures, and you've confirmed it. When I was married, we raised some dairy goats just for fun. Now they were extremely crafty so we had to keep a step ahead of them -- the opposite of sheep. Good luck getting them to market! :)

Yeeeaaahhh. Doofus is back in action felling mice in one scrambling swoop. He favours the multi bounce and keep it low approach. The stable rabbit continues to evade him however… more practice needed methinks. What a relief. I’ve got my farm cat and best buddy back. :grouphug: Even the horses have missed him I think!
(Yes, that’s him on my avatar and Miss Puds down the bottom)

The sheep appeared full of remorse for their antics (yeah right) as they lounged in the sun today. A two week reprieve from the meat man may be good for them but it ain’t doing much for my bank balance.

But today was an important day for me; I must report that I had my first official paying client for a counselling session. Although I wasn’t nervous beforehand, it must have been an underlying anxiety/stress because I am now exhausted!! It was good though. Enjoyed the whole experience and made the first crucial step to the future which has to be good. (I add that I didn’t ‘enjoy’ hearing about the issues that brought the client to me, but I was glad to have been able to help).

So it’s been another day of neglect for the horses made up for by senseless gorging of carrots, back scratching and muzzle blowing. Little Tubby enjoys a good nuzzle which involves 'sharing air'. That's a mouth-to-nose experience (my mouth, his nose in case you’re confused) and a firm blow into his nostril. It tickles his brain I think.

I didn’t think much of flash forward either… :(

All good.

Any offers for a nuzzle?

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/q...l/IMG_1214.jpg

The mice were overjoyed to see the return of Doofs to the sofa...

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/q...wuhwil/037.jpg

Awwwww, the little sweety. Glad he's back in action..:)

Now that horse nose picture officially grossed me out. :D

I do clean the grot off his nose before he gets a nuzzle :D

Today was a struggle against fatigue, a beta hangover and terrible leg pain. Slowly through the morning, I got a bit steadier and headed into town. Seeing an old friend reminded me of how much I wish people would understand this illness. “Oooh, you look well” she said. When I mentioned how hard things had been recently, she replied “You’ve struggled with the acceptance have you? Well keep looking ahead and MAKING THE MOST OF THINGS”!!!!!!!!!!!! :ranting:

Dang, hadn’t thought of that. There’s me sitting on my butt letting life pass me by…
I replied, no actually it was the falling over and pain that I struggled with, which she raised an eyebrow to. Why do some people think they know how we should feel???

How do you live life to the full too??? How do you know if you’re only living half a life on the sly and not a full one??? Next person to tell me about their aunt’s half brother’s cousin’s niece feels so well with MS and is living life to the full gets a smack in the chops. Be warned. :Poke:

Found the energy to wash the car of the inch thick caked on mud and learnt not to wash one’s car on top of an ant’s nest wearing flip flops. (That’s me wearing the flip flops not the nest). We have giant Jurassic ants round here and I got bitten to hell.
I also learnt not to leave my foot in the very same place that Tubby wants to put his. Luckily I had my boots on by then…

Living life to the full.

:sunchair:

Oh no....they do that "But, you look so good" stuff, across the pond..:mad:

Sorry you're filthy, but glad your car is clean.:D

Feel better soon..:hug:

Sheesh!!! Sounds to me like your name should follow "Living life to the full" in the dictionary! They just don't 'get it'.

Hooray for Doofs!!! :)

A duvet day today.

Haven't felt so weak in ages.

All animals must fend for themselves...

If I had the strength and the resources, I would be on my way to Samoa. What a disaster. My heart goes out to all affected. :(

Well yesterday came and went and I spent it reading Cormac McCarthy's 'the road'. What a fantastic if disturbing book. and that's about all I was capable of for the day. It was another 'all fend for yourselves' day.

But today is better again. :)

We all went for a horse ride this morning which was fabulous as ever. My little pony (yes, I do sing the song as we go along) was a treasure. He's very willing and cute. We haven't got steering sorted yet so it's a bit like a drunken sailor routine but we enjoy. He's off to the breakers next feb for finishing school. Then look out... all those gymkana's that I live through in my vivid little imagination will come true. I can't wait. We may even be popping over a few jumps, who knows :eek:

Himself took Stinky out and managed a respectable trot, though it wasn't asked for. It was more a case of Stinky deciding the route and speed but it was fun anyway. I'm proud of the two of them.

The Katz came along and stalked us most of the way, ducking down in the long grass but the boys are wise to them now and don't run away quite so keenly.

The days as getting longer, the clocks go forward tonight and the temp is getting higher at last.

..still living life to the full...

And on to Stinky’s obsession.

My dear Stinky, all 17 hands of him, loves to PING fences. Stock fence, tight wire, electric fence or tape; he’s not fussy. He looks, he contemplates, he tests it out, lifts a hoof, tap tap ping ping; ‘mmmmm that’s nice’ he thinks. It’s like Tourette’s. He HAS to try it. He’s obsessed. Ping Ping. :eek:

Then every time; he knows, I know, we all know what comes next.

“Ooh, I’ll just have one more ping, it feels so goooood, but I WON’T put my foot through this time. I won’t. I’ll just ping, ping, ping.

“Because I know that if I put my foot through I’ll get stuck and then she’ll have to come and save me and she’ll call me a donkey Ping ping.

“just a little bit more, I’ll be careful, just one more Ping
Ping, ping
“Oh carp !!

I’m stuck

Help !!!!

Where is she? Help!!

Hmmmm. Help !!!

“Ooooh, here she comes. If I put my head down, she won’t notice. I’ll turn away… dum dee dum dee dooo…
Oh now she’s calling me a donkey, and I am, I know I am, but I SO like to ping fences. Oooh she’s helping me out, ooohh that’s better, oooh I’m free…

Yikes !! I’m Free !! I’m getting outta here. Leggitt !!!!”

And off he goes, to ping another day.

Sure glad to hear you're feeling better, pf! Your menagerie was probably thrilled to see you too!!! Hope Stinky doesn't get stuck in electric fences....Ouch!!

It always amazes me how our seasons are the complete opposite. Your days are getting longer -- ours shorter.......your summer is coming -- our winter (bah humbug). Enjoy! :)

I like the assumed names you've chosen. This is a hoot. :) :) Doofus is super cute!!

Well I'm coming to the end of my blog. It's only been a week but things tend to be like a Scooby Doo cartoon round here. Lots of dashing about but passing the same old scenery - table, chairs, ghost, table, chair, ghost.
Life is just on a loop- horses, sheep, injection, horses, sheep, injection. :Noooo:

So no doubt if you weren't bored already, you soon will be.

I found a burst of energy today and started clearing some garden for a new veggie patch. It's an ambitious project but I'm sure it will work. I'll post the results when i'm done. Miss Pud was close at hand all day but decided to settle in a nearby plant pot for the duration (see below).
Doofus is out and about and is unaware of the summer time clock change.
Tubby is indeed very tubby. Quite the little darling.
Stinky continues to be stinky. His favourite treat is having his rump scratched and he will turn his back end in your face in the hope there's a scratch in it for him. it's quite an unerving thing the first time it happens but you get used to having the dangerous end pushed into you when you see the contentment on his face. So content is he that he tends to fart at you when you're in the act - hence the label Stinky.

The sheep will make their maker next week provided we can get them in the blinkin' trailer.

and Himself continues to be my saviour. :Heart:

Living life to the full. :yahoo:

sixteen legs and four poorly ones
 

My baby girl kitty kat Miss Puds is sick :(

Woke this morning to a house full of kat puke and a straggly weak little kitty.
Typically it was a day-after-beta-morning so I was far from awake. A quick feed and water to the troops and off we treck to the vets.
I thought it may have been a snake bite (a dry bite produces no venom just shock symptoms 12 hours post bite) but having had a once over and an anti emetic jab, she started to perk up a bit. Hopefully just a bout of gastro and Pud cat will be up and about to find another plant pot to sit in.

They mean so much to us these animals. We have no children. We took the kats on at a time when we had just moved house and were full of plans for the future. Then it all hit the fan and now they have become my saviours.
Just hope she pulls through.:Sob:

Hopes and Prayers for little Pud and Pud's friend..:hug::hug::hug:

lamb chops anyone?
 

hoooooorayyy. Puds is back on her feet. poor little mite. Who knew a cat could vomit so much? We need another mortgage to pay off the vets bills now.

Yesterday's exercise consisted of running after sheep again. Blasted things. I was determined not to let them win this time though and with the help of a gate or two, we managed to corner them successfully. Three trips to the market later, and they were gone. We collected them in one trip three months ago (slightly larger trailer) but had to do 3 trips this time cos they'd fattened up so much. Anyway, today was market day and they sold for a good price. One apparently died after we left (i have no idea how) but the insurance covers deaths and we get the same price for the dead one. So all good. :holysheep:

We are officially back to 20 legs on the plains; though sometimes i don't think mine are going to last me long.

Waiting for the summer... I'm planning on a super suntan before going home in the new year to show off to my sister how lucky i am to have the time to sunbathe. Ha ha. :)

The suntan is a work in progress.
 

I’ve been missing in action for a while. It’s been a busy time preparing for the fire season and I’ve finally started on that ‘lucky’ suntan ! Our weather really is the strangest; our reservoirs are full (first time in decades), crops have done well and we seesaw between cold days of 17 degrees to a sudden summer of 32 today.
In fact today was a real treat; we worked outside all morning clearing the scrub around the house which not only displaced many lizards but also gave me some peace of mind as the fire season approaches. We have 9 separate paddocks, most of which have been eaten down by sheep so they’re generally safe. We didn’t re-seed this year and were reliant on self seeding for much of the crop. We did ok but its dying off quickly and we’ll need to buy in hay for the boys very soon. Either that or I bring them into the garden as I appear to have a lawn of Barley this year :eek:

And so to the boys. They are well but separated again. :mad: Stinky was forever chasing Tubby around (which was great at first; indeed that was my intention for S to run T around to lose some weight!) but it’s now bordering on bullying. Tubs has numerous bites to his neck and one swelled up quite badly so I’m giving him a break and separated them again for a while.
In the process of being ‘tamed’ by S, my sweet little pony has become an absolute gem (or Suck-Up as Himself calls it). The farrier is due on Friday for a much needed trim. The sudden dryness after standing in persistent mud and poor grass quality has caused bad cracking and we can’t ride until they’re done.

Doofus is great and asleep at my side, Pud is fully recovered and in the house at last after a late night soiree with a neighbouring cat. We need another mortgage to cover the vets bills but I’ve changed their diet so all being well, they’re good for a while. They both flaked out in the heat today crying at me and looking desperate, hot and bothered. There just wasn’t enough cool floor for them. How they’ll cope in 45 degrees is anyone’s guess!!

Himself is good, anticipating summer so he can go out surfing. Came home covered in oil after helping a mate service a car. Apparently the mate is clueless and removed the oil filter THEN started the car? Even I know not to do that! Then removed the oil plug but forgot to place the tray under the sump before doing so and dumped all his oil on the drive. Sounds like he needs kicking into shape if you ask me.

And I’m going steady. I confess I’m currently up in the middle of the night because of pain/stiffness/twitching/restless legs but I reckon I overdid things today. I groomed and fly-repelled two steeds, cleared an outside stable block of noxious weed, did some serious sunbathing, swam for a while, went to the library and prepared tea. A tad too much perhaps. :(

With the sheep money we’ve decided to invest in a weed sprayer to put on the back of the truck so we can drive up and down the fields to rid us of this awful weed that’s taking over. It’s like something out of war of the worlds only wetter. Almost like a succulent. I will try to find it on t’internet so I know what killer mix to get.

Anyway, just a quick update really. It’s still a Scooby Doo scenario – same old same old stuff passing by as I seem to run to stand still.

And I’m also in total denial; there’s not much wrong with me these days (or is it more that ‘poorly’ is the new ‘well’). Nah, all is well. Though that’s tempting fate now…

Many threads I want to add to ;
Dej; condolences and thoughts are with you.
All experiencing new carp; hang in there.
Newbies; welcome and sorry you’re here.
Balloon thread; what was he thinking???
Christmas ideas; where am I going for Thanksgiving again? Someone offered me turkey I’m sure.
Costco; take your word for it.
Downloading music; Limewire for me. Totally illegal but free. Go for it.
I’ve never seen a steam mop so can’t help on that one.
And I haven’t had the H1N1.

That covers it all I think. Any sensible questions I’ll leave to you all. :hug:

You forgot your favorite childhood homemade meal?? ;)

Never had one really. If it wasn't my sister cooking, it was me unfortunately and food never tastes as good if you had to make it yourself does it?
Baked potato in tin foil in front of the telly on a saturday watching Batman and Jim'll Fix it gives fond memories...

and onto the farm. We're being overrun by the weed. It's a cross between War of the Worlds and the Triffids I swear. So I bought loads of herbicide and, being on a budget, we're spraying the best pasrt of 20 acres by hand :eek:
Only time will tell how effective we'll be both in terms of getting the right chemical combo and walking the walk as it were. The alternative is to hang out the back of the 4x4 spraying as we go.
We're also intending to re seed next year out the back of the truck so if anyone has any ideas for a 'manual-Pour seed-drop through holes-out the back of a truck' contraption, feel free to send me your designs! Prize for the best. :)

I have a daydream of a tray (with holes) that seed is poured into, car drives along, seed is dropped.
But the number of variables is staggering.
Seed size, car speed, seed drop, wind velocity, inability to function due to laughter, arguments, told-you-so's,

How did they do it in the olden days? By hand surely? Sure we could manage something? Just can't afford a tractor or a contractor just now...

Anyway, the suntan is coming along fine.
I fixed some fencing today and got frazzled in the sun.
And I'm up at 4a.m. again.

I'm sure I'm known as the mad woman who picks up horse poop with her hands in my area but luckily, not too many people actually see me out and about. and i'm not sure if anyone else actually manages their paddocks round here either! There's weed, trash and horse abuse left right and centre.
But mine are ok so that's all that concerns me.

Yesterday I cooked up a recipe for sand colic involving melted fresh honey, milk and cream. Tried getting the horse to drink it today :eek: Nothing doing. Not a hope in hell.
So I soaked some hay in it and starved them until they ate the majority. Tactics. :)
I only made half a dose so we had mushrooms in fresh cream for tea and we have fresh natural honey coming out of our ears.

poop and weed clearing is the order of the day, as always.

The weather is warming nicely though it brings out the blasted flies.

my Mum is skyping me tomorrow which will be nice. First time to see her in about 2 years.

And I've solved my Beta pain issue- turns out even a spot of alcohol on the bung before I make up the solution is enough to cause it for me. Since not using alcohol, there's no problem, no pain, no gripes. Yahoo.

I could use a pooper scooper, too. Since I put in the WC ramp, my old dog will not learn the new trick of running down the ramp to the patio and then through his doggy door, to the grass.

He was doing ok for awhile, but he has gotten older and lazier. Soooooo, he goes on the ramp, in the garage and all over the patio. Any ideas, besides shooting the dog??:eek:

I think I am going to give up and since he's a small dog, just put some piddle/poo pads around and keep him an inside dog. What do you think?

I don't recommend this for your dear horseys, though..LOL

I only wish there was an easy answer to horse poop and the vast quantities that my two can produce. Sometimes I think that's why some people don't feed their horses- saves them scooping.
As for dogs, well I think there's nothing worse than doggie doo but that's more to do with my childhood of being surrounded by dogs and wet feet and poop and mess. Horse doo is only grass at least.

More vast amounts of weeding today- anyone watching would have seen Himself and me on our hands and knees in a field pulling swathes of succulent up. He's going to spray the short stuff tomorrow but I have plenty of the longer stuff to get through.

Stinky watched the process with anxiety as he saw some of his precious poop entering the wheelbarrow too. He hates to have his taken away.
Tubby just kept eating.

I saw my mum on the 'poota which was nice. She got to see the animals (and me for the first time since dx).

Himself decided to help me by vacuming the house- just that he left it running too long and burnt out the motor. Pants. Need a new one.

And I made a lemon cake. Yum.

It's been an exhausting day of farm work and driving today.
I started with an early morning of weeding at dawn which was lovely. Even the ponies were still dozing and left me alone to tend to the paddock.
I saw mum on skype last night and showed her my weed, and being quite a horticulturist (I have a geranium named after me) (it's cerise i think) she was able to identify it immediately. I looked it up and we soon realised that we are up against a beast of a plant. We found out it's called Mesembryanthemum, or Ice plant. We’re making Ice everyone. Crack heads are us. :D

We bought this place with 20 acres of barley growing beautifully but I now realise that what the old owners did was to plough the weed in and seed over the top. Whilst they got a good crop (handing it to us) at the time, all the spores have triggered underground and multiplied a million times, ruining our land. We can’t afford a pro to manage it so we’re DIY.

Himself woke in a mood of overwhelmed anxiety about the weed situation. In my hot little hand was a herbicide cocktail list and off we trekked to the farm supply shop. We got lost on the way home on the back tracks (the main road is closed for a new highway (through one of the densest food produce areas of SA- go figure)) and as is Himself’s habit, he took a random track and there began the ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ I have to endure whenever he drives. :(

Anyway, car sick to the hilt, the weeding continued in earnest. To put it in perspective, at a conservative estimate, I think I have personally pulled up about three cubic metres of this stuff. Honestly. It’s not like a little bit of garden weed. And there’s much more to come… I could cry.

Did I read of a volunteer who wanted to join in farm life? Anyone? Please? I really need a hand here !!

So it’s been another day of animal neglect though the cats have busied themselves with a little rabbit that they had cornered in a shed the WHOLE day. I finally freed it this evening but they’ve gone off to hunt it again. I wouldn’t mind if they killed it quickly but holding it captive like that was too much for me. Probably catch it eating my spinach in the morning- that’ll teach me.

Early night for me- helped by Diazepam! Why didn't I know about this little gem before now??? What a beautiful little tablet it is. I wake up full of energy!!!

hoo roo

Be careful of that little wonder pill. It's very addictive. I use it once in a while, but I have Valium hangovers from it.:Head-Spin:

Is that right SallyC ? I'd never have thought that such a soopa little pill could be addictive... well maybe I'll just be one of those people who do cos I ain't giving it up soon. It's far too nice. :)

Is it just you and me here Sal ? I'm so glad i'm not totally talking to myself.

Summer appears to have arrived in one great rush. It hit 38 with us today and brought out the flies, mozzies, snakes and lizards. It's very busy on the back patio :D

The boys have been too hot to walk, eat or poop. They're just standing around. and the katz are hot an bovvered plopping themselves in the coolest spot they can find.

I bought a powered sprayer to attack the remaining weeds. Yeah! It's fabulous and I have great plans of waking early to spray before it gets too hot.

Today was awful, i really struggled starting with weeding, then shopping, then horse care, then flaked out on the sofa for the afternoon :eek: It was bound to happen I know. I've eaten like a horse last couple of days and been really tired but I think it's the last week of work catching up with me.

That's all for a while. too much going on for a week or so now. :sunchair:

We're OK !
 

Well, where have I been? I don’t know where the time goes…

It has been a hot time with sweat and dust being the order of the day.
The start of spring, November, has brought an average temperature of 36 degrees!!! Up north where we are, we’ve seen a couple of tops of 42. It’s been like living in an oven. Thank heavens for air con! But at least now I know that it doesn’t affect my health in terms of symptoms worsening. I don’t think I’ve faired any worse than anyone else really. And it’s done wonders for my ‘lucky suntan’.

Doof is hot’n’bothered and has perfected the ‘flop under the air con’ manoeuvre. He’s really struggling and even showing signs of grumpiness. But as ever, he’s up on the bed for a good night’s sleep at my side. Miss Pud on the other hand must be coping better due to the smaller surface area and is happy to lounge out all day. One will be up on the round bale in the shed, the other under the house come the evening stalking for the next prey to come along.

We’ve done well not to have come across any more snakes but with a good undergrowth clearout and removing all water, they’ve found somewhere better to hang out no doubt. We have a family of beautiful lizards who hang out with us but other than that, we’re still only the twenty legs.

Tubs and Stinks are well and have found the pleasure of carrots big time. As the ground cover dies away, extra treats of apples and carrots keep them going to the order of 40kg a week. I am the carrot queen and they love me SO much when I come along with the bucket. It’s been far too hot to ride which is a shame as I’ve really fancied a trip today. Not that they’re complaining though. They’re far happier eating fence posts and tearing down electric fences. Stinks has only got himself stuck once recently which has been good.

We bought a tractor today!! Haven’t paid and got it yet but it’s reserved. It’s only an old one and we really can’t afford it but it we’re going to make a go of things here, we have to put some work into the land. The weeds were sprayed and treated and they’re dying off quickly, especially in the heat; so come Christmas, we’ll be slashing the trash off the ground and preparing for a new crop.

Himself has been busy working and fire fighting and surfing and spraying weeds for me and playing lots of computer games (which is getting very tiring). Other than that, we have lots of time together which of course isn’t always such good news. :eek:

And finally, I’m doing well. No further pain on injecting (I’ve ditched the alcohol) and no further symptoms apart from absolute memory dysfunction and failure to concentrate, reason, decide and calculate. It’s been a massive blow to Miss Perfectionist that I am but I’ve finally got my head around it all and in fact have come to find it quite liberating. It’s hard to explain but there’s no point fighting it is there? Had we not gone for the tractor option, I would have been getting a Brain Trainer thingy for Christmas but I guess that’s on hold now. I’ll just carry on as I am… :BeamUp:

And now I have lots of reading to catch up on all your posts. I hope you are all well :yahoo:

I'll leave you with tonight's sunset

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/q...wuhwil/sky.jpg

Legless on the plains
 

My beautiful hosses are being collected at 3.30. Stinks is going for a holiday and Tubs is off to finishing school. He's very happy about that because I told him there were carrots there :)

Pud and Doof leave at 5.30 to go to the playpen wing of the local cattery. Doof is most put out at having to stay in all day :mad:

and me and him are jumping on a plane first thing in the morning. :(

I feel sick with worry about the whole thing but I'm sure it'll all be good.


See you in a couple of weeks :rocket: