So I got my OCD side under control and left before 9 this evening. That's only 12h at the barn today. We got a LOT moved -- HUGE thanks to Paula (who looked after my horses AND helped move), Linda (spent all day helping move, clean, drill, hammer, etc...) and my incredibly wonderful parents who for some strange reason are STILL sticking with me :) Wow.
I am so excited to be at the new place. Everybody there has been so incredible. What a great environment to be coming in to.
Tomorrow the horses come to their new home!
1/2 way to a new beginning
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Lauren Cude Horsfall
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So I got my OCD side under control and left before 9 this evening. That's only 12h at the barn today. We got a LOT moved -- HUGE thanks to Paula (who looked after my horses AND helped move), Linda (spent all day helping move, clean, drill, hammer, etc...) and my incredibly wonderful parents who for some strange reason are STILL sticking with me :) Wow.
I am so excited to be at the new place. Everybody there has been so incredible. What a great environment to be coming in to.
And I fear I am past the point of no return with sleeplessness. I can feel my IQ dropping by the second. My body mostly still does what it's told, but not nearly as quickly as it's supposed to. And my vocabulary seems to be disintegrating by the second - making both writing and speaking a bit of a challenge (at least writing has a delete key!). But we're getting there.
And it'll be soooo worth it in the end!
I am so excited to be at the new place. Everybody there has been so incredible. What a great environment to be coming in to.
And I fear I am past the point of no return with sleeplessness. I can feel my IQ dropping by the second. My body mostly still does what it's told, but not nearly as quickly as it's supposed to. And my vocabulary seems to be disintegrating by the second - making both writing and speaking a bit of a challenge (at least writing has a delete key!). But we're getting there.
And it'll be soooo worth it in the end!
Countdown is on
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Lauren Cude Horsfall
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Well... After yesterday, today was positively easy :) hahaha
Taught for a few hours before going over to the new barn to discuss some changes with the landlords (all good!) then returned to do afternoon feed. Evening was mostly paper/web work... Somehow that never seems to end??? Ah well.
My mind just seems to be spinning constantly with all the things I should be doing and that I *want* to be doing. Getting packed, moving, figuring out what should be done when, setting up the new farm, planning for the puppy, planning theory lessons and march break camp (that's going to be so much fun :), trying to sort out scheduling changes for after the move, figuring out where to get new clients and business to replace those who can't drive quite that far, sending a dozen emails to a dozen different people about a dozen different topics, and on and on and on... All while working the usual 70-hour work week. No problem :)
3 days :)
Taught for a few hours before going over to the new barn to discuss some changes with the landlords (all good!) then returned to do afternoon feed. Evening was mostly paper/web work... Somehow that never seems to end??? Ah well.
My mind just seems to be spinning constantly with all the things I should be doing and that I *want* to be doing. Getting packed, moving, figuring out what should be done when, setting up the new farm, planning for the puppy, planning theory lessons and march break camp (that's going to be so much fun :), trying to sort out scheduling changes for after the move, figuring out where to get new clients and business to replace those who can't drive quite that far, sending a dozen emails to a dozen different people about a dozen different topics, and on and on and on... All while working the usual 70-hour work week. No problem :)
3 days :)
Today definitely used more than 24 hours.
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1000 bales of hay stacked. Need I say more? Of course: Huge THANKS to everybody who came to help out!!!
This evening my coach hosted a mastermind group (not that he actually called it that, but it's exactly that) and an absolutely amazing supper for a variety of horse pros in his circle to meet with each other. A live social network - imagine that *g* As he pointed out, the online version doesn't include wine. hahaha
Admittedly little awkward and very quiet at first as everybody met each other informally and attempted the obligatory new-person small talk over very yummy appetizers while we waited for everybody to arrive. When all were present (including the next generation -- possibly the most social baby I've ever met) we gathered around the table and did more formal intros. In the group we had a few eventers (focus mostly on training and competition), one jumper (focusing on bringing up babies), one dressage rider, a couple freelance coaches, one schooling barn, one who offers lessons for those with challenges (everything from non-verbal autism through to abusive home situations - she did *not* pick an easy route, but one that I imagine must be very rewarding in the end), and of course my coach and me.
After everybody had some idea who they were sitting with we started in on the amazing food *g* Things got quiet for a while then cause all were busy eating. hahaha but at least the awkwardness was gone. After that things ranged everywhere -- it's amazing how long horse people can talk horse-stuff. Topics included a wide range of things. Consider everything from:
- how to have a life while living this career (apparently I'm not the only one who finds that a challenge),
- uses of social media (apparently I am the only one who does that),
- the pluses and minuses of breeding programs (I paid close attention to that conversation!),
- prevalent attitudes at horse shows and within the industry and how they vary by discipline
- the general evilness of ponies
- buying/building a farm vs leasing
- transporting horses across the boarder and/or flying them in from Europe,
- to coaching at home vs coaching at shows.
And a whole bunch more that aren't at my fingertips right this second (remember - 1000 bales of hay this am >;-P)
Anyways - was a really interesting conversation and great for an industry where people are notoriously guarded about their business. And the food. Omg. The yummy yummy food :)
This evening my coach hosted a mastermind group (not that he actually called it that, but it's exactly that) and an absolutely amazing supper for a variety of horse pros in his circle to meet with each other. A live social network - imagine that *g* As he pointed out, the online version doesn't include wine. hahaha
Admittedly little awkward and very quiet at first as everybody met each other informally and attempted the obligatory new-person small talk over very yummy appetizers while we waited for everybody to arrive. When all were present (including the next generation -- possibly the most social baby I've ever met) we gathered around the table and did more formal intros. In the group we had a few eventers (focus mostly on training and competition), one jumper (focusing on bringing up babies), one dressage rider, a couple freelance coaches, one schooling barn, one who offers lessons for those with challenges (everything from non-verbal autism through to abusive home situations - she did *not* pick an easy route, but one that I imagine must be very rewarding in the end), and of course my coach and me.
After everybody had some idea who they were sitting with we started in on the amazing food *g* Things got quiet for a while then cause all were busy eating. hahaha but at least the awkwardness was gone. After that things ranged everywhere -- it's amazing how long horse people can talk horse-stuff. Topics included a wide range of things. Consider everything from:
- how to have a life while living this career (apparently I'm not the only one who finds that a challenge),
- uses of social media (apparently I am the only one who does that),
- the pluses and minuses of breeding programs (I paid close attention to that conversation!),
- prevalent attitudes at horse shows and within the industry and how they vary by discipline
- the general evilness of ponies
- buying/building a farm vs leasing
- transporting horses across the boarder and/or flying them in from Europe,
- to coaching at home vs coaching at shows.
And a whole bunch more that aren't at my fingertips right this second (remember - 1000 bales of hay this am >;-P)
Anyways - was a really interesting conversation and great for an industry where people are notoriously guarded about their business. And the food. Omg. The yummy yummy food :)
Hay Day
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So the overwhelming challenge of the move has been MET. We not only managed to load and transport all the hay from the old barn to the new, but ALSO stack another 600 or so bales. Np for GRS superstar volunteers!
Thanks tons to Margaret and Amy who spent all day hauling and were still smiling at the end :) You girls are awesome!
To Vic who not *only* helped move an excessive amount of hay, but also designed my new office for me AND relocated my sign (it's not up yet, but at least it's in its new home) AND built me some jumps! Wow. Really, thanks is not enough, but it's all I can come up with at the moment :)
To Jael, who gets the almost unbeatable title for farthest-distance-traveled - coming all the way from BC just to stack hay! hahaha well work might also have played a minor role, but my version of the story is more fun.
To my uncle Doug, cousins Dylan and Daniel, and their friend Austin - a HUGE thanks. Athletic and strong, these guys made a huge difference in getting things done. Austin thoroughly showed everybody up with his abilities to be not only in the right place at the right time to help where help was most needed, but also to *still* be taking two bales at a time at the END of the day. hahaha most of us don't even do that at the beginning. Dylan and Daniel also burned off some excess energy with some fairly impressive acrobatics inbetween stacking sessions. If we could bottle that, we'd all be rich!
To my incredible parents, who despite having done hay once before and *knowing* what they were getting into, gamely participated ALL day. I'm still fairly amazed at that :) Esp as Mum was helping me with yesterday's hay games too! How did I get so lucky?
And to Steve and his friends who made the whole thing possible by providing hay trailers and helping load and transport said hay. I dread even the *thought* of what it would've taken to do that all with the Ram. O.M.G.
So yeah, we are *done* and can now get on with the rest of the move. Only four days left at the old place!!! Not that I'm counting or anything :)
Thanks tons to Margaret and Amy who spent all day hauling and were still smiling at the end :) You girls are awesome!
To Vic who not *only* helped move an excessive amount of hay, but also designed my new office for me AND relocated my sign (it's not up yet, but at least it's in its new home) AND built me some jumps! Wow. Really, thanks is not enough, but it's all I can come up with at the moment :)
To Jael, who gets the almost unbeatable title for farthest-distance-traveled - coming all the way from BC just to stack hay! hahaha well work might also have played a minor role, but my version of the story is more fun.
To my uncle Doug, cousins Dylan and Daniel, and their friend Austin - a HUGE thanks. Athletic and strong, these guys made a huge difference in getting things done. Austin thoroughly showed everybody up with his abilities to be not only in the right place at the right time to help where help was most needed, but also to *still* be taking two bales at a time at the END of the day. hahaha most of us don't even do that at the beginning. Dylan and Daniel also burned off some excess energy with some fairly impressive acrobatics inbetween stacking sessions. If we could bottle that, we'd all be rich!
To my incredible parents, who despite having done hay once before and *knowing* what they were getting into, gamely participated ALL day. I'm still fairly amazed at that :) Esp as Mum was helping me with yesterday's hay games too! How did I get so lucky?
And to Steve and his friends who made the whole thing possible by providing hay trailers and helping load and transport said hay. I dread even the *thought* of what it would've taken to do that all with the Ram. O.M.G.
So yeah, we are *done* and can now get on with the rest of the move. Only four days left at the old place!!! Not that I'm counting or anything :)
Does this count as a nanoblomo post?
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So I actually managed a Friday Flash. Might regret that when the alarm goes off in 5h, but it was kinda fun. Weird. Very weird. I freely admit. Kinda curious to see what, if any, comments it gets *g* But we'll put that down to exhaustion. I always used to write my most interesting papers when I was beyond exhausted - maybe the same applies to fiction? ummm somehow doubt it, but we shall see.
A week today and my horses will be waking up in the new place! Woohoo! (yes waking up - it's after 12, therefore technically Friday *g*)
Not that I'm counting or anything :)
A week today and my horses will be waking up in the new place! Woohoo! (yes waking up - it's after 12, therefore technically Friday *g*)
Not that I'm counting or anything :)
#FridayFlash 57: When a warm wind blows
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A warm wind blew on a cold night right before I died.
It was time. I'd lived long enough to see the rise and fall of an empire. Or four. I'd learned a dozen languages, traveled around the world and through time. I'd even managed to fulfill my childhood fantasy of being a princess. Ugh, what a mistake that was - let me tell you girls, there are much better fantasies out there! Tiaras are just not worth the publicity.
My life was, and I say this in all humility, the thing of stories. I kind of wish somebody cared enough to write it down; it would make the kind of epic tale that would gain a cult following from the fantasy types and puzzled disdain from all the normal people - but it would definitely stir up talk.
The problem, as I see it, is that I've always been a secondary character. And nobody writes about secondary characters - not even me.
I was born to the Aldmere family; ever heard of us? Yeah, I thought not. Like I said, secondary characters. And I was the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter -- I know, cliche right? But it's a cliche for a reason. The whys and the hows were lost before they were ever known, but the end result is the Aldmere family are chroniclers. We provide an unbiased report of all items of importance throughout time -- albeit the definitions of both unbiased and importance are ummm sometimes open to interpretation. And in return, we live long enough to experience things worth recording. Some, like my cousin Agyfen, follow the rise and fall of an entire culture. He did his job exceptionally well! Academics still discuss his work. But sadly the anglo-saxons cared little for the names of their scribes, and so he remains anonymous. Then there are others, especially more recently, who live only long enough for a specific event. And then there are the sevens - of which I'm one. We are to oversee the greater picture - or so I was raised to believe. For me though, the picture's always been rather fuzzy - like those first black and white tvs. So I've always felt I had no real job to do. All the important details had their own chroniclers - cousins of mine mostly. Every time I found something exciting to chronicle it'd already been claimed. And while sevens are overseers, we also only get to write that which goes unclaimed.
To be honest, the only thing I've done that I felt worth recording, was dying. Now *that* was interesting. And I still don't entirely understand how it happened. It was night - the kind of night that's so dark you cannot see your hand in front of your face. No matter how wildly you wave it around in front of you! Not that I did that of course. And it was cold - appropriate for winter. But what was disconcerting was the wind. It had a Caribbean warmth to it - and I was far too far away for that to make any sense at all. I remember wondering if maybe it was a time storm; I'd experienced one of those as a teenager (volatile emotions and all that) - was how I came to know Agyfen. But my brother was three years ahead of me and he claimed story rights to time storms so I couldn't even chronicle that. Not that I'm bitter or anything - just letting you know how it came to be that in an entire life dedicated to telling stories, I have yet to write a word.
Anyways - it wasn't a time storm. I was way too old, and I didn't end up somewhere else in time, so clearly that was not the issue. Wasn't even a storm - no rain, sleet, snow, hail, or anything else. Just the eerily warm wind.
I was there - muttering about the folly of being out without a light - and then... I wasn't. The simplicity of it astounded me. Other chroniclers have covered death before; they come out with stories of bright lights and feelings of love. People love those stories. Some of their names even get remembered! Have to admit, I've always been slightly jealous of those who star in their own stories. I think I'd hoped to do that with the princess stint, but I got covered by a pop-fiction chronicler. It was a sadly embarrassing moment.
But right - exciting death's been done, so a seven cannot repeat it. But I really don't think my death, or any like it, has ever been properly recorded. Just going about the minutia of my boring day-to-day life and then suddenly I wasn't. And there was something reasonably exciting about that. I certainly wasn't bored anymore. And I no longer had to stress about what I was supposed to do with my life. But now, through my death, I know exactly what purpose my life has served. I was supposed to be a below-average quasi-failure... The running joke of the family really. Because, let's be honest here, fifty percent of us ARE below average and usually their stories do not get chronicled.
I, the ultimate secondary character, was supposed to chronicle the lives of secondary characters. A perfect fit really. Obviously I didn't figure it out in time to do anything about it, because as soon as a secondary character gets written about, well then they're no longer secondary and thus somebody else's job. A vicious cycle that. And death's already been done.
But there's one part of my story that to the best of my knowledge has never been chronicled. And from that I leave you with one simple warning:
Beware the warm wind.
You're welcome.
It was time. I'd lived long enough to see the rise and fall of an empire. Or four. I'd learned a dozen languages, traveled around the world and through time. I'd even managed to fulfill my childhood fantasy of being a princess. Ugh, what a mistake that was - let me tell you girls, there are much better fantasies out there! Tiaras are just not worth the publicity.
My life was, and I say this in all humility, the thing of stories. I kind of wish somebody cared enough to write it down; it would make the kind of epic tale that would gain a cult following from the fantasy types and puzzled disdain from all the normal people - but it would definitely stir up talk.
The problem, as I see it, is that I've always been a secondary character. And nobody writes about secondary characters - not even me.
I was born to the Aldmere family; ever heard of us? Yeah, I thought not. Like I said, secondary characters. And I was the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter -- I know, cliche right? But it's a cliche for a reason. The whys and the hows were lost before they were ever known, but the end result is the Aldmere family are chroniclers. We provide an unbiased report of all items of importance throughout time -- albeit the definitions of both unbiased and importance are ummm sometimes open to interpretation. And in return, we live long enough to experience things worth recording. Some, like my cousin Agyfen, follow the rise and fall of an entire culture. He did his job exceptionally well! Academics still discuss his work. But sadly the anglo-saxons cared little for the names of their scribes, and so he remains anonymous. Then there are others, especially more recently, who live only long enough for a specific event. And then there are the sevens - of which I'm one. We are to oversee the greater picture - or so I was raised to believe. For me though, the picture's always been rather fuzzy - like those first black and white tvs. So I've always felt I had no real job to do. All the important details had their own chroniclers - cousins of mine mostly. Every time I found something exciting to chronicle it'd already been claimed. And while sevens are overseers, we also only get to write that which goes unclaimed.
To be honest, the only thing I've done that I felt worth recording, was dying. Now *that* was interesting. And I still don't entirely understand how it happened. It was night - the kind of night that's so dark you cannot see your hand in front of your face. No matter how wildly you wave it around in front of you! Not that I did that of course. And it was cold - appropriate for winter. But what was disconcerting was the wind. It had a Caribbean warmth to it - and I was far too far away for that to make any sense at all. I remember wondering if maybe it was a time storm; I'd experienced one of those as a teenager (volatile emotions and all that) - was how I came to know Agyfen. But my brother was three years ahead of me and he claimed story rights to time storms so I couldn't even chronicle that. Not that I'm bitter or anything - just letting you know how it came to be that in an entire life dedicated to telling stories, I have yet to write a word.
Anyways - it wasn't a time storm. I was way too old, and I didn't end up somewhere else in time, so clearly that was not the issue. Wasn't even a storm - no rain, sleet, snow, hail, or anything else. Just the eerily warm wind.
I was there - muttering about the folly of being out without a light - and then... I wasn't. The simplicity of it astounded me. Other chroniclers have covered death before; they come out with stories of bright lights and feelings of love. People love those stories. Some of their names even get remembered! Have to admit, I've always been slightly jealous of those who star in their own stories. I think I'd hoped to do that with the princess stint, but I got covered by a pop-fiction chronicler. It was a sadly embarrassing moment.
But right - exciting death's been done, so a seven cannot repeat it. But I really don't think my death, or any like it, has ever been properly recorded. Just going about the minutia of my boring day-to-day life and then suddenly I wasn't. And there was something reasonably exciting about that. I certainly wasn't bored anymore. And I no longer had to stress about what I was supposed to do with my life. But now, through my death, I know exactly what purpose my life has served. I was supposed to be a below-average quasi-failure... The running joke of the family really. Because, let's be honest here, fifty percent of us ARE below average and usually their stories do not get chronicled.
I, the ultimate secondary character, was supposed to chronicle the lives of secondary characters. A perfect fit really. Obviously I didn't figure it out in time to do anything about it, because as soon as a secondary character gets written about, well then they're no longer secondary and thus somebody else's job. A vicious cycle that. And death's already been done.
But there's one part of my story that to the best of my knowledge has never been chronicled. And from that I leave you with one simple warning:
Beware the warm wind.
You're welcome.
I'll just sit down till the insanity passes...
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Lauren Cude Horsfall
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For the adult ams out there (and the pros training said adult ams :) - I stumbled upon a new blog you may enjoy: http://dressagecurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2011/10/well.html Have fun!
Today's challenge was to get the hayloft at the new barn into a state ready to receive the mountain of hay we're transporting there on Saturday (to those helpful souls among you, please note the change of date. If you wish to be loved forever, consider showing up Saturday am - 10:30 at the new place.) The landlords had done a reasonable job of organizing so it wasn't nearly as nightmareish as I'd feared, but still... There's only one not-so-huge me and a rather large mountain of hay to be dealt with. I'd say I made it about 3/4 of the way through before I crashed *g* No problem - except that in about 5 minutes I have to go out and teach for the evening. Let's just hope there are no "can you show me" requests tonight. Thurs night is mostly teens - very rare to hear that from them :)
As I sit here in my nice warm office, too physically tired to do anything productive but mentally still awake, I'm actually inclined to attempt a Flash Fiction Friday for the first time in entirely too many months... However, we'll see how I feel when I get home after teaching and night chores -- I have a suspicion that feeling may have passed by then!
Today's challenge was to get the hayloft at the new barn into a state ready to receive the mountain of hay we're transporting there on Saturday (to those helpful souls among you, please note the change of date. If you wish to be loved forever, consider showing up Saturday am - 10:30 at the new place.) The landlords had done a reasonable job of organizing so it wasn't nearly as nightmareish as I'd feared, but still... There's only one not-so-huge me and a rather large mountain of hay to be dealt with. I'd say I made it about 3/4 of the way through before I crashed *g* No problem - except that in about 5 minutes I have to go out and teach for the evening. Let's just hope there are no "can you show me" requests tonight. Thurs night is mostly teens - very rare to hear that from them :)
As I sit here in my nice warm office, too physically tired to do anything productive but mentally still awake, I'm actually inclined to attempt a Flash Fiction Friday for the first time in entirely too many months... However, we'll see how I feel when I get home after teaching and night chores -- I have a suspicion that feeling may have passed by then!
PUPPY!!!!!
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I got to meet my puppy!!!! She is sooooooo cute :) And I'm *very* excited! hahahaha can you tell from the excessive exclamation points???
Puppy, whose name is tentatively Zoe, is absolutely adorable. Climbed up into my lap and made herself comfortable :) Sooooo cute :)
Of course when I got home Sherlock (the cat I've had since uni) was *very* suspicious about the new scents *g* It's not as though I don't come home smelling like other animals all the time, but this one definitely had him concerned. Might be an interesting few days when Puppy comes home...
As far as the barn goes - starting to get very stressed about the hay :( Getting it all there and stacked - every time something gets organized something changes. Booo. On the plus side though, most of the other stuff is slowly getting there :)
Puppy, whose name is tentatively Zoe, is absolutely adorable. Climbed up into my lap and made herself comfortable :) Sooooo cute :)
Of course when I got home Sherlock (the cat I've had since uni) was *very* suspicious about the new scents *g* It's not as though I don't come home smelling like other animals all the time, but this one definitely had him concerned. Might be an interesting few days when Puppy comes home...
As far as the barn goes - starting to get very stressed about the hay :( Getting it all there and stacked - every time something gets organized something changes. Booo. On the plus side though, most of the other stuff is slowly getting there :)
Name that puppy!
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So *finally* got some actual packing done today! hahaha mostly because Emily came out to help :) But whatever the impetus at least it got done :) Or started anyway.
Charlie was a superstar yet again -- now both his potential part boarders are looking forward to summer and cross country! hahaha can't get here soon enough!
And tomorrow I get to go meet my NEW PUPPY!!!! hahaha yup you read that right :) I'm not bringing her home from the breeders till after the move (I'm only *mostly* insane :) but I'm still super-excited. Name suggestions???
She's an Aussi Shepard -- currently 8 weeks old. Have two names I'm currently debating between, but open to other suggestions :)
Charlie was a superstar yet again -- now both his potential part boarders are looking forward to summer and cross country! hahaha can't get here soon enough!
And tomorrow I get to go meet my NEW PUPPY!!!! hahaha yup you read that right :) I'm not bringing her home from the breeders till after the move (I'm only *mostly* insane :) but I'm still super-excited. Name suggestions???
She's an Aussi Shepard -- currently 8 weeks old. Have two names I'm currently debating between, but open to other suggestions :)
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