Serious Rant!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so seriously pissed right now! Seriously pissed! So I will attempt to mind my words so as not to offend anyone. Be a great student who graduates 7th in a class of 200 in high school still managing a 3.8 cumulative GPA in sophomore year at a University and come from middle class parents, step-dad and mom with a disability who still manages to work and not sit on my ass and claim disability and apply for a student loan because parents can no longer pay for college? IMPOSSIBILITY! And if anyone, I mean anyone has the f-ing balls to tell me that there are ways, I will personally find you and kick your ass! The only way to get a Federal LOAN for a college student is to have parents not f-ing working, collect aid from the government, are dead or certainly not middle class. This is a student loan, folks, not a f-ing hand out! A LOAN! Private loans, probably not a problem, but put up an almost payed for house for collateral on a ridiculous interest rate. Something is seriously WRONG with this! Seriously! So the Feds are basically telling me that if the kid had a child out of wed-lock or was a fuck-up or came from a different demographic it wouldn't be a problem. WTF? Why is there no help for the folks caught in the middle, who actually get off there ass and work for a living, including a stellar student. Pay their mortgage, feed their family and animals, contribute to society instead of sucking off it. PAY F-ING TAXES and boy do we pay taxes! A LOAN, not free, a f-ing LOAN! We just applied for a Federal student loan and it shot back a quick, "what your parents should contribute" It was the entire annual cost! Are you kidding? How the F*ck to kids get through college? I wonder, I really do. Do their parents lie about income? Or do they all get stuck with private student loans? That must be it. To come out of University with a loan to pay back that matches a F-ing mortgage is CRIMINAL! Man, I'm pissed! I have worked full-time since I could as a teenager. Never, collected a dime from this government, payed my taxes, raised a child, all the time working full time, until now, which has given me part-time hours with full time benefits because although it's only 24 hours a week, it's every single Friday and Saturday 12 hour nights. Her step-Dad is a resident alien, according to the government and has been paying taxes in this country since the day we got married and still hasn't been issued a green card! This is f-ing disturbing to say the least. Our next step is only to negociate with the University. A lot of their funding depends on the students and their grades they turn out! We will sit with a financial aid expert at the school. Of course that will cost us the money for an 8 hour f-ing drive, a hotel room, a sitter for the animals. Yep, What a hardy kick in the ass for people who actually work! I'm Done!

Thursday's Things............

A few scenes along the way.


I never can resist stopping to take a picture of someone else's horses.


A picture of our purge and a great feeling to get the garbage trailer unstuck from the frozen ground without actually breaking it! And the 4-wheeler was running!


Jack takes a trip down to the snow in Daddy's arms.........

And plays with the other dogs. He's very hard to catch when it's time to come in.

The two Heelers! Hilarious to watch, but impossible to get any one's attention to do their thing outdoors! Why? Because snow is meant to play in!

Without this I could not survive. I love my red truck!

Without it, Stephen and I couldn't have gotten our wood pellets which are now essential to survive this rotten cold winter!

When we got home, they got a few butterscotch treats and thought perhaps I had more in my pocket.

Then they realized that there were no extra treats waiting for them.

More To Do.....................

I was late this morning on feeding, hence the "look".


And I was lazy.......... Didn't throw the hay in the feeder either, but they don't seem to mind as long as it's there for them to eat. Speaking of which, it's time to cut them back a bit.


Well, sometime last week, the dogs got into the garbage that was outside and in that garbage were Zoe's left over peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Mina bloated and I thought Spot was ok, but once Mina got through it and finally got back to normal pooping, Spot started with bouts of diarrhea and I was more concerned about a blockage. Today we were going to make a decision on whether to bring him into the vet or not. Yesterday, I gave him a half of a cup of olive oil in hopes that if there was a blockage, it would help to push things through. Good news! This morning Steve reported a pretty big firm turd rather than diarrhea. He had been bloated and last night when I came home from work and crawled into bed. Spot layed next to me and I rubbed his tummy from stomach downward and I think it helped.


Yesterday our new furniture was delivered. I love it! This is Steve's and my birthday present to each other.He really wanted a leather recliner and I could not afford this on my own, so I forfeited the new camera I wanted and we decided to get the whole set together. It looks so great and it's really nice and Stephen is awesome at getting a great deal!

And, well, it didn't take them long to discover it!

Dreamin' Of Spring & Summer

Another blast of frigid cold this week. I cannot wait until this weather breaks! It's about all I can take! I have so much to do and am now just overwhelmed. I must work two 4 hour shifts this week as my mandatory overtime. New furniture will be delivered this week sometime and I have to top off horses water, order more hay that is now up to $7 a bale and I have to clean this crap hole once again. I don't even know where to begin. Youngest child is having a meltdown over her future and where she wants to continue her education.

Jack puppy makes it difficult to clean with him constantly chewing at my feet , so he must be put in crate which then brings on the howling. I'm already starting the day with a headache! So I'm off to clean and do chores and what not. I suspect that when this day draws to a close, I'll be quite exhausted. Wish me luck!

Snow Snow Go Away

As I get ready for feeding the horses and taking the dogs out I keep thinking of a childhood ryme but for the life life of me I can not remember the whole thing .

I think it went like this
Rain Rain Go away come again another day

But that was for England

Here In Wisconsin It Is

Snow Snow Go Away Come Again Next Year

We have a foot of snow or so still on the ground , I can not get into the goats pen, gates are frozen with snow so am forced to throw the boys feed over the fence.

I love the look of fresh snow on the trees or the look of fresh snow on the ground but I am fed up with it tooooo loooong tooooo much

The temperature is once again a whopping 5 degrees this morning and you can see the icicles on the girls whiskers, of course Callie and I compensate by giving them extra munchies but what they do not realise is when spring comes they will be very pi???? at us as we have to put them on a strict diet , saying they are overweight is putting it mildly. Misty is like a short fat barrel and a few hundred pounds overweight

So all you lucky people in warmer southern areas i say to you POOOOOOOO POOOOOOO and lots of it. Send the warm spring our way PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE

Have a great day

Steve

My Cranky Mares..............

Although they were fairly cooperative, the reason for the crabby horses was my feeble attempt at getting some pics of their hooves for Mrs.Mom at Oh Horse Feathers . I may try it again tomorrow.


Kola being most cooperative, however impatient with my attempt at cleaning and taking pictures with only two hands. Never goes as you plan it.


Misty being far more bent out of shape over the whole experience. Not that she is bad when she is trimmed or being picked, she does try everything she can to make the experience more difficult than it should be. She doesn't kick or move around, she positions herself as not to make it easy. Every time. You know, shifts her weight the wrong way. Pinches her legs together. Funny really, actually clever in that is her way of making us work.

As a result of this feeble effort, only one foot on the Misty mare, but at least Miss Kola allowed all of hers. I just couldn't photograph them all.

Keeping Dogs And Then Some................

Right now Jack is in crate time. I needed to clean puppy pads in which he takes great joy in attempting to tare apart while I pick them up. Not to mention, the infamous leg attacks while picking up turds, with a "grrrrrr" and the teeth on my pants leg. And me "patiently" repeating the word "NO'. They are fun and it can be daunting to properly care for and train a puppy. Unfortunately this is a hard time of year for a new puppy simply because of the weather. It has been much too cold to get him outdoors on a regular basis to do his business, but there will be time for that and it will be done and he too will join the ranks of the others we've successfully trained to potty outside. And to listen. Stephen and I and Zoe, when she was home from school have worked with simple things involving treats like "sit" and "come". "Come" being probably the most essential to any dog training. I want my dogs to come when called. It could save their life.


Mina came to us as a three year old rescue dog of which no one knew anything of her training. She was wandering the city streets of Milwaukee when she was picked up by the pound. There were challenges with her in the beginning as well, beside coming home to us with kennel cough and the great expense it was to prophylactically treat Fido and Spot to ensure that they did not get ill either, she had a few issues of her own. She was not potty trained and had many an accident in the house. We were initially worried that she might run as well, so she spent the first few weeks of her life here with us being taken out on a lead to ensure she learned her property line. And I wasn't sure how she might react to the bigger animals. It took some time and patience and now she is allowed outside with the others to play and do their potties, however none, none go unsupervised. Mina is getting better and better with the word "come" and no longer has accidents in the house. She has now learned to communicate to us her need to go out and potty. She is also very loyal. Another good dog who listens.

Spot, we got four years ago as a puppy from Jess, only this time it was in the spring, much easier to train in the spring. Although we made an attempt at puppy kindergarten with him and we flunked, he has turned out to be one of the best trained dogs I've seen. Another high energy dog as with Jack and Mina. His only bad habit..........he is a lover! Neither Stephen or I can fault that. We've allowed him to kiss. He is so full of love. An extremely intelligent Border Collie who listens and does his job, but while outside must be constantly redirected to go potty or he will herd blowing leaves, watch the horses as he knows his perimeter and is not allowed in with them. He also automatically brings the goats in on their escape attempts as does Mina now without injury to the goats. However, he listens and follows his commands. He will do as he is told, except kiss, if he likes you, be prepared for a "frenchie".

Fido, well, Fido is Fido. He is extremely loyal to Steve and quite set in his ways. He is now nearly 15 years old and in spite of the size of those satelite dishes he carries upon the top of his head, he is mostly deaf. At this point he is allowed to go out and do his business and can be trusted to stick to his acreage. He does go in with the horses but only to dine at the horse apple buffet. He too listens, when he can hear.

All and all, we have been blessed with some marvelous dogs, but it hasn't been easy. It takes time and patience and more time and more patience. They do reflect our training methods and it is constant. Especially with three out of four high energy dogs. I have no doubt that Jack too will come into his own. He is still just a baby, born on October 31st, he is still not quite 12 weeks old yet. Stephen and I often together or take turns at bringing these dogs outside for a potty and a run and ball play, many times throughout the day, at least every other hour. Time consuming?, YES, worth it? To us YES or we wouldn't have done it. Spoiled? Well there isn't an animal within this household outdoors or indoors that isn't. They have food before we do. They have clothing and meds and often health care before we do. That is the sacrifice to ownership of animals, but it comes with many rewards too. The nuzzles, the kisses, the looks in their eyes and knowing that they appreciate what we do for them to keep them all safe and loved.

Awards & New Fish

I received this Lemonade Award from Arlene at Grey Horse Matters . I believe this award is given for blogs that have or show a great attitude. Thank-you Arlene! I'm not sure I deserve it, but will graciously accept this award with humility. Arlene has given us many an informative post on confidence, which I need and many, many more. She and her daughter Jacquie have rescued two Arabians recently and just seem like knowledgeable and great horsewomen! Thanks girls! And I'm to pass this onto 10 more. So now I'll do just that!

First will to Lisa at Laughing Orca Ranch , who continues to show great attitude in spite of her recent serious injury and surgery. Lisa, You surely deserve this.

Next, To my good friend Mrs.Mom at Oh Horse Feathers who is always happy to answer any of our lameness or hoof care questions and entertains us with her wacky red horse and pony visits! However, I see now that she has already received this award, but too bad she gets it again!

To our crazy can't help but like friend Mikey at The Horseshoeing Housewife , who saves everything including rattle snakes!

And to our friend Jamie, who continues to blog even though she recently lost her loving sister she so many times introduced us to at her blog Seatbelt For My Saddle. I'm sending you my heartfelt prayers, Jamie. I know what it is like to lose a sister.

And to one of my new friend's at C-ing Spots Appaloosas . Awesome photos, girl!


And this is where I'll end it, since most everyone has received this already and I'm a little late on the band wagon.





And now here are my new fish. Steve got me this little five gallon fish tank for Christmas and I had a plan. These little fish cost me a small fortune. They're six hot pink Danios. I really wanted a couple of neon green and bright blue ones as well, but the store only had them in hot pink. They come in neon colors, so cool!

Midwest Mustang Makeover 2009

Hi all ,

Young Tracy over at Mustang Diaries has started sending me links to include in our mustang makeover Lovers Guide for this years Midwest Mustang Makeover 2009( I have also included them in the Horse Lovers Guide ) as it is great fun for any horse lover to follow these blogs.
They appear to be very early in the process so follow along

If we have not included any please let me know At the horse lovers power guides and I will add them ,

One of the things Callie and I enjoyed last year was going to the Midwest Horse Show and meeting some of the Mustang Makover Trainers and watching the truly amazing things knowledge, patience horsemanship and maybe even a little luck can achieve in such a short time with a wild mustang.

Steve

Well At Least We're In The Double Digits Above 0

Well? We're waiting..................


Thank-you...........


I love his "tash"................

Jack is relentless on poor Mina and Spot has now taken up the Daddy figure and intervenes when Mina disciplines.

I still don't think he'll grow into his ears....................

I Have Been Interviewed.........By Mikey

I volunteered to be interviewed by Mikey from the The Horseshoeing Housewife at my own risk! So here it goes:

1) Describe yourself using only three words.
I know my husband would use the words "Pain In Ass", and I would have to agree with that, but I'll come up with the best that I can as describing myself : Humorous, Regimented(OCD), Caring.

2) Tell us about your oldest friend that you still keep in touch with.
Well, That would be Jess, one of the co-authors of this blog. We've known each other now since we were 11yrs old. I far as I can see, we are completely the opposite in most aspects except for maybe our love for horses, but have remained friends for all of these years.

3) What is the worst thing you did in highschool?
Besides skipping class for day parties every now and then and hitchhiking to school from the party the night before and getting a ride from the truancy officer? Hhmmm, let's see. I was served a subpoena to court once. Good grief! There's so much, I don't really know where to begin. Let me just say I have one incredible Guardian Angel that is with me still!

4) What's the funniest thing you've ever seen?
OMG! There are so many hilarious things that I've witnessed in my life. Many, very many, but it doesn't take much to crack me up. Many have made me nearly pee my pants. Kids and husbands are great source of entertainment, however , one of the funniest things that I have ever seen to this day is Great Britain's "Elderly People Crossing" signs. I'll add a picture as soon as I get home from work.

5) If you had to choose between being deaf or blind which would you rather be?
Although, I love my music, and singing and such, I'm afraid I would rather be deaf than blind. I love photography. And can I add that is a horrible question! LOL

Partners Place In Pecking Order

So where are partners positions in the pecking order for girls who have Horses


Victoria got me thinking about this when she said her husband has been thinking about starting a Husbands United Against Horses coalition ( Count Me In )

Now girls you must answer what partner / hubby thinks not what you think on this question.


Here is my answer

Pecking Order In Our Home

Number 1 Kola ( surprise surprise she is a horse )
Number 2 Misty ( surprise surprise she is a horse )
Number 3 Zeek ( Very ugly cat heheheeh with very big nose ) I am not the jealous type
Number 4 Meenie Mena ( Mummys special girl )
Number 5 Baby of the house ( currently Jack the puppy )
Number 6 Now this is where it gets complicated Zoe and I disagree as Zoe thinks me and I think Zoe but for the sake of argument we will settle for 6th equal


So how bout you girls ( Where Do Your Partners / Hubbys think they are on the pecking order )


Steve married to 1 wife,
with 3 children, 2 horses, 5 cats, 4 dogs and a partridge in a pear tree ( I know its not Christmas but we still have snow


have a great day

Steve

On A Lighter Note................

Thinking of dating a horsewoman? Please read the following carefully:

Easy to Locate.- She's either off on the horse or out in the barn.

Upholds the double standard - Smooches with the most bewhiskered beast, but recoils when a man needs a shave.

Owns one vacuum cleaner - and operates it exclusively in the barn.

A social butterfly - providing the party is given by another horsey woman. Falls asleep in her soup at all other functions.

Economy minded - Won't waste money on permanents, facials, or manicures.

A culinary perfectionist - Checks every section of hay for mold but doesn't blink when she petrifies dinner in the microwave.

Occasionally amorous - but never leaves lipstick on your collar, at worst, slight trace of chapstick.

Easy to outfit - No need for embarrassing visits to uncomfortable little boutiques. She can find all she wears at the local tackstore.

Features a selective sense of smell - Bitterly complains about the sticky-sweet cigar smoke of others while remaining totally oblivious to the almost visible aroma of her barn boots drying next to the heater.

Unmistakable in a bathing suit - She's the one whose tan starts at the
nose, ends at the neck, and picks up again at the wrists.

A dedicated club woman - as long as the words "horse" or "riding" appear in its name.

Has your leisure at heart - Eliminates grass cutting by turning every square inch of lawn into pasture which, in turn, converts itself into mud.

A master at multiplication - She starts with one horse, adds a companion, and if it's a mare, she breeds it.

Keeps an eagle eye on the budget - Easily justifies spending six hundred dollars, but croaks when you blow ten on bowling.

An Engaging conversationalist - Can rattle on endlessly about training or breeding.

Socially aware - Knows that formal occasions call for clean boots.

A moving force in the family - House by house, she'll get you to move closer to horse country (and farther away from your job.)

Easy to please - A new wheelbarrow, custom boots, or even a folding hoof pick will win her heart forever.

Sentimental fool - Displays a minimum of six 8x10 color photos of the horse in the house and carries a crumpled snapshot of you (taken before you were married) somewhere in the bottom of her purse.

Shows her affection in unusual ways - If she pats you on the neck and says "you're a good boy," believe it or not, she loves you.

Unrelated To Horses, But Healthcare Rant!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amazing, really...........I can get better health insurance for my horses through an Equine Wellness Program, which I've previously posted about and pay less for than paying through the nose for my own insurance and jumping through tremendous hoops to get really very simple answers! Note to self, add UnitedHealthCare Insurance and Pharmacare/CVS to now growing longer "when I go postal, who will I take out list".

Hello????????????? I work in health care and must carry health insurance in order to keep my job. My portion of what I pay to keep my health insurance is approximately $4,000 a year, not including co-pays for visits and prescriptions, in spite of using Walmart pharmacy. And the extra costs for such things as MRI's and labs. Of which , I actually just finished paying of a co-pay of $350 for an MRI that was charged in the new year last year to get more money out of me than having met my family or personal total cost for that year, just so that I can get charged again!

Further more, I must fight tooth and nail for everything! I have just spent , I kid you not, the last 4 months on the phone with my Health Insurance and various "specialty" pharmacies just trying to find out what my new co-pay will be for my MS drug!

And not only did I have to supply my health care provider(insurance company) with proof of Zoe's full-time student status, fair enough, but my Employer, excuse me, requested that I provide proof of her birth 19 years ago and my marriage 6 years ago and proof of her student status! WTF? I pay for my insurance through my benefits package and out of my paycheck and that was good enough for the health insurance company. Tell me WHY then must I provide proof to my F-ing employer who actually had the balls to toy with the possibility of not giving ANY merit raises this year, yet the CEO walks home with a million dollars a year! F**K You!

OMG! I'm so pissed! So pissed!

Welcome To This Frozen World...................

Their water is full and heated............


Their blanketed and dry..................


I've piled straw in front of their wind break..........lots of it!

The shelter too is piled with tons of straw.........If they'll stand in there when the winds begin.

Lots of extra hay to keep their furnaces running...........

Our neighbors trailering some horses to the boarding facility down the road from us.

A view coming up one of the nearby hills.

On our way home from a day out yesterday........

By tomorrow, it will be -35 to -45*F with the windchill. I dread this!

Just To Entertain YOU..............

This was sent to me via email and I thought it was perfect!

A Letter From Your Horse

When you are tense, let me teach you to relax.
When you are short tempered, let me teach you to be patient.
When you are short sighted, let me teach you to see.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you to be thoughtful.
When you are angry, let me teach you to be serene.
When you feel superior, let me teach you to be respectful.
When you are self absorbed, let me teach you to think of greater things.
When you are arrogant, let me teach you humility.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion.
When you are tired, let me carry the load.
When you need to learn, let me teach you.
After all, I am your horse.



And now, the REAL story......
When you are tense, let me teach you that there are lions in them thar woods, and we need to leave NOW!
When you are short tempered, let me teach you how to slog around the pasture for an hour before you can catch me.
When you are short sighted, let me teach you to figure out where, exactly, in the 40 acres I am hiding.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you that herbivores kick MUCH faster (and harder) than omnivores.
When you are angry, let me teach you how well I can stand on my hind feet, because I don't feel like cantering on my right lead today.
When you are worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness.
When you feel superior, let me teach you that, mostly, you are the maid service.
When you are self-absorbed, let me teach you to PAY ATTENTION. Remember? I told you about those lions in them thar woods?
When you are arrogant, let me teach you what 1400 lbs. of "YAHOO LETS GO!"can do when suitably inspired.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion. Let's do lunch. Also, breakfast and dinner.
When you are tired, don't forget the 600 lbs. of grain that needs to be unloaded.
When you are feeling financially secure, let me teach you the meaning of "Veterinary Services,"
When you need to learn, hang around, bud. I'll learn ya.

Sincerely,

Your Horse

Keeping Them All Warm In The Frigid Cold

1) For the horses, since I do not have a barn and mine would not be happy in stalls anyway (I'd probably have more than my fair share of injuries) , I do , however, have a three sided shelter available. And they do use it. I keep it clean and I have heavy mats layed down within it, which makes for easier clean up. They can be fed within that shelter and there is plenty of room for them to stand or lay, both of them.

2) Always keep a steady supply of heated water. Snow does not provide the needed water for horses.

3) When it is really cold, I throw a little extra hay to keep their furnace running.

4) A decent blanket over them doesn't hurt either, especially when the frigid air starts in.

5) I allow them plenty of turn out area without opening the pasture. I do this by connecting the paddock with the arena, which gives them room to exercise as evidenced by Miss Kola acting silly in the above picture.

6) I have also provided a wind break from the north by using tarps, both canvas and heavy plastic. It double serves me as a tail protector from the goat boys.

7) Speaking of the Goat Boys, I've provided a calf shelter for them. It sits over a rubber mat and I've tucked it full of straw. They too have a constant supply of warm water and occasionally receive an extra flake of alfalfa.


8) The pups, since I cannot get boots to fit Spot's long toes, Steve is on the hunt for dog safe salt to use on the steps. Their feet get so cold that often Steve and I have to lift them indoors after a round outdoors for a potty. I immediately wipe their feet free from salt and snow or ice. So far so good.

9) Some people use coats or sweaters for their dogs. Mine just tear them off. And once again I'm lucky as they have pretty good winter hair on them. (I'm constantly vacuuming.)


10) Providing shelter and keeping them healthy during the frigid winter weather we're about to get into up here in Wisconsin is surely a challenge, but by now I have had some decent practice at it.

11) I'd also like to add that if your water spigot is exposed to cold as is mine. Keep your hose indoors, unravel the hose, connect it to the spigot when watering and when finished disconnect the hose and reel it up, turn off the spigot so that the water will recede back down to the well and not freeze. Important tip!


I invite anyone out there to add any tips or advice that they have or have learned over the years.

I Don't Usually Watch............

The stars, but I did see the Golden Globes last night. I'd like to know who told Renee Zellwelger that THIS looked good! OMG! It's witchy poo!

I'm Am So Over Winter!

This morning's view after the past weekend's snow blast!


It's near impossible to walk around the house with the dogs. Miss Mina leaves a body track rather than foot prints like a foot wide snake trail in the sand.


My poor frosty girls this morning.


They had frost on the tips of their winter fuzzies!

I'm so glad that they both tend to get very thick woollies and both have decent winter blankets that stay in place.

And neither of them try to yank their blankets off each other. I'm sure they appreciate the extra warmth. Which is good because in one more day the temperature will DROP drastically. Frigid cold is to come, so today's plan is to get a little extra hay and give the barn a good sweep out and thow some heavy straw down. I'll also wait until noon at the height of today's temp and top off every body's water.

Spot is a sissy in the cold and I can't get him to wear his winter boots. His darned toes are so long!

A quick game of "tug of war" between the two newspapers while I attempted to warm my toes. I am so over winter and just cannot wait for this to be over and the big thaw, but then we'll be swimming in MUD! I don't which is worse! Of course before the frigid cold sets in, we're due for another 5 inches later today! Glad my truck is fixed.