Wednesday, December 23, 2009
2009 Update
I think it is about time that updated my information and invited my friends to enjoy my journey of the last few years.
Firstly, Bones and I are no longer together, we separated mid-way through 2005, just six months after buying a pub in Kumara. He just wasn't able to cope with not being drunk on rum every night and he was drinking more than we were earning. Sad really, we had been together over seven years and had gotten engaged on my 50th birthday, but I guess it was never to be. The pub was sold in 2008, disappointing, but financial reality has to take over sooner or later. I bought a housebus 2 and a half years ago, and now live in it full-time. I shall have to find some photographs. I am slowly doing it up, but it is very hard when you live in it as well. I will get there!!
Eldest daughter Chrissy was married at Mendehall Glacier in Alaska about 2 and a half years ago, but she is separated and awaiting divorce papers from Macedonia to arrive. Another relationship destined never to work. A couple of months ago, she also bought a housebus and is now 'living the life' along with me. She works in Greymouth as a chef in a cafe-restaurant.
Youngest daughter Kara, turned 21 in May this year, in February 2010 she is starting a conservation/outdoor tourism type course and I am sure she will enjoy that type of work. She has a staffy cross pup called Spaz, that more than lives up to his name.
In the animal line, I have four cats, two fixed females, Velcro and Misty, and two fixed males, Cappy and Matey, a Labrador cross Border Collie pup aged 9 months named Boyd, and a neutered billy goat named Toz. Quite a menagerie for a housebus. No horses now, my mare died two weeks after foaling a colt three years ago, I sold the colt after hand-rearing him and he is now turned out and growing on the hills. I miss Catori greatly and probably will only ever own gentle giants from now on, preferably Clydies. Too long in the tooth to be bucked off young thoroughbreds nowadays, so will stick to the comfy rides. Would love to have Morgans like Taz in Alberta, but they are very rarely bred here in New Zealand and the horses are not up to the best standard. Will have to wait until I get to Canada to find out what riding one is like. Have ridden gaited horses before so have a vague idea.
As for work, I am currently writing my first novel, having written poetry and short stories most of my life, I have branched out and am now attempting the impossible. 57,000 words later and I am barely into the story so there will be some mammoth rewrites going on after I finish the first draft! My Canadian and American friends will have a giggle, the story is set in BC, Alberta and the Yukon Territory, and yes, I am even going to throw some buffalo and other 'wild' animals into the mix! Keep the funny stories coming Keeley and JB, I find humourous inspiration from your words. You too Taz, some of the stories about your wonderful showing career are most inspiring. And all of your stories about your children keep me laughing for many hours. Congratulations Lacey and JB on your most recent delivery(s), they are beautiful babies. I only realized you were expecting twins when I checked the blogs I haven't caught up with for ages, yesterday. You must really have your hands full now with all those children.
That will have to do for now, more maybe tomorrow.
Hope my NA friends are not buried in too much snow. The sunshine and warm temps have finally arrived here in Westland. Love you all.
SSB
Firstly, Bones and I are no longer together, we separated mid-way through 2005, just six months after buying a pub in Kumara. He just wasn't able to cope with not being drunk on rum every night and he was drinking more than we were earning. Sad really, we had been together over seven years and had gotten engaged on my 50th birthday, but I guess it was never to be. The pub was sold in 2008, disappointing, but financial reality has to take over sooner or later. I bought a housebus 2 and a half years ago, and now live in it full-time. I shall have to find some photographs. I am slowly doing it up, but it is very hard when you live in it as well. I will get there!!
Eldest daughter Chrissy was married at Mendehall Glacier in Alaska about 2 and a half years ago, but she is separated and awaiting divorce papers from Macedonia to arrive. Another relationship destined never to work. A couple of months ago, she also bought a housebus and is now 'living the life' along with me. She works in Greymouth as a chef in a cafe-restaurant.
Youngest daughter Kara, turned 21 in May this year, in February 2010 she is starting a conservation/outdoor tourism type course and I am sure she will enjoy that type of work. She has a staffy cross pup called Spaz, that more than lives up to his name.
In the animal line, I have four cats, two fixed females, Velcro and Misty, and two fixed males, Cappy and Matey, a Labrador cross Border Collie pup aged 9 months named Boyd, and a neutered billy goat named Toz. Quite a menagerie for a housebus. No horses now, my mare died two weeks after foaling a colt three years ago, I sold the colt after hand-rearing him and he is now turned out and growing on the hills. I miss Catori greatly and probably will only ever own gentle giants from now on, preferably Clydies. Too long in the tooth to be bucked off young thoroughbreds nowadays, so will stick to the comfy rides. Would love to have Morgans like Taz in Alberta, but they are very rarely bred here in New Zealand and the horses are not up to the best standard. Will have to wait until I get to Canada to find out what riding one is like. Have ridden gaited horses before so have a vague idea.
As for work, I am currently writing my first novel, having written poetry and short stories most of my life, I have branched out and am now attempting the impossible. 57,000 words later and I am barely into the story so there will be some mammoth rewrites going on after I finish the first draft! My Canadian and American friends will have a giggle, the story is set in BC, Alberta and the Yukon Territory, and yes, I am even going to throw some buffalo and other 'wild' animals into the mix! Keep the funny stories coming Keeley and JB, I find humourous inspiration from your words. You too Taz, some of the stories about your wonderful showing career are most inspiring. And all of your stories about your children keep me laughing for many hours. Congratulations Lacey and JB on your most recent delivery(s), they are beautiful babies. I only realized you were expecting twins when I checked the blogs I haven't caught up with for ages, yesterday. You must really have your hands full now with all those children.
That will have to do for now, more maybe tomorrow.
Hope my NA friends are not buried in too much snow. The sunshine and warm temps have finally arrived here in Westland. Love you all.
SSB
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
2004 Huh? And we're nearly finished with 2009, guess that says something about my abilities as a blogger. As I read through the old posts, I realize that there is a hell of a lot of catching up to do, will take me a while so please be patient. I will see if I can access this off-line, if not I will do a cut and paste, as I have to come into town to get on line. Will work on this tonight and see how we go. Actually the miracle of the day is that I managed to remember my old password I haven't used since 2004!!
Thursday, December 11, 2003
I'm pretty slack at this blogging thing, but excuse-wise, have been fairly busy the last two weeks. Have finally bought a new computer, bit scary though, it's an Apple Mac. The deal was really too good to turn down, and my Dad has been urging me to get one for about five years (he's an Apple addict at age 87!!), so I have finally acceded to his demands. The computer itself is brilliant, the only problem is I can't make it do what I want it to. LOL. Having a hell of a job connecting to the internet, I don't think our phone lines are suited to internal modems, even modern ones. There are too many electric fences around our place, we can't get JetStream, which is the broadband, our only options seem to be satellite which will cost around NZ$2,000!! I think I will stick to dial-up, I have to be able to make it work somehow without disconnecting all the fences.
The other hassle is the OS, very different from MS, which can only be good, so it is a very steep learning curve I find myself on once again.
What is it about middle-age, that we have to keep coming up with all these technological challenges? There's something about trying to keep up with your teenagers, I think. Certainly, I would be quite offended if Kara was able to figure out a technology problem before me, would sort of dent the pride a bit, I think. As for Bones, he can't even tape the National Finals Rodeo, currently being screened in NZ at ungodly hours, though he does know where the 'Play' button is!! When it comes to technology, he is severely disabled. His 'excuse' is, that if it doesn't have four legs and a tail, then he doesn't want to know about it. He is pretty supportive with my technology habits though, only a few qualms at my purchasing the new computer.
I really miss the chat sessions, can't wait to get back online properly and catch up with everybody. I enjoy reading the other THS blogs though and going into the different groups keeps me pretty much up with the play.
We have had some miserable weather here lately, nearly three inches of rain this week, helpful for the silage growing but not harvesting. I guess it means we will be cutting hay and silage right through Christmas.
I look at all you people from the northern hemisphere, shivering in snow, and I am really pleased that I live here where Christmas is a summer thing. It means we can barbeque and picnic and horse ride and hunt and do all those family things that mean so much at this time of the year. I think we would all go nuts stuck inside during the holidays because of snow or bad weather.
Kara finished school a week ago Wednesday, the horses are all being shod today, so they will really get into their work programme from now on. Two will be playing their first polo chukkas this weekend, so we are looking forward to that. Bone's horse Ice, needs a lot more work before she plays, so she will keep him busy in the next few weeks.
Daylight saving is a real joy at this time of the year; it doesn't get dark until after 8.30 pm so is great for training horses after work. Means quite late meals though, by the time I get off the horses and into the kitchen.
I can see this is turning into another epiblog, so had better cut it short and blog more often, rather than a few big ones.
My thoughts are with all my friends, especially those freezing under blankets of snow in North America, I hope the Creator is being kind to you all.
Love and blessings
SunSpiritBear
The other hassle is the OS, very different from MS, which can only be good, so it is a very steep learning curve I find myself on once again.
What is it about middle-age, that we have to keep coming up with all these technological challenges? There's something about trying to keep up with your teenagers, I think. Certainly, I would be quite offended if Kara was able to figure out a technology problem before me, would sort of dent the pride a bit, I think. As for Bones, he can't even tape the National Finals Rodeo, currently being screened in NZ at ungodly hours, though he does know where the 'Play' button is!! When it comes to technology, he is severely disabled. His 'excuse' is, that if it doesn't have four legs and a tail, then he doesn't want to know about it. He is pretty supportive with my technology habits though, only a few qualms at my purchasing the new computer.
I really miss the chat sessions, can't wait to get back online properly and catch up with everybody. I enjoy reading the other THS blogs though and going into the different groups keeps me pretty much up with the play.
We have had some miserable weather here lately, nearly three inches of rain this week, helpful for the silage growing but not harvesting. I guess it means we will be cutting hay and silage right through Christmas.
I look at all you people from the northern hemisphere, shivering in snow, and I am really pleased that I live here where Christmas is a summer thing. It means we can barbeque and picnic and horse ride and hunt and do all those family things that mean so much at this time of the year. I think we would all go nuts stuck inside during the holidays because of snow or bad weather.
Kara finished school a week ago Wednesday, the horses are all being shod today, so they will really get into their work programme from now on. Two will be playing their first polo chukkas this weekend, so we are looking forward to that. Bone's horse Ice, needs a lot more work before she plays, so she will keep him busy in the next few weeks.
Daylight saving is a real joy at this time of the year; it doesn't get dark until after 8.30 pm so is great for training horses after work. Means quite late meals though, by the time I get off the horses and into the kitchen.
I can see this is turning into another epiblog, so had better cut it short and blog more often, rather than a few big ones.
My thoughts are with all my friends, especially those freezing under blankets of snow in North America, I hope the Creator is being kind to you all.
Love and blessings
SunSpiritBear
Monday, November 24, 2003
Hell, have a bad dose of Mondayitis, must be something to do with being back at work. Wish I was still up in the mountains, but I guess we have to earn a dollar somehow.
Very quiet weekend, polo was cancelled both Saturday and Sunday due to the inclement weather, so on Saturday we went down to Wellington to see the Sis and bro-in-law and their wee darlings. Must have had an off day, the baby screamed everytime she looked at me and gurgled every time Bones picked her up. Normally things are the other way round so guess I must be getting ugly in my old age!!
Caught up with all the hunting wash loads yesterday, so things are nearly back to normal in the laundry.
Kara spent her first day at camp in agony, broke her pinky while still on the bus, rather badly too, from all accounts, so she is feeling very sorry for herself. I told her she doesn't need her pinky to pick up her back and tramp, so best she just get on with it, cos I don't want the added expense of flying her back early. Poor kid, I do feel sorry for her though.
All the animals are well, dogs, horses, cats and calves. They actually all look a little overfed, so may have to hotwire some of paddocks so they don't founder.
Do hope everythings going OK with Benny, TW. Keep the communication going with him; hopefully the school will look at things differently when they review his case. Will be thinking of you both.
Apart from all that, things are very quiet, so I will catch you all again soon.
Love and blessings
SunSpiritBear
Very quiet weekend, polo was cancelled both Saturday and Sunday due to the inclement weather, so on Saturday we went down to Wellington to see the Sis and bro-in-law and their wee darlings. Must have had an off day, the baby screamed everytime she looked at me and gurgled every time Bones picked her up. Normally things are the other way round so guess I must be getting ugly in my old age!!
Caught up with all the hunting wash loads yesterday, so things are nearly back to normal in the laundry.
Kara spent her first day at camp in agony, broke her pinky while still on the bus, rather badly too, from all accounts, so she is feeling very sorry for herself. I told her she doesn't need her pinky to pick up her back and tramp, so best she just get on with it, cos I don't want the added expense of flying her back early. Poor kid, I do feel sorry for her though.
All the animals are well, dogs, horses, cats and calves. They actually all look a little overfed, so may have to hotwire some of paddocks so they don't founder.
Do hope everythings going OK with Benny, TW. Keep the communication going with him; hopefully the school will look at things differently when they review his case. Will be thinking of you both.
Apart from all that, things are very quiet, so I will catch you all again soon.
Love and blessings
SunSpiritBear
Friday, November 21, 2003
Hi everybody, it is another blessed Friday, howling a gale and raining occasionally, but mild temperatures. It is a more relaxed day at work, so I have a little time to post a blog.
It is a very busy time of the year on the farm at present, Bones is in the middle of silage and hay making, and we have already sent about 5,000 lambs to the works, which means we're almost half way through. We are currently getting around NZ$85.00 for the lambs, that's about US$54 or CAN$71, so we are quite happy. The beef prices are holding too, so should be a good season all round.
Kara is off to camp tomorrow, she is tramping in the Able Tasman National Park, which is at the very top of the South Island. It is a beautiful area, with it's own microclimate, almost always sunny and warm. She should have a great time.
This year will be the first time with out my girls at Christmas since 1976!! Kara is flying down to Christchurch to stay with her grandparents, and then driving back up here with Chrissy on Boxing Day, then we are all going hunting in the Kaweka State Forest for a week after those pesky Sika. Can't wait.
I had acupuncture on my sacroilliac joint yesterday, can't say I love it, but it does seem to have had some pain relief. Looking forward to getting back on the horses. Will post some pictures of said horses etc. maybe after the weekend, when I get around to charging up the digital camera!
I guess seeing this is my blog, that I can vent a little. The news has just come through that Michael Jackson has been arrested, how can we prevent our kids from looking up to people like him, who hates himself so much, he has to change his features and SKIN COLOUR!! What sort of message does that send to the kids? The sooner he is put away and the key thrown away, the better. Assuming he is guilty, of course. I feel the police are not going to be so dumb as to charge him this time, unless the facts are very obvious. Any comments?? That's it, I've vented and I hope I didn't offend any die-hard Jackson fans out there. Give me Willie and Waylon any day!!
The boss arrives back from Australia tonight, so had better go and make sure the office is organised.
Take care everybody, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Love and blessings
SunSpiritBear
It is a very busy time of the year on the farm at present, Bones is in the middle of silage and hay making, and we have already sent about 5,000 lambs to the works, which means we're almost half way through. We are currently getting around NZ$85.00 for the lambs, that's about US$54 or CAN$71, so we are quite happy. The beef prices are holding too, so should be a good season all round.
Kara is off to camp tomorrow, she is tramping in the Able Tasman National Park, which is at the very top of the South Island. It is a beautiful area, with it's own microclimate, almost always sunny and warm. She should have a great time.
This year will be the first time with out my girls at Christmas since 1976!! Kara is flying down to Christchurch to stay with her grandparents, and then driving back up here with Chrissy on Boxing Day, then we are all going hunting in the Kaweka State Forest for a week after those pesky Sika. Can't wait.
I had acupuncture on my sacroilliac joint yesterday, can't say I love it, but it does seem to have had some pain relief. Looking forward to getting back on the horses. Will post some pictures of said horses etc. maybe after the weekend, when I get around to charging up the digital camera!
I guess seeing this is my blog, that I can vent a little. The news has just come through that Michael Jackson has been arrested, how can we prevent our kids from looking up to people like him, who hates himself so much, he has to change his features and SKIN COLOUR!! What sort of message does that send to the kids? The sooner he is put away and the key thrown away, the better. Assuming he is guilty, of course. I feel the police are not going to be so dumb as to charge him this time, unless the facts are very obvious. Any comments?? That's it, I've vented and I hope I didn't offend any die-hard Jackson fans out there. Give me Willie and Waylon any day!!
The boss arrives back from Australia tonight, so had better go and make sure the office is organised.
Take care everybody, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Love and blessings
SunSpiritBear
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Well, welcome to my blog. I don't know if I will have time to update on a regular basis, will have to wait and see. I have enjoyed reading all your blogs, it's great to learn more about you friends. A few things standout, firstly Key, how very pleasing it must be to get good test reults, I know the feeling and share in your joy. I also hope that you finally get through to Benny, it is so sad when you see where the kids are going, but can't seem to be able to get through to them. Best of luck there.
Sandi, I hope you are feeling better, physical therapy can be a nightmare, but will help, of course.
Hope, all the best with the adoption process, I was adopted and very grateful to my adoptive parents for the wonderful life they provided. I am sure you will do the same and have children who think you are the bee's knee's!!lol
Taz, I used to run a programme for disabled kids in Australia when I lived there, it is one of the more rewarding things I have done in my life. The kids benefit so much from the physical side of it, and the psychological rewards are incredible. Do you use your Morgans? We used Australian Stock horses mostly, very quiet and understanding with great temperaments. I am sure you will get as much out of it as the kids will.
Life without a laptop is a nightmare, no chatting (can't get chat on the work computer and too busy really), and I really miss that. Spring is nearly over, with summer almost here, the hay and silage is being cut as we speak and will be baled and pitted in the next few days. The calves and lambs are all doing really well, and we have 15 foals on the ground, all healthy and well. (It helps to have great mares!). The polo season is underway here on Saturday, first chukkas will be played and a party to follow on Saturday night.
I have injured my back, (no, not that, I was lying prone shooting at the time), so am unable to ride my lovely filly. Just when I had her going well, too. Never mind, should be back in the saddle soon.
I did not intend writing a novel, but I do tend to rave on.
Take care all until next time.
Love and blessings
SunSpiritBear
Sandi, I hope you are feeling better, physical therapy can be a nightmare, but will help, of course.
Hope, all the best with the adoption process, I was adopted and very grateful to my adoptive parents for the wonderful life they provided. I am sure you will do the same and have children who think you are the bee's knee's!!lol
Taz, I used to run a programme for disabled kids in Australia when I lived there, it is one of the more rewarding things I have done in my life. The kids benefit so much from the physical side of it, and the psychological rewards are incredible. Do you use your Morgans? We used Australian Stock horses mostly, very quiet and understanding with great temperaments. I am sure you will get as much out of it as the kids will.
Life without a laptop is a nightmare, no chatting (can't get chat on the work computer and too busy really), and I really miss that. Spring is nearly over, with summer almost here, the hay and silage is being cut as we speak and will be baled and pitted in the next few days. The calves and lambs are all doing really well, and we have 15 foals on the ground, all healthy and well. (It helps to have great mares!). The polo season is underway here on Saturday, first chukkas will be played and a party to follow on Saturday night.
I have injured my back, (no, not that, I was lying prone shooting at the time), so am unable to ride my lovely filly. Just when I had her going well, too. Never mind, should be back in the saddle soon.
I did not intend writing a novel, but I do tend to rave on.
Take care all until next time.
Love and blessings
SunSpiritBear
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