Two Blues and A Red

Not bad for the first day of showing.

A Blue and a Red for Watermark.

A Blue for Clover

Horses were happy and jumped well.

Smiles all around.

More of our happy home.

"We love a man in the kitchen"

Our Digs!

Well our digs were spacious until the next wave of visitors arrived. Luckily I am downstairs with my own bathroom and Jenn has the couch. The rest of the lucky tenants are all upstairs. We will see who appears ready next morning to play horse show. We are in a gated community with a lake in the middle; a 6000sq.ft. Waterpark; a logging/rollerblading path around the lake; a hot tub in the back yard - and a Starbucks on the corners.

Steph saves a life!

Yes it is true. Steph is a hero today. It was soooo hot that the paint on the benches were melting

and a small lizard had got stuck in the paint. Due to the cunning sharp eyes of Tyler- Steph and Trish were off to the rescue. Okay that is not entirely true. I stayed on the far side of the bench while I sacrificed my cell phone case for Steph to work her magic at freeing the beast. Yes it did bite at Steph. There was some squealing going on (from a few of us). But after some encouraging and prying it was freed.

Grateful and hot it lay in the cool shade and recovered from it's ordeal.

After interviewing our mightly heroine her modest words were "Save a Lizard Save the World" or was it "Save the world one lizard at a time". Whichever there is one happy lizard out there tonight.

Welcome back.

Ahhhh. Arizona. Warm, sunny, windy, bugs (red flying beetles); wasps - lots of wasps. And hot. Ninety degrees. A dry heat. There was much talk about the appropriate attire - but after tank tops and a speedo (not USEF approved) or going commando (probably not really comfortable either) - I did not want to know anymore.

It is pretty quite on the western front - or southern front. Not at huge amount of entries this week. I was busy setting up a fun and challenging grid for Steph in our own private schooling area. Not like Feb/March for sure.

We are getting excited for our multiple Halloween parties. One at the horse show and a block party where we are living.

Pumpkin carving (we will miss you Telly); costumes (yes Mickey Mouse came to play); food and drink - lots of drink for all (we miss you Ali, Lori, Amy & Katherine). As for the rest of the family - Kent and Janine will be winging their way to Europe. Mmmmm. Arizona vs. Europe! Europe vs. Arizona! Good choice guys. Alyssa and Tyler will be holding down the fort at home. So are Bill and Mandy at WG.

Well we will continue to keep you posted on all the troubles we get into.

Our digs are awesome. There will be pictures tomorrow.

(p.s. Fern - Kyle is here!!!! We will get you another picture as you are his biggest fan)

Getting to Know You

This is my first time in the north. Many stories I have heard from our friends the Tymstras who lived there, as well as our friends from Yellowknife who come to show in Alberta. They have a wonderful organization there with a lovely barn and arena to ride in. Yes they have horses in Yellowknife. Good ones along with very good riders. I appreciate the opportunity to go and work with the riders; coaches and horses.

Before I started working, I was taken on a brief tour of some of the sites.

This is the view from Adrienne and Alan's house overlooking Great Slave Lake on Yellowknife Bay. The houses you see are houseboats. In the winter the residents of the houseboats can drive on the frozen lake to get to their homes. In the summer they boat. In spring break-up I understand it is quite dangerous.

Wild Cat Cafe

The Bush Pilots Monument

My trip to Yellowknife, N.W.T.

I began my journey with a frightening discovery.

This is the plane I have to travel on. To Edmonton. I know it is only a 45 minute trip. But you must understand. I dislike flying ever since the first plane I was on caught on fire.

Yes there is reason for my fear.

Anyone who knows me - knows it was a fun time.

Yes there were 2 seats on each side of the plane. The first time I went to New Zealand, I had to fly on an even smaller plane (one seat on each side) from the North island to the South island- over the ocean. The pictures they took of me when I arrived had the I am not impressed and may be violently ill at any moment.

Back to this trip: Then the flight in Edmonton was delayed for two hours. The pilot had a wonderful excuse. He said "Well you know this plane has been flying around all day - and sometimes they get behind schedule.

For all you young single ladies my advice is: Fly to Yellowknife. Men, Men, Men, Men, Manly Men Men Men Wooooo (You know what I am talking about it you watch "Two and a Half Men"

Finally "Smiling" 'cause I arrived. 11:30 at night. Thank you to Anne for staying awake to pick me up and to my hosts Andrienne, Alan, and for not being too cranky for having me arrive so late.