I was just wondering when the clocks had to be set back...so I guess it is now the first Sunday in November.  We will all be messed up again and have to shift schedules.

 SS - I am totally surprised to hear that you joined the ranks of the unemployed - that came right out of the blue!!  Bummer. Though as JG said - at least you went straight to the barn!

 You all have talked about making grape jam so much that I am craving some!  The other thing you talk about is aspens turning golden - there are a few of those at the fram and they are pretty.

It sure has been nice riding weather - anything above 60 and dry is good.  I took Blue for a short spin down the streets in the neighborhood today - we may venture farther next time.  DD is done with Cross Country and has a few days before track conditioning starts - she even went out to the horses today.

Below is a picture of Surrpise last week on a colorful day - and a hot air balloon over the lake about a week ago.

SS, sorry to hear of your unemployment. I'm right there with ya, unfortunately. But, like others have said, at least you'll have more riding time!

I don't want to jinx it, but I took a chance last week and asked the trainer at my barn if she knew anyone who works for one of the equestrian magazines based out of Wellington, FL. She does, and she is going to ask them if they have a job for me. It would be an absolute dream, so I've got my fingers crossed...but, like I said, I don't want to get my hopes up and then be dissapointed if it doesn't happen. I've been out of work for awhile now and am starting to get anxious.

 Thanks for all the good thoughts  everyone ! I will take a couple days to just rest and get over this bug that is trying to get me and will move on from there. I know I'm not alone so many are looking right now. I wish you all find just the right thing and the same for me. I dont really believe in random  - so will be interesting to see what is next.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you Frizzle.  And your DH, Remmer.  And now you SS!  However, IMHO, the idjits in nonmanagement at SS's former employer cut off their noses to spite their faces and SS will be better off in the long run. 

I believe you will like the 12-hour day shifts much better Blue.  And we will be happier to see you more.

I did convert some of our left over Ribbon Ridge Pinot grapes to jelly.  The family raved about the end product, LOL.  However, SH, grapes take a bit more work because you have to press the juice from the grapes and strain the skins and seeds out.  How did yours turn out, Remmer?

We gelded Dallas last week, poor thing.  I had never seen that particular type of event before, so the vision keeps haunting me.  He is doing well, and being lunged twice per day to keep the swelling down.  He's going to make a great horse. 

Dh and I went to an Options Trading group tonight.  The group is free and led by a very impressive man who was a financial planner for many years.  The objective for members is to make monthly income from trading options.  My friend who told me about the group is now averaging between 4-6% income on her trades monthly.  Not bad when you look at CD's and money markets, LOL!

 Big Hug SS...I don't think we've seen the bottom of this thing yet. Just about everyday I deal with not having a job(am very normal in this regard.)  There even has been a bit of "activity" with my agent, but still nothing cofirmed.  Today is a beautiful Autumn Day, very warm for the season and I will be mowing back the fields with our 50 year old  tractor and getting some things done in the cottage.  It appears our 88year old grandmother will be moving in next week and her daughter will be moving over some horses.  The apt. is rented in Paris as well.  This is a big help for us in so much that I have no other fixed income...So hang in there SS, you're certainly not alone in this...

On a brighter note, what a fine looking horse, SeaHorse!

...rr

Blue - I guess you have to take the good with the bad in regards to the shift change. So glad that you are OK from the crash. That must have been scarry to say the least. How are the girls doing? Were you able to get them blankets so hopefully you'll be able to prevent rain rot next year?

SH - Love the pics. How about one of Blue, we havent' seen him in ages? The lake pics are so peaceful. We can see why you love it up there so much. It must be spectacular to sit out on the dock with a cup of coffee in the morning and gaze out and see the colors. So jealous!!

SS - Wow, that totally sucks about the job. But like Blue, you have to take the good with the bad. At least you have more riding time. So jealous of you too in that regards.

7 - Where the heck have you been? Now that you have your own computer we shall be expecting to see you more here. How is it that your horses always seem to bang up their legs for you to take care of. I guess you'll have to start putting them in bubble wrap. LOL. I'm sure the kids are gonna have a blast at the fun show. And be sure to take lots of pics.

Frizz- I have my fingers crossed for you on the magazine job. That would be totally cool.

Bucks - So will we be seeing jelly making added to the wine business? I'm sure we'd all love to put in our orders. LOL. Glad to hear the Dallas is recovering from his ordeal. Poor guy. I hope you have success in the option trading. DH dabbles in that too but he's yet to have a steady income from it.

rr - I sure hope your Granny is the sweet old lady type and not the grumpy, tell you exactly what she's thinking type. Seems like there is no inbetween with them.

As for me, I'm still as busy as ever and not getting in any riding time at all. Now that the GS is done with football, I'm hoping that my weekends will be a little less busy. I had 3 of the grandkids spend the night Sat night. I ended up sleeping on the floor of the living room with them to make sure no one fell off the couches. Only 1 of them did. LOL. I'm gonna get me a blow up mattress cause I'm getting to old for sleeping on the floor. LOL. As for all of you standing in the unemployment line, I sure wish y'all luck in finding something quick. On the 17th of Oct, I will have been here 14 years. Hard to believe I've been here that long. As much as I hate my job and most of the people I work with, and let me tell you I do, I have to be grateful to have a job. Our guys go on winter lay off here soon, I shall be stuck here all the long, boring winter. UHG. My boss will drive me insane so I had better see more of you guys in chat to help me get through my day. LOL

NWBuckskinLvr:

Dh and I went to an Options Trading group tonight.  The group is free and led by a very impressive man who was a financial planner for many years.  The objective for members is to make monthly income from trading options.  My friend who told me about the group is now averaging between 4-6% income on her trades monthly.  Not bad when you look at CD's and money markets, LOL!

Just stopping by to say that I'm still alive up here.  So sorry to hear about your job SS, best of luck to everyone looking right now!  Bucks, all that financial stuff is greek to me, but I hope it pans out for you.  I'd be too scared to try, since I don't understand a word those guys are saying.

I'm just bored and frustrated since I still have no vehicle.  I guess the steering column is back-ordered, so every week they're telling me "just one more week."  At this rate I think I'll be lucky to get it back by Christmas!  No vehicle means I haven't seen Squeaker in a month, and the blasted deductible has forced me to stop dog classes for now, but I guess things can only get better from here.  At least the furnace is fixed!

Vet out today to change the bandage on Dreamer.   OMG ~ just to change the bandage....  a chain, twitch, and drugs.   Since she was so bad just for that the vet is coming again in 7-10 days to change it again.  We both agreed that with my eyesight and her (Dreamer's) nastiness, we didn't want to chance me doing it on my own.   Her ground manners are just ...   ummmm, a little less than desirable.   She is really quite nice under saddle.

Oh yeah     Did I mention how much I hate going to the dentist?

Whoo-Hoo! Congrats, RC! Take your camera and give us lots of pics. Let there be dust! ~FH

WOOHOO!!! Congrats RC.  Pictures are a must when you come back.  In fact, if you don't come back with pics, don't bother coming back at all (LOL, Kidding)... sort of

Wow, so much going on....I will just have to say good luck to everyone!  And congrats RC on the new horse.

Solo and I will be getting ready for another HT this Sunday.  We continue to be heartily frustrated and annoyed with dressage, but our trainer keeps beating me over the head forcing me to breathe.  I've never been this uptight about riding before, but then I've never been this serious about trying to accomplish something before!

Fall weather is beautiful and we will be OUT enjoying it!

 First, couldn't be happier for you RC(remember, this once stood for RAGING CHIC!)

 And this idea of buying another horse COULD VERY WELL CATCH ON WITH ME.  This morning while feeding "his highness" Incarna( a bit later than usual I must admit, school holidays letting me sleep in),  I gave him a scratch between his forelegs while he was eating and took a step, and the SOB turned round and bit me good!

I mean I have  a horse's mouth sized (think of a grapefruit,) black and blue and red(where his teeth broke the skin,) welt right beneath my right arm on the muscle.  I immediatly hit him HARD with the feeding bucket.  He took off  through the gate,into the other field, only when seeing "Archeduke" start in on his portion came galloping right smake dab at both of us!  I armed myself with the bucket and was ready for him.

Long story short; he stops, looking at me, doing a "what's wrong? Hey it's me, Incarna, your horse of seven or more years.  You don't mean to say that that little CHUNK of flesh I took out of your side is going to come between us?  

I took a long run in the woods, came back, changed and grabbed his *** and lunged him for 50 minutes!  Called Simon and he and Neal(the really cool international jumper, etc,etc, are coming over tomorrow for lunch.  Before we're going to lunge and then ride Incarna's little *** right into a cold sweat.  

In a funny(only horse owners can appreciate kind of way,) all the working and extra feeding is giving him back his "confidence."  This I am not backing down on. Dominique,btw, back from Paris and having seen the bite mark wants to serve him for Sunday Lunch .  

Will let you know how Mr. Incarna fares tomorrow...rr

OK, rr, at first I thought you were making some sort of perverted offer with your new title for the thread and was not interested.  Now that I know what you meant, take care of yourself.

SS, enjoy your horse for a few days and then look for a new job.  Their loss.

RC, congrats on the new horse.  Looking fwd to pix.