Where's Ryan??

Early Birthday present for Ryan! After a trip to Toowoomba to buy a school bag and spend a gift voucher we came home with the following...and as you do with all new clothes! we had to try them on straight away!

Dalby

It has been a long time coming but I am back!

I have been here nearly 4 months and have decided today I must make the move official in Blog World anyway!

I still have boxes to unpack and we are still eating off the outdoor table! but I have made the move to buy a dining room table and down size our car....tears and more tears over my faithful old mate! She has looked after me and my family and am feeling a little sad to say goodbye. Call me crazy but have bought a Rav4, the kids have named it the mini beast!, it's BLACK lucky we have nice rainwater and only a short dirt driveway! Next Thursday is the day I hand over my old faithful for the newer sporty model (I am sounding like a man with a midlife crisis!)

Ryan is a High School boy he starts Monday 23rd and Jess starts year 6 the same day so I will be home alone and looking for a job! I have been doing up my resume something I haven't had to think about for 16 years and isn't that a long time.

So new year and lots of new exciting things happening chat soon

New plants

New foal "Monty"

New job for Steve "Grassdale Feedlot"

New oil can Jess and Steve found on the road while out riding!

All taken with my New camera!! loving taking photo's again :)

My Day...

Head is buzzing with schoolwork...I thought those days where over when I left my uniform behind too many years ago to remember!

But here I am schooling year5 and year7 as well as trying to do everything else like check waters and chase weaners out of corners!! so different to my school days on the Sunshine Coast.

So why is it so hard to sit down and fill in the enrollment forms for Dalby South State School??

I was riding around dodging spear grass and thinking about how hard it will be for the kids to go to school and then it hit me...what about me! For all my complaining about School, Elluminate and Bloody Japanese I am going to miss the connection I have with my children...I am scared they will not be mine for long and it won't be long and they will have their own adventures. When you're with them 24/7 and I might not talk to or see another person for a week (besides Steve!) they are my best friends.

I know every mum has the same feelings but I will go from all to nothing...no more eating breakfast in the schoolroom or wearing your PJ's to school. Until today I have been excited but now I am worried not so much for Ryan but more for Jess but more for ME!

Leaving my friends, loosing my children and husband all day and having to go and find a job it all seems so scary! so that's how my day is going and I am looking forward to tomorrow...I have had enough of today!

School Memories!

Dad and Chocolate

Dad and Chocolate at North Shore Beach November 2009

before the problems started doing what they both loved to do!

I LOVE YOU DAD

Reality

Well we had the couple who are taking over from us come to stay last night. And today while driving with Steve it hit me tears flowed(as they are now) we are really leaving!

I want to leave as  no.1 reason I can't send my children off to boarding school and no.2 I have a lovely house in Dalby waiting for us to make it a home!

BUT!! I don't want to leave everyone...my friends who I don't see regularly enough but they are their, down the end of the dirt road when I need them. I am going to miss everyone and wish it wasn't a 1600km trip to say "Hi"

I have been packing, recycling my grocery boxes into packing boxes.I have many small boxes! easy to carry but wow there are a lot!

We are all a little excited about our next adventure but also a little worried what lies ahead.



Dalby House



Horses Theropy

Back at Gilgunyah and Steve has been breaking in Chuck...he's been a super star! Steve came back from a ride with Jess (ride no. 4) and said he went great he even cantered a straight line. That's great for a young horse and he's got a wonderful nature. Yesterday I bathed him and sprayed no knots in his tail all without a look sideways. Loves a feed and a brush so hopefully he will keep up the good behaviour. The first time Steve got on him he walked around the yard once and stopped for a pee ! now that's relaxed.

Jess rode both Oscar and Ruby today then jumped on Willy for a quick ride in the round yard and walk around outside. This was her first ride on a big horse and she's keen to get back on tomorrow. Now I need to get my act together and start walking and exercising because it's hard watching and encouraging everyone else...it killing me I so want to ride and be part of the fun..hard work...reward...that's riding!

More action less groaning!! starts tomorrow Sunday to be precise.

We are heading home!

Finally looks like we can head home. There are no cyclones yet or floods yet so we are looking to pack up and start the journey home next Wednesday. I am so looking forward to seeing my hubby it's been nearly two months! The kids need to get back to routine of school it's a little hit and miss here. And I need to stop spending money!! that's also a little too easy and a big eye opener something I am going to have to watch when we leave Gilgunyah. I have had my ups and downs while here and it's going to be so hard to say good bye (crying as I type) ...the more I read about this bloody cancer the more I know the end is near.

I love you Dad and that will never change but it doesn't make saying good bye any easier...when I get home I will post some funny pictures of dad but here are some resent ones now!

Glenelg Equestrian Centre

Jess and Oscar have been on an excellent adventure! spending most of December, all of January and some of February at Glenelg owned by an long time friend Keith Low. Jess and Oscar spent 5 days at camp with Lisa at another property Keith runs called Horse Garden. After the first day Jess was planning her next camp!
www.glenelgequestrian.com.au is were you can find them and also on facebook were you'll see some pictures of Jess at camp!

Jess has been having lessons with Keith and her confidence has grown as has her determination to get Oscar going! I have been sitting in on a few lessons with other riders gaining heaps so look out pony clubbers lol Keith along with Shena educate and ride horses for owners at home and shows. Georgina keeps everyone fed and organised as well as doing her share of riding... Jess is planing her work experience! it's every horsie girls dream.

My dream list has an arena like this on it I am not greedy we can survive without an indoor!

Birthday Cake!

This is Ryan's idea of a slice of cake! I ordered a double layer thinking it would be like Mrs Holden's wow did I get it wrong!! The cake was three times the price of a Hughenden bakery cake but well worth it.

Long Time no Blog!

Long time no blog but I need to get back to it!!

I am still on the coast with Dad enjoying being with him but now worried about my husband...life is one bloody big worry but lets focus on the good!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN my baby boy is 12 years old we had a great day started with lollies for breakfast while opening his loot! Steve was on the phone for the happenings. Then we went to Aussie World at the Ettamoga Pub and had a blast! We met Granny there and I even went on rides but the third one was my undoing very nearly disgraced myself and covered the birthday boy.
We topped the day with a beautiful dinner and the tallest sponge cake I have ever seen (will post pictures tomorrow)

Charter Boat! what Charter Boat

Ryan wants to go fishing for his Christmas present...so our running joke at the moment is Ryan saying Charter Boat and Steve saying What Charter Boat!...I live in a house of funny buggers lol

Now my task is to find a Charter Boat and book it for the few days we are all on the Sunshine Coast before Steve has to fly back...so it's now me asking What Charter Boat?




hmmmm I am a little worried about these!


But if he has this experience it will be all worth it!
So off to the web I go and onto the phone from there. I am so glad it's Steve going so far the shortest  tripis 5 hours! good father and son time xoxo

6am Alarm Set

 My little angel has gone to bed fully dressed complete with socks on ready for a 6am rise! It's just gone 10 o'clock PM! and her last words were...I hope I hear the alarm it's pretty late and I am tired! I hope she hears it too!
She wants to get a ride in before we do some school...yep Sunday School again! Steve needs a hand to put a mill back down next week when it dries out. So we don't want to miss anymore school and will do an extra day tomorrow.

Oscar and Jess are getting ready for camp...they are off to Glenelg Equestrian Centre run by an old friend Keith Low. This is Jess and Oscars Christmas present and Jess is over the moon just hope Oscar is as enthusiastic as she is! So the prep has begun with riding and keeping Oscar looking good. I can see by the disapearing Show Sheen she's comitted to the task just wish she was this comitted to her school work!

Dotty

My little girl...
The second picture for some strange reason made me think of Anastacia!! the little blonde singer...it's the glasses...funny how you think of very different things way off target.

I Cry

Here is a picture the morning we left Dad to head home. We are heading back south on the 1st December for how long I am not sure. The hard part is Steve can not stay he has to come back and will spend Christmas by himself. I love my husband truly, madly deeply and I can't imagine what it will be like to be away from him for such a family event. Steve never complains, hugs me without a word when he sees the tears streaming down my cheeks and shares a tear with me.

I have been reading Kirsty's blog and it has been touching...sometimes I feel like I am the only one in the world this is happening to...then I read other peoples pain and think of friends and family who have lost loved ones...it makes me mad that so many people young and old with plans, dreams and ambitions are taken away from us.

I cry because I am going to loose my dad
I cry because my children are going to miss their Pop
I cry because Dad wanted to help Steve with jobs at Dalby
and I cry just because....

Ryan and Jesse

Another shot by Mel Driscoll from Mel Driscoll photography Ryan and Jesse competing in the 40cm jump

Jess and Ruby

A great fun photo taken by Mel Driscoll Jess and Ruby competing in The Wagon Wheel

Gymkhana Fun

What a great day we all had Saturday! Very busy but loads of fun.

Our club uniform is White Shirt, Beige Jodhpurs and Maroon Tie. All the children looked great and I was so happy that everyone made the effort to try to have the correct uniform. It's all about having a go and trying your best.

My two were little stars they both sat up there with big smiles and had a go at everything...I am a very proud Mum!! Ryan had a buster off Jesse in his first event but got back on to finish the day and was second in his age group. Jess did a great job on Ruby and she came first in her group.

For all the headaches the day caused prior it was a great success with smiles everywhere.

Friday is Wash Day

A lot of people have been working very hard to organise a Gymkhana for the Hughenden Pony Club. My kids are very excited and looking forward to the event.

Big day tomorrow getting ponies and tack clean and ready for Saturday. BUT first school must be done before "the good stuff starts" so Jess called it tonight! The only time cleaning is fun when it's washing horses for a competition!

Sleepless Night

I had a sleepless night dreaming of things that could have happened but didn't...why?

Why is it sometimes your brain runs a muck with the craziest thoughts?

Just one of those days but spoke to Dad this morning and he's feeling and sounding better xoxo Dad

School on a Saturday should never happen, the little cherubs are fighting over pencils! Give me strength as someone said to me the other day "sometimes I know why animals eat their young!" we all have those moments, if it's not with the kids it's definitely with your significant other. Do you want fries with him??

While teaching your children gives you a good insight to what's going on in the school system, it is something I find hard to cope with. The pressure of being responsible for the grounding they receive that will shape there future, is something I am struggling with. I worry about my little minnow's in the big ocean. Life is pretty easy here. Will they be prepared?

I need to build a bridge and worry less What Will be Will be...go Doris!

It's Rained Again!

What an amazing year it is with rain, rain and more rain. Only 5.5 mils last night but every little bit adds up.

It is sooo nice to look out and see green grass and not hard baked ground. The hot summer days are depressing when everything is dry and barren looking. All the experts say it is going to be a big wet and I hope for the cattle and our sanity they are correct.

It is nearly November and the weather is perfect today maybe a little too perfect...look out things have to change...

On the keen side of my sewing ha ha I will get there just have to tackle the mountain of ironing and folding first but that's after I finish school and washing from camp all the boring stuff before the good...that's life!