C.H.O.C in the U.S.A...

Does anyone else have that song in their heads now? Or for that matter know what im talking about?

So i have resorted to turning the volume on my mp3 player to maximum at dawn and dusk, as Deer Hunting season has officially started. The once quiet and peaceful mornings are now filled with blood-curdling echos of distant gun shots. However it gives me a little peace of mind to know that Arno doesnt hunt, and no one is allowed to hunt on his property. Just hope the deer know that too.

Thanksgiving was and interesting one.... still, no one has told me what we were giving thanks for, nor why we had a dinner to celebrate it, nor why i there were four little pilgim salt and pepper shakers staring at me while i ate my turkey covered in cranberry sauce. I think i managed to put the pieces of the puzzle together though. Alls i know is that there is a butt-load of turkey, ham and cranberry sauce in the fridge.

I have once again managed to put my back out by riding so much so it looks like a trip to the chiro is in order at some stage and a couple days rest form riding. On the other hand, the horses are doing really well. Arno is actually picking up two more ponies today from a farm and bringing them here for me to ride and get into shape before he sends them off to a family who came to camp during mother-daughter week. They are both gorgeous ponies, one of them is Jackson (the little grey pony in some of the pics) and the other is Sir Frederick James Reginald III (aka 'Peach Pie')... lol he is quite the looker of a pony and someone dubbed the poor thing Peach Pie, so we gave him a name that we thought gave him a little slice (sorry couldnt help myself with a 'pie' pun) of his dignity back. Anywhos, im excited for their return.

Am helping Olga with the making of her chocolate and have become a chocolatier... sorry, dont get your hopes up guys, i think this is a profession im going to leave in the US... as much fun as it sounds, its actually really tedious work. But yes i do get to try the chocolate. For anyone who is interested, what im making is handmade gourmet Belgian Chocolates.

K, well im off to actually go make choc right now. joy joy joy. Much love to all. xoxo

Stating the Obvious...

So I thought i would state the absolute obvious and let everyone know that I have changed the appearance of my Blog. It may change again, depending on how bored I get with it... but yea. Im Bored, can you tell?! Hmmm, well, comments would be 'A'-to-the-'preciated'. have fun. xoxo

Surprised...

Well its been quite a big week for me in the land of growing frosty...ness. I have now resorted to wearing special 'mountain horse' boots (as opposed to my beloved, paint covered wellingtons) in fear of the fact that if i continue to wear the wellies, i might just end up freezing my toes off... literally. Anyways... for those of you who arent aware these riding boots are "special" according to everyone here becasue they insulate your feet... im not complaining cos my feet are toasty warm inside them. Enough about feet.

On the weekend, i was helping Olga with her Chocolate business, aware of the fact that on Saturday night, Liz and her fiance Brennan were coming down from Canada for a few days to visit. So Saturday night rolled around and i went into my room to put my jacket and bag down and went into my bathroom to find Marieke standing in there in a desperate attempt to hide herself lol. it was awesome. Apparently Arno had set the whole thing up just so Marieke could come down and surprise me. Liz and Brennan came too... just so you know! So Saturday night we spent hours on end around the dinner table drinking, eating and being merry. Sunday, i had to go to the chocolate show with Olga again and Sunday night, Arno's friedn Chuck came around for dinner and brought some ducks that he had shot (its hunting season :( *sniff*) for dinner. The girls and i were kinda grossed out by the ducks for dinner but we had a great night. Marieke was also freaked out by 'winning' the contest to find the most gun shot pellets in their duck... the poor thing. Hmm so Monday, Liz and Brennan went out and Marieke and I hung out in the barn and went for a ride and just bummed about. On Tuesday, we dragged Anna up from NYC for the morning and met her new (disabled) puppy. LOL, she rescued it from Argentina, its 5 months old and has a mended broken paw, which looks really painful but actually doesnt bother her at all. Anyways, by Tuesday arvo everyone left and I was once again on my own with the horses but enjoying the peace a bit.

So today I'm back into the routine of things. I rode Iris this morning and had lots and lots of fun

cantering around the big ring doing flying changes across three huge circles... (i made pretty circly patterns in the sand of the ring) well it was fun for me anyways. Then this arvo i stained some boards for the carpenter and then hopped on Josie for a quick burn before it got dark.

Its Thanksgiving tomorrow and i have been invited to 'Thanksgiving Dinner'... would be really nice if i knew what i was 'giving thanks' for... something about Indians, pilgrims and turkeys... I will just smile and nod and eat my turkey when prompted. yay.

Well i think thats about it for now. Im excited for Thanksgiving, and to see some snow very soon. They are all freaking out over here because there is no actual snow yet and normally this place is under more than a foot of snow by now. Im thinkning its the same sort of reaction to the non existant rainfall in Adelaide this winter?? Hmmm, oh yea, some time in the near future im going to NYC for a few days to stay with Anna so that should be exciting too. ok, adios. xoxo

Pictures...

Well this morning i took some pictures that Marieke had originally asked me to take of some of the horses and then i kinda got carried away with being an idiot (which i know is totally unlike me) and i ended up with some of these pics... amoung some normal looking ones... but who wants to see 'normal' photos?! te he he. still having fun (as you can see) and getting excited about coming home. A little over two months left - or 7o something days. well, have fun and stay safe. xoxo

Still going...

Well I don’t really have A LOT to write about at the moment. Not much has changed, but I thought I would post something to make sure you all new that I haven’t fallen off of the face of the earth! Arno and Olga have returned from their honeymoon in CA, which means that I no longer have to drive the big tractor up the scary, muddy hill to feed the horses each morning and Im still helping “Mr carpenter” (think his name is Rosan, but not entirely sure) stain wood for the house, which is extremely messy but fun all the same. Have been riding alot still. Have succeeded in getting Josie and Toby to work very nicely (Josie esp. on the hunt course) and have now started new projects on Cajun and Maple (the one who doesn’t like turning left) Cajun is getting much better but just needs to be ridden everyday to make sure she remembers things (otherwise she becomes a rodeo horse) and Maple, well, she will get there! Hmm what else. Oh – I think Brenna (one of the girls I worked with this summer) might be coming down from Canada this weekend to visit me so that should be fun t catch up with her and have some company around the barn for a few days. Anna is back from Argentina on the 14th of Nov and sent me an email saying that we are sure to catch up when she gets back… and Marieke and Liz are planning to come down for thanksgiving weekend… (which is the weekend somewheres around if not on the 25th Nov.) YAY. Well that’s all the news from me I guess. Looking forward to coming home but enjoying the last few months here. Love to all xoxo

BRRRRRrrrrrrrr...

So today im not big on writing... mainly cos my hands hurt from being frozen (-7C in the barn this morning)... and then burning my finger on the heater in an attempt to warm them. Fortunately i took quite a few photos today and i rekon i can pretty much sum my day up with them so here goes....






Cooookkkke on the waaater... bow bow bow....










My day written out so i dont forget stuff (lol... like lunch?)
And part of my tres messy desk



















I went and annoyed Lotus (and cleaned her leg)










Then i thought All Star would be jealous of Lotus getting the attention, so i went in and gave him a pat... but he stole my beanie. te he he he.

Then i went back and annoyed Lotus some more.

Then i went and checked up on the polo ponies: from left: Tomate (taking a chunk of hay), Cubano and Nene (in front)

After Lunch and helping the carpenter, i rode Josie. The End.

Yay, and that was my day... exciting huh!? lol. ok so maybe i did a little more than that! Te he he he.... hope everyone is having fun. xoxo

Im Amazing...

Well i just thought you should all get your daily fact... nothing much more to say... the title says it all.

HA HA HA HA just kidding! Ive had an awesome week. After hurting my nose, i got on Maple the next day and did some ground work with her and jumped on her and she turned left so i was happy. My nose and face are fine by the way - just had some minor bruises under the eye but nothing worth taking a picture of. The nose is still a little tender but the pain is disappearing as the days progress.

On Tuesday (which was Halloween) I had a day off and got to go to New York City for the day. I ended up wandering around Times Square for most of it, but had lots of fun nevertheless. OH yea! and i got to see the band KISS on the street in Times Sq. so that was fun, but very crowded. Was interesting to watch people walk around the city in halloween costumes and just carry on with their day to day life. not to mention the interesting KISS crowd who were randomly spotted walking around the city after the band made the appearance... It made the day fun. On the way home I got to see the trick or treaters runnning from house to house with their little baskets and bags of candy.

Hmmm, lets see what else is happening in the the world of Dani... nothing new to tell i dont think. Other than Arno and Olga are on their honeymoon which is, umm... nice. And im here doing my day to day barnly routine. OH YEA! IRIS (my fav horsey) came back on Tues, much to my surprise... I guess the barn she went to didnt like her. But thats fine by me! So i have been riding her alot. Oh and we have a carpenter here who i am helping paint/staining wood for Arno's house cos its getting quite cold and the house is nakie, so the carpenter has to work quickly. Getting down to -3C tonight. fun fun fun with the frozen barn in the morning... mmm, numb hands... lol its all part of the wintery fun i guess.

Anywhos. Im guna leave it here. SOrry abotu my random last post... i really was bored. More photos soon... catch! xoxo

I was bored...

Odd Facts about ME
DO YOU SNORE?:	Sometimes
LOVER OR A FIGHTER?:	depends on my mood...
WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?:	Not succeeding
AS A KID, WERE YOU A LEGO BUILDER?:	OH YEA
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF "REALITY TV"?:	I cringe at it... but shit happens right?
DO YOU CHEW ON YOUR STRAWS?:	If im excited / nervous
WERE YOU A CUTE BABY?:	Probably not
HOW IS THE SINGLE LIFE FOR YOU?:	A-OK
WHAT COLOR IS YOUR KEYBOARD?:	Hypothetically? probably black and white.
DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER?:	In my head
HAVE YOU EVER BUNGEE JUMPED?:	Nope
ANY SECRET TALENTS?:	Well If i told you, they wouldnt be secret.
WHAT'S YOUR IDEAL VACATION SPOT?:	Whitsundays
HAVE YOU EATEN SUSHI?:	Yep
HAVE YOU SEEN THE MOVIE "DONNIE DARKO"?:	Yep
DO YOU GIVE A DARN ABOUT THE OZONE?:	Probably should
HOW MANY LICKS DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE CENTER OF A TOOTSIE POP?:	See, before i would have asked what the bleep a tootsie pop was... but now i understand... and the answer... will come to me next time i eat one.
CAN YOU SING THE ALPHABET BACKWARDS?:	I can write it backwards...
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON AN AIRPLANE?:	AH.... .yep, think so
ARE SPEEDO'S HOT?:	Gotta love budgee smuglers
WHAT'S YOUR STAND ON HUNTING?:	THEY KILLED A DEER THIS AFTERNOON :( its sad.
IS MARRIAGE IN YOUR FUTURE?:	Probably
DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?:	Oh gawd no.
WHAT ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO?:	EVERYTHING
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAID, "I LOVE YOU":	The last time i spoke to someone
IS TUPAC STILL ALIVE?:	Nope
DO YOU CRY AT WEDDINGS?:	BAH!!!! no.... should i?
HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?:	cooked preferably... then sunny side up
ARE BLONDES DUMB?:	huh?
WHERE DOES THE OTHER SOCK END UP?:	In Sockland
WHAT TIME IS IT?:	11:20am at home... 7:50pm here
DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME?:	Yep.... oh sorry, did you want to know what it is?
IS MCDONALD'S DISGUSTING?:	OMG YES
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE IN A CAR?:	um... yesterday
DO YOU PREFER BATHS OR SHOWERS?:	Showers
IS SANTA CLAUSE REAL?:	Yes. Except his name is Father Christmas
ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?:	Nope
WHAT ARE YOU ADDICTED TO?:	Coke
CRUNCHY OR CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER?:	Creamy
HAVE YOU EVER RIDDEN IN AN AMBULANCE?:	Yep
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BRUSHED YOUR TEETH TODAY?:	2
IS DRUG FREE THE WAY TO BE?:	Depends what the drugs are for!
ARE YOU WEARING SOCKS?:	Yes as a matter of fact i am thanks for asking
HAVE YOU EVER HITCH HIKED?:	Nope
WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR EYES?:	Blue
WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?:	On Maple, 3 days ago.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR LIFE?:	Yes
WHOSE LIFE IS BETTER?:	I have NO idea.
ARE YOU PSYCHIC?:	I knew you were going to ask that.
HAVE YOU READ "CATCHER IN THE RYE"?:	Actually im about to...
DO YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENTS?:	very very badly
CAN YOU SKATEBOARD?:	yes.
DO YOU LIKE CAMPING?:	yes.
DO U SNORT WHEN U LAUGH?:	HA HA HA HA NO... although i have one it once or twice
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?:	"In a young girls heart..." now thats in my head... dammit
IS A DOG A MAN'S BEST FRIEND?:	Sure
YOU BELIEVE IN DIVORCE?:	It happens
CAN YOU DO THE MOONWALK?:	Yes
DOES YOUR MOM KNOW YOU HAVE A MYSPACE?:	HA HA HA Not that i know of.
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?:	Bacon
DO YOU WEAR NAILPOLISH?:	Nope
DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE RIGHT NOW?:	Not right at this particular second in time, no.
WHAT'S THE MOST ANNOYING TV COMMERCIAL?:	I havent watched TV in 5 months... dont talk to me about TV
DO YOU SHOP AT AMERICAN EAGLE?:	Yes
FAVORITE BAND AT THE MOMENT?:	OOO OOO um... i cant remember their name... maybe i will remember after i post this.
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