Brian
and Diane Alves Paint Horses
AMBLINGS
FROM ACROSS THE FENCE
AMBLINGS FOR SEPTEMBER
My life has changed significantly since my last writing and the
thought of revisiting some of those things is so painful that
I avoided making updates over the last year.
At this point, I'd prefer not to expand on all of them but in
a nutshell:
· Brian's brother was killed in a motorcycle accident
· We lost the weanling colt that had colic surgery
· My father died suddenly
· Our neighbor of over 15 years died of a heart attack
· My grandmother (Tuna G for those who remember
all the Friday lunches she and I had together) passed away
· Our stallion colic'd which resulted in surgery and
the removal of enteroliths
For me, the most painful and hardest to deal with is my dad.
I've been lucky in my life because I've had two fathers.
Many of you who read this know Harvey and he's been married
to my Mom since 1973. The title of "stepfather"
or "stepdad" doesn't really cut it because he's been
much more than that and we always have had a special and unique
relationship and always will.
 My biological father, (Daddy,
to me) is who I lost. Over the years of divorce and turmoil,
I always stayed connected to him and it wasn't always necessarily
the easiest. As I grew older, we grew closer probably
because we could finally understand each other. He was
gruff and prickly on the outside, but for those he cared about
he would have given them the world. And I was always his
little girl to him (he freely gave advice, warned against things,
wanted to be sure I was being paid for all my hard work, etc)
but as an adult, I would also push back on occasion and for that
he respected me. He helped me learn things about
myself that I might not as easily figured out on my own.
Writing about him is difficult I cry, but not quite as
much as I have for the last several months. And so
now I'm back to web updates.
On the horse front, our operation has also changed since last
year. We sold several horses, had to put one down and also
lost our fantastic colt. And, in June, Candyman (our stud)
started showing signs of colic and within 24 hours ended up on
the surgery table. The good news there is he's doing great
and should make a full recovery.
We also had a baby filly born in March out of my black and white
Impress Me Page mare, and by our stud. She's our sole show
horse this year and we're prepping for the upcoming futurities.
As with our last successful halter mare, this filly is modern
(all legs) and it's anyone's guess as to how she'll do.
She's not your typical little chunk instead has the legs,
a long neck and at the very least will get their attention.
Our shows are a minimum this year focusing only on those
we WANT to attend and in reality, those who encourage people
to come. My point there is for the first time in years,
we will not be attending the CCPHC show in Bakersfield.
Reason? They're too independent and are only focused on
money and not truly on the exhibitors or at least certainly,
the halter exhibitors. If they were, we wouldn't have to
pay $150 to use a stall for one night. So, since we only
have the one horse we're passing. They can keep their crappy
weather and dust storms (although I WILL miss Mudslight night!).
Our first show will be the beginning of September in Turlock.
It's my club's show and we'd support it regardless of whether
it was 15 miles from home or 15 hours. It's all about the
exhibitors and of course, my brain child and "baby"
the Dog Races. It's the 2nd annual and I expect this
one to be as much or more than last years (30 dogs last year!)
and to rival the crowd participation of the spring Doggie Trail
that I put on. With today's economy, shows SHOULD
be fun and exhibitors provided more than a receipt for money
spent when they show. SJPHC's show has great awards (and
AWESOME futurities), an exhibitor's bbq, the Dog Races and a
silent auction. All point toward a really good time.
Other shows will include the Sierra Breeders Classic and lastly,
we're revisiting Oregon. I haven't been to the Triple Crown
for years but am certainly looking forward to it. We have
friends we see there on occasion, they put on a great futurity
and my Mom says the jewelry shopping is the best.
Why go if you can't have fun?
My work has changed significantly over the last year as well.
The small privately owned company I work for was bought out by
a publicly traded company last November and merged with
one of their other acquisitions in Orlando, Florida. I
was presented a new position (I manage a service center
basically in a call-center environment) and have staff in both
locations. So, for me, that means I have spent more time
flying than ever in my life (and trying to survive the loss of
3 hours every time I head to the East coast). I unfortunately
still commute and there are days I am barely able to drag myself
to bed. Some day things will change. They have
to. If I learned nothing else from the losses in my life
this last year it SHOULD be that you DO need to take life by
the horns and enjoy living it.
 I hit a milestone in June and it's
hard to imagine I'm now a member of the half-century club.
As a teen ager and twenty-something person 50 was OLD.
I don't see myself that way and on some days, still feel like
a child. My oldest sister came down to celebrate
(and she, herself has undergone a life-changing transformation
HUGE weight loss) and we ticked off an item from
My List by going zip lining. That was quite an experience
and a definite rush. The zooming over the trees was a thrill
but the 50 mph approach to the final landing platform was where
things got exciting. There's nothing like knowing the line
ends and wondering how the hell you're going to stop fast enough
without over-shooting. The solution was one guy with a
big hook that basically lands you like a soaring Tuna and stops
you in your tracks (with lots of swinging and laughing mixed
in). Yep. It was a rush.
Brian and I have ridden the bikes quite a bit this year.
After his brother's death last July, we basically stopped for
several months. Brian rode on occasion but I didn't even
climb back on my bike until the spring of 2010. Not riding
wasn't a conscious effort on my part but I think the trauma and
pain associated with Scott's death hit me pretty hard on a subconscious
level. Since June, though I've embraced riding (been
solo to work and around town on several occasions) and feel slighted
or restricted when I can't.
My next "big adventure" (outside of horseshows) is
a trip to Las Vegas in October. My niece graduated from
Nursing School in June (she won the Dean's Award!!) and it's
time for she and I have to have another Great Adventure.
So Vegas it is. We'll hit New York, New York, Zumanity
and hope to visit the Pawn Stars shop. And you know what
they say What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
 One lesson life has taught me lately
is when things go bad you definitely know who your friends
are. I do. Without them I don't know how I would
have made it through the last year. I did the eulogies
for both my Dad and Brian's brother and it's comforting to have
friends in the crowd that you can look to for strength and support.
My cousin (who lost her father several years ago) sent me a card
shortly after my loss last November and wrote words I will never
forget. She said in life we are born with our parents being
our "number one fans" so we have 2 of these fans in
our lives who ultimately have our backs and love us unconditionally
no matter what. It is comforting to have them with us,
and when one dies there is a big hole in our hearts, truly 50%
of our unconditional support has gone. But the memory of
them (and their love) is something we never forget.
I love you Daddy and will remember you always.
Until next month (now you know why it took so long),
Diane
Updated 9/2/10
Brian
and Diane Alves Paint Horses
(209)
394-2940
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Where Stars are born