I always mean to update much sooner.. A lot has gone on and I always forget what all I should report...

For the month of January I have been on ambulatory/field services which means we go mostly on outcalls (but do see some in clinic stuff) for routine health care maintenance and the occasional colic or laceration. This means vaccines, routine teeth floats, health papers for the upcoming show season, Coggins test, etc. Our work is very seasonal in nature, centering around show schedules and breeding schedules, so January and June/July is when we typically float teeth and do big barn vaccine days, which is exactly what we have been doing this month. Floating 8-10 horses in a day will wear a person out, but is a great upper arm work out.

January also means the beginning of breeding season. In the quarter horse and thoroughbred horse world, all horses turn a year older on January 1, and this is very important in show/race circuits, so consequently the goal of all breeders is to get a baby as close to Jan 1 without being born in December. And since the gestation period is 342 days (11 months for horse) we start breeding in mid-February to accomplish this, but have to start checking (palpating) mares in January to follow where they are in their cycle, which I've also been doing. We've also done a few embryo flushes and working on freezing embryos to implant in a recipient in a few weeks. Reproduction isn't my favorite thing, but its an important part of my job.. that being said, I'm ready for February and Surgery!!!

I've also managed to be on a fairly consistent running schedule (except this weekend because I'm on call and super busy with emergencies). I would like to run the San Diego 1/2 marathon on May 31, it's 2 weeks before my internship is done and I happen to be off that weekend. I'm planning on doing the 5K SkirtChaser series in Tempe on February 14, free running skirt with race entry. I'm loving the new Saucony running shoes.

The highlight of January was getting to see Aaron Watson at Martini Ranch in Scottsdale last week. I went by myself, not knowing a soul there, and ended up talking to about 6 different guys, even got to dance some, successful night. Then Aaron came on stage and played a super fantastic show. Got to hang out with him after the concert for a while and it was so good to catch up with my old college buddy. I love that guy - I wish Kim and the boys were there, I haven't got to meet the newest addition yet. I suppose going to the bar/concert by myself was adventuresome (never mind I do it a lot).

I had decided to not date during 2009, on purpose, boycott boys and relationships for the year. But of course that hasn't made it very far into the year. Apparently, one of the farriers that we do a lot of work with is best friends with one of my bosses' husband, and he is planning on asking me out sometime soon (she sent me a text telling me to expect it). He's a nice guy, cute and like horses, I think I'll go (pending if he does ask of course).

I think that's all I got for now, busy emergency weekend (cross your fingers for quiet for the rest of the night for me please...)

I'll do better to keep up , I promise!