Bleh

The word to explain how I feel and what this week has, mostly, been like.

Milo is still the same, we've been to the vets 3 times now and there hasn't been much improvement. We have to go back on Monday to see if, hopefully, it has decreased in size. It's certainly softer.

Before Milo's 2nd visit to the vet, I had a bid on an auction and won.
Now this auction I was very excited about. Going back about 3-4 years ago, I sold my AAA White tiger cubs and an adult, although not the adult to go with the cubs as he is far too small.
I have to admit that I regretted selling them as soon as the auction was over. But the buyer won them fair and square.

A few weeks ago I saw the walking white tiger cub for sale. I paid £4.20 for him which I'll admit, I didn't really want to pay as it's a bit more than what I would usually pay. But once he arrived I was happy and decided that I needed to try and find the other 3 and possibly the adult tiger that I had before.

Well it must be fate, as just a couple of weeks later the 3 tiger cubs and the adult came up for sale. Exactly the ones that I wanted !
I did bid up to £20, naughty I know, but I won them for £9 including postage :) so that's my splurge for now. No more buying until Milo is all better, except for a 1/12th stable which I have to pay for.

So once again in my collection, AAA white tiger cubs and adult.

New stable !

Here is the stable I mentioned in an earlier post.

It's for 1/12th models so it's perfect for my Equorum models.

Two great friends, Sue and Lesley, offered it to me and I can't thank them enough. I had plans to make my own stables but what with a job, soon, and the cost of materials, it's better to get a stable and paint it to my specifications.
This one just needs doors, a new lick of paint and some little items here and there.
Thanks again ladies :)

The highs and lows

All within three days.

Saturday was great, I couldn't have asked for a better day. Agricultural show, models and sleep.

But Sunday was a low. Yet again my poor Milo has something wrong with him. I found a 5mm lump under his jaw. So I had to miss volunteering at the RSPCA so I could take him to the vets.
He's on Baytril and Metacam for 5 days and we have to go back on Thursday. I really hope that the lump decreases in size or he'll have to have surgery.
He doesn't look ill and he's still the same but it's still worrying. I've had a rabbit have the same but a smaller lump. She pulled through the surgery fine.

Here he is enjoying the weather on Sunday, he loves that tunnel !











On Monday I did managed to get a few pictures of my new models and I also won 4 on eBay. Can't wait till they arrive ! One of my goals complete :)

Usk Agricultural Show

I had a brilliant time yesterday. So many gorgeous horses, that I took photos of, and so many other wonderful animals.
The rabbit tent was my favourite but I didn't take any pictures of them because rabbits can be quite nervy and I didn't want to upset them before they were judged.

I'll have to post some photos soon, there's plenty of them !

It was also my sister's 16th Birthday party yesterday. She had a paranormal night which I missed. I've had a raging cold for the last 5 days and by 8pm, I fell asleep watching Bonanza, my new favourite series :)
It could have been the fresh Welsh air or the cold but I slept until 2am and then finally woke at 9am.
Now I have to photograph some new models that came this week and also take a picture of the stable.

Take care

I got the job !

That's right :D
Went for the interview at 10am and at 2pm, they phoned and offered me the job. Got to get all the paper work sorted and such but the job is mine.

And more good news today, my rabbit and guinea pig are eating again ! I am so relieved about that.

And I got some Fimo clay to have a go at making some models.
Any suggestions on what my first model should be ?

Short and sweet today, enjoy the day !

A very special arrival

Yesterday my model from Anna arrived !

It is so beautiful, I can't believe the work that has gone into it. The sad part is, he's been wrapped back up for christmas and I didn't get a chance to take a photo of it. I expect most people will know what I'm talking about but the others, you'll just have to wait ;)

Schleich collectors will have heard by now all about the 75th anniversary specials.
I haven't seen any of the planes for sale yet but I hope they will be available soon. I'll buy one, give the plane to my nephew (if I decide I don't like it) and then I'll keep the coupon :)
I'll have to try and get the book too. 

I'd also like to wish a very happy (belated) birthday wish to my friend, Helen. Hope you had a great day, Helen !

And I received some good news yesterday, I have an interview on Tuesday for the casual ACA position at the RSPCA :D Happy but extremely nervous.

I don't have much more to say today. Sundays are my day off and the rest of the week I'm either volunteering or looking after my own animals.
I did have a bit of a scare yesterday. My one rabbit, Maisy, didn't run up to the cage like she usually does. I put the food in and she just wasn't interested. When I came home she was back to her normal self, nearly bit my finger grabbing the food.

So for now, take care and happy collecting :)

Conditions

It's finally happened. No more shelve room.

After picking the 3 models that I wanted, they filled up the space.
I will have 2 more shelves when the weather cools down because my Equorums can move back in my room.

And that's what my post is about today, the conditions that models are kept in.

Since I started with the Breyers, I've learnt how they need to be kept.

Out of direct sunlight, in a temperature controlled room and preferably, with enough space around them so they don't touch.

Equorums are a little bit more delicate. Being made of Latex, the temperatures that they are kept in need to be monitored.
In the summer, my room gets extremely hot, so they have to be moved downstairs to the front room which is lovely and cool in the Summer. In the winter, the come back in my room where the radiator is shut off. I'm that serious about keeping them in the best conditions, that if it is extremely cold, I'd rather have an extra blanket than put the heating on.
Equorums should also be kept in as dust free conditions as possible as dust will settle in their manes and tails. Trust me, it's a pain to try and keep straight.

With my Schleich and similar brand, I'm a little less strict. Being made of hard plastic, they don't melt easily and hot air doesn't build up inside of them like a Breyer. I find their paint work to be more durable too so touching each other is not so much of a problem.

I also like my models to be on display for my family to see and any guests.
My Breyer are in the main living room in glass cabinets so anyone coming into that room can easily see them. The Equorums are kept in my room most of the year as they are extra special to me and my nephews seem more attracted to them !
My Schleich and similar brands are kept in the front room which doubles up as my mum's bedroom. So only a select few people get to see those models. It's a shame that they are in that room but there is no more room in the living room and I'm paranoid that my nephew's will take them off the shelves and play with them. I guess that's my fault as I got my oldest nephew, Charlie, a wooden farm set for christmas and a few Schleich animals. He always wants to play with "Rio's" models.

Not a long post today as my half day volunteering was tiring and I also have a full day volunteering at the RSPCA. I really look forward to it but it's an early start !

Take care, readers.

Horses, Warthogs and a Mountain Goat ?

That's right, my models for christmas have arrived.

One parcel came yesterday and the other came today. My wooden stable also arrived yesterday but that'll be another post.

I'm really impressed with the Breyer Stablemates, especially the colour of the dressage horse.
I'll open them later to check for any damage, the worst part about Breyers is always getting a rubbed model.

I also got some Papo and Schleich horses. I'm really glad that I ordered the Papo horses especially the Frisians. There's just one more Papo foal to join the horde as I was sent two of the same. The Ardennes mare is darker from her stock photo but still very pretty. The Schleich Warthogs and a Safari Mountain goat were also in the parcel.

As I went over the budget, by £10, I get to pick 2-3 models that I bought. 

I'm really looking forward to christmas now !