These are a few of my favorite things..............

Christmas comes but once a year and people race around looking for the "perfect" gift and in all honesty, become disillusioned with what Christmas is all about. These last few days, weeks actually, I kind of have looked back on the year and truly am surprised at myself, at what really gives me joy and happiness. My husband, my home, my horses, dogs and cat. The myriad of people who were acquaintances that are now friends, true friends I can count on should we need help or to have stop by to chat. The kind of people you would do anything for. My family, although far away, I try to keep in contact with and was able to get together with a few times this year.

Christmas isn't about presents, it's about presence. A joyful horse nickering in the morning, an acknowledgement that they will soon be fed. Having them home, to watch them grow, mature, play, fight, snooze, ride and train. Watching my husband hard at work keeping the woods clear of dead trees and keeping our firewood at the ready, and constantly throwing Sammy's red ball. The sight and sound of the Chickadees impatiently waiting for the seeds to fill the feeders, often sitting on the feeder as it's filled! The first flowers in Spring, the green of Summer, the wild array of color in the Fall, to the fluffy white blanket of Winter tucked around us. These are the gifts I hold near and dear to me. I may not say it often enough or even seem not to notice, but I am truly, truly blessed in this life and am humbled at the magnitude of all those around me who call me their friend, mom, wife, aunt, daughter and sister.

Christmas is about giving of yourself and of others accepting what you offer. What can be more precious and loving than that?

Blessings to all my family, friends and animals, you are MY true presence.

Farrier Day

They boys had their feet trimmed today and did quite well. Paha needed a little reminder that we do not kick when the farrier comes but my farrier does not get angry with him. Just pulled out his rope and lifted his back foot a couple of times and Paha was ok. He said his leg could have been a bit sore from holding his weight there after the accident. It happens. He took a good look at the injured leg and said It really looks good. Whew! I am ever so grateful for the knowledge I gleaned from so many horse folk so it didn't take much for me to figure out what to do and do it right. And because the boys were kind enough NOT to poop in the garage they got extra carrots with their feed and hay.

Anna is laying behind me patiently waiting for Sammy to get tired of the rawhide so she can snatch it up. Working on this blog and trying to keep my eyes open and talking to hubby also.

Christmas Open House!

Well I think the dogs are absolutely exhausted from barking and greeting all the folks that were here yesterday for our Christmas party. At one point during, what I call, transition, there were 30 folks here! The house was so filled with happy people, good conversation, food and just all over warmth, the furnace NEVER came on! I did not even think of it until I started to get warm and thought it had been running all this time only to find the temp in the house was much HIGHER than the set temp!

My "Breakfast Bunch" friends, Robyne and her boyfriend, Rob were here early and stayed til near dark, then the neighbors came and lastly, the horse folk arrived. Gotta do those horse chores before fun time:) By then we had all migrated to the kitchen and talking and nibbling and just having a really good time.

What surprised me was our neighbors coming. Just a small group of people that we give greetings to day after day, small roadside chats, help when we need it, and even when we don't. From the day we moved in some one would let us know who could help us with yard work, roofing, plowing, etc., etc., and we were never disappointed and thought it only fitting to include these folks and am so glad I did. My mom and her boyfriend, David stayed the entire time! First to arrive, last to leave. Was was teary eyed in telling me she is so happy that we are in a great community with people who would do anything to help us. My mom said they had good things to say about us and I was really overwhelmed in the fact that these folks knew it was me, but mostly Klaus, doing whatever we could to clean up our street, keep our property non-horse neighborly friendly and so on.

ALL asked where Klaus was as he could not be here with us. He is in Kentucky on business and it could not be helped. A few others had to work or attend meetings and were disappointed they could not come. But I believe we have other gatherings since this was such a success.

Something I never would have expected were the gifts folks were bringing us! I was speechless. The foods were nearly gone! I did not have to figure out where to put leftovers because there really wasn't any. Out of 5# of Sweet and sour meatballs, about a dozen left. The Hungarian golaush, enough for dinner tonight. The chicken and stuffing bake, half a pan. Cookies! Oh my gosh the cookies! I "allowed" Robyne's boyfriend to make up a box to take home and we were fighting over cheesecake/cherry bars, those were scrumptous!

So all in all, this morning I woke up very happy, just for the simple fact that these people all mean a great deal to us and us to them and my mom will no longer worry that I am alone when Klaus has to travel out of town. I may be here by myself, but I am far from being alone.

To all my friends, whether you are a Facebook friend, and email friend and a friend across the pond, or around the corner, my life has been made so much richer and more meaningful because you are a part of my life. Thank you all for being so and spread some cheer to others who my not know they matter to you .

We tend to speed through life to "get there" but when you turn around there are a hell of a lot of faces that have been touched by you. Slow down and get to know those folks and realize that they are a big part of who you are.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"

Inconsiderate !@#$%^&*('s!

If people would learn to drive maybe my horse would be ok. I honestly thought this was something he did by accident but was still baffled as to why the TOP two wire strands were ripped out. Seems some jackass took the curve a bit too fast, lost control, barely missing an electric pole, went down the embankment sideways, lucky they did not roll and crashed into a tree on our property not less than 30' from where my horses were. So they went through the fence because they had to not because of some dumb horse thing. Paha must have tried to jump, catching the top two wires and then all the caps were popping. I heard..........nothing, and feel bad I could not help my boys. There is no cut above the heal but it's burned. Like a severe rope burn. I'll keep Pa in the round pen for another day or two and help him "lick" his wounds. It just makes me angry that idiots do things like this and we have to clean up the mess.

In the one photo you can see a thick stand of trees to the right and that is most likely where the boys were snoozing. Meins will not set foot in that pasture. I tried to coax him over but he planted his feet and gave me that "Hell no, we won't go!" face. I'll take him over to the sight tomorrow and just walk around the outside of the pasture. We won't walk through there because I'm not sure if there is any broken glass along with the car parts.

&*()_&#$%^ idiots....................

NOT A GOOD DAY

Well my Saturday did not go as planned. I missed the Friesian Christmas Fantasy and I was really looking forward to that. Instead we spent the morning fixing an entire pasture fence line. Paha, again, got himself caught up in the fence wire but he must have panicked this time. We had to replace about 30 t-post caps that were broken when the top wires were pulled and about as many clips but not before pounding 8 posts back into the ground. The hay tire was moved over about 2', the salt block was smashed and the ground wire for the fencer had been ripped off the post. And 1 hoof print outside the fence line. My initial check on them was no cuts as I removed them and put them in the round pen. Once the fence was put back and the fencer turned on I brought Meins out and cleaned him up and braided up his tail, and thoroughly checked his legs but he had no marks on him. So I turned him out in the pasture and brought Paha over for his grooming session and once over. By then I noticed his right hind was a bit swollen and he was favoring it a bit. Picked up his foot and the pastern looked badly lacerated, so I went to get the hose to clean up his legs and it was frozen! Went to the back faucet, same thing. Put Paha back in the round pen and went in a got a warm bucket of water, some rags and the betadine wash. Went into the pen and started to clean up his leg and he drank the ENTIRE bucket of water! Good thing I had not put the wash in it yet. sigh!

Back in the house to get another bucket of water. Hubbs came out to fiddle with the hose and finally just had him put the whole thing in the water tank since it's heated and see if that helps.

In the meantime I was cleaning up Pa's leg and there was nothing but mud, no blood. whew. He does have some minor scrapes on both back legs and a spot on his nose where the hair is missing.

He is favoring both his right legs so once the hose had a nice steady flow I was able to let the water run on his legs. The swelling on the back went down considerably by the time I was done. So for now my accident prone baby as in the round pen and maybe will keep him in there overnight and see how he is in the morning. He will have to deal with cold water in his drinking bucket and no shelter but it should only be for the night. Tomorrow morning I'll give him another once over and go from there.

Damn animals! I'm wondering if he cannot see well at night. Something to think about.

Just to be fair

I read several articles on "pin firing". It is mostly done to race horses for an injury in the legs. I saw no mention of the reason this other fellow told me of why they do this to his horses. To promote blood flow to the legs. Correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't this occur while this horse moves around, freely. I know horse racing is a whole other world and I love watching it, but with the recent tragedies that have occurred on the track it just makes me wonder...........

Another rainy day yesterday. I was hoping to get into the pasture over the weekend to do clean-up but isn't going to happen. I'll probably put my big boots on and take my garden rake to pull muck from the fence line. If not too heavy, I'll set the wheel barrow just outside the fence to scoop up what I can. Such a mess.

It did snow a bit last night but the ground is still too warm for any real accumulation to occur. The temps are supposed to start dropping this week so we will see what comes about.

Happy awesome Birthday!

There is nothing better than waking up on your birthday to licks, squeals, grunts, paws and a meow! Anna, Aldo and Sammy must watch me closely in the morning waiting for that first eyeball to open then, ATTACK! It's one of the few times during the day I wish they were not Dobermans. 100 and 80 lbs and 25 for Sammy. And then there are my horses waiting at the gate giving me those soft grunts and nickers when I throw out their hay.

Normally on my birthday I wake up to snow, ice or all out blizzards. Today it's sunny and not freezing! A welcome sight with all the cloudy days we have had recently. Since I suffer from SADD (seasonal affected deficit disorder) I make sure I get out on sunny days. I have an Ott light that I use but it's just not the same. I have a few errands to run today then I will treat myself to lunch or dinner then watch a movie and try to stay up to see hubby. He won't be home til late tonight. I am going to spend some extra time with the boys today and maybe ride/sit on Meins for a bit and give Paha a thorough once over and go for a walk before the rains come this afternoon.

Then once I get settled in the house I want to tweak my party menu so I know what I need to get from the store hopefully in one trip so I won't have to run back to the store. I'm excited and sad at the same time because hubby will be in Kentucky the day of the party and a few family and friends will not be able to come. Hopefully I will remember to take pictures this time around.

Finished decorating the tree yesterday and like the way it came out.

So I'm off to get dressed and actally put on some makeup and get done.

Before I go, my friends are the best! They took the picture of Paha laughing and turned it into a t-shirt, mouse pad and pen! I absolutely love it and them for coming up with this.

Ladies.............YOU ROCK!-)

Day after Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving.

The drive down to Ohio was not too bad but there had been black ice on the roadways along with snow in spots and there were quite a few cars that had spun out and were facing the wrong direction. The route my hubby had intended to take, then decided not to, was a very good decision as the highway ended up being shut down for awhile because of the black ice that caused a fatal rollover. My heart goes out to that family. The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful.

My mom did cry. Not because we were there but because she wasn't. She had come down with the flu and not only did she not want to get anyone else sick but because of my Auntie's compromised immune system from the chemo. She said no matter what they are coming up on the 12th for our Christmas party. Their van is already packed and she has no intention of unloading and reloading especially since one of the items they were bringing me was a saddle. I know that they will make it.

We really had a good time with my brother and sister-in-law. The food was great!!!!!!

I got into a "warm" discussion about hoof and leg care with a harness racer. He claims to have never heard of hoof boots and does not understand why I do not intend to EVER shoe my horses. He went on about needles into the coronary band to promote blood flow. For some reason the term "pin-firing" stuck in my head and I started to get a bit upset but stuck to my guns about hoof and total horse care. When I told him my guys are outside 24/7 with a run-in shelter he seemed absolutely incredulous! I just reminded myself we are from two different worlds concerning horses and tried to change the subject. He went on and on about being a Monty Roberts follower as am I but I think Monty would definately discount some of his practices. Oh well, getting mad all over again.

Katie did a great job with our fourlegged kids. The horses were happily munching away when we arrived home. They both raised their heads for a moment when I called out to them which was more than I expected. The dogs could not get enough of us. Anna's nickname has always been "Squeeky" because she just totally looses herself, circling, squeeking, crying and that little tail going a thousand miles an hour. Coming home to greetings like that makes me all the more thankful for what and whom I have it with.

Time to give thanks.

From Thanksgiving to Christmas this year there is so much going on.

Thanksgiving day my daughter and her boyfriend/fiance' will be here for dinner then Friday morning we are driving down to Ohio to spend the day with my brother and sister-in-law and other family members for Turkey dinner. It's also a surprise because no one but my brother and his wife know we are coming. I just know my mom is going to cry.

Next week is my birthday and in the neighboring town, a Freisian Fantasy Exhibition. Kind of a Christmasy thing but I AM going this year.

The week after is the biopsy of the mole on my face and then my breakfast friends and I will be getting together for our second annual Christmas luncheon. And our Open House is that weekend.

Week after, my daughter's birthday, a friend's birthday and the farrier.

What's left? CHRISTMAS!

Oh boy, I also have to finish my cookies, finish shoveling dirt (the man's job!), finish up some homemade gifts, get pictures for our Christmas cards....................................RIDE MY HORSE!!!

Hey, enjoy the time you were meant to. It goes by way too fast.

Mamma's boys

Believe it or not I got one hell of a cold late Monday night and on Tuesday morning, well let's just say things were not pretty. It was all I could do just to go out and feed the boys, give them a once over and keep the tank full of fresh water. Today I had a brief (about an hour) moment and spent time with them individually. Brought Meins out and brushed him out did his feets and turned him out in the round pen so he could roll in the sand, so mommy can flick the sand off before going back in the pasture. Then brought Paha out and did the same routine with him. He is such a mamma's boy. He loves to get his butt scratched. Yes A-M I know I should not let him put his butt to me, but, I only allow this when there is something between us and if the ears go back and the tail starts moving he will get no scratches. Just for the heck of it I moved over about 5' and he watched me then slowly backed up to where I was standing. This is NOT allowed when I am in the Round pen or pasture and so far he has been good about it. There is also no crowding at the gate anymore either. As long as I give equal time they seem very content.

One day I was walking around, checking fence as usual, and when I came to the point where the sun(SUN???) was at my back, there were two horse shadows behind me. I did not turn to look at them but while facing forward I took a few steps back and Meins' shadow showed he backed up also. Three more steps back and he did the same thing, both sides. We had never tried that before and so was quite surprised and humbled that he chose to hang out with me for about 45 min. Paha lost interest and lay down to watch. But when I have him to myself he tends to mimic me also. Does this mean I spend too much time with them or not enough?

Too bad they can't seem to mimic me picking up manure or cleaning their water tank!

The doctor said..................

I'm doing better. The meds are starting to keep me consistent as far as organ functions goes. My knees are totally messed up as is my back. I am glad to know that he agrees that my falls from my horse are not the cause, just an aggravation, my back problems started long before my daughter was born (27 yrs ago!) So I am still learning to listen to my body and take it easy when I feel the need. Have a small spot on my face that is going to be removed and tested. It appeared as a tiny dot the beginning of the summer and is now bigger than a pencil eraser so I thought it best to be tested. Of course that will be done the week of our Christmas open house so I can sport a band aid on my cheek. Oh well.

Also got my H1N1 shot. So I think we have all the bases covered health wise for now.

This week the weather is supposed to be mild so I may get the Christmas lights up and shovel some dirt and if I have the energy, put up a temporary fence so the boys can go in the other pasture for awhile. I was able to get in there and clean it up. Scrubbed the water tank out first thing this morning and refilled it. Yes while still in my jammies. Since I was poked 3 different times today with needles I was told to rest and take it easy. So, here I am.

In a bit my "critter sitter" Katie Tietz will be here so I can update her as to where I moved things for when she comes to take care of my crew.

If you can today, get out there and enjoy!-)

Don't throw in the towel!

I had a bit of a chuckle this morning when I skimmed over my horrorscope (NOT a missprint), and according to my Sagittarian sign for this week, I'm not to throw in the towel. That after all my hard work these past months I am just tired. Whew! Gee that's a relief. hehe!

I finished 2 more winter riding helmet covers for my trainer. It's really nice to see all those colors when riding in the winter instead of dreary black. I enjoy making them too.

Well as today is the first day of firearm deer hunting and first thing this morning there were 4 or 5 of the huge little darlings hiding by our firewood. Anna saw them and ran toward them barking with Aldo in hot pursuit. I saw a bunch of white "flags" go up and move off at a very quick clip and heard gunfire shortly after. Somebody must have gotten one of them. Two families to the North of us hunt so I wish them much success today and throughout the hunting season. I'm sure one of my friends will be out there also. She makes me laugh because she can field dress a kill yet gets queasy when one of the horses gets a nasty cut. But I guess all of us have different tolerances to different things.

It, of course, is really dreary and a bit rainy today. A really great day to make cookies, read another book and/or finish my Christmas table cover. Mmmm, I wonder what I'll do today???

Group hug with the boys this morning. It kind of has become part of the morning routine. I go in and do a quick check to make sure all is well with them and then go get their hay. The gunfire thankfully does not rattle them and for the time being with them being confined to the front pasture I am not totally fearful of an errant bullet. But that thought is always in back of my mind this time of year.

So on to the kitchen and put some pleasant, comforting smells in the house.....................

Getting closer!

Toss that dirt out there honey! Your getting closer to the run in. The boys will be so happy to be out of "confinement" soon! I really do appreciate all your help even if I don't say it often enough. LOVE YOU!