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!

And the dirt goes on......................

(sing to the tune of These Boots were made for Walkin') .. the dirt goes on. Dirt is flyin' from shovels over there...........it does not seem to end. It took nearly a month and a half to wait for the ground to dry up just enough to get a 20 yd load of fill dirt and still he sank in the ground. The fellow was able to dump it and pull out but the ruts he left were huge.

I hooked the dump cart up to the tractor and took loads of dirt to various spots in the yard and dumped it then when hubby had the chance he started shoveling big time. I'm doing as much as I physically can and cursing myself for not really pushing for the tractor with the front end loader. All that dirt could have been moved in a matter of hours saving our backs arms and legs. No wonder I'm too damned tired to ride. The boys are currently confined to one small area and it really needs to be scraped. I have been raking up what I can and moving it out but my body is good for 1 load and I am done.

Several times over the past year I have considered just giving up. I love my horses very much but in all honesty, I believe they would be better off, and safer, somewhere else. The bugs are horrendous in the Summer and the ground just is not sustainable for horses. Too soft and way too wet most of the time. Moving somewhere else just isn't going to happen and boarding them elswhere is not affordable. Gee, do I sound depressed? Yes I guess I am for the moment. I just did not envision me in my fifties doing physical labor. Never in my life have I worked as hard as I have since we moved here. When I have a moment to enjoy them, I'm tired. Lately I'm lucky if I can make it through dinner with both eyes open. I just hope my potassium levels have not gone down again.The possibility of needing an IV does not thrill me.

Ok, I guess I'm done with the self pity party.

Sorry about my ranting yesterday, just one of those days................................

Down again!

I think I need to put some sort of radar device in front of me so I know where my feet are going. Paha and I were taking one of our walks through the woods, stepping over various logs, getting used to sticks breaking under his feet, feeling and seeing strange thing on his belly, sides, legs and butt and WHAM! We stepped over a log and the ground just disappeared under our feet. It was a sink hole that must have been there after all the flooding in August and with the recent rains it just finally gave out. Paha was halfway over the log and went down on his knees, chest and nose. His belly landed on top the log and he seemed to be trying to figure out what to do with his back legs as they were still on the ground on the other side of the log. I fell forward and to the left, landing on my knees, AGAIN! (I tripped over my boots when doing hay yesterday and went down) Of course that jarred my back, more, and both knees are black and blue and swollen. I so wanted to get on Meins today but shortly after falling, it started raining, big surprise. Sigh! Paha was a good sport about the whole thing. It took him a minute to get up but he shook himself off and I didn't make a big deal of it and walked on. He had a little scrape on his nose, his chest was muddy as were his knees and belly. I hosed the mud off his legs and ran my hands down over all four and he seems ok. I'm getting ready to do evening feed and see how he is doing. But throughout the day he was his normal self so maybe the whole thing was just a non-issue for him. Wish I can say the same.