My New Year's Wish for you

Hi All, been exceptionally quiet here hasn't it? Not by choice, you know that is just not me!

My Internet connection has been on the fritz since Christmas day. You see when you live out here in BFE your choices are limited. I had dial up and it was painfully slow, DSL is nowhere near this locale, satellite is just to darn expensive for me to play so that leaves this air card thingy. It had been working well, not high speed but beat the crap out of dial up. Until......the past week, it sucks not being able to blog or worse than that, read your blogs. But, it appears I am back in action today at least.

Did get to go and visit Frankie on Saturday and he is progressing so well I cannot believe it. I did sneak a quick ride on him after Cory was finished and boy is he athletic, I mean the boy can collect up like no body's business. I think I could lope him in a tea cup! He was pretty winded so I did not push him much just wanted to see the difference from the last time I rode him which was before Thanksgiving.
I see great things for this boy!

I also got to see Harley and his new girl while I was there. Abby is doing a great job with him and I bet he is wishing he still lived here! She rides almost everyday and is one tough little gal. I gave her a sign that I made with Harley's name on it, she was so gracious you would have thought I gave her a gold bar.

I neglected to tell you that I was voted President of the Indiana Ranch Horse Assoc.
earlier this month and that is keeping me busy. I am securing facilities for our shows next year and working on show bills and budgets. Fun stuff! I am also cramming for my upcoming judges seminar and test in February for the American Ranch Horse Assoc. The convention is in Lexington Ky this year.

Before I leave you to tear down yet another Christmas tree, (I am on number 5) here are my New Year's Wishes for all of you:

1) Keep your saddle tight!











2) May you enjoy many a good rides and have fun!










3) May you always have good friends near!











Thanks for being my blog buddies this year and may you all have a happy and healthy 2009!

Random stuff

Judging by reading some of your posts weather is affecting us all in some way or another. It has been crazy here, ice one day, then snow , then rain. Wednesday we were iced in, no school and the whole enchilada. We busied ourselves around the house as best as we could. The kids and I cleaned up and out the toy room. We managed to discard two bags of crappy or broken toys and get four bags to donate to school/goodwill. It felt good and I am teaching the fellas about sharing.

Little devil kitty "Annie" had plans of her own.....











Here she is sizing up the Christmas tree, ready for an all on attack.










And she just could not help herself. After destroying these ornaments she thought it best to climb the tree, all the way to the top. She is at the very active stage now and systematically destroying my house.

The next day the weather turned to rain and this was created in front of the horse barn.








Yep, a giant rut or trench or wash out. Whatever you call it, it just means more work for me.

But for the kids it means......FUN!









The weather actually was nice enough to play outside while Mom cleaned the barn.
That picture above was taken from inside the barn looking out. It actually reached 55 degrees that day! I could not resist letting them get trashed in the puddle
after being pent up for days in the house.












Tank enjoyed having his blanket off for the day. Him and Jane enjoyed the semi warmth even if there was no sun.












Today, Carson and I went to see Frankie. He is doing so well, Cory is really happy with his progress as well. Carson insisted on having a ride after Cory finished schooling him today. He loves , HIS new horse!










But, I must say the weather is moving in again and tonight we are supposed to get the coldest air of the season so far. We are still hoping for the white Christmas,
I mean if it is this cold shouldn't we at least get snow??

Happy trails.....

Things I learned from a donkey named Jane

OK, I must fess up. I am in love with the donkey. She is the sweetest thing EVER!
I have never had a donkey, never known anyone with a donkey, don't know much about donkey's. Here is what I am learning.

Donkey's are like old soul's, they just are wise and calm.

Donkey's fur comes down their tail about six inches then the tail hair starts.

Donkey's like to talk.. Jane talks to me every time I approach it is sort of like the sound of wheezing under one's breath.

Donkey's teach patience... This morning I was in a rush as always, trying to get a million things done before the kidlets got out of school. I was leading Jane to the pasture hurriedly and when we approached the gate where it is churned up and hardened and ice covered she just stopped. She gave me the kind knowing eye as if to say, slow down it is slippery here. I of course gave her time to pick her way across the jagged ground then turned her loose. I needed that lesson. I need to slow down and chill out.

Donkey's teach tolerance... Even when I can't seem to get that halter over those enormous ears, Jane is tolerant. She stands there just gazing at me as if to say
"I know you are trying your best here and you will get it".

Donkey's teach me that it is OK to be different. Although she is small and furry and makes funny noises I have learned different can be a blessing.

Thank you Candy for allowing me to borrow Jane and for letting her teach me so much.
She is a true Christmas blessing.

Happy trails......