Today's gift

Each morning when I awaken, I begin my day by feeling rushed.  I'd like to change that.  I have a quick word or two with my Maker, always trying to remain thankful for having been awakened and having a bright new day filled with prospects of something new.  I'm trying really, really hard to live my life more fully by being more aware and in the present.  I've never been much of a big planner, rather spending my days dreaming or conjuring up possibilities of things I'd like to do, places I'd like to visit and tasks I want to accomplish.  The problem is, I'm always at work and everything that I'd like to be doing is usually at home.  That presents a rather oppressive outlook on the likelihood of accomplishing much.  You see, most days when I arrive at home after a long day at work, I'm either brain dead or physically tired, sometimes both.  I don't have a lot of energy or time left for my interests.  In many cases, I do a few quick tasks, throw something together for dinner, head out to take care of the horses and have an hour or so of quiet time before heading off to bed for another round the next day.  Day in and day out, this is how it goes.  I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and making very little progress.  I really get tired of hearing of so many people's lack of time when they don't work an outside job and have so many more available hours in the day to accomplish what I have to try and complete in a couple of evening hours and then on the weekend.  Grrrr...
chaps my hide.  Walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

One thing that I do (or try to do) most mornings is have a bit of devotional time.  This is accomplished in a variety of ways, but usually involves reading from Scripture or one of my various devotional books that are Scripture-based.  I find this is the very best way to mindfully be aware that each new day is truly a gift.  I can choose to accept my life with gratitude and make the best of what is, or I can wish for things to be different.  Just by realizing that this is my choice is very helpful for me to feel less resentful of my many hours spent away from where I'd rather be.  I'm very thankful that I have a job, and for the most part I enjoy my job.  I am blessed that I'm able to participate in supporting our home and the lifestyle that we've chosen.  I'm also very aware that my husband's role of maintaining our home has become more of his responsibility, than it is mine.  It just works out that way, he's working 2-3 days a week now instead of 5, and he's got the time to devote to what I'd like to be doing.  He's very near completing the painting in our laundry room, mudroom/entry way and all the new trim and doorways in our kitchen and the nook off the kitchen.  Tonight when I get home, I'll hopefully be able to get the windows washed, the freshly laundered curtains ironed and re-hung, a quick dinner prepared and (hopefully) have a bit of daylight left to spend some time working with Eagle.  Our weather has been absolutely perfect for horseback riding, or really for just about anything outside.  I'm determined to get the house put back together and get outside and enjoy.

The trouble I find is that almost always, everything takes me longer than I visualize it taking.  Here's that spinning wheels feeling again that I just hate.  My solution is to offer up a quick prayer, a request for peace of mind, and of acceptance, that tomorrow is another day.  If I'm unable to finish everything that I'd hoped for, I'll always have tomorrow to work on that never-ending "to do" list that I've always got in front of me.  *sigh*  I'm trying to just be happy and satisfied that I'm able to finish some things, even if not everything, and be thankful for what we are able to do.   And as always, I'm so very thankful that my hard-working husband is busy on my "to do" list as well.  If it weren't for my never ending lists, he'd probably be content to go riding himself, or maybe go fishing on a sunny day, or enjoy a nap on the deck.  I have to remember that he's not doing exactly what he'd really like to be doing either.  He does all the things he does, because he loves me.  He does them because he wants me to be happy.  :)  I guess there's truth to that old saying, "if mama's happy, then everybody's happy".  Seems like the woman's attitude in a home really does set the precedence for others as well.  If you think of it that way, then we as women really have a lot of responsibility for the happiness of others in our homes.  Anyway...

He truly is my gift.  And a lot of the time, I repay his efforts and hard work and kindness...by being irritable and crabby with him.  I see tiny imperfections in what he's done.  I forget to say thank you.  I complain that he washed my black sweater with the towels, again.  Sometimes I wonder why he puts up with me.

If I were able to be a fly on the wall, what would I think?  What would I say to myself?  Maybe I don't want to know.  If I know me, I'd jump down and slap that gal silly!  Tell her to take a look around at all she has to be happy about.  Explain to her that nothing ever stays the same.  Remind her that our loved ones aren't here to do our bidding, and that they won't be around forever.  I think I'd tell her to overlook the small things that in the end, really don't matter.  I'd tell her to enjoy more, worry less, laugh at circumstances more often, be thankful for everything, and everyone.  I'd tell her to tell them that they are so very important, and that she loves them more than she knows how to express.

But flies don't talk much.  And if I were that fly, I'd probably have better things to do, sooo I persevere and do the best that I can.  And I remind myself as often as I can, to give thanks for my life, and always be mindful that I have so much to be grateful for.  I truly am blessed.

Every tomorrow has two handles.  We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith...      Henry Ward Beecher

I choose faith.

The life of Riley

Just who exactly is this Riley fellow anyway?  Hmmm?  If somebody knows, I'd really appreciate an introduction, and a little time for a heartfelt conversation with him/her...whomever, because I surely would enjoy an opportunity at that kind of life.

Boy howdy wouldn't I!?  :)

Good grief...Eagle must have taken some lessons from Riley.  This horse shore nuff knows how to relax and take life easy!!  Ya think?

Either that, or rigor mortis has set in and I just don't know it yet.  No!!

Eagle...what, who said that?  Did I miss something?  I was having the most amazing dream...yawn.

Come to think of it, Ladde looks pretty darned relaxed too, doesn't he?  He's even got his little woman to watch over him whilst he sleeps.  Sleeping beauties, sheesh!

It certainly does make me smile to see my horses so obviously relaxed and enjoying life.  But also just a tad jealous too.  I'm just sayin'!

If I believed in reincarnation and all that, I'd be asking God if I could come back as one of my horses, or even better - one of my dogs!  Now that's the life!!  :)

My wish for today is that all animals have that kind of life.  The life of Riley!

Apparently, some dumbass cowboys are once again, trying to make arrangements for a donkey roping somewhere down south, Texas or Oklahoma I think.  We stopped them last year, and I'm sure hoping we can put an end to their barbaric shenanigans once and for all.  If you're interested in coming to the assistance of so many kind, intelligent, innocent donkeys who deserve better than to be roped and jerked off their feet by some jerk on a horse, please visit "The Dancing Donkey" blog.  The author of that blog has kindly listed contact information and several links so we can put an end to this "sport".  Some things in life are just "no brainers".  This certainly is one of those things.  Please do whatever you can to help.  They cannot ask for themselves.

Blessings all,
Lorie @ Cingspots

So ready for the weekend...

My brain has pretty much been sucked out of my head this week.  I'm bone tired and in need of a little downtime.  Detailing with Wells Fargo and the house refi details and paperwork has left me feeling so drained.  I think I've satisfied the powers that be though.  Finally.  The first banker was pretty much a brainless buzzard who didn't do his job.  After many phone messages, emails and stressed-out days, I finally made the phone call to his supervisor and had him removed from our case.  No more Carlos.  See ya!  This guy was the very definition of inept.  He didn't return phone calls, he claimed to have not gotten ANY of my many, many messages, claimed he didn't receive my emails either.  He lost all 12 pages of my first faxed documents 2 weeks ago.  And because he didn't respond to my follow-up phone call to confirm that he'd received everything he needed from us, I made the mistake of assuming all was ok.  My mistake.  After 10 days had passed with no contact whatsoever, he sent me an email message requesting the same documents I'd sent him 10 days before.  Excuse me?  Really?

Well, let's just suffice it to say that I'm so thankful he's been pulled as our representative.  He actually said that we should just pull our paperwork and try again in a couple of months...my reply was "hell no".  So, the new gal tells me she has everything in hand and we're just waiting on my final house payment to clear so we have a final pay-off amount.  That was mailed on April 30th, so they should be getting it any day now.  I am so ready for this to be done.  Streamline my eye.  Big corporations are the definition of inefficiency...kind of reminds me of big government.  I'm just thankful that we're going to prevail and hopefully be finished up very soon.

The painting in our house is coming along nicely.  We're likely to wind up most everything probably this next week.  The final step is sorting through all our excess stuff and loading it in boxes for a trip to Goodwill.  I'm tired of having so much "stuff".  Downsize is going to be my new favorite term.  If I don't love it, or it doesn't get used on a regular basis...it's gone.  No ifs, ands or buts about it.  It's outa there!  I've been wanting to clear out my cabinets and cleaning supplies and closets downstairs for a really long time.  It's called deep spring cleaning.  :)

So, the only activity we have on tap for this weekend is to attend a BBQ at my sister's house.  She and her husband are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this Saturday.  Wow!  It's hard for me to imagine that my sis has been married for 50 years.  I remember when my sisters and I threw a surprise 50th wedding anniversary for my mom and dad.  That really doesn't seem like all that long ago.  Shocking just how very, very fast time goes by.  If you want to do it, or it's on your bucket list; better do it post haste.  Time's slippin', slippin', slippin' into the future...

So many things I want to do, experience and see...cleaning out and getting rid of excess "stuff" seems like the perfect way to start.  Simplifying our lifestyle and eliminating so much clutter will have a freeing impact on my mind, I think.  Clearing the path for the future and making it easier to see ahead to what's really important in life.  And nothing that's important to me requires dusting.  Nope.

Hope everyone has an honest to goodness kick-ass weekend.  The weather in our neck of the woods is going to be simply spectacular.  Sunshine and temps in the low 80's.  Can I get an Amen to that!?  I am so ready.  Spring in NW Oregon is absolutely breathtaking.  Bright green growth everywhere the eye can see, flowers springing forth with colorful abandon, birds singing and excitement in the air.  Get out there and enjoy it my friends!  Or just kick back, and bask in the goodness.  Whatever floats your boat!

Blessings all,
Lorie @ Cingsspots

A flurry of activities

That's putting it mildly!  These last few weeks, I've been feeling slightly overwhelmed and not on top of my game.  I've got too many irons in too many fires and feel somewhat scattered, for lack of a better description.  I don't do well being so distracted.  More familiar and comfortable territory for me is a clear mind, routine, and knowing what my day will (mostly) be like when my feet hit the floor in the morning.  I really don't like surprises.  And I really dislike disruption.  It makes me feel all wonky and out of control.  Maybe I am a little bit of a control freak.  Hmm...I don't like to admit that, but maybe just a little.

So, like I mentioned in my last post, we have sold our big horse trailer.  It's gone.  :)  I don't even miss it; yet.
The first time we go horse camping and I have to sleep in a tent, I'll probably cry like a baby.  I loved the bed in the big trailer.  All plump and cushy, positively luxurious accommodations for camping!  Ahh well, we can't have everything.  Anyway, cash was (briefly) in hand *sigh*, but has been handed over to the bank.  Our loan is paid in full.  House re-fi is in progress.  I have fulfilled all my obligations and the ball is in their court.  We're hoping for a closing sometime in May, I think.  That means no house payment in June.  :)  See me smiling about that?  That money will go back into our savings account.  Most of our savings will be used paying for our new hay supply, but I'm thankful we have the money to pay for it.  Occasionally, I remind myself how much more expendable cash we'd have without so many horses.  Oh well, I can't imagine life without our horses.  It's only money.  And money can't buy me love!

Our house remodel work is finished.  Yep, totally and completely finished.  They showed up in full force on Tuesday morning, April 23rd and when I arrived at home on Thursday evening, April 25th, they were just finishing up with the debris clean-up.  Seriously!  They were fast, very efficient and their quality of work is outstanding.  We are completely and 100 percent happy and totally satisfied with everything.  Everything is beautiful, and looks so much better.  I really can't believe it's all done.

But of course, like so many projects, doing one thing quickly leads to another thing, and another and another.  You know how that goes, right?

We noticed that the paint was looking a little dingy.  So we bought new paint.  We're now in the process of repainting the laundry room and the mudroom completely, including the newly replaced trim boards.  I need to wash all the windows because that's so much easier when the room's empty.  May as well pull the curtains down and launder those too...see what I mean?  Plus...we discovered that our washing machine was leaking onto our already dry-rotted old subfloor.  So, the old machine's definitely NOT going back onto our beautiful new flooring.  Ca-ching!!  We're going washing machine shopping this weekend.

The old door knobs looked positively shabby on the beautiful new entry door.  So, I purchased a new door knob set for that, and all the hallway, bathroom and closet doors as well.  They look so much better when everything matches.  *sigh*  I just had to have a new door mat too....seriously, just shoot me already!!  I need help!!

Not to mention that our kitchen stove and fridge, in the glaringly bright sunlight on the deck...did not look so good.  I swear I do clean it regularly.  I pinky swear I do!!  It took me the better part of an afternoon just scrubbing them to pass muster.  Oh my aching back!!  But, we're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.  We've got the stove, fridge and kitchen table and chairs back in place.  It's starting to feel like a home again.

Oh, and my husband.  You know, the one who doesn't care about anything; leaves the designing and color choices, that sort of thing, entirely up to me?  That guy decides that since our bathroom door is painted "Dove White", that the entry closet door really should be painted to match.  It would look much better. So...we removed that door, sanded it and are in the process of repainting it as well.  One thing just leads to another!  We're tired.  And every single day, I swear, the grass in our yard grows by about 6".  No kidding!!  I'm ready to let the horses come up and do some mowing work for us.  We're falling totally behind in the yard work department.  Oh ya, and our weed eater bought the farm and died, no hope for a resurrection there.  So, that's right, you guessed it!  We bought a new one!  Ca-ching!!  Our savings account is dwindling so sharply it's beginning to look like Wall Street.  *sigh*

But, we did have a wonderful evening out this past Tuesday evening.  Just Biff and I for a welcome date night..  We ate dinner at a favorite Salem restaurant and then attended the Don Williams concert at the historic Elsinore Theater.  It was wonderful!!  A relaxing evening out, away from home and all our duties there.  What a welcome treat that was!  *sigh*

Oh, and just as a quick side note...as of this past Monday, I've lost 10 pounds.  Whoohoo!!  I'm so happy about that.  Seeing some progress will further my resolve to continue towards my goal.  :)

I'm a happy, stressed out, tired gal.  And I promise.  As soon as we're finished painting and whatever else we decide just has to be done, and the furniture's back in place...I'll post the "after" pictures.  I promise!!

Blessings all,
Lorie @ Cingspots

p.s.  Almost 3 weeks ago now, we took Eagle to a clinic and he made us both so, so very proud!!!  It was a remarkably productive and positive day for him.  My boy is coming along and I couldn't be more pleased and proud of him.  :)

Whoohoo!! It's official!!

**happy dance**  I'm finally feeling secure enough to reveal my long-awaited good news.  We have sold our big horse trailer!  Oh yeah!!  That means a lot of different things for us.  In fact, this whole deal has turned out to be one very unexpected and multi-faceted blessing that we couldn't have anticipated or even imagined.  A true blessing!!

The guy that's buying our trailer has Fresians and Gypsy Vanner horses.  Incredibly beautiful horses!  In only my wildest dreams have I ever imagined having a Fresian.  They are so beautiful in fact, that I can usually only watch them through tears, that's how much emotion they emit from my soul when I see them.  Truly gorgeous and elegant movers.  But before we go any further, yes he did offer a young Fresian to me as part of the deal, but I said no.  Heaven knows we don't need any more horses!  But, for a tiny amount of time, my heart did dare to dream about the possibility...if only for a moment and only in my mind, I galloped bareback, glossy mane flying,  through a grassy meadow on the back of a jet-black phantom horse I called Gypsy.  *sigh*

Hmmhuh, sorry.  Back to reality.  Yeah well, it was fun while it lasted.  Anyway, we did eventually strike a deal that was pleasing to both parties involved.  Juan is also a contractor.  He owns a construction business and specializes in home remodeling.  My eyes begin to twinkle...he asks me, "is your home everything you want it to be?".  Are you kidding me?  Our little house needs lots of work, there's plenty of room for improvement.  We've just never got enough money, time, expertise, patience, energy...need I go on?  Then there's the likely event of a murder taking place between my husband and me.  We have differences in how we think things ought to be done.  You understand, I'm sure.  I invite Juan inside...

So we struck a deal for some cash and some work to be done in our house.  Specifically, they're going to demo our floor in the laundry room, which has dry rot.  Replace some needed joists and build a new sub-floor.  They're going to re-enforce the floor in our kitchen nook (wood stove room) and rebuild the sub-floor there also; it sags a bit.  They are replacing the flooring in the laundry room, the entryway (mudroom) and the pantry with new vinyl of my choice.  They're also replacing the flooring in the kitchen and the wood stove room with new laminate (fake hardwood) of my choice, and replacing all the base trim and the adjacent bathroom door facing trim, and we're getting a new front door too!!  Oh my gosh, I never would have expected such an immense amount of work to be completed; and by someone other than ourselves!!  I'm still in shock.  I haven't been sleeping well.  I make flooring decisions in my dreams.

And, we're getting enough cash to pay off some bills, enabling us to refinance our home at no cost at all.  That in itself will save us over $50,000 in interest over the life of our loan, cut our payments by over 5 years and cut our interest rate almost in half, while reducing our monthly payment by about $90.00 - can you believe it?  I am completely humbled by our good fortune, and overwhelmed with gratitude.  The overall value of our home will be increased, and it will be much closer to market-ready if and when we decide to sell and relocate.  It's simply better than we ever could have hoped for.

I'm going to try to remember to take a few pictures of the before and then of the after.  We're in the process of moving all our large appliances and furniture out to prepare for the work to begin next week.  I'm horrified by how bad it really looks without everything in its' place.  My husband found a mouse nest.  Good grief.

I'm also mildly concerned about the prospect of showering without a hot water heater.  And we may be eating cold sandwiches on paper plates for a while.  But that's alright.  We're thinking of this as one of life's little adventures.  Building a memory and all that...counting our blessings.

It's all good...

Until next time, Lorie @ Cingspots

It's Harley's birthday today!!!

 Lifelong buds

Harley & Ladde

 Buxton Linear Trail near Banks, Oregon

Harley's most beautiful butt - the boy's got hams!!

 Harley at 16 yrs

Yes indeed, it is Harley horse's birthday today!!  Our baby boy is 16 years old.  I did not miss that one!!  I was right there with Scooter when she brought her beautiful foal into the world...it was awesome!!  And this horse will be with us always and forever - that's what I tell him, and I mean it.

I'll be swinging by the grocery store before heading home this evening to pick up some goodies for the horses.  Apples, carrots and pears are the delectables in honor of the special day.  Some may feel that it's silly to celebrate a horse's birthday, but I don't care, and I don't think it's silly at all.  We love our horses and they are a huge part of our lives.  What does it hurt to provide them with a little celebratory treat to remember the day when they came into our lives?  It makes them happy and it makes us happy, to see them happy!  Reason enough for us!!  Simple pleasures are truly treasured memories that make life special.

 Amazing spots!

 Me and my mountain horse.

 Ready for a ride in La Pine, Oregon

 

 Camping at Flying M Ranch Yamhill, Oregon

 Me and Harley

 At a Ray Hunt clinic - Dundee, Oregon 2006
Harley, me, Ray and my sister

 Ray Hunt clinic

 Harley & me 

 Always the lover boy...

 Harley Ten Hairs - his nickname because he lost his mane & tail as a weenling 

 When he still had his sight

 Supper time?

 That's my boy!!

As you can imagine, I have so very many more pictures of our life and years together...so many wonderful memories with this guy!  What an amazing horse!!  And to think I almost sold him right after he was born...what a mistake that would have been!!  Cheers Harley - here's to many more memories to come!!

Happy Birthday my little Spunky!!  Always and forever my friend...always and forever.  I promise to love and take care of you.

Hot days! Hot dog!!

That's about the only way to describe our weather this past weekend, and again today.  Just gorgeous perfection!  Totally weird too, we normally get a lot, a lot of rain in March and April, and this March, rain was almost non-existent save for a few little showers here and there.  On Saturday we hit 78 degrees at our house.  Easter Sunday was 77 degrees.  Since I was pretty much sick all day Saturday, lounging in the sun on the deck, I actually have red legs and rosy cheeks today.  :)  That was the fly in the ointment in my otherwise, perfect weekend.  What a drag to feel lousy on such an amazing weekend.  I had so many plans and hopes for the beautiful days, but by Sunday I was feeling tentatively better, so thought it wise to lay low and take things slow and easy.  My new meds and I are having some difficulties, I think.  I skipped the new stuff yesterday and again this morning...wouldn't you know it?  Monday morning and I'm in fine form.  Good as new.  Suspicious huh?  Sure hope we can figure things out and make this work, because the best part of this new med is that it almost entirely squelches my appetite.  There's pretty much no way I wouldn't lose significant weight when I'm eating only enough to keep a bird alive.  :)  Anyway, we'll see how everything goes.

My wonderful husband on the other hand, was all energy and gung-ho both days.  He took care of all the horse chores and even did some laundry.  He mowed our lawn.  That was a huge feat in itself because this is the first mow job of the spring and we could bale that stuff.  Seriously, it was about a foot tall and lush.  The smell was wonderful!  He also spent some time working on his camper project, and that's coming along nicely.  We had to put the fly masks on the horses for the first time.  Yep, along with the glorious sunshine, we also had an immediate insurgence of flies.  Nasty flies!  The poor horses were covered in them.  And since the horses are all shedding like crazy, they were sweaty and itchy...snoozing, lethargic horses all over the place.  They were much more comfortable with their masks.  They almost put them on themselves.  :)

I'm trying to keep my excitement at bay, but I'll mention casually that we may have sold our horse trailer as well.  An offer was made, we shook hands and everyone seems to be in agreement...but it's slightly more complicated than that.  Suffice it to say, if everything works out, we will be pleased beyond measure and ever so thankful for such an unanticipated blessing.  :)

The dogs and I took a lovely walk around the park trail this day at noon.  I had forgotten just how long their tongues really are!  It was wonderful!  I got sweaty, and my hair was totally damp from the uncustomary warmth this early in spring.  How cool is that!?

I know, I must really be weird.  I'm super excited to be sweaty!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Easter weekend.

Waiting with bated breath...
Lorie @ Cingspots