A Free Day

I have quite the collection of snow photos so I thought I would just post a few to remember the snow days by. They have nothing whatsoever to do with today's post, I just like them.

The local gas station in the small town where I live all decorated for Christmas.

Our big black walnut tree in the snow.

This is the view from my house facing the barns and my car. It kind of looks like a humpbacked white whale. Before it all melted, we had between 1.5 and 2 ft of snow at our house. But it's all gone now.

My sweet princess Kadie.

Yes, today is what may be my last free day for a while. Monday begins what I like to think of as the long, dry spell. No more holidays or paid days off until Memorial Day weekend which is the end of May. This is what always feels like the knuckling down time of the year. Winter is here, the days are short, nights are long, weather is cold and gloomy and there is nothing much to do but work, work, work. Our winter wonderland has passed. Yesterday it rained buckets. Flood alerts are out on nearly every river in NW Oregon. Our pastures and yard have lakes of standing water. Yuck!! Mud is everywhere and the horses are tired of it too. Oh well, I did say just last week that I was ready for rain and was tired of the snow. Be careful what you wish for. Will somebody slap me...please!?

So far, the lack of sunshine doesn't seem to be affecting my moods or frame of mind. I am hopeful that I will continue to do well. Depression is very common in a lot of people in the winter when a lack of sunshine and short days create boredom and the blues. Being outside and getting exercise is very beneficial for me. Riding is the best possible therapy in existence in my humble opinion, but alas, it is almost non-existent for me this time of year. I wish we had an indoor place to ride without having to trailer out, but I don't play the lottery so that isn't likely to happen anytime soon. Oh well, it could always be worse. I would like to start riding at an indoor arena a few miles from where I live, but so far I haven't done it. I haven't been on my horse since sometime last fall. I can't even actually remember exactly when the last time I rode. Seriously sucks. I need to get back on my horse for both our sakes.

Ladde is still on confinement. He is not stall bound anymore, but can only go in the round pen and has the barn aisle for shelter. Everyday he gets a barn buddy, either Harley or Shad. The girls are not required to do buddy duty, just the boys. So, Harley and I need to get off the stick and go get some exercise. That would do both of us a world of good. I just need someone to give me a swift kick to get me motivated. Any takers??

Sunday evening is our postponed Christmas dinner at a local restaurant with my boss, his family and my co-worker and his wife. This is how we celebrate Christmas every year and my boss usually gives me a bonus of a few hundred dollars. We'll see what happens. Our business has definitely been down this past year. Specifically, it has been slower than usual the past 4-5 months. Our reports show that overall business is down by about 25% compared to last year. That is not good. We are a small company and have 1 veterinarian. We are about 95% equine and the remaining 5% large farm animal. My boss does general veterinary work, but specializes in equine lameness. This business is generally considered a luxury. Except for emergencies, we do not offer something that is required by most people. And in this economy, we are probably doing better than what would be expected. Hopefully 2009 will be a good year for us, against all odds. I'm really not worried, but then again, maybe I should be. I just don't believe in worrying, if at all possible that is. It doesn't change anything and only succeeds in making a person feel worse. I do however believe in the power of prayer and know that God will provide...or not. I don't have a lot of say in the matter. So, we'll just have to keep showing up and provide good medical service and sound advice. We do have a good, loyal clientel and we appreciate them very much. We have plenty of good company in this situation and are hopeful that our economy will improve. Time will tell.

On a different subject, I got some new boots today and got my hubby a new raincoat. The boots weren't a real necessity, but the raincoat was. We nearly drowned yesterday while doing our chores and winter gear is something that is always appreciated. I really didn't mind being out in the weather yesterday, which is highly unusual for me. I have always been a dyed-in-the-wood hater of rain, but so far this year I'm ok with it. There's been several things like that that I've noticed lately; differences in my attitude I mean. For example, my Christmas tree. Last year was the first time in several years that we got a tree. I didn't want one, not for any specific reason, just didn't want one. We got one last year, but I couldn't take it down fast enough. But this year, I have been loving my tree. It's so pretty and it's still very fresh. But, probably this coming Sunday I'll take it down and pack all the ornaments away until next year. Before I head home today, I'm going to stop by the local garden store and see if they make a bird seed garland. I would like to set the Christmas tree out in the yard and decorate it with goodies for the birds. That way, we'll still get to enjoy looking at it and the birds would benefit as well.

Blessings to all in this new year. May we all find just what it is that we're looking for.