Friday, January 21, 2011

Remembering what made me smile this past year...

It's my birthday...no big deal, but I decided to post just a few pictures of some of the reasons I had to smile in 2010. This certainly isn't all that I've had to smile about, but some that I'm blessed to remember.

My beach trip last summer with the dogs. Nellie's last time at the beach...I'm so thankful she had so much fun.

A trip to the lake with the dogs...Nellie was just about to step into the water here.


And after taking that step...gotta watch that first step! :)


One of the many spectacular sunsets I can watch from my front porch.



Sorry for the gross picture...but I'm thankful that I can no longer remember Kadie's vulva looking this gruesome. It's gone...totally gone. Another blessing and this still makes me smile.


Completing home improvement projects with the help of loving, wonderful family members. Thank you Steve and Chris!!! We love you guys!!!


Harley. This guy makes me smile every single day.


Babies. This is one of two, new babies we have been blessed with in our family. This adorable girl is Lilly, and she's my great-great niece. I have another great-great niece named Faith, but I don't have any pictures of her yet. They make me smile bigtime.
My 24 year old retired horse, Kadie. Best mountain horse in the world. I didn't realize just how spoiled I'd become by riding such a perfect horse...she makes me smile every single day too. I love this horse!!!


And Ladde - what can I say about the Laddmonster, other than he's perfect. Kadie's one and only baby...and a gift from God. *smile*


This guy and this dog...LOVE them!!!!!!!!!! I kinda think Annie loves daddy too...what do you think?


Nellie...she gave us such joy! The time was short, but it was precious.


St. Annie...the best friend anybody coule ever ask for. Color me blessed.


Friendship always makes me smile...


My little flower garden off the deck. Not only did they make me smile, but they were a constant source of heavenly scent. Nice.


We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last year - there's something to smile about! I love my honey!!! We've done it all...for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; for better and for worse...and we continue on till death do us part...**fingers crossed** hoping that's a long time down the road. :)


This is how they'd greet me when I came home. Nellie and Annie...buds.


Our animal friends seem to come and go, sometimes way too soon, in our lives. Princess, the kitty in the background - here one day, gone the next...and Nellie, gone but not forgotten. I smile because they all make my life better.


Pretty "Princess" kitty...I like to think that she's living the high life somewhere enriching someone else's life right now.


Silliness makes me smile. Nellie and Annie.
A beautiful sunrise looking out across the familiar field next door. I will never tire of seeing this gorgeous view.
Looking out on the morning rain...

...I used to feel so uninspired, and when I knew I had to face another day, Lord it made me feel so tired...before the day I met you, life was so unkind, you're the key to my peace of mind...cause you make me feel like a natural woman...

Those are not my words, but words from a dearly beloved song. One of my favorites, and somehow today, on my 51st birthday, they seem even more fitting. I think of my husband and can smile, I think of our dogs and can smile, and I think of our beautiful horses...and smile.
Guess I can't deny the inevitable any longer - I am no longer a "girl"... somedays my insecurities still get the best of me, but only emotionally. Time marches on.
I'm feeling a little bit nostalgic this morning. Maybe because it's my birthday, another milestone, maybe because it's raining...more probably because I've been looking through some old pictures and remembering. Oh memories - they are so emotional for me, in so many ways. No matter how much I try, I'm really not very good at "living in the moment". That is something I regret, for it seems like I have always been that way...not very good at appreciating the simple, but profound joys in my life while they are happening. I am trying to change, but for me, change is not easy. Maybe that's something a lot of people are uncomfortable with.

I think that's one of the many, many reasons I love horses so very much - their ability to live only in the moment. I also believe that any horseman/woman worth their salt is one who's mastered this, at least when they're working with a horse...it's the only way to be. The horse deserves this, nothing less.
And maybe - just maybe, that's why I love being with horses so very much...it's the only time I'm truly in the moment.
Life is worth all the work it can be...
Here's to another year...may it be good. Oh, and God please, pretty please...help me to become wiser and not just another year older?

40 comments:

Michelle said...

Happy, happy birthday, Lorie! Reading your post made me realize that I AM good at living in the moment, for better or worse. We're all different, and growth happens over a lifetime. Here's to a great 52nd year to you!

Anonymous said...

Great photos, great memories - thank you for sharing them with us, and a very happy birthday to you!

Tracey said...

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!
What a lovely post this was and such wonderful photos...I especially love the dog pictures :)
You sure have a lot to be thankful for.
Tracey

Mrs. Mom said...

Happy Birthday to yooouuuuu,
Happpppyy Biiiirrrthdaaaayyy toooo youuuuuuu,
Happppyyyyyyyy Biiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrthdaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy Dear Cingspooootttssssssssss,

HAAAPPPPYY BIIIIRRRTTHHHHDAAAAYYYY TOOOOOOOO YOOOUUUUUUUUUU!!!!


;)

Heres to an amazing 2011!

aurora said...

What a great post, full of beautiful photos and memories! All wonderful. Wow, what a sunset view you have! I cracked up at the way you are greeted.

I get told that I live in the past, but I disagree - it's called cherishing the past. I don't want to erase it. I prefer to remember it, and of course add to it.

Happy Birthday! Wishing you many cherished moments from the past, and those yet to come in the future!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Happy Birthday ,my most beautiful and wonderful friend!
Hey girl , I am heading to Seattle sometime in May , how much farther would I have to drive?

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

Happy belated birthday. A wonderful post. I hope you had a great day.

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

Happy birthday! You have some spectacular pics here and very special moments with your animals!

C-ingspots said...

Thank you for such wonderful comments!! I sure do appreciate each and every one...Michelle, it's 51 - not 52. Time's going fast enough!

Michelle said...

But didn't you just celebrate the completion of your 51st year? That makes THIS your 52nd year! (sorry ;-)

Grey Horse Matters said...

A belated Happy Birthday! You have many things to smile about and make you happy from the pictures you posted. May your next year be as happy as your past year.

Carolynn Anctil said...

I love this post. So many reasons to smile along with you!

Oh my, Princess was absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. Wow!

And Nellie. Oh my goodness. She was a total ham. I love every single photo that you posted with her.

Annie is a warm, tender hearted soul. I can totally see that. Big squishy hug for her from me.

25 years of marital bliss. That's huge! Congratulations to you both.

And, happy belated birthday. You are truly blessed.

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