Tuesday, January 7, 2014

And....we're off




Already a week into the new year, and time is swiftly moving along.  Up until today, we've been having spectacular weather.  Mild, comfortable temps by day, chilly overnight lows and frosty mornings giving way to blue skies and sunshine.  What could be better?  Today though, we're back to what we locals here in the Willamette Valley call, "normal".  Uh-huh...grey skies and light rain.  But I simply cannot complain!  We've been watching the evening news and the weather over much of our country is catastrophically frigid...bone-chilling and dangerously cold.  Once again, I consider ourselves quite fortunate in the weather department.  Besides, we need some rain and our mountains are in dire need of some snow.  And when it snows here in the valley, that means snow in the mountains.  Good news for the skiers and for some much-needed moisture come summer.



I've been making some plans for this year.  Things I'm hoping to accomplish, progress to be made in other areas and growth in personal areas.  I'd like to become more physically active, maybe take a class of some kind to get in better shape.  I'm thinking maybe once or twice a week in the evenings throughout the winter and early spring.  Some kind of dance or yoga is of interest to me, movement with fun.



I'd like for my husband and I to get our "affairs" in order.  We've discussed this subject several times, and have some vague ideas, but we really need to put our wishes on paper in the form of a will.  Among the hardest of decisions would be to decide whom to place in charge of the care-taking of our horses.  That's a big responsibility and one we don't take lightly.  Not to mention the importance of who gets what, if one of us, or both of us, should die.  These are important things to consider, and of vital importance to have in place before an unexpected situation arises.  I've learned this from experience.  When you choose to do nothing, your worst fears are usually realized.

I'd like to purchase some life insurance.  I need to get educated about this, because I have no experience whatsoever.  Again, something I'd rather not have to think about, but I'd rather have a safety net, just in case.


The one resolution that I made last year was to get involved in a Bible study group.  I didn't do it, but still have the desire to get together with a small group and learn.





I'm hoping to continue (and finish) the living room remodel project we've recently started.  New paint, new trim boards, new flooring and new curtains.  When that is done, then I want to get a big area rug and a new cushy chair.  A big, cushy chair...for me.  :)  I just got a new floor lamp today.  I'm so impatient, I already have the flooring picked out, and I saw some area rugs at Costco recently that are gorgeous!!  I want to go buy one right now so they don't run out!!  No one has ever accused me of being patient ...





Our neighbor's llama - isn't she bautiful?
What else???  You see, I've already used up a big ole chunk of this year and it's barely begun.  :)  Of course I'm hoping to do a lot more riding this year.  The last several have not been big riding years for me, and it sucks.  I'm a happier person when I'm with my horses, and I'm a better person for having spent quality time in the company of a horse.  'Nuff said.

Last weekend the pooches and I ventured out in the field for a walk.  It was too nice of a day to stay inside and clean the house.  I did do some cleaning, changed my linens on our bed and did laundry.  And of course I made dinner and kept the home fires burning.  These things happen every day, pretty much.  We went to our first riding club meeting of the year and made plans for some camp-outs.  We went to church.



Life goes on...

I hope that each and every one has a chance to get outside, and have a look at the beauty in your neighborhood...you never know what you might find.

Or who might be watching you!


10 comments:

Lea and her Mustangs said...

Love luv luv your pictures. Wish you lived here. I am starting to teach a ladies bible study tomorrow. We are going to work on a study called Stuck about places in our lives that we seem to be stuck in. Its a great study. I am priveleged to lead it. We are getting our first real snow storm tonight. We needed it, at least the moisture and the farmers need the snow cover on their grain crops that were seeded last fall. Too icey to ride around here. Maybe if we get a few inches of snow we can get some riding in. Blessings to you Lorie,

Carolynn Anctil said...

Painting the ground level of our home was to be my winter project. I have yet to picked up a paintbrush.

We're experiencing a lot of cold and snow and wind. It's brutal and can be deadly if one gets caught out in that weather for too long - more than a few minutes some days.

I'm motivated to drop a few pounds this year, too. I've been lacksadaisical about it for too long and I'm paying for it now.

Good luck with all your plans. Give your animals a squeeze from me.

Carolynn Anctil said...

Painting the ground level of our home was to be my winter project. I have yet to picked up a paintbrush.

We're experiencing a lot of cold and snow and wind. It's brutal and can be deadly if one gets caught out in that weather for too long - more than a few minutes some days.

I'm motivated to drop a few pounds this year, too. I've been lacksadaisical about it for too long and I'm paying for it now.

Good luck with all your plans. Give your animals a squeeze from me.

panthercreekcottage said...

love the faces peeking through the thicket. Lovely photos with the ponies in their woolly coats. So many things to consider on the the to do list for this bright new year. Yours sound awesome and encouraging. Thanks for sharing them. I feel fortunate to have your friendship. Love you lots.

Unknown said...

I am going to have to incorporate a new personal rule. From now on when reading your posts, a cup of coffee or hot tea will be required along with slippers, and preferably fuzzy pajamas, or some other sort of comfy attire.

Often times I am reading on the fly and on those occasions I miss out on the true peacefulness of your posts. If I take the time to read each word rather than skimming, look at each picture rather than glancing, I am blessed with the feelings of having coffee or tea with a friend, catching up, chatting about our lives, and what is yet to come. I have never met you, I only know you from blogging, so truly it is all about you and the way that you express yourself though written word.

The peace and serenity that flows from you as you write, even when setting goals and making lists for things to be done this year, is tangible and kind of contagious. (in a good way) I find myself wanting to stand next to you in hopes that some of it will rub off on me. :-)

As I took in each picture I kept going back to one though....the bay horse, which one is he? (she?)
Simply gorgeous, love that roman nose.

I wish you so much joy and happiness this year and if I show up at your door step and ask, "Please come sit with me a while?" You can rest assured that the city life and the hustle and bustle must have finally taken its toll on me.

I Promise to bring the coffee though! :-)

Grey Horse Matters said...

I think all the things you want to do this year sound great and doable.

Love your pictures. Especially the peek-a-boo one! So cold here there's no chance of walking around and enjoying nature. We're just trying to survive the time we have to spend outdoors. Glad you're having good weather, someone should, it gives the rest of us hope.

aurora said...

It's nice to see some green, and read your lovely aspirations! I look forward to reading more about them. Wish I could get my husband to consider doing our will...I don't want to think about "it" either - but it's inevitable, the responsible thing to do, and would bring some peace of mind.

You always have such a wonderful series of photos to share! The last one is so special, speaks volumes!! Love the glowing forelock leaf!

C-ingspots said...

Lea: Me too! I'm sure there's lots I could learn from you. Thanks and blessings to you too.
Carolynn: I know how hard it is to get started, but when you do, you see progress and then it's fun. Projects and weight loss! Stay warm.
Betty: !! So good to hear from you my dear, sweet friend!! Let's get together again real soon, kay? Love you too.
Cindy: *sigh* How very sweet and kind of you to say these things about me. Thank you so much! And absolutely!! Let's hope that someday we are able to meet face to face, have a cup of ?, chat away about life/loves/dreams/horses and maybe even go for a ride. Would be great!! Come on over girlfriend!! :) Oh, and that handsome fellow is my Mustang...Eagle. He's dreamy.
Arlene: I hope you're right. Some things are best not put off. I hope you warm up really soon.
Aurora: Thanks! That little peek-a-boo horse is our neighbor's and is one of the beautiful rescues. I'm especially fond of that one. Could be dangerous...

Michelle said...

Helllllo!! I'm so happy to be back and blogging...and your babies are still adorable. I will be seriously live this weekend after I finish my remodel of my blog. :) Hope you are doing well! Happy New Year! Good luck on those goals...I have a few of my own from the last several years. :)

Lori Skoog said...

Beautiful photos. The close up of the bay reminds me of Berlin. Sounds like you have a lot of plans and you have my sympathies regarding what it takes to get your living room together. Gary made a lot of progress on ours today and it can't be finished soon enough. We are just painting, you are doing a lot more. I think you have Moon pegged just right.