Friday, January 8, 2016

Moving right along

Again, it's been almost 3 weeks since I've posted.  Guess I just don't have much to say.  Some of you can stop laughing right about now...

Anyhoo, Christmas Eve was a delight.  I prepared a delicious dinner after having had the house to myself all day long.  I love those days!  Talk about a gift.  :)  One of my daughter's from another mother called out of the blue, and asked if we were going to be home.  She had a little something for us, and could they swing by?  I said of course, do you have any plans for Christmas Eve?  No was her reply.  So I invited Josh, Jessie and their two kiddos to dinner.  We enjoyed the evening so much more than we would have, had it just been the two of us.  Again.  It really was a beautiful evening. We ate, we talked, we laughed, we went out and fed carrots to the horses and it was great.  I even wrangled up some gifts and goodies were unwrapped.  Then afterwards, when the house was again all peaceful and quiet - we watched a very old version of A Christmas Carol.  Very nice.

Christmas afternoon we went to my sister's house.  It was the usual, same ole, same ole and I left there feeling a bit sad, disappointed and feeling like it was nothing special.  I say this every year, but I just don't want to spend next Christmas there.  *sigh*  I love my family, but I really don't like my family.  Sad huh?

The highlight of the evening, for me though, was getting to meet my great-great niece, Catori for the first time ever!  She was born on my birthday and will be turning 4 years old this coming January 21st.  She is adorable, doesn't speak, is extremely tiny for her age, and totally sweet!  I would take her on in a New York minute!!!  I won't even get into the details about her sad little life, but suffice it to say that it is not good.  Mother, and I use that term, very loosely, is a druggie, homeless, jobless and God only knows what all.  She has given up her other two children and lost another baby last year.  Forgive me  for saying so, but that was most likely, a blessing.  Catori doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of having a decent life.  I do not exaggerate.  Anyway, her mother dropped her off via an unlatched window before my niece's household was awake and left her.  No word, no note, nothing.  So, grandma has her for now and is also raising the middle child.  It's a sad, sad situation.  Like I said, I would take her and raise her if given the chance.  I've lightly gotten into this discussion with my niece (her grandmother), with not much of a response.  So, I leave it up to God.  I don't have any other choice in the matter.  It would be a drastic change to my life (our lives) having a little girl full-time, but never having had children of my own, I would do my best if given the chance.  She deserves so much more than what she's already endured.  I can't even imagine what her life's been like.  I don't really want to know.

In other areas of our life, Ladde was doing fairly well for a couple of weeks, but we're back to soaking and poulticing his front feet again.  *sigh*  He's already doing better, but without pads, he is sore, sore, sore.  Abscesses are a part of life for a horse that's foundered, but this is a bit excessive, at least in my experience.  I'm about to scream and I cannot even imagine how poor Ladde's feeling.  He is, as usual taking everything in stride.  He's been stalled more in the past 3 months than he has in his cumulative life so far.  And he just handles it with grace.  Such a trooper.

Our lives lately have revolved around working at our jobs, keeping the home fires burning, taking care of the horses and trying to get outside in the fresh air as often as we can.  Winter is a time of cabin fever if we're not careful, and that doesn't bode well for me, especially.  Our weather has been pretty good overall, ever since the monsoons of December stopped anyway.  Wettest December ever on record.  Christmas day was cold and we had sunshine.  Another gift.  Since then we've had some freezing temps and sunshine, some rain and last couple of days, cool and foggy.  We're supposed to get cold again and be dry for a week or so.  That's my favorite.

I'm happy the holidays are behind us for another year.  I enjoyed everything more this past season than I have in years, but it always feels good to go back to normal again.  I was even a little saddened to take the tree down.  I really loved our Christmas tree this year, for some reason.  I finally got my all white lights and it was just so peaceful and soothing to gaze upon.  Now it's in the backyard sporting bird seed and bread crumbs for the birds.  We're still getting pleasure from that little tree.

Anyway, dinner out with friends this weekend and nothing else on tap.  We're just playing it by ear.  Hope all is well with all of you.

As for resolutions, that's not something I've ever really done.  I like to pick a word that speaks to my heart, and keep it near and dear for as long as it's seems appropriate to do so.  Without thinking about it much, a word has been rattling around in my head for a while.  It seems fitting for some things I would like to accomplish in my future, so here goes..."courage".  That's my word and that's what I'd like to exhibit more of in the coming years.  If not now, when?

Courage

If you would, please wish me luck and send up a prayer on our behalf.  For several reasons.

Happy New Year to you all!

15 comments:

IanH said...

I had to read it three times. I could not get my mind over a woman with nothing to say! Best of the New Year to you and yours, and especially to little Catori. Life is tough enough without starting that way.

Calm, Forward, Straight said...

I missed out on a family meet up around New Years due to food poisoning. Guess what - I'd rather have food poisoning. ;D

Good luck with the niece situation. I hope she lands softly, wherever she can get the good start in life, and love she needs.

Linda said...

Which version of Christmas Carol? My absolute favorite was with George C Scott. LoVE!!

Poor Laddie. That makes me sad to read. You're a great horse mommy to take care of him.

Courage. I like that word. I may borrow it. I'm starting a sort of resolution, a 100 day challenge. I've gotten off to a slow start because I've been sick. But how hard can it be?

Linda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gail said...

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and welcome back.

I think having all the fun you had was a good substitute for posting.

Grey Horse Matters said...

I'm glad the holidays are over and look forward to getting back to normal too. Just finished taking down the last of the decorations yesterday.

Poor Ladde. I hope this issue resolves soon. He's a trooper.

Poor little girl. It would be so much better for her if you were able to give her a loving home. A good start is so important in life. she certainly doesn't seem to have what she needs in her young life right now. Poor little baby.

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

Welcome to the new year! I hope your Laddie can soon move past this string of abcesses. As much as we love them, it's tiring and so stressful when they are in pain. We just hope we can make it stop. Best to you.

C-ingspots said...

Thanks Ian. I can hear your laughter from here.

C-ingspots said...

Can you see me nodding in understanding? Thank you, that is my prayer too.

C-ingspots said...

We have both old versions, but I think it was the other one. I love them both. Yes, take it as your own. we have some similar aspirations.

C-ingspots said...

Happy new year to you Gail!

C-ingspots said...

It's heart wrenching to think about. I pray for her to land somewhere safe. Thanks for your good wishes for the Ladd monster.

C-ingspots said...

Yes it is! Happy new year to you Denise.

T.L. Merrybard said...

My word this year is Freedom! I like to look for pictures and collage them together to make a dreamboard for the year based around my word but haven't got to it yet. Maybe when I get my next book finally published in a few days time I can make a bit of space for such a fun undertaking.

Come on Ladde, get those feet all better so mama and papa can stop worrying!

Much Courage to you Lorie, though I don't actually think you any more than you already have!

Very sorry to hear of little Catori. Too many children in this life don't get the start they need. I'm sure you can be a loving, unconditionally-supportive Great Great Aunt to her, anyway. Any sort of significant other, even one who can only mostly write letters and send presents, can be very important, especially in a life where the love of someone who should be most close to them is missing. xxx

aurora said...

Reading between the lines & sending both luck & prayers, for whatever reasons are needed...courage is a great choice. Never ending ongoing care can be frustrating for everyone, especially poor Laddie. He is lucky to be in your loving home. I had to look up the meaning of the name Catori. I've never heard it before, it's pretty. The Native American meaning is Spirit. You can have a profound impact on hers, even if you don't see her regularly. I hope for her sake you can. Keep in mind, quality time is more important then quantity.