Full Moon A Comin'

Thanks Gail, I've been very forgetful lately and just realized that I hadn't yet acknowledged your kind gift of this lovely award. Thank you so very much!!! This is just beautiful. I appreciate you and your wonderful writing more than you'll ever know. Thanks so much!!!!

So...you do all realize don't you that this coming Saturday night is the full moon? Well, that could be one possible explanation at least in part for my complete lapse into moodiness lately. At least, I'd like to think that there is some outside force at work here...and not just my changing hormones. :) At least some of you know what I'm talking about, don't you??

This month, I will be celebrating my 49th birthday. Good grief!! I am getting so very old. I know that I've said it before, but it continues to astound me just how very, very fast time goes. It's shocking and just a little bit scary. At this rate, I'm gonna wake up tomorrow morning and I'll be 63 or something!! What the heck is up with that?? There are many aspects of aging that don't really bother me all that much. I'm not one of those women who are driven by their appearances. I mean, I like to look nice and all, but my looks aren't the most important thing to me. I have grey hairs, my hair is thinner than it used to be, I'm definitely fatter than I used to be (aack!! kinda hate that part!!), the skin around my eyes have those little lines that never used to be there, I have less energy than I used to have, I'm not as physically strong as I used to be...and probably the list could go on and on and on...but, who really gives a rat's patootie anyway?? There are more important things to a person's worth than what they look like. At least I think so. I am smarter now, I'm no longer a shy little church mouse, I'm not afraid to speak my mind and I know a little bit about a whole lot of things. I'm gaining wisdom. And there's a whole lot of value in that, I think.

Another thing that's interesting to me, is that not much scares me anymore. I'm not saying that I'm an unusually brave person, because that's not it. I'm not really very brave at all, at least in many situations. I'm not exactly sure just what I'm trying to say here, but I guess it's just faith. In a nutshell, I have faith that everything will always work out. Not necessarily how we want it to, or even how we think it will...but it's usually for the best just how things tend to pan out in the end. I believe that God is in heaven and He is in charge and whatever He decides is gonna go down - will. So, like the bible verse says "When God is for us, who or what can be against us?". Absolutely nothing or no one, that's what. So...rest assured that all will be ok. Everything's gonna work out in the wash, probably not how we think or want, but it will work out the way that it's supposed to. Of that, I'm sure.

Our new President will very soon be officially sworn into office. I have high hopes for him. I also have fear for him. I am going to keep him in my prayers that he will be allowed to fulfill his obligation to us and to our country and do a good job. It's not something that's going to be easy. We have gone down a long, slippery slope and are pretty low at this point in time. I don't expect miracles. I just hope that he will get people to have hope again. There are so very many problems that need to be worked out. It's going to take a lot of people, including you and me to work together and each one of us to do our part, however small that may be; but it will take us all collectively working as a whole to bring our country back into some sort of a healthy place. I do not envy President O'Bama at all, not really sure who in their right mind would even want to try and tackle all the problems we have right now. America is in the lowest slumps we've been in, in a very long time - maybe even ever. I think that America as a whole has turned it's back on God and what's right and because of that, we are getting just what we are choosing. The devil is being allowed to have more and more freedom and he's wreaking havok on everything and everyone. I personally believe that everything will probably get a whole lot worse before it gets better - if it ever does get better - maybe it won't. Maybe we are much closer to the end that any of us would like to admit, even to ourselves. Whatever. It's not for us to worry about, it's not in our control. I think that it is our responsibility to keep living our lives and keep praying and asking God to lead us in our decisions and our paths. And He will. I for one, would like to remember to always lend a helping hand to others whenever and wherever I can, and that includes animals. Be kind and compassionate and generous to everyone we come in contact with. Personally, this can be a challenge for me, as I can be not very patient with people sometimes, especially it seems with those who I love. You know, like our family members or our spouse or children. For some reason, the people who I love the most are usually the people I tend to be the most unkind to. One of my many shortcomings and one I will always have to keep in my prayer requests, I'm afraid. Sometimes a simple smile can make all the difference to someone who is downhearted or feeling lonely. And no matter how little we think we may have, each one of us can always afford to share that which we do have. And in giving, we are always blessed.

I heard this little saying somewhere the other day, but I liked it very much and it is something which I definitely need to keep close to my heart and in the forefront of my mind at all times. It goes like this: "Before we can change the world, we first have to change ourselves".

I like that.

Wishing a good weekend to all and many blessings.

The Doldrums

Yep, that's what I think I'm experiencing today - the winter doldrums, the ho-hums or the dear oh dears. Whatever you want to call them, I'm in a funk. I am cranky, quick to anger, glum and generally not very pleasant to be around. I just want to be left alone to contemplate the quiet and not be hassled by anyone or anything. Think I will go home, put on my grubbies and muck boots and head out to the barn and do my chores. That in itself will help, it almost always does. Afterwards, think I might grab the brushes and scrape the mud off of Ladde. He is covered from the tip of his nose to the tips of his hooves and everywhere else in between with thick, dried-on mud from his efforts of yesterday. Yeeuck!! What a job that's gonna be. Oh well, maybe that's exactly what I need. Sure couldn't hurt, and with the way I'm feeling, I should avoid the rest of the human race, that's for sure. And by the time my hubby gets home, maybe I'll be in a better place, figuratively speaking anyway.

The clinic has been dreadfully slow of late. I've almost finished up with my year-end tasks and getting ready for the new year. The numbers from last year are down, my boss who is, (how do I put this delicately?) so cheap, you can't hear the squeak but you know it's there, is fretting over the decline in business and hanging around so much that I'm about to bust. That man can interfere with my job so much that it's nearly impossible to actually accomplish anything, much less have a moment's peace...he talks toooo much!!! And...last, but not least - it looks like there isn't going to be a Christmas bonus this year. And, even though I had been telling myself not to expect it, that it's a bonus after all, I apparently had been hoping and yes, even counting on it. Dang it all anyway, I could really use that little bonus check!! It's never amounted to anything more than $300.00 but hey! - we sure could use that money right about now. The bedding supply is almost gone again, the tires on my car are just a little better than bald, both vehicles need tune-ups and at least an oil change, freezer is almost empty and after last month's "Arctic Blast" our water bill is slightly more than doubled and I am afraid to get the electricity bill. I'm just about positive that given a few more minutes my list could get a whole lot longer than that, but what's the use?? The bottom line is - money's going to be in short supply for a while and I really could have put that well-deserved bonus (in my humble opinion anyway) to very good use. And, to add insult to injury while I'm at it - I haven't had a pay increase in 3-1/2 years now. I am grossly underpaid and if I give that subject much thought, I really will get upset!! But, I am trying very hard to remember to count my blessings and just to be thankful that I have a job and so many other things, but damn it all anyway!!! I just hate feeling unappreciated when I work hard and have been a loyal employee to this man for going on 9 years now and I am his only employee!! In the summer we have a college student working as a veterinarian's assistant but that's only 3 months out of the year. You could think that given the fact that I'm the only full-time employee that he's responsible for that he could at least, if not generous, then at least pay me a competitive wage and good benefits. I do have medical insurance, no dental and I get a 2 week paid vacation and the 5 or 6 major holidays paid. I know that it could be worse, but I also know that in our local area, my wage especially is a mere pittance (spelling?)!!

Oh well, frog's farts anyways!! What I mean to say is that I'm having a pure pisser of a day and right about now I suppose that I'm wallowing in a good dose of the pity pot and I just hate that!!! I will go on home now and try my darndest to climb out and breathe in some good, fresh air, kiss a horsey nose or two and try to stop feeling so sorry for myself!!

Brighter days are just around the corner right?? Or, in other words like my mom used to say "get a good nights sleep and everything will look better in the morning". Okay, I'll do my best. Sorry for venting, but thanks for being here.

That's it for now, cingspots

Honest Scrap...hmmmm

Like so many of you out there, I've recently been scrapped by Vaquero Girl down there in California. She is one heck of a cowgirl and is a talented writer as well. So thanks California Cowgirl!! Here goes nothin'!! I've been postponing this for a while now. I find it quite difficult for some reason to write down things about myself that someone might actually find interesting. The deal here is to write down 10 honest tidbits about myself. A challenge to be sure, but I will give it a go.

1) My mom and dad got me my very first pony when I was 3 years old. The Beatles were popular then and I named him "Ringo". He was a brown and white Shetland pony with a very strong desire to kill me. Whenever I would lead him up to something and try to mount him, he would wait until the last possible minute and then move and I would fall down. If I did manage to get on board, he would immediately take off at a dead run and try to rake me off on a fence or a low-hanging branch or whatever it took to ditch me. Finally my dad taught him to lie down when he tapped on his fetlock and I'd climb aboard and hang onto his mane and my dad would lead me around on him. After a while of this, he refused to move without being led. My dad sold him after a few years and I cried and pitched a huge hissy fit and vowed to hate my dad forever and ever for selling off my very best ever friend.

2) I have been absolutely bonkers for horses for as long as I can remember. I think that after Ringo, I definitely had the bug and until I turned 12 and got my first real full-sized horse, I was relentless at begging my mom and dad until they finally gave in. I'm sure that I nearly drove them to the brink of insanity and they realized they had no other choice. So on Christmas Day in 1974 I received a very small present all wrapped up and inside was a note that said "Flexy and saddle and bridle are yours. Love, Mom and Dad". I will never forget that day, it was one of the best days in my life. (There's a story here, but I'll save that one for another time)

3) One time I blew a horse "sale" for my dad by putting burrs under the saddle for the prospective buyer's trial ride.

4) The only time I've ever been injured by a horse was at my very first horse show ever. I fell off in a bareback equitation class at the extended trot. My mare was in heat and didn't like this particular gelding that kept passing us up, so she let fly and I fell off and she jumped on my ankle and broke it. I felt nothing except for extreme embarrasment. (Note to self: Do not ride in a bareback class after spraying Show Sheen all over your horse.)

5) I never wanted to have children. I got pregnant at 18 and had an abortion. I've never regretted anything more. I do however, still believe that women should be able to make this choice for themselves.

6) My husband and I have been married for 25 years this coming July. I think that anyone whose ever said that marriage is easy is a liar. Nothing worth having is ever easy.

7) There are 3 kinds of people that I could hate: Abusers of children, animals or old people. I think that if you want to be a bully, you should pick on someome your own size who can fight back: otherwise, you're just a coward.

8) I have lots of patience with animals, but need improvement when it comes to patience with some people.

9) I was extremely shy as a teenager and as a young adult. I was always afraid to stand up for myself unless I became very angry. However, this has definitely changed in the last 20 years or so. I am now quite opinionated and am not afraid to speak my mind and stand up for whatever I believe in.

10) My horse Ladde and I were included in one of Ray Hunt's calendars. I started Ladde as a 3-year old in Ray's colt class and it was truly one of my greatest challenges and most rewarding experiences. I was both exhilerated and terrified most of the time, and on the last day got heat stroke. It was a blast!!

Well, there you have it. Whether you were interested or not. I guess I could have just done simple things like, I love chocolate or I love to read...but I've never done anything the easy way, and I think I'm much too old to start now. Hopefully I haven't bored anyone to tears.

I know that many of you out there have already been scrapped but there are so many interesting people that I would like to pass the torch to just a couple who I find rather interesting. So, I would like to know a little more about:

Life on a Bison Farm
Fern Valley Appaloosas

If you would be interested, then give it a go. And if you don't feel up to sharing, well then that's perfectly alright too. No pressure at all.

Have I mentioned lately that I think this blogging stuff is a good thing? No? Well, I do. I think it's fun and entertaining and enlightening on so many different levels.

Blessings and over and out for now.

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.

Out With the Old and In With the New!!

Greetings to my fellow blogging buddies. Wow, I can hardly believe that another year is coming to an end. My momma always used to tell me "stop wishing your life away" and that "the older you get, the faster time goes". I have to admit that at the time, I thought she was crazy; that just had to be one of the most silly things that I had ever heard. But, you know what?? The older I get, the more I realize just how smart my momma was. Darned if she wasn't right! Yeah, I know, it just doesn't make a lick of sense - but it is so true - so very true. Because the older I get, the faster time does go, that's a fact jack!!

I haven't been around much lately, with all the snow and ice we've had and not being able to make it in to work for several days and now with year-end details at work and well, just life. I feel like I've been gone for a very long time. And, I miss it. I miss writing down my thoughts on this little screen and reading all those thoughts of so many other people out there. I feel so much better when I write. I never thought that I would be saying that, because until the last couple of years, I've never been much of a writer, but I am so addicted to it now. I find it oddly therapeutic and refreshing and, yes even liberating in a way. I've found that maybe, just maybe, I'm not so very different after all. I have similar thoughts and worries and notions as a whole lot of other folks in this world. And, I find that comforting too. You all out there have come to mean a whole lot to me. I feel connected in a way that I never thought that I would.

Amazing isn't it? You just never know what's going to happen next...and that's actually quite exciting. Gives us all a whole lot to look forward to. You never know what might be just around the corner or coming up on the next horizon. Maybe you'll do something that you've always wanted to do, or go someplace you've never been before, or meet that special "someone" that you've been longing to meet. Ya never know, just keep on fighting the good fight and putting one foot in front of the other and you just might be surprised where all those steps lead you. It sounds fun to me...wanna come along? I'd love the company.

Well...come on, let's get started! When we all wake up tomorrow morning, it's gonna be a brand new day in a brand new year and change is definitely a'comin...don't you just feel it in your bones?? I know that I do. I just hope that I'm ready. Oh well, ready or not, here we go!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

Many blessings from Cingspots

This is my sweet boy Harley. I was never able to get a good picture of him doing it, but he kept sticking his face deep in the snow up to his eyeballs. He does the same thing in creeks or lakes and comes up with a mouthful of sludge. Silly boy...oh, and he snorkels in the snow - anything new or different, he snorkels at it. Like mother, like son. He sure is looking fuzzy. and fat.

Come to think of it, I'm looking a little fuzzy and fat too; hmmm, must be something in our water. You think?

That's my story. Yep, and I'm stickin' to it.

Twas the Day After Christmas

Well, Christmas is finished for another year. I have to admit that I'm so glad it's over. Don't get me wrong; I like Christmas, I just don't love Christmas. Not like I used to anyway. I really enjoy the Christmas Season before Christmas, like the decorating and the baking and the socializing and all the anticipation. Seems like people are generally a little happier. But, when it's all said and done - I'm always relieved.

We had a nice holiday, fairly quiet and uneventful except for the mass quantities of snow that fell and continued to fall - day after day after day. It was spectacularly beautiful!! All 2 feet of it!! And that's a lot of snow for our area. People around here just don't quite know how to handle more than a few inches of snow - and then when it sticks around for...oh 10 or more days, we all tend to become a little edgy - enough already!! I never thought I'd be saying this, but I am looking forward to nice, warm rain and yes, even the mud that accompanies it.

Today is the first day that I've made it to work all this week. For my hubby too - in fact because he uses mass transportation, he even missed a few days last week. Our paychecks are just gonna bite this month. *sigh* That's not going to be fun. Oh well, we had our beautiful White Christmas and it was truly magnificent. I can't remember having this much snow and especially over Christmas in a long, long time. Probably since I was a very young child even.

We spent Christmas Eve with family and it was very low-key. Christmas Day my hubby's son and his soon-to-be wife and the three grand kiddos were with us. They spent the night and we had present opening Christmas morn. We had a wonderful baked ham and cinnamon swirl french toast with homemade strawberry jam. Yummy!! Plenty of hot coffee and hot chocolate for the kiddos completed our breakfast. And after all the cookies we had consumed the night before, I was definitely ready for a little protein. We took lots and lots of pictures, watched The Nativity Story late Christmas Eve night and welcomed Christmas morning with the true story of the birth of Jesus. I didn't even bother to get out of my pajamas until the middle of the afternoon. It was nice and relaxing. But, like I said - I'm relieved once again that Christmas is finished for yet another year. Farewell, good-bye, adios amigos. I'm ready for some normalcy again. And....I'm definitely ready for some good old-fashioned Pacific Northwest rain. Yep, I am so serious here. I am so tired of all this beautiful, picturesque, pain in the patootie snow that we've had for almost 2 weeks now. Put a fork in me - I'm sooo done!!

And the horses are so tired of being cooped up in the barn too. They want to go outside and have a good roll in the mud, breath in the warm, wet air and do whatever it is that they do all day long while they're outside. You know, just be a horse. And, I want them to poop outside!! Thank you very much!! I am also tired of having double-duty on the poop scooping machine!! It truly amazes me how much poop five horses can produce in a 24-hour period of time. Sheesh...a bale of hay is somehow, magically transformed into 2 bales worth of poop!! I'm not joking around here, if you have horses and you feed them extra hay while they're cooped up inside the barn all day long, then you know just what I'm talking about here...poop. and. lots. of. it.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Looking forward to a wonderful 2009. Wishing all your Christmas memories were full of heart-warming merriment and peace.

Blessings from Cingspots

Winter Wonderland

This is my most favorite barn in my neighborhood and is quite picturesque in the snow. The hills in the background are the foothills of the Coast Mountain Range. These shots were taken by my hubby on our way into the clinic yesterday. He just held the camera out the window while I drove.

This is the same barn and homestead from a different angle. I thought the shot was quite lovely with this tree in the foreground.

The two shots above are just a bit closer in towards town. I thought this view of the snow covered hills and trees was very pretty. Quite the winter wonderland. I just wish those trash bins were in a different spot. The building on the right is one of the hundreds of local wineries in the area. The entire area is going to the grapes. Everywhere you look, farm fields and hay crops are being planted in grapes and wineries seem to pop up overnight. One reason why our hay prices have skyrocketed in recent years.

This shot is the small town that I pass through each morning on my way to work. It looks so pretty all blanketed in the snow. Small town America. I had no trouble driving, but my top speed was about 30 mph and I did have the truck in 4-wheel drive just to be safe. I don't have very much experience driving in snow and ice, but it just seems to be a matter of common sense to me. I drive slowly, make no sudden movements with the steering, avoid using my brakes and leave plenty of space between vehicles. And...I sing. This morning my song of choice was Silent Night...all the way to the clinic. Helps me relax.

This shot here is from our back door on the deck. It was a beautiful sunrise. Do you see all the kitty tracks in the snow? It always seems so very quiet when the world is covered in snow. Maybe we'll have a white Christmas this year...that would be a nice change of pace.

This last weekend was a very quiet and relaxing couple of days for my hubby and me. My kind of weekend to be sure. Friday evening we got a pizza and watched a movie on tv after the horses were all fed, watered, blanketed and tucked away in the barn as snug as bugs in rugs. Sabbath morning we went to church. The service was lovely and we sang bunches of beautiful Christmas hymns. Truly one of my most favorite parts of Christmas. Then in the afternoon, my niece Shelley came over and we baked Christmas cookies and made candy all afternoon. But, wouldn't you know it, I was so wrapped up in what I was doing, I completely forgot to get any pictures of our labors. We made oatmeal-chocolate chip, no-bake chocolate coconut cookies, peanut clusters, rice krispie treats with peanut butter and chocolate, Thumbprints with strawberry jam, Snickerdoodles and butter cookies with homemade butter frosting. Yum!! This coming weekend I hope to finish up with my baking projects and begin assembling my homemade goodie baskets. And...on the way home from church, guess what we found?

This absolutely gorgeous Golden Retriever!! She's so friendly and probably about a year and a half old. She narrowly missed being hit by both our truck and someone else coming in the opposite direction. She was soaked to the bone and disoriented acting, as though she were lost. There were no houses in the nearby vicinity and we felt that we couldn't just drive away and leave her there looking so forelorn. So...softies that we are, we loaded her inside our truck and brought her home. Shoowee, she stunk too!! My hubby gave her a bath and she and Annie had a grand afternoon. These pics were taken Sunday afternoon shortly after the snow began falling.

See those two - what a pair!! They had a blast frolicking in the snow and playing with Annie's beloved ball.

Here is Buttons making snow angels. Every time we would let her out in the snow, this is what she wanted to do...silly girl!! Yep, we did indeed find her owners and they had been missing their beloved "Buttons". She has a family complete with two little boys of her very own. A happy ending to be sure!

I know that Annie enjoyed playing with her newfound friend, but I can't say that she was upset when Buttons went home either. What a jealous dog we have!!

Hope everyone stays warm and toasty in this beautiful, but frigid winter wonderland.

Blessings from Cingspots