Finally Friday!!

That's how I feel. Like I've survived another week. The days have all been so foggy and grey that I have to admit it is beginning to affect my psyche. Yesterday afternoon was the first small peak of sunshine since, oh I don't even really remember when. Man did it feel good!! Took my little poochie Annie and went to the park and went for a walk and soaked up as many rays as possible. Wowee!! Sun is good!!! I had to wear my mucks because very recently this park was underwater, but it was sooo worth it. Took some pics too and meant to show them here today, but for some unknown reason, blogger wouldn't upload them. Ah well, another time perhaps.

I feel the need to get out and be with nature and would like to ride if possible this weekend. I need some uplifting and am hopeful of seeing the sun again soon. This morning the fog was so very thick and the temps were below freezing, that at first site it looked as if snow had fallen. Everywhere on trees and field there was a white "dusting" of frozen fog. Absolutely stunning!! However, by midday the fog was still upon my little world but the temps had warmed up and all traces of the white wonderland were gone. I wasn't able to get any pictures of the mystical world before it disappeared.

I am feeling blessed once again that all my beautiful little ponies are healthy, fat, fuzzy and happy. There are some out there who are feeling sadness at the loss of their precious friends. I will include you in my prayers and hope your heartsickness passes soon. We who love the horses in our lives understand your grief and sense of loss. May you be comforted by the Great Comforter and find peace.

Wishing everyone a joyful and relaxing weekend.

Blessings, C-ingspots

Tuesday Toodles and other such stuff

Cool huh?? Lovely Lisa at Laughing Orca Ranch has graced me with this award. She's a great gal and right about now could sure use some company. She's layed up for a short while tending to a knee injury, so make sure you jump on over there and grace her with your presence!!

And this one too!! Thanks ever so much Miss Lisa, I really appreciate your clever wit and interesting topics. That's my favorite part of her blog, you just never know what to expect. This award here is for "Keepin' It Real". The portrait is of the infamous Marie Antoinette - I think they beheaded her, didn't they?? Yikes!! All I have to say about that is be very careful who you offer cake to...

Cake is apparently very dangerous stuff...

I'll leave you to digest that tidbit and just move onto other stuff. Another fairly slow day at the clinic. However, things do seem to be slowly picking up. That's a good thing. My brain, however is not functioning on all cylinders lately. Might have something to do with my lack of sleep of late, but with the help of sleep aids, I did sleep like the dead last night. Woke up feeling very disoriented and just wanting to sleep some more. I'm going to try and turn in early tonight and get myself back on keel. I need to start getting more exercise. Winter is bearing down on me and I definitely need to get into some sort of routine and get moving. That would be of infinite help, I'm sure. In short, nipping the winter doldrums in the bud before they get too out of hand. If anyone has any valuable insight pertaining to how they keep themselves on track during the long winter months, please do share your advice and thoughts on this subject. They would be very much appreciated. In other words, I need all the help I can get!!

This weekend, I plan on going to Costco and checking out their eyeglasses department. I just recently got a renewed prescription for reading glasses and need to get busy and get them ordered. I think that might be why I've been having so many headaches lately. I thought maybe my blood pressure was out of whack, but I don't think that's it. I think it's just simple eye strain, what with all the reading and computer work I do, it's very likely.

American Idol is back starting tonight. I have never been able to figure out just why I love watching that show so much. But I do - I love it!! There's very little on tv anymore that I do like, but I'm a sucker for American Idol.

Well, enough for now. Stay high and dry everyone!!

Blessings, from C-ing Spots

A Winter's Day Ramblings

So, I didn't ride this past weekend. Now I'm sitting here at my desk wishing/wondering why I didn't?? My answer...never enough time. That's it - in a nutshell - there just never seems to be enough time, for anything really. Saturday, I got up and had some coffee, lazed around the house for a bit and then hubby and I decided we were staying home instead of going to church that day. Ok, so now what?? I had some more coffee, did a few little chores inside the house, had a leisurely shower and got dressed. By this time, it was maybe 10:00 or so and my hubby who is ever the early riser was already napping on the couch. Grrrr...for some reason this always irritates me. Maybe it's because my own mom accused nappers of being lazy, but anyway, for whatever reason it always irritates me, especially so early in the day when the rest of the world is just awakening, for him it's already nap thirty. Ok, I digress. So, rather than spend time being irritated or nagging, out to the barn I go. Spend some time cleaning the stalls, grooming the horses and generally just hanging out. Something, I generally love to do. The morning dawned cool, foggy and ever so dreary...again. I am seriously getting tired of winter - already. Not a good sign. So, anyway I spent the better part of the day hanging out in the barn with the ponies. Ladde, Harley and the blonde boarder, "Sadie".

Sadie's a friend's horse who we've been housing for going on 2 weeks now. They had stall flooding problems and needed her vacated so they could do some remodeling so to speak. Ok, not a problem as long as you are responsible for your own horse - thank you very much - we already have as many as we can comfortably handle. Besides S, the wife does not work, drives past our house each day to go to the stable where they keep another one of their horses; so not a problem or a big deal right?? Or, at least you would think. Well, today is day 9 and maybe she's shown up, maybe she hasn't. Their hay is gone and they haven't been out since last Friday, so they haven't even become aware of this yet. 3 days out of 8 and S is a now show - no call, nothing, just doesn't show up. I'm wondering, is this their standard of care?? What about the other horse down the road at the stable?? Is anyone feeding/caring for him??? Hmmm, can't help but wonder. Today we'll see if anyone shows up to care for Sadie. If not, I will or Hubby preferably will have to make a call and see what's going on?? I hate being put in situations like this - makes me feel like I have to be the bad guy or the bitchy woman or whatever and say, this is just not cool folks. Grrr, I just don't understand people, I guess. If that were my horse at someone else's place, you can bet your buttons that I would be there promptly every day making sure that everything was in order and my horse was being cared for. I just will never understand why people have horses and don't make the time to make them a priority. Come on, if we have them, then we are responsible for them. Period. Enough said!! Next time, we probably won't be so generous with our time, efforts or the barn, at least with these people anyway. We'll see, but right about now, I'm feeling a little taken advantage of.

On another note, I did enjoy my day in the barn. I took a few pictures, then my camera quit. Batteries needed recharging, so not many pictures of the day. After cleaning all the stalls, emptying the roach coach twice and grooming Lad, Harley and Sadie, I took a little break. I just sat down and let the horses mill all around me. Harley and Sadie headed outside to the round pen and Ladde, Annie (my dog) and I shared an orange and contemplated the universe. It felt very nice and it was peaceful and quiet. For some reason, Ladde has always enjoyed these quiet times, hanging out and doing nothing, just being in close proximity and of course partaking of any morsels there just might happen to be. I love that horse. Just don't know what I'd do without him. Life wouldn't be nearly as sweet tis sure. I am thankful for him everyday. He is a blessing for sure. I'm not saying he's perfect - but he's perfect enough for me.

Saturday night, we went to our riding club meeting. The first one of this year and we voted in new officers and planned the upcoming year's events. We have several weekend campouts scheduled and the big week long Cowboy Campmeeting over the week of July 4. This year it's at a place called Tamarack Springs near Ellensberg, Washington. My boss says it's ugly country and a poor place for camping. Hmmm, we'll see how things pan out - it's kind of far to drive if the spot isn't that great. I only get 2 weeks total paid off all year, so I tend to be rather stingy when it comes to our one vacation each summer. Oh, and I'm the new president of our club. I'm not quite sure how that happened, or if I really want the responsibility of that, but I am it. Oh well, I guess I'll do my best - it's probably nothing to fret about. I can be bossy, so no problemo!!

Sunday I spent a fair amount of time doing laundry and house cleaning, yeeuck!! Not my favorite thing by far, but it's got to be done, so what's a girl to do?? Boring at best, and I just wasn't in the mood for it, but I did manage to get the place fairly clean, so whatever, it's fine for now. I even tried to take a little nap in the afternoon because I had a headache (again), but couldn't sleep, so I got up and read some blogs for a while. Later we picked up a pizza and a movie. Exciting huh?? We watched George Clooney in Michael Clayton - pretty good, however it does make you stop and take a hard look at humanity from time to time. But, overall a pretty good movie. I give it a "B".

So, there you have it - my weekend in review. Nothing earth-shattering, but it is January and the weather is grey and wet and boring. Things could always be worse. I haven't been sleeping well lately, so I plan on going home and doing my chores. It's a no cook - fend for yourself night at our house and I'm going to hit the hay early. Hopefully after some Tylenol PMs, I will get a much-needed respite from my ever-busy mind and wake up feeling refreshed and ready for a brand new day.

That's it for now at C-ing Spots

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.