Last Day

Last day of 2011, honestly, none too soon. Not as rough as 2010, but glad to see the back end of this year exiting, too.

Willis did come out, but it was noon not 8:00 a.m. He did a bang-up job, buried all the debris, topped with dirt. Looks wide open now.

Year End

Looking in the Year-View Mirror

And it's always about the weather, right? 2011 was slightly better than 2010, weather-wise. We still had a good solid amount of hotter-than-normal, drier-than-normal, followed by wetter-than-normal, an 5.8 earthquake with two named hurricanes thrown in. A couple of these events cut into riding time, too. KC colicked in the heat of Memorial Weekend.

Had a great vacation in June in Cook Forest - although wasn't as prepared as we could have been for that - physically KC and I could have been in better shape, but neither of us had the time to get out there before hand. We had a great time and taking Irene with us was a huge hit, too.

We got so many different things done here but still remaining is the 'lid' over the landscaping bins. This foundation WILL make a great shed, we just haven't had the time nor money to concentrate on getting the roof constructed.

Also remaining on the original list is fencing in the Northeast side and another run-in shed. He has spent so much time and Diesel mowing these fields and the boys could eat it instead. This is going to take another large chunk of time and money to accomplish. We haven't even decided on the type of fencing that we'll apply. We could really use the extra acreage fenced in. We'd then save money on hay, too. Have to spend to save, right?

Saturday Willis is scheduled to help us move the debris piles out of the way, bury it in the tree line - Maybe after that we'll have another bonfire. Those two events will really free up some 'space' around here!

Cold, Continued Cold ...

Two nights in a row the boys have spent the night inside. On Tuesday it was chilly, with sustained winds. They do have their heavy coats on, but the wind was fierce, this would make the wind chill unacceptable for my guys to be out all night.

After feeding them I turned them out and prepped their stalls. Fresh water, hay and shavings. When I went out after 10, they were sheltering in the run-in shed. I asked them if they wanted in and they rushed the gate! They were ready to come in.

Immediately Skip urinated in his pile of shavings. Darn! There's some advice somewhere about pissing in the wind. I believe Skip knows this, too.

Wednesday continued cold with the sustained winds. He gave them more hay during the day and I fed them as soon as I got home. Skip didn't really want to go back out after his dinner.

Again, they were more than willing to come in for the night. I closed every portal except one against the wind.

Thursday morning KC had shavings in his tail. I know he enjoyed his lie-down in his stall. He loves to take a load off.

Winding Down, Full Speed Ahead!

I've been feeling poorly and he's been working like a maniac.

He's gotten so many things planned, started, done - I've lost count of all the things that have been accomplished in the last few weeks. Here's a recap:

1. Electrified the garage/shed
2. installed breaker box
3. installed light
4. installed switch with eye-sensor timer and quad outlet
5. Installed stall mats
6. Installed Pergo in the rear hallway
7. Replaced back storm door
8. Installed 2 interior doors (bedroom, coat closet)
9. Replaced the stairwell lamp
10. Hardwired the stairwell sump-pump
11. Removed 'popcorn' finish in bedroom, skim-coated all the walls
12. repaired the hole in the wall where the old bathroom door was located
13. Rebuilding the closet with doors
14. Installed new closet doors
15. Replaced the amber lights on the Tractor
16. Removed 35,000 pennies from their wrappers (and found my house keys!)

I can't remember anything else! I've been feeling poorly since last Thursday - stomach ache/head ache - this makes me move slowly and Monday night/Tuesday morning was the worst of it, apparently. I'm better, but ALL food is suspect.

He had also gone to the County dump, got rid of a car load of stuff - the patio looks so big (again) now! There's also a load of stone dust dumped at the gate. That's not going to move itself, surely.

christmas wrap

Willis showed up, late, but the stone dust was delivered on Friday before Christmas while he was working on the new rear storm door installation (in cranberry). The 'blue' room is no longer blue and new closet doors are on-site! We're going to paint the 'blue' room a great new color; 'Straw Basket' has been selected.

The Night Before Christmas

It’s the night before Christmas, we’re out in the barn
Blanketing horses to keep them all warm
They’re eating their dinners, tucked in cozy stalls
Not aware that it’s Christmas or any special day at all

They can dream of spring pastures from their pine-scented beds
No visions of sugarplums dance in their heads
But we people are thinking of merry parties and such
Maybe feeling a little sad at missing so much

This season is special but the horses don’t know
We’ve got work to do before we can go
We finish the chores and head on inside
To get ready for dinner and our own yuletide

It’s nearly midnight, the carols are sung
I remember a story I was told when I was young
How at midnight on Christmas Eve
The creatures of the barnyard can speak to us with ease

I am called to the barn, I wade through the rain
I know I must go, I can’t really explain
I slide open the door, pause for a while
Then slowly walk down that dully lit aisle

A nicker from Casey, a wink from JD
Sleepy old Alibi waking to see
Tucker rustling his bedding, a snort soft and light
Each horse gave a greeting as I walked through the night

I thought about parties bright lit and warm
The ones we don’t go to ’cause we have the barn
And vacations and holidays that we don’t get
When we’re working long hours for bills to be met

Walking all the way to the end of the aisle
I stop to stroke Bonnie, it brings me a smile
She snuffles my face, hot breath on my skin
It starts me to thinking about my horses, my kin

I could be at parties with laughter and mirth
But where I am right now is the best place on Earth.

~ Sandra Williams

12-21 Winter Solstice

The longest night of the year, this December has been warmer than last year. Except for Halloween, no measurable snow. Today it is a little wet, but temps in the 60s! This could easily be April. Dandelions are blooming in the pasture.

They have their light jackets on to help block the breeze, but it is a very mild day.

Quickly counting down to Christmas. Last night he finished cleaning up the 'popcorn' in the blue bedroom, vacuuming the lead paint chips in the cracks and crevices around the floor and moulding. He also 'buttered' another large section of wall. Diminishing blue! Looking better every single day.

We have some serious considerations to take into account if we are to, in fact, move the bed and bedroom furniture into this room. Going to be a slim fit.