December 2015

Welcome to December!


Time to prepare for all the season's activities.....

Ark, that is the PERFECT picture for Graymare's friend!

Commissary trip is done for the month..yay. I don't want to have to shop a whole lot, I'm going to be busy running to hospital, running hubby to physical therapy 4 times a week, caring for the horses, dogs, and goats and 3 of them should be kidding end of december.....fun never ends!

Gm, someone has 2 spotted appy mules 15 hands, rides and drives, harness too, 3500! I love appy mules! at least their coloring, the mule attitude not so much. muley is now driving, pulling a covered wagon with her other 3 hitch, and is doing good.....thank goodness someone trained her and if she behaves, she will not be alpo....but I guess she was a challenge even for these guys who knew what they were doing.....way too much for us....over our heads as to what or how to do.

I have to go in tomorrow and file a police report, it seems someone, ahem, at chris 's address in oregon ran up a direct tv bill (547) and put it in my name.....I'm filing fraud charges....man, I'm afraid to help anyone anymore. She had access to papers here to get my numbers...and I still think she was involved in the check fraud in some way.....

Life is never dull....I could do with some boring days!

Happy December everyone. Have fun getting ready for Christmas. Our Military Order of the Purple Heart Christmas Party is this Saturday. Next Thursday we are making gift trays for our shut ins at church. My tree is decorated. YEAH...onto wrapping presents and getting them in the mail and praying they arrive safely.

ELLEN: I can tell you stories about mail delivery that would curl your hair. My neighbor sent me a wedding invitation to her daughters wedding in July, to date I have never received it. She lives about 1/4 of a mile from my house. When I worked at the PO in one of those big brown mail bags I found an big envelope stuck in the bottom of the bag from 1995 from a college to someone who had earned awards, my boss freaked out. The PO employees have been out of control for years. Our part time mail person delivered my medicine to an address miles from here, since our house numbers are both 500, luckily the guy brought them to my house & I have gotten mail for him. It's a nightmare and has gotten worse since the retirements of the older employees.

CB: How sad to think your good friend turned out to be the rip off artist.

ARK: Donnie's chair looks just like my chair that George has taken over since he retired. Very comfy and good for napping. Mine has heat and has cup holders in the arms that open.

GRAYMARE: Have fun with the mules...they can be a handful.

ROSE: Robin's new horse looks like a nice girl.

Love & prayers for all...

Ark, think "Cactus Jack", then look at this. http://fox59.com/2015/12/02/oklahoma-police-officer-gives-donkey-a-ride-in-his-squad-car/

Awwwww, what a nice guy that policeman is! He would never have gotten Cactus in his car, though . Cactus has magnetic molecules that stick him to the ground when he doesn't want to move.

He has only been in a moving trailer twice in his 18 years. The first time, when we got him, we had to pick him up and set him in the trailer. He promptly sat down like a dog. 75miles later when we went to unload him, he was still sitting like a dog. The last time he was loaded onto the trailer was when we moved here from our old house. He had grown up and was too big to pick up. We had moved every animal we own and only had Arkady, Zippy and Cactus to load and leave for our new home. Arkady and Zippy walked right onto the trailer. There was no convincing Cactus to get on that death trap and we tried everything. We spent a long time trying to get him in the trailer with the very patient horses. Donnie said that our house's new owner was going to get a free donkey with the house. We finally hooked Cactus up to a long line around his rump and wenched him into the trailer as the sun was setting. He saw his new home for the first time in the dark.

Still raining here. Everything is super saturated. It's supposed to stop tonight. One can hope..... My riding lesson will have to be cancelled for tomorrow, the arena will never dry up enough before then.

Ark when I first saw the cartoon above, I chuckled, but then my immediate thought was, awww, they must be terrified! there goes christmas! my mind isn't always working quite right.....
Sorry you r getting our rain.....its still muddy and soggy here....

Trudy, it is sad. do you hear anything about your GSON?

I have to fast this morning for some blood tests.....ugh.......but the sun is trying to shine so its not doom and gloomy outside.

I filed my report so I can get that bill off of my name.....ihave groceries and dogfood and grain for 3 weeks or so.....and barn has 8 more big squares, 850 lbs each....so I'm ready for his surgery and winter to come.....don't know if I am truuuuuuly ready, but ill just pretend I am.

CB
The rain has finally stopped, but now we are having 40 mph windgusts. And it is cold. But it's not snowing!!!

The cartoon in the logo space doesn't bother me, I figure Santa and reindeer got where they were going a little faster. However, the more I look at the old photo of Santa and the donkey, the more it creeps me out! Look at his eyes!! Worse still, look at the donkey' s feet. They are on little platforms. This is a stuffed donkey and a psycho Santa. I hope the parents of the little girl didn't pay much for this photo....


No lesson for me today. Donnie is home for a couple of days from work on vacation. He is busy working on his dissertation. The end may be in sight. He is going to take off more of his vacation time and try to get it done. It has been a long haul for him. Building a house and working 60+ hours a week hasn't helped much.

Gotta go clean the barn...in the windy cold.

I never thought about it being a stuffed donkey, but it probably is. I thought the things on his feet were supposed to be something like snow shoes. The photo appears to have been taken a day or two before digital photography was developed. So, Santa's expression would be somewhat less predictable.

We had very light snow last night, but it has melted off this morning. It was dark and gloomy early, but the sun has come out which helps.

Going to the casino for breakfaszt with my cousins this morning and play some penny slots....wish me luck!

Went to dr. appt. yesterday and now go back monday for some test results.....wish me luck there too, tia.

tomorrow is big christmas western gifts, tack, and horse auction....good prices and all day entertainment....we know we will be limited to house and pt for a month so we r storing up on the things to do now! lol.

have a great weekend y'all

CB, I hope that the recovery from the knee surgery won't be as bad or as long as you are anticipating. But, better to be prepared for the worst and then be surprised with the best.

CB, Harry will hurt after his surgery but they will make him get right up.......not walking just "up". The first week is rough, after that each day a bit better, inch by inch. The PT is bloody wicked at first.......but one day all of a sudden everything works. The pay off is his knee will be great once healing is complete.
The PT therapy is the most i important part of recovery..........

All I remember is it all takes the time it takes..................Harry is tough, he'll do well.

They told him he would be up walking the same day...ouch in my book. he will go to pt4 times a week at first....he can't stand pain...such a wussey....its gonna be tough! but we will muddle thru....doc says no long trips for 3 months...short ones ok tho. pt for 8 to 12 weeks.....so it will be awhile....I hope he does well.

Well we lost 10 dollars each....played for 5 hours, when our money was gone we left....it was nice to see cousins and catch up.

We got up at 4 am....yawnnnnn....going to have an early night......

Sweet dreams y'all.

I have "retired" once again ... THIRD time from same job!! My medical card for my Commercial Drivers License expired the day before T-giving. I "failed" my med. exam due to blood pressure and vision issues. I grinned REAL BIG when the lady doc. told me "NO" and I offered to "hug your neck". NC requires a valid/current med card to go with your CDL even if NOT driving a commercial vehicle. ... Therefore my COMMERCIAL rating was dropped. I cannot drive a "commercial" vehicle on the public highway any more. I believe now for a renewal I would have to start over and at my age I just don't care about it anymore. I'm HAPPY!!

Now ... My BP issues are being tended to with meds and NO STRESS from driving. Only was "moderate" anyway and I probably could have begged for a short term extension, but quite happy to be off the road. I'm going to get my cataract(s) "fixed" after the first of the year.

I'll find something to do around here ... can ALWAYS work on "cleaning my shop". I have several projects I can work / tinker with if / when I have gumption enough!! LOL!!

SWMBO has briefly mentioned planning another trip ... possibly to Nova Scotia and maybe (??) on up to Iceland. No reminder needed ... we ALL have a dear friend in NS that I would love to meet ... "known" her for over 15 years. We will make every effort to meet this lady if able to put together this trip.

SWMBO ... She Who Must Be Obeyed!!

I had a rather "interesting" experience recently in SC. I have been making regular trips into Georgetown (on the coast) and then from there up to Darlington / Florence. The flooding this summer did some road damage and our regular route from G'twn to Dar. had a few "detours"... all this was on rural / secondary roads. I've been watching one set of barricades and noted that they finally had been pulled aside ... completely off the road ... but not removed. (The barricades had been in place on Tuesday and were pulled aside on Thursday). I went through the intersection and drove several miles till another intersection and set of barricades. This second set was also pulled aside and off the road and I continued on my way. The THIRD set of barricades was across the road at a creek / stream and I could see where "cars" had driven around. While I was stopped and pondering the "Do I or Don't I .. ?" question a car came through and stopped to tell me "NO ... you can't make it around / across!!".. Long story made short ... with NO PLACE to turn around, I had to BACK UP on this narrow road for over 1 1/2 mile to #2 barricades / intersection. I'm not the best at backing 18 wheeler, but I sure got in plenty of practice that day. I did NOT make Darl. for my load time and had to spend the night!! I DID have a good dinner date with ROSE. I got home around noon on Friday instead of planned Thursday nite!!

Please keep in touch and have a safe and Merry Christmas with family and dear friends.

Love,
Rick

Oh. My. Gosh. So much has gone on since I've been able to visit back around Turkey Day. I normally go in to work a little early to have some quiet time before things get really crazy for the day and that is when I check in. Unfortunately I did something really stupid and accidently deleted my short cut to this site. And then I couldn't find you! AACCKKK. Weird things (not in a good way) going on at work. I may be looking for new employment in the next year. Ownership has changed and owner that is now sole owner (use to be 3 owners) is bringing in family members that know nothing about financial planning and paying them mega bucks at the expense of long time employees.

I'm all caught up on on the happenings here. Happy belated birthday ELLEN. Glad you made it home safely CB if not rested. And glad to hear that you are retiring once again RICK.

Count down to Christmas... 20 days and Go!

Congrats again, RICK!
Hopefully this retirement sticks! That shop has got to finally be finished so you can come organize ours . I am very glad you are officially done with truck driving.
Are you going to get your eyes corrected when you have the cataracts removed? I am still amazed at being able to see so well after having that done.

INDYAPP
I am sorry to hear about your workplace takeover. It sounds like they will run the business into the ground if they aren't careful. It's so awful being in the middle of something like that. Try not to let it stress you too much. I think I would be looking around for other places to work...


CB
I am really watching Harry's knee surgery recovery. It is probably in Donnie's future. Please keep us updated. I hope he totally recovers fast and is out there doing fun, painless things soon.

GRAYMARE
Any Christmas activities for your kid group? The local 4h troop girls were in the Christmas parade yesterday, riding mostly Arabian horses. They were so excited to be there. Their leader posted some happy kid pix on Facebook.

Donnie is making progress with his dissertation! I am hearing happy noises about it from him. He stays holed up in his messy little office working on it for hours on end. This is good. He had writer's block with it for awhile, but is back in the zone now!

ARK, Im in. I WAS in November, rofl.

Donna

ARK ... from what I (mis)understand, I'll probably need "dimestore" reading glasses.  I'm NOT so vain as to be opposed to wearing glasses.  I've been to an ophthalmologist ... and actually have surgery scheduled in Jan., ... but I'm going to get a "second opinion" about procedures and $$$$.  I am NOT paying $1200 per eye for a procedure that is NOT covered by Medicare. gggrrrrrr!!

"MY SHOP" probably will never be totally clean / organized.  If it were, I'd have nothing to do and nowhere to do it!! lol!!

Its been cool / cold enough here to have the stove fired.  Makes me glad to know I still have probably 5 years worth of wood cut/split/stacked in the dry

Later...

There you are, Donna!   So how is your world today??  

RICK
 I have to wear cheapo reading glasses to read, but don't have to spend  $500+  for glasses to generally see the world.  My insurance paid for the cataracts in both eyes, I had to pay the extra for the corrective lenses.  That came to about the cost of two sets of glasses for me with my super nearsightedness and astigmatism.  Good deal!  I can get reading glasses for five bucks.  I still am amazed sometimes, I can see things I never could before.  And if I break or lose my glasses, no big deal.


Got groceries.  Now I have to clean the barn.....

Morning Foops,

RICK, we could go together in Jan., I have an appointment on the 25th for my right eye. Not backing out of this as I find it hard to see the fine print on the computer, have to enlarge it all the time. On the other hand, anything to do with my eye makes me want to puke. He said that they give a sedative so probably won't be too bad. YUK. Hate the thoughts but really do want to see,

We have to pay up front, think it is $250.00, before they will do the surgery. That is paid to the hospital. Glasses are covered a little by our insurance.

ARK, I have been busy getting my Christmas stuff in order. I hate last minute rushing and wanted to get everything done by last weekend. (Didn't happen) Jack and I put the tree up on Sat without any major blows. Still undecorated, sitting naked in the corner. There were two strands of lights out and Lordy knows where to start looking for the problem so I got a string of 100 lights that we had for outside, draped them in the branches and there you have it. VOILA. Tree looks fine. The Girls usually decorated the tree for me but neither one will be home before the 17th so I guess it is up to me to do it. Allison was home this weekend but only saw her for short visits.

Have made four gumdrop cakes and one cherry pound cake, need to do two more gumdrop as I give them away to relatives and friends. I bring one to Halifax with us for John and family and Ill bring one to Jacks Aunt Barb who has lots of company and is visually impaired. I make all my big cakes in a tube pan so they can split it in two and freeze half.

Need to make shortbread cookies and pork pies (Cape Breton style) not meat, (its dates.) Delicious. Have OES tomorrow night and should make some for there so if I have any ambition tonight I will make a double batch.

Time to get moving. Rudi had me up at 5:45 so I stayed up. Ill hop in the shower now and get my day started.

All have a good one.

DONNA
You do make the most delicious sounding Christmas goodies! Yum!

I had my eyes done two weeks apart. The place was like an assembly line, patients all lined up, but was very well organized. They did give some kind of sedatives, the procedure didn't bother me a bit. I had to put drops in my eyes for a few weeks, but didn't have any problems or pain. Easiest medical thing I ever did and not having to wear bottle-bottom thick glasses ever again is miraculous. For the first time in my life, I can wear off the shelf sunglasses! I never thought I would be grateful for cataracts, but having them let me get the corrective lenses implant and really improved my life. I went from not being able to see the big E at the top of an eyechart, to being able to read the fine print at the bottom of the chart without glasses.


I had the nicest ride on Ivan last night, just as the sun was setting. Weather has kept me from riding for a couple of weeks, but he was so willing and cheerful. We practiced a little on our turning without touching the reins. He did very well! Ivan seems to think about whatever we did last and improves on it the next ride. Sunset used to be when he would see monsters everywhere and be spooky, but last night he was Mr. Mellow.

Whew! It was a busy weekend. Saturday morning, I left early to make a hair cut appointment, then went shopping for a few hours with my cousins, stayed overnight with one of them. Then, on Sunday, I went to Ohio for a cousin-in-law's 80th birthday. I stitched an old Ford tractor on a sweatshirt for him. Decided to stay overnight so that I could stop at stores in Ft. Wayne on the way home. Which I did. Got a little more of my Christmas shopping done.
Tomorrow, I'll get the tree and decorations down out of the garage attic and get started on the tree.

About the eyes... For several years now, I've worn what I call geezer contacts. One eye is corrected for distance back to middle distance. The other eye is set for very near out to middle distance. That works great for me. About a year and a half ago, the eye doctor told me that I have the very beginnings of cataracts but probably won't need to do anything about it for 7 or 8 years. BUT, when I do, he said I can have it done so that I have the same correction I do with the contacts and probably won't even need reading glasses.
I've been wearing contacts for 52 years. Wearing glasses is not my idea of a good time.

Indy, it is always so discouraging when the people who run a business decide not to do it well. If they do it badly enough, all those know-nothing relatives will lose their paychecks too when the company goes out of business. I hope you can find another place to work that will appreciate your expertise and experience.

Rick, I'm glad to hear that you are off the road again. You will have the cleanest, most well-organized shop in North Carolina.

ELLEN writes: "Rick, I'm glad to hear that you are off the road again. You will have the cleanest, most well-organized shop in North Carolina."

MY response: Ain't a-gonna happen...I got to have somewhere to go and "SOMETHING" to do when I get there.

ELLEN
Welcome home! Sounds like you had a good time! I just have a couple more things to shop for, then I will be done. My tree is still in storage, though.

Donnie and I are going to look at a new to us horse trailer tomorrow. I found it on Craigslist. It's about 70 miles from here, above Roanoke. It's an aluminum gooseneck 2 horse trailer with a fiberglass roof. The pix look nice. The owner is a retired endurance rider whose hip replacements have not turned out well.

Keep fingers crossed!!