Another Trip Around The Sun

Hello Friends!

I'm doing this post more for myself than for public viewing, so if you get bored, I understand! It's been about 10 days since my birthday, and staying as busy as I do, I seldom have time to reflect on things, so I guess that's kind of what I'm doing today. Not that I'm not busy today, believe me, I am...just having a little bit of self doubt these days. I am hoping that if I make a list of things that I have learned and/or accomplished this year, that maybe I won't feel so bad about things. And if I put it here, I'll be able to look back at it...

So here goes... (I'm doing this from memory...trying to get it on a month by month basis, and will most likely be adding to it for some time.)

*I learned how to plan and execute a baby shower. I also learned how to make several new crafty decorations, and did everything by hand. It was a ton of work, but saved us a fortune! Learning how to make diaper cakes and baby bootie nut cups may never come in handy, but I know how to do it.

*I learned how to demolish a room without tearing the whole house down. It's a lot of work, but in the end, I did learn how to do it!

*I learned how to install exterior doors, trim and all, in an existing hole. Crooked, unlevel, existing hole. It was no easy task, that's for sure.

*I discovered that I am afraid of circular saws. Love jigsaws, handsaws, and reciprocating saws. Petrified of circular saws.

*I have become the master of the drill. Drilling and screwing. No problemo!

*I have learned that the only thing that will keep your car between the ditches in the winter is patience. I have none.

*No matter how much I love the snow, it still has to be shoveled, and that I don't like. I will like it even less this year, now that we have 2 horses to care for, and a realllllly long walk to shovel to get to Dakota.

*I learned that I can keep up with the housework. IF I don't have anything else to do. For 4 months, I managed to keep my house spotless, the laundry done, and the kids in clean cages. After that it was downhill to say the least.

*I learned that my Mom and Dad are packrats. The hard way!

*I managed to get the farm in decent shape this year, that's a major milestone. Cleaning out one of the barns led to the previous list item.

*I built a stall for Dakota.

*I learned the basics of conditioning horses. I knew a lot of it already, but have learned much more now that I'm actually doing it.

*I learned how to treat horses for Thrush. Not fun...but very handy to know.

*I learned how to vaccinate horses.

*I learned how to build a corral.

*I have learned and I am still learning the basics of caring for my horses hooves. That is trimming and rasping and frog-maintenance. Very glad I'm learning!

*I learned how prepare and seal a blacktop driveway. Again, not fun...

*I learned how much work painting trim on a house can be. Ugh...Harbor Sky blue....

*I learned how to properly caulk windows and doors. After I totally screwed up the first one :(

*I learned that when you do for people, do NOT expect them to greatful, most of the time, it doesn't happen. When it does, be surprised!

*I have discovered that in order to do what I want to do, I have to go without sleep. I don't get that much anyway, but I manage.

*I learned that organization is not a strong point for me, and I am no longer fighting it.

*I have learned that a bad situation can produce something good, since the barn was burned, we have made several friends in the neighborhood. It's nice to see a smiling face once in a while when we're at the farm.

*Every year, I wonder more and more why I bother decorating for the holidays. I learned this year that I have special decorations with a lot of memories, and that is why I do it.

*I built Dakota's barn doors all by myself. Yes, I'm proud of that! They aren't small and it wasn't easy, but I did it. The doors measure 6' wide X 12' tall, and 7' wide x 12' tall.

*We hung new runners for the barn doors, and got them up. It was a coooold windy day that we decided to do that, and it was difficult. So glad we got it done when we did, as it snowed and blowed 2 days later. Kept the snow out of the barn!

*We installed our 2nd garage door in 5 years. The first one was new, this one is new to us. (Used, but in GREAT shape!) Thank you to our wonderful neighbors for giving us their old door when they got their new one. We really wouldn't have been able to afford one this year.

*I have learned that I have a great lot of wants in life, and no idea how to achieve them. What a horrible feeling.

*I have learned that we can make due with the slimmest budget ever. Although, things look grim now, I am sure they will get better. Hopefully close to normal.

*I spent many hours shopping for the perfect thing, only to realize that it still sucks.

*I have come to despise plow trucks. I can't for the life of me understand why they think it is best to plow roads down to a sheet of ice rather than leave snow on them.

*There are times in my life when I have to stay away from other people. I can't deal with everything without losing my mind. I have been put through the paces for the past few months and I'm having a really hard time dealing with it. I just can't manage to keep my foot out of my mouth when I'm overstressed.

*We cut windows in both barns for the horses and framed them out. We still have to attach the plexiglass for them to keep the weather out, but they are sooooo enjoying them! Cherokee especially, as everyone in the neighborhood is officially wrapped around his little hoof. Sheesh, he's spoiled rotten!


To be continued....(I'm sure there's more, I just can't think of anything else right now!)