So, this year, I have TWO horses (not one, but TWO- and neither is a 2 year old ASB) living in one stall, with my other stall as a hay stall. When your hay shed blows over in the winter, then you revert to plan A. I have no arena, no place to ride, two buddy sour horses who are nuts, and... I'm surprisingly less stressed than I was last year. If my Blog is anything to judge by. Don't get me wrong, there might be moments when I look like a stressball, but overall, I'm super excited about my arena coming in next month, and.. this little hiatus is just what I needed. Time off to remind myself WHY I like riding. And.. Sherwood is getting next winter off. It was so much easier this winter just.. not worrying about keeping her going every day.
Also, I found a trainer for the Andi-bug that we love, and.. I'm hedging my bets in case things go like they look like they might with Jess Halliday. It seems so awful to me to be looking for a trainer in case my "younger than me" trainer dies of cancer. I feel like a real asshole, but at least I'm a prepared real asshole, right? And besides, I just didn't want to bring him to Jess- since she was the one who effectively told Jenna about him. A degree of separation, yah? Did I mention I'm getting an arena next month?? Soooo excited!!
On the other hand, there are major improvements going on in the house this year! It's amazing what not taking weekly lessons, XC schooling, monthly board, riding daily, etc. can free you up to do! Financially AND time-wise. This new job is very very handy for getting stuff done. So.. bathroom upstairs is demo'd to the studs, the subfloor is getting replaced, I have the tile for the shower and floor picked out. I also have some gorgeous flowers planted- ALL of my flowers that I bought have been put into the ground! All my bulbs, and I even got some seeds started!! This year has been amazing- no watching sad wilty plants die just because I'm too tired to put them in the ground after work, projects actually getting done, it's awesome! Sadly, I think a lot of it is because my mom has been trading off days here and days at her house, so we get the big stuff done.. But she starts work in 2 weeks. So sad!!
Logan started his new job at Dudley Highway Dept and has been working there for about a month now, and.. It's better for him. He has health insurance and benefits- woot!- time off with pay and sick time! They don't kill him physically like Hilltop was, he's getting a solid 40 hours a week, and he hangs out with the guys from work... It really has been a good move for him. I'm so happy he's feeling better about his career, and he has been way more.. pleasant to be around lately.