Foaling Around...

It's been an lucky/unlucky year for foaling. I've had premature births, detached placentas, and stuck foals. Only 3out of 5 lived, and the vet doesn't know why- but the ones I did get are FABULOUS and I'm so pleased with the crosses!

Welsh pony mare "Princess Gretchen" and her colt "Hawkmeadows Knight Charger"

Hawkmeadows Elora Danan- Welsh pony/Thorobred cross- named after the princess in the movie "Willow"

"Chewy" is the foal that was premature and as a result had ligament problems- he had surgery in july to close off the growth plates on one side (they had been compressed) and alow the other side to catch up. I was going to put him down, but a friend who owns the pasture they were in for the spring fell in love with Chewy (he has the most loveable personality!) and insisted on paying for the surgery. We hope and pray it works.

My New Best Friend...

So when I got back from boston I was at a birthday party for Cari (Happy 30th!) and was wearing sandals when my kids noticed my ankle. "Mom! What's wrong with your ankle! (etc, etc.)" I had sprained it back in April and hobbled around for a few weeks then finally the swelling went down enough I could put a lace-up boot on and just basically tried to ignore the pain. I never went to the Doc's to get an x-ray, just figured it was a bad sprain. Well, it was still hurting 3 months later and still very swollen, so I went to the doctor. I had broken it- and he sent me to get an MRI- I had ripped tendons and ligaments. So he put me in this boot/splint thing (he really wants me to have surgery- but that's over $7,000- and I have "0" insurance.)

So this is my new best friend. I only take it off at night and to shower. I have to say I was VERY depressed the day I got it. Not only am I alone, taking care of ranch & businesses, but I can't even take advantage of Tom to wait on me "hand & foot!" I've had to let alot go- baby foals haven't been properly handled/halter trained, my yard looks like a jungle, fortunately neighbors have come from time to time to help mow, edge, move hay for me, invite me to dinner, etc. I actually got so exhausted (I was only sleeping 4 hours a night) that I basically had a physical breakdown. I couldn't stand up for longer than 15 minutes without getting dizzy/sick to my stomach. I was having hotflashes all the time and couldn't function. A good friend made me cancel anything I didn't absolutely have to do and helped me for a week so I could rest up. I still went to work, but I didn't stress over things- I've learned my lesson- not more type A personality (if I can help it.)

But seriously, I have play rehersal (I'm the director- I have to be there!) I'm so impressed with this group of kids- they are well behaved and awesome!!! So talented- I'm excited for our production of "The best Christmas Pageant Ever." It's a great story to read with your kids- funny and also brings home the true spirit of Christmas. Anyone who wants to come see it we are opening Thanksgiving weekend (I'll even throw in a Turkey dinner on Thanksgiving!)

Sage loves to come to the office with me most days. If she doesn't want to come she'll hang back on the porch- but if she wants to come she goes to the back of the truck and waits for me to say "Get in the back" and then jumps in the bed of the truck!

He's Homesick & I'm Tomsick

I finally have a minute to catch this blog up- needless to say it's been CRAZZZYYY!

So I'll post some pictures from my first trip back there to Boston area in July- we went to the Hill Cumorah Pageant, drove up into Canada and did a "drive-by viewing" of Niagra Falls

and drove down to Susquehannah River/Harmony PA (but it's not called that anymore) and went to Church there in a cute little old fashioned church that the Branch uses until they get their Ward building next year.

Stopped in a little town for the night in new York State and watched the final Harry Potter movie in a theater with maybe 30 other people!

And went to Plymouth, MA where we saw "the rock" but more interestinly connected my geneaology to a passenger (Edward Doty) on the Mayflower, (there had always been the family talk of it- but no big deal made about it).