Winding Down the Year

My sister has been visiting which compels me to actually do stuff and not sit around reading blogs most of the day. Subsequently I've only managed to read an entry here and there and have lost track of what everyone has been up to.

She and I had a very nice, relaxing Christmas. There's been too much food but that's about par for the course. I keep apologizing to the horse and promising him that I will get back on track after the beginning of the year. I've been working on the sitting trot and actually rode about a 20 meter circle without bouncing. I just love it when I do something right.

I hate arthritis. I got a prescription from my doctor. It helps but I'm still so stiff most of the time. I'm trying to do my walk at home DVD and I also received a yoga DVD for Christmas that I need to stop ignoring.

My brother passed on his old Kindle to me and I'm reading my first book using it. I am so glad that it times out since I tend to fall asleep while reading in bed. It's also neat because it remembers where I stopped reading so I'm not losing my place all the time.

My sister flies home this Saturday but will be moving up to live with me sometime next year. It will be nice to have her here.

I'm sorry to see that some of my favorite bloggers mention that they may quit writing after this year. I will miss reading their thoughts and activities.

I wish everyone health and happiness in 2014 and beyond.

Holiday Eating Tips

1. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You cannot find it any other time of year. Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip?

2. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on.

3. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

4. Chocolate, apple, sweet potato, mincemeat, pumpkin. Have a slice of each. If you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert?

5. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's Day. You can do that in January. Now it's time for circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food.

Welcoming Committee

On my front lawn when I arrived home from the grocery store. I could tell Bart had been barking at them as he was all worked up. Now that I'm home he's not worrying about them any more. Who's the watchdog here anyway?

Lesson Learned

Never use a cotter pin when a bobby pin will do.

Hope everyone's having a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Idle Paws

Winston has been busy digging and shredding plants, despite the ground being frozen.


Who, me? I've been lying here the whole time. Bart must have done it even though he's been inside with you...

White Whiskers

No, not Santa but the horses at the barn. It was -10 at my house and they said it was -17 at the barn. If it wasn't so dang cold I'd take pictures but I'm afraid the temperature would kill my camera while it sat around waiting for me to finish my lesson. Anyway, all the horses had frozen whiskers and they're getting pretty fuzzy. One of my favorite Haflingers is especially cute. Somebody told me he was mean but I find him very affectionate. He will put his head against my chest and nibble at my shirt while I rub all over his face and neck.

Oh crap, I see the wind is blowing which means it's even colder than what the thermometer is reading. I need to do a few outside chores so guess I'll bundle up extra warm.

Guilt is a great motivator. I would loved to have stayed in my fleece pajamas under my fleece sheets but I have dogs and birds to take care of. That's about the only thing that will get me out of bed on days like this.

Slippery Slope

The title of this post describes my driveway. It took me four attempts to get up it yesterday in a front-wheel drive sedan. I was just going to the bank of mailboxes to mail a bill that was coming due. The mailman hadn't delivered the mail yet and I didn't go back. Now I'm debating whether I should go check the mail before today's delivery just in case the box is full. I could check it a second time for today's when I leave for my riding lesson.

It rained fairly hard on Sunday and turned to snow later that evening. Makes for a lovely ice base.
Today I'm breaking out the 4-wheel drive truck. Enough of the slip and slide nonsense.

I spent hours on the phone yesterday. I love that people are concerned about me but I'm developing cauliflower ear. I ended up putting the phone on speaker and ripping out some cross stitch mistakes I had made when trying to talk and cross stitch at the same time. I can't walk and chew gum so I don't know what made me think I could do both simultaneously.

Every day I try to sort through a few of my husband's things to be either tossed, sold or donated. It seems overwhelming since he never threw anything away. Ladies, don't let your sons grow up to be hoarders. Of course, he would be facing the same dilemma with my crafting supplies had I gone first. We were both pretty clueless about the other's interests. I am not even going to attempt to deal with his tools without the help of friends. First the stuff in the house, then the shop.