2019 - what to say about this year? I always get my hopes up about a new year and then my plans don't always align with what life throws at me. 2019 was a year of rebuilding and moving forward, after our crappy 2016-2017 and tentative "things might be ok" year in 2018.
In March,
we spent 2 weeks in Hawaii and it was fantastic. It was a big trip for us to celebrate our 20th anniversary (May 2019) and to celebrate the hubby's recovery from cancer in 2016. Maui has kind of ruined every other beach vacation location - Cuba, the DR, Mexico? Pffft. I'd rather save up and go to Maui. We'll see if we ever get back there - the cost and the logistics of a trip like that are hard with the little farm of creatures that I seem to be collecting.
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| An attempt at an artsy photo. West Maui |
Then, also in March,
I sprained my ankle. Or so I thought. Turns out it was actually fractured. Which explained why it hurt like hell for months. Ahem. Anyhoo, the lesson here is to trust your gut that something more is wrong and insist on an x-ray.
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| I spent a lot of time watching the horses from the window. Fred and Copper had fun playing. |
March through June were pretty quiet and low key, as I couldn't do much. I volunteered on the board for small show club and that slowly fell apart as no one would pull their weight. I resigned in September from that club and do not regret it one bit!
In June, I
took Fred to a schooling show, but my leg wasn't up for the task.
September was a bit melancholy - I had been pondering what to do with Spencer - retire him, sell him...? A solution presented itself with a
therapeutic riding center falling in love with him. He went to live there in September and is doing ok, by all reports I've been getting. I miss him a lot, but he is helping people that need it, so that makes it a bit easier.
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| Farewell, for now. |
In October,
I got a new cat! Archie was about 7 months old when we got him and he is fitting in well. He is super affectionate and playful and maybe a little bitey (!) and I'm so glad I got him. Does anyone know the # of cats that make you a crazy cat lady? Asking for a friend...
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| 3+1 = numb legs... lol |
Fred also had a rider up and was backed in October. Things haven't progressed to far in his under saddle training due to life, but I'm hoping to pick up where we left off over the winter.
October was also
the month of the new (used) truck and many, many purchases, including
paying for a stud fee to breed my friend's mare!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November rolled around and I went to Disneyworld for a week with my Mom and cousin. We had fun, but the place was PACKED with people, so that made things a bit tough. I enjoyed a lot of snacks, bought silly hats and got to see a lot of giraffes, so that sort of made up for it.
December is usually pretty quiet in my world. Mostly because it is dark and cold and we are all just trying to survive the weather and the holidays.
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| Snow and cold make for pretty sunrises |
Christmas is almost here, so I'm listening to my odd playlist and wrapping presents. I have to work over the holidays (not Xmas day and Boxing Day tho), but that is ok, since I had 2 big trips this year.
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| eclectic Christmas playlist |
I also take some time to start planning for the new year, without putting a lot of pressure on myself to drastically change things. I have to say, I'm kind of excited for what 2020 will bring. My hubby and I are finally starting to feel like we have our lives back and my anxiety is slowly fading away. I feel more like myself than I have since 2016 and that in itself is a very good thing.
