Dream Vision Board

Here is a picture of my current Vision Board. I made it on Oprah.com which was very easy to do. This vision board is full of images of my current dreams. Enjoy! I made one almost a year ago, today I tweaked it a little to fit with my current dreams, passions and purpose!

Anna Mae Gold has a wonderful blog, here is the post she shared that explains the developing of a Vision Board if you would like more information. http://annamaegold.blogspot.com/2011/11/vision-board.html

                                               


                                                   Enjoy and thank you for visiting!

Dakota

Yesterday at 2:22 my buddy Dakota crossed over. Loving him enough to set him free from the pain was not easy for me. I felt that I had let him down. Yet, I know I did all I could to help him live a happy long life. My vet said he lived the longest with diabetes of any diabetic dog he had seen or heard about. So, I must have done something right. He was almost 14 years old. He had a tumor that my vet felt was from the first surgery he  had years ago after a brutal dog attack, by the neighbors dog, while we were bringing in horses from pasture, on our own property. He lost 70% of his pancreas at that time and suffered lots of internal damage. At that time, my vet called me and asked me if I wanted to let him go to sleep. I said, "NO, I had not said good bye yet!" That was the summer of 2003. Yesterday I said, "good-bye, until we meet again! Go soar with the eagles, buddy!"

Dan said, "I see him chasing deer or following the horses in from the pasture!"

"Yes, he will travel along by my side again, as I do chores and ride the trails!"

For after he was diagnosed with diabetes it was not long before he lost his sight. Interestingly, I did not realize it until he ran into the post by the gate to the barn. He was such a brave dog, who went to the barn with me until I finally noticed and realized he was not safe to go with me anymore.

Dakota had guided us in from a dark trail safely the summer before. We were in Custer SD. We had just arrived and decided to go for a quick ride before dark. Dakota went with us, he wore an electric collar that blinked when it was on. This helped him to keep his mind on staying with us and not running off on a deer trail. Long story that I will share another day. Anyway, he followed along behind us as always, as we made our way out of the campground we had stayed at many times in the past. We rode out a couple miles, turned around and came back the same way we went out. I knew my way and was not at all worried about the impending darkness. We were about a half mile from the campground when Dakota took the lead and veered off onto a not so well trodden trail about 25 feet before the trail Jewel, my horse and I wanted to take. Tatum's mule Molly followed Dakota. HMMM, that was odd. Dakota started to bark.. Hmm, that was odd too!

My daughter was not so confident in my memory, and said, "MOM, Molly and Dakota KNOW IT IS THIS WAY BACK! I think we need to go this way!"

"OK," I finally gave in, as I knew it was the same woods, just a different trail. It was VERY dark in the woods, Dakota's blinking light guided us back to the trailer as it blinked on the ground in front of him. Everyone was so relieved when we saw the last of the sun's rays shining through the woods and our trailer was in sight.

The next morning, Dan and I went for a quick ride out on the same trail before the kids woke up. We had gone about 5 minutes into the woods, when I turned to Dan and said, LOOK at all the downed trees from the spring storm on the OTHER TRAIL! Had we taken that trail, we would have been in a lot of trouble in the dark... Dakota had insisted that we follow this trail, the safe one. WOW!"

When Dakota could no longer see, I became his eyes and guided him with my voice or with my hand to safety just as he did our family those many years ago through the woods to the safety of our trailer. What a gift he was to me... may you be at peace my friend. I love you so!

Fascinating Toad.

Yesterday I removed a rotten wooden step and moved a bunch of cement blocks around to make them into temporary steps leading out to the back yard. I have always had a fascination with toads and was delighted this spring when I noticed one living under the step. As I was moving the blocks around, I saw him hopping down the tunnel which once led to dirt under the now removed step. Now the tunnels all led to the cement wall under my dining room door. I did my best to make sure he could get out but was not sure if this new configuration would be pleasing to him or not. I knew however, it was safer for me, as I did not want to fall through the rotten step. That thought was just not a pleasant one to entertain for long.

Last night I mentioned my concern for the toad to my daughter, she said, "he will adapt." I thought that was a simple but wise thought and one I felt spoke of truth. So, today as I walked down the now sturdy steps, my curiosity about where he was living got to me. I went back into the house to get a flashlight and used the light to peer down each tunnel. I was disappointed as I could not see him in any of the tunnels made from the cement block.  All I saw were cobwebs, pebbles, dirt and that cement wall which certainly did not look very inviting for a toad. Each tunnel lead to a dead end with no land to settle himself into. I must say, I was a bit disappointed that I had not figured out a way to recreate a toad habitat yesterday.

After a moment or two, I thought, hmm I wonder if he is able to be safe under a board I had left near the steps.. so I picked it up and peered under it. No toad, hmmm, my instinct was to keep looking. I told you I was curious. We have a tall storage bin sitting on the ground next to the steps that I carefully picked up. Sure enough, there was the toad, all snuggled into the dirt under this bin. I was filled with joy and peace knowing he had indeed adapted as I carefully replaced the bin on top of him.

Sometimes we have to adapt to changes in our life just like this toad. Ahhh, don't you just love the lessons we learn from listening to whispering hearts!

Silver Bell, first day home... 14 weeks old... a Water Hound! Portuguese Water Dog - Walker Hound cross.

I took this picture at 3:00 pm today. Dan just uncovered her and plugged her
in. I will send a long another picture of her uncovered... We have had a lot of
snow today!

Boys will be boys!

Boys will be boys, this is Ollie on the left and Hawk on the right... they are playing in the blizzard. Lots of rearing, biting, running, bucking and kicking... lots of fun has been had by all of them!

Charm!

I love this picture of Charm standing over Jewel!

First snow fall of the 2010-11 winter. She sure has not changed much, has she?

I think he is cute with a huge blaze of white! Reminds me of that phrase, "GOT MILK?"

CUTE BOY!

Our funny horse Hawk.

Hawk enjoyed his first snow of the year. He just cracks us up.

Bright Color, Please!

When life becomes the unexpected, what do you do?

Getting sick at the beginning of a life changing opportunity has caused me to feel feelings I had not wanted to feel again. I feel sad, I feel a dream opportunity has been lost, again.

I am trying to see the positive in this moment. I am looking for that glimmer of gold that comes from looking deep into a situation... There must be a nugget here for me to hold onto!

I was so looking forward to starting Charm with Farrah's guidance. I was so looking forward to playing, working and writing about my experience. I had to give that up because I could not breath.

I was talking to a friend today and in the conversation I said, "I wonder if I had taken some allergy meds before I left, if I would have gotten sick?" Hind-site!

18 months ago a Dr suggested I start taking allergy medication by March 15th. He thought that if I did this I might avoid the spring cold/asthma attacks that plagued me most years. He is the one who told me that I am suffering from allergy induced asthma, until than I was always told it was a cold induced asthma. It never occurred to me that I may suffer an allergy/asthma attack this time of year. I don't know what exactly caused it either. Which is also frustrating! Was it this, this or that? Was it a combination of things? How do I avoid this in the future?

All I know is that today,  I am sad, disappointed and frustrated because I was forced to give up on a dream opportunity.

As my body heals from this "event" I will find another "door" to open somewhere, which will lead me to another adventure, even better than what was behind the door that was just shut. Now, I just need to start looking for that door.... If you see it, please paint it a very BRIGHT color so I don't miss it!

Moving Forward

I have decided that even though I started this blog for my trip to SD, I am going to continue it. Writing is an experience that comes from my heart. It is a gift of sorts that others have always encouraged me to do and share.  So, I am moving forward with my writing.

While Charm and I were gone, Dan put Hawk in with Jewel. They were fine in the barn. They had been together for 2 weeks a couple hours a day out in the pasture, but they had been separated when they came back into the barn/track system. Since, Jewel and Hawk were being really good barn buddies, I decided that Charm could just go in with them. Interestingly, she was way to tired to be rude when I put her in with Jewel and Hawk. Jewel moved her away from Hawk and stayed between the two for some time. This morning they were all playing together, running, bucking, biting each other on the butt and running around on the tracks. It is so good to have this herd established before winter arrives.

I am feeling much better with my meds on board. Having an allergy/asthma attack is NOT FUN. Now my lungs/throat/sinuses need time to heal.

Humm, still licking and Chewing...

Long story short, I am BACK from SD. I went out, I got sick, came back... Charm was a gem... a little RBI in the trailer, she was blinking, calm, quiet, but she did not want to eat any treats... just dropped them... it was a 4 hour trip each way... she stabled with a strange horse and came RUNNING to me every time I checked on her... Even calling out to me when she heard my voice... All and all a very different experience than I expected, but a good one.

99.9% Packed

YES, I have done it, I am ready! Well, as ready as I am going to be tonight. Just a few odds and ends to toss in tomorrow AM. Then load up Charm and we are headed west.

I trimmed 3 dogs and 2 horses today too. The others will be OK until my return. Dan made steak and squash for my last night at home. What a guy... It will be up to me to cook for myself while I am on my adventure. That in itself will be very interesting...

Time for dinner! Gotta go! I am leaving at 9 AM tomorrow morning! Next post will be from SD!

Packing/Laughing

I am packing and laughing, cause the comment my good friend made to me a week or so ago, "Pack a weeks worth of cloths," keeps going through my head! Yea right... a weeks worth of Fall cloths, Riding cloths, and Winter cloths... equals 3 weeks worth of cloths... along with shoes, boots, gloves, hats and jackets. What a hoot... but, I am finally starting to put things in BAGS... OH MY I am really going!

Planning/Packing

How does one plan to be gone from home for 2-8 weeks, with their horse? What do I take. What do I need? What will I forget? What can I do to help make life easier for my wonderful husband Dan, who will be home with the rest of the herd, cats and dogs?

I have made lists, and bought essentials. I have bought Nibble Nets to hopefully streamline feeding and help the horses to eat like they do all summer 24/7 on the tracks. As I will not be home to throw hay out more often.

I have washed everything I can think of and started packing. The trailer is clean, with food, minerals, salt, Saddle, 12, 22, hackamore, bareback pad, saddle, pad etc all ready to go.

Where am I headed? I am headed to Baltic SD to spend time with Farrah Green my 3 Star Parelli Instructor and friend, for 2-8 weeks. I will be the Temporary Office Manager, while Heartland Venture's Office Manager is out on Maternity leave.

I am excited and open to the adventure that lies ahead for Charm and I. I always say that when Farrah comes into my life, that it is "life changing." I am ready for the next leg of my adventure.

I THINK!

I leave on Sunday for the 3.5 hour drive to Baltic SD.