Exciting Photo Opportunity!

Just Sharing a great photo of Crystal and Joey that Grandma and her good friend Jane took today. Some of which may be used for an advertisement in the Tampa FL area. We shall see!!

Abigail eagerly waiting and listening to help

Horsey Stitches, No Stove and Colds

Last Friday night was a Doozy!

Joey freaked out while in the cross ties, we don't know why or what spooked him but he did a number on himself, ended up needed emergency stitches on his lip where he tore it. After 7 days the vet will come back and remove his stitches. The swelling has gone down and he's back to being his sweet self. For now we are not going to be putting back into the cross ties until we are able to get Crystal's trainer out here to work with him.

So after the Vet left and Joey was tucked in for the night I went to fix a fast dinner, it was late and we were tired, I was thinking about some tator tots/nuggets and a veggie. As I was waiting for the stove to heat up the element decides now is a good time to die. Alot of sparking, smoking and even though I turned off the oven in a panic, It kept going almost causing a fire! So fast forward to today, we are still without a stove, Landlady said one is supposed to be delivered sometime on Thursday..I'm thankful for my Crock-pot and our Grill. 

Last night I started to feel run down and had a slight sore throat so I went to bed early but this morning it's so much worse, every time I swallow it feels like I'm swallowing glass. Ouch!! 

I wanted to post every day in March but these past few days have run me down.

I'll be back with a Happier post in a few days, I have ton's of posts I want to do but have no energy to do them.

Horse Ownership, Take 2

Today was a very busy but delightful day!

It started with a little horse show that Crystal, our oldest was in.

She did real good, won 3 Ribbons and $2.00!

The other 2 stayed busy daydreaming or playing with whatever they could find,

Then to end the day We went to go visit our New Purchase,

Meet "Joey"

You will be seeing lots of him in the future. We are working on boarding right now so he is staying with his old Mommy for awhile.

This new Mommy (me) has to get used to nightly stall cleanings again!

I'm joining these fun parties~

Between Naps on the Porch

The Budweiser Clydesdales

The barn that we ride at here in FL had a couple of visitors this past week.

These Clydesdales are so majestic!

Here is a video if you have time to watch it, We got our pictures with the horses at the end.

Our 2 girls are taking lessons as you know, Son hasn't gotten bit by the horse bug yet, his thing is Lego's right now and recently MineCraft.

Abigail's lesson

Abigail's new purple helmet was delivered yesterday so next Sat. she gets to wear it to her lesson, She looks very nice in purple and we will def. be able to spot her in a crowd.

Crystal's jumping lesson

Crystal is jumping higher and higher with each lesson, just watching her makes me a nervous ninny. I'm a Worry-wort when it comes to our kids.

So that is where we are at every Sat. and we love being there, we have made some wonderful friends and the kids are learning new things that they will remember forever!

Christmas vacation is over and everyone is back to school/work. I'm trying to stay busy and deep clean since we were lazy for over 2 weeks. 

When do you start your De-cluttering/Spring cleaning? I'm wondering how others start this process or do you just keep at it all year long?

I'm joining in on these Parties~
No Minimalist Here

Searching for the Right Horse takes Time

We have decided that this year is a good time to add to our Family. We are searching for the perfect horse for us. He/She is out there but we are taking our sweet time about it. 

This past Sunday we looked at my Sister's horse named Farrah. She is a sweet horse. Great height for Crystal and Farrah is at a great age to join our Family.

Crystal and Farrah

Sweet Picture

All 3 kids with Farrah

Here is a short video of Crystal's Trainer riding Farrah

So there are some things that we need to discuss about Farrah, She is a fast horse and getting her to Stop is something that Crystal will need to work on. We are thinking of Leasing Farrah with the option to buy later. We would board her at the the Stables where the kids take riding lessons so every day we would be out there. I love the smell of being in a barn and miss it!

Decisions, Decisions

Fall Fun Days

Today at the stables was FALL FUN DAYS were there were hayrides, pony rides, pumpkin patch and yummy treats. Crystal was asked to help out all day with the Pony rides which she loves doing and has fun doing it! Abigail and Tank had Saddle Club for about an hour and are going to be able to earn badges after they pass tests and follow thru on activities. They both are learning alot about the different body parts of the Horse and how to act around Horses, ect. 6 weeks of learning the basics and then they will move on to Riding. Here are some pics of our long, fun filled day..I'm still learning my camera and enjoying it!

So many Stalls to be filled

Crystal waiting for another little rider

Fun water game

Learning at Saddle Club

FL Grass Maze

Ribbons earned and a Lunch break

Here is a video of our day if you would like to see more of the Horses.

I Hope your Saturday was just as Much Fun as Ours!!

Sunday Daydreams 2

Today finds us just laying around the house, Richard is sick and I'm coming down with it..fever,chills,cough and a sore throat, so far I just have a sore throat. While he takes a nap I'm folding laundry and sitting here watching Youtube while Crystal is off at the Stables helping with a big Birthday Party and the other 2 are playing games on their computer and watching silly shows on Disney. 

I'm going to try to join in on the Youtube "Vlogtober" where we film some sort of video every day in the month of October. Today is my 2nd day of filming and the vlog will be up later this evening. Here is our first one

You might need to go to my channel to view it, link is top right.

Today I'm Daydreaming about re-decorating our whole house. I'm just not getting very excited when I see pics of Country/Prim anymore. I find my eye really lights up when I see Cottage pics. I don't want a whole house full of Pottery Barn but this quilt is a Dream..

I just love this and it's top of my list and just keeps on growing! 

Do you have anything on your lists that your saving for? 

Horse'n Around with Foals!

This little girl was born the other day over at our neighbors.

She was a total surprise and she is a premie, such a little cutie!

Today she is stronger and very alert, she isn't afraid of us and I got to pet her for a few minutes.

It made me think of HOSS back in OH and oh How I do miss the old boy.

Maybe another Horse is in our future?

Sisters Forever part 1

Warning~Very scary, depressing bedroom...

In a few short days this space which is in a sad state since we gave my Mom her bedroom set back will be transformed into a shared space between 2 sisters 4 years apart.

We have ordered a Bedroom set from Rooms-to-Go (2 twin beds and 1 nightstand to go in the middle) which will be delivered this Wed.!

We have taken apart the built in tv stand the landlord left here as you can see from the soon to be filled in nail holes in the right hand corner. We are having the room painted and both girls have agreed on a Horse theme.

We have decided to turn this into a Blessing.

So I ask You for ideas on shared spaces between Sisters...this is a Journey we have never taken before since we have been lucky enough that the 3 kids have always had their own room. Do you have fond memories of sharing with your siblings or do your kids share a room today?

Click on the Picture for a Wide view

We have decided to stay here in this Rental for another year, searching for a house with land within 3 school systems was turning out to be a futile effort as there was not one house available within our time period.

The Landlady has decided to Lower the Rent, and let us update the house the way we prefer. All of which has made us very Happy this month!

Since we are staying another year, We have decided to have the girls share the biggest room and this will then leave one bedroom open for Husband to have his Office again. He needs one for those late night On-Call sessions and his Ham Radios.

I have also installed the new "BlogLovin" button on my sidebar so Please continue to follow meFollow my blog with Bloglovin

Joining the Party over at~

Amaze Me Monday

Between Naps on the Porch

No Minimalist Here

My 34th Birthday Dinner Table

We have been so busy this Summer with Parks and Crystal's Riding Lessons.

Here we are waiting at the park while Crystal rides.

This week was my Birthday and I turned 34! My MIL came over and cooked a very delish Shrimp dinner and we enjoyed some Sweets!

As a present to me a ordered a couple of items from the Bath&Body Works Sale that is going on right now and I'm waiting on it to be delivered, I will share as soon as it arrives. Hubby let me sleep in and cleaned house for me!

It was a Great Day!

Backyard Horses, Horse Dreams~ A Book Review

Fourth-grader Ellie James has a great imagination. She spends a lot of time daydreaming of owning a black stallion show horse and winning trophies in the horse show. But when the answer to all her dreams and prayers gallops into her life, will Ellie be able to recognize it? Join Ellie and her quirky family in their exciting, horse-loving adventures.

• Pub. Date: August 2011
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Format: Paperback , 160pp
• Sales Rank: 256,807
• Age Range: 6 to 10

• Series: Backyard Horses Series #1
• ISBN-13: 9781414339160
• ISBN: 141433916X              

~~My Daughter Crystal has read this book and since she LOVES Horses this was right up her ally. She stayed up way to late to finish the book and is looking forward to the series continuing. A must have for any young Horse lover!~~

This book was provided by "Tyndale" for my review, all opinions are my own.

Good Bye G'ma and the Fair 2010

I have been so busy here lately and it just has not slowed down, today I'm forcing us to stay home so I can get caught up on this tower of laundry and clean/dust here.
  First G'ma Terri has moved to Florida to stay in a free Condo that was offered to them from her Husbands Sister... so of course they could not say NO and has put their Condo here up for sale and after making the rounds saying their "Good byes" they have left with the promise of visiting again soon! We got together for a quick lunch with her Mom and oldest daughter and oldest granddaughter, Here is 5 generations of family...

We are missing a few as work and school could not be missed. We Love and Miss ya'll!!

So now it's Fair time and the kids have the whole week off for it. Crystal got to show Coffee in the dog show this year and won a blue ribbon on her dog book which means she received an A!! Hard work pays off and man I had no idea how hard it would be, the show was at 8:00 in the morning and the judges were so picky (in my opinion). Crystal's best friend is showing her horse "Kikko" and we have been back and forth and  already  have spent sooo much money on fair food :) We helped set up the horse stalls and have to help take everything down and clean up in a few days too.
Here are a few fun pics from the fair...

Isn't Coffee getting so big? My Husband filmed the show and as soon as I'm able to I'll add it here.

We fixed the date on my camera but I wish we could just not have it there!

So that's what we've been doing and it's not over yet, The weather has been beautiful and we are loving it!! Hope your having great weather too:)

HOSS's New Playground!

This weekend we were so busy outside finishing up the fence and Sunday we tightened the last gate screw! Sunday evening we let HOSS explore and it was a little exciting to say the least, he bolted and ran the whole fence line but thank goodness he didn't try to jump..Today he was much calmer when we let him out. Last night was so funny though..It was dark by the time feeding came around and we stood at the gate calling and calling for him..I grabbed a flashlight and walked down the hill to find that he was at his old feeding spot in his old pasture..he nickered at me..I know he was confused..It will take him a while to realize that he is able to walk around more and he now comes in every night. Pipen also got a shave Sunday and her owner worked with her all day.

Horse'in Around~Winter Prep

Yesterday our neighbor came over with a surprise, see that cute light that is personalized with a brown horse and black dog? He made it for us since DH wouldn't take any money for helping out with a computer problem. I ADORE it, it lights up at night and has the softest glow! We are blessed to have such kind neighbors, they called many times when the heater almost caught on fire to see if they could help out.

This is what we have been working on these past 2 weekends, extending the horse fence up to the barn so that this winter we don't have to walk down that steep hill. You can see the white electrical wire going down the hill, we are hoping that it stops HOSS from jumping the small fence. We have to finish a small section here by the barn door and move/re-install the gate, this is where I'll be this weekend..lol..at least this winter we are prepared and hopefully able to deal with letting HOSS out and the never ending mud.

It's very cold here today and spitting freezing rain, HOSS and Pipen are snug inside the barn and the kids are snug on the couch watching "Dragon Tales"..It's a gross day and It's making me sleepy!