Christmas and Clean Puppies
Dec. 19th, 2003 10:49 pmSo, both dogs have been in the house this evening, and it has been just LOVELY. Cassie went for bathing and grooming on Wednesday, and Tammy today, so they are both gleaming white and smell a bit like peppermint and they don't leave a pile of dirt on the floor where they were laying. It will be nice to have them in the house occasionally during the holidays -- and for BIG dogs, they really aren't too noticeable in the house. In fact, 1 boxer used to take up more space in a metaphorical sense than 2 pyrs do unless the two pyrs are arguing over one bowl of food, but that was not really their fault). I know Tammy and Cassie are happy out at the barn, and love their lifestyle, but I DO so love having them in the house sometimes. We had big snuggles tonight, and MOm did Reiki on Tammy's arthritic knee, which is acting up- probably from jumping in and out of the car. Apparently Tammy was not OVER impressed with the bath and blow dryer today, though she DID like the combing out. She was still glad to leave though.
She was even willing to get into the backseat of a Toyota Sedan (a Celica, I think), because the throttle had an issue on Mom's almost-new (she bought it in August, it's a 2003) 4Runner. SHe and my sister were driving to a nearby town, and the warning lights all came on, and the car went 40 in drive, and ONLY 40. Pressing the accelerator did not change anything, and was not even necessary. Mom and sis limped the car to the dealer, and got a loaner. THey have ordered a part- it is some computer thing -- but chances are we are stuck with a loaner through Christmas. Which is TRES annoying, especially since 4wd is not really a luxury where we live. *sigh* We'll get by, but still, annoying.
I worked with Joey on the ground today. I had planned to ride, but I was doing ground work with her at the SOuth End of the arena to ensure that the ghosts did not appear, and they did. I don't think the fog that was drifting in helped, but every horse we have ever had on this property hates the south end of our arena. There are trees and bushes on the far side of the arena fence, and the quail sometimes congregate there. So all horses decide that it is dangerous, and take much convincing otherwise. Joey was not into hearing it today. SHe was QUITE full of herself -- arabesques, kicking, rearing on the lunge line. *sigh* I moved back halfway up the arena and slowly eased down to the south end. We didn't get as close as I would have liked, but she stayed calm, so I called it quits on a positive note. But we are gonna have to work on this -- because BOY does that girl have power. There was also something in the air today, because ALL the horses were pretty wired, even in the field.
AFter riding Joey, I tacked up Beau so that I could try the new webber stirrup leathers (which have no buckle under the thigh, allowing closer, more comfortable leg contact) and the double-jointed dominus irons we picked up yesterday. Oh boy - SOOOO dreamy! And Beau was pretty good too - moving out rather than poking along, like he sometimes does. He really is very sweet. They all are.
And me, I am not remotely in the Christmas spirit. I mean, I know it is the holidays and all, and I am listening to some music. But we haven't decorated yet (getting the tree tomorrow, though - HOORAY!) and I dunno, I am just not really into it. I hope to get more into it, because I usually really like Christmas. I'm sure part of it is that my sister is here for the first time in a while, which changes the dynamic. I love her dearly, but we are a little (or a lot?) like oil and water which means there is some slight underlying tension. I am mostly trying to let it go, but anyway. Plus, Mom is mid-dental work (having crowns replaced) and the temps are leaving her with regular toothaches, which is AWFUL for her. Even talking hurts, because cool air blows on the teeth. Dad went back on zyban (because he has been smoking again, grumble) -- forgetting, of course, that he stopped taking it last time because it made him really nauseous. Mom finally clued tonight -- after several days of him feeling gross. And me, I am having diss anxiety that I talk about with no-one, because admitting continued problems with focus and progress is like admitting failure, and I don't really want to do that. Especially not right now. And there was yesterday's work debacle. Turns out my direct boss didn't even know anything was going on. *eyeroll* glad I didn't get sucked in, regardless.
Hmm, ok, not being in a Christmas mood seems fair, come to think of it. In fact, when this PMS ends (next two days, if God is kind), I'll probably feel much better! Ok, I'm gonna start by forgiving myself a bit, then I am gonna get some stuff organized that I want to. And I am gonna go with the flow and make my own fun with the tree getting tomorrow. I REALLY REALLY REALLY enjoy getting our tree, and it used to always be magical. But I sense that we are gonna rush in and rush out tomorrow. I hope not. We buy the tree from friends -- the people I housesat for in Nov, actually -- and they cut the one you choose from their lot, and the sheep are there, and they have a fire, and cider, and it is this nice little thing. We don't need to spend hours, but I hope everyone isn't all stressed. Decorating will be fun tomorrow, and will likely help my mood.
SUnday is Mom's birthday, and dinner at Grama's. Grama is WAY excited to be hosting, so it should be nice-- though tensions do sometimes flare chez Grama. We are all very strong personalities (Grama included) and her apartment isn't huge. And Tuesday evening, we are going to a local theatre that produces an annual Christmas play. Caravan Farm Theatre does an outdoor production, and the audience rides on horse drawn sleds from scene to scene. We traditionally go and it is a highlight of the season for us. So there IS stuff to look forward to. I just need to deal with some things to get the stress monkey in me to bed. Speaking of which -- I should go to sleep!
But first, {{anti-ouch}} vibes to
electricland -- watch your step, hun! and {{happy trip to Seattle, where there will be no unsolicited advice;)}} vibes to
blue71canoe.
She was even willing to get into the backseat of a Toyota Sedan (a Celica, I think), because the throttle had an issue on Mom's almost-new (she bought it in August, it's a 2003) 4Runner. SHe and my sister were driving to a nearby town, and the warning lights all came on, and the car went 40 in drive, and ONLY 40. Pressing the accelerator did not change anything, and was not even necessary. Mom and sis limped the car to the dealer, and got a loaner. THey have ordered a part- it is some computer thing -- but chances are we are stuck with a loaner through Christmas. Which is TRES annoying, especially since 4wd is not really a luxury where we live. *sigh* We'll get by, but still, annoying.
I worked with Joey on the ground today. I had planned to ride, but I was doing ground work with her at the SOuth End of the arena to ensure that the ghosts did not appear, and they did. I don't think the fog that was drifting in helped, but every horse we have ever had on this property hates the south end of our arena. There are trees and bushes on the far side of the arena fence, and the quail sometimes congregate there. So all horses decide that it is dangerous, and take much convincing otherwise. Joey was not into hearing it today. SHe was QUITE full of herself -- arabesques, kicking, rearing on the lunge line. *sigh* I moved back halfway up the arena and slowly eased down to the south end. We didn't get as close as I would have liked, but she stayed calm, so I called it quits on a positive note. But we are gonna have to work on this -- because BOY does that girl have power. There was also something in the air today, because ALL the horses were pretty wired, even in the field.
AFter riding Joey, I tacked up Beau so that I could try the new webber stirrup leathers (which have no buckle under the thigh, allowing closer, more comfortable leg contact) and the double-jointed dominus irons we picked up yesterday. Oh boy - SOOOO dreamy! And Beau was pretty good too - moving out rather than poking along, like he sometimes does. He really is very sweet. They all are.
And me, I am not remotely in the Christmas spirit. I mean, I know it is the holidays and all, and I am listening to some music. But we haven't decorated yet (getting the tree tomorrow, though - HOORAY!) and I dunno, I am just not really into it. I hope to get more into it, because I usually really like Christmas. I'm sure part of it is that my sister is here for the first time in a while, which changes the dynamic. I love her dearly, but we are a little (or a lot?) like oil and water which means there is some slight underlying tension. I am mostly trying to let it go, but anyway. Plus, Mom is mid-dental work (having crowns replaced) and the temps are leaving her with regular toothaches, which is AWFUL for her. Even talking hurts, because cool air blows on the teeth. Dad went back on zyban (because he has been smoking again, grumble) -- forgetting, of course, that he stopped taking it last time because it made him really nauseous. Mom finally clued tonight -- after several days of him feeling gross. And me, I am having diss anxiety that I talk about with no-one, because admitting continued problems with focus and progress is like admitting failure, and I don't really want to do that. Especially not right now. And there was yesterday's work debacle. Turns out my direct boss didn't even know anything was going on. *eyeroll* glad I didn't get sucked in, regardless.
Hmm, ok, not being in a Christmas mood seems fair, come to think of it. In fact, when this PMS ends (next two days, if God is kind), I'll probably feel much better! Ok, I'm gonna start by forgiving myself a bit, then I am gonna get some stuff organized that I want to. And I am gonna go with the flow and make my own fun with the tree getting tomorrow. I REALLY REALLY REALLY enjoy getting our tree, and it used to always be magical. But I sense that we are gonna rush in and rush out tomorrow. I hope not. We buy the tree from friends -- the people I housesat for in Nov, actually -- and they cut the one you choose from their lot, and the sheep are there, and they have a fire, and cider, and it is this nice little thing. We don't need to spend hours, but I hope everyone isn't all stressed. Decorating will be fun tomorrow, and will likely help my mood.
SUnday is Mom's birthday, and dinner at Grama's. Grama is WAY excited to be hosting, so it should be nice-- though tensions do sometimes flare chez Grama. We are all very strong personalities (Grama included) and her apartment isn't huge. And Tuesday evening, we are going to a local theatre that produces an annual Christmas play. Caravan Farm Theatre does an outdoor production, and the audience rides on horse drawn sleds from scene to scene. We traditionally go and it is a highlight of the season for us. So there IS stuff to look forward to. I just need to deal with some things to get the stress monkey in me to bed. Speaking of which -- I should go to sleep!
But first, {{anti-ouch}} vibes to
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)