Normally, it is my tradition to deck out the barn with garland, stockings and the works, but this year I ran into a few obstacles...
My school shortened our winter break to 4 weeks instead of 6, also had two weeks in between Thanksgiving and Finals instead of one - So normally we trek back to home base before Thanksgiving and then the kids have a week off before playing in the snow while on break. The extra "time off" with finals and shortened break left it just not feasible to do the 300 mile trip back and forth. SO the kiddies are staying at the AU barn over break...
There lies another problem....some 65 something horses...that's a lot of stockings, stalls, etc. and I am broke...I can do the small boarding facility where half of the horses have their own stockings provided, not the huge place.
And numero tres....what comes first over the holidays, horses or family? 300 miles away from either or...Well, considering the nagging mother, I am 300 miles away from the horses, making this the first Christmas since purchasing Ozzy in 2001 that I have not seen him and the first Christmas in Jolie's life I have not seen her. I bet they don't know the difference, just another day in the life but it's a little sad to be breaking tradition all over the place.
As for me, I am at home and cozy at least with the pups at Stoneleigh Farm , and did a little bit of stocking stuffing for the ponies here. Not quite the same, but it will do! As for the ponies, we left all on a good note: Ozzy's shoe is back on after his abscess and he is sound and working again and Jolie's small boot camp went as planned and our last ride at 4:30 am yesterday morning couldn't have been better. Her future is a bright one and she is most certainly a very promising prospect!!! Both have earned their small vacation until the new year and are ready to get back in action and prepare for this coming show season.
Again, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year!!!