Pack It Up

The focus of this week was to get packed and ready to go on our cruise.
One of the worst parts of traveling is figuring out what to take, trying to keep it minimal, but have everything needed for the trip.  "If you want to get away from it all, don't take it all with you."  - Anne McAlpin 


Also putting it in the suitcase so it doesn't get wrinkled is an art.
I don't do art, of any kind, very well.
But, I gave it the old college try.

Saturday 2/8 - My day started with heart breaking news.  Kent's 37 year old brother Ben, who has been fighting pancreatic cancer for almost a year, passed away early this morning.  Amidst the grief, I know there is a feeling of relief that Ben's pain and suffering has come to an end, and there's even relief that the anguish for his caretakers is over.  Caring for Ben had to have been mentally and physically exhausting and I'm sure it was terrifying to watch him suffer and slowly lose his battle to cancer.  However, this relief does not lessen the devastation and intense sadness caused by the death of Ben, who was loved very dearly.  This had me reflecting on the the conundrum of feeling loss and relief  simultaneously (AARP article).  And then part of processing Ben’s death had me working through the death of those I’ve loved and revisiting those feelings.  The old grief comes back and I contemplated, is this pain unwanted baggage?  I'd rather see it as - it is good to stir up the old, wonderful memories.  I guess we have to decide which emotions to pack up and take with us. 

While Dan and Vale were packing up to come here, I was hustling to get the upstairs ready for them and all the bathrooms clean and do some dusting.  Mama Styx thought making their bed was great fun.  

The Murfreesboro Villhauer family arrived at 11:00.  Once settled in, we had lunch and then some playtime. 









Chasing bubbles on the back deck. 




But the wind created some problems, so Maggie decided sticks were a better thing to go after.

We went out to the ranch at 1:00 and Ava helped with feeding the horses in the lower paddock. 








Saying hi to Cowboy who was at his feeding station. 





Giving Banner his food bucket. 








And getting a photo, or two with him while he ate. 
 




Zorro and Amiga were in their stalls eating, and then we pulled Zorro out and got him brushed and saddled. 










Dan supervised Ava while she helped with grooming Zorro.  But, like with me, it was not her favorite part of this 'horsing around' process.




I got on Zorro first and had Patty lead him around to see if he was calm enough for Ava.  Yep, so she was put on in front of me.  








Patty led Zorro around once in both directions. 







And we stopped to pose for a photo. 

Then I hopped off and lead Zorro to give Patty a break and let Ava ride all by herself.  No doubt about it, as you can see from these photos, Ava was having a great time.
 

And she started giving me directions.

  
 

Need I say more? 
Ava's face says it all!
So do these (videos). 










I was getting bored with circles in the round pen, as I'm sure Zorro and Ava were also, so we ventured out, going around it and then went into the woods. 





Dan, Patty, and Joe accompanied us and took photos. 

I like this photo because you can't see me and it looks like Ava is riding out all on her own.  We had stopped to look at the face on the tree. 

We proceeded on down the trail, under the tower and out onto the road.  And once back into the barnyard, Ava wanted to do it again.  So we did.  


Ava was enjoying the ride and it was good exercise for Zorro and I. 








Once un-tacked and finished up at the barn, I went up to feed Dorado and Rico while the others took care of the chickens. 
Rico peeking in at me in the feed room, filling feed buckets. 




Ava helped Patty with the chickens and Dan took these photos. 






Gloria is the friendliest of the chickens, and easy to catch, so Ava got to meet her up close. 






Brooke sent this photo of her horse Banner meeting her newborn son Raylan, earlier this morning. 













Once home, there were a few hours to relax and play before dinner.  Joe cooked stir-fry on his flat-top and I made salad and baked garlic bread. 





We had the customary dance party a little while after dinner, and then because Ava hadn't napped, it was early to bed for her.  I was ready to pack it in for the day and soon hit the hay also.

Sunday 2/9 - Ava and I were the first two up, along with the dogs, of course.  It had stormed overnight and yesterday's 60° weather was now down in the 40s.  











Ava has a lot of wild and crazy little girl energy, which made Maggie (and the cats who hid out) a bit nervous.  Ava was learning to be calm and quiet with Maggie.   

Oops, I forgot to post this yesterday and it is too difficult to go back and add it in.  Ava (and Dan) helped Papaw take some hay from the shop to the upper paddock. 












It was overcast and cold, but when the sun did finally come out for a few hours, Ava took advantage of it and played out on our back deck (video).

And then Joe and Dan took Ava to a nearby park. 














I love this cool swing for a big 'kid' and a little kid.  





Vale and I had stayed home, resting along with the dogs.  And I put the frozen lasagna in the oven and made a tossed salad. 







Monita watches from a safe distance as Ava had a snack and Vale read. 

Patty came over and joined us for an early 2:00 dinner.

While Joe and Ava napped, we four played a board game where you try to guess colors based on clues a player gives. 




Dan started packing up to go around 4pm and Patty left.  Ava protested having to leave, the whole time Dan gathered up all their belongings.  When given the choice to stay with us when Mom and Dad went home, she decided to go.  But with many tears she said good-bye, and off they went. 

Joe hit the Mancave to watch the Superbowl and I proceeded to get the house back in order (toys away, strip beds and clean up where needed, breakables back out).  I was in bed listening to my I-pad audio book before the game was over. 

Monday 2/10 - It was in the 30s and there was actually some ice on the decks when I walked Maggie and later put out corn and bird seed. 

Notice the doe up on the golf course running to join the others down at the corn.  And below you can see her (circled in yellow) jumping over the creek. 

Then a buck came and scared off most of the doe (video).

I did two loads of laundry and spent the bulk of the morning working on this blog, getting it started and caught up from the weekend. 

I met Betty at the ranch at 12:30 and we went for an hour and 45 minute ride, covering six miles.  Rico continues to be a bit sluggish and got out of breath on two large hills.  We will continue conditioning rides to get him (and Dorado) back into shape. 

It was on the cool side, but we had dressed warmly so it wasn't bad.  When we were in the sunshine, it felt quite nice. 



Amiga has been 'off' the last few days and I wondered if she had tweaked something, slipping in the mud out in the paddock.  Karen fed today, and was just finishing up when we got back to the barn.  She said Amiga was barely putting weight on her front left leg. 



Yep, Amiga was really lame now, so I got her set up with hay and water in the back of the large loafing shed for overnight, since it was supposed to rain much of the night.  She had plenty of room to move about but could rest as much as she wanted.

I got home for a late dinner.  Afterwards I couldn't get motivated to start packing and I actually wound up going to bed fairly early.

Tuesday 2/11 - It stormed overnight and was still raining hard much of the morning (all day actually).  I went to the ranch at 7:30 to check on Amiga.  She was walking much better, but I still gave her a Previcox, which can't be given within two hours of the Osteo Max which she gets in her feed in the afternoon. I also decided to soaked her foot in Epson salt just in case she has an abscess going on.  She stood quietly for 20 minutes, only lifting her foot out of the bucket twice when I left her side.  So I brushed and loved on her most of the time.

Banner was nowhere to be seen when I got Amiga from the shed, but Cowboy and Zorro were taking cover from the rain in there.  When I brought Amiga back out in the paddock, she went all the way out into the back field, looking for the boys, all of whom were standing in the shed.  I was relieved to see she was walking quite well.  But poor Banner was shivering, and the boys kept running him back out into the rain.  So I shut him in where Amiga had been and gave him hay. 

I mucked while Banner ate quietly.  I also watched Amiga return back from the pasture, since she couldn't find the boys and Zorro had hollered for her a few times.  Thank God, she was still walking without favoring the sore leg very much.  Once I had the wheelbarrow load of manure dumped, I put hay in the shed for the other three, because they were all very wet and needed a break from the rain.
 

Pack it up - the wedding dress Mom (1948) and I (1980) wore.

From the ranch I went to Boyd Eye Care to pick up my two (driving and reading) pairs of glasses, and while there, I had my transition lens bifocals adjusted for a tighter fit. 
 

Once home, I scrambled to get this 77 year old wedding dress ready to be mailed.



I followed the instructions I'd found on the internet.

The train was longer than the clear plastic bag, so I put the whole roll in a black trash bag to protect it if the box got wet.  The roll was a bit long for the box, but I got it into this xerox paper box.  And off to the post office I rushed, thinking they closed at noon. 







The postal worker and I decided to cut the box down 2" to save $40.00.  But then we had to really smash the roll to get the lid on. 
 



The package couldn't be insured for more than the standard $100 because I had no proof of value.  We both agreed, it was priceless anyway.

I went home to change into gym clothes and then turned right back around to go workout. 




Skipping part of my exercise and all of my stretch routine, I was then scampering home, threw jeans on over my tights, grabbed an extra hoodie, and was back off to the ranch to do chores.  Things were quite soggy, including the horses.  And there was a lot of manure in all of the sheds to clean up.  Amiga was still walking fairly well so I didn't close her in and hoped Banner could find a spot in the shed with the other three.

Wednesday 2/12 - Up early, I had a lot of quiet time at my computer.  For awhile Mama Styx encumbered my left hand, lying on that arm, so blog typing was slower than usual.  I barely got Wordle guessed today.  Also did some other games, waiting for Joe to get up. 

Once Joe was up at 8am, I started in on the packing process.  I cleaned up my new (thrift store) suitcase and put water proof spray on the leather bottom of my backpack.  Then I started going through all the stuff (everything but clothes) I would need and deciding which was carry on and which went in the suitcase.  And I selected two 'purses,' day and evening.

By mid-afternoon, the 'style' show started, as I tried on any outfit I thought about packing, even five different swim suits (three of which I would take).  The clothing demo 'runway' was from my closet to the bathroom mirror.  Ughh!  Why I think this old body should have a slimmer waistline, I do not know.  Several things needed washing, so I also got two loads of laundry done. 




I secretly packed up 'wrapped' a little Valentine gift I had bought for Joe.  He helped me put flea meds on the three cats after I had trimmed all of their nails.  Then he left for poker (after 4pm) and my little 'style show continued until 6:00 when I finally finished.  The fur babies and I had a late dinner.  I listened to my audio book, trying to get it finished before it expired.  I wanted to start a new one for the cruise.  I also packed a new paperback for beach and pool time.  I neatened up the house, ran the dishwasher, sent Karen the cat care instructions, and got their food and litter supplies filled and handy.  I was in bed, nodding off to sleep before finishing another chapter of my book.

Thursday 2/13 - Today I would pack it up and be ready to leave for our cruise by early Friday morning.  I was relieved to see that the rains (constant for two FULL days) was finally over, for the time being. 

I kept busy crossing things off my to-do list, and then hit the gym for three hours, including a shower.  Right after dinner when I went to put everything in my suitcase, I discovered that a cat had peed on my pile of socks! 



Over a week ago, when I had set my gym bag on the table, a cat had peed on it.  Well, &%#@%.   What is going on?  When I posted this first photo, I zoomed in on the socks and noticed that I had set my workout gloves right by them, as a last minute thought to take.  Is it something about the gym smell, or was it a protest to my leaving?





I threw the bed spread and socks into the washer and got it started.  Then I packed up my suitcase and carry on backpack.  Thank goodness it was just the socks that got pissed on, and not a larger pile of nicer clothes.

I cleaned my office and laundry room (where the litter boxes are) really well because litter gets tracked out on the floor.  I got a new screen protector put on my phone, and moved the wash into the dryer.  My audio book, which I had been trying to finish, still had nearly three more hours left.  The drier buzzed while I was brushing my teeth, so I put the spread on the bed and packed my pile of socks into my suitcase.  I listened to my book until 11pm. 

Friday 2/14  - Happy Valentine's Day! 

Late to bed and early to rise had me short on sleep.  The moon was nearly full, and shining bright. 


We depart at 7:30, picking up Shirley, and then Patty and Judy.  Joe will be driving us to the Nashville airport in the truck.  I am so ready to go, in more ways than just being packed up.  The weather has gotten quite cold again and is predicted to stay this way most of the week.  Warm, sunny Caribbean, here we come!

Energy Is Contagious

Have you ever noticed how someone else’s energy can impact how you feel (video)?  They can lift you up, or bring you down.  Certain people radiate positive energy, and others negative energy.  Grant it, we all feel negative at times, and that’s OK.  It’s how long we choose to stay there that matters.  I try to stay up-beat, positive, and energetic; not sitting for too long in a lower energy vibe.  There are strategies to help get the positive energy back.

Going to the gym energizes me, and if needed, helps burn off negative energy.  I have mentioned before that exercise is key to having high energy levels.  When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are chemicals that reduce stress and pain while increasing feelings of happiness.  This can give you an immediate boost in energy as well.

The energy of others boosts my energy level also.  When I see someone pushing themselves during a workout, it inspires me to do the same, creating a ripple effect of motivation.  On the internet, it talks about "contagious energy at the gym" referring to the phenomenon where the positive energy and enthusiasm of other gym-goers can influence your own mood and motivation to workout harder, essentially "catching" a positive vibe from those around you, making you feel more energized and excited to exercise.  A person's positive body language, like smiling or high-fives, can subconsciously transmit positive energy to others.  Good up-beat music helps also.

Unfortunately, there are a few negative folks at the gym, or ones who are so into their workout, they can be a tad rude or impolite.  (Not the same as someone who is concentrating during a weight set.)  I mostly stay away from them if my smile or hello hasn't pulled them out of their self absorbed state.  Because the emotions and attitudes people project can affect others around them, I try to smile, greet fellow gym members, encourage others with words like 'you got this' or 'doing great' or 'lookin' good' or a thumbs up.



It is good to reflect on how our energy affects others, because it has immense power.  It ripples out into the world and into the lives of others.  I try to be conscious of how my energy and attitude impacts my work at the ranch or pool, my home life, and my relationships.  I try to add to the energy around me, or change it if needed.
 

Saturday 2/1 - Happy February!
Because I had been cleaning out some items at the Ranch house to make room for Charles, when I brought them home, I decided some of the stuff could go to the thrift store. This got me motivated to also clean out our bunk room a little bit. 

The above quote was so true today.  I drug myself to the gym, started out slowly, but by the time I put in two hours and showered, I felt much more lively.

I scurried home to do evening feeding before Patty picked me up at 4:50.  We went to Shirley's, meeting Judy there, and enjoyed a pot-luck dinner.  I had baked corn bread this morning, to take. 






After a great meal and reflecting on fun times, we headed into Shirley's office to check in for our upcoming cruise.  Above is the photo for my Sea Pass (to use on the ship and to get on and off board).  We were supposed to look serious, but the girls were making me laugh.

Sunday 2/2 - Happy Groundhog Day.  Depending which groundhog you watched, we may or may not have six more weeks of winter.  Illinois and Wisconsin rodents did not see their shadow, and the way our horses have started shedding, I'm thinking winter is winding down.  Plus today kicked off a warming trend (called a False Spring) that lasted all week. 




The sermon at church was over 1 Corinthians 13.  This well known verse on love was read at our wedding.  Love is definitely a positive, contagious force.

Patty had given me this 'blingy' pin of a cowgirl boot, which I decided to put on my hat.  I had Bonnie take this photo.  She was in the barn feeding while I was tacking up Rico. 







Betty and I enjoyed a wonderful 5½ mile ride in the warm sunshine with the temperature almost to 60°.  This photo was actually taken Monday, but I used it here because I only took one photo all day.

Monday 2/3 - During my mid-morning shopping trip in town, I dropped two boxes and a large bag of stuff off at a thrift store.  Once home, I unloaded everything I'd bought, grabbed a bite to eat and got to the ranch at 2pm. 








Betty had gotten to the ranch early to feed and then she, Patty and I headed out on a ride (video).

Betty and I wanted to see if our horses would be less sluggish if we fed first, and then rode.  Nope, they were still 'doggin' it.'

I did find that Rico goes slow and trips more when I ride with a loose neck rein.  When I gather up my reins and ride with direct reins (a rein in each hand held low over the horse's withers) and have Rico collected (Collection is when a horse shifts its weight from its front legs to its hind legs, which makes it more balanced and agile), he rarely trips and is much peppier.  A rider's energy is contagious to its horse.

I also found that kicking doesn't work to get Rico moving.  All I need to do is press my heels in around his belly and he picks up the pace.  We both have so much to learn about each other still.  We rode a little over an hour and went almost four miles.  The horses had gotten warm, with their winter coats and the 65° temperature.

Joe and I finished season six of Virgin River.  There were several cliff hangers, so we are waiting for season seven.

Tuesday 2/4 - I hit the gym from 8:30 - 11:00, but did not get as energized as usual.  Then I met Patty at the ranch and we hung some pictures, like this one over the couch which is Charles', that we put here in place of the futon. 

We had our 'meet and greet' with people starting to arrive at 12:30.  I forgot to take any photos, but it was a nice gathering with eleven of us total.   




The 'party' broke up a little after 2:00 with several going to the barn; and Joe and Charles helping Jem hang a gate.  Then Charles helped Joe move hay; a round bale out to the pasture and square bales to the feed room.  

Betty and I tacked up and headed out on the trail on our horses.  They did better for us today, were more willing to go, and didn't seem to get as tired on the hills. 

We were out for 90 minutes and went five miles.  After un-tacking Rico, while I was in the tack room, he opened Zorro's stall gate and went partway in.  The stinker. 

Charles came out of the house as I was walking to the upper paddock.  He had lost his new glasses (that he had in his shirt pocket) at sometime during the day.  So I helped him search where he and Joe and gone on the tractor and in the gator.  We never found them after an hour of searching, which was very disheartening. 



And then to farther add to Charles' discouragement, I had to remind him that we (Patty and Joe both agreed) did not want personal items in the main house.  He had started putting all his trinkets, family photos, etc. in the curio cabinet.  For a solution, we moved the cabinet into his bedroom.  But I could tell he was disappointed/unhappy.
It was 7pm by the time I got home and I felt like my energy had been sucked out of me.

Wednesday 2/5 - I had slept (or not) fitfully, and was up from 1am to 4:30 before getting sleepy again.  I got back up at 7am with only five hours of shut eye.  I had decide to substitute the gym with yard work, wanting to do some neatening up before the coming rain.   

I went to the ranch to look (with Charles) around the base of the round bale of hay he had helped cut the twine off of yesterday.  We worked around it, moving lots of loose hay out of our way as we went.  Unfortunately, all our effort was without success.  While at the pond, we noticed a white thing floating in the water.  It was a dead catfish.  I used the pitch fork to pull it over to the bank where hopefully a scavenger will benefit from it and clean it up. 
 



I didn't have much time for yard work, but got the planters cleaned out and unloaded the wagon we pull behind the riding mower that has been full of sticks and weeds all winter. 












Betty and I were out on the trail just before 1pm.  It was another beautiful, warm day; and our forth day, in a row, to ride!  Yeehaw!
 

We had both forgotten to start our riding app. until we were already out on Marmaduke, so we actually rode for an hour, going over 5½ miles.  We did some off trail riding (bushwhacking) on what looked to be old logging trails and were actually on the backside of the dam of Lake Kirkstone at one point (can see on the map of our ride). 

When we did get to the lake, we let the horses drink.  Rico played in the water a bit and got a big drink. 

These two boys are so good and really enjoy being together... almost too much, they get rather anxious when separated.  So we will be working on this. 









Between the ears. 

We split up on every circle at the ends of cul-de-sacs, and they both do well with that (video).

Betty got some photos of Rico and I.  Notice I was in just a T-shirt, and was quite comfortable. 









Rico did well today but was still rather sluggish much of the time.  I remain a little concern about his not wanting to move out (lazy nature?), but think it's partly being barn sour, and partly being out of shape.  He is much more willing to go when we are headed in the direction of the barn.  I did get a nice long canter out of him and some smooth gaiting. 





Patty had arrived and started the feeding process just as we got back.  After un-tacking, we usually let our boys have some of the taller grass in the barnyard. 






Once we had the boys back in the pasture, Patty and I went up to the house to do a few things. 







We decided on hanging this plaque in the guest bathroom.

And then we switched the trundle bed and futon, so if sitting on the futon, you can see the horses out the window.   




I had thought this was going to be a major project, taking the bed apart, but Patty had the great idea to just 'walk' them both around the room, in intervals, to get them to the opposite walls. 





Next we hung two photos and a mirror in the guest bedroom, which has helped it feel more cozy.







Last of all we moved the radio out from under the TV, to where the curio cabinet had been, and hung another one of Charles pictures above it.  Oh, and we had hung the metal horse picture (that had been above the futon in the living room) above the wall heater (safe there because it can't catch on fire).

The sun room is where Charles' oak table and big rocking recliner have ended up.  That's also his cute little lamp on the table.  I finally feel good about where we have put all his stuff in the main part of the house.  Many things are still left stored in the garage, but we have made room for more furnishings than originally planned on.  

Poker Joe was gone and I had a nice big salad using leftovers from our 'party' the day before.

Thursday 2/6 - Yesterday's predicted rain finally came overnight, driving Maggie to hide out in our closet.  It rained most of the morning and then quit before noon.  But more was coming, so I did chores early while it wasn't raining.  The only photos I took all day were of the four horses in the lower paddock. 






Cowboy (above) and Banner were the two cleanest horses.  They had been 'power washed' by the rain.






Zorro was a little muddier, and Amiga (seen last) won the prize for muddiest horse today.

It started sprinkling on my way home at 2:30 and was coming down steadier when I got to the gym at 3pm.



I was low energy when I got to the gym but soon perked right up, seeing and talking with several I know. 

After a late dinner, Joe and I watched two episodes of 'Cross' - a crime thriller television series based on the Alex Cross novel series written by James Patterson.  I have also been listening to a book from Patterson's same series on my new I-pad.  I set it to play for 15 minutes and usually fall asleep before the time is up.

Friday 2/7 - It was another poor night of sleep and I wondered how well I would hold up during the day.  Rose was workin' it, looking cute and meowing to get me to feed her, which I did.

I up-dated my to do list, made some phone calls, and then got in a good workout, followed by a trip to Food City.  I stowed groceries, had a very late lunch, and left for the ranch at 3pm.  All was well and chores went quickly.   







I did find what was left of the catfish, and buried the remains in the manure pile.





Yup, I still have this one string of lights up in the office.  I love its soft, cheerful lighting.

Poker Joe was gone, so my evening entertainment was messing around here at my computer.  My energy was waning and I went to bed early.