Sunday, December 15

[gottawonder]

Today I am grateful for:

Getting through today. I had to get up super early for the Christmas horse show at the riding barn, and I haven't slept well for a couple of nights.

River was spooky during our tests, and it ruined our score. On any part of the test where he wasn't being a dick, we scored really well. I console myself with the comments on the tests that our circles were really good, which was something I had worked hard on, and there was no mention of him not being forward enough, which is something else I worked hard on this month. We had three tests, and he did badly on the first test for his spooking, better on the second test, and a lot better on the third. Note: he's not actually afraid of anything in the arena, he literally does this to get out of working. He can spook at something, and walk right by it two minutes later.

What I did enjoy, was talking to others at the potluck lunch. A few of the other people I talk to a lot at the barn are going through some challenges with their family right now, similar to my sister's issues, and while it sucks that we are all going through this, it feels a little better to know that it's not just me.

My sister's partner died last night, and she let me know this morning. I spoke with her on the phone this evening, and she seems okay with things. There is a certain relief when someone who has been ill and in terrible pain for a long time actually dies. She's been agonizing over his condition for a few years now. She sounded coherent and sober, and she's working out how she's going to sell some of his vehicles (he was always working on something) and so on to raise money, and hopefully she can get disability payments and maybe her part of his pension.

Before he left for his flight to his job, my sweetie and I went out to the garage and made a wreath out of some willow branches we cut yesterday, and it turned out really nice.

The pony mare, Ursula, was rubbing herself raw on her shoulder, and I was at wit's end as to the reason, but upon closer inspection, she has lice. Not uncommon. This is actually a relief, as it presents a clear path of action, which is to go to town tomorrow and buy louse killer.

I'm grateful for modern communication, which allows me to keep in touch with my family, especially at times like this. I'm grateful for having people in my life to have potluck meals with. I'm grateful that my sweetie is so supportive of me, and that he's working, and that he's been working so hard on the house.