Sad & confused...

The sad is that my FIL passed Monday evening. He is/was a very dear man who will be sorely missed. He'd been born & raised in WV & moved back there just as I'd met my Hubs. His health took bad turns for a few years, heart surgery got him on the right path. Hubs was doing a lot of driving being there to be with & help him. It was decided with FIL in agreement after his wife passed, to get him closer to us and his three daughters. We decided to purchase another home for us, then move him into our then current home. It's a raised ranch with minimal stairs, two acres for him to mow to his hearts content, close enough to church, gas & stores to allow him his independence. He became part time minister again at church, as well as lead singer & thrived!  

He'd broken a hip late 2016, bounced right back. A week ago he'd fallen, thankfully we'd gotten him a life alert. While there was only minimal injury from the fall, it was discovered he had blood in his urine along with other things that weren't quite right that he'd not shared with us.  As Dr's attempted to figure things out, he crashed, 16 minutes of CPR brought him back "kind of."  He was now unresponsive with his body shutting down. Poor Hubs despite his own pain made the decision to allow his Dad & God the final decision.  FIL is now reunited with 10 of his 13 siblings & two late wives. His wish was to rest once again in WV, his past congregation have gladly taken the lead there assisting Hubs in making his wish come true. His three daughters, well let's just say we're blessed that one is sane and uncontrolling & that FIL knew who he could trust to abide by his wishes and be fair. Puts, so much on Hubs besides the pain of his loss but, he's getting it done. 

The confusing part: today I got a call regarding a gelding I'd checked out as I was selling Camryn-pre Grace. The owner is in her 70's and has had him since he was a two year old. She'd decided at the last minute she just couldn't part with him, which I understood. Before Merlin, I'd called her to see where she stood regarding selling Cha-chi, she still couldn't part with him. She called me this morning and left the message that he'd be for sale shortly, her health wasn't allowing her to ride much any longer. He's been being kept ridden by some of the people at her barn when she can't.  She plans to get him ridden more frequently, then offer him up for sale, I have first dibs. I left her a brief message regarding what we have going on and that I'd call her sometime next week to talk. What to do?   

Not the time to discuss horse things with Hubs, we have to clear the house, do some needed repairs, and get it sold!  Plus I have the Mini's & Grandsons to think about. Do I have time?

I've spoken with my friend who lives next door to my FIL's house. She has a boarding barn & a woman who Cha-chi's owner had keeping him ridden & trained now boards with her whome she trusts. Her thoughts were to ask owner if perhaps she'd consider a half lease, move him there, I'd be able to ride, get to know him, take lessons with her friend who's worked with him...she'd still of course be able to ride as she could & go from there?  Logic says no, BUT!!!

Out of the mouths of babes...

Oh my, Lincoln has such a way about him and I so love how his mind works. He's very into birds and has his own "Ohio birds" book which he grabs whenever he spots a different bird. Keep in mind at 3 1/2 he doesn't read but has become quite familiar with navigating the book. If he can't find it, he simply makes up what kind it is (black pidgyota aka red winged black bird)

This afternoon when his Mom came to pick him up he'd just spotted a Red-bellied Woodpecker and ran for his book. His Mom asked "is that bird indigenous to Ohio Lincoln?"  Without hesitating or looking up from his book he answered, "no, it's indigenous to Gramma's road!"  😂😂😂😂

Normally Grampa arrives home just as the boys are leaving, Lincoln always sadly tells Grampa, "you missed all the fun."  Grampa came home early today, so Lincoln hung out with him in the kitchen...

Hubs on his computer, Lincoln has a notebook pen in hand..."we're paying bills Gramma. You know, so we can go to the zoo an stuff!"  Bed head as he'd just gotten up from his nap. 

Kardashian much?  Lincoln also changes species pretty frequently, often enough that his teachers will ask what/who he is when I drop him off.  Upon my return from NC, he became his cousin Kennedy for the day, hence the butterfly clip in his hair.  Lincoln refers to himself as an "awesome imaginator!" You really can't have a bad day when Lincoln is around. His teachers all agree.  

I so hope his imaginator never leaves him. 

lesson #4...

Today was best lesson so far, trainer agreed, lots of high fives after! Started out with me harnessing up on my own, a quick check, then off to the arena. 

The first 15 minutes or so were our normal, trainer with lead rope walking alongside. I was feeling really good & in sync with my pony.  Trainer only speakers when instruction is needed, lots of silence thruout today. 

 I'd just had the thought, "I wonder when she'll allow us to go on our own", when trainer turned and unclipped the lead!  I was "really", she replied "your ready!"  And off we went, I'm not sure why today felt so good, I was remembering how to check her speed, not allow her to set the pace, go deep into corners...  I did run over one cone LOL. Turned into a backing lesson, oops!  

Several times I thought, how odd to not be riding but, have that feeling of being connected!

We practiced a lot of stopping & standing, you all know how important a good whoa is. I even got a pic, her ears are back listening to me even!

Meet Suzy!  We're practicing just chilling while another student is hitching up for their lesson. Lines relaxed a long her sides puts her in neutral.  A big deal here as Suzy had to calmly stand, while her arch enemy Inca was lead beside and behind us. She thought several times of moving towards Inca but, with gentle reminders, she stayed put eventually cocking her hip just totally relaxed.  These two mares hate one another. 

As we moved off again, she was totally tuned in. We just drove around for quite a while after our hour, while Inca & he student worked. I'm only doing every other week as lessons are really quite $$. 

Hubs did great taking care of the boys in my absence, lovely visit with daughter & her family. While the weather sucked during my visit, it really didn't matter. Perhaps even added to the visit as we all just spent time together.  

I'd saved Jillians fave baby doll from her toddler days and took her along...

All snuggled in together ❤️

And a Happy Saint Patrick's Day...

While I'm away, the boyz will play. Being its Saint Patrick's Day, just gives them an excuse to party. Hmmmm, quite similar to my sons in many ways!

O'Pippins mane as usual,

 just suits his party frame of mind!  

O'Merlin I believe is watching for wee leprechauns in the mud. 

Happy Saint Patrick's everybody!  

Gone visiting...

I left this mess in Ohio...

Off to North Carolina...

To do lots of this...

Reading to my dear sweet Granddaughter Kennedy 💞

She & my daughter Jillian Sykping with Lincoln & Jefferson. 

And of course the prerequisite horsey shirt from Gramma. They'll be moving to Japan in July, so such snuggles now are even more precious to me. Thankfully they'll be coming to Ohio for most of June before the big move. 

This visit is a much appreciated gift from my Hubs. While I'm here in chilly NC snuggling with Kennedy. He's back home taking care of the four leggers in single digit temps. Sorry hon, had no idea winter would start while I was away.