What's Up This Week

No riding (see last week's post) but plenty happening around here!

a visual of what this week felt like

The new pony shed that was supposed to be built this summer...wasn't. It's not a big enough job for the regular contractors to prioritize, so the time frame was getting disturbingly pushed out to where I wasn't sure it would actually be ready in time for winter. It's also a bit too big/I'm too fussy for the neighbourhood handyman type. So I awarded myself the contract. That totally defeats the I-have-too-much-on-my-plate-and-I-need-to-chill-the-f-out-and-let-things-go thing I've got going on, but I put in an hour or two here and there and progress is being made. It feels good. I have a really cute plan for it. The new ponies will not be homeless on my watch!

Expand those plans! Look how big he's getting!(sorry for the low quality screen grab)

I didn't say anything here, but a few weeks ago I found a hunting arrow in my riding ring area. We're on a super small acreage in the city limits, no hunting or firearms are allowed so I was seriously creeped out and worried for a while there. Like logically I knew this wasn't going to be some true crime mystery and we're on good terms with the neighbors but also late at night my brain needed to know 'what if there is someone out there hunting cute ponies? Or me?' and I wasn't hanging out there alone or letting the ponies back there unsupervised. It's been resolved positively. Someone did indeed shoot it into our property (it actually went through the neighbour's greenhouse as well! So dangerous!) but it was not targeted at us and it will not happen again. 

The trees along the front yard are getting topped today and Sophie finds the whole process fascinating. I'm not sure I can convey how much wood we're going to be trying to give away, the trees are massive poplars that need to be tamed every few years (and this is just day 1 of 3)

I do have some saddles coming in a few days to try. The ladies I've contacted have been super helpful with suggestions for nice used saddles in a specified budget and I'm feeling heard as far as what I think Sophie and I are needing. Such a basic thing, especially in a service oriented business, but just having someone who it feels like is listening and invested in helping us makes a world of difference. So, fingers crossed we find something. I think I'm just going to consign the saddles I'm selling, I'm not up for dealing with it at the moment. Then, forever more, I will only ride or buy horses that fit saddles I own. And we'll all live happily ever after.

iz this round now too, there is no escaping barrel shaped ponies over here.

I'm still finding the idea of letting Bridget go off to live elsewhere very hard. I'm grateful I've still got a couple more months to get used to the idea. I know this is going to be wonderful for her and for her new little girl and makes sense from any angle you look at it. Except the one where I just like having her in my backyard. And also facebook memories, it would be nice if they could pause those for a little bit <3 I keep reminding myself this isn't forever and that whole vision I had of retiring her at home while she lives out an extremely long life will still be a thing. She'll just get to be special for more people beforehand.

Weaning myself by putting her at the neighbours. Looks like they've taken over, and they've got mail :)

I really think there is a ton of positivity on the horizon and I'm doing well moving forward out of what has so far been a bit of a crummy year. For now I'm feeling a little stuck in the whole 'change is hard' phase and feeling uncertainty in how my plans really will unfold. I am looking forward to B having all the love and me having some up and coming welsh cobs to do all the baby pony stuff with. I've got some further medical appointments and am crossing my fingers I'll keep improving and be able to keep expanding what I can physically do. Also, I'm pleased with how our little property is coming together. It's getting close to completion and while I'm sure I'll always have little projects on the go, I'll also be able to just enjoy the benefits of all the hard work we've been doing these last two years.