Sometimes the Success is not about the ribbons

   This weekend marks the first of the 2015 Connecticut Quarter Horse show circuit series. The four day Spring Classic has felt like anything but -spring-… temps in the 30’s at night, 40-50’s during the day. Indeed, we had SNOW for a while on Thursday. Are ya kidding me??….

   Anyway… 
    This weekend, as it turns out, also marks Team KMax’s retirement.  K and Max had to move up this year, to a division that brings a higher level of competition.  We knew from the get-go that we were probably going to find ourselves out of our league, but K wanted to give it her best shot regardless.  In this division, the horses are very specifically bred, bought and trained to perform at a certain industry standard.  Max is Old School quarter horse, and not what today’s standards require.  He’s not as refined as they like to see in the show pen at the higher levels, and we don’t keep him in  constant training at 20 years old to try to get him as close to it as possible.  So, there is compromise. After a few days of riding and mulling it over at the show, K came to a difficult but clear decision.  
“I think we’re done here, mom.  It’s clear we aren’t cut out for this level of competition and I think it’s time to bring Max home and let him retire. I’m really OK with that. I feel like it’s the right thing to do. “
   Where is the success in this story?  There was no attitude, no aggravation at any point, no sulky behavior or sadness or anger when she came out of class without placing.  There WAS a sense of accomplishment for having actually ridden in that level of competition and a peace of mind that comes with discovering the right path and feeling good about it at this point in the journey. 
   Today I am very proud of my girl.. and happy for Max.  After 20 years of the show horse life, he will come home to This Old House and live out his retirement years in comfort and without a heavy workload.  It’s a beautiful thing.

Waiting to exhale

  If you do nothing else today…. click on the link below.. read the post.  Leave your thoughts in her comments section after, please.    I promise you’ve never come across a more courageous, gracious, inspired and inspiring, light of this world person. I hope I never know the kind of war she’s had to wage to squeeze as much life as she can out of whatever time she has left on this earth.  She should have been given enough time to finish raising her sons, she should come to know grandchildren, she should have been a writer from the very start, she is that gifted.   Go see for yourself –  it will only take a few moments of your time, but it might change your perspective in a big way. Then, enjoy today in all its ordinary.   Just that.

Fighting Style

    Three guesses and the first two don’t count – on what kind of fighting style this girl sports.  Have you been a reader here at This Old House 2  for a while?  If we were sitting in an auditorium you’d all be raising your hands with the answer, smirk style, and you’d all be right.  

    I’m the first to admit it – if there is something that’s pissing me off, you’re going to hear about it.  If you’re the one doing the thing that’s pissing me off – you’ll hear it even louder.  I’m married to the same kind of fighter and that makes life interesting around here.     And curses are part of my vocabulary.. is it a New Yawk thing? … Nope.. because I still have friends who grew up right alongside me in New Yawk who say “Gosh”.    If I ever say ” oh gosh”… know there’s something wrong with me.    Not that there’s anything wrong with it, just so we’re clear here –  it is not a dig against -gosh- exclaimers.    It just ain’t me… it sounds so -wrong- coming out of my mouth.
 The good thing about all that is, you’ll always know where I stand.   The bad thing about that is… you’ll always know where I stand.    What’s better – the noise maker who wants everything aired out, cleared up, straightened out and -let’s move forward-… or the quiet one who stews, simmers, maybe even ignores, but makes a statement in another way, which leaves whomever was the pisser offer clueless.. so that there is no positive change because… clueless.  And you know.. that long slow simmer eventually eats your heart out if you ask me. 

   Then there’s the passive aggressive way of fighting… no arguments, no loud exclamations or swear words or burnt offerings. But there is the steady pushing back, the little insinuations, the gestures, the Oops, did I do that?.. things that are a payback, but they don’t really accomplish anything because it’s not all out in the open, you know?  You’re not saying what you REALLY mean, you’re just getting even.  So the other person is left.. .clueless. 
   Now, in a perfect world, there is no fighting.  Fighting should be obsolete! Let’s all get along!…
but where do we live?  In the real world. 
    So what’s your fighting style?  …has it served you well?  I don’t know that mine has.. I didn’t choose it..but it is what it is. 
  

This I know for sure…

    … life is so enriched when you have the love of and for a dog.  If you never take anything else away from reading my blog drivel… please know.. believe…  that they feel, they love, they adore, they cherish, they hurt, they worry,  they grieve.  For those who have said to me – Oh, it’s all about the food, you give them the food and so they follow you around –   well,  if you believe that … you are missing out on one of the best relationships ever bestowed on us –  truth, that. 
   I will never forget an experience I had with my dachshund, little Rudy – the piss pot.   My daughter had just been in a horrible car accident and was lying in a coma at Yale.  I came home to change clothes and collapsed on my bed in tears. It was the first time I let loose since the accident and the sobs wracked my body. Suddenly I realize I heard a wailing beside me that was not my own.  It was Rudy – who had jumped up on the bed, laid next to me and began crying right beside me. 
    Ben is a very sensitive soul – he does not like when we argue in this house and lets us know immediately if there is tension in our voices.  And hey – we’re Italian, it is what it is.   He loves his bed and blankets and pillow and walks in the hayfields behind the house.  His face actually scrunches up in a smile when I tell him -let’s go for a walk-.  
   When I was sick on the bathroom floor with a migraine (you might know that kind)… Frasier sat beside me, tucked up against me, worried. 
  Bailey LOVES bedtime where she can tuck up against Mike or myself for the night.  On nights that I can’t sleep (thank you, menopausal mania) .. she watches Golden Girls reruns with me. 
  When I meet the shelter dogs who come into our fold while we try to get them homes, they are sooooo grateful to be out of whatever hell they just came from.  The emotion is amazing.. can’t explain it any other way. 
  Let me not got to any Heaven where there are no dogs…. 

WOW, what a weekend

We had a fantastic adoption event – all went smoothly – 40 out of approx. 50 dogs went to their forever homes!  The remaining few are in foster or went back with their rescue.  We are so very grateful for all the volunteers and adopters who show up and help us make  this monumental task a success.  I always go home exhausted and inspired with some of my faith in mankind restored after these events.  It’s a beautiful thing. 
Just a few of the 200 pics taken this weekend – 
These two dogs are brother and sister – they were dropped off at the kill shelter when their owners got divorced and neither wanted the dogs.   They were adopted together yesterday – the highlight of our event.  -awesome. This couple gets a Gold Star – 

If A picture can say a thousand words.. this one is it. 

Here we go again!

  First, let me thank every one of you who responded to my “issues” post –  one of the things that makes the difficult parts of life less -difficult- is sharing information, worries, dilemnas, etc with others, gaining valuable insight and knowing you’re not alone.  I don’t blog as often as I used to because – life-, but I’m sure glad you still poke your head in here now and then. Here’s what I decided to do once I read all your comments and went to the Dr. with more questions. 
   I’ve started a new drug (a Beta Blocker) because what I’ve been taking just ain’t cutting it. Very low dose for now, we’ll see where that goes.  I hate meds but I don’t have a choice right now while I tweak other things.   I am drinking more water,  I’m walking, I am making A BIG EFFORT to cut out dairy, gluten, sugar.  I already know when I do that, (ain’t no easy feat)… I feel so much better. The weight comes off, the aches and pains are much less, the blood pressure comes down.  I know some of you are already aware that when there is inflammation present in your body, dairy, sugar and gluten are inflammatory. So why dump it in your body to compound the issue, right?   I am also going to stay with the therapeutic massage to my neck and shoulders – right now I’m going twice a week to get rid of the spasms, but I will stay on a maintenance plan from here on out – maybe once every three weeks.  It’s something I have not done before because… I don’t like lying on that table or spending the money because insurance won’t cover it… but I like feeling awful and immobile even less… so it’s simple science, you know?   AND… I won’t cut out my farm chores, but I’m changing the way I do them. Instead of tackling them with a vengeance, I’m mosying through my morning chores, sometimes taking a break to look at my phone, chat with others, etc.  I’m actually sitting down for 10 minutes every day to stretch and just breathe in and breathe out, slowly, deeply.    
  So… where are we going?… to another Homeward Bound CT Adoption Event!  For the next few days, myself and about 30 other people will be pretty busy helping dogs find homes – there will be smiles, laughs, tears even… and some exhausted people at the end of the weekend – but lets hope and pray and please send positive thoughts that  our 50 dogs will find their homes by Sunday night –   Hooray for the Underdog!….
 
 A few more of our adoptable adorables….

Tank

  We had a fundraiser yesterday (and today but I’m not today’s crew) at Pet Valu in Guilford   –  pets or children’s picture taken with the Easter Bunny for a $5. donation to Homeward Bound CT – the proceeds will help us pay for the next adoption event – which is NEXT WEEKEND!!!  
 This big boy was such a happy fella – loved everyone he saw, including the big bunny.  If this breed of dog didn’t come with so many health problems, I’d love to have one.  Now and then they do come up on the rescue radar, but not too often.  He has a very good home with his own family so he does not need rescuing, I just wanted to hug him. I think he’s three feet wide and two feet tall – 
 

Anyway – A good time was had by all, except for just a few dogs who thought the Easter Bunny was something sent up from Hell to torment them specifically, judging by their reaction.  
Here are a few highlights…
My favorite….

These girls are golden- good friends, good hearts, good souls. It’s a great feeling to get involved in a cause and accomplish things for the better with like minded people.  Doesn’t matter how big or small the contributions might be – I highly recommend finding a cause you feel passionate about and get involved in whatever way is doable in your life.  It does a body ( and soul)  good. 

How to break the cycle

…I don’t have a darn clue. 
  I’ve been struggling with the same issue for years now.  Because of the nature of the physical work of shoveling shit for 35 years… and the nature of bending over a computer keyboard on and off for various work related stuff over the years…   I’ve got arthritis in my neck and muscles spasms in the neck/shoulder area that occasionally FLARE. 
     Now throw in High Blood Pressure.  And medicine sensitivities galore. 
  Here’s why that’s aggravating as hell –  I hate BP meds, they make me feel like a slug and aren’t really effective.  I’ve tried three so far – bleh.   If I lose 10-15 lbs, which is about what I’ve gained over the years that I shouldn’t have… the numbers might come down some.  So I start doing some intensive treadmill walking/hiking and a few Yoga routines.  Which throws my neck and shoulders into a tizzy.  Which causes pain, which spikes the blood pressure. 
   Now throw in Anxiety… because when I feel like crap, that factors in too.  The muscle relaxants that are prescribed when the pain gets real bad make me feel like a zombie. Anti inflammatories make me stomach sick.  The Anxiety spirals, the muscles spasm more… 
 and still there is shit to shovel and documents to edit. 
  I’m not getting rid of the horses/chickens/rabbits.   I’m not quitting my day job.  I really need to keep up exercise regimen for health and well being.  
 So I ice my neck. I go to Physical Therapy.  I try to eat almost nothing to lose that 10-15 lbs, and it gets somewhere and then I fall back.  
Round and round it goes, when she’ll figure out what works for good, no one knows.   Or maybe I just don’t want to accept it.  
Anyway… have you found yourself in a negative life cycle that you’d love to resolve?  Did you manage to do so?  What worked for you, do tell…
  
   
  

Unbroken

 Have you seen the movie yet?  

     Amazing.. amazing true story.   – 2014 , produced and directed by Angelina Jolie,  based on the 2010 non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand.   The film revolves around the life of  USA Olympian   Louis “Louie” Zamperini,  portrayed by Jack O’Connell.  Zamperini survived in a raft for 47 days after his bomber was downed in World War II, then was sent to a series of Japanese prison camps where he sustained unfathomable torture but showed a resilience I can’t even describe.. except to say I was in awe and in  tears often throughout the movie.  The icing on the cake is knowing Zamperini went on to marry his sweetheart, raise two children,  and even ran with the Olympic torch IN JAPAN at the age of 81.  He recently passed in July of 2014 at the age of 97.   

Amazing. 

Back in the day, I used to think of Angelina as not much more than  a gorgeous but whacked young actress who was going to tip over the edge for certain one of these days.  Of course she has always been my husbands ultimate fantasy figure. 

In recent years, however,  I have a whole new respect for her. She has talent behind the cameras, as evidenced in producing and directing this movie.  She came to know this incredible man personally, and wanted to portray his  journey as authentically as possible.  I believe she did just that.   Angie also shows a generosity and soul so many other celebrities  do not possess.   And right here I admit.. way back when it was the -thing- I was Team Aniston all the way.    

 Only thing?..Sometimes I just want to throw her a cheeseburger, ya know? 



Shown below….. with the authentic Louie. 


 Bravo, Angelina Jolie, and Louie – I sure hope there is a reward at the end of this life.. if anyone deserves it, you most definitely deserve it. 


Where have I been!!???…

   Busy, but in a good way.   In my new old position as editor of our local publication, (because our town is so small we don’t have an actual newspaper) .. I am feeling creative again and contributing to the community, hopefully in a good way.   I love that I can work at home, too. Right now the dogs are laying all around me and I’ve got a candle burning as the snow begins to fly once again.  Oh, did I really just say that?… Indeed….

  We celebrated the big FIVE OH  quietly with family – because of my hearing impairment, big noisy parties and the conversations they require are hard to navigate. I asked only one thing… please, no big party.   I had a lovely day and I can honestly tell you I feel the number is a present to be opened, not a thing to begrudge. Age is a privilege, a gift not all receive.  I’ll take it open handed and embrace each year as it comes, wrinkles and all.  

 Made this recipe the other night and it was a huge hit.  To the arteries, not just the taste buds.  But hey, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do and hope for the best.

Dad’s Swedish Meatballs – Taste of Home Recipe





Ingredients

  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup soft bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  • DILL CREAM SAUCE:
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dill seed

Directions

  • In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Crumble beef and pork over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. In a large skillet, cook meatballs in butter in batches until a thermometer reads 160°. Remove and keep warm.

    In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients until blended. Stir into skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with meatballs. Yield: 6 servings.