Playing in the Snow

We had yet another snowstorm roll through over the weekend. It's becoming a constant occurrence these days. Everyone seems to be complaining but I'm not. The  moisture is definitely needed even if we are currently not on the drought monitor any more. I don't want to be in the same predicament that I was in last summer where I couldn't get any hay because our hay ground never received any rain.

Unfortunately, with it being a spring storm instead of an early winter storm, we are met with different weather conditions. It's nice to know that the snow won't last more than a day but in the mean time the weather is terrible. We had freezing rain first, and then the snow. That means wet horses and potential colds and other illnesses. Not something I want to deal with. Luckily I still had blankets on from the previous storm so all was good (except for Zeke who didn't have one on but I think this storm, he was wishing he did).

This morning when I went out to do chores, there was a fine layer of ice on top of the snow. When I had gone out to do chores last night, the snow had stopped but the wind was still fierce and it was trying to sleet.

And wouldn't you know, tomorrow is supposed to be in the upper 40s and lower 50s. So we are going from low 20s to upper 40s in a matter of 24 hours. It's amazing how resilient these animals are during spring.

Had I been up to it, I probably would have stalled a few but I was once again under the weather. I swear I'm sick about as often as the snow storms roll through. It's getting rather old (both being sick and the snow). A memory showed up on my personal Facebook page yesterday with a picture of my kids. Wouldn't you know, there was green grass and the kids were playing without a coat. Definitely different this year.

But the horses were fractious yesterday while I was out doing chores early yesterday. I was able to get a few really good action shots with my phone. I'll leave the rest of the blog for your visual approval.

Maverick and Chaos

Maverick and Chaos

Maverick and Dude

Chaos (rolling), Dude, and Maverick

Maverick and Chaos


Did you notice the reoccurring theme? Maverick was the instigator on almost all the play. He even got Jim going in the play. So nice to see that Jim, even at 31 still has it in him to give Maverick a good walloping.

Be My Valentine - Chaos

Meet Chaos
Chaos is the first horse to officially come into the Sanctuary. In May 2006 we welcomed an unhandled yearling stud. It was a true wakeup call because we'd only ever handled older horses. We accepted Chaos sight unseen but are definitely glad we took the leap of faith on him as he's been our go-to horse for many and seems to catch the eye of many as well.


Chaos has come a long way from that gangly yearling stage. He's now 13 and completely sure of himself, which makes me appreciate him more. He has self confidence that pours from him. There are certain horses that exude personality and confidence and Chaos is one of them. He demands respect and gets it from the entire herd (except Rain).


We've gone through many ordeals with Chaos include a foot stuck in a concrete loading chute, a nail in the hoof, getting caught up in the fence and cutting both back legs, and a few others that I can't remember right now. I honestly think that Chaos has and is a blessed horse with someone watching over him because he has been accident prone when he was younger.


Chaos is always one of the first to greet you at the gate and if you have treats, he'll be your best friend forever. He's carried me through countless trail rides and carried novice and expert riders with the same care. He's a bit on the lazy side and prefer to simply hang out but will pick up the pace when the herd goes on a gallop around the pasture.


Chaos is one in a million and I'm very glad we took the chance on him way back in 2006. He's a very easy keeper and only requires hay and his salt block. Would you like to be Chaos's Valentine this year and provide a monthly sponsorship? $50 monthly sponsorship would go to buy his winter supply of hay, countless salt blocks, and some treats that he does absolutely love. In return, you'll receive a monthly update and pictures of this hunk-a-hunk horse.


You can pay for sponsorship through paypal at www.paypal.me/Borderlands or via mail at
Borderlands Horse Sanctuary
PO Box 164
Humboldt, SD 57035


#MyValentine

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday

This Wishlist Wednesday we wish for feeders (over the fence or rubber dish pans). The horses love their grain and are a bit hard on their dishes. But it's all worth it to see their faces as they devour their grain (it's a loo of pure bliss).

You can find feeders at TSC, Campbell Supply, or even online. The feeders run about $10.

Brego & Zeke

Maverick & Chaos

Maverick & Chaos

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday

This Wishlist Wednesday, we wish for senior feed. We aren't picky about the brand, we integrate the senior feed if/when we switch brands. The senior horses (and hard keepers) need senior feed to keep them fat, happy, and sassy during the long, cold days and nights of winter. We want to give them just a little bit extra when they need it to make sure they maintain the correct weight.

Even one bag makes a difference in making sure our senior horses and hard keepers maintain the right weight to keep them happy.

Junior and Lace

King, Chaos, Dude, Rain, and Zeke

Zeke

Meet Chaos

Meet Chaos

Chaos has been with us from almost the beginning (ok, so he's actually the official beginning to the Sanctuary). We had moved into our acreage about six months earlier and had recently brought my horses home (they stayed in Madison for the winter so we could figure out what it was like to live on an acreage for the first time without having to worry about animals).

A coworker at the time was going to take a yearling stud he'd bred and raised to a local auction unless I wanted him. Free was knew to me so of course I said yes. I was in for a surprise when I discovered that this new yearling was not halter broke and had very minimal handling (if any). So we loaded him up and that was the end of it.

Luckily for me, even with Chaos being site unseen welcomed into the Sanctuary, he was a laid back horse that fit my personality. I had more time back then so I could mess around with him, handle him, and eventually put him in with the little herd of four we had at the time. I always said older horses do wonders for these younger horses and I think that was true of Chaos.

He's currently 12 years old and is a breeding stock paint. As always, there was a problem with his papers so he's unregisterable. But that doesn't matter to me. This guy has 9 lives. He's been through a few little mishaps and come out the wiser for them (or so I like to say, but I think I'm the wiser out of the incidents).


Chaos is a laidback horse who doesn't let much get to him. He is starting to get a stubborn streak lately. He' starting to not respect fences so we'll have to give him an education on what REAL electric is all about soon (most of our fences at the Sanctuary are "courtesy" fences anyway).

Chaos is second in command and is typically Dude's shadow but goes it alone when he thinks Dude is doing it wrong. Chaos is my go-to horse for putting new riders on (even though it should be Maverick). Everyone seems to fall in love with Chaos. It could be because he's a hunk (although these pictures don't do him justice).


The only horse to push him around is Rain. Dude does his thing and Chaos has learned to stay out of his way. But Rain can pin his ears and Chaos will move. No one else has that authority. And yet, Rain can't and wont' be heard boss when Dude is gone. It's odd. Chaos has always looked to see who's in charge or who's number one in his books and goes after them to either test their authority or to become their side kick. He's learned how to position himself within the herd well.


Chaos is a terrible drill team horse but a wonderful trail riding horse. He'd rather mosey along on a trail than run hell bent in an arena. His preferred speed is a walk if he MUST do anything. He is the absolute perfect horse for trail riding and I'd rank him up there with the type of trail riding horse that people are looking for. I'm pretty blessed to have him as a good trail riding horse (after having so many that didn't really work as trail riding horses).

People have asked if we have any that would work in their programs, and Chaos would be one of them, but we gave our promise and our word that he would be with us forever. Thankfully he's a easy going guy so it's pretty easy to keep that promise. And now with my family deciding they want to get into horses, Chaos is the go-to horse. It seems all of my family has taken claim to Chaos as their own. First it was Dad who stole him from me as a riding horse, then it was my nephew, and now it's my daughter.

Chaos is definitely one of those "one in a million" types of horses. I'm glad I took the chance and brought him home. At the time, we didn't have criteria and weren't focused on old horses but he's still here to stay and we are so blessed to have him in our lives.

Quick Update

It's been a little bit since I've rambled about the goings-on at the Sanctuary. We had a successful Light the Night fundraiser. That has to be my favorite fundraiser because it's so humbling to me to see all those that are being honored.


I've been trying to keep Bo on grass as much as possible. He spent all of Sunday on the lawn grazing. My family came to visit for birthday celebrations and I pulled Chaos out for my nephew to ride. It's fun to watch as kids discover horses and the joys they bring. But while Chaos was being led around, Bo decided that he was supposed to follow Chaos. It was a funny sight. I also had Rabbit out but she doesn't go very far from her herd. Bo gave up following Chaos after once around the yard and went back to hang with Rabbit.


The wind was a bit much on Sunday but nothing unusual. I went to check on Rabbit and couldn't find her. She'd put her self in her stall that doesn't exist! I think she just wanted to get out of the wind. I don't blame her!


Later in the afternoon, my nephew was itching to get back on and ride so I saddled up Rain and took him. There's only three saddles that fit Rain. My normal western saddle, the Australian saddle, and an English saddle. I didn't think fast enough to grab my Australian saddle and my nephew fits best in my saddle so I grabbed the English saddle. I haven't ridden English since right after my daughter was born (over 1.5 years ago) and I only rode for about 5 minutes. I wanted to lift a light saddle (that's why I went with the English saddle rather than my heavy western saddle) for that brief ride. But it's been awhile since riding in an English saddle and then try leading another horse who prefers to eat grass over walking!! And Rain walks MUCH faster than Chaos and his poky gate. But I think my nephew had fun and that's all that mattered. Even Chaos seemed to enjoy himself.

btw: Chaos is MUCH bigger than Rain. This picture is deceiving.

I do think the horses would be much happier if I could spend more time with them like I used to. But for now, I'll hopefully have another helper around the place.


I decided to put Bo in a pasture to see if that would help with his ulcers. I missed a couple of times with his meds so am making up for it now. I don't think the omeprazole has really made a difference. Unfortunately, he's still wheezing and coughing so the cold never went away. But the omeprazole is super expensive and I know the vet is going to suggest another two weeks of treatment. Bo hates the medicine and requires me tying his head down just to get half of the paste in. He's getting better but I don't want to ruin it. So I'm sort of at a loss. I guess I'll call the vet this week and see what they suggest.


I'm holding off on calling the vet for Rabbit. I have not made the decision yet but I'm really only waiting for nice weather. The rest of this week is supposed to be rainy and dreary and I don't want to have to say goodbye with that type of weather. Call it silly, call it frivolous, call it whatever. But I want her last hours and minutes on this earth to be happy and filled with green grass and sunshine. Not rain/snow and cold. That's not the way to leave this earth. So instead I'll wait. She's no better, yet no worse than she has been for the past few months. But she has told me. I'm letting her enjoy some grass on the lawn but she doesn't wander far. It's time. And I know it. But putting all the pieces together is the tough part. I know some will think I'm crazy but the weather plays into it, the paying job has to give me time off, and I can't have other stuff going on. This weekend we have Mike's parents visiting so even if it was nice weather, I couldn't bring myself to make the appointment.


People sometimes ask why I don't get more done. Well, that's why. There's always something. Either there's kids to care for, extended family visiting or doing something, or the paying job. Like last night, it was 9:30pm by the time we finally got the kids asleep and I could sit and upload Light the Night pictures (and fight my computer and phone...technology hates me!). Considering I have to be up at 5:30 am to get ready for the paying job, I can't spend too much time on the computer because I need sleep. I sit all day and read, so I need to be able to concentrate and not be exhausted every day while trying to get through the paying job. So, not as much stuff gets done. Would I love to have more help, Heck Yeah!!! So, if anyone would like to help, just let me know. I'm sure to come up with stuff that needs to be done, even if you don't live around here!!!


So that's what's been going on lately. Trying to keep up the momentum after the Light the Night fundraiser. Oh if only I could add three hours to my day!

Name Game Bonus Trivia Answer

Name Game Bonus Trivia Answer!!

TWO of the current residents were named by the Founder and Executive Director of the Sanctuary. Those two horses are Chaos and Mayhem. Do you see the trend?

Sorry, super old pic. This was a spring pic from a few years ago. She looks fat these days

Name Game Trivia Question #7

Name Game Trivia Question #7:

If Chaos could be registered, what would his breed be?

Name Game Trivia Question #6 Answer

Name Game Trivia Question #6 Answer:

Chaos and Mayhem both could have been registered had their not been a paperwork snafu.

Name Game Trivia Question #6

Name Game Trivia Question #6:

Who could be registered if a paperwork mishap hadn't

happened?

Happy Friday

Happy Friday

General Upkeep

Life has been fairly quiet this week at the Sanctuary (knock on wood). No major illnesses, no hoof  injuries, no broken water lines. It's a good thing.


I keep checking the automatic waterer to make sure no one has destroyed it. I'm back down to three pens instead of five to care for horses. The big herd of now 11 horses, the mares with junior, and the ponies. It's pretty easy these days what with using round bales.


We had to put a round bale in last night for the mares. I probably should have put it in the day before but figured I'd make them eat up the last of the hay first. Rabbit and Junior powered through their grain. Normally Junior takes forever. I short changed him on a scoop of sweet feed because I needed to get in for the night and didn't want to have to go back out at 11pm. But he somehow powered through his grain and weight supplements quicker than I thought. Junior is looking AMAZING. He has always been a hard keeper and showed it. But I took his blanket off the other day to check things out and because it was nice out. Junior actually had a round butt! It's the first time ever I've seen a round butt on him. I was flabbergasted...and tickled pink! So my grain ratio and supplements are paying off.


Bo has also gained weight. He was on the thinner side going into winter but with his daily grain and weight booster, along with his blanket to keep him warm from the South Dakota winds, wind chills, and freezing rain/drizzle and snow, he's surprisingly put on weight. So I'm pleased with their progress.


Everyone is looking good these days. It makes me happy.


I've been checking Chaos's foot to see how its' going. I can't imagine him stepping on a nail and not having any ramifications. But there aren't any. I keep checking for heat or him getting an abscess but nothing. Dont' get me wrong, I'm not complaining but usually a situation  like that, where a horse steps on a nail, is either months of stall rest or possibly death. And he cheated both. After two weeks of stall rest and pen rest, Chaos couldn't handle any more. He's back with his main herd because he kept breaking down gates and fences. I figured after 11-12 days with gauze, vet wrap, and a boot, that he could go back and the hole should be mostly healed, not completely but enough to not cause major trauma or require me fighting him to put vet wrap and/or a boot on him. But I check every night for heat, swelling, or the possibility of an abscess. So far, nothing. Lets hope it stays that way.


We need to pick up a couple loads of hay. We brought home two loads (22 bales) back in October/November but it's time to pick up another couple of loads. I haven't paid for them yet, still waiting for a price but it wont' be a price gouge like last time. But still, it's a struggle to come up with the cash when there's no funds coming in, except for my meager paycheck that has to cover horses, daycare, utilities, gas for the car so I can go to work, and any other oddities that come about.


I need to start preparing for our upcoming fundraiser but I'm struggling on a location. We'll see if I get very far for the rest of the week. I'm guessing not. The venue might end up being the Sanctuary but I had hoped to get more publicity. We'll see. I'm no good at marking or PR work. I'm good at the grunt work and the daydreaming ideas. Anyone interested in helping? In any aspect of the Sanctuary? Don't even have to be local to help. Mainly, I need someone online to help push our events and advertise. Any takers?

Social Animals

Whoever said animals are dumb apparently was never around animals, especially horses.


In fact, when people question if horses are social all I have to do is look at my herd and know they are social. In fact, Chaos provided that point just this week.


Since Christmas Eve, Chaos has been on either stall rest or pen rest. Initially he was stuck in a stall and I didn't put anyone else in with him. I'm not sure why because I normally make sure there's someone to keep another horse company. After the initial vet visit, I moved Chaos to a very small pen that would allow him to interact with his herd over the gate. It was the best I could do. You could tell that Chaos needed the interaction with his herd.


Later I moved Chaos in with the new horse (more on that in a different post). It was a matter of working out the pecking order but even that wasn't enough. Chaos broke the gate and got in with his herd earlier last week. He was still on pen rest and needed to keep that foot as clean as possible. So I fixed the gate and put him back.


But he needed to be with "his herd" and he made it known. When I went out to do chores yesterday morning, there Chaos was standing with his buddies. He'd figured out a way to squeeze through a week spot in the fence and get back with his best friends.


So horses aren't just social animals, they also need their normal pals around to keep them company. I decided that small stall rest was enough for Chaos. We were done with his medicine so now it's just a wait and see if he has an abscess or if anything flares up. We were lucky...damn lucky.

2017 Sanctuary Residents

Jim - 30 year old Tennessee Walker gelding

Maverick - 12 year old grade Quarter Horse gelding

Ivan - 16 year old Thoroughbred gelding

Dude (My Blazing Skip) - 20 year old registered Quarter Horse gelding

Chaos - 12 year old grade breeding stock paint gelding

Rabbit (Rabbit Choker Nikki) - 25 year old registered Quarter Horse mare

Brego - 12 year old grade Quarter Horse gelding

Zeke - 25 year old grade Arabian gelding

Bo - 16 year old National Show Horse (Saddlebred x Arabian) gelding

Mayhem - 7 year old registerable Quarter Horse mare

Junior - 29 year old Quarter Horse gelding

Skippy - 14 year old registered Miniature Horse gelding

Tommy - 15 year old Shetland Pony gelding

Lace (whitelacenpromises) - 22 year old (Need to double check) registered Paint mare

Chaos brings Chaos

The week of Christmas was definitely trying. For 2017 I'm trying to look on the bright side of everything so I'm going to try and not be as negative as I have been.


So here's the facts of what happened starting just before Christmas. I see a growing trend.


This fall I noticed the automatic waterer was overflowing and sent Mike out to fix it. Apparently the insulation had fallen on the float and the float got stuck. Hence the overflowing water trough. It's an old Ritchie waterer. We've been here 11 years and have used it constantly and the previous owners had cattle and were here for another 10 years so its' at least 20 years old but I'm guessing much older.


But because it was old and rusty, the top lock to keep the lid on was rusted shut so Mike couldn't get the lid off. He was able to pry the insulation out and make the float unstuck but that was as far as he'd gotten and needed to regroup to figure out how to make the latch unstuck.


Fast forward to the week before Christmas when it's supposed to be 30 below, not to mention the wind chill of 40 below. Red Flag!! We need insulation in the automatic waterer. If that waterer freezes and it's broken for the rest of the winter, how do I keep a 100 gallon tank full without the horses drinking it all and then mauling the water heater. Because, face it, Maverick will do anything to entertain himself, including pull out the tank heater and break it. I've gone through I don't know how many tank heaters over the past three years. So I tried to wrap up the waterer best I could and the next day, when it was stinky cold, Mike went out to work on it. He was able to pry the lid off and add insulation but the latch was broken. He placed the lid on and thought that was good enough.


I can't remember what day that was. But we had our family Christmas Thursday into Friday. We came home Friday, super late and I headed out to do chores. Of course it was 9pm when I started. I noticed we had no water pressure and KNEW we had a leak. I figured it would be about time that the pipes from the house to the barn would break. It happened from the barn to the automatic waterer. Unfortunately, it was a HUGE leak and I couldn't ignore it even after coming in for the night. You could hear the water running out. So I went out to fill a 100 gallon tank and reassess the situation in the morning, only to discover that it was the automatic waterer. Maverick had popped the top off, messed with the float, and had broken the float and arm off. Water was everywhere. I have no idea how long it had been broken and flowing. We'll find out with the water bill next month. .


So we had to shut the water off to the automatic waterer, tarp it up so the horses wouldn't drink it up and burn up the heating element, and fill the 100 gallon tank. Because I knew it had to be either Maverick or Chaos, I stalled both of them. BUT, Maverick had taken to pulling the siding off the barn and put a hole in the barn as well. I'd put a corral panel over where he'd been pulling the siding (including the door I sometimes use). But I knew if I put him in that stall, that he'd just tear up the rest of the barn. And the barn would either have a gapping hole, or cave in. So I opted to put Chaos in the broken stall and Maverick in the other.


I let them out the next day, which was Christmas Eve and got to doing other Christmas prep work. Actually, we went to look at a horse in the afternoon to see if he would work as a drill team horse. Chaos was out because he's just not cut out for it.


When I got home Saturday, Christmas Eve, we got the kids to bed and I  headed out to do chores...in the dark. I was just wrapping up the last of my chores when I went out to check on the herd and discovered Chaos standing weird. He was standing like Dude does when his hips are bothering him. I knew something was wrong so I took a peek. Sure enough. The one thing every horse owner dreads...a nail.


I know my vet had said, Don't Pull a Nail! But it was 7pm on Christmas Eve. I figured he'd either be gone already and it would be that Chaos would have to wait for an additional 1 to 2 hours for the vet, or the vet would recommend a different vet...and that would be Montrose and I refuse to use Montrose or Dakota Large Vet Clinic. As good as they are, I haven't had much luck with them and are overly expensive.


So I did the opposite of what my vet told me to do and I pulled the nail. Then I put him into the barn with a stall full of straw, soaked his foot in warm water, dumped iodine on it, repeated with cold water because he put his foot down, dumped iodine on it again, then wrapped it with gauze and vet wrap and for safe measures added a knock off version of the easy boot.


On Christmas day, we had friends come out to help repair the automatic waterer and bring uniprim because I couldn't find my jar of it. I waited until later in the day and then called the vet. I wasn't expecting to get anyone but sure enough, I did. But I was told that because I'd pulled the nail without doing x-rays, it was mostly a wait and see game now. I could bring him in on Tuesday if I wanted to do x-rays.


I'd stalled Chaos right away and kept that boot on. I think with the placement of the nail, it didn't hit anything. By Monday, I pulled him out of his stall and watched him walk. I figured he'd be three legged lame but he wasn't. He was putting weight on it although stumbling with the clunky boot. I took him to the vet on Tuesday and he handled the ride just fine.


The vet said that if the nail had hit a joint, bone, or nerve, that he would be three legged lame. Because he's putting weight on it, it's a good sign that there isn't too much damage. We did x-rays and they came back clean. You couldn't see anything.


He rewrapped the hoof and said soaking is old school and to keep up with the uniprim for 14 days. I could take the wrap off and redo it in a couple of days. I'm behind in redoing the vet wrap and have to improvise because I doubt he'll let me handle it much. But I think we are on the upswing.


He still seems off on it but that could be because he needs a new bandage and I haven't been around to take care of him. Feeling like a bad horse owner at this point.


But everything should be good to go now. I am hoping that with a few more days, Chaos will be felling better. He's on uniprim until Friday but I need to get more before then. I think I have enough to get me through until tomorrow.


There's a cold front coming through and dropping the temps. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be the worst. I'm hoping that the cold is short lived so I can do some rearranging. Having horses in extra pens makes for extra work and longer time outside when I need to be in getting other stuff done. I'm sort of stretched passed my max right now and trying to keep it together.


So that's the chaos that I've been dealing with...along with my work system crashing...again and having a mouse in the house. Now I have everything out of the drawers waiting for the mouse to die so I can put everything back. So much for the goal of getting organized for 2017. I kissed that idea out the window long before 2017 rolled in.

Caption This

More goodies from the ol' archive. 

Can you caption this sequence of events from Chaos and Maverick?

Rain, Rain, Go Away

As my husband would say "I'm in a mood" and I guess I have been for awhile. The paying job is working me over but the rush jobs and poor planning should be over this coming week. Then I can hopefully put my focus towards the Sanctuary. But we'll see. I finally had to get nasty about finishing up some of our remodel projects before Christmas. So my attention has been elsewhere for quite some time. (The first remodel job started in March and the second in June and neither are done so you can maybe feel my pain).

But enough of my nagging. On to better things....the horses!!!!

So I have the mares and Junior in the pasture near the barn to make life easier for me to haul water (and it's much better protection from the weather). Speaking of weather, we have a nasty storm rolling in right now. It's been raining all afternoon and not just a little drizzle either. When I went out to do chores around 4pm (because I insisted that I would do chores in the LIGHT during the weekend), it downpoured. I'm not sure if my coat will be dried out by tomorrow morning or not.

I would feel better with stalling horses but no one seemed all that worked up. So instead, I opted to throw blankets on the delicate flowers and go with the flow (and hope that they dont' rip them to shreds before real winter sets in). But my thinking is that if we get a ton of rain, the horses will get wet, and then they will get chilled. Chilled horses = bad. So, I opted to get drenched and blanket horses. Some were ok with it while others gave me the stink eye.

I think there's something wrong with Junior's eyesight. He is more flighty now than he ever was. I knew he was touchy about his back end but now, any time I haul a hose near him or do anything fast, he gets upset. So I'm wondering if he's starting to lose his eyesight. He's 28 so I expect a few more ailments coming his way. But it's hard to take knowing that he's uncomfortable. He wasn't too thrilled with the blanket but Rabbit seemed rather pleased. She really is a dear. She simply doens't feel good with all the muscle pain. I need to find someone who will do massage for free.

Chaos

I was digging around in the ol' archive and came up with a few good pictures. All my recent pictures are on my phone and I can't get them off because I cant' find the cord to download them. The other set of pictures are on a flash drive that went awol. Yes, this place is a madhouse. I had such high hopes that this year I would be more organized. I should know better.

But the reason I was looking through old pictures is that Gentle Spirits Horse Rescue and Borderlands Horse Sanctuary are having a fundraiser at our local Tractor Supply Company and Horse & Hound. We'll have a Wish Tree with a list of all our needs, along with pictures of all our residents.

Gentle Spirits is doing all the work (thank you!!) and all I had to do was look through pictures. There's so many good ones but so little time to pick them out when you have a one year old vying for your time. But stop on over to TSC or Horse & Hound if you are local and check it out. I'm not exactly sure when the trees go up but check it out!

I'll post our wish list soon.

Dude

As always, I'm terrible at planning. I signed up to participate in the vendor area of the Hartford Christmas this Sunday. I figured having a booth might help promote the Sanctuary and get our name out there. I have so many ideas and so little time but I thought this might be one way to get out there. We'll see if it was worth my time and money. I'll have items up for sale and it would be nice to get them sold so that there's less stuff in the house (as Mike points out there's too much stuff).

So stop on our to Hartford, SD around noon. I'll be there promoting the Sanctuary!!

Chaos  (pics are all from last fall -- 2015)

I know there's more but I'm drawing a blank. The paying job is cracking down on certain websites and I'm afraid blogger is one of them. So my posts my be few and far between until I can train myself to sit down and write posts at night. We'll see how it goes. There's so much that needs to be done but when you're snuggling with kids, it's really hard to give that up and do research and just try and ways to promote the Sanctuary and make ends meet.

Hopefully by this coming weekend, I'll be at least a little at wits ends and can really start tackling some projects. But we'll see. I'm sure I'll be in panic mode by Wednesday. And if the weather continues down the path that it is...rain turning to snow, I'm going to really freak out!

Happy Friday

Happy Friday!