Today is October 28th. Today is my birthday. It seems for the first time ever, I'm less than enthusiastic.
I turned 24 today. Nothing particularly special about the number, other than the fact that I'm ALMOST half way through my 20's. Statistically, I'm where I should be in my life ... almost done with school, working, getting married, moving out, starting a family... n-such.
I'll be celebrating. Dinner at the Melting Pot with Dustin, his parents, and mine. Going out with a few of my girl friends to our favorite club. Dancing, drinking, partying, and sleeping till noon tomorrow. It'll click in there somewhere that today is a special day for me to celebrate.
But I can't help feel that the big picture is so much more important than this one little day that comes around every year.'That's the thing about birthdays, it's kind of an annual thing' - Tangled.
All I can think about is how much needs to get done before the wedding, when I can move Danny, and oops! I forgot we're throwing our yearly Halloween party Sunday and still don't have a costume!
I'm going to smile today and be happy, because everything is going better than I could have hoped for, and I have the most wonderful people in my life cheering me on along the way. So really, this day is a day to celebrate all those who make my like year to year that much better.
Here's to you, the beautiful people in the world <3
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
19 days... Family Matters
Here we are, less than three weeks before the wedding and we STILL do not have all the RSVP's in. I guess that's typical these days with all the other forms of communication. My new favorite 'Hey! you know i'm coming to your wedding, right??' he/she texts. Well, alright i'll take what I can get.
My mother, future mommy in law, and myself have been diligently putting tables together. It's definitely a challenge for a large and complicated family like mine. I am the product of divorced parents... from divorced parents. My fiance's side is half white, half Persian. Makes for an interesting social and cultural dynamic. So the game is; 'Who can I sit together that will enjoy each others' company or at least not ARGUE with one another'. YAAaayyy...
On that note, I had an argument with my grandmother today. GRANDMOTHER! I grew up calling her Grandmama because she was more like a second mommy to me. Yes, I have been busy with work, wedding planning, and keeping my horse alive, you're right, I have NOT been able to go shopping with you. But I'm still a bit hurt by the fact that you could not make it to our Engagement Party OR Bridal Shower. And PLEASE do not use the excuse that you're almost 70 and could drop dead any day. Grandmama, you are a survivor, pity excuses don't fly with me. You are a professor, and a quick witted one at that, your manipulative tactics don't work on me, and when I call you out on it and you get flustered, DON'T call ME manipulative and too young to comprehend all that she deals with at her age.
::WHEW::
Sorry, It's very upsetting to me when family spouts how much they love you and when you actually try to express how you feel instead of just bubbling over... it's just very frustrating. You can tell me all day how much you love me, but if you can't show it, it means little.
Which brings me round and round to the 5 Love Languages. Dustin and I were fortunate enough to attend a marriage seminar about a year into our relationship (we got a bit of a head start in the right direction!).
This little book has made a big difference in how we show affection to one another. When I tried (calmly) to tell my Grandmama how I accepted love (spending quality time together opposed to gifts) she spewed that I was too young to philosophize. Why is it my generation is not taken seriously?
On a high note! The vet okay-ed my horse for travel, animal control has given permission for him to move to another county, and yesterday the Hamzehloui's and I worked all day to finish the shelter! Needless to say it still needs a bit of work, but we're almost done!
We should be able to move Danny by Sunday. It's the best birthday present I could ask for!
My mother, future mommy in law, and myself have been diligently putting tables together. It's definitely a challenge for a large and complicated family like mine. I am the product of divorced parents... from divorced parents. My fiance's side is half white, half Persian. Makes for an interesting social and cultural dynamic. So the game is; 'Who can I sit together that will enjoy each others' company or at least not ARGUE with one another'. YAAaayyy...
On that note, I had an argument with my grandmother today. GRANDMOTHER! I grew up calling her Grandmama because she was more like a second mommy to me. Yes, I have been busy with work, wedding planning, and keeping my horse alive, you're right, I have NOT been able to go shopping with you. But I'm still a bit hurt by the fact that you could not make it to our Engagement Party OR Bridal Shower. And PLEASE do not use the excuse that you're almost 70 and could drop dead any day. Grandmama, you are a survivor, pity excuses don't fly with me. You are a professor, and a quick witted one at that, your manipulative tactics don't work on me, and when I call you out on it and you get flustered, DON'T call ME manipulative and too young to comprehend all that she deals with at her age.
::WHEW::
Sorry, It's very upsetting to me when family spouts how much they love you and when you actually try to express how you feel instead of just bubbling over... it's just very frustrating. You can tell me all day how much you love me, but if you can't show it, it means little.
Which brings me round and round to the 5 Love Languages. Dustin and I were fortunate enough to attend a marriage seminar about a year into our relationship (we got a bit of a head start in the right direction!).
http://www.5lovelanguages.com/
This little book has made a big difference in how we show affection to one another. When I tried (calmly) to tell my Grandmama how I accepted love (spending quality time together opposed to gifts) she spewed that I was too young to philosophize. Why is it my generation is not taken seriously?
On a high note! The vet okay-ed my horse for travel, animal control has given permission for him to move to another county, and yesterday the Hamzehloui's and I worked all day to finish the shelter! Needless to say it still needs a bit of work, but we're almost done!
We should be able to move Danny by Sunday. It's the best birthday present I could ask for!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
24 days... Hardworking Fiance
Every day I ask the Lord how I was blessed with such a wonderful fiance. This man i'm so fortunate to marry has taken on so much to make me happy. He took care of my dog who needed medical treatment (after she'd bit him twice - no worries! She adores him now) without any questions. He's spent the holidays traveling from house to house (because I come from a 3rd generation of divorce parents). He's been working like crazy for his father's business to be ready to move into our new life together and studying his butt off in fire school to live a flexible career.
For the last year, Dustin has taken it upon himself to provide a new and suitable home for my horse Danny. His project has taken him longer than anticipated but it wasn't until recent that it became of the utmost importance to move him. Dustin has transformed 2 1/2 acres of wilderness into a nice pasture for Danny.
For the last year, Dustin has taken it upon himself to provide a new and suitable home for my horse Danny. His project has taken him longer than anticipated but it wasn't until recent that it became of the utmost importance to move him. Dustin has transformed 2 1/2 acres of wilderness into a nice pasture for Danny.
The shelter is still a work in progress, but so long as the vet gives Danny an OKAY! to move (and possibly a sedative), he'll be closer to me, my fiance, and my new family :)
Monday, October 17, 2011
26 days... Stress and Miracles
October, my favorite month of the year, is here. In Florida, it's generally not cold till, well, EVER. But with the first of the month, a wonderful chill settled in and constantly breezes by (if only for the mornings). This month has been beautiful and a blessing because one of the most important creatures in my life faced a life and death struggle and is still fighting the odds.
My childhood pony found himself in a dangerous predicament on September 30th. Neighbors discovered him trapped in a fence after at least a day of struggle. When I had checked on him two weeks prior to get all his veterinary work up, he had been fine. He currently resides on my father's property with the agreement that any money my father is supposed to put towards my schooling, health care, and the wedding, should go to Danny, the horse that was to be my 'wedding present'. The horse has been held over my head since he was 'given' to me when I was 12 years old.
When I learned of his entrapment I rushed to him. When I arrived on scene, I found him at least a hundred pounds underweight, dehydrated, bloodied and bruised. My poor boy could barely stand. Animal control was present as well as our vet, who informed me that he had been trapped for at least a day, if not two, and had buckets of maggots pouring out of his sheath. I was horrified to imagine the graphic details of that moment, but his current condition was enough to send me over the edge as it was. My father was grilled and threatened with charges of animal neglect and I had no mercy for him. This was my baby, and he was going to get what was justly due.
The vet left me with specific instructions for his over night care. She gave him a 50/50 chance of survival. The next morning (after staying up all night and sleeping outside as a chill came in), Danny's mood seemed a bit lighter. He was definately ginger on his feet, barely baring any weight on either back hooves.
The next few days involved round the clock care. I called out of work to ensure I would be with Danny through his toughest hours. My father was relentless on ensuring he was doing his part to 'make up' for the neglect he not only disposed upon my horse, but myself.
Exactly a week after the incident, just when I thought he was making some progress, Danny starts limping one three legs. His scabbing has come off pre-maturely. The vet examined his swollen leg and pussy hoof. She looks at me dismally and declares that he's worse than she thought. The back part of his hoof is so thin that he's so susceptible to infection she only gives him a 25% chance of survival, and that's being generous. If he gets infected, he could lose his hoof, just like an infected nail bed would mean the loss of a nail. Losing a hoff spells death for a horse. She leaves me with syringes and fluids, bute powder for pain, and oral antibiotics and says it would be a miracle if he survives.
Another week and a half later and constant care on my and my father's behalf and we've reached a deep sigh moment. Danny seems to be over the big hump, so long as he doesn't reopen his wounds. The vet is pleasantly surprised by the pictures and stories I've been telling her of Danny's progression. He is bearing weight on all four legs, he's walking with a barely noticeable limp, and he's healing remarkably well. His feet are nice and pink and new skin seems to be growing in. His weight is coming back beautifully, and his spirit is back in full fledge.
My little miracle man is doing his best to stay well for me and that's more than I can ask for such a tough guy. As soon as he's able, he will be moving in with my in-laws at their 10 acre home. My fiance has been working on a fence and shelter for him for months (this accident came right before we were going to move him...) and is just about ready for his arrival. While he may never be able to ride again, he will be alive, and healthy, and close to me and my new family.
My childhood pony found himself in a dangerous predicament on September 30th. Neighbors discovered him trapped in a fence after at least a day of struggle. When I had checked on him two weeks prior to get all his veterinary work up, he had been fine. He currently resides on my father's property with the agreement that any money my father is supposed to put towards my schooling, health care, and the wedding, should go to Danny, the horse that was to be my 'wedding present'. The horse has been held over my head since he was 'given' to me when I was 12 years old.
When I learned of his entrapment I rushed to him. When I arrived on scene, I found him at least a hundred pounds underweight, dehydrated, bloodied and bruised. My poor boy could barely stand. Animal control was present as well as our vet, who informed me that he had been trapped for at least a day, if not two, and had buckets of maggots pouring out of his sheath. I was horrified to imagine the graphic details of that moment, but his current condition was enough to send me over the edge as it was. My father was grilled and threatened with charges of animal neglect and I had no mercy for him. This was my baby, and he was going to get what was justly due.
The vet left me with specific instructions for his over night care. She gave him a 50/50 chance of survival. The next morning (after staying up all night and sleeping outside as a chill came in), Danny's mood seemed a bit lighter. He was definately ginger on his feet, barely baring any weight on either back hooves.
Exactly a week after the incident, just when I thought he was making some progress, Danny starts limping one three legs. His scabbing has come off pre-maturely. The vet examined his swollen leg and pussy hoof. She looks at me dismally and declares that he's worse than she thought. The back part of his hoof is so thin that he's so susceptible to infection she only gives him a 25% chance of survival, and that's being generous. If he gets infected, he could lose his hoof, just like an infected nail bed would mean the loss of a nail. Losing a hoff spells death for a horse. She leaves me with syringes and fluids, bute powder for pain, and oral antibiotics and says it would be a miracle if he survives.
(posing!)
(KNOCK KNOCK!)
My little miracle man is doing his best to stay well for me and that's more than I can ask for such a tough guy. As soon as he's able, he will be moving in with my in-laws at their 10 acre home. My fiance has been working on a fence and shelter for him for months (this accident came right before we were going to move him...) and is just about ready for his arrival. While he may never be able to ride again, he will be alive, and healthy, and close to me and my new family.
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