This week has been challenging to me on so many levels. Firstly, I am trying to plan a great 9th Birthday Party for T. with very limited funds, and secondly, I am planning a two day trip to Harrisburg PA for a Tour Stop by Parelli Natural Horsemanship for the whole family, the very same weekend.
We are getting very excited about the party, partly due to the content, anxiety about how to manage all my animals with so many children about, and having my house ready to recieve guests. I have been trying not to let all my anxieties explode on my house and have just been plugging along, getting things here, wiping things down here, calling there. This is very difficult for me as I am usually a list person who plans months in advance for things of this sort. I am adding to my own stress by trying something new….. Hoping things fall into place. AH! We are having a Reptile and Exotic Mammal show to begin T.’s party with. This is always really fun for the kids and adults. We have had these types of shows at our home in the past, but never since we lived here. I hope it holds up to our expectations. As for the animals, we are going to be dealing with some folks that have allergies. I have four dogs, four cats, three chickens and one rabbit. This is going to be a challenge. I don’t want anyone hurt or scared by barking, jumping, licking dogs. The house is a whole other matter. That is constant upkeep issues. I never have enough energy to do it all. Heck, I don’t even have the equipment needed to accomplish it all. LOL Oh well, I am not too concerned as it will all be trashed by partying in one feel swoop anyway. 😛
Also, just to add to my stress about this. T. informs me the day after booking the show, that he wants to join a horseback riding summer camp. Well, that would have been nice to know as the money I spent on his show would have been put towards that goal instead of a one time party, but there was nothing I could do about it. Booking was made, invitations explaining the parties contents were already sent, so I had to do the strangest thing. I sent out a letter to those who replied asking that instead of purchasing gifts, which were unescasary to begin with as T. has enough “stuff”, that they might choose to give money towards his summer camp. How pathetic! I know!! It was the only thing that T. and myself could think of to remedy this situation. That was the strangest thing I think I have ever done. I am just not that diplomatic with my words to have requests for such out of the norm ideas to convey this correctly. I hope it goes well. 😛
This weekends trip to PA is a slightly more challenging task. I cannot spend money on food, so I am planning our meals to be single serving meals. P&J sandwiches, bowls of olives, keilbasa, motza cheese, meat sandwiches frozen prior to trip, sliced steak meat, carrot sticks, yogurts, granola bars, cup-o-soup, cereal, hummus with pita bread, and whatever else I can think of so we do not have to purchase food from vendors or on the way there or back. With gas at $3.59 this morning, I am not sure we will have enough gas money. I am determined to make it to this event though. Last year myself and S. went to the tour stop in Springfield, MA and found it a great experience. With the children, it will be different, but I hope still enjoyable. I currently do not own a horse. I had to sell him last fall and it almost killed me. He was my dream come true. I am determined to one day have that dream come back to reality. Until then, I will not stop learning and practicing my skills. I can better myself, so communication between me and my horse will be wide open and fun! I attribute the knowledge of natural horsemanship and barefoot trimming to Debra Lupein of Seven Springs Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation and, of course, my horse, Flash. Debra introduced me to Parelli Natural Horsemanship and taught me the seven games. Debra tutored me in barefoot trimming with hands-on experience with her own horses and mine. Did I forget to mention, that I wouldn’t have had a horse if it weren’t for her?! She cared for a horse that was broken in so many ways, until he was healthy and happy again and ready to be challenged and played with. Well, this is where I came in. Flash is a 23 yr old, Thoroughbred. He was energetic and bouncy and playful. He was also very careful with folks on his back. The ultimate babysitter, if you will. Perfect for a semi-beginner. He has lots of considerations as part of his care but his needs were all worth the time and effort when he allowed you to finally see him through the years of shutting down his emotions and thoughts. He was funny! He was elegant! He was eager to be with you! His personality shined and it wouldn’t have happened without the instruction that Debra and the Parelli family gave to me. Debra let me bring Flash to my home for well under his value, hoping this would be his forever home. Sadly, I let Flash and Debra and myself down by not being able to afford after almost a 1 1/2 yrs worth of time. It was tragic and heart breaking. I was able to find him a home that meant he was going to be ridden frequently and for Flash that is heaven. So I am comforted with the knowledge that his needs are met and he is happy. I wish I could have fufilled his and my dreams with him forever. I guess that is why I feel so strongly about going to this Tour Stop. I really miss Flash and I want to be even more prepared for a horses needs in the future. It helps me stay in touch with the world I love; OF HORSES!
I think I need to go clean for while now…..
Home of Hearts 