Somewhere There is a Fridge for Us

I came into the house the evening of Monday, December 5th, to find everything in our kitchen fridge unusually warm.  Sometime during the day our fridge had died.

Years ago a friend had offered me her old fridge when she'd purchased a new one.  She had warned us that it was on its last legs but still running and was hoping to find it a home so that she didn't have to pay to have it hauled away.

I jumped at the opportunity to have a back-up fridge and told her (without even checking with my husband) that we'd be down to pick it up.  We picked it up (actually he picked it up, I sat in the truck) and we (he) placed it in our garage next to our freezer.

Six years later that old fridge is still running.  It's come in handy, holding overflow for holiday dinners, etc.  On the numerous times we've lost power (sometimes for multiple days), we've moved everything out of the kitchen fridge into the old one in the garage where the fridge and freezer are connected to a generator.

With the loss of our kitchen fridge, we moved into "no power" mode.  We then proceeded to start the research for a new fridge. 

It was fun to look for a new fridge and I was picky, knowing that the opportunity for a new appliance like this doesn't come along often.  It took a few days, but on December 8th we knew what we wanted and what store we wanted to purchase it from.  The sale was made.

Today is January 7th and as of yesterday our new fridge is still MIA.  It was initially supposed to be delivered on December 16th.  We got a call and were told it would be a "few more weeks".  The new delivery date was yesterday, January 6th.  We got a call on January 4th with the same message, but this time there was no future delivery date.

We lost our fridge a week after the "Black Friday" sales.  Everybody and their brother wanted the same fridge we did.  The factory is over loaded with orders and indeed everywhere I look this particular fridge is on back order.

It's gotten old (real old) to go out to the garage to get something out of the old fridge.  I took the large fruit basket usually on the kitchen counter and moved it to the garage so that we could use it to ferry food back and forth.  The basket sits on the hood of my car, which is parked opposite the old fridge.  I can't count how many times I've pulled out of the garage and started to head down our drive to see that darned basket sitting on my hood.

I've tried to convince my family that it's good exercise to go a few more steps (58 one way) to get something out of the fridge.  Although they were initially good sports about the whole deal, the last call from the store with no idea as to when we'd see our new fridge moved them to rebellion and I can't say I blame them.

I faced them this morning with a suggestion for a different fridge, located online and noted as being immediately available from the store who currently holds us hostage.  I assured my family that today was the day.  My husband and I would visit the store and we'd come home Heroes with a solid delivery date for a fridge (or we wouldn't come home at all).

Off my husband and I went to meet with the individual who sold us our fridge a month ago.  She apologized, showing us a large stack of paper with names on it of poor souls like us, waiting for their new fridge.  She noted that as large as that stack was, those individuals were ahead of us in line and told us that our names hadn't even been added to the list yet.

She asked us if we had any other fridge we'd like to purchase.  I proudly whipped out my piece of paper and presented her with our replacement fridge, noting that this one shouldn't be any issue in getting delivered because the web page says its immediately available.

You can imagine our reaction when after many minutes of  looking at her computer; she looked up at us with a blank face and told us that for some reason the replacement fridge was nowhere on this earth to be found.  My husband immediately drifted away to the lighting aisle (not a good sign) and I still have the bite marks on the inside of my cheeks from trying to remain composed.

While she made "one more call", I went in search of my husband, now somewhere amongst the table saws.

As we discussed what to do next, there was commotion behind us as our sales person came towards us.  "Guess what?" she gushed with a huge smile (of relief?) on her face.  "A car of fridges has just arrived and there is one on the car for you!" 

With some additional reasoning as to why a fridge suddenly appeared out of nowhere - of which I still can't figure out, she informed us that our new fridge should be available for delivery next week.  She then proceeded to set us up on the computer with a delivery day of next Friday the 13th.

However, the scheduled delivery date is Friday the 13th.  I can't help but be wary, can our luck get any worse? 

Perhaps I should invest in running shoes for my family members.  Or maybe transportation between the kitchen and garage. 

Hmmm.  I wonder how Bob would do as a pack horse?

Where We Go From Here

I didn't write a New Year Post.  Just didn't feel up to it.  It's been a month since we lost Poco.  It's been an adjustment for this family, all home that morning. 

For Bob it's also been an adjustment.  Time with the horses was minimal during the holidays as we met family and social commitments.  As the end of the holidays rolled around I found Bob to be a horse I didn't recognize.  He spooked at a moment's notice, blasting out of his loafing shed in record time when I walked in off of the barn to feed him.  When I was able to touch him, his skin would quiver nervously, barely able to stand still, always looking around for what might scare him.  It worried me.

I brought out his curry comb and tried to brush him while he ate.  Initially he'd move away from me.  As the days went by he stood still and today I'm able to touch and move around him again without any issues.

And that's a good thing because Bob and I have plans.  It's time to go back to work.  We haul out to start lessons next Monday with my Frainer (friend and trainer).  We've signed up for a sorting practice the following week.  We've got places to go and things to do.

I once again greet Gus with the same, "Hi Gussie" as I used to. 

Gus is lonely.  He has always lived here with other horses and you can tell he doesn't understand why he's alone.  I know that Gus isn't a bad horse and I know that horses sometimes kick, especially when there is food in the proximity.  It doesn't excuse what happened, it's just the fact.

Gus is the kind of horse that cannot share a confined feeding area with other horses; however, does fine in a field where they all have space.  These are things I should have thought about when I put Poco in with Gus to share that large stall.

Where we go from here...we will be making some changes.  Just as others are doing, we are re-defining our priorities. 

As spring approaches we will be looking for a good home for Gus.  It's important to us (and part of our responsibility as horse owners) to ensure Gus goes to the best home we can find.  The type of home I'd like to see him go to will be one that has pasture space where he can co-exist with other horses without conflict. 

My husband has expressed an interest in riding and taking lessons.  Our goal will be to have two saddle horses here at home.  Bob and a replacement for Poco.  This will allow us to haul our horses with us on weekends without having to still leave someone back at home and deal with the hassle of feeding arrangements, etc.  It will have a positive impact on not only our budget but our pastures.

Where we go from here has taken some time to determine and on all accounts it's not going to be easy.  But I think in the end, it's the right trail for us to take.

2011

As I move into 2012, I do so with bittersweet memories. 

We lost two wonderful horses in 2011.

We lost Bear.  He was a kind, old soul.  Bear lived a fine life with us but his time to leave arrived in September.

And we tragically lost Poco, one of the Great Ones.

As sad as these losses were, there were also good things that happened in 2011:

In February I was kicking around buying my next horse but hadn't established exactly what I was looking for.  My Cowgirl Pals invited me to join them while they practiced moving some cattle.  It took less than five minutes of watching from outside the fence to realize that this was something I wanted to try. 

In those first five minutes I knew that I wanted a horse that had been around cows.

I found Bob at the end of May.  I had no idea how Bob would change my world.

A few weeks after I bought Bob I got to "ride with the cows".  It was great fun!

Bob (far left) and I started going on adventures with my Cowgirl Pals.

We even went by ourselves, a big step in independence and confidence for both of us.

Bob and I hauled up to our old barn and took lessons from my friend and trainer (Frainer).  We stayed at the barn and took a break.  A few hours later we then rode in Ladies Nights during the evenings.  I'll never forget hauling home in the deep red sunsets, exhausted but so happy and content that I thought I'd burst.

We sorted more cows and started to get better at it.

We watched and we learned.

And we bonded and became one team. 

2011 - It was a year of joy and sorrow, of challenges and accomplishments.  My experiences in 2011 have made me stronger.  I look forward to meeting 2012.

I Can't Stand It!!!!

Every day I look out to see it silently glaring at me.  In its silence it taunts me.  I can hear it..."Oh come on!  Everybody is out there having fun and the three of us are sitting here at home!  Come ON!  I know you miss me as much as I miss you!"

I can't deny I do miss it. 

...As much as I miss riding Bob, which I haven't even sat on since early November because it has rained when I had time to ride and been nice when I haven't had time to ride.

Recently it's started to silently plead with me..."Pretty Please?  Hook me up and let's go have some fun!"

I can't stand it! 

It's right; it's time to go have fun.

We're done sitting home!  We're heading out on the road to join in the adventures of my Cowgirl Pals.

Stay Tuned!

As Christmas Approaches

As Christmas Approaches, our daughter has returned home from College, bringing the Holiday Spirit with her, which has been missing around here with our recent tragedies.  She went on a baking spree and whipped up sugar and gingerbread cookies.  She whipped up so many of them that we couldn't give away or consume them all.  I've even added some to the horses' grain at night.

When our daughter was little she loved to go with us to the tree farms in our area to pick out and cut our tree.  Then we went through "the stink-eye phase" where she had no interest in our annual adventure.  This year we've come through the "other side" and she was again with us, helping us choose our tree and also doing the decorating.

Tuna the Mighty Hunter has been assisting us with decorating (or should I say undecorating).  This is her second tree and for some reason this year's tree has been more interesting to her than last year's (kitten) tree.

If you note the picture above, you'll see a nice tidy rug underneath the tree.

I can't count the times Tuna has drug that rug around the house.  I keep putting it back only to find it in some other room.

We've also had the same issue with Christmas Stockings and decorations.  Tuna drags them from one end of the house to the other.  She sits next to them and howls until somebody comes to see what she has "caught".  Once we arrive she sits proudly next to her "catch".

So as Christmas Approaches, if we can get the rug back underneath the tree, figure out where all the ornaments have gone to and place the stockings back next to the fireplace, I'm thinking all will be well.

Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas!

First Signs of Healing

It's been an adjustment going to the barn.  Poco used to be our meeter/greeter.  He was one of the few horses I've encountered who knew his name and always came when called.  I thought that was pretty special.  But then, Poco was special.

Now days who is always there to greet me?  It's Gus. 

Initially I couldn't even look at him.  I fed him in silence, tossing his hay inside on the ground of the large double stall which he used to share with Poco instead of placing it in the feeder off of the ground. 

I ignored Gus as he stood at the fence watching me.  I filled his water trough in silence, rolling up the hose and returning back to the house without a single acknowledgement of the large horse that stood there.  I attended Gus in stony silence with as minimal interaction as possible. 

As days passed I was able to glance at Gus.  I could see the confusion and sadness in his eyes.  One could tell that Gus knew he was in trouble but he didn't understand why.

Gus doesn't know what he's done wrong.

Ten days ago I used to greet Gus with a "Hi Gussie!"  He'd stand and wait for me in the pasture when I went in to see him.  He'd loved it when I threw my arms around his massive neck to hug him.  I'd place my arms and cold fingers underneath his thick mane where they'd quickly warm up.  Sometimes I'd get as much of me under there as I could to get warm and toasty, inhaling the wonderful scent of horse.

The massive horse had always stood quietly, almost purring.  He'd never move an inch until I removed my arms and stepped away.  Even then he'd wait a few minutes before moving forward, asking for more hugs. 

I never used to think twice about hugging Gus, even when he ate.  I felt safe in his presence.  I used to love hugging this massive animal with the kind brown eyes as much as he loved receiving the affection.

One of the comments I received when I wrote of Poco's loss was from a reader who reminded me that horses live in the moment. I knew this yet in my pain and anger of loss, I'd forgotten.

Today as I write this I am no longer angry although I still hurt and am sad. I recognize this as a good sign, the first sign of healing. It's not good to carry anger and I know that with time the hurt and sadness will diminish.

Yesterday I took a step in healing.  I went out into Gus's pasture and walked up to him.  I opened my arms and before I could raise them, Gus lowered his head to me and buried it in my arms.  I held that massive head and cried.  I cried for that silly mule-eared Appaloosa and I cried for the golden horse who doesn't know what he did wrong.  Eventually my tears stopped.  Sniffling, I removed my arms and stepped back to look up at Gus.

To see tears in his eyes.

Life Happens

Thursday....A week ago sure does seem like a long time ago.  A week ago today, I had the Vet out to give Dentals to Poco and Bob.  I had booster shots given to Gus, Bob and Poco.  It was a costly venture to do during the holidays but Bob was in need of a dental so I went ahead and had both horses done, with the thought that both would be in fine riding form afterwards.

Friday....I discovered, thanks to Mrs. Cravitz's Post on losing her horse Poncho, that what looked ok out in the pasture wasn't.  Her initial description of Poncho's initial signs of distress mirrored how Bob was acting. 

I discovered Bob in what the Vet referred to as Stage 2 Colic.  He was still drinking a small amount of water and had done a #2, but was running a high fever.  He was having a reaction to the booster shots.  A dose of Benamine, a night inside a stall without food (where we could check water intake and "output") resulted in a sleepless night for my husband and I.

Saturday...the low 20 degree dawn reflected Bob with a normal fever and looking/acting better.  We spent that day looking out the widow every half hour or so to make sure all was well.  I was so exhausted by the event that I passed on the yearly evening Christmas Parade in town, something we always look forward to attending.

Sunday...Well, I guess if you read my Posts, you already know about Sunday.  Another visit from the Vet and the pickup of our loved horse, resulted in about the same cost as Thursday's visit for dentals and shots. 

Gulp.

Monday...kinda in a daze I guess, I didn't notice anything odd in the kitchen until dinner time when I went to open the fridge and found the food inside wasn't cold.  Our fridge had died.

Ugh!!!!!!! 

Tuesday and Wednesday...fridge shopping, getting what I want for the best price. 

Thursday (today)....fridge is purchased but won't arrive for 7 days.  I'm thankful for the one out in our garage...

I'm one who prefers to look at the glass of life as half full but this last week has been a test of that philosophy.  There's a saying that things come in Threes...hopefully we're finished.

Life happens...