Trainwreck in Teal: Waiting Game

I love that every time I get super excited and motivated to ride, either something weird and time-consuming happens in my personal life, or the weather sucks. Lately it’s been a combination of both – we’ve had ridiculous amounts of rain over the last two weeks, plus dealing with the remaining fallout from DH’s medical stuff. I’m distracting myself from that by ironing out details to go on a super fun road trip later this month (details forthcoming once things are more confirmed). Normally this is where I would turn to retail therapy, but I feel like saving money for the trip is probably a better option right now, so I haven’t even bought anything fun lately. Dang.

Unless you count dollar bandanas as fun?

Although I did come up with a brilliant solution to using one of those super annoying pre-paid Visa rebate cards – I wanted to spend it on something more fun than groceries, but couldn’t figure out a way to use it at an online retailer unless I spent less than the amount on the card, which seemed extra dumb to me. So I bought an Amazon gift card, which allowed me to spend the full amount on the rebate card while simultaneously being able to spend it on fun horse things from Amazon (although I haven’t actually bought anything yet, lol)… #shoppinghack #tackhopro

Ruby is not impressed.

I don’t really have any fun media of the horses because it’s too soggy and gross to do anything with them. Ruby has been stuck inside since the turnouts are basically swimming pools, so we’re mostly lunging right now because that serves the dual purpose of getting her out of her stall and moving and fits better into my schedule because it’s less time-consuming than riding. Cinna is doing absolutely nothing because she has mud covering every square inch of her body. I think the outdoor at home could be dragged and usable, but we can't get the tractor over to it because -- mud.

We have been playing in the creek a lot since there is actually water in it!

Being stuck inside does have the advantages that we’ve gotten some necessary maintenance done in the barn (stained the stalls, painted and decorated the feed room) and I’ve also donated like… 8 trash bags full of clothes to the Salvation Army... and I’m not done yet.

Before and after!

But basically I’m going stir crazy. Thankfully the weather is supposed to break and we should get a brief respite from the rain over the weekend. And I’m also trying to prep for our upcoming GMO spring show, since I will be volunteering and photographing some rides (gotta make money for my trip!). I’m also planning on going to a tack auction to meet up with some friends and people watch (but have to remind myself not to spend money).

The radar last night.... blech.

Even though I’m not spending any time in the saddle right now, I’m still enjoying the little moments I am sharing with the horses. Constantly braiding Cin’s unruly mane over to try to train it to all stay on the same side. Walking Ruby down to the creek and trying to teach her to drink out of puddles. Laughing at Jack and Trigger who are both so hairy and coated with mud that they kind of resemble disgusting yak-creatures. Even spending a few hours cleaning tack and watching Downton Abbey with my family.