I.... am awesome

I am, for the most part, a modest person. I don't give myself credit where credit is due, because I hate cocky a-holes and I always feel like it makes me sound like one whenever I admit that I did something well, or that I have a particular talent for anything. For the most part, I think I am pretty average in all ways - a fairly talentless, mediocre individual with medium-average intelligence, and not a lot more. But today, I am going to brag about myself for a minute. Today, I am AWESOME.

I am awesome because I am outrageously clever when it comes to work under serious pressure. I am awesome because I am friendly, social and selfless, and in my travels I have made a lot of contacts and friends who are all willing to help me out when I am in a tight spot, simply because they know I would do the same for them. I am awesome because I am well-adjusted and adaptable, and under pressure I am calm as the proverbial cucumber. I am awesome because in the face of major uncertainty, I am still just as happy as ever.

When the job down south fell through, I suddenly found myself facing a major crisis. I got back to Connecticut on Saturday, and had exactly three and a half days until doggie, kitty, pony and myself were completely homeless. *I* can be homeless without a problem, but I can't have all my critters out in the November cold without a warm place to go, so I had to act really, really fast. I had all my stuff to get out of the apartment, I had Gogo to move. I had no idea WHERE we were going but I knew we had to go NOW. When faced with a crisis pertaining to most basic levels of survival - not freezing to death in November - I moved forward with single-minded determination. At blinding speeds, I packed everything I own, set my little critters up at Honey's apartment, made some quick phone calls, packed up everything at the old barn, cleaned up Gogo and tossed her on the trailer, and spent my Sunday evening settling her up at Hillden, where I once lessoned with Kerry Milliken. (Yikes look at that equitation... that was soooo long ago!) Jen was kind enough to let me come last second, and gave me a day rate in case I found another job somewhere else mid-month and needed to leave. The best part about this situation is that Gogo is now getting 10 to 12 hours of turnout a day, coming in only at night to escape the bitter winds. It's exactly what she needs right now to transition over to 24/7... I don't think she's had that much turnout since she was a foal at foot. I spent the rest of past two days packing and loading all my stuff into my horse trailer. I think I should mention that pretty much EVERYTHING I own fits into my trailer's TACK ROOM. Wow.... that's kind of sad, but also a little bit liberating.

As for Gogo, she survived her first day of long turnout without an issue. I thought she might decide at some point that she wanted in NOW, and would run, but she went out at around 6am, and when I arrived at 4pm, she was just standing quietly by the gate. The paddock she is in has a shed and a holding area, which opens up to the bigger paddock through a gate. When she saw me, she screamed, and started pacing the fence like she was definitely ready to come in. 10 hours is pretty good for a horse that normally starts to run the fence after the first two or three! There was another girl there, and she said that she was grazing out in the field when she arrived an hour or so before I got there.

The farm is known for its absolutely gorgeous sunsets, which you get a perfect view of when looking out at her pasture....






I also made her an oatmeal snack out of the box of old plain oatmeal packets I found in my cubbard while cleaning, and spiced it up with some cinnamon sugar. She thought this was absolutely excellent:





I think she might get used to this retirement thing pretty quickly if all I ever do when she sees me is groom her and shove food in her face!


As for the rest of everything, today is the final day of packing, loading and cleaning. Jen's farm is about an hour away, so realistically I don't think I can go every day, but I will do my best to see her as much as possible while in this little bit of limbo. I have a job interview I am flying out for on Thursday, which is great. The rest of everything is all set up at Honey's apartment, and we are all fed and warm. Honestly, if you can believe it, this whole not knowing what tomorrow might bring is pretty exhilarating. I mentioned to Daun yesterday that it was starting to get old, this whole living out of a suitcase and being constantly on the move (versus friends my age who own houses, are starting to make babies, and are getting fat and rich in their little bubble worlds), but I think I am only interested in having a home base because I am always intrigued by what I don't have. If I was tied down to one spot, I don't think I'd really like it... I'm not old enough to really crave that yet, and the adventurer in me still yearns for movement and excitement. I am young and mobile, and I can go anywhere and do anything that I like. In the wintertime, I do get pretty homey, so the timing of this movement is a bit unfortunate. Secretly, I am seriously excited, because I have NO idea where I am going to end up, and NO idea what comes next. For the moment, I am awesome because I assessed the situation, addressed every issue with streamlined efficiency, kept my cool about the whole ordeal, and have still come out smiling. Given the whole situation, I think THAT is something to be very proud of.


And in her huge grassy turnout, and her big airy stall filled with fresh food and clean bedding, Gogo was as happy and fresh as I've ever seen yesterday, despite how ugly her leg is. She's sound at the walk, so I'll take it for what it is. She ate her oatmeal snack with gusto, and stood with the happiest, perkiest look on her face the whole time I was grooming her in the barn. If she's happy, I'm happy.






I am awesome. Gogo is awesome. And YOU are awesome for reading this.

More packing and cleaning.... and then I am freeeeeeeeeeee!