December with Mom

I drove to Baltimore for Mom's 90th birthday in November and am staying through mid-January, weather permitting. 

Here are a few photos 

Mom's birthday flowers (with Flat Mom)

Snow view outside Mom's apartment window.

My homemade gifts - sand and shells from Dauphin Island Beach, AL

Shells and sand top view. 

Opportunity and Talent

Auburn Football - this never gets old

Post by Auburn Tigers - Official Page.

Some Photos

Me in my cowgirl hat and me in my Barn Crew cap.

Sunshine, a Welsh x American Flaxen Chestnut 2 year old Pony
April, a Registered Quarter Horse 8 year old Palomino
The Barn where I "muck the stalls"
The Pasture where we pick up manure to reduce parasites

 

 

And lastly, my living room and my hewn log cabin in the North Georgia Mountains.

Christmas Card

I sent my Blog site info to many people on my Christmas Card list, so I should update somewhat as I can, before people start wondering why I haven't posted anything in a long time. Actually, the reason is because a) I've been busy being "Barn Crew" and b) I'm so happy being busy that I just haven't thought about posting. I shall try to be better at it, as I may have a larger audience as soon as my Christmas Cards are read.  Below is the major part of the Christmas letter I sent, minus personal information.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas has always been a time for remembering, not just what Christ means for us individually and collectively, but also for remembering Christmases past with the joy and anticipation of reading the Christmas story and knowing that once again, we celebrate the Birth of Christ our Savior and King.

In early 2011, I downsized and moved from North Georgia to Daphne, AL. Casey the Wonder Dog died of cancer in September 2011. In May of 2012, I moved to Murfreesboro, TN. I was in Baltimore, MD for my niece's wedding at the end of June 2012, when my Dad was hospitalized and died of a heart attack. Before he died, Dad told me to “hike the Appalachian Trail,” so with the help of cortisone shots in my knees, I made arrangements to hike the Northern half of the AT beginning in May of this year. My 'half a thru hike' turned into 41.6 miles from Dahlgren Backpack Campsite, MD to US Hwy 30 at Caledonia St Pk, PA as my knees could no longer take the pounding on the rocky trail. My brother, Dave, picked me up at Burgundy Lane B&B in Waynesboro, PA and brought me back to Mom's. As it turned out, timing is everything; shortly after returning to Mom's, I got a call from dear friends in North Georgia asking me if I would like to rent their mountain log cabin. The answer was a happy “yes” and I moved in July. I live in a hewn log cabin with a full-length screened porch at the end of a dirt road in the North Georgia mountains and I love it. My friends own a horse and pony and I am the volunteer 'barn crew' learning horse care which includes feeding as well as keeping the stalls and paddock clean. I get to wear cowgirl boots and a cowgirl hat but mostly I wear a cap that says “Barn Crew Carol” and mucking boots. I even have my own manure rake. Dad's advice to hike the AT taught me that when opportunity and talent coincide, happiness results. I had opportunity to hike the AT, but I didn't have talent to be a long distance hiker. I have both opportunity and talent to be “Barn Crew Carol.” I can truthfully state that I am happier than I have been in many years.

As 2013 turns into 2014, my prayer for you is that you will recognize the areas in your life where opportunity and talent coincide. May you find joy and happiness throughout the coming year.

Birthday #69

Today I turned 69 years old. I had a fantastic day. First, my daughter sent me a happy birthday text message.  Then after we fed the horse and pony, I spent the day with my neighbors  (BFFs).  We drove to Harrah's in Cherokee NC and stopped for lunch on the way at River's End Restaurant at Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser NC. I shared a Greek Pizza.  Then we drove on to Harrah's and spent a couple hours at the slot machines.  I "won" some money and walked out losing only $13.35.  And I have a voucher for next time.  When we got back, we went to Blue Jeans' Restaurant in Blue Ridge GA and shared a Greek Salad and appetizers, including fried pickles.

Mom called to wish me a happy birthday.  My son called and later called back and we had a nice long conversation.  The Toyota dealership where I bought my car called to wish me a happy birthday.  My daughter in law and granddaughters texted me birthday wishes. A dear friend who lives in Mom's building called to extend birthday wishes. And then my niece called and sang Happy Birthday and I spoke with my brother who has a 65th birthday later this month. 

My neighbors gave me my own manure fork which I got to use this morning. 

I also got a "neighing" coffee mug from them and a "barn crew" cap.  My daughter (& family) and brother (& wife) sent cards.  Mom (& Dad - RIP) had already sent me three cards and a monetery gift.  

I had a really wonderful day!  

I've ended it by watching "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."  

"Sometimes when things don't work out as you expect them to, what happens instead is the Good Stuff." 

I'm living the Good Stuff.

How I've been spending my time

I have not been keeping up with my blog. Since moving to North Georgia, I've been wonderfully distracted by life and the living of it.  I've made new friends, got involved at Church, worked on moving in and buying a few items of furniture and helping out with the horse and in the pasture.  It's so peaceful here. I love it!

Princess April

Moving Princess April's manure

Removing rocks from the other half of the pasture so Princess April won't trip when she's moved there. 

The peaceful mountain cabin.