My Application Was Accepted!

My parents and I decided that it would be a good idea for me to apply to Colorado State University using the early action option, which means I needed to apply before December 1st to be an incoming freshman for the Fall 2012 semester.  The application process was a lot of work, especially for Momma, since she had to pull together a high school transcript for me.  However, we were able to send my application in before the deadline, and I have been waiting on CSU's verdict ever since.

Today, Daddy asked me if I had checked on my application status lately, and I said no.  I didn't think there was any way I'd know so soon, but since he brought it up I decided to have a look anyway.  To my surprise, I found that I have been accepted!  This is very exciting news for my family.  Now I am starting the application process for a scholarship.  If I am given a good scholarship, I'll be able to be a full-time student at CSU right away.  Otherwise, I'll need to become a part-time student, because we can't afford the out-of-state tuition and I won't be an official resident of Colorado until I have lived there for a year.

Needless to say, I'm very excited.  I didn't know I'd have this assurance so soon.  God is so good!  Now we just need to sell the house so we can actually move to Colorado.... :)

Many Happenings

Things have changed a lot since I last posted.  God is preparing us for our move to Colorado, and the preparations have been rapid lately.  Some of them have also been very painful.

My sweet dog, Abby, had to be put to sleep two weeks ago.  She had many health problems, including mammary cancer, a brain tumor, and severe arthritis, and she was beginning to really suffer.  Abby was 13 years old, and I had owned her for almost 6 years.  She was the best dog ever, and I never regretted owning her.  I miss her very much.  Her pals Bunny and Aaron miss her, too.  They were both quite depressed for a while after Abby died.  Someday I hope to own another Golden Retriever, perhaps a puppy, but I will have to wait a while.

The day after Abby died, we took my old mare, Poco, to her new home.  She seemed to settle in well there, which was a relief to me.  Poco doesn't always transition well into new environments, so I had some anxiety about her.

On Saturday, we delivered the remaining three horses, Peg, Ginger, and Rusty, to their new home.  Their new owners had been working hard to prepare their property for horses, and they had made a nice barn and a well-fenced pasture for their new pets.  When the horses arrived there, they seemed to appreciate their new living space.  We have had several updates from the new owners, and it sounds like all is going very well.  I am so thankful that the horses are able to bless others as they have blessed us.

It is pretty weird to no longer have horses to care for over here.  I have to keep reminding myself that I don't have to go and feed.  I miss my Peg.  He was a close friend of mine if ever an animal could be one.  Between Peg and Abby, I was very seldom without my animal companions, and it seems lonely now without either one.  I have had a furry friend to help me with my loneliness, though.  The dog from next door, Harleigh, has been spending all her time here with me.  She is a good dog, and she is good company.  I don't know why she spends all her time with me when she has a perfectly good home, but there she is.  Maybe God sent her to help ease the pain of losing Abby.  I don't know.

Some other happenings have been much happier.  We sold our horse trailer two days after we sent our last horses away, and someone came to look at our house.  We are getting closer and closer to our move to Colorado!

A Home for Poco

Poco has a home!  A kind friend of ours has offered to take her and put her out on his 100 acre pasture with his broodmares and babies.  Our agreement with him is that if she cannot find another home by the time we sell our trailer, he will let us bring her to him.  His name is Mr. John, and he is the man from whom we bought Peg, Jack, and Buddy.  He does an excellent job of caring for his horses, and he has a really nice pasture.  I know Poco will love it there.  Maybe she will even be able to be a broodmare for Mr. John.  This is a true answer to prayer, and I am so thankful.

Now we just need to find a place for Rusty.  I know God has a plan for him, too.  He has provided great homes for 5 out of our 6, so I can trust him to do the same for our old man Rusty.

An Update on the Horses




It has been a while since I posted an update on my charges.  Therefore, here are some current photos of the three horses under my care, as well as current information.



Poco



Poco is now 21 years and four months old.  She is retired but sound and healthy.  Poco needs to find a new home before we move to Colorado, so I am working on that.  So far, no one seems interested, but in the meantime, I am enjoying my old girl.



Ginger



 Ginger, now four years of age, is coming along well in her training, in spite of the fact that her trainer doesn't have much time to spend with her.  :) She is now able to lope, and she is continuing to blossom into a gentle, sweet, calm little girl.  I rode her this afternoon, and at the end of the ride I was able to stand up straight and tall on her back.  It didn't bother her one bit.  She has found a wonderful home with some friends of ours, but I get to keep her around for a little bit longer.

Ginger showing off



Peg on the move

 Peg is doing very well, and he is in good health at age 11.  We took him to the vet school on Thursday to get some dental work done, and the vet who worked on him told me Peg looks great.  He has found a home with the same family that is taking Ginger, so they will get to stay together.  Peg's schedule has been quite full lately with teaching riding lessons, giving equine therapy, and keeping my girls in line.  However, he still finds the time to play around like a colt, as you can see in these pictures.  

Up, up...

 

And away!



I haven't had much opportunity to ride him since his schedule filled up, but we still spend quality time together. Today that involved a quick nap, because I noticed him sound asleep on the grass in his pasture and went out to join him. He let me lay down on top of him, and we sunned ourselves for about 5 minutes. Then Peg decided to roll over and I had to remind him that I was there. :)

As you can see, my horsey crew is doing fine.  They are really enjoying this cooler weather we've had for the past few days.  Ginger is starting to look like a little pinto wooly mammoth.  I am so thankful that I have been blessed with the opportunity to own and care for these horses, and they have been a lot of fun as well as a chance to learn a great deal.

The Colorado Trip

We all enjoyed our trip to Colorado, and we feel that we learned a lot about the area to which we will be moving.  I, for one, am becoming very excited about it.

Remember, once we are there, we will have an open door policy.  Any of our friends are welcome to drop in any time.  We'd love to see you and show you around!

Riding the Cog Railroad to the Summit of Pike's Peak

We all enjoyed our ride on the cog railroad.  It has an interesting history, as it has been climbing the mountain since 1890.  The locomotives have changed through the years, but the track has stayed the same.  Some parts of the track are the original rails laid down in 1890.

The views from the train were spectacular.  It wasn't a perfectly clear day, but one could still see for miles.  The summit of Pike's Peak is at elevation 14,110 feet, and the air is very thin.  We experienced difficulty breathing as we approached the top.

The temperature at the summit was 25 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of 19 degrees.  However, the air was so dry that it did not feel that cold.  There were clouds covering most of the peak, but in a few places one could look down on the world below.  On a clear day it is said that you can see seven states from Pike's Peak. 

We really enjoyed the trip up the mountain.  At the top there was a gift shop and restaurant that served fresh donuts and hot chocolate, and it all smelled incredibly good.  Annie ordered a cup of steaming hot chocolate, and Momma and Daddy each had a fudge dipped donut.  I wanted some, but they hadn't provided anything for people with dairy allergies. 

We were given about thirty minutes at the summit, and then our train headed back down to the base of the mountain.  The views on the way down were even better than we saw on the way up.  We got to have a close look at some yellow bellied marmots that were out sunning themselves on the rocks.  Annie and I thought the marmots resembled Spunkabitty.

Our ride on the cog railway was a grand opportunity to see the awesomeness of God's creation.

Garden of the Gods - Colorado Springs, CO

We drove on to Colorado Springs on Thursday, because we wanted to see Pike's Peak and the Garden of the Gods.  Pike's Peak was scheduled for the next day, so we decided to explore the Garden a bit.  This was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.  It impressed me strongly, and I couldn't get enough of the sights.  I could have spent days there, walking the trails and taking pictures.  Breathtaking!  All the rock formations have names, but I was unable to keep them straight. 

As one drives into the valley containing the Garden of the Gods, these red rocks suddenly come into view.  It is quite a sight, especially since all the surrounding mountains are rather ordinary in shape and color.  One gets the impression that the red rocks were just set down in the middle of it all, instead of belonging there.





Balanced Rock