Every time you spend money you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want. Anna Lappe.
April 30, 2023
Crystals over Diamonds any day.
April 29, 2023
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April 27, 2023
It's Officially "Over the Hill" now.
My oldest Daughter is turning 43 Saturday.
I was thinking about things, how long I've been a mother....
All the events that have brought our family to here and now. What we've been through together.
She was my first born and the child that taught me what it means to be a mom.
She was born shortly before Mother's Day. Making it extra special for both of us.
In the midst of all the reminiscing I realize I'm turning 59 this year, not 58. I lost a year. I think when things like this start happening you can safely say
"I'm over the hill".
Getting older does not feel like I expected or thought it would. I was giving COPD diagnosis at 41, had a couple minor strokes between 40 and 50... I've already felt 'really old.' Already had to 'prepare' as if 'life was over'. Doctors didn't give me another 10 years with my lungs and heart. The high blood pressure was through the roof back then and my body was tired.
So I'm just not sure I feel like my age yet. I feel younger now than I did then. I don't think I have ever 'felt my age'. The mirror reminds me I'm old. lol. I worked hard to get my lungs back and I've made a lot of changes to my life to reduce the stress. So far the blood pressure is much closer to normal rather than close to the end. Oxygen levels are okay. The doctor checks them every time she sees me.!
I've worked hard to heal
Stress alone can cause so much damage to a person, both mentally and physically. Being traumatized has more of an effect than you realize. Trauma requires HEALING. It's not something "you just deal with" or "get over". It's something that happened that you need to work through it and be able to move forward from it.
Sometimes, It's a lifetime
I've had ailments all my life, so the aches and pains of getting old are just a different set of discomforts. My eyes are getting worn out. The glasses are needing to be stronger. I can't get around as much as before, getting up and down are a bit harder... but from - in here... I just don't feel that dang old. Yet.
It seems every time one of the kids has a birthday, it affects me too. I'm just amazed at how they have grown up and the people they have become. When your young having your babies you think about the future and you try to imagine what it's going to be like.
Then it happens and your looking back, comparing what you thought it would be to what it actually turned out becoming. For some the better others the worse.
Life is an amazing journey.
Don't waste a minute of it.
April 25, 2023
Brighter Days Coming
Since it's been warming up, I've been able to go exploring with Chanelle a bit more. She of course is ready to go, pulls you full speed ahead and can go forever. The first photo is her not wanting to turn back and head the other way back to the car. It's a bit slower walking back and she doesn't pull quite as much.
Today she met her first little snake! It was quite the sight to watch her watching the snake. Then once it slid off to the side of the trail, she spend the rest of the walk sniffing every twig, every stick and looking in every hole, to find that snake again.
Looking back frequently to make sure it wasn't following us too close. I'm guessing it was her first encounter with such a creature. She has had a lot of 'first time' experiences with me. I think she was never really taken out and about before I got her.
It's been a hard stressful week. This morning shortly after a good prayer a few answers came to light. Things are looking up in some ways, including financially. I had to make some hard decisions, turn down a few heart desires, and probably disappoint a few people. Myself included. It comes down to - you got to look at the situations - ask yourself if it is the right thing to do - respect other peoples feelings in the choices you make - make sure everyone comes out for the better. Regardless.
Hence, the knot in my stomach as subsided. The headache is going away a bit. I hope to be able to sleep tonight {Finally} And I think we are heading down the right path.My girl is pooped and ready for bed too. She's been with really close to me all weekend. Guess she knew -
It's been an adjustment as well NOT having to get up at 4 am. Even though I'm still waking up, I'm not having to get up. Hopefully I can start sleeping to 6 at least? maybe.
It's been a good week of rest for my foot, and my back is actually starting to feel a bit better. I have to accept that I'm older and with disabilities comes limitations. Whether we like it or not. I just can't do the things I used to and I can't work like I used to. My weight lifting limits has decreased. The amount of time I can be on my feet has greatly decreased. And sadly I can't just sit for long periods of time either.
My Social Security and Jewelry sales are just going to have to be enough. Mind you I did slip in a mystery shop to the car wash the other day.... Chanelle was barking and growling at the brushes. LOL I think it was another first time!
April 21, 2023
Re Homing Horses - Mariana's Ranch
Last fall This photo hit me like a ton of bricks...
We love our pony and it was a really hard decision to make.
I had fostered a couple horses before. 1 - restored to healthy condition and found a retirement pasture home. The other I lost track of and wonder about even still.
This time, it's OUR pony, not my horse. So I had to be even more picky. Lil Star chose me at the rescue. While in the pasture with the horses she stood between me and the others. It took a few weeks just to get a halter on her to bring her home.Rehabilitating her after the rescue was about 3 years of hard work. To go from a wild pony that had been abused to a pony that trusted all kinds of people again. Big and little alike.
Getting her feet done was the biggest obstacle. I went through 3 farriers before I found a farrier that would work with me to work with her. It took us a while, but now.... Any farrier that is GOOD at their job - can do her feet!
So, when this sweet little lady with a house full of foster children came to meet my pony.... I found out about this wonderful rescue Idea she had formed into a non profit. A place for foster children and their parents and foster parents to all feel safe and comfortable.... AROUND HORSES.!
And so her new story began. It's been a few months now. We keep in touch. I get to enjoy her progress and see how much she has blossomed into the amazing UNICORN I knew deep down inside that she was.
And even still today, I can call and say hey, and go see her for myself. It's so scary to rehome your horse. It's your baby, it's one of YOUR OWN. and the thought of your baby going to a bad place is a night mare no mama wants to have.
Our little girl got a wonderful new home!
And a new big sister!
Please, visit marianasranch.org/
April 18, 2023
Spring ~ Horse Maintenance
- APRIL: Deworm all moderate and high horses with an Ivermectin product or Quest. Deworming of low horses is optional.
- JULY: Deworm all moderate and high horses with Strongid. Do not deworm Low horses.
- OCTOBER: Deworm all horses with Quest Plus.
- DECEMBER: Deworm only High horses with Ivermectin.
April 17, 2023
Upside Down and Right side Up
It's been a crazy stressful couple weeks. I have to say the cold weather has played a part in the negative health issues we're struggling with. Now that the sun is coming out more, perhaps we can get back to a steady work schedule. That will help stabilize the finances a bit.
There have been a lot of prayers going up around here and I've seen a lot of miracles happening every day. Little things and somewhat bigger things. Solutions, one by one as we over come the obstacles. Not out of the woods yet, as they say. But we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnels.
Some of the things that have happened - 'have never happened to me before in my life'. Like finding $60 while at the store! or having a check show up a week early...
I'm in the midst of a difficult decision that I've been needing directional help with. Seems the situation is pushing me to choose my morals over $$ and that will help in the final decision. I'm going to need to rely on Events this summer to help make up for the lost revenue, but I think I will sleep better.
Sometime, doing what's right is the lesser of value dollar wise, but the greater of value in the long run. Usually the dollars add up and you end up on the better end of things in the end anyway. Doing what's right is always the right thing to do. Even if it means we tighten the budget for a while.
Things are looking up and getting brighter, stick to your goals. Make those lists. Organize and prioritize. Check off the accomplishments and reward yourself!! Even when you don't feel like your getting very far. Or when you slip up and feel like you have gone backwards. You can look at your lists and see what you HAVE Accomplished, you can see that you are getting closer to what you want to happen...
Sometimes life looks upside down, just keep moving forward and it will turn right side up!
April 16, 2023
Buster wants to go home!
April 14, 2023
Working with My Girl
StarBright will be 26 years old next month! So it isn't like she needs 'trained'. Mind you, she isn't broke either. I got her from the original owner that had her mother and brother and her, since birth. He didn't break her, he trained her.
He also let her have an opinion. As all mares, she's sassy! I always let my horses have their own mind and her own opinion about things. She's allowed to express herself as long as she's polite about it.
We've been together over 6 years now and become quite attached to each other. StarBright knows my car and comes running when she sees or hears me when I come to the barn. If she didn't see me, all I have to do is whistle.
She is very vocal and has become quite outspoken since I've had her. I recall at the original barn where I bought her, one of the boarders told me that they had never heard her talk before. We talk to each other every day. She's always nickering while I'm with her.
Where she is now, is the most 'horse friendly' place she could be, to enjoy being a horse. Her shelter is open to her 24/7 and the little pasture is big enough she can run around and exercise. There are trees for shade and shelter. Slightly rolling hills to graze, lay, roll and play. 2 tubs of water, one fed by a hose the other collects fresh water. Fresh hay twice a day and mom with kibbles and treats for lunch!
There is a nice dirt road and the neighbor is kind enough to allow the use of her arena and round pen. {My girl hates circles.} We seldom use the round pen, but there are a few jumps and obstacles in the arena to work with, so it's fun to work out and practice. We've been going up and down the road, working on walking in a straight line and not weaving back and forth across the road. Along with the challenge of keeping a steady pace, both coming and going. She tends to speed up as we head back towards the barn lol. After a couple laps she tries to protest too. A little buck a rear, some attitude. I really don't like a DEAD BROKE horse. So we are a perfect match.We do 3-4 laps, depending on if she turns and gives freely to go again, or if we have resistance. It also depends on if she breaks her pace. Once she's done a lap or two the right way, we head back to the barn. I must say we're getting pretty smart at figuring it out. The second lap today was perfect.
Still trying to figure out how we are going to get to the trails this summer... But determined to get there.
April 11, 2023
New Teeth coming soon
It seems no one likes really going to the dentist. I used to be bothered by the needle they used to numb your mouth. It was huge and metal like something you'd use on an Elephant or something... and the pain....
April 9, 2023
Happy Easter 2023
And still He lives!
Loooooonngg Days
Today was one of 'em. Easter event at the Auburn Outlet Mall.
Up early, I pushed the snooze button til 6 AM. Then it was, Up and get ready, load the car, head out. I had to be @ the mall at 8:AM, to set up and then stay open until 7 PM. At which time we pack up, drive home, Crawl out of the car, unload, unpack..
It's 10 PM and I need a shower and another cup of coffee {Only had 1 this morning} and then some sleep.
I have to be to 'work' at 7 AM tomorrow.
I didn't even get to go see my horse today.
April 7, 2023
Mystery Shopping
April 6, 2023
Helping Fur Babies
What is this Blog about?
When I started the BRIGHT SIDE OF THE BARN - it was for me.
A place to heal.
I love to write, and have been blessed with a couple pieces published. I've always wrote letters, to myself or to others as a means of sorting out how I felt or how I wanted to react to something. Or to express myself without being misunderstood or misrepresented by the stigma of 'he said' 'she said'. My words were fact - in black and white. No dispute.
I could rewrite, where as with words once spoken, they are said.
So, when it comes to healing 'writing' made sense. Why a blog? Why make it public? Why share? From my end, it's like sitting in a group therapy, or class. Feedback sometimes can be the answer your looking for. But, you don't get feedback if you don't open up.
My mom once told me that it wasn't about what I was going through, it was about the people watching me go through it. They needed to see the way out. My mom put a lot of the world on my shoulders as a child.. lol.
I think it's the OPENING UP part that helps us heal. We've let it out, released the pressure, tension, burden.... Once out, there is nothing to HOLD so you feel lighter.
The first post was nothing more than a welcome and announcement that I had deleted any and all previous social media and blogs. There was NOTHING of me on the internet at the time I started...
The 3rd post is where we really dig in and BEGIN..... You can read it here
~ Illness X
April 3, 2023
Every little bit helps
Social Security, disability, retirements, 401 K's ~ our paycheck is dipped into and a little bit goes here and a little bit goes there.... and then ~ you need it.... but the cost of living has increased 3x's what you expected.
So what you end up getting is 'just enough' if your lucky ~ to 'get by'.
Many of us have 'side gigs' or 'hobbies' or second jobs that help add to the income. Direct sales has helped supplement our income, as well as 'affiliate links'. There are many ways to earn a 'few extra bucks'. You don't have to gamble away your savings hoping to 'hit it big'.
Pennies add up...
If your worried about your bank account, get PayPal. Send your 'extra' earning to the PayPal account. Watch it grow. It's going to be a slow process, I'm not saying this is a 'get rich' overnight plan.
No, I'm sharing a way to get a little bit extra, to help you get from one check to the next. Who knows, a few people have actually 'hit it big'...
Another great way to enjoy life and get paid for it, is to 'mystery shop'. Becoming a professional customer service evaluator can actually lead to a good 'extra income'. I've made almost $1000 in a month just mystery shopping. It was a 'busy' month. But I did it to see if it could be done and yes it can.
I personally was connected to over 25 companies that employ mystery shoppers or professional inspectors. I would accept jobs and schedule my shops with various companies so that I could earn the most from the day.
An example would be ~ getting up and doing a FRED MEYERS grocery shop, then over to SAFEWAY for a quick shop there. Stop by BROWN BEAR and get the car washed on my way to the mall to stop by T MOBILE and inquire about new phones, stop at AUNTIE ANNES for a pretzel and drink. Shop and return at a couple HIGH END RETAILERS. Make a small purchase at another shop in the mall, then it's off to the theater to WATCH A MOVIE and finally a stop at DAVE AND BUSTERS for dinner.....
Yes, every CAPPED title in that paragraph earned me money. That day was about $150.00 profit. Just a few years ago.
I'm older now, I still do PRICE AUDITS at ROSS for $20 and get $25 to have my car washed at BROWN BEAR. I can't give up those two..... My health has prevented me from running from morning to night, so I've had to look for alternative ways to make ends meet. I have medical and mental complications so life has become more challenging.
I have always been affiliated with a direct sales company since I was 15. There is always a few extra bucks there to be made. From Avon to Tupperware. Weekend events during summer months and winter holidays are always fun as well. Now, with the internet and social media, I've learned to rely more on affiliate links and on line sales.
If you'd like to know more about mystery shopping leave me a comment in the box to the right. If you love on line shopping please visit anyone of the links in my title bar and/or below.
- Tupperware Products
- Touchstone Crystal
- Party lite Candles
- Paper Pie Books and Games
- Timber's Photography