Back to Normal

For many years our weather maintained a moderate medium. Summers never really got to hot and winters never really got cold. Rain was a common occurrence and temperatures ranged from 55 to 75 on the average. 

In the last decade or so, temperatures during the summer would reach uncomfortably hot nearing 100 and winters would drop well below freezing into the 20's. Snow has become more common in the winter and and rain has become a rare occurrence. 

They started manipulating the weather a few years back and that is when I think the extreme began to happen. Now in the past couple years, our weather seems to be getting back to normal. We had a few days of snow 2 winters ago and only 1 day of snow this last winter. Temperatures stayed moderately warm last summer and this year it seems to be staying cooler as well. For this part of the world, this in the normal. 

It's part of the reason I've lived here for 40+ years. I don't like cold and it's hard to work in the too hot. They used to call it the evergreen state, also much of our 'green' has disappeared into development or disasters.  The world is becoming crowded almost everywhere you look. There isn't much 'frontier' left to discover. 

Everyday I wake up grateful for where I am and how good life has become, even that has become a sense of normal. No struggles, no trauma, no drama. I wish it could have been like this when my kids were growing up, instead of all we had to go through. I wish they could remember the good times instead of the dark days. There were a lot of good times worth remembering. 

I've gotten used to being alone, that too has become the new normal. It's actually gotten to where I prefer to be alone most of the time. It's peaceful.  I think we all have a different view of 'normal'. We don't all fit in the same box. Many times the question is posed ~ What is normal? when it should be asked 

~ what is your normal? 

Blessed by God

Life's peaceful @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails. 

Whistle while you work.

 It's been a busy month for sure! A happy busy though. Getting much accomplished and caught up on things.

Between the jobs, selling a car, having a new puppy and keeping my house clean ~ Bible studies, Sunday school lessons ~ I've also had a few sewing projects requested, in addition to the projects I still need to finish. 

Cleo has been an additional companion this week as well. Tim's out of town so she's hanging out with me. Charlie has found the cats more acceptable to his antics, more so than Chanelle. She tolerates him but because of his size she doesn't really like to play. He tends to pounce on her.

Even with everything else going on, I managed to get a saddle fitting and ride in this weekend. It was a short ride, but it felt good to be with my horse for a spell. She turns 29 this week! She still looks good! Even with the 'Cushing's' diagnosis. Her medication seems to be helping, plus I bought clippers and helped her shed out this spring. I still want to do a bit more of a trim for her. 

So, I've been asked "why am I selling the car"? As it turns out, I have to streamline my finances and insuring 2 vehicles is a bit much. My horse tack fits in the back of the Jeep, and it's more of a year-round vehicle. Whereas the car is only really good in the summer months. Not a good winter drive. It makes more sense to let go of the car vs letting go of the Jeep. 

Someday I hope to get the back bumper fixed and will have to have a new hitch put on, since that ball won't come out (even the mechanic shop tried}. Seems it welded itself in there when the back end caught fire. {Previous owners}. Another reason for the Jeep vs the car ~ I've done my research and the Jeep can pull a horse trailer, so I'm looking for another light weight 2 horse straight load, like the one I used to have. {Still kicking myself for selling it}.

 My horse is actually a pony based on her height and weight and an older 2 horse straight load is light weight as well. The combination will still be below the Jeeps towing capacity. Even with 2 horses. Maybe I can trade the car for a trailer? Who knows. I pray about it daily that the Lord will help me with the sale. Don't laugh. God cares about our needs, even the trivial things. I've been very blessed throughout life, so I have faith, He'll help me with this as well.  

Blessed by God

Life's busy @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

$5,000 takes her Home.

 Life has a way of turning into curves we don't expect. 

Due to circumstances beyond my control, 

I need to give up on my restoration project and put it up for sale. 

 2004 Chrysler SeBring

 2 door convertible. 

2.7 V6

128,000 original miles. 

Many many new parts, I have receipts for all the mechanical work that has been done. 

New gaskets and seals, air idle control valve, oil sending unit; 

She's had a fresh oil change, transmission service and tune up.. 

More receipts for New tires, struts, ball joints, tierods inner and outer, alignment have all been done as well. 

Runs and drives beautifully. 

The only work left is the cosmetics. 

She needs a new plastic bumper cover for the front and a new grill. I found both on parts geek for less than $ 500. 

Bonus ! I have the boot for when the tops down and I have a car cover to put on her for protection in the winter. 

$5,000 takes her home.

Interested? Email me @ 3horseaddict@gmail.com or text to 360-469-9921

Blessed by God

Life's full of surprises @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay safe and Happy Trails.

Happy Mother's Day to All

 

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

If it wasn't for my medication, I could cry.

 Unfortunately for me, one of my medications prevent me from being emotional. Right now, I wish I could cry. 

 In the past month I have spent a small fortune on my vehicles. At the mechanic shop and Les Schwab, the tire store, Close to $10,000 in all. They should have been in mint condition. 

 Les Schwab broke one of the convertible top latches for the car and another part which led to more parts. The bill almost doubled by the time it was done. The car still seems to shimmy and doesn't ride as smooth as I'd like. 

The Jeep was doing great until yesterday. 80 degrees out and I'm heading home and it overheats. Come to find out it blew out the radiator drain plug. We are hoping the cause is just a stuck thermostat. I had to have a 35 mile tow home. Thankfully I had renewed my AAA, so the tow service was covered. But still! 

The whole thing leaves me feeling a bit defeated. I am grateful I was able to get to a parking lot to wait safely. And for the most part when my vehicles break down, they do it at home or in a convenient place. I just didn't anticipate a break down so soon after so many repairs. 

I managed to get a new drain plug and it seems to be holding coolant. My son is coming over next weekend to replace the thermostat. Hopefully that will fix it. I'm nervous about the drain plug because it doesn't seem to have much to hold it in place and I can't help but wonder if something broke off and it's hanging by a thread, so to speak. 

The animals all went in for vet appointments and that was another $2500, as well as 2 of them are on regular medication for the rest of their lives. $50 for one prescription and $200 for another. New monthly expenses. Chanelle dental work estimate is another $2100, however it is waiting for her to heal up and be back to normal from the surgery she just had. 

My job contracts have gone down from 700 to 350. Instead of twice monthly they are only once a month now. So, I'm seeking new clients to fill the spots. Seeing as how now I have to rebuild my savings and emergency funds. It's been an overwhelming month! So much happening, so many appointments and so many setbacks. The one big plus is I'm out of debt. My bills are paid! My financial burdens are in front of me not behind me anymore. No more phone calls from collections and other expenses. 

We are only 4 days into May, I'm hoping it turns out to be a better month! It has been nice to drive with the top down and to see all my flowers blooming and making things brighter. It's 10 at night and still 82 in the house. It looks like spring has sprung and summer is on the way. 

I hope everyone will Enjoy the sun while it's shining. 

Blessed by God

Life is an adventure @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.