So much has happened in the past year (and 1/3).
- We moved half-way across the country (with a baby and a cat in the car).
- I started a new job (that I really, really like). And I'm finally a professor (not because of anything I've done, but in NY I can hold this title).
- I became a homeowner. And in my wildest dreams I couldn't have designed a more unique home, nor one that was more conducive to raising a young cat (seriously, we live in Cat utopia).
- I got a (little) Subaru. This is not all it's cracked up to being. I do like the four-wheel drive, but I miss my Kia.
- I sent Robby out to be started by Nita Jo Rush. He was finished by Sarah Paripovich. Cantering on him for the first time was what I thought a dream come true, but the dream just kept building. In January we cantered. In May, we showed at our first show - here we didn't place, but Sarah qualified him for Regionals. We qualified for regionals at the pre-show and jokingly said we'd go to Canada if both Sarah and I qualified. Gosh darn it, Rob and I earned two Top-5's and Sarah won reserve champion. OH Canada. In Canada Robby and I earned a 1st, 2nd, and 2nd in our cut and I WON my cut. It was the first class he'd ever won. Well, we know how the rest of the story goes, Robby made my dream come true. In his third show we were named Canadian National Champion in AA/HA Hunter Pleasure Select Rider. WOW.
- Colton talked, crawled, walked, ran and is not playing "Ba-BeBaaa" (basketball). And we stopped breast feeding! Whoo hoo. He's amazing and my biggest dream come true. I'm lucky that his daddy loves him as much as I do. We're a pretty good little family.
- I became an auntie (and Godmother) - to little Sutten Mae.
- We captured (the wrong) feral cat last Easter and she hid in the electrical wires down in the basement for months. But she's finally an upstairs cat. Maybe one day (soon) we'll be able to actually touch the infamous TOC (the other cat).
- Charlie was temporarily a "real" dog when Grandpa Richard came to visit. He enjoyed freedom a little too much and is back to being a Dog-on-a-rope.
- No one has fallen off of Brahma since I moved to NY. That's good. He likes his home, but hopefully we can move him to Jersey Swamp Road in the spring.
- I made blueberry jam! Colton helped with the picking.
- I landed an adjunct job across the lake at Champlain College and am teaching a digital media class.
- Fingers crossed, I'll soon have my first published scholarly research piece.
The challenges -
- Colton was made frequent visits to the ER again this year. His breathing problems can be very scary, but he's getting better.
- Colton is a bully, but this seems to be lessening as his vocabulary grows. We're hoping it's just growing pains.
- I had to let a friendship go. This is a person who means a lot to me and I feel bad she thinks I used her (which I didn't know as she never told me, but she blogged about it and talked to others…). When I reached out I was ignored, then blocked. So i wish her the best.
- I miss my family and friends in the midwest. Being home for so long this past summer was awesome, and I miss not being able to jump in my car and be "there" in 6 or less hours.
- Living the lifestyle of a rich horse person ended my zero balance on my credit cards, but that's why I picked-up the part time teaching gig - right? I lived my childhood dream!
Ending thoughts -
This past year and a few extra months were amazing. I was able to see so many family members and friends. I was in Sarah's wedding, got to snuggle with Spooky in his final year of cat-life, made a pit-stop in Milwaukee and Morris, and did I mention won a Canadian National Championship! I met many new friends and reconnected with old ones. It was a wonderful year(ish).
There were friends I did not get to see during our frequent travels, hopefully we can fix that this summer. If you find yourself going to Montreal or Maine -- stop by. Or heck, plan a trip to visit, we have plenty of room. Cheers!
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