Getting Closer

Electrician has been called. Will be here Thursday between 12pm and 3pm. Hope he is able to fix our few problems.

Eric and I need to scrape and re paint the bathroom ceiling along with the front porch steps. Silly lead paint fears due to it chipping from the home appraiser.

Toppers hauling trip has been completely paid for. He is set to ship out on Nov 12th. My friend Maria will be getting him at her place out in Cold Creek near Las Vegas. Total for him was $1224.00. Not bad as I was thinking it would be over $2k easily.

We're trying to get rid of stuff that we can not take with us or no longer want. Craigslist has become my best friend as of late.

Settlement is on the 22nd, I hope we can stay here till at least Thanksgiving due to Erics family throwing Thanksgiving, which is always amazing and I'm going to really miss it.

Ah the closer we get, the more depressed I become. As much as I've said I hate this house, it is becoming hard knowing that the house I grew up in from 2 years old to nearly 28 years old, I'm finally leaving, giving up, selling, and will never be able to set foot in it again. It is sad and hurts but I have got to get out of Baltimore city along with making my dreams come true.

Next up hard core packing and getting a uHaul. OH BOY!

Best Thing To Read!

"THIS LISTING IS SOLD!

Sorry this 1 home, MLS 119312, is now either off the market or sold. For more information on homes in 1 just like this one click here"

I am so looking forward to having this as my backyard!

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/29/us/east-coast-storm/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
No more snow! If I want snow, I'll look at the mountains that will be surrounding me on all sides, wherever I look.

Old Family Photos

Looong Day

Today has been such a long day. I guess because of all the stress and such I have been worrying with over the past few days. Today was the following~
Mitchells neuter day
House appraiser (I was unaware of this)
Home inspection
House buyer, along with his agent, my agent were all here too.


My day started off with the alarm going off at 8am, I sluggishly got up and smacked it to go back off at 8:30am. I figured I would have enough time to get the pup to the vet by 9am. 8:30 hits, I jump up and start running around like a crazy girl who is still asleep, confused, trying to get the dog ready, along with trying to remember to dress myself and that my pink polka dotted pj pants were going to cut it. Next thing I know it is 8:50am. OH CRAP! We're going to be late! Rush to the car, pup jumps in, I jump in and off we go. Of course we hit every light, go stuck in traffic, and whatever else that I don't care to even remember. All because I wanted to sleep an extra 30 minutes. Stupid! I did get the pup there just in time before 9am. Filled out paper work and they took him back. I drove home thinking all kinds of really bad things. I guess only because the last time I had a dog fixed, the vet tech killed her by feeding her before hand. Yeah that ended up with a $4k vet bill. I swear I was going to kill someone if that happened again, thank god it didn't and I know because I've been taking him to a really great vet, who I really like. She is great with him and so are the techs.

I got back home and tossed up the idea of going on a cleaning spree, then going to the barn, or going to the barn, then coming home to a cleaning spree. I ended up sitting around till 10:30am, and said screw it all I'm not cleaning and I'm going to the barn to spend some time with my horse. I pull up in front of the barn and I get a phone call from my realtor saying "The home appraiser is at your door and no one is home to let him in". My head exploded! NO ONE TOLD ME THIS and I KNEW Eric was home. I tried calling him a billion times but he was sound asleep. So I made it back to the city within 15 minutes, when normally it takes me 35-40 minutes on the road. I blew into my house and told him to get his ass up, filled him in on what was going on and let the poor guy in my house.

He said all was well with the house and it all looked good. I guess? I have no idea, I have no hope I swear.

At that point I said screw everything, Eric and I started snapping at each other because that is how I am when under stress, I get snappy, pissy, bitchy, and I'm sure he wishes he could just play ostrich when I am like that. He went back to sleep. So out of frustration I started cleaning. I got the major things out of the way and said screw it again. I was done. Those people were going to see the house as it was. Eric got up and went out to get us food.

3:30pm rolls around and the inspection shows up. At that same time the vet calls me to tell me Mitchell had a draw back, and just then Eric is beeping in, while I am trying to find my fucking keys to unlock the front door to let the poor guy in. I found my keys, fell out the front door trying to talk to Eric and let the guy in, while trying to keep Snick back. I said screw it all, hung up, put dog out, and showed the guy where the basement was. Within minutes my realtor showed up, then the buyers realtor, then the buyer, then Eric. OMG way to many people in the house at the same time. I just stayed out of everyone's ways, and payed some bills, filled out some paper work for my new house out in NV, and just tried to act like I was okay with everything. They all were here for about and hour and a half.

They left, Eric left to hang with some friends, and I went to go get my poor pup from the vet at 6pm. The vet told me it wasn't as easy as we had hoped due to him having a retained testicle that was up in his abdomen. So he has two incisions, is doped up beyond belief, has no idea what is going on, and has to wear a cone around his head till he is healed up. He is home now and asleep. Poor guy. I feel sorry for him.


Tomorrow I have to go to the barn for the farrier, then go drop my car off to get it fixed up for a 2700 mile drive. I am no looking forward to that but I am at the same time.


The other night Eric and I went through some photo albums while cleaning out the basement some more. It was also to see so many old photos of my great grand parents, my grand parents, and my parents along with other family members that were around my age. Pretty neat. I'll have to post some picture of them soon. I LOOOOVE old time stuff. Such a history dork.

Poor guy could hardly stand up once I got him home. :(

Oh Life

My life and emotions are on a roller coaster, I swear. This whole moving thing is exciting and scary as hell all in the same aspect. One second I am going "OMG I can't wait to get out west!" Then the next I am thinking "Dude, I've lived in this house since I was 2 years old... EVERYTHING I've known and have done, has been based around this house.... WHY AM I LEAVING IT!?" I want to laugh and cry, smile and throw a trimaran all at the same time. I am feeling very bipolar right now, well I guess this is how a bipoler person feels? I'm not sure since I am not one who has it. :|


More later. I need food and to chill out.

New House

The last few days I have been going back and forth with our realtor out west after signing the contract on my house and forwarding it on to her to see. Well the good news is, we have put an offer down on a house and put down some money for it to be held till the court approves or disapproves our offer.

At this point, I think we have a pretty good chance at getting this house. It has been on the market for 275 days and they have dropped the price over $35k since it was listed back on 01/2011. At this point they just want to move the house and I am more then willing to help them out with that. I found this house a few months ago while searching and looking at homes on the internet. It was pretty amazing to be able to walk around in the houses I had been looking at on the internet while we were out there. I wish I had taken pictures of the houses while out there, but the pictures on the internet will have to do for now.

October 21st, 2011

Happy New Rapture Date, Day Everyone! =)
We're still here, so far, so good. ;)

OMG THE HOUSE IT IS SOLD* SEE YA LATER BALTIMORE HOOLIGANS

(*pending everything does not fall apart)

We got an offer over the weekend, friends. An offer we accepted. We signed the contract. Settlement is November 22nd.


It is sure to be crazy and stressful BUT worth it in the end, I’m sure!

Now we need a new house. Wish us luck! Keep your fingers crossed. And your toes. And your friends’ fingers and toes!

Words to live by!

A great day!

I had such a great ride today! I figured Topper has had a full week to settle into his new home and he has been eager to try and come out of his paddock. I figured it was time for tacking him up and taking him for a short ride. He seemed happy to get tacked up and was even happier when I lead him on out of his paddock.

I took him over to the round pen and free lunged him just to see if he had any pops and bucks he'd like to get out first. Nope, nothing from him.

I took him to the ring and hopped on. We just did a lot of walking around, letting him take all the new sights in from that side of the farm. He did great! Nothing out of him besides ears perked forward the whole time. He did just what I asked him to do and we even got a few strides in on the trot. God he is so smooth to ride!

Started on a good note and ended on a good note, so over all I was extremely happy how he did to day, for not being ridden since the last time I rode him way back in August, and the time before that was back in July.

I love how going to the barn instantly erases any and all things that are stressing me out. It is so great just to be able to forget about it all and just to completely enjoy yourself!



OH and on the way back home I stopped at WaWa to get something to drink and an apple to eat. THEY HAVE EGGNOG IN STOCK! Winter has officially begun for me today! OH HAPPY DAY!

HELMETS SAVE LIVES!

Today my friend May, got dumped off of a horse. Thank God she is smart and for her wearing a helmet! If not, she probably would not be here right now.

http://www.riders4helmets.com/

Helmets Save Lives! I Think My Helmet Saved Mine Today – by May Snyder
Posted by admin on October 13, 2011

Thank you to May Snyder for allowing us to share this story of how her helmet saved her head today….

“ALWAYS wear your helmet when doing any sport that uses one.

Today I feel off a lesson barn school horse. Part of my weight went onto my head and I was knocked out for about 5 minutes. I was rushed to Christiana Shock Trauma center. I was immobilized and my clothes cut off. Scans show that I’ll be fine — thanks to my helmet which broke apart to absorb the force of the impact. I’m now fine: just a little sore. But I sincerely believe that without the helmet the injury would’ve been serious.

Please always wear your helmet if you’re riding a horse, bicycle, or motorcycle. I have lost two friends in the last 2 or 3 years due to head injuries (no helmet).

Helmets save lives! ”

Back on track

I can say I'm back on track. Today I received a great phone call telling me when I start my new job. I can't be any more pleased about this, THIS is EXACTLY what I had my goal set for and damn I did it! It feels AMAZING!

Also this afternoon I drove up and saw my horse. It's been rainy here for the past few days and having him on full care, I got lazy. It was okay though, I was greeted by a very muddy horse who just wanted his ears scratched and was happy to give me head bonks in return. I also secretly think he thinks if he looks cute enough and acts like a gentleman I'll break him out of his quarantine paddock! Sorry buddy, can't happen. Not just yet, at least.

All in all, despite it being a rainy, chilly, muggy, cloudy, yucky fall type day that everyone seems to be complaining about.... I can easily say my day was all sunshine and warm weather for me (in my world!)



I forgot to add this~~~~

My barn owner approached me today and told me that she has a boarder leaving at the end of the month, so Topper will be able to have a stall beginning next month, and with that I will have a nice roomy tack locker. YAY for a beautiful stall along with no longer using my car as my tack shed. The two pictures are from Kim's website. Such a nice farm!

On to the next one

We had another viewing of the house today. A very nice mother and daughter came by to take a look around at it. They seemed okay with it, though I at this point don't hold my breath with anyone. Everyone wants everything for next to nothing now a days. It sucks! It's a house, of course it is going to be expensive. If you want some dirt cheap house, then please by all means drive into the ghetto and buy a house for twelve grand or less. I can tell you this right now, you are going to be completely miserable!




And that being said. I would LOVE to know what people think is "wrong" with my house. Why don't they like it? Hmmmmm frustrating!

Ride for a Cure

Those who went on the benefit trail ride Ride for a Cure held by The Mill!
Everyone looks great!

"Camelot Horse Auction"

Is the biggest joke I have ever heard of and have seen! Frank is nothing more then a man who goes to New Holland Horse Auctions every Monday and buys 20-30 horses for $10-$50 a piece then turns around and sells them on his auction every Wednesday for $150.00-$600.00 or more. It is funny because Frank IS NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED TO SHIP ANY HORSE TO SLAUGHTER! He does not have permits to do so nor does he work with any slaughter bound transporter who moves horses to Canada or Mexico boarders.

This situation makes me livid. You have people that can't give away legit horses - broke, sound, and from honest owners that just can't afford them anymore, yet you have the masses flocking to pay $600 a pop for sale barn horses.
Maybe I should be doing it. I could buy up a small herd of $10 horses and say they are going to slaughter. Since, you know, from my other post, that the KBs are taking all those skinny little things.

Camelot Horses to be euthanized YET Frank is asking US for OUR HARD EARNED MONEY to put theses horses down. I have a solution! It is called a point blank bullet to the head. I have many spares laying around. I wonder if they would like three of them!?

Also anyone who wants a good laugh at how fucking gullible people are, specially when it comes to "saving" a none "saveable" animal, please do read and enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/CamelotHorseWeekly

Want to know the REAL truth about Frank and his fake "Kill Pen Auction"?
Please read the following:

Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue
Camelot IN OUR OPINION is a big scam. I'm NOT saying those involved in helping are aware of this, or are not doing what they feel is right. Please don't say we are "bashing" anyone. But if you examine the inner factual workings of a "Broker Lot", which is what Camelot really is, you will see in the grand scheme it actually hurts more horses than it helps.

Here's how Camelot works: Frank Carper owns the Camelot Auction. Every Monday he goes to New Holland and buys about 25-30 horses. Then he takes them home and consigns them to his Wednesday night Camelot Auction sale in NJ. He "bids" on the horse, which he actually owns, to the price he wants. Then he puts it on his "feed lot" and the rescue girls put pictures up screaming its going to go to slaughter. Since Frank is so great, you only have to pay $50 over what he "paid" for the horse.

So if Frank buys horse X at New Holland for $115, then runs it through his sale Wednesday and bids himself up to $375, and it gets posted online as being able to be "saved" for $50 more, that's a total of $425. So Frank just made $310 on that horse in three days. Multiply that by 25-30. Each week. That's a lot of money.

Any horses who don't get "saved" simply get re-sold back at New Holland. I know Frank from the auction circuit and Frank isn't a meat dealer, he has never held a contract with a slaughterhouse EVER and he hasn't even sold a horse to a meat dealer since Cavel closed in 2007. The whole thing is a money making scam, and the real tragedy is the well meaning homes who take these horses and then find them horribly misrepresented and have no place to go with them. A large group on the ABR chat board have been tracking how many are ending up at other auctions and on Craigslist.

I've turned away more Camelot "saves" that their new homes felt weren't as represented than I can count. I hate having to tell the homes that they made a conscious choice to buy a horse online sight unseen, and now they have to step to the plate and be the responsible owner. Get it trained, or get yourself training. Half of these homes I've talked to are beyond beginners who have no clue and shouldn't even be owning a horse yet, they should be volunteering or in a good lesson barn learning care and basic horsemanship. Many just end up dumping the horse because its not what they expected, and it doesn't take long for the thrill of "the save" to wear off when Flicka is kicking, biting, rearing or bucking.

So Frank is getting RICH, the horses were never even at risk, and lots of homes are getting guilted into "saving" over-priced horses who aren't at all suitable for their needs.

I just wish people would support reputable rescues and ADOPT a horse who has been evaluated, vetted, trained, and is guaranteed to be as described, rather than spend twice that amount and have a nightmare on their hands. If the rescues of the world had all these homes scooping up our trained, vetted, and evaluated horses, maybe we could go actually save some more.

Frank sits at New Holland and openly laughs and jokes about buying up the cheap horses for those "bleedin' heart rescue people", because they all need to be "saved". His favorite line is "I don't know if the horse needs savin', but my check book sure does!"

Please think about the long term effects of supporting Camelot's Broker Lot, and similar programs like the Moore Broker Lot in PA. Our well meaning rescue community is lining the pockets of nefarious horse dealers, who laugh all the way to bank on our hard earned money. Meanwhile, the real horses at risk suffer daily.

Please consider- Adopt from a reputable rescue who outbids in the sale ring, and doesn't pay a dealer a profit.

Go to an auction and buy a horse yourself in the same manner. Contact a local rescue, they will likely show you how if not even go with you.

Take a needy horse off of your local Craigslist, and keep it out of the auction ring altogether.

We won't spend a dime of our donors money making a horse dealer rich, and we hope you won't be manipulated to as well.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them all. Again, these are simply our opinions and observations of the darker inner workings of Broker Lots.

Christine Hajek, President and Founder
Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue
www.GentleGiantsDraftHorseRescue.com
443-285-3835
https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=181750578518450&topic=341

Camelot ... What Am I Missing? It looks like a bonus round profit center to me








UPDATE OCT 11, 2011
Amazing what happens when the TRUTH comes out. Lights fires under peoples asses, that's what!

https://www.facebook.com/notes/camelot-horse-weekly/euthanasia-announcement/273535549336129
EUTHANASIA ANNOUNCEMENT:
by Camelot Horse Weekly on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 8:57pm

UPDATE 10/11 12:41pm:

REGARDING THE EUTHANSIA OF HORSES AT CAMELOT -Due to the controversy over these horses the decision has been made to refund all money and let Camelot decide how to destroy them. The previous owner of 657 and 658 will be asked to deal with Camelot directly. We thank those of you who have and continue to support us.



The fate of the horses is now OUT of the hands of HHER and CHW. We are hoping that the owners of 657 & 658 will be contacting Camelot directly to make arrangements for them.



For those of you who have been supportive of an impossible situation, please accept our sincere Thank You.



If you donated through paypal and did not get a refund please contact the Helping Hearts email address on the paypal receipt.

UDPATE 10/11 11:08AM:

In regard to the Euthanasia Issue:



CHW has collected all necessary funds.

This morning a representative of the farm where 657 and 658 came from contacted us.
They have supplied the funds to humanely euthanize these two horses. They agree with the choices that have been made for the horses. She apologized profusely for this mess.




They had trusted someone who assured them that he would be bringing them to a “rehoming sale run by a rich lady, and if the horses didn’t find wonderful new homes the the rehoming sale, the rich lady would take them into her gorgeous farm to live out their lives”. They paid this person to bring these horses in; they personally saw NONE of the funds generated by their sale to Camelot. They were scammed.




She did not contact us sooner because by the time they heard about it, they thought that the horses were gone/shipped on Saturday. She was relieved to hear that the horses had not shipped and that they had the ability to ensure a peaceful passing.




These horses will be put to rest today. The time will NOT be posted, as no-one wants a circus for their final moments. A representative of CHW will be present, proof of the humane veterinary euthanasia will be provided.




This has been an extremely difficult situation, and while we understand the emotional issue this is, we had hoped and continue to hope that people would be able to disagree but still treat each other with respect. Thank you to those of you who have.




In regard to the $660 overage of funds collected, What we suggest is that the overage be applied to pulling a horse so that it can go to CHW registered rescue that has the ability to intake -- If not this week, then in a following week. Helping Hearts is removing themselves from the pool of possible rescues, to avoid accusations of impropriety. If any donors would like a refund out of the $660, please email Helping Hearts (use the paypal receipt) and advise prior to noon today. After that, we will be transferring the funds out of Paypal to take care of the arrangements





More links to read if you wish.
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/6213/NY/US/
http://www.princetoninfo.com/index.php?option=com_us1more&Itemid=6&key=12-14-2005_f_03
http://www.nj.com/sports/njsports/index.ssf/2011/08/enforcement_of_state_regulatio.html
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110510193955AAHNfUn

Settling In

So as Topper is settling in to his new home, I plan on getting to know my new horse with spending some bonding time with him along with doing just a little bit of work with him. Can't let that jumping bean between his ears stop! It has to continue to think and process.

This morning was The Ride for a Cure. I really wanted to go but sadly wasn't able to due to Topper being in quarantine. I was happy though, I had a nice hour and a half with him while most of the barn was out enjoying the beautiful weather! They really lucked out, could have not asked for better weather for a trail ride. I groomed him off really well and just led him around his little paddock getting to know him over all along with letting him think and process our work. Main goal right now is SPACE! Oh man, he doesn't know what personal space is and was all up in my face and space. Not mean or anything about it, just super nosy and wanting attention. There is a time for attention and head scratches and all but there is also a time that he will just have to stand there, still with out me touching him or him begging for it. A horse who doesn't know him space and where my space meet, needs to learn it! I'm not going to let that fly!

Over all he did VERY well today. Calm, curious, and happy... minus the flies driving him nuts. That is another thing he is going to have to learn to deal with, the flies. Glad it is fall time and they soon will be hitting the ground dead due to the cold.

The barn riders came back and while they were unloading their horses, Topper got excited and tried to show off. Dingus just got himself all sweaty and became a fly magnet. *shakes head*



And a few pictures, enjoy!

New Halter

Look what a little grooming can do!

Rocking the Pink!

Second Viewing

I almost forgot!

The guy that came to look at our house on Wednesday, came back again yesterday evening to take a second look at it. He said he was tied between our house and another house. I hope our realtors talked! I wonder what that other house is like. I wonder what he likes / dislikes about mine and the other. Hmmmmmm

MOUNTAIN TOP!

My friend brought Topper down to Flying K, this morning. I swear if I didn't know this horse personally, I would swear it was a different horse that she was giving me. LOL

Here is Topper back in August, pretty red-ish bay

And Topper now, his winter coat is growing in

He got off the trailer, took a look around and seemed to settle in. I put him out in his "quarantine paddock". He has to stay there for two weeks before I have full access to the barn and property with him. I can't wait to work him a bit and get him back in riding shape.

I took a ton of photos of him this morning. I think I finally found my "heart horse". I haven't said that or felt that in a looooong time! Not since 2003ish.


OHHHH and if anyone is wondering why his name is Topper, it is short for Mountain Top.... THANKS TO THIS COMMERCIAL! ;)





Anyways photo dump under cut, enjoy! :)

Topper Officially Mine

So to follow up the post I wrote a few days ago about how a friend of mines, mother had to get rid of all of her horses. I on a whim said I'd take him because I had ridden him before, knew him, and liked him. Yadda Yadda Yadda...

Us, back in July.


Well our deal was I would take him if I could have my vet come out to do a PPE on him and if he was sound and still ride able. I never thought a second that he wouldn't be but horses are dumb, and get into some crazy things at times so I just wanted to make sure he was fine, healthy, and sound. After going through the whole Dusty ordeal, I will no longer "take someones word" that their horse is "fine". Dusty was "fine" alright. Fine in pasture pet "fine". Yup, he went back to where he came from and at this point I don't even care. If you couldn't tell, I am still extremely frustrated about that whole thing. I don't want a pasture pet horse and really I grew up being told "No use to keeping a lame horse, when there are so many more out there who have no issues". No Hoof, No Horse!

Anyways my vet came out on Thursday to do a PPE on Topper. He passed everything just fine, physical and soundness exams. He was such a good boy during it all. He's never had anything like that really done or asked of him before and he just did the best he could with what everyone was asking him to do, or was doing to him. I was pretty proud of him and how he handled it all. He also got his vaccinations in the process. He got a lot of head hugs through out the whole thing and in return I was given a bunch of head bonks and nudges back from him.