I just feel compelled to write about changes in my life, for good and for
sad....anxieties, fears, rejoicing, all rolled into one gal named Sue! I am changing careers a bit, and the changeover from teacher/coordinator
to more of a human services role has been both exciting and challenging. New terms to learn, new paperwork to master, hours and hours of training
and preparation, but I was ready to self-direct my life a bit more. I
have gone between teacher, treatment foster care provider, mother,
director of ASAP, and back to teacher for over 20 years. I have worked
with the most wonderful children and young people, with all levels of
ability, and have been truly blessed. Leaving one job for another comes with its own set of bittersweet
feelings, but during this transition time I have learned a few things. I
have noticed the swallowtails hatching and flying all over my yard, and
today I noticed the first Monarch butterfly. I hear the crickets even
louder, and the donkey even more (she knows I am home during the day at
this time!).....and have more time to spend with the things most important
to me in my life: my husband, my children, and my home (which includes
all the critters). I got to take my kids to their school registration
today at 2:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow! I get to be there for them when they
wake up, and I am there for them when they go to bed. I feel I am taking
more pressure off them and my husband at this moment, even though we are
more strapped financially as I transition over to this new change..... I look at two of my precious companions, Cookie and Tina. Tina has passed
her 16th birthday. She sleeps more now, and has lost weight. She needs a
little help at night to stay dry...(ahem...a doggie diaper), and can't
hear me call when treats are served. I am so honored to have a chance to
spend more time with her during what may be her last year with us. Cookie, too, though only 13, is struggling. She is now completely blind,
and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She depends upon me for
water, for food, and to carry her outside to go to the bathroom. Bless
her heart, she still does so well, and listens for me and follows my voice
around the house. We need each other so much, and I am afraid to give her
permission to leave me. That is so selfish, but she has been my closest
canine friend and my heart and hers seem intertwined. I promised her this
year I would take her out on a sandbar, which we have done. She was not
so eager to go out into the water this time, and depended on me to shield
her from the waves. Instead, I cupped water into my hands and poured over
the top of her on that hot 95 degree day in the boat, and kept her cool. She rested peacefully as the boat covered the back sloughs so Craig could
fish for Northerns. She was with me, and I with her, and the world was
right. I hope we get to have one more boat ride, one more car ride, one
more Christmas......I am being so selfish.... I feel like I belong right here, 24/7. I feel totally at peace with the
world and myself, yet I know it will not last forever. Yet, today, I can
rejoice in being here, and being alive, and being all that I can be for my
family. Tomorrow will have its own set of challenges, but my life is
taking on a new direction where I will have more say in my own schedule. What a blessing is that???? And, so far, I am working with GREAT people,
who are encouraging and patient. That is what I hope to offer anyone that
I am able to serve, whether it is through teaching, through my role as a
parent, or in my new profession. My other anxiety lies in the fact that we owe many people for much hay. Our oustanding hay bill as of last week was $2,000, and our feed bill is
at $2,800. We have had to cut the quality of our feed from 12% sweet feed
with Equishine vitamins to cracked corn mixed with just a fraction of
feed. We have two horses, DT, and Stylish Sharon who need extensive
veterinary care. We have at least 6-8 horses who need trimming. I spent
most of today fund raising, and applying for a few grants (or starting the
process). It all takes time. That gives me an uneasy feeling in my
spirit, but I know God has carried us through 18 years of His work, so I
have to believe there will be a way. Let's just hope the feed company and
hay farmers can be patient enough to give us time to get the funds
together! I am getting kind of excited about the possibility of our fund raiser
happening October 8. So far it looks like this: Morning - 5K Fun Run/Walk - "Race for the Horses" Cash prizes and free
t-shirts...registration $20 per person Noon - Lunch 12-3 - Tack sale/auction/rummage sale Barbecue dinner provided by Grass Roots Barbecue
We are hoping Karaoke will be provided by James Osthoff...?
Karaoke entertainment and contest after tack sale......... Games, prizes, give-aways......anyone interested? Upcoming events: This weekend: Wild West Days parade
Wild West Days Saturday and Sunday - ASAP will give horse rides to public
to raise $$$ for ASAP Super Night - coming up in September! See you at Balmoral Park!!!! October 8 - ASAP Fund Raiser - either at ASAP farm or Romance Store - you
vote and help us decide!!!! Hugs,
Sue
sad....anxieties, fears, rejoicing, all rolled into one gal named Sue! I am changing careers a bit, and the changeover from teacher/coordinator
to more of a human services role has been both exciting and challenging. New terms to learn, new paperwork to master, hours and hours of training
and preparation, but I was ready to self-direct my life a bit more. I
have gone between teacher, treatment foster care provider, mother,
director of ASAP, and back to teacher for over 20 years. I have worked
with the most wonderful children and young people, with all levels of
ability, and have been truly blessed. Leaving one job for another comes with its own set of bittersweet
feelings, but during this transition time I have learned a few things. I
have noticed the swallowtails hatching and flying all over my yard, and
today I noticed the first Monarch butterfly. I hear the crickets even
louder, and the donkey even more (she knows I am home during the day at
this time!).....and have more time to spend with the things most important
to me in my life: my husband, my children, and my home (which includes
all the critters). I got to take my kids to their school registration
today at 2:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow! I get to be there for them when they
wake up, and I am there for them when they go to bed. I feel I am taking
more pressure off them and my husband at this moment, even though we are
more strapped financially as I transition over to this new change..... I look at two of my precious companions, Cookie and Tina. Tina has passed
her 16th birthday. She sleeps more now, and has lost weight. She needs a
little help at night to stay dry...(ahem...a doggie diaper), and can't
hear me call when treats are served. I am so honored to have a chance to
spend more time with her during what may be her last year with us. Cookie, too, though only 13, is struggling. She is now completely blind,
and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She depends upon me for
water, for food, and to carry her outside to go to the bathroom. Bless
her heart, she still does so well, and listens for me and follows my voice
around the house. We need each other so much, and I am afraid to give her
permission to leave me. That is so selfish, but she has been my closest
canine friend and my heart and hers seem intertwined. I promised her this
year I would take her out on a sandbar, which we have done. She was not
so eager to go out into the water this time, and depended on me to shield
her from the waves. Instead, I cupped water into my hands and poured over
the top of her on that hot 95 degree day in the boat, and kept her cool. She rested peacefully as the boat covered the back sloughs so Craig could
fish for Northerns. She was with me, and I with her, and the world was
right. I hope we get to have one more boat ride, one more car ride, one
more Christmas......I am being so selfish.... I feel like I belong right here, 24/7. I feel totally at peace with the
world and myself, yet I know it will not last forever. Yet, today, I can
rejoice in being here, and being alive, and being all that I can be for my
family. Tomorrow will have its own set of challenges, but my life is
taking on a new direction where I will have more say in my own schedule. What a blessing is that???? And, so far, I am working with GREAT people,
who are encouraging and patient. That is what I hope to offer anyone that
I am able to serve, whether it is through teaching, through my role as a
parent, or in my new profession. My other anxiety lies in the fact that we owe many people for much hay. Our oustanding hay bill as of last week was $2,000, and our feed bill is
at $2,800. We have had to cut the quality of our feed from 12% sweet feed
with Equishine vitamins to cracked corn mixed with just a fraction of
feed. We have two horses, DT, and Stylish Sharon who need extensive
veterinary care. We have at least 6-8 horses who need trimming. I spent
most of today fund raising, and applying for a few grants (or starting the
process). It all takes time. That gives me an uneasy feeling in my
spirit, but I know God has carried us through 18 years of His work, so I
have to believe there will be a way. Let's just hope the feed company and
hay farmers can be patient enough to give us time to get the funds
together! I am getting kind of excited about the possibility of our fund raiser
happening October 8. So far it looks like this: Morning - 5K Fun Run/Walk - "Race for the Horses" Cash prizes and free
t-shirts...registration $20 per person Noon - Lunch 12-3 - Tack sale/auction/rummage sale Barbecue dinner provided by Grass Roots Barbecue
We are hoping Karaoke will be provided by James Osthoff...?
Karaoke entertainment and contest after tack sale......... Games, prizes, give-aways......anyone interested? Upcoming events: This weekend: Wild West Days parade
Wild West Days Saturday and Sunday - ASAP will give horse rides to public
to raise $$$ for ASAP Super Night - coming up in September! See you at Balmoral Park!!!! October 8 - ASAP Fund Raiser - either at ASAP farm or Romance Store - you
vote and help us decide!!!! Hugs,
Sue
