AHEM: (a lady always clears her throat when she wants to be recognized to speak)

Timeless Sue announces: The ladies shall be dining in on Thanksgiving day with their usual fair of senior feed, beet pulp and an abudance of carrots. Dessert, hand made treats by our friend, Kathleen, shall follow both the morning and evening meal. All are welcome to attend.

In accordance with the holiday, the ladies wish to express their complete gratitude to all their supporters for their generosity.

Timeless Sue is grateful for the new bedding. "I wish you all could see how tidy my stall is." says Sue.

Lotka is thankful for treats. Lots and lots of treats.

Little Miss Porter is thankful for the beet pulp added to her feed...and that Jeanne understands her dislike of any meds hidden in her feed.

Taba Dance is just so happy to be getting carrots everyday. Nothing can go wrong when a girl gets carrots.

Hana Bride is so very grateful for the warm sun that heats her bones and lifts her spirits.

Ms. Royal Flagship is very happy to just be in Hana's presence. She likes the carrots, too, but nothing beats a sweet BFF.

Smokies Love is thankful just to be alive. God love her.

The Princess Royale is very grateful that a cute stud muffin named Dedier O'Hanlon thinks she is hot.

Bel's Starlet is thankful for her wooly, warm coat and a never ending supply of mud to roll in.

Arc Bar Miss is very thankful for a nice, warm stall.

Cruella is THANKFUL for all the scritches she gets! OOOHH, AHHHH.

Blue Viking is thankful that God created orchard grass and alfalfa.

Ms. Stalwart is very grateful for her stall, her feed dish and her water bucket (It's great to scratch on.)

Missy White Oak is very grateful that she has a stall to go into each night where no one can poop in her hay but her!

Okay, so I'm hurt.  But not too badly...

Last night, as I walked Lotka into the barn, she spooked, reared and turned to the right pulling my shoulder out. OUCH it hurts! But, I was blessed with a BARNFUL of volunteers today and didn't have to clean stalls or do much of anything else.

Sure hope I heal quickly.

The FENCE THAT LOVE BUILT is no longer a vision...it's real and standing right outside! We still have to take down much of the old fence and have the backyard to begin but WOW it looks awesome!

Next comes the paint!!!!

Then on to fence the cemetery and the rest of the farm!

This has been Pam's vision since she first came over to meet the ladies. I remember her saying how she could just picture it all so clearly. Then Pam began the campaign. Pam and Faye worked so hard to make this happen and I am deeply grateful.

The ladies are tucked into their stalls. Everyone is quite content tonight. They are eating peacefully and I know, as soon as the Princess and Smokie are done with their dinner, they will lay down with their heads towards their hay corner so they can munch, nap, munch and nap.

Everyone, (except Ms. Royal Flagship) LOVES the new bedding. Their pretty eyes twinkle when they go inside. Flagship's stall was flooding so I used straw in hers for a week as wet straw is so much easier to clean than soggy shavings. Cheaper, too. Seems Flagship really enjoyed the straw bed...she laid down in it all the time. She doesn't lay down in the shavings.

Sigh, I guess you can't please everybody all the time.

I apoligize for not updating sooner...The past few days have been a whirlwind of activities. I have had one of the most wonderful weekends ever!

First, let's update on Smokies Love...SHE IS DOING FANTASTIC! She hardly spins at all, her gait is so much straighter and she is very bright eyed...yup, folks, looks like our dear old friend has defied death once again. I am not saying she is out of the woods but I can't believe how far she has come!

Tell you what...I began seeing a difference in her the very afternoon our own FOB, Mary, began doing Healing Touch on her. The day after Smokies' last treatment, Smokie was so very bright eyed it was stunning. This is an awesome gift from Mary and I thank her.

My other news...I was honored to have one of my most cherished friends spend a few days with us. Laura arrived Friday evening and left this morning. You have to know the complete story to understand how special she is to me. We got to know each other because while she was caring for  a most remarkable TB mare named AnnieBlue, I had Our Mims. Now, I have met many fine people through Mims, but I do not think there is anyone I admire more than this wonderful lady. She is just about the kindest person I know. Through our old horses we developed a friendship. Just so everyone knows, Laura has helped more rescues and sanctuaries than most people even dream about helping. She has been a faithful supporter of Old Friends from the very beginning as well as OMRH's biggest contributor. But there is more to her than that. She ALWAYS seems to know when I need emotional support. If I am down and feeling blue, I'll get an email from her. When she knows we have an sick lady, I can actually FEEL her support from across the miles.

And, as the vet, Pam and I stood next to Iza Valentine as she drew her last breaths I could actually feel Laura's presence...

Her emotional support is as important to me as the sun and moon in the sky.

Ok, so on to other news..We had MANY visitors on Friday. I'd like to send out a special hello to the 4-H group from Boise, Idaho who came to see the ladies. These high school students were so wonderful! It warms my heart to see such fine, knowlegable young people dedicated to our beloved equines. I am less worried about the future after meeting them.

We also had a visit from members of BETA SIGMA PHI XI BETA BETA chapter. OH! MY! Last month, I was honored to be able to speak at a meeting of theirs and the ladies now have a few more dedicated friends.

So, tonight, my friends, I am on CLOUD NINE. My heart nearly explodes with happiness. Smokie is feeling better, I spent the weekend in outstanding company and life is so sweet I almost can't believe it is real.