Life is still good down a dirt road.  I was super blessed to find a new horse only 3 weeks after my wonderful mare, Stylin died.  I know that sounds quick, but everything just fell into place.  Linc, who is a 17 year old Kiger Mustang, belonged to  friend of mine for 10 years.  The timing was right and she reached out to me to see if I would be interested in him.  She knew my riding style, knew that Linc was a sensitive soul as was my mare, and thought that we would make a great pair.  I knew from the moment she brought him over, that he was for me.  I had seen her start him over as a 6 year old and watched him blossom over the years.  I never had a nervous moment about riding him and love his goofy nature.  He and I have developed a good partnership and I we get out on the trails whenever we are able.  In the meanwhile I ride him around home and also take him on walks with me.

Resurrection

We've been in our new home for a year and a half and we ADORE small town life.  I won't try to catch up a full year on my first blog post in a long while but will just highlight a few big changes in our life.

As you can see, I've changed the name of my blog to "Down a Dirt Road"  -  just couldn't make the old name fit the new place.

• My 83 year old mom moved in with us and I am now her full time caregiver
• My beloved horse, Stylin, died from a catastrophic colic July 1st of this  year
• My wonderful mother-in-law passed away this month
• We have an awesome new church family and community
• Our new location is quiet and the neighbors we've met are friendly
• I am improving my art skill by doing a daily drawing and sharing on IG and FB

I hope to begin posting again on a regular basis and get back to reading my favorite blogs.

Hello - Good Bye !

Dirt road to our new home

My husband and I have been looking at property for the last year.  We wanted to move out of the city and closer to his job without being too far from family and friends.

We found a lovely place on 3 acres in Lawtey, Florida which is only a 30 minute drive from where we are now and it will cut Bobby's commute in half.  We are so excited!  We made the deal today and hopefully can close this month.

We will be living down a dirt road off of the main Hwy 301.  There are planted pine forests around us owned by Gilman Paper so we don't expect any new homes sites will be made available anytime soon.

Back yard view - partially wooded

We will miss our beautiful live oak trees that we have now but are really looking forward to small town life in Lawtey.  Plenty of room for us, our horses, dogs and cats.  We will fence the property and have a front porch built on before we move in.

Now we can concentrate on selling our current place and take our time moving out.   I truly believe that God was at work in our lives to help us find this perfect place for our needs and budget.

Easter Weekend 2015

My sister Robbin and me

Had a really fun weekend visiting, hanging out and eating with "fambly".  Seems all of our gathering involve lots of food!

Went to Van Zant park on Saturday with Mom's side of the family for a picnic and easter egg hunt followed by checking out some property for sale in Melrose/Keystone Heights area.

My cousin Deborah and my mom

Sunday was an early bird church service to celebrate our risen Lord,  a trip to Newberry to visit Bobby's family and then to see Jenny and Joel and his family at Crystal Lake in Keystone.

Total of 300 miles on Bobby's truck this weekend!  Busy but so worth it!

This is my hubby Bobby

Just What I Needed

This is my happy place.  In the woods, on a good horse, with a good friend.  

My friend Cathy took the day off from work and asked me to go riding.  Hell yeah!!

When I went out back to get my horse Stylin this morning, her daughter Maybe volunteered to go instead.  She came right up to the gate and practically stuck her head in the halter.  She has never done that before, so I took her up on it and saddled her up.

Picked up Cathy and her mule Vanna and away we went to a local trail head.  We rode and visited for about 3-1/2 hours.   What a perfect way to spend Good Friday -  communing in God's natural cathedral.

17h mule -  14h horse

Starting Again

I've been inspired to start blogging again if for no other reason, for myself.  As I logged on, I saw that many of my previous posts had broken picture links.   Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me to repair as much as I can.  Seems that Facebook didn't want to share anymore.  :(

 Sisters -  Shelly, KD, Robbin

The Lord has blessed me so much this past year.  I've been able to earn enough to feed my horses and help my husband with the normal bills.  I've really been learning to let go of worry and allow God to work in my life.  I still get anxious from time to time when I lose a regular cleaning customer, but something always pops up.  I enjoy spending time with the family and am grateful for the time I get to share with Mom who's health is failing.  I get a little more time to spend in my yard and with my animals.  Still getting some riding in here and there.   I've learned to live with less and that was one of my main goals of leaving the corporate world.  

Maybe and Stylin

I spilled some coffee on my laptop a couple of weeks ago and was surprised when it quit working the next day.  ( I really didn't think that the small splash would hurt it.  Duh!)  Luckily for me, the purchase of a ten dollar USB keyboard allows me to keep using it, which is a good thing because of my budget.  Thanks to the computer guy at church for suggesting the fix!

Since I didn't have a job today:  I'm able to work on this rusty, old blog.  I'm getting dinner started early.  I got to visit with my farrier.  I'll be able to go video my friend's mule for sale.  I'll be able to take my dog for a nice, long walk.   I'll just live in the moment and not worry about tomorrow -  Matt 6:24

Tribute to Great Horse

I miss Dixie.. a lot.  We made the decision to help her into the next life on June 24th and I still look for her in our back yard every day.  I won't share the details of her illness, but I am at peace with my decision and treasure the time I got to spend with her on her last day on this earth.

This post is a celebration of the horse that shared so much with me, my family and friends for 15 years of her 27 year life.   Rest in peace Dixie.  1987 - 2014

carrying my friend Cathy

Dixie and me

Teaching a young JT to ride

Carrying my friend Karen

Carrying my sister Shelly

My friend Traci enjoys riding Dixie

Dixie and me

With Cory

With Mustang

Pulling cart with Nana and Jenny

With JT again... a little older

With Stylin, Ringer and me

Dixie and I pony Ringer

Dixie carrying my husband Bobby

Karen having a blast on Dixie

Cathy again on Dixie

Ms. Dixie

With my friend Lisa from New Mexico

Dixie and Stylin at the Blessing of the Animals

Dixie and the girls with Nana

Dixie wears a flower

Bobby riding Dixie