Who had a really rotten year?

[Marty]

My year was full of ups and downs.

The ups were of course that Timmy was born and that has caused Jerry to take some real interest in the horses now for the first time in about 15 years. He spends time with them now and goes out of his way to play with them all, and of course spends any free time also still building and working on the barn. He helps with feeding and doing stalls when he's home if I need him too.

The other ups was that the barn was ready for the horses to get in October finally before any bad weather came through. Having had to put up with leaky roofs and stalls that got wet for years was a never ending battle. This relieved a lot of stress on me.

The downs were that my health went pretty badly down hill for most of the year, till we got things stablized. Spent some time in the hospital which sucked. I wasn't able to attend any shows much less try to show but things are looking up in that way now. I"ve been fine now for quite a few months.

The other downs were that my boys got in so much trouble this year! Geesh, I was like a permanent fixture in the principals office because one of them is just constantly goofing off. The other kid got in with a bunch of loosers over the summer and they were trying to lead him down a bad road. I took two months of that bull ;trying to warn him and protect him, and finally let him fall and suffer the consequenses by himself. I guess that taught him because he's back to being the pretty good kid I used to know.

All in all I've had quite the rollar coaster ride this year. I've learned a lot more about parenting, my mistakes that I've made and mostly that teens don't come with instructions like they should. I've learned that foaling is an experience that require many more boxes of tissues in the stalls for crying tears of joy and that yes, this is what I want to do and I am in it for the long haul.

 

[Voodoo]

Well this year was pretty good for me, I had alot of work so was able to put alot of money away. I wasn't able to spend as much time with the horses as I would have liked to, but the last three months have been much better since I have been able to work horses and ride almost every day. I had a couple really good ropings so that helped with the money thing as well. I also feel alot more comfortable coming into 2006 because this is the first time that I have made a decision on what I am going to do this coming year. Usually I just take things as they come and fly by the seat of my pants. It's a much more comfortable feeling to know that I have the year kind of planned out.

 

[kaykay]

i have to say i cant wait for 2005 to be OVER. one of the worst years ive had in recent memory. Started in Jan with my entire farm flooding from a freak winter thunderstorm. Then we had 3 late term abortions. then we found out our pasture was full of a toxic weed. then we found out we were moving and put the farm up for sale. Then the farm wouldnt sell and i was apart from hubby with 2 teenage boys for 3 months. Then my sister was in a bad car wreck. Yep i will be staying up till midnight to be sure its over

 

[Triggy&Blue&Daisy Too]

Actually, my poor horse has had a worse year than I but the stress that's gone with it has been pretty hard on me/us too. Five lousy boarding stables and one that almost killed her. I'm hoping the one she's at now will tide us over until we get our new place. I don't like to focus on negative things and see some good coming out of all this. Even though I hate the thought of moving, I've put my blood sweat and tears into making my home very nice, I am moving towards my dream of having enough property again to have all my animals with me.

I'm pleased to say that I'm in the top 20% in my agency that gets a bonus this year so that was a lovely Christmas present from Uncle Sam. All in all things are going good and I feel positive the New Year will be great too.

 

[minimule]

I'll be glad when it's over. It wasn't as bad as it could have been but we've been through more this year than any other.

Lost a grandmother, father-in-law and several cousins. A back injury has kept me out of my job for almost a year and no end in site at this point. Had a pretty significant change in other matters that I will not mention here but makes some things better, some worse.

BUT.....I'm still kicking, still have all my horses, still have a hubby that loves me, a great family and friends, and a roof over my head. Just two more years in this nasty state so things are looking up!

 

[keeperofthehorses]

We had a rough year, mostly health (both human and critter) and money issues.

And it continues... Septic alarm went off again this morning; second time in a week. So it looks like I'm not going to be able to put off getting it pumped. I really needed to do laundry today too. Yikes!

Goodbye and good riddance to '05!

 

[Magic]

I wouldn't call it a really rotten year, though a few very bad things happened.

First we lost the stallion that we owned in partnership; he was an incredible stallion and his first foal was born two days before he died, which showed just how great he really was as the foal was gorgeous. We also lost the other foal from him that we were expecting, to a terrible dystocia, the worst I've ever personally seen. The cord apparently wrapped around the foal's neck and killed it, and it took forever for the vet to get out to us, and we ended up pulling the foal with its head still back, because the mare was suffering so terribly. That mare may never be able to have foals again....

But, good things happened this year too. My dad is still alive, though having been diagnosed with lung cancer the year before, that even metastasized to his brain. Treatment is helping and he is hanging in there, with no suffering yet, so a true blessing. And my husband and I found and purchased our "dream property" this year and construction has just begun on the house we will be moving into next year on it. We had five FILLIES born this year, our first-ever "all filly" year, and they are beautiful and healthy. We had some success in the show ring this year.

Our very first grandchild was born to our oldest daughter, and he is incredible.

I guess for me, though we had some bad things happen, the good by far outweighed the bad, and I am counting my blessings....

 

[horsefeather]

Like most everyone, there have been ups and downs. But I must say that 2005 has been the worst in a very long time. One January 2 my cousin (my rock!) lost her battle with cancer at only 62

I am planning on retiring in 2006 and Bobbie and I had so many plans to do so many things together that we weren't able to do with us having jobs. That same day, I lost the only aunt I had left, was fairly close to her, also cancer! Then just 1 week later, Jan. 9, I lost my mother (she turned 85 on Jan. 8!) Since I'm an only child, had lots of stuff to handle with my mom's passing. Thankfully hubby and daughter helped as much as they could. In February, Bobbie's step father passed away.

I finally convinced hubby that I just could not raise minis any more. I would cry for hours every time we sold one. I know I can be careful and pick the first home, but sometimes circumstances happen beyond our control. We sold all our brood mares to some GREAT folks who plan on showing!

So that was bad and good. I received my steward card this year and am looking forward to 2006 so my hubby (judge) and I can go to shows together!

Hope all have a better New Year with 2006.

Pam

P.S. My hi-light of 2005 was meeting Bonnie Fogg at Nationals!!! She is a great lady!

 

[Leeana]

05' was okay for me.

Some bad ..some good ...But its turning out Okay.

Im deff. ready of 06 though!

Leeana

 

[runamuk]

Not a terrible year pretty much the same as most......I had to deal with my son being on probation and his struggle to find some balance in his life.......my barn got built but we ran out of money for the stalls.......I bought my wonderful Finnsheep and got them home......Finally made the very difficult decision that I WILL NOT be breeding horses something that I have spent the last 12-14 years working towards.........We are more broke than we have been in years..but the bills are paid and the animals fed.......I really am begining to hate my job...and dread my commute every day...........All of this did cause me to sit down and evaluate what I am doing and to set some goals for the first time in my life........I have grown very homesick for Washington and my family.......

2006 won't change anything but I would like the year over so I can get my taxes done and get that tax return (oh yeah it is spent) but I will finally have stalls

and a dog yard and ram pens........

 

[Candleliteranch]

Well, we lost three horses, my pancreas transplant rejected, and my personal life is in shambles........Not sure I even care to see what 2006 may bring

 

[Buckskin gal]

I can say I am thankfu for every year that I have to live life. There are always

challenges to meet...that is life but I did get really down the end of this year due to a very bad experience in buying a miniature horse. It was like a nightmare, dealing with a seller who is not honest. She ruined my trust in ever buying sight unseen again. Having a lot of physical pain from arthritis was really intensified with the stress that came with this. I still haven't received his reg. papers and don't know if I ever will, even though they were promised. Really looking forward to '06 and healing. Mary

 

[Nickermaker]

Well, I can't say that this year was rotten, but I can say it wasn't the best either. I've had worse but also have had a lot better.

The highlight of the year was getting a grandson. Our daughter, Cassie, and son-in-law, Brad, had a 9 lb 6 oz baby boy born March 1. This was great.

But then there was the downs.

The end of June my cousin disappeared. We spend days looking for him in fear of him having committing suicide. Just this past month my brother has located him - he is a homeless person living under a bridge approx 1 1/2 - 2 hours from here. He doesn't want to come back and my brother said he actually seems happy. I think of him constantly, especially on cold days/nights. He just couldn't handle the stress of everyday living. He had gone through a real nasty divorce and had some severe issues. I pray for him constantly also.

Then I my big black and white paint mare, Remington, died on July 8th who had foaled a colt on July 5th. She died from a prolapsed uterus. Oh the ups and downs of raising an orphan foal. The up on this - Lucas, the colt, is one big happy and healthy colt today. And being raised with the mini's has a ton of horse sense, he thinks he is one of them. Although come Spring he will have to pulled from them and put out with the big ones.

Then also had a stillborn donkey this year. This was in November. Also in November my husband, Bill, ran over the leg of our 16 year old yellow lab, Sophie. He had finished stacking the last of our 4th cutting hay and was moving the pickup when this happened. We had to have her put to sleep. But the same day one of our goats had a set of twin goats. Then Bill's brother had a heart attack. They managed to put a stint in the same day and he had no heart damage, this was the up of the week or I should say even month. Then one of the baby goats drowned in the waterer. All this happened the same week in November. So I was really glad when November was over.

Also have had some major issues with work. But then I couldn't believe I got the most valuable employee at the Christmas party. After all what has happened this past year at work - I was in total shock.

Anyway I will be glad to welcome in the new year and have this one behind me. Look forward to Spring and all the new birth and not to mention longer daylight hours and warming days. Athough it was in the 60's yesterday and today here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!! Vickie

 

[shminifancier]

2006 has only got to be LOTS better then 2005 was~!

I was on some very Strong arthritis medication, and really without much notice One of the meds not only attacked my liver, but at the same time shut done my kidneys..And no pain not much of any symptoms other then the flu like..no eat can't keep anything down etc. I went to a doctor the 2nd day and He also agreed that it was some kind of flu...2 days later I went back and saw a different doctor NOT KNOWING that those 2 organs had all ready shut down 2 days before that.. I was rushed into the ICU and had 3 kidney dialysis over 3 days and the 4th was out of the ICU and spent another 4 days in the hospital.. Every One of My doctors told me that if I had gone as much as ONE Day longer... We;; lets just say I would not be writing this now~!

On a better note Everything is Back to normal and feeling fine~!! No more visits to the doctor other then a regular check ups... I was one lucky fellow~!!

And the ONLY thing the doctors could find wrong is that one of the RA meds I was taking started the Whole thing, and be stopping ALL meds everything returned to the normal range on the blood tests..... Note: I am still OFF all Prescription RA meds yet to this day......And this was back on July the 4th when all this happened..

That was how my 2005 was

 

[SunQuest]

Well, this year started off bad and is still bad. It started with my great Aunt and my hubby in the hospital. They were both so ill that I wasn't sure what I was going to do next. Then went to bad weather and ruined hay and loss of yet another 2004 foal making the surviving total from that year of ZERO. (Cries and oh so much agony!) And the family is still ill and things are still stressing here. My great Aunt was in the hospital just before Thanksgiving again. Luckily she was released quicker this time. And then being forced to refinance our home and everyone being ill and having to be out of town all in the last month. Needless to say, I am more than ready for some good to happen in 2006!!!

But on the positive side, My family is all here and my best freind from jr high school days has finally returned home the Los Angeles, CA area. I am getting such a kick out of her joy at being back where she just loves each new day and simple things like taking a walk and watching the sun rise makes her excited. It is such a pleasure to be able to chat with her for hours about everything and realize that while we are both so very different yet we both still understand each other and have so very much in common. We chatted last night about everything from her celtic cross stitch patterns that she does to computers to animals to politics to religeous beliefs. There was so much love in that room that even the religious chat was very pleasant, in fact one of the most pleasant experiences that I have ever had with 2 people of way different beleifs. It is funny, but I always knew she leaned towards Wiccan in her school days and is a Wiccan now, and I am and always have been Christian, and yet there are so many things similar that when one is open to really compairing the two that there is so much common ground to be found in both. Not an unfriendly word said on either end. It was just a wonderfully warm and homey evening last night with just the two of us and the animals! Laughs! Her black cats just loved me and she swears that Mogly can't be touched by others, yet he let me pick him up several times and was just the biggest ham, and her other black 22 pound cat decided that my lap was just the perfect place for a nap and her boarder collie that she says doesn't like to be huggged let me hug him and play with him.

So really, my life has everything that is special. Great love of family and freinds. Who could ask for more?

And while we may have cancelled the Christmas festivities, we are planning a great New Years Eve party as we are all ready for a new year!

So all in all, I have the things that matter the most!

 

[Horsefeathers]

Yep... I think we fall into that category... don't really want to dwell on all that happened, it started in January with having to put the best dog I've ever owned down to current events... don't want to rehash the details.... I can truly say this has been the worst year I've ever known.... I am very blessed though, and try to remember to count those blessings every day... Things could ALWAYS be worse...but on a brighter note, 2006 is looking better, so I choose to look to the positive...Trust me... it's a choice I HAVE to make every day...

Chris

 

[anoki]

2005 was very.....odd. It was either really, really bad, or things were going really really GREAT! Not much in between....which made for a very volatile year. Had major car issues the beginning of the year....but now I've got a newer vehicle. Business was kinda dull, but had some really good business near the end of this year (now if only they'd send me that cheque). My 'help' at the barn which has irritated me unbelievably this year (and caused me great stress!!), is no longer working there. And of course, my filly that was born in June, and Moxie coming into my life (which really wasn't planned this year). I'm just glad the end has kind of worked itself out....and certain issues that have been bothering me all year, are now somewhat more resolved than they were. And 2006 can only be better!

~kathryn

 

[luvmymini2]

well I guess 2005 was a pretty good year..I can count more good than bad...for one my boyfriend went to Houston in Oct.for his yearly heart ck.up,and everything is good.The Dr. told him to keep doing whatever he is doing{he walks Tanner every evening}..He only has the upper half of his heart due to a Major heartattack in 95..My son thats 14{acutally my gran.son I adopted when he was 1 year}came to live with us ..that has truely been a blessing.Then of course I was sent an angel,Scooter which has brought much joy to everyone he's around..so I guess I have been blessed this year....I hope 2006 is as good!!!I'm going to live like it is my last,I'm going to love and enjoy everyone...

God Bless,Pat

 

[Narrow Way Farm]

We'll we have been completley up and then way down this year.. I have to say we haven't had the in between either we have been on one end or the other of the spetrum. I am more than glad to see 2006 come and get started with spring around the corner.. I am anxious to get some things going here in the spring and always look forward to the promise of new beginning! I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life, and I know thru all the bad we have been thru this year, God has shown us something to help us grow stronger.. I am ready for a break though and glad to see and end to this year. Thank you Lord for bringing us thru it all.

 

[ForMyACDs]

This year was NOT fun for me.

Early in the year I lost my best doe to what might have been West Nile. She'd given me two buck kids this year and although I was considering keeping a buck out of her I was really hoping for a doe kid. I kept one buck and the other went to Texas. Well, the day after the sold buckling shipped out, the buckling I'd kept broke his neck.

Then, there was a "pregnancy outbreak" at the vet clinic where I work. Great news for the girls, but horrible news for me as I'm now the only full-time employee left and everything falls to me to get done.

My evil sister decided to have yet another child (this makes #8)......this is a person who needs to have her children taken away......not have more. To top it off the poor child was born a hermaphrodite. Rather than wait to see what the child develps like in order to determine whether the child itentifies himself/herself as male or female my rotten sibling CHOSE to have the child made female because "SHE wanted another girl". I'm just saddened by the situation ALL these children are in and now this poor child who may indeed be a boy was made a girl to suit my sister's whim.

The chicken coop (aka Poultry Palace) didn't sell this summer so I wasn't able to get my goat pens up.....we STILL have temporary fence around the barn as a result.

This fall we had a tough breeding season as the weather seemed to make for some odd heat cycles. Two AI's didn't take, one did take but then the doe aborted halfway thru gestation and I have kiddings all over the calendar (we were planning on Feb/March kiddings and now may have some kidding as late as June!!). I still have one left to confirm and one yet to breed!!

I didn't get a well dug out to the barn this summer so I'm having to haul water from the bathtub yet again this winter.......ugh.

Then, to top it off, on Xmas day my normally loving (but many times crabby.....ya just gotta know how to deal with him.....he's not that bad) husband announced that he was considering leaving me. Lovely. He's just begun seeing his mother again (a very unstable lady who seems to bring out the worst in him) and in an unusual fit of rage over a joking comment made to lighten the dark mood of the day, he threatened to leave. I'm speechless. I don't know what he's going to do, but I will NOT tolerate being treated like crap so whether he stays or goes something will change. This behavior started as soon as he found his mother and started visiting her again. I would NEVER tell him that he couldn't see his mother, BUT I won't be treated like this either.

On the good side: I got a new truck and a new-used trailer (something I've wanted since I was a little girl).