2010- February- actually closed on our house but had to pretty much move the previous owners out ourselves via a 30 yard dumpster. We repainted EVERYTHING, redid the roof and in the years to follow, I would garden clear across the front yard growing gourds, pumpkins and other surprises! We also built a barn despite a plane crashing in the backyard while we were building a barn. Our dog, Brodus, chased it as it fell out of the sky! He was the first one "on scene" barking at it.
https://www.nj.com/news/2010/04/small_plane_crash_in_west_milf.html
http://www.westmilfordmessenger.com/news/plane-crashes-killing-pilot-near-residential-area-XEWM20100414304149812 This is the better one- horrified face on my husband and I
We also got married in early April and threw a big, kicking party in later July (like 250+ people!)
2011- I was moved from 5th to 6th grade (against my will) but ended up LOVING it in the end. I had a wonderful, but still challenging, class to "loop" with and a great partner both years. Oh yeah, and I also had a kid! Seemed like a good idea a the time LOL! No really, she's great! We have so much fun! She's 8 and a half now and the poor thing is a spitting image of me in almost every way!
2013 I started writing on this blog and built my website. Traded in the Exploder and got "Cookie" Truck- my first new vehicle ever! She towed even the old steel horse trailer great- better than my F-350, Cloud, did! Now I have probably as many pictures of this truck as I do of my kid! We take her to Maine in August of this year.
Freaking A, '17 was rough!
We returned, once again to Mt. Desert Island and stayed in Bayberry Cottage on Bass Harbor. We bought a new Ford F-150 for the hubby and it eventually got Lemon Law bought back for engine problems, among other things. Surprisingly the whole process was relatively painless and Ford did right by us financially, in the end. Still 5 stars for Mahwah Ford!
I started shopping for a horse trailer that the Big Mare would actually load nicely into since we were traveling and doing more fun stuff together. The steel Valley trailer worked but it took 2 people to get her on and off. Ain't nobody got time for that!
After going "just to look" at a black female shepherd not even a week later, we added Nora to the family. . . because we're dog people, plain and simple. She's a totally different dog and has been a constant challenge but is doing great now.
My daughter and I spent a week in Cape Cod with my bestest buddy right after school got out. It was one of my all time favorite vacations and SO needed at the time, too.
I got to park Cookie next to the ocean! I came home and started to rebuild my rock wall finally. I had to take the yearly "year photo" (above) using flowers because, for the first time ever, we didn't grow enough gourds- just 150 lbs of pumpkins!
In August we were back at Bass Harbor with Nora this time, the kayaks and the Chevy truck. I also got a "new to me" Sundowner slant load trailer this year then proceeded tow said new trailer on the interstate to show Guinivere!
Wow . . .
What does 2020 have in store for us?
Only a few things are in the works - so far
-We'll be returning to Maine for another year
-this will be my last year teaching 6th grade at my current elementary school since they voted to send the 6th graders to the middle school instead.
-I'm hoping to get more places with BOTH the mares, especially when the weather gets good
-The "horsey girls" will be attending the Horse World Expo at the end of February again out in Harrisburg
-Hopefully I'll have another plentiful front yard harvest
-Many more model horse creations that involve resculpting and trying new techniques!
Here's looking forward to 2020, which is only hours away!
Happy New Year Everyone!