Resolutions

I've got a definite plan for the new year. Of course, we all know how plans go...what's that saying again? You can plan in one hand and something in the other???

Oh, oops! Nevermind!

Anywho....while things seem to change from day to day, it's always good to have a basic plan, and here's my plan (aka resolutions) for the new year.

1. Get Eddie home (already in process...damn, I'm good)

Actually, everyone else is good. I'm lucky!! My friends and family basically carried me for the past month so I could save every penny to bring him home before doing anything else. They know how important Eddie is to me and I appreciate it so very much. I also very much appreciate Kelly and Megan's help in getting Eddie ready for his journey!

2. Scrub credit reports and pay down debt.

As you may know, you are entitled to a free credit report once a year from each of the three credit bureaus. While many commercials are out there for free credit reports, be careful because they require you sign up for a service you have to pay for. For the REAL website for free credit reports go to https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index

3. I plan on eventually building my dream house/barn

on the property near St John but it's going to take me a couple of years to build up a down payment and ready the site (aka have a great big bonfire with the existing, crumbling barn), so I hope to move in a temporary abode (aka mobile home) onto the property this summer. It will also serve as a second space for my dad while he finishes his remodel--a second place to go to for running water and electricity is always handy when you've got to shut everything off for a day or two for a project!

4. Along with getting a small place set up for me, I hope to get a pole barn set up on the north side of that same property for hay storage and a paddock run-in. I also hope to set a lean-to in for Eddie

and change the layout of the pens, rebuild fencing, etc. Like always it will be a work in progress over the summer.

5. Late summer or fall I hope to finally get a nice little trailer that will last me a few years.

I've been drooling over this one, although it's a bit out of my pricerange. I can drool, though--my keyboard is well protected.

6. I hope by winter time I can afford to get a low-level show saddle, show chaps and basically get Paula and I outfitted to make our show debut in 2011.

It will be sad that she'll miss her junior years entirely, but my goals are set so we will be ok long-term rather than just trying to get through the short-term like I have been doing (and obviously that has not been working well). I DO remember the saying (and firmly believe in this) that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, so this year I'm doing something different!

7. Speaking of Paula, she'll continue her training under saddle and JJ will be started as well. I DO plan on trail-riding both this year (JJ late in the year of course)!

If things don't go completely down the toilet, I'd love to try the Ride America program with JJ. I think he'd enjoy it!

8. Every year I want to lose more weight, of course, and while each year I'm about 10 pounds lighter than the previous, I have a long way to go before looking svelt in the saddle. However, rather than starting out the year depriving and starving myself, I'm going to instead resolve to fit more exercise into my life. I love veggies, salads, and do pretty well in that respect, so if I exercise and drink more water I hope that I can shed a few more pounds (and Paula will be so ever thankful as well).

9. I'd like to begin updating the White Horse Resource and get it rolling officially. If anyone is interested in being a contributor to the site, please give me a hollar!!

I'll leave number 10 open for the future. There always has to be room for possibilities :)