April 2026

 April was an exciting month. It was full of adventures. Some were better than others! We started out the month with new tires on Sophia's car. We had them replaced during her spring break in March. She came home one weekend and when we woke up Saturday morning they were gone. The car was resting on the rotors. I felt so violated. This happened right in front of our house. The parking lot is very well lit. Thankfully insurance took care of everything and was very easy to work with but it was a hassle nonetheless. 

Sophia's sorority had their spring formal. Sophia is on the social committee and helped plan it. She picked up all the food and delivered it to the venue while decked out in her formal ware. Sophia invited a friend from the barn to go with her. They had fun. 

I had a MOHs procedure to remove a cancerous spot from my face. It was superficial but needed to be removed.

We made it to Kentucky Three Day! We have always wanted to go and Sophia thought it would be a nice road trip for us. We traveled with Peggy, who we always traveled with to horse shows. Her daughter, Sophia's good friend, Gretchen is in college at the University of Kentucky so we meet her down there. 

   

We saw all three phases of the event, dressage on Friday, cross country on Saturday and stadium jumping on Sunday. I had never seen a cross country event at the 5 star level. It was such an incredible rush. Those riders seem fearless.

 

Sophia and Gretchen standing by a jump. Look at how high these riders and horse jump. 

We also went to Buc-ee's and 7-Brew. We had yummy dinners together and amazing views. We even got to visit Gretchen's horse, Grizzly, down there. 

 

 

Perhaps the most fun?? was the opportunity to drive an obstacle course in a Defender. Sophia, Gretchen and Peggy all had a go at it. They all laughed so much. I didn't partake with the incision on my face but got great video of them driving. 

Sophia and Wren are doing well. He is such a good horse.

Our furry family are all doing good. 

And spring is in the air! 

Til next month!

March 2026

 March flew by quickly, as the months all seem to do now. I am thankful for the time we had together as a family.

Steve and Nick went up to visit Aiden for his birthday. It was not a time for celebrating as this is his first birthday without Lindsey. Aiden's cat, Dinkie, also passed the day Nick and Steve got there after a short illness. Dinkie was 15 years old but it doesn't make things any easier. 

Sophia was home for spring break. She got a lot done. She was very creative. She worked on things for her Big/Little week for the sorority. She used the team of Toy Story, you got a friend in me. I helped her with the ironing of the decals she made on the cricut for the t-shirts. Steve helped her get supplies together for the painting of the banner. She worked hard all week, creating and shopping for gifts. She is always so thoughtful.

 

At the end of the month we went to Lindsey's Celebration of Life. Aiden did a fantastic job planning the full weekend. We had dinner with extended family and friends Friday night, attended a beautiful service on Saturday and had breakfast with immediate family on Sunday. The UU pastor that married them did the ceremony. Aiden worked with her to design it. The readings were perfect. The music was beautiful. Ginny, Aiden's friend sang. It was very moving. And very difficult but Aiden's eulogy had us smiling. I can't imagine the pain he feels. 

 

Crafts keep me sane. I finished a pair of socks that were in "time out" for a while. I also spent one Saturday scrapbooking.

We got a freak snow storm with beautiful big flakes. They didn't stick around because the temps rose quickly but it was nice to see.

The pets are all doing well.

February 2026

 February always seems like a short month, this year was no different. Things are quieter with Sophia at school, especially since she joined the sorority. She is keeping busy.

She did come home one weekend in February and her and I went to see Dancing with the Stars. It was a great performance. Not only did we get to spend time together but the dancing was phenomenal.

We also did a little shopping that weekend and had lunch together. Then on Sunday we went to the Pony Club Banquet. 

 We got a little snow that evening. I truly miss the large snow storms I had growing up in Connecticut. I think the snow is so pretty (as long as I don't have to drive in it) and fun to play in! Mr. Twinkletoes likes the snow too. See below. 

Other than those updates it is pretty quiet here. Same ole, same old.  But I did get a couple good photos of our pets.

 Til next month. 

January 2026

 This post is very hard to write this month. Once again we have experienced highs and then rock bottom lows. I will start with the highs.

Sophia did a study abroad January term in Greece. She left on January 1st and returned on January 17th. She had a blast. Outside of a connecting flight getting cancelled on the way there resulting in a delay in receiving her luggage for 24 hours and a couple rough ferry rides she had a blast. The pictures she sent home were breathtaking. They were busy, busy, busy. She certainly made memories that will last a lifetime. She brought back very thoughtful gifts for family and friends. 

 

 

 

 

Wren has been at another barn doing a training board. He is being ridden and working hard at developing third level movements. 

We had a snow storm where we got about 6-7 inches of snow followed by 3 inches of sleet and ice. Steve was off school for a week. Shoveling out of the ice was hard.

 

I scribed again at a dressage show in the freezing cold. So cold my bottle of water froze on the table next to me. 

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Sophia started school again towards the end of the month. Sorority activities are keeping her busy.

The rock bottom low, which we will not recover from anytime soon is Lindsey, after surviving three difficult surgeries for her oral cancer passed away from a pulmonary embolism on January 10th. We took turns spending time with her and Aiden in the hospital to give  Aiden and Lindsey parents breaks. I was with her when she died. The day before she walked the entire floor. She was turning a corner. The second graft of her tongue seemed to be doing well. She was communicating through typing and signing. I spent the night with her in the hospital. She finally rested and got a good night sleep. They had been worried about her breathing which was rapid but before they did a CT scan she needed to be medicated for a dye allergy. By the time they did the CT scan it was too late. She came back from the CT scan and within 10 or 15 mins took her last breath. It was heart breaking. To lose someone so young, to witness Aiden losing the love of this life and to be with her parents as they were finding out was a lot. It was devastating... is devastating and will be for a long time. We are all doing our best, trying to remember the good times and being there for each other.

 

As always, I will end with pictures of our pets because sometimes it is the little things that get you through.