42 degrees is awesome

The world is melting. 

Until tonight. 

It's like After Earth. 

Back to the Haven for You, January

Paying close attention to the weather forecast, we watched for the best days last week for Rylee and I to take January back to Uncle Rod in Cheyenne. Driving across Wyoming in the winter can be very daunting. The bits which don't have much snow have much wind. If you luck out and get both, which I have in the past, you will curse your husband for many years to come!

Here is Rylee bringing January out of the pasture.  Thank you, Mr. Sessions (our wonderful neighbor) for letting Rylee use your pasture and tack room!

I had to hold her for a minute so I tried taking selfies with a horse. Not as easy as you'd think. 

I have pulled work trailers before, but never a horse trailer. The difference in having a living creature in your back end can be summed up in one sentence, "Stop moving around! You're making me seasick!"

This is the part Rylee had to handle. 

Can you tell what Harsey is communicating here? That's my Irish nickname for her. Rylee just gave a quick smack on Jujubee's chest and then she relented. I just made up that nickname. Just barely. Johnny on the spot. That's how you know I like ya!

And she's in! 

She was very pouty the whole way. Whenever we stopped, which was just about in every town-don't ask me why- she whinnied and neighed and turned completely around which wasn't easy as  Rylee had her head tied to prevent too much movement.

I thought it was so cool to be driving this trailer around because people who didn't know me would think I'm a horse person. Yep. That's me. I ride all the time. Not scared a bit...

What took six hours to drive in my van  took eight hours in truck and trailer. Plus, my short leg just couldn't get forward enough for the gas pedal. Ever try keeping your calf muscle clenched for eight hours? 

As we approached Cheyenne I called Rod and he told me to take exit 370. Then, Rylee and I fought over the radio (there was some smacking involved) and the next exit I noticed was 390. So I texted Rod:

We missed the exit. We'll be coming to you via Omaha. 

Then on the backtrack I took the truck weighing station instead of 370. Ergh!

EveNtuALly, we made it. 

Right away Rod gave Rylee a hard time about everything- being a teenage girl...making us miss the exit...not knowing a thing about horses...

That's how you know a Galloway loves you. 

This guy is the most expert expert I've ever seen when it comes to horses. He will use his decades' earned skills to help ensure that January's foal gets a fair shake at life on the planet. 

Here are both my passengers enjoying being out of the car. Out in the cold, but out of the car. 

Please watch for PART TWO of this post! 

Welcome Back Jack Frost!

This was last week when we woke to -4 degrees. You go to the woodshop and gather around the wood stove. 

This is today. 40 degrees and breezy with lots of snow. Truthfully, anything above 30 feels great compared to below zero. 

These are the flags Grandpa flies outside his house. Can you see all the snowflakes? 

I need wellies today but in nine days my zorrie should be more than adequate. 

Delivering Dog

We took Dog down to Aunt Jen's where she will stay while we are in Guam. Rylee made certain they understood that she gets Dog back when we return. 

Playing around at the shop:

Rylee's photo:

Dog and one of her new roommates, Skout. 

This Is Really Happening

July-----> Rylee bought a horse.
August-----> We put our house up for sale. Planned to build one with five acres so we could have the horse with us and have lots of ground for go-karts and snow machines. 
2 weeks later-----> Under contract in both directions.
September-----> Decided to move to Guam. 

Nov. 5th-----> Closed on the sale of our home. Sold a BUNCH of crap and moved the rest out.
Nov. 5th-----> Bought our tickets to Guam.
Nov. 6th-----> Helped the new owners move their stuff into the house we made new again with our bare hands.
Today-----> Living temporarily in a one bedroom apartment-type cabin thingy still living life as normally as we can while contemplating what to do in the next phase of our story. 

Yes, this IS a CrAZy thing we're doing. This morning I chatted with the chic working the desk at the gym about the horrible weather outside. She said she hoped everyone was prepared for the cold. I told her I was moving to a tropical island. She laughed and said, "Yeah, wouldn't that be nice." And I got to say, "No, really. I am."

When the appraiser had come to our house, I walked him out and he asked if we were planning to stay in the area. I said, "Yeah, unless we move to Guam or something." Laughing hardily, he dismissively said, "And what are the chances of that happening!"

So, now we literally ARE the talk of the town. Everywhere I go someone comes up to say they heard something about me. Well, at least it's something fun like moving to Guam!

Where in the world is Guam? East of the Philippines, south of Japan, west of Hawaii. We will be flying to Hawaii to spend a couple days there. I'm so excited to visit Pearl Harbor. We studied it with the kids after we made these plans. And, of course, I will get to add the Hawaii temple to my roster!

My mother loved this rock. She called it Bear Rock.

Our last meal in the house. Subway sandwiches! The buyers' table was destroyed on their way up from AZ, so they asked if they could keep ours. Absolutely! One less thing to move!

Back to the basics. This place isn't too bad. Small, yes, but quite clean for an old motel. I've lived in worse. I can make just about any place into a home. The girls are actually staying with Grandpa and Grandma.

This photo is significant for a couple of reasons. One, it shows the first snow storm of the year, and we will not have to shovel, push, or remove snow at all this winter! Two, we sold my wonderful van. I didn't even have it for a year!

We've had many different reactions to our decision to give up everything we've worked so hard on and move to a completely unknown place. Some think it's great and wish they had the guts to do such a thing. Some think it's just downright stupid. Well, it is not easy leaving what has grown to become comfortable and familiar, but we've done it before. Look at all the things we have learned because we chose to take on new businesses, or new living spaces, or new lifestyles! We've made many good friends, tried to do good wherever we are, and appreciated all the learning opportunities we've been blessed with. Who knows what kinds of opportunities will greet us in Guam! My children, my husband, and even I, will get to have many new experiences together as a family. Maybe we'll hate it! Maybe we'll love it! Doesn't matter! We are doing it!