Goodbye Annie

We lost a part of the family yesterday and I thought writing about it might be therapeutic for me. I was at work when my wife called to tell me that a veterinarian had been called out to the stables to euthanize Annie, our horse. As I’ve mentioned here before, Annie was 27 and had been having problems with arthritis in her joints and so we stopped using her for Krystal’s 4-H competitions. Charlie, where we had been stabling her was kind enough to care for her and let her stay there free and she earned her keep by giving rides to kids on the weekends. We have been looking for horse property off and on in the hopes that we could move her and the horse we are leasing out to our own place. Well, this past week she just got so bad that she didn’t even want to get up to eat. Charlie and Grace were taking food and water out to her so she could eat since it was so difficult for her to stand. I guess Friday was especially bad, so the decision was made to end her suffering.

Charlie called Kris to let her know the vet was due to arrive at three. She called to let me know and said she was on the way to Krystal’s school so they could both go out to say goodbye. Now, you need to know that I purposely tried not to get to close to Annie because ever since she was given to us, I figured I would have to be the one to put her down. I guess I was too ignorant to think a vet would be called to do it. Little did I know how much she means to me. When I called the school to ask them to get Krystal out of class, I couldn’t even verbalize the reason without starting to cry. I had to compose myself and call a second time to get them to understand what was going on. Then to embarrass myself even more, I started to cry when I went into my boss’ office to ask to leave work early. Hell, I’ve even had to stop writing this a couple times in order to compose myself enough to continue. Sometimes, no matter how much you try not to, you just can’t help but fall in love with your critters.

I arrived at the stables first to find the vet had already done his job and was leaving. I called Kris to let her know so they wouldn’t come on out, but they both insisted on seeing Annie one last time. It was hard to keep it together after they showed up, but you know sometimes you have to be strong for your girls. One of the hardest things I’ve ever done is to watch my daughter saying her goodbyes to the ole girl.

Annie was eleven days shy of her twenty eighth birthday. She was born Louisa Nubar, March 30, 1982, and came into our lives on March 15th, 2008. She was registered with the American Quarter Horse Association

We loved her and will always remember her loving nature. Please keep her and our family in your prayers.

Bountiful Baskets

We picked up our first order today from Bountiful Baskets and are very pleased.  My brother turned me onto this Co-Op that pools money to buy fruits and vegetables at greatly reduced prices.  They bypass supermarkets and go direct to the suppliers to get great deals.  It is always a mystery as to what you will get, but that is one of the most fun and appealing aspects of it.  You may get something you have never tried before, and may not have picked out for yourself at the supermarket.  Pictured is the standard package, plus the items on the far left are an added Mexican ingredients package that we got.  It had cilantro, jalapenos, limes, garlic, mexican squash, dried red peppers and chipotle, and onions.  The tortillas are half of the package my brother bought.  We figured neither family could eat them all so we split them.  We got all of this for about $25-$30.  I'm already wondering what they will have in store for us two weeks from now.

Everyone gets a basket of veggies and one of fruit.

Horny ?

Project 365

02/25/2010

Oh yea, I knew you would look at this one!  I headed for Nogales today for work and spotted the horns on this building from the intersate.  On the way back to the office, I pulled off at the Arivaipa exit to get a closer look.  I must have looked a little suspicious when I pulled over across the street and then backed up to get a clear view, because a border patrol agent pulled up right behind me.  I figured I could get my picture while he ran my plates so I continued what I was doing.  I think he saw the camera and figured I was harmless because he left without ever talking with me. 

Once I saw the front of the builing, I suddenly remembered being here before.  My brother and I had passed here on a little jeeping excursion we took back in the late 80's or early 90's.

Coronary Failure

Project 365

02/24/2010

I was just getting off work when the girls called to tell me I was on my own for supper.  I of course ran by Lukes for a quick heart attack in a plain brown bag.  Man, I sure do love an Italian Sausage with cheese and peppers "hot", and an order of rings.

Going Nowhere Fast

Project 365

02/23/2010

Do you ever feel like you're not getting anywhere in life?  I get a little depressed sometimes thinking about a job I don't like and wonder if I'm getting ahead or if I'm just stagnant.  Then I look at my daughter and the person she is growing up to be, and figure there is something to show for it after all.  I guess I'm not a half bad Dad.