Just thinking of you and sending horse shopping moral support vibes ... i figure that as hard as this search has been, you're overdue to spot a horse you really, really like sometime soon. Fingers crossed.

OK. I have emailed Phyllis, for the sake of due diligence. I do think Olimpio will be lower level at best - her horses listed as Prelim capable are $30k plus. heddy if I do go I'd love company! :D The thing about "wonky hocks" mare is great attitude! Her canter under saddle is fine - her ...

Just a quick update! I've been in New England trying a couple of the horses and have just left a message to arrange a PPE with one of the vets suggested here. I swear there is nothing more humbling that hopping on sale horses?! :shock: :shock: My real reason for posting, before I know if I've actual...

Thanks Scruffy! I've never horse shopped 'out of the area' before .... the logistics are a little daunting. It's a huge help to see the vet recommendations.

Thank you so much, Musical Comedy and KathyK. I'll double check the specific barn address. So far, I've just been in the figuring out flights/car stage. I'm hugely relieved to have a start on vet recommendations! Hope I'll get to use them :- )

Hi! I'm going to look at a horse for sale in the Philadelphia area soon. If I'm lucky and it goes well, I'll need to find a vet for the PPE but it's out of my area. Can anyone help? I'd be interested in both a vet that could do a PPE at the owners barn (including xrays) OR a local clinic that had mo...

Southland Soap has a creme soap that's really, really nice. The maker says it's very much like their bar soap but I find it a lot easier to work through my hair. Linda, the biz owner, posts here sometimes ... she's really nice about answering any questions. My hair is completely different after swit...

Ok Tuffytown, thanks. I've got a backyard to fix also and that will need a tiny patio + back stairs x2. It sounds like I really need a landscape architect that would do small projects (tiny yards). And get a designer to help with the finishings. I've also got to rehab the kitchen and a bathroom so I...

Oh wow, Piedmontfields! How did that resolve? So the $1k got you a plan that didn't met your specs and you'd have to spend more money to get the design back on track? That's a nightmare. I'd like help to even understand and set the budget but I guess I can choose a number and judge by the look on th...

Thanks Tuffytown. I don't really need to change anything on the facade of the house so not much in the way of new structures. I do need a new yard design plus a garage door, gates, lights, mailbox + any trellises / trim that would be needed on the house for new landscaping. I want to be sure the 'no...

Oh wise ones of the DDBB, what kind of professional person helps with exterior cosmetic home design? I’ve ground to a halt and have to come to realize that I’m a person who understands function, not form. I can fix or figure out most things. But form? Nope, I just don’t get design, color and all the...

Posting for a friend … 2 riding vests from Shire Equestrian. They’re both brand new with tags and size large. They're slightly fitted, adjusting strap across the back, two way zipper in front. One is turquoise, the other medium lavender. Both colors are very nice. She’s asking $35 each and she’ll pa...

Thank you, xc4fun! Oh wow, I opened my Kringle present and :D :D :D . As I type, I’m sipping a cup of Tangerine Almond tea. It’s wonderful and the other tea flavors are equally exotic. I really tried to save the coconut toffees for later, but nope, they’re wonderful too. There were adorable ornament...

Congratulations!!! Well done. Your screen name is perfect for this new phase of your life

Oh no .... Jingling for your friend and hoping that new love comes to her life very soon.

I've never seen them and want to! I've been looking at options for this winter in either Canada or Alaska. Has anyone ever done a trip like this? I don't need fancy digs. I'm fine with cold weather and there are tons of things that I'd enjoy even if the lights don't make an appearance ... xc skiing,...

I'm so terribly sorry ... it's beyond imagination. You and your family will be in my thoughts.

I also did the form yesterday - thank you!!!

Amen, Boots. I'm just in the midst of more home repairs and fixing. Can you tell me the name of the loan program that helps with energy efficiency changes? I just looked at PGE's program and was surprised to see their loans coming in at 6.5%. I'd only heard of Berkeley doing the Mello Roos loans and...

I second the cookies idea, especially decorating them (sprinkles, candy pieces, etc. Nothing requiring dexterity.) or using cookie cutters. If using cookie cutters, people end up playing with both the cookies and the cutters - the cutters could also be sorted into groups or baskets. When my mom was ...

Tears. What beautiful writing. I'm so glad you were able to spend extra moments loving up the pony. Your students will know how much the pony's passing affected you, never fear. You sound a bit like my childhood riding school teacher. We knew how much she cherished every single school horse. I still...

I'm so glad he's through surgery. Ditto what boots said ... The dementia play book always has cautions (in big red letters) about caregivers becoming worn out and injuring themselves or their health. Then there's two folks to be cared for, sigh. So nice that your step-mom is devoted to him. Hopefull...

Big time jingles and hugs for you and your dad!! It's sooo hard to be at a distance when this stuff happens. It's really tough to have a person with dementia in the hospital. I don't know if this would work in the UK but could you arrange a private attendant for a few days? It doesn't need to be a n...

Sure! I think so anyway. I was hoping to avoid the humiliation of the 'before' shot and just post the 'after'.

KoolKat - your dad stories made me laugh aloud!! Isn't it amazing how there are moments of crystal clear lucidity mixed into the craziness? Your dad sounded like a wonderful person.

I love that your gentleman was enjoying his walk and kudos to you for knowing what he needed that day. Hopefully lawnmower guy will get more used to the next door neighbors and have some fun chatting with them. I've got relatives with dementia and my fav was when my sister called me and said mom was...

Hi! I'm finally painting the outside of my house and the neighborhood is quietly cheering ... No more gross of that beat up, gross yellowy pinky beige-y color. The body of the house is a light gray-blue or blue-gray with white trim and gutters. Whether it's blue or gray depends on the light and your...

Hmmmm, well, what about a wall display made from a wood pallet turned into a shelf system (stain/lacquer or not)? I saw one recently that I just loved, very clever. It’s rustic, kind of like a nice barn or tack room, and would give you a special place to keep and display your mare’s things. I’ve sta...