Weekend Coffee Share; December Already?

On By DianaIn Living life, weekend coffee share
Beautiful pink roses that smell heavenly!

Welcome to my coffee share, can I get you a cup of coffee or tea? I decided to share these pretty roses that were blooming last month at the barn where I board my horses. Not only did they catch my eye but caught my nose as well, such beautiful rose smell. Oh how I LOVE the smell of roses! Can you believe it’s December? It is hard to believe it is almost 2022! This week was decoration time and my plan tomorrow is to go through my decorations left in boxes and get rid of all old and not used decorations that I have collected over the years. Our house is decorated inside which I finished today. Can I get you some cookies to go with your beverage? I have some chocolate chip cookies! YUM!

As I finished up my decorating I was rather proud of myself as I was going to toss out a bunch of bows I made from a big roll of green and red ribbon I had bought from Costco some years ago. I made these bows huge because I wanted them to drape down on the tree and our old tree was very big. We had it for almost 20 years and we finally decided to get a new tree, and we decided to get a much smaller tree. It is pre-lit so no more stringing the lights. YAY! I’m not so sure I like the beads I put on it but I Love the smaller bows.

I made these huge bows smaller!
The tree is complete and I think is pretty!

The only thing about pulling the bows tighter and smaller is they are a bit wrinkled, but that’s okay. Hanging on the tree you can’t really tell and I think it finishes it nicely. I want to buy some new bulbs, maybe after Christmas sales I will see what they have and I can purchase for next years tree. I also want to get some hooks for the bows. I just fashioned them in the branches and they will stay but are not attached to the tree at all. I’ll have to see what’s available for hooks when I shop for the sales after Christmas. I didn’t think about that before, but I know they would hang better if I attached hooks.

How are you doing, do you need a refill? We have had some warm weather with it being extremely windy through Thanksgiving. These winds are really warm and are called the Santa Ana winds which come in the fall and winter months. These winds also contribute to our fire season since it is typically so dry in California. We just do not get a lot of moisture here, although the forecast is for rain this next week which we desperately need. Since it does not snow or freeze here, I can ride year round. 😀

Miss Chloe and I are out on the trail. One of many rides the last few weeks! 😀

I do not take it for granted that we have such great weather. This weekend has been really cool and very foggy. I can’t complain and am welcoming the coolness of the season. With the great weather comes traffic because there is a ton of people who love to live here too! So our freeways are huge and very busy! I’m thankful I live in a small town so the only time I have to deal with the traffic is commuting to work each day. It is so relaxing being at the stables and enjoying my horses, they help keep me centered.

I do have some Murphy news as I had some blood work done when I had the vet out for his winter vaccines. We did a blood test for EPM (Equine protozoa myeloencephalitis). This protozoa crosses the blood brain barrier and lives in the cerebral spinal fluid and the brain. After I adopted him the trainer who I follow talks a lot about EPM and how prevalent it is in the mid-west which is where Murphy is from and so I talked with my vet and he said we should test him. He tested positive for the antibodies and he is not showing any clinical signs and is not considered an active case of EPM which is good. My vet suggests we treat him as there are good medications out there for this disease. He possibly could be completely cured but more importantly since he is only 3 years old this will set him up for a healthy long life. I’m so glad I had him tested.

My horse Zack had EPM so I am no stranger to this with horses. The difference though is Zack was not diagnosed until he was active displaying clinical signs which included tripping and having trouble picking up his front right leg. The protozoa once in the brain when the horse is stressed it can multiply and destroy brain cells. Depending on the area affected they could have vision issues and its why they display problems like tripping, or not being able to pick up a hoof. You can sometimes pull their tail and they will cross their legs which normally they don’t if they don’t have EPM. They have done plenty of studies on this disease and improving the drugs they use to combat it and so I feel like this is going to be good for Murphy.

It’s ironic that he has some leg issues that were vetted before I adopted him. X-rays were taken and none of the issues were going to be a problem, mostly an ugly scar and a splint that is now completely healed so he has a bump on his leg that has calcified. I didn’t think to have his blood tested. Would I have still adopted him if I had known? I’m not really sure. But I have him now and I do love him and he is everything I thought he would be and so onward we go. I’m super happy and so proud of him.

After my ride the other day. Such a handsome boy! ❤ ❤ ❤

I’m so happy you could join me for my weekend coffee share! ❤ It is fun to share my festive weekend as we are all ready for the holidays. I haven’t done any shopping, something I will do this coming week I hope. Do you buy gifts early before the holidays? We have done this when the kids were little, but don’t do this any more. I have made small gifts before, something you have to plan very early in the year. I have to thank Natalie for hosting the #weekendcoffeeshare and if you would like to visit other coffee shares click here . She has done an awesome job and I can’t believe this year is almost over! Have a wonderful weekend!

Festive Feeling Cowgirl,

~Diana ❤

27 thoughts on “Weekend Coffee Share; December Already?”

    1. They will understand Susie! Believe me they will and I know how hard this Christmas is going to be for you this year. Hang in there and sending giant HUGS your way! 💖💖💖

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  2. The beads and bows on your Christmas tree look lovely. As for shopping, I try to get it all done in the fall. I am not a fan of trying to shop when the stores get really busy.
    Thanks for the virtual coffee. Hope you have a great Sunday.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by Shari! And yes, especially when my kids were young we did all our shopping in the fall. Nowadays I can do much of it online so that will help with the crowds! Have a great Sunday and a new week ahead! 💞

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  3. Your roses look absolutely amazing!! I’m a big fan of strongly scented roses, but only have one type so far – but will do some cuttings of it next year.
    The EPM disease sounds really scary – can they be just bearers of the disease without developing symptoms? I hope all goes well with him.

    In my family, we stopped doing gifts some year ago because it became so stressful for everyone and it’s supposed to be fun! For my husband’s family, we give something to his parents, and money to his nieces and nephews. This year we’ve decided to exchange gifts for ourselves though, because it IS nice.

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    1. Hi Susanne,
      Thank you so kindly! Roses are definitely right up there as one of my favorite flowers! So beautiful inside and out!! 💞

      Yes, EPM is not good, but with treatment not bad and he should lead a healthy life. And yes, they can be a bearer of the disease without developing symptoms. We will treat him even though he doesn’t have any symptoms as studies have shown this to be the best way forward which eases my mind and so I hope he stays symptom free forever!! 💖

      I’m really liking reading here that others have stopped gift giving altogether. We aren’t there yet in my little family and we pick names thru Elfster so that helps as we are only buying that one gift, other than what I get the grandkids. My sister’s and brother stopped sending gifts to each other many years ago. We are all in different states so we just text each other in a group chat to stay in touch and celebrate the holidays that way. Oh and my hubby and I always exchange gifts, and I have no idea what to get him! 🤣🤣🤣

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  4. Thank you so much for the coffee Diana! The rose looks beautiful and I love how you have decorated your tree 💖🎄💖 It’s so good you had Murphy tested and can support him this way. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead and please give sweet Chloe and Murphy a big pat from us all 🤗🧡🐴 xxx

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    1. Thank you Xenia for your supportive kind words. I was a little sad when I found out the test results but have read more about EPM and realize it’s the best thing I ever did and I think we will have a long healthy life together! He was so fun today when I worked with him and rode him today. And Chloe was a star too. Please give Eivor and Pearl big pats too and have a wonderful week ahead! 🥰🐴🐾🤩🎄❤️

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  5. Diana, You did a great job with your Christmas tree and all the other photos of the roses and your horses are beautiful. In my family we stopped gift exchange a long time ago so I enjoy the holidays without the stress of holiday shopping. Thank you for your #weekendcoffeeshare.

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    1. Thank you so much Natalie for your wonderful comments. I’m wondering when that time will come where we stop buying gifts? We do use Elfster and are just buying for one person which helps tons. But other than the grandkids it would be nice to just share each other’s company!! I’m with you and your family! It’s a great idea! 🥰

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  6. Your Christmas tree is wonderful! I confess to not knowing so much about EPM, but I do know that Murphy will get the best possible chances to a long and healthy life with you. You got this Cowgirl ❤

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    1. Aww, thank you so much for your support as I’ve been telling myself that same mantra all weekend long. My vet called me last week with the results (I was a bit sad at first) and I think like you have said I have a wonderful vet and we got this!! It’s so nice to have the festive tree and my other decorations up for this fun month of December. I forgot to share a photo of my Christmas bears, but have shared in past years. They are all smiling at me too! ❤️🎄❤️

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  7. I hope Murphy is better! Your tree is lovely, and so are the roses. I always put beads on my tree too – but it drives me crazy if they are not looped perfectly! I admit to spending WAY too much time on them!

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    1. Aww, thank you so much! And yes, there’s something about the beads I like, however they drive me nuts trying to loop them perfectly! You had me giggling!! 🤩🤣

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  8. I am amazed the roses are still there with so many horses around, our ponies are always trimming our roses. hahaha. Don’t the pale pink ones smell stunning. I love the bows on your Christmas tree it is just one of the funnest time of year. I usually try shop stocking fillers throughout the year & big pressies a little closer to Christmas. I love your tree it bright & sparkly fun just like you. Your ponies are just so delish. I have never heard of EPM great your on top of all things pony. It’s great that Chloe isn’t spooky with the Santa Ana winds, I had never herd of that til I watched the movie The Holiday. Have a marvelous rest of the week my pony friend

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    1. Thank you so much sweet pony friend!! YES!! Those pink roses are just the best rose smell. And I’m sure trying to keep them ponies healthy and safe. They sure are sweet. ❤️🐴 This truly is a super FUN time of the year, just Love Christmas and all the festive stuff that goes along with it!! I hope you are having a wonderfully Christmas time!! ❤️🎄❤️

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    1. This year seemed to zoom by, so crazy! Thank you for your sweet, kind comments. I’m super happy Murphy isn’t showing symptoms and with treatment should be just fine. 🤠🐴❤️

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  10. The roses are beautiful….. but I have a confession, I think I cant smell roses or flowers in general, perhaps because I am not a bee neither do I have a bee’s nose hahaha I have an occasion pretended that a bunch of roses smelt nice because it seemed like good manners ^_^

    The tree is sparkly!!!!!! 🎄🎄🎄
    Here’s to Murphy and many Christmases to come 🥂

    Happy Holidays🎉🎊
    ~B

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    1. Aww darn! I didn’t know you couldn’t smell roses! Oh well, at least you can see how pretty they are and you do have very nice manners. That’s so sweet! 🌹

      And thanks so much! Murphy is doing great and hoping to start treatment as soon as medication arrives. He will be good, I feel it in my bones. Here’s to many Christmases to come 🥂 thank you for your kind words! 😍🐴🎄

      Happy Holidays! 🎄💖 ~D

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  11. Hi Diana ❤
    So glad Murphy can e treated early and that the men have evolved to be effective. Also, you are right that this treatment could lead to a healthier life – funny how that happens.
    —
    and I had to smile when I read about your tree – we have a very similar story – after 20 years of the same artificial tree we got a pre-lit tree and it was crazy cool going from old to modern (and plugging in to have the lights already on – so nice. However, now we just have two tabs-top trees and it meets our needs.
    —
    hope you get some rain
    🙂

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    1. Hi Yvette,
      Thank you so much for your support for Murphy. He’s doing great, but will be even better once he’s treated, waiting for meds to arrive. He is so sweet. ❤️🐴

      That’s funny we are in the same way with our trees! It is so cool to just put it up and plug it in, technology can be so WONDERFUL!! 🤩 We are expecting rain tomorrow and then next week we are getting more rain with a big storm coming in Monday and Tuesday! We really are dry, even though it can be muddy at the stables. Looking forward to some rainy weather!

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  12. Hi Diana, I feel likes it’s been forever since I got on and read and posted. We had a horse at the farm that has EMS thankfully with meds she will make a great trail horse for someone she is an OTTB and very sweet but hates taking her meds you have to catch her lol. I am so glad that Murphy is not showing signs and that you can now start treatment early. I love your Christmas tree we decided to use our sons artificial tree this year and I am to happy we did. Robin

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    1. Hi Robin!
      It’s good to hear from you and I’m so glad the OTTB at the farm is being treated even though she doesn’t like her meds, silly girl. I’m thinking Murphy should eat his okay, they haven’t arrived yet but he’s got a great appetite and eats anything and everything so hopefully putting the meds in carrots will work good for him. And thank you for your sweet comments for our 🎄 Christmas tree! A long time ago we always bought a fresh tree until one day my husband bought an artificial one and I’ve never gone back. They are safer and nowadays just as pretty!! I can’t believe Christmas is in 10 days!! Happy holidays to you and your family! ❤️🐴❤️

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      1. Ours has a past that your have to put in her mouth like as if your are worming her lol So I can’t really blame her for not liking it lol. I would rather just keep using the artificial tree from now on 🙂

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      2. Oh yes, I’ve wormed Murphy twice with paste and he was really good. I think I’ll be getting pills but am not sure. I don’t blame the mare about the paste. It’s probably a bit yucky! Lol – artificial trees are AWESOME!! 😀🥰

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