Welcome to my coffee share! Can I get you a cup of coffee or tea? I also have apple juice or cranrasberry juice if you prefer. I have so much to share as its been a few weeks and so much is happening in our lives. We made it to Arizona last weekend for my grandson’s birthday and we celebrated and made it special for him. I am also thankful that my family wasn’t planning a very big party (so very thankful) because my grandson ended up with a fever on his birthday so we had to cancel the event. We were to drive to my daughter-in-laws aunt’s house about an hour away to celebrate. It turns out my little grandson had a mild case of hand, foot and mouth virus which we found out he was exposed this last week when he was brought back to day care. That was why he had a fever, and we made his birthday a fun day none the less and celebrated at his home. ❤
My hubby and I enjoyed visiting and we did not catch any sickness which I told my family I don’t care, I would have come anyways. Unfortunately, my son caught the hand, foot and mouth virus as he came down with a fever at the end of this last week and he has nasty rashes on his hands and feet! Hence the name, and he says these rashes burn and are very painful. I feel so badly for him as he is the only adult that caught it from my grandson. My granddaughter and my daughter-in-law are fine. I am praying for my son to recover quickly. He is out of time off at work, so he can be out sick but can’t get paid since this has been a rough couple of months for illness for my little family. They all had Covid at the beginning of January and it has been one virus after another the last 2 months. Please say a prayer or send good thoughts their way, they sure could use a break right about now. This is SO HARD being so far from them so that I could help. But it is what it is, and all I can do is be supportive from afar. I Love them so much!
Ugh, there are lots of sad things happening in the world today and everyone has their own set of problems and/or issues to deal with. I certainly do not want to add to any of that and as you know I am usually full of optimism and positivity, but I will say even I can struggle with that from time to time. I am thinking if I share what makes me smile and brings me to a special place where I can forget all the scary sad stuff then maybe if I share it will bring a smile and a bit of positivity your way as well. I decided that is one reason why I like to share here on this blog. I have been questioning why I blog lately, and so I am only blogging when I have a collection of fun and enjoyable shareable things that not only make me smile and feel good, I hope you can enjoy and smile too! It’s my contribution to keeping my mental health happy, and in turn I hope it can do that for someone else too! I don’t even know if I am making any sense, but these are my thoughts today. 😀
My Iris plants have multiplied since last year. They are in a container and I am thinking I should thin them out this year. I am not sure what to do with the extra plants? I guess I can start another container and have more Iris plants! Haha, I do much better growing flowering plants then vegetables. Since I am not sharing daily or weekly posts I have accumulated lots of pony photos and fun videos that I wanted to share. 😀 As you all know this is my happy place, the stables or barn where I board my horses and the horses are what fill my heart and help me with my mental health. They bring me so much joy, so let’s get started with what I have to share.
My girlfriend at the stables (we call each other pony sister’s) brought the bouncy ball and let us all take turns using it in the arena with our horses. It is fun for them to see something different, it helps desensitize them and get use to different objects. We have horses that love playing with the ball. It is very bouncy and soft. They can bite it and throw it around with their teeth. It is so fun to watch them play! Chloe just stares at it but didn’t move as it headed towards her and then walked away, haha, and she did go up to it and push it once but I didn’t make a video of that. She just isn’t interested in playing like the geldings, especially the younger horses!
Murphy was really afraid of the ball at first. I carried it into the arena and walked up to him holding it and he stood still and I let him reach out to touch it with his nose. I will say that for Chloe I knew it was not her first time with the bouncy ball as I have had it in the arena with her and my other horse Zack some years ago before he passed away. So that is why I was not worried about her reaction when I kicked it towards her. I knew Murphy has never seen the ball, so I introduced it carefully. I decided to let him check it out by himself and left the arena at which time I could take the video above. 😀 I know he isn’t doing much with it but he is very brave and is a good boy!
As I am sharing my horsey photos I am realizing that this could be a very long post. I am thinking I will save some of them and write another post soon. Either a Smile post or horsey post of some sort. I’ve been wanting to shorten their manes. I like to keep them tidy and they were getting pretty long especially Murphy’s mane. He got tired of me messing with him and when he gets antsy he starts to paw at the ground. He does not really enjoy being pampered and groomed. Unfortunately for him, I’m the type of owner that loves to brush and groom them. I do not overdue it and ask for his patience kindly and I don’t groom him every day because when it’s his day off of riding he just gets turned out and then I put him back in his stall. I am being gentle with him and give him days off from grooming since he doesn’t enjoy it that much. I’m hoping when he gets older he will enjoy being groomed, hopefully. 😀
We have been getting some weather which is always something exciting for us here in sunny CA. I just love the clouds and we got a little bit of rain. It has been chilly and cold a few days this last week. The sun was out today and that’s when I trimmed up their manes. I also had a nice trail ride. Saturday was fun with the bouncy ball day and I am hoping to ride Murphy tomorrow. I usually take turns riding one horse one day ~ the other the next day. It works out good for all of us! I’m going to end with this pretty photo which was taken by my pony sister who brought the bouncy ball! Thank you Jane! ❤
Murphy standing tall near the back of arena! Such a pretty photo! I hope you all are doing good and thank you for visiting and having coffee with me this weekend. I am so happy I shared and I will try and write and share again soon. Have a wonderful week!
Loving Grandma, Loving Horses!
~Diana ❤
Mylife-and-Horsestories 
Hi Diana – I enjoy getting to know more about horses through your posts (and Anne S too) and did not even think about playful objects like the ball – – it it makes sense
And regarding grooming – it amazes me that some animals seem to love it and some don’t – maybe humans are that way too? And we just gave our brown lab a Sunday bath and for the first time he got right in! Whoa – that was a huge turn around and so maybe one day Murphy will start to enjoy the grooming more…
—
And the Iris look nice – and another container will add some more beauty- and those are the kind of flowers that do better when they get divided, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Yvette! I’m so happy you enjoy learning more about horses (and from Anne’s blog too) as I’ll keep sharing – it’s so fun. The playful objects are so FUN!!
Oh and I hope Murphy will be like your Lab, isn’t that sweet he decided the bath wasn’t so bad after all!! So cute! Murphy may get better, he pretty much hates being groomed, haha, but puts up with it! I won’t give up though!
—
I do believe irises do better when they get divided. I can’t believe how they multiply in the container! And true, more blooms to have in my garden. I may pot some to give away too. I’ll read up on them so I divide them correctly. Have a great week! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep my tulips in containers too – only way they survive around here!
And how nice to share your irises – a few years ago I divided my gladiolus (sure miss them as the were my first bulbs and they grew easy in clay soil – so they made me feel accomplished (or just happy) because they thrived! Anyhow / the first time I divided them I gave some to a few neighbors and one of the neighbors said her husband asked “why does she think we need some of her flowers?”
And then she shared about the dividing need of certain flowers and how gardeners share like that – but his resistance was funny at the time –
—
Wishing you a great week
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s too funny about your neighbor and sharing your gladiolus! People are funny sometimes!! 🤣
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes – it all depends on the filters we have at certain times, right?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you were able to get to Arizona for your grandson’s birthday, but sorry her was sick! And sorry that your son is sick! Hope he is better soon and can go to work.
Chloe kind of looks like, “A ball? What do you think I am, a dog?” lol. It does sound like a good way to get them a little desensitized to new objects, and good that Murphy did find his way with it.
I hope you have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Trent. The week before my son was telling me you may not want to come as they all were coughing and getting over a flu but I told him we are coming. We stayed in a hotel because my hubby came too and there isn’t enough room at the house. I figured if I get sick it’s still worth it all! I’m hoping my son’s rashes heal up fast.
Chloe was so funny, haha! And am happy Murphy was brave and enjoyed checking it out. I didn’t video them running away from it when we pushed it around a little bit. Lol 😆 I hope you a great week too!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Diana, I’m glad to hear you visited your family in AZ and had a good birthday celebration for your grandson. I’m sorry your grandson and your son were sick. I hope they’re both feeling much better now. It’s wonderful that you already have spring flowers. I’d put the extra iris plants in another pot to keep or give away as a gifts. I feel the same way about not adding to any of the sad and terrible things happening in the world today on my blog. We all need to find ways to keep ourselves mentally healthy. I enjoy reading and watching how your horses reacted to the bouncy ball and grooming. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Natalie, I’m so happy we went to help celebrate my little grandson’s birthday! I took lots of photos and videos I didn’t share here, he is so ADORABLE!! He is much better but my son is still home healing. I think that’s a great idea with my iris plants, it’s amazing how they multiply.
I’m so happy that I’m not alone with all the sad things happening and our need to support our mental health. I just had to express my feelings on this as it helps me not feel guilty when I want to feel happy. I hope that makes sense. I’m so happy you enjoyed watching my horses and enjoy all the things I share! Have a great week!!
LikeLike
So lovely to see you were able to go to Arizona for your grandson’s birthday and sorry to hear both he and your son caught a virus. We wish them both a speedy recovery and hope things will get easier for all of them. Your flowers look beautiful and the horsy videos are such a delight to see! I especially loved how Murphy tried to move the ball 💜 We wish you a happy week ahead and please give sweet Chloe and Murphy a big pat from us all 🤗🧡🐴 xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so very much for the well wishes, they sure can use them. ♥️ I’m so happy you enjoyed my flowers and the videos of the horses! It was fun to be able to share them having fun with the bouncy ball. I’ll give them both a big pat from you all there and thank you for visiting and sending big pats to sweet Eivor and Pearl! 💞🐾🐴🤠💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful blooms for beautiful bloomin pony friend. Every time I see an e-mail letting me know you have blogged I smile, it’s automatic. You are a huge inspiration that brings much happy happy joy joy. lol. I am so sorry your family has been unwell, sending stay well prayers & hugs. Love the smash cake what fun, I think you & your granddaughter treasure would make best dress up party fun buddies. Chloe cracked me up, like really Mum! hahaha. I am sure in time Murphy will be kicking & tossing that ball like a real nutter. He is a stunning horse well they both are really, I’m hopeless with picking favorites when it comes to all ponies. lol. Have a fantastic week that brings a smile in all you do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thank you for your wonderfulness, and you make me smile reading how much I make you smile! (Say that 3 times fast 🤣) It really fills my heart and soul to know that I can be inspirational! Thank you so much pony loving friend!! You are so kind and fun too! I find myself putting exclamation marks after all my sentences when I’m responding! You helped make my day brighter and it reinforces how much I enjoy sharing my blog! YAY!! Here’s to funny horses, beautiful and fun grandkids and wonderful blogging friends! ♥️🤠🐴🤩
LikeLiked by 1 person
Horses are so funny. I’m not sure what Biasini would do with a big ball. He goes out to his paddock and days he is calm and just eats grass. Other days, like today he starts to rip round as if he was in the Kentucky Derby and they have to bring him in. Maybe a ball would distract him. I remember the foot and mouth going around when my kids were younger but they didn’t get it. I will put your son on to my prayer wheel and ask for good health so he can go back to work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
AWW, thank you so much Anne for putting my family on your prayer wheel, they sure can use it, and I’ll continue with my prayers for them too. ♥️🙏♥️
And horses are so silly aren’t they? It’s funny how they can get all crazy and zip around and other days they just are as calm as can be! I forgot when Murphy arrived last year I was worried he might get bored in his stall so I purchased a jolly ball. I find it in different places and even in the neighbors stall from time to time so I know he plays with it. It was super fun letting him get to see and feel the big bouncy ball! I will continue to put it out with him a few times a week to see if he’ll eventually play with it, and hopefully I’ll get another video! Have a wonderful week, and thanks again for the prayers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh goodness I am so sorry your family has been getting sick I will be praying for them. ❤ I am so glad you were still able to make your grandson's birthday fun for him that is always so important. I love flowers they are all so beautiful and I love when you share pictures of your they are so bright it's wonderful. I seem to do good with plants that give food but any other plant I see and want my husband and our boys think they are funny because they say come on don't kill a plant let someone else buy it so it will live lol ( brats lol ). I have been thinking about getting Blue a ball or a Jolly Ball I am not sure if he has ever had either one of those. Tomorrow is teeth day at the farm so Blue and a few other horses will be getting their teeth done I am so glad since I found out it's been a few years since he has had his teeth done so I just need to make sure they get done before I finally ride him. 🙂 Have a great horsey week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, I’ll take all the prayers I can for my family. Thank you so much! ♥️ And yes, little Teddy had a good time even though he had a fever. The Advil helped him feel better so he could open presents and enjoy some cake. 😀
That’s so funny your family teases you about the plants, I definitely have the opposite problem not being able to grow veggies. Last year I planted tomatoes that never grew one tomato! So CRAZY!! And those are usually the easiest to grow. Not sure why they never fruited, and I had at least 4 plants. Haha!
I forgot to mention in my post that I had bought Murphy a jolly ball so he wouldn’t get bored in his stall when he first arrived. He must play with it as I’ve found it in different spots and sometimes in the neighbors stall. He did enjoy the big bouncy ball, I can’t wait to have him see it again soon. I’m so happy the horses are getting their teeth done so you can start riding Blue soon! I’m sure that will help, and I hope you have a great horsey week too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Why do we blog? For many many reasons and sometimes for no reason at all🤣 and somewhere in there some reasons just come up by themselves….
Blogging is kinda like life, like what are we really doing here somedays it makes sense other times we just trying to survive, sickness, war and all the craziness but still we have cake enjoy flowers and throw balls at horses and watch them learn to play 🤣🤣🤣 as we make beautiful memories.
Cheers to you and yours hope
everyone gets a speedy recovery and brighter days
~B
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are a wise man B! I was wondering if anyone was going to pick up on my question; why do we blog? 😉 Your answer is so true many many reasons, love that maybe for no reason at all… Sometimes I get overwhelmed but am figuring out my happy place in keeping up with all that I do including blogging! 🤠
And yes, blogging is kinda like life…. I won’t repeat everything you stated as you said it best!! And my favorite reason and what keeps me going is “we make beautiful memories!” Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind and wonderful comments. My family is healing and getting better every day, I’m looking forward to those brighter days!! ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person