Three Days to Go

In honor of the Advent calendar ...
#3 Even though it was arctic cold on Tuesday, I hopped up on Izzy for a short ride around the neighborhood. It was so cold though that I couldn't bear to change, so I rode in what I had worn to work, my jeans and Dublin river boots (which I have NEVER worn to the barn). Izzy was his regular OH MY GOD I AM GOING TO DIE self which meant I warmed up in no time. For the first half of the ride I had to whack him repeatedly in the ribs with my very round and rubbery heels when he refused to move forward. For the second half of the ride I had to FIRMLY half halt and remind him that we have never galloped home, and we weren't about to start. We both lived.

#2 Upon arriving home, I looked around in complete puzzlement because somewhere on my person I had acquired a rattle. It seemed to be emanating from my feet, but I couldn't see anything attached. I pulled my boots off and shook them. Nothing fell out. I shook my right boot again and heard a very definite rattle. What the heck? I again flipped it upside down, but again nothing came out. That was when I saw the hole in the heel. I pulled back the flap of rubber and a handful of gravel fell out. Well nuts. I recently wrote how they were looking a bit shabby. I am going to see if it is worth getting them resoled.

#1 Once my boots were sorted out, I noticed two packages sitting on the table. Oh, goodie! Even though I knew they were likely Christmas presents for friends and family, I was still excited. I love to wrap presents. When I looked more closely at the labels. I realized they were not gifts for other people, and they were not filled with something new and fun. The small box was from Valley Vet, and it had Speedy's newest round of Prascend pills. Meh. The second package, while bearing a very exciting Dover label, was also less than thrilling. The shape was a dead give away. Inside are my new muck boots. Also meh worthy. To be honest, both packages are still sitting where you see them, unopened. I have better boxes to open, gifts for some kiddos that I am heading off to wrap right now.

My joy meter is ticking upwards every day.