What's up at One Heart

Hi Friends:

Quick, show of hands, who's tired of snow?? Linda (instructor) sent this cartoon that espresses this for us all.

Jen and Dani will come this week to set the annual calender. When we get that set, we will send it to Webmaster, Katie to post.

For a warm thought..... One Heart is a qualifying organization for Disney's new promotion "Give a Day, Get a Day". This is for a ticket to Disney for a day of volunteering. We have a family using some volunteer hours with us since they are planning a trip to DisneyWorld this spring.

The horses are up to their bellies in snow. They have paths beat through to the hay, the barn, and the creek. Bless that creek! It is still open. Can't argue with 365 day water supply. Considering that we have been under 0 for most of 2 weeks. And I mean REALLY under 0, like -10 to -20 several times; no, not windchill. One night was so threatening, that Helen chopped and dug and chisled the gate open so she could bring the minis, Dandy and Miracle, into the stable. She couldn't even stand to have them out in their cozy little shed. They loved being in with the thoroughbreds.

T.J. started coming up slowly for his grain treat several days. Kelly reported this and watched him. Finally, an abcess, buried under the fur, somewhere between his left "arm pit" and his pectoral muscle opened and started massive drainage. There is no way to know how this happened but he tolerated his penicillin regime - especially since he got to come into the barn for a big dose of sweet feed! He seems to be healing well. He trotted up to the grain bucket a couple of days ago.

Planning still is going on for the Ride and Tie event. Turns out - we will be able to have a sanctioned race. It may very well be the first in Iowa! I have heard from a few folks who would like to participate. It would be great if all of you would come forth who have an interest in this activity. It is getting really exciting.

Volunteers are already starting to contact me for 2010 sessions. It is super - and makes me more impatient with the snow.....not that I am looking forward to the mud that this will create:)

Registration for riders will be distributed in February.

For fun we are planning 2010. To keep our mind off the weather we are paying bills, finishing the finacial year end stuff, writing thank you notes for several nice donations around Christmas, and all sorts of other paperwork. The Board of Directors is tackling a stategic plan, sort of "the Master Plan".

I am not nearly as impatient as Dani. Dani just got her FIRST ever, new, all-her-own saddle. It is a beautiful Wintec - sitting inside dressed in its stretchy, custom cover. I bet Shane gets to try it on as soon as the weather is not miserable.

Dashing through the snow..... Kris