Wrapping up at the J-6

IMG_1817-3, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Time to wrap up this week of pictures and tales from the J-6. I have tons of favorites and love all of the pictures of my girls, but this random shot photo is my most favorite one. I think it sums up what a full day of riding in the J-6 event will do to all of the riders regardless of their age. This little guy rode his heart out at the event, and when he needed rest his very loyal horse made sure he got some.

I hope that everyone has had a great week, and that there is a wonderful, restful weekend waiting for all of us.

Ever Changing Way

IMG_4642, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Another year of April 13th coming and going, and me sitting here this morning happy about getting through another year in my own way. Birthdays are a celebration of life and growing, but when the little one that a birthday is for is no longer with you it leaves you pretty lost on just what to do. No matter how many years pass without Alexandria there are dates on the calendar in my mind that just will never leave. Yesterday was her birthday and she would have turned 15. I have found in the last 15 years that every year finds me with dealing with it in whatever way seems the most fitting. This year was just simple...sit and cry. It is difficult sometimes because the Mom in screams out that I need to be spending the day getting things ready for a family celebration. Finding or baking the perfect cake, getting the presents that she would want, preparing whatever special dinner was requested, oh and let's not forget the early morning birthday dog pile that happens in this house. Instead of those things though I find myself wondering. Wondering what she would look like, wondering what kind of personality she would have, tons of things to wonder about.
Yesterday it was a day of the very simple things reminding me to smile and that the day would eventually pass, and that today that part of my heart where all the thoughts of her live wouldn't hurt as much. A simple e-mail from my sister in law telling me that she was thinking about me and one very special little girl. A phone call from my Mom just to talk and see how I was doing. A ton of text messages from my Binky Sue while at school doing her very best to make her Mama smile. Army guy saying "I understand" when I tell him that I'm trying. I may never have a perfect way to pass the April 13th birthday of little miss Alexandria Marie, but at least I'll never doubt that those around me understand and will ride the day out with me doing it however seems best on any given year.

I hope that everyone has a good day, find the beauty in the day around you because even just the most brief moment of beauty can touch you for a lifetime.

Feline, Furball & Feathers Friday

Well because I can not seem to pick just one picture for this, I'm going with a multiple picture post. Gypsy is getting one more update about how she is adjusting in her new home, and then next week I will be getting back to more of a rotation of the mini zoo.

Gypsy Rose is defiantly settling into her new loving environment. Within the walls of Binky Sue's room she is getting to the point of being able to be called an active normal kitty. She has discovered that toys are not something that she has to fear, and if she is just bossy enough with her girl, her girl will sit and play with her and the toys for hours on end. Her trips outside of the room to the rest of the house have been increasing in time amounts. We are now up to full hour at a shot two times a day. This may not seem like all that much, but for Gypsy it is a HUGE deal. She still has moments where you can see her poor little body trembling in such fear, but that is slowly passing with each new day and trips out to the rest of the house. This week she has learned that the Mommy of the house will protect her and keep her just as safe as her girl Binky Sue. She also learned that when the Mommy leaves the room, the Daddy of the house will keep her just as safe and does a great job of giving comforting touches. Every day we wonder just a little more about just how horribly this little girl was treated, but not for to long because we are determined to show her that there is lots of love in this world for her.



Among the toys in Binky Sue's room Gypsy has found a baby that seems to give her comfort, and with the way she carries it around and curls up with it maybe it gives her the thought that it will protect her. It is a little rottwiler stuffed puppy. I think to Gypsy it is the best protector, and friend. (Well after her girl Binky Sue)

Gypsy is very much in love with the daily brushings she gets and her fur is starting to take on that healthy sheen that any loved kitty should have, and is oh so very soft to the touch now. Her eyes get brighter with happines each day, and as I look at pictures that I have taken since she arrived here on the 17th of February, I'm seeing less and less fear and anger in those kitty eyes. Gypsy has started to actually walk standing full up this week, instead of her fearful low to the ground crawl that she was doing. Which gave all of us the ability to see that she has longer than one inch legs! We heard her very quietly meow for the first time this week, which has lead to a little concern in my own mind about the possiblity that someone may have caused some damage to her voice, but I'm taking a wait and see attitude right now because I really don't want to put more fear of being given up on in the cat. I'm also hoping that it just sounded strange for any other reason than yet more abuse this poor kitty suffered at the hands of someone cruel.

We all know that we have a very long road ahead of us with Miss Gypsy, and that a lot of things are just going to have to come in her own time. However, I think we have a great start going right now, and this little kitty seems to be starting to understand just how very much she is loved and that we are all willing to take as long as she needs and prove it every day, that she is home permantly and she will be safe always.

Alright, it is Friday and that means time to head over to visit Steve and Pickle and all of the great animals that share our lives with us. I hope that everyone has a great weekend!