What a Week.......

Sorry for the lack of updates.  The past week has been a really strange rollercoaster of up and down emotions, but I think I have resolved to simply keep moving forward, rather than revel in things I have no control over.  So, with that in mind, it is time for an update on the progress at Thalia Farm!

Robyn and I worked like dogs all week.  It started Thursday, when we picked up two truck beds full of fill dirt.  We unloaded ourselves, and were at the barn til nearly midnight hosing out and cleaning the trucks afterwards.  Friday we took a little down time since we had promised a friend we would go out.  Saturday morning we were back at it again - spreading the fill dirt and tamping it down.  It was some serious labor, and we just THOUGHT we were sore by the end of the day...

Then came Sunday.  We started really early, since the goal was to start dragging in the stall mats and laying them out.  We got the first stall completed pretty easily, but ran into some planning issues with the other stalls, which had less-than-normal dimensions.  Thankfully, Robyn's mom is a GENIUS, and she used her drafting table and all sorts of tools to draft us up plans that were to-scale.  We hit up Tractor Supply for the remainder of the mats we would need, and headed back to the barn. 

Much more sweating and grunting ensued, but by the end of the day, we managed to get everything laid out.  Randon has a couple more cuts to make in Linkin's stall, but that will finish it all up!  In addition, we managed to get the driveway lopped back, which was less than glamorous...pieces of cedar trees falling down your shirt, not pleasant...

Tonight is the step I am most nervous about.  We are meeting an Outdoor Lighting Consultant from Duke Energy to see about running lights to our arena area.  I am desperately hoping it won't break the bank, but it is a pretty necessary investment, considering the fact that Robyn and I don't get out til the sun sets in the winter.  So we are crossing our fingers that it won't be a small fortune to use our perfectly graded and totally usuable arena.....

I am also working on finding painters, to see if I can contract the barn painting out to save us a little time.  I have some great connections through the apartment industry, so I am looking to see if I can snatch up another good bargain.  Things keep falling into place so beautifully.  From the free fill dirt, to the several boarders we already have coming out to look, to the manure spreader at a STEAL of a deal...things just keep falling into place.  We are so excited to see the continued progression of our little dream as it comes to pass.  Life is good, and we are grateful for our many blessings!!!