We managed to get our loot back to NZ and were glad to be back in our own beds. Mikaylie and Nani had spent only 2 nights in their new rooms before we left for the US. Brylie and Nani share a room so Brylie had it to herself for the 3 weeks we were away. We had just moved the basics into the house prior to our trip. There was (and still is) LOTS of moving yet to do. Slowly but surely I'm chipping away at organizing and getting things into their appropriate locations. I had hoped that the kitchen would be completed while we were away but NO WORK was done during that time. Guess when I'm not there to text or ring looking for the workers it just doesn't happen. The kitchen sink that was already here was so small I could scarcely wash my large stock pots or my Crock pot and I use them on a daily basis cooking for our large family. Also, the door to Graham's room was originally in the kitchen but we put a door on the other side, opening into the new lounge where all the kids' rooms are off of. Where Graham's door was is now closed in with another section of kitchen drawers and shelves, of which I can never have too many. I've set up a coffee station there which is nice to have kind of out of the way.
At this point the house is 99.5% complete on the inside, lacking a couple of spots that need plastering or mudding (here they call drywall "gib" board and mudding is called "gib stopping"). Those areas also need paint as do several touch up spots the painters overlooked. The stairs also require a handrail to be "signed off" on by the Council but I haven't chosen what I want because I really don't care if there is one or not. Outside there is more to be done (entryway, concrete in front of garage, redoing the drive and miscellaneous landscaping) but we'll do that as we have the money or time.
I've also been looking for a trekking horse. Trekking is trail riding, often over rugged terrain. There are trekking clubs and overnight treks. I'm hoping for a quiet, laid back horse to rebuild the confidence I've lost over the past couple of years. I still plan to ride Joe but want to have more confidence before I start him again. He is also not trekking horse material. I found a horse of interest on TradeMe, New Zealand's version of eBay. I was able to bring Lofty home to trial for a couple of weeks and quickly fell in love with him. He had only to pass the vet check and I was ready to buy him. In the meantime, tragedy struck when Mikaylie and her boyfriend, Caddison, were coming home from his house and found our dear Pete dead in the road. He'd been hit by a car. Mik, of course, was hysterical. Thankfully, Caddison was a real blessing used his "favorite towel" to wrap up Pete and they brought him home. I was devastated. Pete was my little shadow and our bed buddy. And he'd travelled all the way here with us. My poor Petey. Billy buried him in the orchard with a cross and his collar marking his grave. I can see the spot from the kitchen/lounge windows which is kind of difficult. I still cry for him.
It was a blessing to have Lofty as a enjoyable distraction while grieving Pete but that was short-lived as he failed his vet check. Apparently Lofty had been ridden very hard in his earlier days and perhaps even started too early. In a nutshell, he showed lameness after a flexion test on both hind legs. While still ridable for the time being, he is not suitable for trekking. The vet valued him very little: basically at the price he'd fetch for dog tucker. Yikes! Again, I was so brokenhearted. The girl from whom I'd gotten him was quite possibly more disappointed for me than I was! After conferring with the vet, she agreed to let him stay with us for a couple hundred dollars. She'd also given me his blanket and some supplements for him. I can ride him on shorter, less demanding treks (i.e. beach rides, hacks out on road) and she can know that he'll never be pushed beyond what is in his best interest. The girls can ride him as well. I'll still be looking for a trekking horse but in the meantime, hopefully Lofty can help me get my riding head on straight again.
Finally, our new addition... Caddison's uncle's dog had a litter of pups, one of which Cadd brought over to show us. He was a cute little guy, a Maltese/Shitzu/Bichon mix. Billy said, "Aw, you are so cute". He also said, "No". A couple days later he said go ahead so Mikaylie and I went to see the whole litter. We came home with Pippa, a fluffy, white ball of energy.
Our next big event is the 2nd Annual Viner Family Thanksgiving Celebration so I'd better get organizing and decorating...
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