There's Always A Story!

New business equipment is also for our "yard re-shaping"!

In my last blog post, I poured out my heart.  Shared my own perspective.  I didn't mention Don much, though he IS the one through whom God made much of what I hoped and prayed for come to fruition.  I am so grateful for him!  Westbrook Enterprise, his septic repair/tank installation and replacement business is going well!  With recent changes in state and local requirements, many systems in our area need to brought up to code.  Don's been very deliberate about networking over the last 4 months or so, and those folks are sending plenty of work our way!  Keeps him and Nate busy, thank goodness!



Don's adventurous, "Go for it!" spirit has been the source of many of our stories, that's for sure! In fact, with Nate and Brook's marriage getting closer each day, many-a-story is being shared with all these young adults around the dinner table!


I've got a much more recent "Don"-story to share today, but, first...

...As most of you know, Rosemary is an avid horsewoman, thriving on all things "equine" since she was about six years old.  While equestrian sports are often reserved for the privileged and wealthy, she's been blessed with good ponies and great horses to own and ride, sometimes, show... willing instructors to coach her, talented mentors to share their wisdom, and many opportunities to learn.

Lexie, the horse we've owned for 12+ years has grown and learned with Rosie.  But, Lexie is now 14 years old.  She's still fairly athletic, but Rosie realized last summer that Lex is showing some early signs of arthritis, she tires more quickly, and has likely reached her competitive limit in combined training (jumping and dressage) and eventing.  So, Rosie began praying... and asking around... for a "project horse" - a younger, more athletic horse with whom she could grow as a trainer, and competitor.

One day last week, she happened to be on the internet looking at horse trailers when she stumbled upon an advertisement for a horse.  The mare was an OTTB, off track thoroughbred, five years old.  Rosie and Don contacted the owner.  While they never found out his whole story, they learned that this man, also a farrier, loved his racehorses, but due to his physical injury needed to retire from all things horse-related.  Couldn't afford to keep any, especially not the ones who were ready to retire from the track.  He just wanted his mare, the last of his horses, to go to a good home where she could learn something new...start a new "career" away from the racetrack.

Turns out, "Sweet Beatrice" is a beauty of a thoroughbred, healthy with good confirmation!  She earned some money on the racetrack, actually, and her last race was just in the fall of 2017.  This man and his wife GAVE the mare to Rosie!

And, now we have FOUR horses living at Dealan-De Farm.  Oye!

Rosie's got her work cut out for her - it takes lots of patience, consistency, persistence and guts to re-train a racehorse.  It is going to be quite a challenge!  But, God never does anything halfway.  I firmly believe that if Rosie wants it and works for it, God will meet her where she's at...provide the strength, knowledge, help, and equipment needed to reach her goal.

So, this all happened between Thursday and Sunday of last week.  Then, on Monday, we notice quite a bit of activity going on down at our neighbor's property.  I better backtrack a moment here...

Many things rescued by our resident "dumpster diver"!

...Shortly after we moved into the campers and began cleaning up our property, we walked over and introduced ourselves to Jim.  A very friendly, widowed gentleman, he invited us inside and we spent two hours chatting with him.  He shared with us that his house was on the market.  "Too much for him to manage at his age.  Time to downsize and move closer to his son."  He wasn't in a hurry, but hoped to have it sold by spring.

Since then, we have talked briefly here and there, and we wave to one another as we passed on the road.  Now, fast forward to this week...



On Tuesday, Don decided to swing by and see if he could help with anything, as we'd heard that the house was sold.  When he got out of his truck, he discovered a dumpster positioned just below a second story window and two men, not Jim, pitching boxes into it.

What the heck?

Turns out, Jim had a stroke over the weekend, and isn't doing well at all.   However, the house is sold and settlement is imminent.  His son and brother and sister-in-law didn't know what else to do, so they were just throwing away most of his and his late wife's things!

What?!  Why wouldn't you call an auction house or something at least?!


Sadly, Don arrived AFTER the first dumpster had been hauled away.

Jim's family members told Don to take whatever he wanted from the second dumpster, so he and Nate rescued whatever they could with plans to keep a few things for our family and sell the rest on Ebay or a local consignment/antique shop.



Such cool old things!!  Many pretty things!  China, glass, books, games, an old ice cream maker, a metal detector, and more.

Yikes!  We still have some things of our own to unpack!  Really, Don?  

But, we both sooo appreciate antiques, and have passed that sentiment to our children, apparently.  We should run an antique store, lol!

Jim's son walked over today to give us a few more things he thought we could use.

We are praying for Jim and his family.  This situation is a powerful reminder for us - people and relationships are WAY more important than things and money!  When it comes down to it, "stuff" is replaceable, loved ones are not.

That's my "Only Don" story!

So, Don got distracted from working on those bedrooms for the first part of this week (Which means I don't have any "home improvement" photos to share, yet!), but the plan is still to have them completed by May 1st.  Here's hoping...