Ruth --- you there-- we miss you!

[ErinC]

last post was the 7th.
hope you are OK!!!

[lalecl]

Since she is a teacher and they started back to school I am sure all the preplanning before has kept her busy

[ErinC]

not here, they dont go back till the end of this month, beg. of next.
:new confused

[Laura S]

I've been thinking about Ruth too, wondering how things are going with Cosmo and the zoning stuff.

[Terri]

I talked to Ruth the other day, she is fine. Cosmo will probably spend the winter with a gentleman and his son. They know MFTs and will work on his gait. Meanwhile Ruth and Tony will be working on the "situation" so they can bring Cosmo home. I am sure she will fill you in on the details soon.

[Laura S]

Thanks Terri.

And has anyone heard from Cousin Helen?

[SharonP]

From what I understand, Cosmo is a sweet horse. I want to visit Ruthie and Cosmo this weekend with a friend of mine who is horse shopping.

She is hesitating about visiting Cosmo because she does not know how to ride his gaits. How big a deal is this, really?

[ErinC]

its not, you lean real fast if you listen to what feels right, and not try to make things happen. the horse will tell you how to ride it if you listen!

[SharonP]

My friend Deb wants to go -- just got an e-mail from her. She'll contact Ruthie and take it from there. Oooo, I'm so excited. I hope Ruthie will let me try him!

[Jane Hurl]

No! Tell me it isn't so!

Ruthie and Tony aren't thinking of selling Cosmo because of the awful neighbour ... are they?

[TrueStepPaso]

Hmmmmm, so now Cosmo isn't for sale....??? I was just going to drive up there tonight with my friend to look at him....

[ErinC]

they are trying to get thru all the stuff without selling.

[SharonP]

wait a sec...what's going on with him? is he for sale or not? i'm all confused.

[Terri]

Okay, everybody settle down. If you want to take some one to see Cosmo you best call Ruth 1st. If you need a number pm me. Cosmo is NOT on her property right now. He can't be. Right now he is at the house of gentleman who is very familar with MFT and is interested in improving his gait. He has offered to take him on a free lease for the winter. This appeals to Ruth as she will be able to keep the horse AND maybe even get him back with an improved gait. But last I heard, this is NOT set in stone and $$$ to pay a lawyer is still an issue. Soooooooo, if you or someone you know is interested in Cosmo, call her and ask.

[ErinC]

geeeeeee all I want to know was how she was doing.

[Bonnie M]

Oh, I hope she can work it out to be able to keep him.

Maybe they can get another variance on their property.

[Minouri]

Erin,

Sending you a big hug. You should just shoot me your phone number again and I'll give you phone updates like I do Terri.

I didn't post here because I didn't know what the heck was going on. I didn't want to spend too much energy feeling sorry for myself or debating what to do...I had to go out and hunt down my options.

I've had some wonderful people come out to look at Cosmo. He was definately for sale if I had found the right home. I got overwhelmed and every day it seemed the horses were costing my family more money. The shed had a fine attached to it....and I had to find lodging for Cosmo.

I've even had some wonderful financial offers from friends (you know who you are and I love you more for it). However I either can or cannot afford another horse. If I'm at the point where I need to borrow to keep him...he has to go. That's the sign for me.

On the other hand, through the wonderful network of horse friends...I have been given time to work it through.

We got the fine removed from the shed permit by going in and talking it out with the town.

If I send Cosmo to this man for the winter, I've got time to save up the money for the lawyer and not affect my family's finances too much.

The one negative might be from the man who will take him for the winter. He is debating if he's willing to take him if he dosn't get a definate option to buy him in the spring. While he debates that I'll wait to worry about that bridge when it presents itself. He's supposed to call me later this week. He loves Cosmo.

Don't get me wrong....I was angry about the whole Cosmo thing. Then I was sad. Now I just have to be realistic and make the best decisions for my family and for Cosmo.

So Cosmo is off the market for now (unless this guy demands a buying option) and I"m saving over the next few months for a lawyer. We're working with the building inspector to attempt to fix the variance without a lawyer, but he thinks we'll need one eventually.

If the worst that happens is that Cosmo leaves us and goes to live with this wonderful man...then at least I know he'll be well cared for and within the circle of my friends. It's a small horse community in northern ri. He wouldn't be sold down the road easily.

And the man who wants him for the winter is incredible. He's one of those old farmer types. Only rides MFTs and loves them. He rode Cosmo and was intrigued by why he wasn't gaiting. I know his reputation and his horses and they are all calm, sane trail horses. Cosmo will only benefit from his time with him.

I accept my own part in making this tougher than it had to be. I could have been patient and waiting till my college classes were over and then I would have absorbed these financial hurdles without having the worry they have caused my family.

On a lighter note, my family is all doing well, Scooter and Snowy are still a joy and (at least for now) a calm has returned to the homestead.

And I've seen how truly patient my husband is with me and my horses. He allowed me to make these decisions even though they affected our family. And that is truly touching.

Also, my dad found a hottub that someone was throwing away...he fixed it up for us and gave it to us as a present. So tonight I'm waiting for Tony to get home and then the two of us are going to relax in some hot bubbles and watch the fire I made in our pit.

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive. Trust me, much worse can and does happen, but I'm glad that I had some good friends to turn to when I felt my compass go a little haywire.

Oh, and my old neighbor who turned us in said he might sign our petition to allow us to have the thrid horse..lol He thinks the town is being mean to us. I'm going to have that paper in his hands before he can change his mind. Isn't that nuts? lol

He asked me why my husband doesn't say hello to him anymore and I thought...maybe his mind is going from age. I explained that this whole process has been really hard financially on us..and he said that he couldn't believe what the town was doing to us. The town? lol

People are crazy.

I'm taking three college classes this fall and in the spring. I'll be here a little, but probably not much till I resurface after the classes. I'll try to read and keep up but between my writing projects and school I'm sure whatever extra time I have will be for Scooter and Tony...lol

but I'll be lurking :)

[ErinC]

thanks!
enjoy the tub!
and remember us MA folks are always here for you!
;-)

[Minouri]

Erin,

Not a day has gone by lately that I haven't been grateful for the good people I've met through this board. Your support definately made this whole stupid mess much more bearable.

Cross your fingers one last time for me. I'm hoping that when this gentleman calls me he understands that I'd like to bring Cosmo home next spring if we get the variance fixed.

[Terri]

:hug Ya, know we love ya!

[jodiTowne]

Sorry you are going thru all this, but it is nice to find someone to care for Cosmo....in this timeframe when most people have to get rid of their horses and the market is so poor. Hopefully you can get everything worked out with the town.

Good luck on your classes.

And, if for some reason you do not get Cosmo, but are still looking for a horse....PM me. My friend's friend raises Kentucky Mtn horses and always seems to want to give her one....in trade for very little. Same situation as many....too many horses and need $$$$ for hay. Of course I did not know this until after you found Cosmo, otherwise I would have said something sooner.

Good luck

[xpasocortox]

(( HUGS ))

Good luck, Ruth. We're all rooting for you!!!!

Amanda :D