Compromise

Well you all had great advice and I am glad to say that compromise is exactly what we did.  You can probably tell that last week was a terrible week.  Actually it was one of the worst weeks I have had in a very very long time.  I thought in the bottom of my heart that I was going to have to give up my horses.  We have struggled financially for the past few months.  I mean we all struggle with money at some point or another so I am sure most can relate.  It is just magnified by the fact that we only have one income. 

My husband is supportive of my horse habit.  Not only financially but also always doing projects around the farm to help me keep up with stuff around here.  Now he is not the guy that goes out and feeds or even puts any thought into those things but he will when I need him to if I ask nice and am very descriptive.  I know he wants, with his whole heart, to make this all work out for me and for my girls.  But it has been hard sorting it all out this last year.  We jumped in feet first with the horses last year and we did not expect the expense that it has been.  Just bad planning I guess or high hopes who knows but either way we weren't prepared for the stress it would put on us financially.

Well last week was the straw that broke the camels back.  We were trying to play catch up to begin with when I started having problems with my transmission in my mountaineer.  We had to put a bunch of money into it to get it running including replacing the transmission after we paid to get if fixed 3 times...ouch.  That was enough.  Ryan and I both agreed that we felt better getting rid of the mountaineer.  First because of the trans problems and because I would no longer be able to haul with it.  Probably should have never hauled with it to begin with.  So we decided to get a truck.  I could tell Ryan didn't love the idea but he felt like it was our only option since, well I have these horses. 

That brings us to truck shopping.  I honestly do not want to relive this experience so I am not going to go into it but lets just say it was not pretty.  But we finally found a middle ground and I feel that healing from the whole situation can begin.  I start a part time job on Thursday and we bought a truck, a pretty bright blue 07 6.7L quad cab Dodge Cummins 2500, with a towing package.  It is a very nice vehicle and I am very grateful how this whole situation ended.  One thing I learned was that we need to make it more of a priority for Ryan to find and pursue his hobby or interests.  I think that contributes alot to his resentment toward mine.  He is one to not put himself first and I am learning that if I don't push him he is not going to do what makes him happy. 

So not only did I not have to sell my horses but I also got a truck that is more than capable of pulling them to all of my spring/summertime events!  I will also have a way to help fund all of these events.  I pretty much took the first job available and closest which is 2 day part time position in the afternoons at a truck stop about 3 miles down the road.  Glamorous?  Not so much, but it will help bring peace and that is what needs to happen.  I hope to find something better or get my own business off the ground enough this summer that I won't work there forever.  I feel bad because I don't like airing dirty laundry on the internet.  Thank you all for being so understanding and supportive.  I also try so hard to stay positive and that was not positive so now back to our regularly schedueled programming...Amy and Steady's, Slow and Steady journey toward our eventing dream!!!