PHBBBBBBBBT!

[Victoria A Thompson <toriandsteve@juno.com>]

At least I think cartoonists use phbbbbbbt when someone is sticking their
tongue out.

I swear, when it rains it pours.  Just when I think things are getting
better and some of my tension and anxiety is going to go away sh__
happens.  And where does that sh__ always seem to happen?  Why at the
barn of course!  

The month of December was pretty nerve wracking for me.  We bought a
house and the whole time the house was in escrow I kept worrying
something would go wrong and we'd lose the darn thing.  Well, escrow
closed without a hitch December 26, and the deed was recorded on December
27th.  HUGE sigh of relief.  I even finally allowed myself to smile and
be happy about the house.

We spent Christmas in Arizona with Steve's folks.  Suffice it to say as
much as I like Arizona (Prescott), after four excruciatingly long days,
Los Angeles was great to get back to.

I went to the barn this afternoon to get Taffy out (haven't seen her for
5 days).  She's actually happy to see me.  I usually get the cold
shoulder when I'm gone for more than a day.  We have a lovely little ride
along the riverbed in all the arundo (you Norco Riverdance riders will
remember that).  As we're crossing the last street to get home Taffy
gives a good hind end stumble but continues to walk home as though
nothing had happened.

She demands her head rub when I get off and remove her bosal.  Typical
behavior.  Sometimes she wants me to do the scratching, sometimes she
wants to scratch on me.  I pull her saddle off and give her a good rub
down.  Time to clean the feet.  She picks up the front foot, clean as a
whistle.  I move to the rear.  Up it comes, also clean.  I move to the
other rear.  Up it comes, and there staring me in the face is one great
big ass nasty nail.  Rusty too.  I have to use pliers to pull it out. 
Went straight in about 3/4 of an inch.  No blood.  Not a good sign.

My only hope is that since it was located on the outer edge of her frog
it didn't go in far enough to cause any damage.  I soaked the foot in
Epsom salts and Betadine for about 15 minutes.  Took a syringe full of
hydrogen peroxide and squirted it right into the hole.  Packed Ichthamol
into the hoof and covered it with cotton and duct tape.  Now all I can do
is hope and pray that nothing goes wrong.  Every last cent I had went to
this house.  I do not need a vet bill.  

I got home and told Steve what happened while I made us a pizza for
dinner.  Now, because I've been so Effing keyed up all night I think I'm
coming down with heartburn!!!  Don't know if I want to burp or stick my
finger down my throat!  With that lovely thought I'm going to shut up. 
I'm through venting.

Howard, if I lived in Florida I'd come to your house for a few beers! 
Enjoying the story so far.  Can't wait to read the rest.

Thinking good thoughts (burp).  Off to find the Tagamet.

Tori