Ever since we moved our horses to the ranch (very early in the pre-buying process), Jeremiah and I have been talking about, finally, being able to entertain large numbers of people.  For the first time in our married life, we finally feel like we have the space to have big get-togethers.

A few weeks ago, in my eternal optimism, I decided that we would definitely be moved back in by the middle of October.  (I have no idea why I thought that, but I did…)  With that in mind, I decided we should hold a bonfire/housewarming at the end of October.  You know, really celebrate moving back in after all of the set backs and “rug pulled out from under our feet” moments along this crazy ride.  And what’s not to celebrate?  We are, after all, moving onto our dream property.  Our horses are there!  Eggs are fresh every day!  I have little ponies!  I’m taking care of llamas who I have LOVED since I was a teenager!  This place, and everything it is and can be, is amazing and beautiful and a huge gift to our lives.

I figured we could have a lot of our projects done by then.  We could be moved back in.  All would be more settled and right with the world.

But, the thing is, we’re not actually moved back in yet.   And, the more I think about it, the more I have no idea why I thought we would be.

So that started me thinking.  (I should not be allowed to do that…)

It’s going to get cold soon.  In fact, the cold settled in for a bit over the last few days.  Thus far, it hasn’t gotten cold enough to require turning on the heat in the big house, but it will.  (And never mind heating a house I don’t live in…)  Once it does, we won’t be able to vent out the house like we have been; since we moved out, it has been shut up a few times, and each time the mothball smell and mold issues came back like a raging flood.  Jeremiah and I can’t even really work in there when the house is not venting.  There is pretty much no chance we can consider moving back in, with the cold, until we can bring Serv-Pro in to clean up the basement.

And while we’re on the subject of things I’m vaguely panicked about, I’ve had Jeremiah’s truck for several weeks while he’s been running around God’s Half Acre with my car.  And suddenly I’m realizing how much it costs us to keep the vehicles running back and forth to the ranch every day.  (I think it’s around 10-15 dollars a day for the truck…)  I could do the math, but I really don’t want to.  I am pretty sure that amount would more than pay for our hay for the winter though…

Oh, and speaking of panic, the snow is coming guys.  According to the Farmer’s Almanac, who totally nailed their predictions last year, the snow in my area is going to be another snowmageddon…  Last year, going back and forth during the worst of the winter was pretty bad.  There were times when the roads were so bad that it took over an hour to make the twenty minute drive to the ranch.  We were hauling water from one barn to the other, coming out multiple times a day to knock ice off the horses (who didn’t want to go into their nice, bedded stall with the heat lamp), and the only thing that made all of that ok was the knowledge that we wouldn’t have to do that routine from the Heights again.  And, it seems, maybe we will.

And, so, I’m panicking a bit over here.

I think I’ll go breathe into a paper bag now…