I Have Returned

Warning this post is super long and I applaud you if you read it all!

Yep, it's me Sib, who took an unexpected hiatus without warning and I'm very sorry for that. I've had a lot going on and needed some time away, but had too much going on to sit down and type a 'hiatus and refund' post.

Onto where I've been and what's up with me. I have officially graduated from high school (homeschool) and had a fancy graduation at my grandparents farm. But, being at the farm was tough as there's a lot of animals who are dying of old age. One of which is Oppie a Sooty Buckskin Welsh Pony cross Gelding, I grew up with whenever I'd come over to her place. Grandma has owned him for 15+ years, I believe she bought him in 1999-2001 not sure.

He's around 26 years old and retired; he used to be used for her pony rides business and was one of the favorites. She retired him two years ago, along with Bruce (chestnut mini), and One O' Nine (Silver dapple Welsh cross). Both of them are still alive as well and doing better than poor Oppie. He's lame in both front legs, and can barely walk. It's at the point that the best option would be to put him to sleep, as my grandmother can't afford any fancy surgeries or medicines unfortunately.

I got some nice pictures of me with him, and some of the other horses as well. But, I found out some heartbreaking news about a mare I've known since she was born named Junebug. About a week after giving birth to her first foal, she was struck by lightning and despite my grandmother's best efforts the foal passed a week later. Thankfully, Junebug died instantly, but it doesn't make things feel any better seeing as she was just 10 years old.

One of my grandmother's dogs Freckles a German Shorthaired Pointer is dying of cancer and has lost all feeling in his left hind leg. From what I know they planned to have him put to sleep the day after we left, as the vet said there was nothing they could do.

Ugh, as you can see a bunch of heartbreaking things for both myself and my grandmother as she adores her animals. But, at least she still has Bruce, Toni (17 yr old female Rat Terrier), Pumpkin (chocolate palomino mini mare), One O' Nine, Sunset (flaxen chestnut pangare splash mini filly), Minnie Mouse (jet black mini filly), Sundance (bay mini x welsh mare), Molly (chestnut quarter pony mare), and Pistol Pete her beloved flaxen chestnut pangare mini gelding.

Now back to graduation, it was a very fancy thing. I had a purple and gold cap, and gown (our school colors are emerald, dark purple, and gold). Various awards, a beautiful speech from my mom, and a nice reception. It was super fancy and everything I dreamed it'd be. My mom's speech and the awards literally made me cry and I was thankful I chose not to wear mascara. I wore a long purple dress under my gown, and we have plenty of pictures. So, I'll post those eventually, along with pictures of my grandmother' farm.



Earlier in October we went on a trail ride with some friends, and I took some pictures afterwards. Rosie was an absolute star and everyone adored her. They loved her color, size, and personality. She did wonderful as I expected and enjoyed herself. Everyone couldn't believe she responded to vocal commands alone, and I didn't have to use the reins at all. She wears a gentle bit, but it's only because she can't wear any sort of bitless bridle, rope halter, etc as she has a sensitive nose/muzzle.
I use a western single ear bridle which doesn't have noseband, and rely on vocal commands and noises alone as she's also sensitive to leg pressure. It's one of the reasons I usually don't let other people ride her, as she is not the easiest horse to understand and not many people respect her sensitivities. They think they can 'train it out of her', but I pretty well have found it to be unnecessary. Her response to vocal commands, noises, and whistles has been wonderful, and she's used to it. She' not much into change unless of course it's going on an adventure/trail ride.

I've never trusted a horse more than I trust Rosie, and she's my heart and soul. Even though I desire another horse, it's not to replace her. She's a Paso Fino therefore she's not meant for Hunter Jumper, Endurance, and Dressage. I'm looking to eventually get a non-gaited horse. But, she'll always be my number one trail horse and companion.

Mack was slow and full of bad habits as I expected. My dad had to get him to trot every five minutes to catch up to the group.

I'll edit with pictures when my dad gets home, as they're on his phone. Our friends' horses are Drifter a blood bay TWH x Draft gelding, I.P short for Indian Pony a liver chestnut (best guess on base color) Varnish Roan with Blanket Appaloosa Gelding, and Bruiser a red chestnut Saddlebred cross gelding who couldn't come as one of his hooves was messed up. She also just bought a silver black shetland pony gelding. He' just beyond adorable, and she's yet to think of a name for him.

Belinda's (friend) granddaughter got to ride around on Rosie after the trail ride and Rosie absolutely adored her. Dad lead Rosie around if you're wondering, since I stated I'm the only one that rides her.

Anyways, I'm getting off topic; now I'd like to offer refunds for my tag sale. I'm willing to do the rest of the recolors, but it'll take time considering it's the holidays and I'm pretty much running our farm by myself. My dad got a job that he works from 5:30 AM - 7:30 PM, 5-7 days a week. This week he had no time off, so I had to do everything. He usually does most of the heavy lifting, and pasture clean up. I had to do all of it, and boy was I exhausted afterwards. Oh, and did I mention it's freezing outside? No, I'm not blaming dad or anything, I'm happy he found a job but it's just getting exhausting with no help. Maybe we'll hire a part time stable hand when we finish the new barn, and rebuild the outdoor arena. Maybe I'll make more horse people friends that can help out for free lol.

My mom is disabled and is often sick, so she can't help very much unfortunately. But, she does come out and keep me company occasionally. Plus I have our farm dogs, Cody Bear (beagle), Copper (Irish Setter), Pumpkin (Rotty/Aussie mix), and Little Bear (Poodle/Terrier mix). All our horses are doing well, Shawn's still overly fat despite his diet lol. But, nonetheless he's still a cutie.

Kiara has become the family kitty as we all adore her and have nicknamed her 'The Wild Cat', as she looks so much like a Savannah Cat mixed with a Toyger. I'm not saying that's what she is, but she just reminds me of them.

Gingersnap and Sterling remain to be Mom's kitties and hate me. Ginger wants nothing to do with me, unless she's hungry. While Sterling purposefully annoys me, and only gets my attention to beg for food. They truly are Mom's cats as they adore her and really don't like Dad and I lol. I love them nonetheless, and I'm okay with the fact they don't like me. At least they get along well with Kiara.

Oh, and guess what tomorrow or the next day I'll be buying a bunch of guppies and a cory catfish for a tank in my room. I've been wanting a fish tank in my room for a while now and previously wanted another betta. But, I'm still sad about the loss of Thunderbird and Kuzco, so I decided to get something different. I went with Guppies since I've never had them before (mom has), and they're gorgeous. I'll be getting an albino cory to go along with them, as I've owned one before and love them.

We still have our big freshwater tank in the living room. Currently filled with four Tiger Barbs (Tuffnut, Ruffnut, Fishlegs, and Hiccup), 3-4 Zebra Danios (The Hobbits), Two Long Skirt Tetras (TJ and Mr. Skelly), and a 7 yr old female Rainbow Shark (Toothless). Toothless is unfortunately looking worse and worse each day, and we suspect it's from old age. Once she passes we plan to bury her and then upgrade the tank to a 36-40 gallon and get a Pictus Catfish as the bottom feeder.

I'm going off topic yet again and I apologize for the book sized post here lol. But, I've had a lot to talk about. I'll eventually get to answering the 30+ mesages in my inbox and work on Secret Santa stuff.

Although, I haven't been doing digital art recently, I have been doing tons of traditional art. I've been doing jewelry, custom tack, custom bookmarks, painting model horses, and doing lots of sketching. I've got a long waiting list for commissions, so there may not be too many tag or sig sales here. Except for finishing up current stuff and selling character designs. You wouldn't believe the amount of designs I have waiting to be sold.


Anyways, I think that's it and again sorry for my disappearance, next time I'll try to warn everyone lol.

Again message me about refunds, or if you're willing to wait for the tags to be done. I'm most likely going to refund you anyways, since no one should have to wait 1-2 months for a tag to be done. Again I can't apologize enough.

Thanks, everyone!

i read it all. do i get a prize? :D

i'm so sorry to hear of all the tragedy in your life. that's certainly not good for anyone and i'm sending virtual hugs and definitely lots of congratulations and freshly baked cookies for your graduation!!!

we've missed you around here. welcome back.