I apologize.  It has been far too long since I've checked in.  Perhaps you are all worried about me, perhaps not.  Well, first off I have been doing GREAT.  Seriously really, really, great!  Where to start?  Oh who am I kidding?  I know exactly where to start!  My life has been forever changed with the events of the last month.  In one word, BUTTERCUP.  Who or what is Buttercup you ask?  Well she is the newest addition to the farm, my beautiful little baby filly.  What's that?  You didn't know I was having a baby horse?  Well, neither did I!  Billie had been acting funny for a couple days.  I was worried about her, got up to check on her one morning and there, laying on the ground beside her in the barn, was a little bundle of joy that was VERY unexpected.  My jaw dropped as my mind processed what I was seeing.  Then the little bundle of joy stood up on her spindly, brand new legs, and it all became very real.  OH MY GOD BILLIE HAD A BABY!!!!!!

I have had Billie since last fall, in my mind it was nearing a year that she had been with me.  When I got her, I took her to the vet and had her pregnancy checked, since I was unsure of her history.  They has assured me she was not preggers, so in my mind it wasn't even a possibility, since she hasn't been around a stud since I've had her.  A horse has an 11 month gestation period.  "How is this possible?" I kept asking myself.  Well, after looking up the paperwork, I had brought her home on October 3rd, 2011.  She foaled on September 3, 2012.  Yep, 11 months to the day.  She must have been bred a matter of days before I picked her up.  I assume this is why the vet didn't catch the pregnancy.  It must have been too early in the process to feel the baby.  The horse rescue I got her from claims it  is impossible that she was bred there, but I wonder if their fences and gates are as secure as they think they were.  They do have a stud on the place (which you shouldn't if you are a rescue) and I am sure that is lil Buttercup's dad.  I know Billie hasn't been into any funny business since I've had her, so I see no other possibility.  All this said, I couldn't be more pleased.  I am like a glowing new mother. 

The only one who is happier than me is Billie.  I have never seen a horse so happy and at peace as she is with her foal.  Its touching, really.  She is a wonderful mother, but nice enough to let me in anytime I want to play with her new baby.  It's been a real game changer at the farm.  I've never had a foal before, so it's a whole new world to me.  Buttercup is so lovely.  Just a doll.  Just...perfect!  She is three weeks old now and I can't believe how much she's grown already.  Her muscles are developing and she runs and jumps and tries to eat hay like her mom does, even though she's got no teeth.  I could go on and on.  In fact, I think I will.  Her legs are so long that her mouth can't reach the ground without bending her knees, which is about the cutest thing I've ever seen.  She's got the color of my old mare, Cutter, who was closely related to Billie.  The same markings on her muzzle as both Billie and Cutter.  Billie reminds me so much of my dear Cutter, that I can't imagine Buttercup won't take after them both.  Nothing would make me happier than seeing signs of my old mare in my new baby as she grows.

I didn't know what to name her.  I wanted to name her after Billie, but didn't want to leave Cutter out of it either.  So a friend suggested Butter.  The more I said it, the more I liked it.  When thinking of all the nicknames I could call her (Butter ball, my Butter baby, Butthead) I couldn't pass up Buttercup.  It just fit. 

Also, Billie wanted me to pass along a message to everyone for all the fat jokes at her expense.  "Suck it!  I just lost about 200 lbs in one day!" She says.  

So yeah, that's what's new with me...pretty great, huh?  And the best part?   I have even more good and exciting news as well, but I think that's enough for today.  Upcoming topics include:  I catered a wedding, I have a BOYFRIEND who is awesome, Mitt Romney should just shut up, and a great spinach dip recipe.  Later, y'all!