Making Friends!

I've lived in Tucson for almost an entire year. It's been kinda hard to make friends. I tend to be shy around new people, and I like to "know" people for awhile before I decide if I want to be friends...sorta like a kicked dog. I've come up empty on the easy ways, work and the barn. I hardly ever even see anyone else at the barn, and the people I work with are just people to work with. Sure, there are lots of way to meet new people, but I haven't even made an effort. This year has been too hard, and I haven't been willing to add to that with potentially sketchy 'friends'. 

Pro tip:  Avoid cookery classes

Generally speaking, it's been fine. Between Truby, Haiku and Sara, (plus my husband!), and the out of state friends I keep up with online/texting, I haven't felt like I needed to find a local friend. But...sometimes it would be nice to have someone to hang out with, you know? 

Truby is tired of being my only friend.

When my in-laws came to visit, they hit it off with the people that have the Airbnb where they stayed. They're great people, so we've all become friends. And, as luck has it, one of them is about my age! We're both compatibly weird, and have both been hoping to make a friend in Tucson without much luck. 

This week she came out to visit Truby for the first time. It was a beautiful day. A nice breeze, a little chilly, and lots of weak, winter mid-morning sun. The horses had eaten breakfast and settled in to munch their hay contentedly. New friend, Natalie, is one of those people that's always loved horses, but mostly from afar. I was excited to share a morning of Truby Time with her! 

Looks foreboding up in the mountains...but nice in the valley.

Hello, new friend! Are those...cookies????

Yay! Cookies <3 <3 <3 

My new favorite picture of Truby.

I do like to see my pony drink...

Natalie checked to see if she could bring some apple slices for Truby, so those two immediately became besties. We had a lovely morning of loving on Troob, taking her for a little walk, chatting, and just enjoying the day and each other's company. It was great for both of us to have some Truby Time to escape the stresses of daily life. 

Now it's Christmas Eve. I survived the holiday insanity at work, even ending on a good note! Today went easily and quickly. I get an extra day off for Christmas, which means FOUR WHOLE DAYS OFF!!! I'm really excited. Husband and I don't usually do much to celebrate holidays, and this year we're far too far away to spend it with any of our biological families...instead we're enjoying Christmas dinner with our new friend family! Otherwise it will be a quiet week to relax and enjoy my furry friends. And my new human friends as well. I hope all of you have the Christmas you enjoy - whether it's a quiet day at home, a raucous day with friends, or spending time with family. Merry Christmas! 

And a Happy Hanukkah from cats past

No cats were harmed during our holiday celebration 

I'm a cat professional. Honest.