Last night I was dreaming I was writing this story. When I woke up this morning, I had the words that needed to be written down. I'm an optimist...but a worried one today.

I'm alarmed by some of the stories I have been reading.Horses are being abandoned, a bale of hay can cost up to $13 and horses can no longer be slaughtered (since 2006) in the USA for shipping overseas. That last one has caused horse owners to abandon the disabled horses or racehorses they can't afford to keep. Some Kentucky horses are in crisis!

Yes, it did seem like we won a victory when I heard that horses would not be suffering in some meat packing house and shipped across the ocean to those countries that eat horse meat. Little did I know that suddenly we would have too many horses to humanely deal with.

I grew up with horses and trained them for pleasure... I consider them as pets that are devoted, highly intelligent companions with feelings. In the picture I have included in this post were my own horses on our farm. It was a lazy day July 12, 1977 on a hill at Red House as they looked off in the distance. Well fed and happy. The white Thoroughbred/Appaloosa was my stallion, Santana, to his left...Velvet, Sweet Tart and Whiskey. Horses are dear friends not dinner. That's just where I stand on the issue.

For the last two summers, Kentucky has dealt with drought. There had been no rain (except lately) and our lush pastures that usually produce 3 cuttings of hay might have had only one cutting. I used to cut my own hay (the rectangular bale type) and sell the excess for some extra spending money back in the 70's. I don't remember it being over a couple dollars or so per bale. Last night, I was reading an article that it was now being sold for $7 -8 a bale (you might even have to buy it out of state) and it said in some feed stores here it was $13!! I'm absolutely shocked at how much it costs to feed a horse now.

Well, back to my train of thought. I wanted to be sure about the cost of things now so I called around to check things out. On my first call, I found out that a bale of hay actually was selling at $6.95 for local orchard grass (approx. 40lbs), $13.95 for Michigan hay (approx. 8o lbs.). A 50 lb. bag of select feed: $6.75.

Even though I live in Central Kentucky, I am not into the everyday business of buying and selling since I placed all my horses in loving families back in 1992 before moving out to California. How do you sell a dear friend?

One call I made today to someone in the heart of the horse business says that all this has been caused by excessive breeding by irresponsible horse owners. Not every horse needs to be bred and therefore we have way too many horses each year. They say that the slaughter houses did serve a purpose in keeping the overpopulation in check. (This wasn't what I wanted to hear) I can see their point, but...

I've also been told that horses are being turned loose to roam in herds in Eastern Kentucky. Also, racehorses that no longer race need to be adopted. One Kentucky Horse adoption place I found on the Internet was Blair's Equine Rescue , Kentucky Equine Humane Center and ReRun. There you will find a sample of horses that are available now for adoption. These horses are absolutely beautiful animals and they deserve a loving home.

One thing I do know for sure is that a horse knows love with his heart and mind and when you look deep into their eyes they love you unconditionally. Kentucky IS the Horse Capitol of the World....let's be proud of that and do what's right for our horses.

Lizette Fitzpatrick - Baby Boomer Real Estate Relocation Specialist with Prudential Don Foster in Richmond, Kentucky.

Rated number #1 featured Kentucky Realtor on Activerain.com and Localism.com. Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun! For more information on Lizette, Kentucky Horse Farms, Prudential Don Foster, Madison County, Fayette County, Richmond or Lexington, Kentucky click on Lizette.us.

See for yourself what Lizette's extraordinary clients have to say about their Kentucky real estate experience.

"I'm a writer", I say. Looking them straight in the eye...Not batting a false eyelash.

Suddenly, the semi-bored face at the party focuses on me for a better look.

Really? That's INTERESTING!

It's like Moses had parted the waters and people take notice. If I had said I was a Realtor I would have gotten the blank stare off in the distance as they calculate how many 100's of people they know that is a Realtor.

Suddenly, at this party I am someone who may be" famous" Shhhh!...shut your mouth!

They lean closer now...hanging on my every word.

What do you write about?

"Real estate and Central Kentucky stories on events and interesting faces and places".

Wow! That's great. Where do you write these stories?

"In a blog and on Localism", I explain

It went on longer than this but you get the point. The shift from Realtor to writer was just a slip of the tongue. Spoken to some new person that had no idea who I might be at a Christmas party. I have to admit it even surprised me. Over the years I have re-invented myself over and over. All it required was to say it and it became real. In my mind I am a writer. The new coat feels GOOD!

OHhhh...I'll still be a Realtor. I have to pay my bills. What I know is that every thought creates and I am constantly revamping and improving me. Who I choose to be. Now a writer. It sounds good to me right now...

Lizette Fitzpatrick - Baby Boomer Real Estate Relocation Specialist with Prudential Don Foster in Richmond, Kentucky.

Rated number #1 featured Kentucky Realtor on Activerain.com and Localism.com. Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun! For more information on Lizette, Kentucky Horse Farms, Prudential Don Foster, Madison County, Fayette County, Richmond or Lexington, Kentucky click on Lizette.us.

See for yourself what Lizette's extraordinary clients have to say about their Kentucky real estate experience.

1.Find a REALTOR whom you can relate to. Buying a home is an emotional commitment. It's critical that the agent you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality. Have your own agent show you homes, not the listing agent. Call your agent if you see a home you want to tour. Your Realror will make all the appointments and represent YOU in the offer. The listing agent represents the seller and cannot disclose all that you will need to know about the property & the seller. Find an agent that makes his or her career full time in real estate. Agents usually know one another so if you are unhappy working with an agent and want to change to another please let them know that you will be doing so. This alleviates miscommunications and it's just the right thing to do. An agent will work hard for you if you are loyal.

1. The right house is waiting for you. Sometimes deals just don't work out. You will know as soon as you walk into the perfect home. Everything will fall into place perfectly if it is meant to be. If not...keep looking and stay open to new ideas. If it feels right then make an offer...don't procrastinate.




2. Commission is paid by the sellers. This is how your agent gets paid. Basically, the seller has agreed with his listing agent an amount to pay the buyer's agent at closing. Your agent may show you homes for a long time or it might only be a few homes. All negotiated commission is divided among the agents at closing. The buyer will not have to pay for this.




3. Don't ask for too many opinions from friends and family. It's natural to want reassurance for a big decision, but too many ideas will make it harder to make a decision. If Grandpa is not going to live in the house he isn't going to like all those steep stairs, pool, etc. Negative opinions can spoil all your excitement.




4. Accept that no house is perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.




5. Don't try to be a killer negotiator. Trying to "win" by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love. Angry sellers do not try to be helpful if you need special considerations later before closing like extra time to get the financing right. Don't be stubborn over the small stuff.




6. Get approved for a mortgage before you find a home. A good lender will see your credit report and offer help in disputing items that need to be removed. This will raise your score and possibly get you a lower interest rate. Not all lenders are skilled in this. Same as with your agent the lender needs to fit with your personality and return your calls promptly. The best ones stay in close contact with your agent also. You can bet that your agent has a good idea of the best lenders to work with to get a successful closing. It can all fall apart by closing time if you don't have the right lender.

8.Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even in a new home there will be some costs. Homes are not perfect and even though you have had many repairs made after a home inspection sellers are not going to patch every hole in the walls and leave it
spotless. You may have to shampoo carpet and upgrade fixtures to your liking. It's all a part of buying a home.

What if you could trade lives with a stranger for 24 hours?

Clothes, identification, cell phone, houses, partners, jobs, family and secrets?

What would you discover about them? About yourself?

While I was having my morning coffee, I was reading an article in the New York Post about a heterosexual, 28-year-old Italian artist that traded lives for 24 hours to be gay and Greek.

It made me think about how it would work in all our communities to discover how we could help one another.

What would someone feel after being me for 24 hours? Would they feel tortured? Bored? Happy? Sad?

How would I feel after being them? Would I appreciate my life more?

Would they enjoy Chanel being demanding all day for cookies? Would they think my time online excessive? Would they enjoy showing houses to strangers? Being an extrovert?

Why are we all so different if we are all connected at soul level?

Are we really that different?

Would YOU spend a day in Someone else's shoes?

For the past two days the heat has been off at my house.

I first noticed my feet were a bit cold while in the office Saturday. So....I went to turn up the heat a bit. Hmmm...the temperature in the house is 67 but the dial says it should be 72. That's weird. Next I check the registers. Cool air instead of heat. Now that's a good sign something is up!

Next, I was on the phone with Mark the Handyman. He can fix most anything and is excellent on heating and air. My clients all use his services too. He tells me to sit tight and he will be over in a few hours, he's busy installing siding on a house.

You know you aren't cold till you know you don't have heat. Just like you aren't thirsty till you know the water is cut off.Finally, he comes to check on me. Hmmmm...nothing seems to be working correctly and the emergency heat won't co-operate either.

He brings in this compacter(he calls it) from the heat pump and sits it on the dining table. It has a bulge on one side. Me being the photographer...I want a picture of it. He thinks I'm a bit bizarre I'm sure...but I tell him he is going to be part of my story for later.

"Well...this is part of the problem...but the heat strips aren't working either" he says.

"You need a new thermostat and get rid of the old one that has mercury in it"

"I won't be able to get the parts till Monday"

"How old is the house??...it might be under warranty."

Me..."The house was built in 2003."

Him..."They usually under warranty for 5 years."

He called this morning to tell me my luck was good today. All is under warranty and the parts, he will be picking them up. Whoopee!

Well, Mark installed the thermostat left me a space heater to keep warm. It's here in my office today. It's about 30 outside today, so I am hoping he can make the repairs soon.

It feels like I am camping...bundle up...build a fire...get out the marshmallows. Only one thing...I don't have a fireplace! Dang!

At least my computer is working and I can still type till my fingers are frozen. Hmmm...maybe I can work on Christmas cards too! Seriously...I've plenty to do!

Hopefully soon my world will be heated!