So We're Here

I'm back I guess. Moving kicked my ass, but here we are. Back in the Boro. Weird. I'm not feeling very inspired as of late. I'm boring, and feel the need to be alone. Why? I don't know. I wish I did.

Moving

We're moving.  My feelings on this change daily, hourly, okay, by the minute.  In my head, I know it is for the best.  The dos far outweigh the don'ts.  Less driving, less stress, closer to work, the barn, friends, etc. etc.  My heart however is heavy.  I'm leaving my home.  The place where LM and I came home to after two years in south Texas.  To say I was anxious to get back was an understatement.

We arrived home Mother's Day weekend.  It was gorgeous Spring in Tennessee, and there was my house waiting for me.  Relief is the only word I can think of when I remember pulling in the driveway after a two day drive pulling LM's little, Arabian, chestnut, gelding, Blaze.  

My house, my little house in Lebanon on 5 acres.  Where the view from the dining room of the the sunset every evening still stop me in my tracks.  Where my husband and I were married, and where LM has grown from a gangly little girl into a beautiful young woman.   

Whew...what a crazy couple of weeks its been.  First of all, LM and Fab have been making huge progress on the lead changes.  I'm so proud of this kid.  She has determination and patience the likes of which I definitely do not possess.  She has undone one of the most difficult issues in dressage training to correct, and it has literally taken three years.  Could you imagine tackling the same issue with no resolution for three years? I certainly could not.  Obviously, this is not something that was done single handedly.  The Boss was there instructing and guiding on the ground.  

Next, she and the Boss turn their focus to winter training in Florida.  In January they will spend three weeks with Ida Anderson.  Planning and organizing for that has already begun.

Once again a horsey post.  It really isn't my intention to turn this into a dressage mommy blog, but obviously because it is a big part of our lives it sneaks out into my writing. 

Wilson County Fair

What not to do all in one night:

a) Eat a hand-dipped, deep fried corn dog

b) Eat a funnel cake

c) Eat a hand-dipped, deep fried pickle 

d) Eat a hand-dipped, deep fried Snickers

e) Eat a hand-dipped, deep friend Oreo 

Why? Because you will feel like absolute crap the next day.  Listen to me, I'm speaking from experience.

Prayer

Please dear God, help Little Mama and Fab with these changes. I know they can do it, I just know they can.

**********

Things aren't easy, they never are in this type of endeavor. I envy those parents whose kids play soccer, football, softball, etc. All they have to do is support and keep healthy one living body. Try holding together a team consisting of a freaky talented 16 year old girl, and the 1200 pound animal that you trust enough to let her sit on the back of.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today my mom would have been 65 years old. This is a picture of her and LM. Her hair is growing back in, having lost it during chemotherapy. She came and stayed with us for two weeks. While I worked, she took care of LM. They played, and went on many adventures. They took walks, played dollhouse, and made homemade chicken noodle soup. The noodles were cut into the shapes of stars and people. She was an amazing mom, and an amazing grandmother.

Happy Birthday Mom.

I love you and I miss you.

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us when adversity takes the place of prosperity when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."
--Washington Irving

Little Bits of Stuff

I do apologize for the absence of posts.  I know I owe you a book review.  The fact is, I haven't finished the book.  Real (effing) Life has gotten in the way (again).  I will let you in on this however, "Life With My Sister Madonna" is a veritable Christopher Ciccone bitchfest.  And frankly, there isn't a whole lotta info I didn't already know.    

Switching gears to a totally unrelated topic, last night I enjoyed a night of margaritas on the patio at Camino with several of the lovely barn ladies.  It was so good to see my dear friend Leanne, who I hadn't had a chance to hang out with in awhile.  As well as the sweet Tara, my little Sarah, hilarious Katie, Shannon, and the Boss. Poor Boss is a bit under the weather.  (sad face)

FYI...Hilarious Katie takes all of Little Mama's pictures, and they're gorgeous, and that's why I love her.  Oh, and I also love her because she endured four hours in my truck with my dad at the wheel driving like a maniac in the pouring rain to Hamilton, Georgia.  I can't even count the number of times we came close to severe personal injury that night.  

Another Friday

Here we are again, another Friday.  If you recall, last Friday I hit up the local (scary) Wal-Mart for some good reading, and nutrition.  Today I decided to step it up a bit, and so at lunch I headed out to Barnes and Noble.  I combed the shelves for at least five whole minutes, and finally found a piece of literature worthy of being my weekend reading.  "Life With My Sister Madonna", written by none other than Madge's own brother, Christopher Ciccone.  

I'll post my review on Monday.  In the meantime, let me suggest, "My Horizontal Life" and "Are You There God? Its Me Vodka" by my own personal hero, Chelsea Handler.

Bull

This my friends, is the culmination of hours and hours on horseback, and thousands of dollars in riding lessons.  

The ability not only to ride, but to stay on a mechanical bull.

If she can do this in a bikini, she'll always have an abundance of job opportunities available to her.  

Pictures from Dressage Seat Equitation Medal Finals

Little Mama's name in lights

LM, Courtney King-Dye, and the Boss

LM and her borrowed mount, Varekai

Lamplight Equestrian Center

Monday

I woke up this Monday morning not in the best of moods.  I was feeling overwhelmed by all the work that needs to be done at home, and was just plain grouchy that the weekend was over.  I was going over a "woe as me" list in my head when I got word that a sweet sweet baby boy that has been in my thoughts for weeks was struggling for his life yet again.

Praying for strength for this tiny boy and his awesome, unbelievable mama.  

And thankful to have the challenges in my life placed into perspective yet again.

Friday Night

Here is the situation: It's Friday night, and I just hit the Wal-Mart. Where I collected two frozen pizzas, a Star magazine, a People, and a toy for Little GaGa.

I'm headed home to eat my pizza, and I might just do that in bed while reading all about the sad lives of the Gosselin children and why Tony Romo broke up with Jessica Simpson.

Try to not be jealous of my fabulous life. I dare you.

Confessions of Waxing

I'm just going to go ahead and lay this one right out there.  I wax myself, you know, down there. Why you ask?  Because I can.  It's one of my many hidden talents.  

Last night I decided to take on this task as things were looking a tad bit overgrown.  I realize now this wasn't a great idea.  I was tired from the trip, and especially tired after a day of tackling the the work on my desk that had piled up in my absence.  

I got started, and by the time I finished up the left side it was past 11:00.  Instead of continuing in my bleary state, I decided to call it a night, and went to bed.  Upon waking up this morning, I've realized this might not have been the best idea.  Why oh why didn't I finish up the job!?

Miscellaneous Weekend Thoughts

The Boss, Little Mama, and I are home from Illinois.  LM did well, and I'm so proud of her.  She placed fourth out of fifteen riders.  The competition was tough.  All the riders were extremely talented.

The event was held by the United States Equestrian Federation, and sponsored by Dressage Today.  Friday evening there was a competitor's party especially for the DSE riders.  US Olympian Courtney King-Dye was there.  She spoke to the girls about pursuing their goals, and her accomplishments.  

As the party wound down, the girls were each given a bag with some great stuff like shirts, a hat, a picture frame, and a saddle pad.  The very last thing each one received was handed to them by Ms. King-Dye herself.  It was an autographed Idocus Breyer horse.  I'm not sure if LM will admit it, but I truly think this was her favorite.  She also had her hat signed.  We were able to take a few pictures, and then LM offered Ms. King-Dye her hand, introduced herself, and thanked her.  And this is the one thing of which I am most proud.  My daughter, above all is kind, gracious, and respectful.  Any other accomplishment pales in comparison to that. 

Happy Anniversary

Seven years ago today I married a great man.  A hard working, loving father.  Sure he has his quirks, but all I know is that he loves Little Mama and I fiercely, and only wants the best for us.  

I love you honey.  Thank you for everything.

Illinois

Next week we are headed north to Illinois for a few days.  By we, I mean the Boss, Little Mama, and me.  We are going because Little Mama is competing at the USEF Dressage Seat Equitation Medal Finals.  This event takes place at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne.  Wayne is two miles from St. Charles.  St. Charles is a small town in the Fox River Valley, and borders North Aurora, a tiny town also in the Fox River Valley.

Growing up, my family owned a tiny restaurant in this tiny town.  It was called the Village Restaurant.  My mom and dad worked their asses off for many years, and turned the dwindling business they inherited from the previous owner into a successful business.  This led to an ability for my parents to make some investments and tuck away a small savings.  Then my mom got sick and the restaurant was sold.

However, the investments that were made continued to grow.  My mom passed away, but her hard work left a legacy.  This has allowed an opportunity for Little Mama.  Without the Village Restaurant, there would be no Fabulous.  

Next week, we come full circle.  This is LM's first time to compete at a national event, and it takes place on the doorstep where all of this began.   

 

Fab: The Rest of the Story

When I last left you, we were on our way to the vet with Fab. The poor guy was diminished. Dr. M and staff checked him from ears to hooves, and quite literally inside and out. His belly was scoped for ulcers, a common issue in horses that train hard and travel. The good news is, no ulcers. He had a pretty pink tummy.

What was up then? He's anemic and calcium deficient. Nothing a little iron, horsey Gator Ade, and B12 won't fix. As far as him not eating, he just doesn't like his fancy food made especially for performance horses. He prefers what the fat little lesson ponies eat, plain old grain.

Mary Ann, his massage therapist visited him on Friday, and by Saturday he was much perkier. Today he is back to his happy self. He cleaned up his breakfast, and Little Mama put him back into light work.

The Boss' comment: "This is what we get for trying so hard."

Fabulous

Fabulous is 17.2 hands of sweetness. He's Little Mama's big pony and he has not been feeling well. As I type, we're on our way to take him to our faithful vet, Dr. M. Hopefully he'll be back to eating his favorite entree, hay dipped in water in no time.

The Boss

Little Mama has her daddy and I to teach her, love her, and guide her. However, she also has the Boss. The Boss is Little Mama's trainer, and has been for the last three years. When LM first came to the Boss she was a skinny, little shrimp and stood as tall as the Boss' shoulder. Pictured are LM and the Boss in Florida last March. Who's looking down at who now?

Boss' training covers many aspects. Sure she is there instructing LM in the ways of the horse, but she has also been known to address topics such as dating, boys, sex ed, kissing, driving, personal health and hygiene, etc.

And the Boss is, well she's the Boss. She and LM's relationship is complicated, and there is no easy way to describe it. Sisters? Yeah sort of. Friends? Most definitely. Parent and child? That too. Psychologist and patient? Yep. Teacher and student? Obviously. The list goes on and on, and changes daily.

Most important to me though is that Boss loves LM like she's her own and always has her best interest at heart. A rarity in the ridiculously crazy world known as the horse business.

Last Night

Dear 40 Something Year Old Christian Ladies That Were Partying At Limestone Last Night:

First of all, you were at a RESTAURANT. Not a BAR. You know, a restaurant, a place where people come and eat with their families. Families, as in groups of people with small children.

Second, there were other patrons outside on the patio eating and trying to converse with members of their parties. You all were sitting so close to each other. Was the shrieking and hollering really necessary?

Third, regardless of how bad the service is, it is never appropriate to walk into the kitchen and just get what you want.

Fourth, before you bad mouth someone in the restroom, look around and make sure none of that person's true friends are within earshot.

Fifth, a few of you are acquaintances of myself, and my daughter. Are you not the least bit embarrassed that a 16 year old was appalled at your immaturity?

And last but not least, I'm pretty sure Jesus wouldn't raise his margarita glass in celebration of the demise of a marriage.

The Parent

Little Mama, as I shared previously, participates in a sport. Its a little different as far as sports go. Most people when asked what activities their kid is involved in reply "soccer" or "baseball", or "football". When either my husband or I are questioned, our reply of "dressage" almost always requires an explanation. By the time we get to the part about 20 x 60 meter arenas, and the invisible letter X, we've lost them.

Dressage however, just like any other sport has its version of "the parent".

to be continued...

Dressage

"Dressage is a sport where competitors pursue the unobtainable 100%; in order to even come close, meticulous attention to detail, in addition to ability, is necessary.

The attention to detail starts with good horsemastership. Quality veterinary care, proper feeding and an on-going training program are the foundation. Correctly fitted equipment and good grooming are also necessary ingredients. In dressage the general appearance is much more important than in other equestrian disciplines. The horse and rider which are turned out immaculately, with everything gleaming and in place, make it hard for the judge not to give the benefit of the doubt to the combination which pleases his eye. Dressage is a performance, and, as such, competitors strive to look as beautiful as nature will allow.

Competitive dressage takes place in a 20x60-meter arena, with 12 lettered markers placed at specific points along the rail. Here, horse and rider perform a designated test, a series of movements for which the arena markers serve as reference points.

One to five judges, positioned at specific locations around the arena, evaluate the performance from their different perspectives. Scores are awarded on a scale of zero (not executed) to 10 (excellent) for each movement, with some particularly difficult movements earning scores that are multiplied by two." (excerpt taken from www.youngriders.org)

And this of course is Little Mama's calling...

R. I. P.

Farrah and Michael

Random

So here I am. This first post won't be too exciting. Just a bit of randomness. It's Thursday, one of my favorite days of the week. I think I'll make spaghetti for dinner, but then again maybe not. Depends on what my people want. "My people" = my lovely husband (LH) and Little Mama Jr., my daughter. To make spaghetti, or to not make spaghetti? That is the burning question. I know everyone wishes they had my fabulous life...