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.