Seasons Greetings

I'm so glad I live in the Midwest!  Even though I complain about the weather 75% of the time!  I don't think I could handle one season.  Here we get all four seasons, sometimes within one week!  I love that I can still wake up to go to work and look at my phone and there can be a text saying it's a late start due to the bad weather!  It's like that Christmas morning feeling you had as kids, but for adults!!  I love that I can  could get off work and go ride throughout most of the year.  I love the fall colors.  I love the spring storms (until the house starts whistling... then I realize this is real life, not a tv show!!).  I love the summer nights.  I get sick of the hot weather and then I think, hey at least I didn't have to scrape my windows.  Then I get sick of the cold weather and think hey, at least I'm not sweating just walking outside to get the mail!

I like both extremes and can't imagine living in a place without one or the other.  I would get bored.  I can't imagine having next to zero possibility for snow on Christmas morning.  I love the unexpected, rapidly changing weather we get here.

I am thankful for what many people use as an excuse not to live here-- and maybe that is why I'm most thankful for it!?

Storm Rollin' In

Summer Nights

Winter Storm

On a Roll

Day 2.  (Warning: this went from a one paragraph post to the 2nd longest post ever...with pictures)

So far I haven't missed a day.  I'm impressed with myself.

I'm thankful for my four legged chillins, both living and passed.  They have all taught me more than the 18 years of schooling I went through.  They've taught me real life lessons that you can't get from books.  They're always there when you've had a bad day and want nothing more than for you to be happy.  They've taught me patience, kindness, love, how to nurture, how to react in an emergency, how to compete, how to always try to better myself.  They've taught me to live each day to the fullest and how precious life really is.  They have taught me not to hold grudges, that most things won't matter in five years, or really, quite often, five minutes.

Just this morning, I was heading out to pick DJ up and help move them to a new field and I loaded the dogs up and MC ralphed.  Not just once, but three times.  In my vehicle.  (all in different spots, all of which had cracks/crevices for it to run down into...)  Instead of getting mad because now I was going to get in "trouble" with the boss man for being late cuz I had to stop and clean it up, I was more worried about the little guy's upset tum tum.  (Note: He is back to being his wild and crazy self, so I think he's over it.  And I didn't get in trouble for DJ having to wait on us!)

I had multiple pets growing up.  The family dog, CJ.  He taught me to get along with everyone.  That dog would have done anything for anyone.  He had his route around town that he would go on everyday, stopping by to say hi to multiple people.  He would go to work with Pa everyday and sometimes go watch the high school football or track teams practice.  Everyone knew Ol' CJ.
A random cat showed up and I named her MW.  She ended up having kittens.  We were able to give them away, but I kept LT.  He was so fat and fluffy.  I'm not even a cat person, but you couldn't help but love him.  And then one day Pa found him stuck between two railroad ties (that's what they told me anyway...).  MW left shortly after that.  They taught me to have an open mind.  Or that I'm a sucker for anything with four legs and in need...
MS had LR.  We thought he was a she until one day Ma spotted something between his back legs...  I wasn't fond of that old cat, but when I would get in trouble, he was there to comfort me.  He taught me not to hold grudges.  Even though I didn't give him much attention he was there when I needed someone.

I picked out Pony when I was 10.  He was supposed to turn gray.  ha.  He's as brown as brown can be.  The one color I didn't want, but I love him.  He's taught me soooo much.  I was the first one on him, and the only one for quite awhile as I was only ten and probably weighed nothing.  From then on, if I wasn't playing ball, I was probably out at the farm with him.  Some days we would work on backing, side passing, pivoting.  Other days we would just go ride around the field.  I showed him, used him to give trail rides to kids at camp, took him to petting zoos.  He's far from perfect, but I wouldn't sell him.  He knows my mood.  If I'm in a good mood, he might be a handful.  If I'm in a bad mood, he'll do anything I ask.  He knows who is on him and he knows when he needs to set an example for the youngin's now.  He's 15 now and makes me feel old.  Some days he still acts like he's a three year old, but that reassures me he still feels good!  He has taught me more than I could ever explain.  Horses will do that to a person!  He taught me to trust.  We have to trust one another.  He's had to get us back home before when we're lost on the trails (or off of them...) and if I ask him to do something new and scary, he has to trust me that it's gonna be okay!  Here we are last year at the competition I wrote about.

Scary spiders don't faze him.

MS gave me JDB my first year at ISU.  It was "a trial run," which to MS means, she's all yours now.  BM found out he is allergic to dogs so they had to get rid of her.  She taught me to have fun in everything.  She was hilarious.  She would entertain herself (and anyone watching) for hours.  She was crazy!!  She loved to run, so I decided to leave her home with ma and pa so she could run instead of being cooped up in my apartment.  Pa called one day to tell me that a friend was jogging and found her at the end of the driveway.  I don't know what happened to her, but I can tell you that she lived everyday to the fullest.  For being a dog, she never slept!  She was always going!!  That following Christmas, we were opening presents and a cast iron skillet was thrown and landed on my toe.  I was laughing so hard and then I started crying.  No one knew why I was crying until I was like I miss JDB.  And then half the room started crying too, because even though SH tormented her, he loved her.  She was a pistol, just like he is.  

What you lookin' at!?

The sisters and I went and picked up JW a couple hours away.  I found him online.  They had found him on the streets.  They said he was a puggle that was a little over a year old.  We got to him and I wasn't sure what I had gotten into.  He wasn't a puggle and he looked about 12 and ready to keel over, but I loaded him up.  He moved into my apartment ("illegally) with MP and me and all he did was lay there.  I would occasionally be able to get him to play, but not often.  And then one day the city tested their tornado sirens.  He went nuts.  He was howling at them and I was dying laughing.  We moved into DJ's place and he discovered that he loves to run.  He's like the Forrest Gump of dogs and for only having stubby little legs, he can move!!  He has taught me a lot.  He taught me to never stop smiling.  He always has his grill out smiling at the world.  He helped get me through when UC passed.  We helped each other heal.  

G-Ma calls it a snaggle tooth, I just like to smile

UC.  You've already read about all we went through.  I miss that dog alllll the time!  I'm still not used to him being gone.  JW isn't either.  That dog taught me to never leave a man behind!!  Seriously, JW got locked in the shed and UC sat there and waited.  MD pulled up and wondered why UC was there and not JW.  Then he opened the door and figured it out!  When JW got caught in the trap, UC waited with him for me to get there.  That's how I found him, I spotted UC's head sticking up out of the grass. 

Eating is hard work

Which brings us to MC.  Oh MC.  I think he is teaching me how to care for a kid.  It's like all those years of babysitting wrapped up in this little guy that I can't take back to his parents cuz I loooove him!  He's my first puppy and he is perfect.  We love him, but the 14 wake up calls a night are getting a little old!!  He goes goes goes and gets along with everyone.  He's learning so much and never gives up.

This is a lot of work but don't worry, I got this!!

So there you have it.  Another long post about the animals in my life!!  Have a great weekend!!

And the Beat Goes On...

It started out to be another normal morning.  Get up, get ready, go to work.  Get a text from DJ that the barn is on fire...

Yep.  Just another day!

Ponies are safe and sound and that's all that mattered to me!  Things can be replaced.

UC was watchin over the ponies just like he did when he was here!  :)

Fashion Statement

The other day I had given up on DJ to come home, so I decided to go do chores.  I text him what I was doing once I got to the barn.  He said okay, come pick me up at so and so's farm when you're done.  OOOOOOOoookay, be there shortly.

I had three dogs with me, so when I get there he said oh, well let me go get UL and he can take the side by side back out to where the guys are.  I said I'll ride along.  And then I got out of the vehicle.

He said wow.  You've really got quite the fashion statement going on.  Oh yeah.  I knew.

I had on my sunglasses (bright pink and orange, $1 from Target), a gray PCI hooded sweatshirt, pink Victoria's Secret PINK capris, and brown "cow-person" boots.

I really should have had him take a picture of me, so he could set it on his nightstand, looking my best.  Anyway, we get back to where they're working and good 'ol UL didn't know what to think of my get up.  All I could say was my pony doesn't care what I look like as long as I feed him!!

I'm already planning my outfit for the next time I have to go pick him up somewhere.

Moulah

DJ and I have been talking about building a barn/shed/whatever you want to call it, for quite awhile now.  We put together a rough idea of what we wanted and then we he went and got some quotes for us. 

And then we realized we were broke.

Okay, maybe not broke, but these things are expensive!!  I know, big surprise there!!  We've made some changes though and think we have it how we want it (until we show it to someone else who points out something we missed...) to be built. 

Even with the changes we've made, we still have to think about water, electicity, fence, stalls, and who knows what else I'm forgetting!!  Oh yeah, gravel for a driveway.  So we're saving.  Or at least trying to!

I've been working on limiting myself to eating out no more than once a week for lunch and bringing leftovers from home the other days.  I've also been trying to make more homemade items instead of buying them-- tortilla shells are my next attempt.  Watching for sales on food and buying store brand items are something I continue to do-- I am my mother's child after all. 

So while I'm trying to saving pennies, you guys need to go support the economy for me! Or just send me some cash.  It's up to you really.

Old

My birthday is coming up.  That doesn't really bother me.  I mean, I've been saying I'm old since I've turned the big 2-1!  Everyone asks what I have planned or what I'm going to do.  Well, I'm going to go to work.  Just like every other week day... Whoo hoo!! 

I know, pretty exciting!  MS and JT are coming this weekend for an early birthday party.  There had better be cake!  I told MS if she helps me we should easily be able to knock out a quilt front in a weekend.  And then I invited JT to join.  I have a feeling the fabric will get bought and then a bottle or seven of booze will be consumed and then she'll wonder why I don't have her quilt done... 

But really, the thing that makes me feel old?  I'm sore.  I rode the other day and now I'm sore.  That never used to happen.  Ugh.  Maybe I should just ride more?  Yes, I think that shall be my resolution.

On it!!

But not today.  Today I scoop the poop.  Just livin' the life!! :)

The Question

I should have kept track of the number of times I (or we) got asked "the question" over the holidays!!  There was a birthday party, a concrete holiday party, our farm Christmas party, new years eve party, and birthday "party."  Not to mention just when we run into people when we're in town.  Seriously, everyone wants to know when we're getting married.  And there is nothing on my left ring finger.  Nothing.  Well, some hair.  Cuz I'm a freak.

I just laugh and tell them not for awhile because I told him I wanted my barn before a ring.  The guys usually go off about how horses are hay burners (as if they're the first ones to tell me such...) and the girls either say seriously?  or oh.  I'm not sure what I'll start saying once my barn is built and there's still no date set.  Maybe I'll try not for a long time cuz then he'll want a kid popping out and I'm in no rush for that?!  Or maybe after I have my (horse) baby.  I mean really, which is more important?  Horse babies or weddings?!  Weddings can wait.  Right??

They all seem to be pretty worried about it.  Maybe we won't get married.  Just keep living in sin, ma will appreciate that.

I read on someone's blog with the same problem, so she just started throwing out random dates.  I'm considering this.  Seriously.  DJ told a few 11-12-13, which is a Tuesday or something.  Looks like we're goin' to the courthouse!!  Each person who asks is going to get a different answer.  Then when they'll talk they won't know who heard right... and then we'll probably get asked again by them, giving them a different answer.  We'll see how long it takes for them to catch on.

Tempting.

Most of the people who ask are people who will probably know he has a ring before I will!  Oh well.  I guess I'll stick to my barn story for now.

Blue

DJ's mom and I went trail riding this past weekend.  It was actually a competitive deal.  During the ride there were six obstacles that the riders performed and got judged on.  They judge the horse and the rider so it is a team effort. 

I have competed in FFA shows in the past. I'm talking in high school. Freshman year to be exact. Yeah... Approximately ten years ago. Trail class usually consisted of opening the arena gate, opening a mailbox, getting a rain jacket and rubbing it on the horse, crossing some poles, backing through an L shape, and ground tying. Nothing too crazy and in a confined area.

This competition you go out in small groups and ride the trail until you get to an obstacle. Our first one we had to go into mud and drag a life preserver out of the lake. Once everyone in the group completes the obstacle you continue on the trail until the next one. The second stop was a cowboy curtain. Made of red solo cups!  Beings this was the first time attempting this sort of thing, I went in the starter class so I didn't have to do this obstacle. We were allowed to try it though. Pony wasn't thrilled with it. I didn't push too hard though because he was already acting like this was his first time out of the barn! We continued on to the next where we had to pick up a spider web and hang it on a tree branch while going over poles, and stopping straddling one. The fourth obstacle was a gate sort of thing. They put pool noodles on some poles to make them look a spider. We had to walk through without touching the noodles. They also gave the option of getting off and walking through. The next one was a barrel that we had to put a lasso around. The final challenge was a black cape that we had to take off the pole and rub on the horse.

After completing all the obstacles we finished the trail, after getting a little lost and going in a few circles.  We then ate lunch and visited with each other. They had drawings for all sorts of stuff. His mom won some horse treats and I won some wild flower seed. After that they handed out awards. She received 4th place and I won the class!  I couldn't believe it.

They had a mounted archery demo. I had never seen this done besides on tv!  It looked like fun but sounded expensive so don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon!  We left after that, but were able o see most of the entries for the costume contest. There were some pretty good ones!  Way more creative than I was thinking!!

Overall it was a good time, but boy was I tired when I got home!!  Hopefully I can make it back to participate in some next year and try a different class. We'll see!!

Just Another Day

Earlier this week I was due for a run.  It was warm out so I didn't take UC.  I hooked up JW and cranked up the tunes.  (whoops-- just remembered I was going to email myself the trip post...maybe tonight.)  We headed out and did our warm up walk then started running like the wind.  I wasn't even ten minutes in and I thought I was going to die!!  Ugh... I thought this was supposed to get easier!?  I pushed on through and got to the half way point and turned around.

Due to the awesome road conditions, I tend to run in the middle of the road.  This leads to me looking over my shoulder every so often.  Well JW and I were almost to the corner and I glanced back like usual.  And then I face planted.  Just kidding, but some day I will write that and I won't be kidding... it's coming!  Ok, so I glance back.  Something is coming.  Okay, we'll move over.  I glance again.  Oh.  That is not a vehicle.  Those are horses.  There are two horses running at us.  Alright. 

So I get JW turned around and we keep running.  Although this was actually the easiest part of the run because I was focused on something besides my inablility to breath....  I get to them; luckily no cars decided to pass between this time.  They have their halters on, so I put my iPhone and JW's leash in one hand and have a horse on my other.  DJ's mom comes down the road then and brings me a lead rope.  She says she'll go put her dog away (the reason the horses were on the road...) and then come back and get him.  So I start walking him back, trying to keep JW away from the other one since she's scared of dogs.  His mom meets me and takes him from there.  JW and I turn back towards home.

UC sure is glad to see us.  I let him out so they can play around the yard.  I head into the kitchen to find a bag on the floor.  A bag that used to contain a pizza crust.  I guess he got even again...

Ahh just another day for me here!! 

Still Kickin'

I'm sure you're glad to hear that I haven't let the running thing get the best of me.  Yet.  I actually ran my first 5k this weekend!  Well... it wasn't an organized event, I just ran 5k.  I did it under 30 min, which is what my training program says to allow-- go ahead and tell me, I'm a rockstar.  :)  Oh yeah, I was running with the pack-- all three dogs joined me for the jog.  I had to unleash UC and let him catch up during my cooldown.  (no worries-- he got back at me the next day...)

DJ and I cleaned out both garages (okay, the main one still needs worked on...) and then went to the city to look for some sort of storage.  He didn't find what he wanted and at the second store decided enough was enough so we went and got stuff to make pizza and headed home.  We made pizza, watched a movie, and went to bed.  We're almost too exciting! 

Sunday I got up and went riding with his mom and a couple of her friends.  The first place we tried was closed so we headed to another place.  We had a good ride, minus losing a person for awhile.  (nope-- not me this time!)  The ponies sure did get workouts in and it was a gorgeous day to be outside!!

I got home and let the dogs out.  I opened the door and smelled revenge.  Yep-- piles of dog poo.  Blech!!  I don't remember how many piles, but I do know I had to go get another sack for it all.  Who knew so much could come out of a dog in so little time!!  The more I think about it, maybe it wasn't revenge, maybe it was the biscuits(s) DJ fed him...

So I cleaned that up and showered and ate and worked on MS's Christmas present.  Yeah, I'm already thinking about Christmas!! 

Depending how it turns out, I may post a picture.

Have a great week and hopefully I'll remember to send the email with the stories from my trip to blogger and get those posted!!