Roving pages

The joys of dating in your mid 30's

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:17:46 GMT

II just started dating a VERY nice guy. He's 6 ft 4 ( so I feel very tiny next to him ), loves animals, has been with Duke Power for 17 years...looks sexy in his leather jacket..........He is divorced and has a 12 yr old daughter...who does NOT like the idea of daddy dating someone else besides mommy. I have not encountered this before and not sure how to handle it....*sigh*. So right now we have to schedule dates around his time with her..........

I am also horse shopping and fell in love with a paint/percheron cross today...He's very young and green but I instantly was drawn to him....I wasn't even at that farm to see him...I was looking at a leggy flashy grey and another paint cross.....But this guy popped his head over his stall door and it was all over......I'll show my trainer the video next Wed. and we'll go from there..........

YES!!! Christmas is over and I survived!! We had Memiere over and she just loved being surrounded by people ( though she didn't remember we are all her family ). But she had a great time.....

Now...New Year's parties.......I've got 3 to got too......I think Sam is going to drive since he doesn't drink......AGGGGGHHHH

OUCHOUCHOUCHOUCH!!

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:07:55 GMT

Well.................it was bound to happen......I'm probably past due considering the risks I take riding.

I got a weeeeee bit ambitious with the jumping today...........I worked on pushing Lee forward.....sitting myself back and counting strides...........we did well........until we changed and went INTO the sun...not sure if he got blinded or if I just screwed up (most likely scenario) but I got "left behind" on the jump......he went, I hesitated so that when he landed I was way off........I always recover and stay seated........today that was NOT the case. I just couldn't regain my balance........I hit the ground ( this is WHY you were a helmet even on the safest horses like Lee ) and though he was stopping and trying to move, Lee still caught my left let with his..........He yanked back up but the power was bad enough to hurt like hell.

I couldn't get up for a couple of minutes........when I did all I could think was "get back on the horse" which I couldn't really do......I used a chair to slide back on Lee who had the look of "what just happend? Mom, I TRIED to catch you..........Sheesh". I couldn't put weight on my left leg so I took the jump again with only one stirrup.....then rode Lee up to the house because the pain was so bad my eyes were tearing...........Leslie helped me get down and Kath took Lee back to the barn...I was given ice for my leg...........and a rather good wine...........it's not broken......don't think. I can walk but not bear much weight............Oh well,............I'm sure I'll be fine in a few days and riding again..........It's been like 7 years since my last fall ......and that included riding VERY green horses that buck or try to run off..........*sigh*..........always when you least expect it.......

A butterball!!

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 00:42:15 GMT

Kidd has exploded into a true BUTTERBALL!!! He was in greatshape but since he doesn't like to show and we work on stuff to turn him into a therapy horse he look like one of our pregger mares!! He has a gig at Core 24 tomorrow.............

I am BEAT!!! Long work week and sciatica is really acting up ( happens when you break your tailbone.....twice )

Dumbass come in on Wednesday........can you hide a body in the lake?

Off to have some Pinot Grigio and baked chicken........MMMMMMMMM

Neener neener.........

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:21:05 GMT

Finished work early today......YAY!!! The rain means our outside crews are helping inside.....I was done before noon............AHHHHHHHHHHH, a nice afternoon snooze, rain stopped and I got Kidd the miniature butterball going in the roundpen followed by Willie the donk in his bit........he was kind of a turd today but hey.....he's a DONKAY!!!!!!!

Rode Lee bareback in the slightly muddy ring but I did all the gaits and took a jump bareback.......Landed safely.........WHEEEEEEEEEEE

One more week till Butthead gets here............maybe I can move before then.

Trying to come up with ideas for the Christmas parade.......we need a theme for the minis. I wanna take Kidd, Tango and Willie.
And what is this with the Journal saying "You ONLY have 3 friends" fine......how do I get more?

YAY Thunder!!

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:20:35 GMT

I love a good thunderstorm!!! Almost finished with the newest monster house..........Leslie is VERY stressed so I am trying to make life easy for her...............We did hit the gym and shot the manure with the owners......I'm taking our mini Kidd to the power lifting competition.......not to be lifted though......for the kids................I'm off now before the storm hits.............

More rain!!

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:30:08 GMT

YAY!!!!!!!!!! Of course this means no riding again............at least no fast riding in the arena.......it's sand but it's still slick. Means no jumping WAAAAHHHH!! But it is an excuse to make it to the gym tonight.

MOved the big four horses last night to the back pasture.......they were all so excited they didn't bother to come up for grain.......even my loudmouthed arab!!

Nothign cuter than watching the minis and the donks run around in their new crib.............Willie the donk tends to run sideways ..................

Okay......big work day......nice steak marinating in fridge.........

One more thing............

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:40:27 GMT

Can I get the Hell out of here of a couple of days? I sooooooooooo need a break from my life!! Just a minor change of scenery would be good. With our without my dog and horse..........Just.......ARRRRGGHHHH!!!
I get so sick of responsibility................I LOVE and I mean LOVE my Memiere but she has become so dependant on my visits.....Mom and Dad are always leaving town and I have to watch their cat and check on Memiere daily......she hates when I leave and it breaks my heart......though she loves when I put Animal Planet on for her........Les doesn't have time for all her horses so I have to ( If we don't want them to explode from eating) excercise the minis...........watch our pregnant mares because I've actually LEARNED and BIRTHED them........minis tend to have trouble.......While the barn stress has lessned............it still lingers......Dumbass will be here and my belly shows my love of cheese and wine despite the gym. Why do I care what that butthead thinks?
And what is it with this warm weather in mid-October? Did I mention I HATE spiders and they are STILL around? Okay.......anger out......I need to get to bed. BLAH!!

WHEW!!!

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:20:51 GMT

Note to self.........do NOT take a lesson on two different horses........especially if one is Tessie.

Lee was easy ( as usual ) I'm use to him, he's light.....I don't have to push him and he's jumping like a dream..............but aging so I'm looking for my next competative horse..........enter Tessie. 1800 lbs.............and heavy on hand and leg like Hell. She WORE me out.....and well in the canter..........lets just say she hasn't done it much in the arena.....and we about ran into the fence.............4 times........She does NOT bend like an Arab and I kept thinking " Oh yeah.....I'm about to gain flight over the arena fence" Once she started on the wrong lead as I booted her......she bucked and then hit the correct lead..............Yes I soaked in the jacuzzi tub with my wine.........I still say I with enough blood sweat and tears I can turn this wild PMU mare into an eventer.......I hope. At least riding a draft makes your butt look smaller

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:27:38 GMT

What a friggin long 2 days at work.....trying to finish up the house that belongs to the president of Clemson University. Actually he and his wife are VERY nice. But the house is huge............and tons to do. Late days..........and we got our back up hay ( Thank God ) so while Les and I were beat......we had to unload and stack because the other boarders skipped out......Leslie who owns our business AND the farm was NOT happy but she thanked me and gave me a hug.......LarryDog STILL has not caught the stinkin rats..........We really need a good barn cat.

Dumbass is coming in a couple of weeks and I've gone from "what should I cook" to ............." He can buy ME dinner or we eat cheap crap" He was a butt when we lived together......I doubt he's changed. He's a selfish prick who wants everyone to do for him........wonder if I can buy him under Kudzu............no one will find him BWWWWAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! What the Hell was I thinking letting him stay here for a couple of days? Was I drunk? OH yeah......probably a glass or two of wine. DEMMIT

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:42:07 GMT

OHMIGOD!! My sides are about to split!! Bob and his wife Maggie came over to the farm so Maggie could ride with Les and me while Sam and Bob had "guy" time. I put Maggie on my horse and I rode Tess, Leslie on Sierra. Nice cool evening.....Tessie was in rare form. The normally very slow Percheron wanted to be like my Arab tonight.'

Then we went up to the house to eat, have some wine........and we got to laughing so hard at so many different things, my stomach hurts!! I never knew Bob had it in him!! He seems like such a serious guy and Maggie who is from Costa Rica doesn't always know she is saying something funny until it's too late and we start laughing, she catchers herself and starts lauging......and so on.

I soooooooooo need more days like this and I HAVE to get Leslie's chicken recipe.....it as to die for!!

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 02:05:04 GMT

Nothing like painting in oil after a night of heavy food and wine........Oh yeah.........that worked well. Thankfully my boss/friend was at the same shindig and she suffered too............Thank God tomorrow is Friday!!

Kidd our mini needs his own scheduling book!! EVERYONE wants the mini horse with the sneakers to come and visit their patients or events............God Bless that little guy.

Rode Lee bareback tonight.......he has the smoothest canter!!!1

Okay......hope to have a good night's sleep...........

Vet-a-long!!!!!!

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:33:28 GMT

WHAT a learning experience!! I got to do a ride-a-long with Dr. Stafford ( our horse vet ). We had a ruputured eye on one horse.....42 strangles vaccines to administer, 3 lameness issues and a castration. He is a trip to spend time with. Knowledgable and funny. I can't wait to go again............

Dinner at Patti's. Girls night out. Les, Kath, myself and of course Patti who made a killer gumbo!! The rest of us brought a wine to try......Covey Inn was well rated so I brought it and it did NOT dissapoint.............I am so going to feel this in the morning.

I live to ride..........

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:47:11 GMT

GREAT and FABULOUS lesson!!! I have decided NOT to show the big arab show because what they look for is NOT my Lee and we'd have to crank him the wrong way to place...........we'll stick to open breed shows and do combined training ( dressage and jumping and they add your scores ). Susan set up a "gymnastics" course for Lee and me at the end of our lesson......THANKGOD Lee is who he is......I cut him so tight to one jump he SHOULD have tossed me over his shoulders but he did it!! I love that boy!! Susan couldn't believe I didn't kiss the dirt. Lee is almost 20 and keeps up with the best of them..................exausting work day.........ceilings in an entire 4000 sq foot home.......ARGGGGHH, we are all in pain. The house was beautiful though.........French country with the most gorgeous furniture and paintings...Deep in the woods with a sunroom I'd kill for.....I could move in there..............enjoying my second glass of Pinot.............*sigh* Happy place

Happy Anniversary!!

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:21:56 GMT

MOM and DAD!! 38 years already!! WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!

Okay...........note to self........wear long thick pants when helping Sam and Leslie put up new fencing in the VERY overgrown back pasture..........some of those briars have killer claws!!

Off to try to ride a true dressage test in practice....if we can pull it off I may enter training level at the big Arab show.................maybe.

Oh yeah

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:16:23 GMT

Upove icon is totally me right now......................Butthead ex confirmed he WILL be here to "learner" judge the November Arab rated show.....which means I have to show under him a couple of times.......Sport Horse is judged seperate but Hunter Hack is not. He is staying at Comfort Inn until Sunday night..........then staying here......unless I kill him first. GAWD what was I THINKING!!!!!!!! He wants to do some sightseeing and adventuring for a few days............That is one thing we have both always loved to do.......We use to hop in his truck and just venture out........often for miles and miles on unpaved desert roads and it was exciting.

However.......Sam and Leslie and well Bob and HIS wife are trying to set me up with a really nice guy who makes a great living and has a lovely 4000 sq foot home in the mountains...........Only worry? He is a neat freak and I am soooooooooooo NOT!! I meet him tomorrow for the first time. He DOES like the outdoors and hiking which is great...........but he better be a horse/dog/ and at least cat tolerator...............

ON the whole.............even on a bad day I realize I have more friends now than I ever had.......Almost scary........even Kathy is making an effort and so am I................

Almost the weekend!!!!!!!!!

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:12:42 GMT

Only 2 more work days ( partial today at that )!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!! Weekend!!! I am taking Kidd to the Pet Parade at Benton Village ( we almost put Memiere there ). Nothing says I can't take a miniature horse =).

Finally getting some sleep......Memiere looked great when I checked on her yesterday morning........she even looked happy. *WHEW*. And I have a new cat living partially on my front porch. He/she is feral but now when I sit out front, kitty will watch me and debate ( I guess ) whether or not to come closer.............I named it O.K. for Outside Kitty.

Cousin........thanks for the icons.......now how the hell do I get them to post and do the cool stuff you have on yours? I am sooooooooooo NOT computer savvy.

I need more coffee................

SLEEEEEEEP!!!!

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:52:10 GMT

I'm beat......PLEASE!!!! JUST one good night of uninterrupted sleep!! My mind is a whirlwind......stop the rollercoaster......I wanna get off.

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:24:42 GMT

Lord........can I PLEASE get a good night's sleep!! I swear after midnight I'm up every hour...........I'm wiped out!!

Stayed with Memiere for a bit today .........did a hard cardio workout.........took care of all the animals at the farm....Leslie was so busy she didn't get home until long after dark.

Lee has so much energy going over the jumps tonight I had to sit back and rein him in!! He may be nearly 20 but he has moments where a 3 yr old would conk out first. That's my boy!!!

My carpet needs professional help...........................I need help........I'm exausted in so many ways......................I would love to sleep for 24 hours......for a single person with no kids I sure as hell feel like I'm going 24/7

ARRRRGGGHHH!!

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:42:19 GMT

I am soooooooooo having one of those days.........I haven't been sleeping well either. I was up and ready to go to work early........Mom calls.......she and dad are out of town and according to Peter the cats are messing everywhere......the don't blame it on the purebred......they blame in on the mutt cat.......this is round two of that and I told them CAN NOT take another cat to the humane society...."humane" is not really what it is...........so I may have another addition to the family......I need a bigger house.

Memiere was sooooooooo out of sorts today that I stayed 90 minutes longer than planned and missed my AB class. I just couldnt leave her..........she was so happy to see me and it broke my heart.........God please take me before I get to that point.

Our peaceful barn is disrupted by Kathy. She is 20 years my senior and seems to have a horrid jealousy towards me.......Leslie who owns the place, is my boss and my friend....has been Kathy's friend for a decade........and is ready to strangle her because she's been so .............inappropriate. I'm generally a nice person but as of late she's pushed me to my ugly side. And for no real reason. Les and Susan think it's a jealousy thing which is VERY new to me..............I mean c'mon......she's old enough to be my mom........gimme a break!! So I'm a confident rider..........big deal......so Leslie and I do nearly everything together and Leslie's husband is training us and prefers my dog over Kath's......My horse who is a freebie has had many offers for buying where her paid for warmblood has not..........I gotta roll my eyes.......grow up!!

She got the same cough/cold/flu I did.........I was out for severa days......she told Leslie today she was "stronger" than me.....OOOOOOKAY. Kathy can barely lift a 50lb feed bag and I can haul it over one shoulder........Kath can't move her own furniture and I can lift a dresser and a bed. She gets bullied by her own horse who respects both Les and me.......ARRRRGGGHHHH, what is it with some people!!! Life is NOT a competition!! It's a daily struggle to be happy, content or just survive. Not try to outdo everyone........that is just plain wasted energy.

I'm so ready for a vacation!! My mind needs a break!!

Size DOES matter!! GO Minis!!

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:08:27 GMT

I had THE best time taking our 2 yr old miniature stallion to the assited living facility where my grandmother lives. One man was so excited he came out 2 hours early to wait for us.

Kidd was so incredible I almost cried. He's never seen a wheelchair or a walker but he went up to everyone and was just as easy going like he was at home with just us. I am TRULY amazed at his temperment. Next task is to find out what it takes to certify him for children's hospitals and such. I'm VERY proud of my little guy.

And Memiere.........she just LOVED the attention that it was HER granddaughter that brought the "little horse". It was truly touching.

Sat out by the pool yesterday since Sam and Les were still gone and got lots of sun but the water has cooled down just a wee bit to much for me!!

Went to Patti and Larry's Sunday evening for a glass of wine and some steak on the grill (Yummy) I need a grill!!!

I really need to do something artistic.........but ...........uhm, not terribly gifted there. Thought about pulling my water colors out again but it's such abstract work!! BLAH!!!!

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:39:16 GMT

I really feel I should beat my head into a wall...................My ex boyfriend ( I dated a few times after him but nothing major ) is coming to town to "learner judge" a rated Arabian show. I offered him long ago to stay with me so guess what...............My mother HATES him..........so I'm gonna keep quiet. He can be a major turd......I love him but I'm not IN love with him so this should be interesting. I guess if he ticks me off I can drown him in Leslie and Sam's pool and bury him deep in the woods..kudzu hides everything................Funny thing is despite our ugly split and many arguments..........we can talk for hours and we have a ton in common..........But naw...........I need someone with stability.....NOT a nomad with nothing to show at his age.............

Mommas dont' let your babies grow up to be...........

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 01:31:44 GMT

Crazy horsewomen!!

LOOOOONG day at work. Old house.....lots of old glue from old wallpaper to scrub off ( word to the wise...........do NOT wallpaper, it's a pain in the rump to get rid of ).

Leslie and I got her hubby Sam to help us at the gym doing bi's and tri's. Sam is a former multi champion body builder......THEN we rode before dark ( I REALLY had to dig deep for the energy ). I worked one of the mini horses and got Lee out to longe......Then hopped on him bareback with just the halter while Leslie worked the very big, the very young Little Man. Then I got a wild hair....why not jump Lee bareback. Not a bad idea if you remember your friggin helmet. Bad me!!! Thankfully my horse his trustworthy and I do okay regaining my balance bareback .....NOT smart. I don't suggest it. However at the end Leslie wanted to put me on LittleMan for a minute. I'm only the second person ever to ride GooberBoy..........you get on him it's like looking at the world in miniature he's so big.

By the way.........Munchkin is welcome to ride Sierra ( one of the Percherons ) when your back out this way.

Are there ANY other horse people around here? I'd settle for SCA types........or book worms...........

Manic Monday

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 01:30:49 GMT

ARRGGHHH! Stop the world I wanna get off!! I REALLY woke up on the wrong side of the bed............I could have slept all day but work calls. Thank God I have an awesome boss because I had a near meltdown for about 15 minutes.

We worked a LONG day but finished the job..........then Les and I decided to do weights ( I may be fluffy but dang I'm gonna be buff!!). She and her husband are former body builders so she's teaching me the RIGHT way. Then......before it got dark ........time to ride. Lee gets a second day off so I take on Tessie, the greenbroke 2,000 lb Percheron..............for some reason she likes me and she finally relaxed for the first time EVER undersaddle.

Lastly...........after NOT picking up the phone for 4 calls I talked to butthead ex. We still are able to talk for an hour and he's not quite the turd he once was...........That might be because he's 2,000 miles away. Ladies.......be warned...........don't let your daughters date horse trainers.

It is after 9pm and I just finished dinner!! I soooooooo need to unwind. Where is my wine?

Confessions of a Show Queen

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:06:47 GMT

I admit it..................I'm a show addict. While I complain about getting up at 5:45 am on a Saturday...........hauling over, waiting in line to register, braid my horse and hope to get a warm up in before my classes start..........I'm a horse show addict. I have a love/hate relationship. I love to compete.......I hate to lose. I'm not a bad loser...........we have bobbles, we have glitches and then we have highlights but ..........like anyone else I love to win.....or at least place well.

Today.........game day at Clemson.........The show wasn't as big and I in between classes I socialized with strangers and had fun. It's weird. I am the ONLY solo adult. If other adults come they have trainers, grooms, support..............I go with just myself and my beloved gem of a horse. My friends come sometimes for a bit.......today no one wanted to fight game traffic. which is fine. We always do better when no one we know shows up.

Lee was not on his game today.......he seemed tired but he STILL did what I asked. Oddly;.............we do better at higher jumps than lower...............All in all we got 2 1st places, a second, 2 thirds, 2 fourths and a sixth.............However our higher placings came at higher jumps so we got High point!!! A nice big pretty champion ribbon............for my sweet horse I was told would never show.

I got home......it was hot, got into a tiff with my best friend ( my feelings are easily hurt ). She called me and we ironed it out. Gotta love best buds........You can truly talk it out and still go on. My last best friend passed from cancer........so I worry about things unsaid and bad feelings.

I'm relaxing......tomorrow is Sunday and I plan to do NOTHING!! Okay...........I have to wash and re-wrap Tango's tail. Work with the mini horses and maybe ride Tess the Percheron ......and visit Memiere..........but other than that I'm watching bad movies on Direct TV and doing 30 minutes of cardio at the gym..........

I HATE...............

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 01:05:56 GMT

My butt and my gut!!!! I am very physically active, I go to the gym 5 days a week...........but I have the WORST eating habits.  Being single certianly has it's advantages but cooking for one is darn near impossible .......and when I'm busy ( my day often ends around 8pm ) going through drive through is the best option. And I love my evening wine...............

Had lunch with the grandmother today...it's about a 2 hour ordeal but she can't remember the last 15 minutes so I can keep telling the same story. She LOVES it when you show her pictures. It's sad though to see someone decline mentally.  She was such a pistol when we were growing up!! I'm not sure if I should be amused or mortified that she chases men down the hall in her walker........okay, I AM amused.  Especially when she chases the very hot, very available chef down the hall. Chef McDreamy.

I am NOT looking forward to showing my horse in the heat tomorrow. We may just do a few classes. Keep to low jumps. I forget sometimes he's a senior horse and while he'll go and go, it can be hard on his body. He's never refused to do anything I've asked........even when he probably is in pain. He is that once in a lifetime horse. Loyal and honest..........I rode him down my street and my neighbors came out with their 3 yr old daughter.  We sat her in front of me on Lee and you never saw a happier child...........and then my usually mellow dog came busting out barking and chasing a crow ( he hates crows )........It startled ME but my wonderful Lee just perked his ears and kept steady. Most horses would have run for the hills. Never let anyone tell you an Arabian is a poor choice for a horse.............Oh......I so need to clean out my garage..................*sigh* I still have unpacked boxes from my move........a YEAR ago