Memory Lane

I found this old photo of me and one of my old show horses. Yes, he may look pretty but the whole "don't judge a book by it's cover" applies here. We spent most days flipping over backwards or running over judges. He is now living in Montana on a large farm...and he can stay there. This will be my last post until after Christmas so a big MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone. Have a good time with family and make great memories!!!

Famous Last Words: "Diamons ... Gold ... Saphires!!! Terry ! Terry, we're rich, we're rich, we're fabulously wealthy!!! Terry...Terry...??

Niner

My good ear drum has now died after last nights 7th grade band practice. I've never heard anything like it in my life. I'm so glad Noah wasn't there. He would probably be on Dr. Phil today if he was. Decorating the church was fun. The manger scene is less one shephard after I accidentally knocked his head off with the cow. Never fear, super glue fixes everything. Other than the big crack running around his shoulders he looks completely healed. I have the blacksmith coming to the house today (if it isn't rainy, dry, windy, sunny, hot, cold, luke warm). I'm sure my horses will act badly. Lilly likes to lie down on him and Noel likes to kick. Always makes for a good time. Christmas cards have officially been sent. If you didn't get one call the Post Office. It's probably their fault. I sent 900 out.

Quote of the Day: "Society teaches us that having feelings and crying is bad and wrong. Well, that's baloney, because grief isn't wrong. There's such a thing as good grief. Just ask Charlie Brown. " -Michael Scott

Please be my friend...

Well, I'm guessing Hannah broke into my blog and posted this photo. So, I'm just going to go with it (it was time for an updated anyway). It's about to get really busy around here. Christmas always happens to fall on the same time of year as all of our family reunions, Christmas parties, and Christmas concerts. I just don't understand it. Anyways, I don't have a plethera of things to post about, but when I do I'll let you know.

Rach.

Famous Last Words: "How's he gonna read that newspaper all rolled up like that?" -Fly

Cheers!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATTIE! Congratulations on your ribbon at the horse show. Congratulations to me for driving the horse trailer home all by myself (in heavy traffic). Cole is very thankful his momma didn't put him in a ditch. In preparation for Christmas I got suckered into going to Meadow to see the Christmas lights. We paid our dollar and got on the train with 50 million little kids...and had a great time. I'll be posting pictures later (or just go to Martha's blog). I stayed at Martha's over the weekend. I woke up to Noah singing in his crib and launching toys across the room.

To whom it may concern: Dump came home. He left again. At least he wasn't eaten by the fox...yet.

Lost and Found

I couldn't find Cole this morning. Lilly was standing patiently waiting for her hay. She kept looking over her shoulder trying to find him. I freaked out and prepared myself for the long walk up the hill to find poor Cole lying there because of some horrible accident. Just as I was about to unlock the gate he came thundering up from parts unknown (or the part of the fenceline I can't see) mad because I hadn't called ahead to let him know breakfast would be waiting. It reminded me of why I love horses so much. I may have posted this before but here goes anyway:

When you are tense, let me teach you that there are dragons in the forest, and we need to leave NOW.

When you are short tempered, let me teach you how to slog around the pasture for an hour before you can catch me.

When you are short sighted, let me teach you to figure out where, exactly, in the 40 acres I am hiding.

When you are quick to react let me teach you that herbivore's kick MUCH faster than omnivores.

When you are angry, let me teach you how well I can stand on my hind feet, because I don't FEEL like cantering on my right lead today, that's why.

When you are worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness, GI complaint, and skin disease.

When you feel superior, let me teach you that, mostly, you are the maid service.

When you are self-absorbed let me teach you to PAY ATTENTION. I TOLD you about those dragons in the forest.

When you are arrogant, let me teach you what 1200lbs of a YAHOO-let's-go horse can do when suitably inspired.

When you are lonely, let me be your companion.

Let's do lunch. Also, breakfast and dinner.

When you are tired, don't forget the 600lbs of grain that needs to be unloaded.

When you are feeling financially secure, let me teach you the meaning of "Veterinary Services, additional".

When you need to learn, hang around, bud. I'll learn ya.

-Mary Green

To Blave...

I suppose it's time for a new post. I hope everyone survived deep frying their turkeys last weekend. We ceartainly did. It was eating ALL of it later that finished me off. I'm glad there's a month break between now and Christmas. I need to recover. One last horse show this weekend will end my, well, uneventful show year. That'll make a total of hmmm....2 shows for the year. Then, we settle in for a cold winter and a lot of riding to get ready for next year. Dump hasn't been home since last week. I'm starting to worry especially since a fox tried to eat Martha's cats 2 days ago. If anyone sees him please let him know I'm very upset that he hasn't even emailed and that's no way to treat your mama.

Quote of the Day: "A politician will do anything to keep his job-- even become a patriot." -William Randolph Hearst

Seeing Spots

Lilly took a nose dive with me when I rode her on Monday. I didn't fall off but came really close. I gave her a vacation day yesterday because I know she was sore. Today I'm going to attempt the Spanish Walk with her. I read an article about it and since we all know if you read an article you become an expert. I think I'm in for a challenge especially since she stops when I kick her to go faster. I think she has some wires crossed. Maybe I should start with Cole. He has just a little more smart than she does. I need a helper. You can sign up online.

Famous Last Words: "I'll drink the bottle marked POISON on the off-chance that it's the extra-healing potion."

Brrrr

It finally feels like winter. I don't like how it gets dark at 1:00 in the afternoon. It cuts back on my riding time. Cole doesn't have the greatest night vision and I'm sure Lilly would get hurt if I tried to ride her after dark. I made little cat beds on the porch for all of my children. Tully even tried to get in this morning. She thinks she's better than the others. She sits at the cat food and smacks each cat as they walk by. Obviously she has forgotten that she came to us because she fell out from under a van in front of Bojangles.

The Veterans Day video is finally finished (in record time). Thanks to all who helped and put up with my whiney self during editing process (john). I hope everyone likes it.

love,
Rach

Famous Last Words: "Maybe the Iranians do need nuclear reactors for energy..."

Wow

I'm covered in grunge and animal hair. I'm feeding dogs and horses (and now fish) for a neighbor of mine for the next week. He has a fantastic house way off the road full of antiques but dogs everywhere. And they bark and bark and bark. I don't feed all of the dogs. Some of them live in stalls in the horse barn and are really aggressive. If I ever don't show up for work come look for me. I probably accidentally opened one of those stalls. This morning my mom was standing inside the house and heard a thumping sound on the window. She looked outside and nothing was there. Now she's afraid to go back inside. GREAT. Just in time for Halloween.

Quote of the Day: "Employee of the month is a good example of how somebody can be both a winner and a loser at the same time." -Demetri Martin

Sleepy Owner

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1322921&fr=&cache=1


Miranda sent me this video link. If you have or have ever had a cat you will most ceartainly understand. Claude did this to me every morning before he got tossed out of the house.

I Had A Bad Day.

Yesterday I had a meltdown. I'm not 100% sure why. I was telling my mom a story and I started to cry...and cry...and cry. It was aweful. I don't know if it was because it was almost Monday and I hate Mondays. Or maybe I was just due a really good emotional fallout. Martha brought me cotton candy from the fair and I recovered. All I want to do today is curl up on the couch and watch my favorite Christmas movie.

Quote of the Day: "I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours."-Jerome K Jerome

Midnight Posting

This picture is what happens when you post in the middle of the night, you're tired, you just ate too much ruining your diet, and you just had to kick Lottie out of the house. I just got back from helping sort clothes at a thrift store for low income people. It took 2 hours out of my life. It should take more. I'm planning to go back very soon. I'm now on my 987th day of poison ivy. Predasone didn't work....it's now worse. A reward is being offered to anyone who can cure me.

Quote of the Day: :"You can lead a man to Congress, but you can't make him think." -Milton Berle

Floater

My goldfish died last night. I think I killed him by accident. We've been putting Martha's water in our well for the last few months because we have no water. I'm pretty sure he didn't like the taste of it. My dad has to get him out of the tank tonight unless we have any volunteers. I am seriously afraid of him. He weighs about 400 pounds. He should have died 2 weeks ago during the camp out and Miles could have eaten him. I'm sad he's gone but he was about 4 years old.


Quote of the Day: "They say such nice things about people at their funerals that it makes me sad that I'm going to miss mine by just a few days."
-Garrison Keilor

Waiting...and waiting...and waiting....and wai

What do you get when you have fishing line, a bobber, bait, and a creek....nothing. I don't think fish exist in our part of the country. I should have dumped my goldfish in just to make things exciting. I came home from the camping trip with a massive case of poison ivy. I guess not missing the first 7 weeks of survival class would have prepared me better for the shelter building, fish hunting, poisonous plant survival. I'm going to the doctor.

Quote of the Day: " If you're being chased by a police dog, try not to go through a tunnel, then on to a little seesaw, then jump through a hoop of fire. They're trained for that!"
-Milton Jones

Pale Horse

CHECK OUT THIS HORSE! He is my dream horse. My Aunt Janie it trying to give him away to a good home along with her other ones. I can't wait until Lilly is ready to me a momma!

Today started off wierd and has gradually gotten much worse. Who wants to go on vacation with me? Requirements for the vacation would be no phones, no contact with the outside world, somewhere far far away (preferably where they don't speak english), and you have to pay. Who's up for it?

Quote of the Day: "Ever wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?"
-John Mendosa

Major Crisis Averted!

Dump had been missing since Monday. We had been playing it cool but by last night we were all pretty worried. So, me...Freda...Mommy...and Jimmy (with the help of Claude and Lottie) launched a recovery mission. Everybody knows when a cat has been gone more than 2 days rescue becomes recovery. No luck. We looked everywhere including the sides of the road. I spent a great part of this morning calling local vets giving notice of a tough bowlegged black cat. I even called some questionable mafia connections for any sighting whatsoever with no luck. Well, my mom just called me and Dump is hungry/scraggly/and sitting on my porch. It's a good thing because we were drawing straws as to who was going to call John F. and tell him his cat was awol.

Not me!

Quote of the Day: "The sun rose slowly, like a fiery furball coughed up uneasily onto a sky-blue carpet by a giant unseen cat." -Michael McGarel

Evening Run

So, Jimmy and I ran last night. This morning I can't walk. My goal is to excercise at least every other day...when I'm not hasseling Cole and Lilly. I'm currently in the market for a horse trailer driver for my show in December. If you would like to apply for the job let me know and I'll have you drive the cones. Cole is precious cargo. How about this cold weather? It's almost worth the tornado storm that brought it. Lilly is getting fuzzy and the cats are trying to sneak in the house...sure signs that Fall is comming.

I'm going to marry the guy who created the McGriddle.


Quote of the Day: "Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they've got nothing to lose."- Robin Williams

Coooooool

I'm ready for Christmas. Did I just say that? This morning I walked outside and was hit by a wall of cold air. Fall is my all time favorite time of the year.

I rode Lilly and Cole...I'll spare you the comments. They did fine. I hate that I won't be showing at the fair this year. I'm just not there mentally and Cole isn't there physically. He has a pretty massive grass gut. I saw our new neighbor riding her horse yesterday. She had head phones stuck in her ears and she paid more attention to them than the oncomming traffic. I hope she doesn't get run over.


Rachael's Christmas list: (I'm on a list kick)

1. Lottie spayed.
2. Cutback saddle. (A rich person will have to buy me this because the one I want is $500+)
3. A girlfriend for my widowed goldfish.
4. A diet for Cole.
5. Claude to not be a nut job.

Famous Last Words: "For my next trick I will escape from this flaming coffin while wearing a straight jacket and singing Eye Of The Tiger."

Underwater Basket Weaving

Points of interest (at least to me):

1. Ladies, get your dresses on...the reenactment approaches. And bring $20 to weave a basket. This is not an option. If I have to, so do you.

2. Noah crammed 14 pounds of dirt in his mouth today.

3. Claude took a ride in the back of the truck all the way to John's house on Tuesday. He is now grounded.

4. For Christmas Cole will be getting a #3 plantation shoe. In the words of JJ; "He was dragging in his right rear and was off in the front so we put a set of trailers and dropped a six on him and he was knockin' it down, Bo." Ahhh, I need a life.

5. I just ate so much Greek food I now have duel citizenship.

Quote of the day: "I am a deeply superficial person." (Andy Warhol)

Bye Bye Boo

This morning Boo was run over. We are all very sad and he will be missed terribly. Cedar will also be sad because her runnin' buddy is now gone. Boo came to live with us after some heartless moron threw him out of a car when he was a tiny kitten. He was approximately 10 years old. We will remember Boo by the most favorite things he loved to do:

1. Beat up Claude
2. Beat up Afton
3. Beat up Cedar
4. Beat up Mama Kitty
5. Beat up stray cats

We will miss you our little yard thug!

Golden Opportunity

With John about to open his shiny new barn in the next few weeks (not a boarding barn so don't even ask. It's most definitely a private barn for his own horses...and 18 more) I just couldn't pass up the chance to repost one of my favorite all time photos. Carroll and I are in the process of decorating his office and we're sorting through bagillions of photos to find that perfect 10x15 to frame for his office. I'm voting for this one. If you get a chance ask him what happens when you crosstie a half broken Arabian in a wash pit and turn on the water. Or, when you get on a 2 year old colt in the middle of a pasture without a saddle or bridle.

Good luck to Frank who has his boy surgery in the a.m. Lottie will be thinking about him. She might send him can of squishy cat food as a get well present.


Quote of the day: "Hermits have no peer pressure." -Steven Wright

The Epitome of Fun

So, at the beach Justin dug this huge hole...for like 2 hours. Then, he crawled out and left. The kids next to us practically fell over each other to play in the fox hole Justin created. We don't know why he did it. Probably don't want to know. But at least we have this entertaining photo to use as blackmail for the rest of his life.

I miss the beach, or was it just sitting around doing nothing I miss the most.


Quote of the day: "Ethernet (n): something used to catch the etherbunny."

Unsolved Mysteries

These strange tracks were found all over Martha's yard. We're pretty sure a deer or a cat didn't make them. A fox dragging a chicken could have made them but all of her chickens were acounted for. What could possible make such strange marks in Martha's yard?






Oh yeah, nevermind.



Rachael's Quote of the Day: " I think the worst time to have a heart attack is during a game of charades...or a game of fake heart attack."
--Demetir Martin

Back to the Grind

I would post a beautiful beach picture but I don't have one. I cried yesterday at work. Not because it was hard. But, just because my desk looked messy. I need a holiday.

Top ten things learned at the beach:

10) Don't let ANYONE put suntan lotion on you (you will get mocked publically).

9) If you are drowning make sure Hannah is wearing her red suit...otherwise she can't save you.

8) Never let anyone who's name ends in "achael" see you fall out of a chair.

7) Don't have children...have nephews. That way 3am feedings are someone elses problem.

6) Floats are fun in the water and are not to be slept on.

5) Cranium causes church splits.

4) If you wrestle with Rachael she'll put you on the ground.

3) If you wrestle with Hannah you'll rebreak her arm.

The last two are up to ya'll because I'm too tired to care.


aaaaaand a good time was had by most.

Lilly Vanilly

Just when I get excited about really training my new baby horse she goes and gets hurt...again. The sole of her foot peeled away revealing soft tissue that she is walking on. Ouch! Back to the stall she goes. She isn't in any pain or anything. I found a new suppement feed called "Combat Boots" that she gets 2x a day. Now, if I could only find a reliable blacksmith~~~Yeah, who am I kidding. I think I've decided to keep the 2 remaining baby kitties. Who in their right mind could split up Lottie and Hazel anyways? They are the perfect pair. I love this picture of Lilly. It was taken a few days after I bought her. She hasn't been that clean since. I heart her.


Quote of the Day: "When I die I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather did...not screaming like the passengers in his car."

New Post

Scout got kicked in the face by Lilly. He has a huge knot under his eye. On the bright side Lilly isn't lame anymore. And, Cole has slipped into a depression because he has to live in the stall a little while longer. I need a week at the beach to get away from it all.....
I have 80 million baby kitties on my porch. Which reminds me, I need to go check on G and pick up Katie's mail. The 4th of July fireworks around my house were awesome. All those Yankees really know how to to put on a firework show. Not a whole lot going on on this end. Went to a horse show with Hannah on Saturday just to watch. YEAH. That was fun. I heard we all get Carolina blue t-shirts for VBS. Make sure someone gets a picture of Carroll. That theres blackmail material.

Gotta go to the P.O.

Famous Last Words: "Patchy fog ? On this road ! Don't make me lau..."

Vet/Ferrier Wars

The vet is on her way to my house this morning. Lilly found some way to cut her back hoof off of her foot. She was walking on her toe and her tendons were popping. I booted Scout from the stall to the round pen and Lilly took over the condo. After a frantic call to the ferrier (who assured me everything would be fine and he would come put a shoe on her this week) I calmed down and went to bed. This morning her leg was swollen and she was OBVIOUSLY lame. So, I called the vet. All I need is a massive infection, lamanitis, and then for her to go to that big pasture in the sky. I'll give updates as they come. I hope I don't have to give her shots. That's not in my job discription.

And my girl fish died. Who wants to volunteer to get her out of the tank? She's bigger than Lilly.

Scout update: He's pretty much the smartest horse I've ever seen. He plays with the huge silver tarp all by himself. I rolled him the orange traffic barrell and he rolled it back to me. We did that a few times and when he was tired of it he grabbed it in his teeth and stood it up so it wouldn't roll...then he ate grass. If Lilly croaks (which would be horrible) I'm keeping him.

**UPDATE**: An abscess blew out the side of her foot. I just have to soak it for a long time and stay off of her a few weeks until it grows out. I can't believe I didn't think of that! That's what happens when you panic. There was a guy who came out with the vet...I think he was a ferrier. He asked about Scout. While he was sitting in his truck before I got there he saw Scout, rolled down the window, and told him to go walk around the ring. Scout did it. The guy was pretty impressed. I sold him for the price of the vet bill.

Office Hours

Work is hard. It's hot outside. The phone rang about 10 million times today. I still have 2 kitties to give away and I don't want to. At least Katie and Justin's wedding went wonderfully. Now the group can sit around and take bets on who will get married next. I vote Noah. I'm headed home now to work on my other babies. Scout has learned what a huge silver tarp is (and doesn't really care) and Lilly is about to meet it. If you hear an ambulance just follow 'em over to my house.

I'll update for real later. I just ate some oatmeal and I'm a little slow right now.

Ode to Joy

Joy, If I get you a plane ticket back here for 3x a week will you come ride Scout for me? I thought I'd ask. 3 kittens still available....possibly 2. Katie and Justin took Bear home last night. I cried. But now I'm fine (sniff). It's very hard to give away something you spend so much time trying to keep alive by waking up 48 times a night and feeding with a bottle. I'm going to miss all of them. Which reminds me, I have to run home and feed the babies now.

Horse update: Lilly is doing great. Just to make Martha mad...a little horse show talk. "She can really knock it down in the field." Cole is still pretty much himself. Scout is tearing my stall down. Joy, 1 last thing, I applied for racking papers for both Cole and Lilly. They should be here soon. Thought you should know.

Famous Last Words: "I know it's 30,000 volts, but I'm wearing rubber soles."

The Lineup

BEARSPIDER

STAR

HAZEL P.

LOTTIE

You'll have to excuse Lottie's apperance. She had just eaten supper. Martha took these photos last night so they are up to date. They all are very chubby kittens...even little Lottie. Star will be good for a fast paced family. She loves to play and spaz out. Hazel P. will be a good lap kitten (just don't tick her off). She has a growl and swat that would take down a rhino. Lottie had a tough start so she's a little behind the others but she is extremely sweet and will probably always be small. Spider and Bear have homes. They are the perfect brothers.

Because they were all bottle raised they are very much people kittens. Pick your kitty and come visit. Carroll already has!!

UPDATE***** ALL KITTENS ARE WEANED AND LITTER TRAINED. When I say litter trained I mean litter and newspaper trained. If you read the newspaper don't leave it on the floor or it might turn into a litter box. I don't have updated photos of clean baby kittens but ya'll have seen them. They are in the "play" stage so if you plan on getting one definitely stock up on toys. I am feeding them a combo of kitten milk and wet food to get them interested. They are also drinking water. They have sharp little teeths so hard food shouldn't be a problem.

Quote of the Day: "E. coli Happens."

Sleepless

Martha: Does this look like a rack to you?

I've made my decision...I think. I'm riding Cole this afternoon and I'm going to try to make him rack. If anyone knows the web site for the United Racking Horse Owners & Exhibitors Assoc. PLEASE let me know. Lilly and Cole are about to get some new registration papers.

Kitty update: They are still at my house being weaned. I heart them but I'm ready for them to go.The orange one has blue eyes. Carroll, your gray kitten is massive. The calico will need an "understanding" home. She swats when she's mad. The black/white kitty can see and has a huge milk tummy. The little black female is greasy looking because she hasn't learned to clean herself. I'll try to get an updated photo up soon so ya'll can pick which one you want. Martha just called and told me she saw a free kittens sign. I think she should run over the sign so I can have a corner on the market.

Heeere Kitty

So, who wants the calico. Or maybe the little black one. The black and white one can finally see. And, she drinks from a bottle. I don't quite know why all the males have been taken and all the females can't find homes. Perhaps it's the legend of Wommy the barn cat. They are all very cute...smelly but cute. In a few weeks they should be able to go to their new homes. I'm so tired of 3 am feedings.

In case you don't know, the momma cat was ferril and she died. We found them in a abandoned house almost dead. Now I can't shut them up and they escape from their cat box and roam around my room.


Rachael's Quote of the Day: "Everyone should have kids. They are the greatest joy in the world. But they are also terrorists. You'll realize this as soon as they are born, and they start using sleep deprivation to break you."
-Ray Romano

Never Give Up....Never Surrender!

Yes, I went to the horse show. No, the judge didn't like me. So, what do you do if the judge doesn't place your horse? Ride in the next class. Then, ride in the next class. And so forth. Guaranteed by the end of the championship class he will be so worn down that he'll give you a ribbon hoping you will just go away. Thank goodness Cole knows how to canter or we would still be flat walk/running walking around that arena. He actually liked our canter. We ended up with 5th out of 10. A pink ribbon. Oh well. Better than nothing. Cole is now happily in his pasture with his wife Lilly.

Now for some medical news. I really did break my ear. I go Friday to meet my surgeon. I know he'll laugh at me like the other doctor did. Who cares as long as he can fix it. I have kitties left to give away. The gray one is off the market (going to live at Carroll's new house). There is still an orange/white (boy), calico (girl), black/white (girl), black (girl...so cute I might keep her myself). Put in your orders now. They will be vetted at no charge to you and ready for their new homes in a few weeks. I'm so tired of feeding them every 3 hours I might bring them to you now with a bottle and instructions.

Quote of the Day: "Eagles may soar in the heavens but weasles don't get sucked into jet engins."

Scout Trail Rides

Lilly took Scout on his first trail ride on the farm. And, he acted better than she did. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? Lilly freaked out at a little girl and her dog. Scout never even saw the girl. Lilly balked at the stream (which was dried up) and Scout shoved her over. I guess that's the born difference between a show horse and a trail horse. This week will be a mad rush to get things ready for the show. I have to excercise Cole, clean tack, pack tack, get my monkey suites together...not to mention clean and clip Cole (always a good time). I have my ear appointment on Thursday afternoon and then have to bolt back home to have Cole loaded and picking up another horse before we head to the show grounds. I'm remaining calm.

Dr. Phil is on. Gotta go.

Rach.

I Broke My Ear

My doctor actually laughed at me when I told him how I hurt myself. Then we did a hearing test (25% hearing loss in my left ear). He said it my be the joints around the bones so inflamed that it won't let sound pass through or I have broken...or moved a bone. Bone issues require surgery. NOT TODAY! Since my ear drum is so badly bruised I am on Prednizone to make the swelling go down. Now I hear a buzzing sound every time somebody talks. Maybe that's a good sign.

I'm going to try to get back on Scout today. All you PETA people don't go crawlin' up on my back. He hasn't been in a stall for 2 weeks. He's out in the pasture with Lilly...especially since someone sent her busting through the fence. The picture is Scout eating his Easter morning breakfast. It was m...m...good.

Quote of the Day: "I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying." -Oscar Wilde

Soul Noah

Scout will be ridden for the first time it 2 weeks tomorrow. He's liked his vacation. I can't make him stop following me around. He really likes attention. I'm probably not giving him back to John. Lilly ran through the fence 2 nights ago....the barbed wire part. I found her in a section of the pasture with no water and she was pretty cut up. Not sure if deer or Cole did it to her. Just in case Cole is in a stall and she is locked up in the lower section of the pasture at night. Pattie and Grace rode her for her lesson yesterday. The horse was perfect. I'm so proud of all of them.

I had to liberate a baby oppossum from the cat food bin this morning. Apparantly he went diving for scraps and couldn't get out. He's so cute. He hissed and spat at all my cats and waddled off.

My mom is making me another doctor appointment with a specialist. I'm tired of not being able to hear.

THE END.

Words Of Wisdom: "Never let your saddle outrun your rear."

Mooooonnnn Chiiiiillllllldddddd

Lilly finally has a new name. In the place of Honky Tonk Badonkadonk is now "Image of Battlecry." She looks so much like her grandaddy I couldn't help myself. I haven't ridden her or Scout all week because I inherited the plague from Martha and Noah. Right as it was going away I damaged my eardrum and now I can't hear out of my left ear. I'm pretty sure by next week I'll have rabies. Instead of riding I've been doing Clinton Anderson ground work with the babies and Cole. We now are no longer afraid of Wal*Mart plastic bags. I won't tell John I haven't ridden until after he gets on Scout on Saturday. Let the rodeo begin.

Scout's Quote of the Day: "Evil will always triumph over good because good is dumb." -Dark Helmet, Space Balls

Discovery Channel

I've been watching the show "Deadliest Catch" about the snow crab fishermen. It remined me of this picture. I think the biggest thing Tommy and Jimmy caught was a tiny shark. I guess you could consider that deadly. Moving on...I put a call in to the vet today. Cole may have to go in for some testing. He's been acting very nasty lately. He may have a chemical imbalance happening. If so he may have to undergo another gelding (if it was done improperly the first time).

I have the scunge. It's the virus going around the group. My mom took over the office today so I could come home and try to sleep it off. I woke up just in time to watch "Downunder Horsemanship" by Clinton Anderson on RFDTV (which is my new favorite channel). Guess what his topic was...gaited horses. He was working with one who was extremely hyper (Cole) and one who was very lazy (Lilly). I watched for about an hour and went out and tried what his tactics. Lo and behold it worked. After I've recovered from this cold I'll try it again. But, not today.


Quote of the Day: "Karate is a form of martial arts in which people who have had years and years of training can, using only their hands and feet, make some of the worst movies in the history of the world."

....And we're walking....

Scout was good 2 whole days in a row. And you know what they say...if they do it twice it's a habit (actually nobody says that). Wow, what hard work to retrain a horse to not be afraid of it's rider. Still not sure what the deal was with the run forward and then throw it in reverse. So, were either out of the woods with the attitude problem or I'll get thrown hard and sustain severe bodily damage. At least he's stopped kicking. And yes, he's grown and calmed down. I'm working with Lilly on the whole walking in a straight line thing. It's very interesting to me that out of every horse I've had they all wander around the road instead of just move forward. Maybe I ride crooked. Who knows...who cares. At least they're rideable. All but Spice anyway.

I've recently noticed that my entire blog has been taken over by training horses. If you have a horse you need trained, please don't call me. If you have ever entertained the thought that horse ownership would be fun, email me with your address and which tree in your yard I can tie one to. I'll be right over... hooking up the horse trailer as we speak.

Famous Last Words: "Well, we've made it this far."

Without A Hitch

Scout surrendered. He was perfect yesterday. He was so good in fact that I took him out of the ring and rode him around the yard. No attempted buck, backing up, or just downright nastiness.
p.s.: John, call me. I found out something that will crack you up.

The ladies reatreat was fantastic. There is nothing better in the world than being 5,000 miles from civilization to re-boot your spiritual life. I ended up staying all weekend. I really enjoyed it and already am looking forward to next year. Next year, however, someone else can put out the bonfire with the stinky pond water in the middle of the night with massive bull frogs trying to pull them under the water.

Rachael's Quote of the Day: "I think animal testing is a terrible idea; they get all nervous and give the wrong answers."

I Heart My Horse

My blacksmith showed up. I know, you don't believe me. But, it actually happened. Cole has a shiny new pair of shoes...and a much smaller foot. He's so happy and so is his momma. To clarify comments made on a previous post (after John called me in a panic that his horse was mentally disturbed) Scout and I finally came to and understanding yesterday. Instead of getting off of him when he started acting up I decided the best way to handle the problem was to stay on him and ride him through it. He acted worse than usual for a longer period of time. I could see is little mind working, "If back up really fast she'll get off." Not so fast. My dad was there with a handy dressage whip. When he backed up he got tagged. After awhile he began to learn and quit acting up. I guess that makes me the best horse trainer ever (until next time I get on). I can get him to follow me around the ring and back up with just hand movements. He'll be fine.


Famous Last Words: "Why is the rest of the Star Trek landing party wearing a different color?"

It's Rodeo Time

I fell off Scout. Yes, you heard it right. It wasn't so much a dump as "I lost my balance and hit the ground." He was acting nasty and I swung my leg over to get off. He knew he was in trouble and took off running. That's when it happened. The first time in years a horse has gotten the better of me. We had a discussion about why hurting people is bad and I got back on. We rode for awhile in the ring with no problems at all. I got off, pulled the saddle and bridle off, and walked away. As I was leaving he got the last word...he thought. He reached his neck out and snapped my arm. Suddenly, the saddle flung itself from my hands and into him. I'm not sure how it happened. But he won't bite me again.

I hurt and I need a nap.

Work Days Ahead

Scout kicked at me yesterday. He is now buried behind the pond. If he kicks at me again I'll dig him up and kill him again. This weekend I'll introduce him to Major...the pasture sensi. If that doesn't teach him maners he'll meet the pasture thug Noel.

On a lighter note, the upcomming horse show will be a great time to relieve some stress. A nice calm weekend to unwind and enjoy some quiet time with Cole. Who am I kidding? I can't even get my farrier out to re-shoe him; the stress began last week. But, it is the first show of the year (a 2 day-er). It's supposed to be this way.


Rachael's Quote of the Day: "The number of people watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your action."