Foal Pillow

"Come to me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

-Matthew 11:28

Ole McJohn Bought A Horse...

Today, I got to do my favorite "hobby" thing in the world. No, I didn't buy myself a horse. Today, I did my second favorite "hobby" thing in the world. I helped a friend buy a horse. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to pry John's wallet away from him. But just in case, I had Martha with me.

I shall now present to you...Scout.




This is one of the only babies (that I know of ) from the late 2001 Spotted Saddle horse World Grand Champion Lethal's Delight of Pride. Years ago I did have the opportunity to ride his daddy (you can shake my hand and congratulate me later). So, when I heard one of his babies was for sale I jumped on it. Ok, I made John jump on it. He has more money than I do. All-in-all, John is pretty good at buying horses. He isn't like me. If I see something I like I have a hard time playing it cool. As far as a first horse goes I think he hit the nail on the head. We'll know for sure in about 2 months when Scout is turned over to me to finish his formal training. Helmet and bubble wrap here I come.

John, I'm proud of you. Just remember the number one rule: "A horse is only afraid of two things - things that move and things that don't."


Horse terminology that John learned from his first horse buying experience:

Event Prospect = Big Fast Horse
Dressage Prospect = Big Slow Horse
Hack Prospect = Pretty Color
Sporting Prospect = Short Fast Horse
Camp Prospect = Fast Horse which can turn
Endurance Prospect = Fast Horse which will turn sometimes
Flashy = White Socks
Attractive = Bay
15.2hh = 14.3hh
16.2hh = 15.3hh
To Loving Home Only = Expensive
To Show Home Only = Very Expensive
Needs Experienced Rider = Potentially Lethal
Elegant = Thin
In Good Condition = Foundered
Free Moving = Bolts
Quiet = Lame in Both Front Legs
Dead Quiet = Lame in All Four Legs
Good in Traffic (Bombproof) = Lame all Round, Deaf and Blind
Loves Children = Kicks and Bites
Pony Type = Small and Hairy
Arab Type = Looks startled
TB Type = Looks Terrified
Quarter Horse Type = Fat
Warmblood Type = Big and Hairy
Draft Type = Big and Exceedingly Hairy
Easy to Catch = Very Old
Reluctant to Sell = Sale Comes with Title Deed to Golden Gate Bridge
All Offers Considered = I am in Traction for 6 months

Funny Things

This post is dedicated to the funny things Grandparents, or any loved ones say. This post is in honor of my Grandma (we'll call her Mrs. Hazel) who Martha and I used to eat lunch with every Friday for years. Now that she is gone we still have the huge desire to call her up and tell her funny things that go on in the family...such as at reunions. Grandma used to say stuff that would crack me and Martha up and we miss her very much. So, post the funny things you've heard your your loved ones say (only nice quotes-remember, we love these people).

So, to kick things off:

Mrs. Hazel: "I think he's a skritsofrenik."
-And you have to pronounce it just like that.

Stinker

Cole and I didn't have the greatest ride yesterday. I've done so well keeping him in shape without overworking him. So, I give him a day off to rest and the next day I ride him he tries to kill me. I took him back to the round pen to lunge him to get some energy out. He was so nuts I had to unclip him from the lunge line and let him go. He ran as hard as he could forever and completely tore up the ground in the pen. I was sure he was going to break all of his legs. He finally wore himself out and walked back up to me puffing and sweating. I saddled/bridled him and rode him around the pen...and guess what...he did great. I wore my helmet anyway just to be on the safe side. He's such a stinker. I'm pretty sure he needs to be on a nerve pill. I've only had one other horse who's acted this crazy and he had good reason. He was never completely trained to ride. And, I sold him. But, we'll try it again tonight. Only this time we'll start in the warm-up pen.

P.S.- I went through my old horse show ribbons last Saturday cleaning out my tack room. Talk about flashbacks! I found my very first ribbon I ever won along with clips of hair from my horses that have died. It was so cool to go back and read the names and classes on the back of the ribbons and remember the horses I used to ride and show. Many of the horses died years ago. Martha and I are heading to Michael's this weekend to find ways to make shadowboxes and preserve the great memories I have connected with all my horse stuff.

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse," or, "that's a lot of money for "just a horse".

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse,' ...If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all
the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the
pure joy of the moment.

"Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman/man."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand.

Backyard Trainers..and poor little Cole

FYI-This is not my horse

Today I'll ride Cole. This is not the first time mind you. We have been going through a grueling workout the past several weeks (by grueling I mean we do a lot of walk/high-walk around the farm with a little bit of eating grass worked in). Nevermind the fact that I also have to work in leg cues which make me unable to walk for hours after I ride. He is, however, getting in great shape and learning how to use all of his leg muscles without being in pain. I'm so proud of him (today I'll fall off and be mad at him but right now I like him). I had this great apostrophe a few months ago that I would start him early this year so by show season, which is usually in the heat of summer, he would already be where he needs to be. That means less attitude and a lot more focus. Cole has a tendancy to be great while working at home and then lose his mind when we get to a show. So, we're working on that too.

Oh, props to the people at Purina who make the horse feed Ultium and whoever makes Corta-Flex. You make my life easier...well...except when the liquid stuff freezes up and refuses to pour out and I'm running late for work and I get sticky stuff all over me. You know what, nevermind.

Rachael's Quote of the Day: "I have the ability of single-minded determination and focu... Hey, look! A horse!"

When Movies Attack

I finally made it to a movie theater last night. This is a big accomplishment for me. It meant that I was able to manipulate someone (someone being my mom and dad and probably Martha) into feeding 5 horses, 2 (smelly) dogs, and cats. "What movie did you watch?" you ask. Well, if there is a movie that even resembles Lord of the Rings I'll be there. This time it was Eragon. It was pretty good. Not real sure about a talking dragon...especially when you can recognize the actress' voice. Plus, they left out a lot of the story which left thousands of holes. One major hole being the fact that they kept stating that the dragon wasn't old enough to breath fire. 10 minutes later it looked like the 4th of July. Boy did she grow up fast. Plus, I was scared of the bad guy. Other than that, it was a pretty good movie. If you don't like "Harry Potter" like movies than it definitely isn't for you.

P.S.- Claude says thank you for his Christmas present from Oozie.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Ley your heart be light.....

From now on our troubles will be out of sight....

Thanks to the guys for putting up with "game time" at church. I've honestly never seen 2 better Christmas trees in my entire life. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. And now................

Luke 2:1-20

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

-NIV

Mama Kitty

Carroll, this post is for you. This is my new (new of about 3 months) barn kitty. She isn't a true Manx cat. Her tail used to be huge and fluffy and at her former home she got it hung in some brush and it eventually fell off. But, now she's mine. Just ignore the wad of hay on her back. I was having a hard time getting her to sit still for the photo and it confused her just long enough to snap a picture. She has big shoes to fill being the next barn kitty after Wommy "passed away." We still have a picture of her at the barn to remind us how close we came to danger every time we fed horses. That cat was hateful but we loved her anyway.

If you so chose to come and visit her, make sure you bring her squishy food (because she loves it so much) and whatever you do...don't turn your back on her. Sometimes she gets inspired to wrap around your leg while trying to gnaw it off.

Famous last words: "I think it's trying to communicate......"

New Blog

Everyone check out Martha (and Noah's) brand new blog. The link is at the top of my "friends" link on the side. Don't expect any profound statements from Noah just yet.

Ahh...Vacation...

The peacock farm. I want to live here.
Aunt Ruthie's cow farm.

I love blaze orange.

The old road at the cow farm that used to be a carriage lane.

Mike scouting for that perfect spot. In the end...it wasn't so perfect.

My grandma's kitchen window. I wanted to steal it and take it home with me.

Aunt Ruthie painted this. Yeah, she did. And you can buy it for 10 million dollars. Make checks out to me.

Grandma's house again.

A dead tree. Thought it was cool.

We went to my grandmother's house for Thanksgiving last weekend and I took ye ole' camera with me. It felt so good to get out and play in the mud (and it was really stinkin' muddy) for a whole day. It was the first time my great aunt and grandma had seen Noah...and he actually acted nice. I got to see him awake for the first time in his entire 4 week existance.


Famous Last Words: "I wonder where the mother bear is?"

Noah's Ark

Look! I made this. Be proud of me. Ok, Martha and my mom helped too. I want to eat it...

The Hard Push Towards Christmas

Today I got this strange feeling that Christmas and Thanksgiving were all squished together and I was out of vacation days for this year. Then I realized I was wrong. Thank goodness!! I hope everyone is all shopped up for gifts. I ran out of ideas and found myself wondering through Walgreens throwing random things into the cart...mostly for the "Yankee Swap" the group is planning. I forgot the date. What was the date again? Oh, it's Christmas card time. If you don't want one let me know and I'll mark you off my list. The first one to find Dump on my cards gets a prize. He kept sneaking in the shot and ended up in the photo...without anyone knowing.

P.S.- I know who decorated the church........

Happy Thanksgiving...from Aari

May your meals consist of more than Equine Senior and hay.

Everybody Remain Calm

Dump lived through the night. I took these pictures this morning as proof. If you look closely you can see is war torn face in the first picture. He has some swelling and he isn't acting completely normal, but, if you ran your face into a 1.5 ton speeding truck you might have some problems too. I don't think he got off of his sick bed (the downstairs couch) all night. You are welcome to come by and visit...or take him home and make him an inside cat. Pulling a half dead cat out of the road has scarred me for life and I'm taping all my cats feet to the porch.

And on a more serious note: people who hurt animals (intentionally) should be hit repeatedly. And then put in jail.

My new boyfriend

I had my 900th trip to the doctor last week. And the verdict is....I won't know until tomorrow. In the meantime, I thought I post this great flattering photo of me at the women's retreat. More info to come.

Just a little reminder

I just voted. Word of advice, If you don't know who you're voting for, leave the little circle blank. The entire process took all of about 5 minutes. I urge everyone to get out and vote today. Whatever your party...it's what makes this country great. Get your little "I Voted" sticker and wear it proudly. I love staying up late to see the results and cheer on the guys I vote for (for accurate results turn on Fox News. If you can't get Fox, come to my house...it isn't worth the confusion).

Oh, I almost forgot...................


VOTE RED

Bunch Of Nerds

I think I ate too much last night. Thanks to everyone for a great Halloween party (and for dressing up even though we have ammunition for the next four years on everyone.) Can't wait until next year when we can include Noah. I'm still finding silly string all over the house thanks to Tommy (or Duane "Dog" Chapman).

Quote of the Day: "If only faces could talk"
-Pat Summerall, Super Bowl Sportscaster

El Nino (put a squiggly on top of that n)

Mike's dad emailed me these pictures. Noah's all ready for football season. We start riding lessons next week. Oh, don't tell Martha I posted that picture of her. She'll kill me.

Famous last words: "Pull the pin and count to what?"

Shelldon

Baby Noah is finally here!! I'll post pictures of him as soon as I get my act together and remember to take my digital camera to see him. I got to hold him for the first time today. He looked at me, opened his mouth, and held his breath. His little face turned red and I had to blow in his face a little to make him breath again. I must have made him mad. He had the hardest time staying awake and he finally gave up and crashed. They will probably all me coming home tomorrow. I'll keep everyone posted.

Supper Time

Cole started his new medication on Tuesday. I found Corta-Flex at the feed store and since he's not on Bantamine anymore I thought I'd give it a try. Has anyone had experience with it before (Joy)? It smells kind of wierd and it's pretty pricey. I'm hoping it'll help with his stifle and back problems. Plus, he's almost 12 years old. I've decided to show him western next year. So, we're learning how to neck rein. Cole's pretty opinionated so teaching him to be calm and responsive is a massive challenge. Anyone who needs some saddle time and wants to come ride let me know. I have to keep him in shape this winter so I don't have the lameness next year.

Ahhh...the blessings of horse ownership.

Finally Fall

L. Levy-Dhurmer

Today after church, I had a great nap. Oh, and Brian's baby threw up on me. Really looking forward to that little nephew now. Claude has now learned to let himself out of the house as well as in. Now I have even more to worry about. Every 10 minutes I run outside and yell to him to make sure he isn't attempting a raid on the dog pen.

This post is basically to let everyone know that I have nothing to say. Maybe tomorrow will be more eventful. Martha is due on Tuesday. I should slip her some castor oil and get this show on the road.

Announcement

Calling all ye who know of computers. Come fix mine. I've spent 9 hours on hold with a migraine listening to new age music with a company that shall not be named. I want to go home. Did I mention I have a migraine.

PS- when a company charges you $938 for a yearly upgrade that you are required to have...throw it in the trash and shut down your business. You'll be happier in the long run. Trust me.

Thursday + Friday = Saturday

Willam Waterhouse

I think I'm getting sick. Actually, I am sick. My throat hurts and my muscles have started that aching thing. I hate not feeling well. Now my plan is to track down whoever gave me this mess and hurt them. If you have any idea of who it could be please email me with their name and address. 'Till then...I'll just sit here and feel sorry for myself (and look for a new horse on the internet). I guess being sick isn't so bad after all. Plus, I can eat comfort food (Taco Bell to be specific) and nobody can say anything.

The Finished Product

I have never in my entire life been so happy to see my bed. The horse show is over. And, all that junk I packed is now safely back in my tack room. So, did my horse win? Don't even ask me. The judge took it upon himself to not place me at all. The championship class had 27 horses in it. He cut the class down to 9 and I made the cut. Then he didn't place me. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. Cole was awesome. I couldn't be more happy with him. Pattie did great. She won several ribbons and I've made her a horse show addict. My favorite part was when they shot off the fireworks right beside the horse complex. I'm not exactly sure what they were thinking when they decided to move the fireworks closer to the horses. Not what I'd call a well thought out plan. Cole will be in therapy for the next few months to deal with the emotional damage they caused.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Rachael's quote of the day:
"If at first you don't succeed...destroy all evidence that you tried."

Walking Horse Fever

This picture has nothing to do with my post. So, that's why I'm using it. Everybody get ready for Walking Horse Night!!! Cole's gonna look sharp with his glitter, hoof polish, and purple ribbons. I'm actually very excited now that I'm almost ready. My clothes are packed...saddle scrubbed...junk together. Now, if I could just find the time to get Cole himself ready. I'll be at the barn till 2 am riding, clipping and washing him. But, it'll be the only alone time we have until the weekend is over so I don't really mind. He promised he would act better than he did at the last show. I actually have it in writing. I've threatend to send him to Canada if he doesn't. For those who can't come...I'm sure once I recover from it all I'll blog on it to update everybody.

ps-Our very first class is a canter class. Wahoo!!

Famous last words: "Hey look! A light at the end of the tunnel!"

Rest

What a strange week. It's been awhile since I've been so stressed out. And, with the horse show comming up...it's only going to get worse. Claude keeps escaping off the porch at night. So, he lives inside until I can staple gun the screen back shut. I made a futile attempt at it last night. And, it looks like and idiot did it with an eggbeater. I'm exhausted, and if I see one more "Head On" commercial I'll blow up the tv. But we do get to go eat steak tonight to celebrate my mom's birthday. That makes it all better.

Oh, we had a real life Cops incident at the office the other day. There was a bad wreck and the guy jumped out (bleeding and all) and took off. So, there were people with guns in the yard and a police dog running all over the place. And Martha missed the whole thing!

Kathy sent me this photo and the story about the momma tiger that fostered baby pigs. This is my new favorite picture.

Rachael's Quote of the Day:

"You are very squishy. So I shall name you squishy. And you shall be my little squishy."
-Dory (Finding Nemo)