Hello
Dear Ladies!
I've been pretty quiet lately - sorry 'bout that. At least I've been behaving myself again. Not REALLY well, cuz I haven't been exercising like I should, but I've been fairly OP with food. As of this morning - much to my own amazement - the scale is back down 5 of the 6 pounds I regained last month while I was going through my job-change-and-whatever crisis. I was sure it was wrong. I even stepped off and back on and stood in a different spot on the scale, but insisted it was right the first time. Who am I to argue?? Of course, I don't think I'll ask it again for a week, just in case it's in a different mood tomorrow morning.
I had a WONderful ride on Saturday. I rode Cody (the morab I just got back) and little 8 (& a half!) year-old Stephanie rode my old Steega. Cody started out being a fussy jerk, which he never was before that other woman leased him. He wouldn't stand for me to get on, and continued to throw a little fit while I was trying to adjust my stirrup. Ya ever lose your temper a bit and do something really stupid??? Well, sitting there on him with no stirrup on my left foot, I finally got ticked off enough to reach up and smack him high on his neck just behind his ear - on the left side. Dumb, dumb, dumb. He popped up and spun to the right, so I lost that stirrup too, just as he gave two good hops - and I countered with two sharp jerks, which were in reality desparate attempts to save my sorry neck. I still can't believe I stayed on! But he couldn't believe I'd smacked him. I've NEVER done it like that before, and it made a BIG impression on him. At least he was his old self, a perfect gentleman, from that moment forward. We got on with some very nice quiet work and he paid attention and responded to gentle hands like he should. The first time I had ridden him after he came back, he "jigged" his head almost constantly. (It's what it sounds like - a fast, nervous shaking/jerking of his head, which makes communication through the bridle just about impossible.) He didn't do that nonsense anymore, either.
Steph did awesome on Steega, too. When he wanted to be lazy and incooperative and just follow Cody around, she was able to guide him where she wanted, and even trot him in the opposite direction right past us. For a little child that's still learning and a horse that knows the ropes, that's a very nice accomplishment. She's gaining confidence and control, and I'm thrilled.
... I'm also stilled thrilled that I stayed ON!
In support of riding helmets, I have to say I was REALLY glad I had mine on. Minors are required to wear them at the barn, but for me it's optional. In all honesty, I was only wearing it because Steph was there and I felt it was important to set a good example. When Cody popped up, I'm fairly sure he hit me with the top of his head, but it caught the front of my helmet and I just had an impression of being bumped, instead of firmly bashed, or even ending up with a broken nose or teeth. Odd - I firmly believe in their value, but having grown up riding thousands of miles without ever wearing one, I still hate to wear one. I guess I better get used to 'em, cuz I'll be wearing one from now on! One thing I've learned on this list - It's never too late to start a new good habit, or break a bad old one!
Enough horsey yammering. Well, almost.
TERRI, Spice sounds like such an absolute joy! Since you mentioned about handling feet, do you use a soft rope to lift youngsters feet at first? It's good way to get them used to being handled without risking your face down yonder, plus personally I like getting them used to ropes or whatever around their legs. I think it helps make them less reactive to anything that might get wrapped around their legs in the future, too. It sounds like all your horses are very easy and delightful to work with. Does your DB still come out to play, or has the cold weather scared him off for the winter? Awesome that you're on the exercise thread and finding motivation there. Great job on the exercise!
RUTH! I'm glad to 'see' you looking so positive after your surgery. I'm sure it's tough to have to go through all that, especially with your mom going through so much at the same time. Hopefully that laproscopy will enable you to heal more quickly and you'll be much better in time for the holidays! Here's wishing you a much healthier New Year, with less stress and more success! At least with no appetite you have a little head start on me... I'm staying pretty OP, but I could eat a chocolate horse if you put on within reach!
ANGELA, sorry your havng such a hard time staying OP. Would it help to plan meals, or at least easy, grab-able OP food to take with you or ready in the frig when you get home? Missing dinner is a recipe for trouble. I know when I'm hungry I make such terrible choices myself. I just made another meatloaf (I LOVE meatloaf) so that I can just open the frig door and fall into it face first. Keeps me from thinking about going for McD's or making mac & cheese. Try not to worry if you miss your birthday goal by a bit, after all if you miss it by another month, what's a month? MAKING that 290 goal is more important than a few weeks on the schedule. Besides, I promise you you'll have another birthday next year, so you can make another goal. It's not the speed, it's the direction.
LADY LILION, "
I tried to call in to work yesterday - but NO ONE ANSWERED THE PHONE! " That is so funny, but I sure don't blame them, ...and they sure can't blame you! I hope you enjoyed a little extra R&R while you were snowed in, and didn't overdo it with the shoveling.
JUDY, Your poor old baby! I know my Max is terrified of storms, too. When we were still on the truck he would be so scared when there was Thunder. I finally named the rain and thunderboomers for him, and he just looked at me like I was nuts at first. Eventually he would look to me to tell him "It's just thunderboomers." He never totally got used to them, but the violent shaking got less and less, and then disappeared. He used to freak out at gunshot, too. Sometimes he still does, but the other day when I heard lots of shots I looked at him and he was relaxed, laying down and looking around. Now his separation anxiety is something else.... Our poor babies.
Oh, JUDY! You're a birder!? Question for ya - what kind of seeds should I get for my feeders to make my CHICKADEES happy??? I LOVE chickadees! I have a modest collection of them, and am delighted when the real ones come to visit. Earlier today I finally hung a feeder that I bought a year ago. I even made a special trip to go buy the seed, but am not sure I got the right stuff. It was the only bag with a pic of chickadees on it, but packaging doesn't mean anything.
THIN? Where U at?
The wind caused a lot of damage around here - shingles blown off, barn doors jammed or almost ripped off, signs down, even found a large empty wasp nest blown into the front yard. So how come there are still leaves in my yard? Oh well.
I'm feeling rather chilly right now. I must not be moving enough. Well, since we got a tree today, I better go find the ornaments. I have this sneaking suspicion that there'll be a load going to Goodwill before I get to the decoration boxes. I've already had to convince Bill that the box from the new sump pump could be thrown away - we won't be packing it to take it to the next house. He's a hoarder - boxes, defunct printers, a tarnished chandalier
... I, of course, have NO such foibles of my own for him to put up with
OH! One more thing! Bill & I were talking and I was playing with my ring, which is getting quite loose. I slipped it off my ring finger and was saying that soon I'd be able to wear it on my middle finger - and it just slid right on! - My middle finger that is. I was so shocked that Bill was even laughing. I'm actually wearing it on my middle finger now because I was starting to get scared I'd lose it off my ring finger, and it slides on and off even the middle one easily. I'll have to get it re-sized, but I'd like to lose more weight first. ...of course, if the weather was hot or I was in the middle of exercising, I'm sure it would fit on my ring finger just fine.
Well, Bill has left for New York (Yuk - Manhatten even!) and Barb is out at her sister's. So me and the boys will have to get busy on that Christmas tree. Tis the season.......
HUGE HUGS TO YOU ALL, WHETHER YOU NEED 'EM OR NOT!!!