NIKKOLE AND LIL MAC

DEB ON REBEL SHARON AND AMIRA
DEB AND BELLE IN LAND

IN WATER

BELLE IN THE WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME. REBA ON DUSTY, ERIC ON JAKE, DEB ON BELLE

SHARON ON AMIRA ERIC ON JAKE DEB ON BELLE

WHAT A DAY!!!! DRESSAGE CLINIC WENT VERY WELL AND SO DID THE LESSONS WE ARE GETTING ALL EXCITED FOR OUR SHOW. VICTOR COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW ALL THE HORSES ARE COMING ALONG, WHICH WAS EXCITING TO HEAR.

WENT FOR A TRAIL RIDE YESTERDAY ON BELLE AND THREE OTHERS: SHARON AND AMIRA, ERIC AND JAKE, AND REBA AND DUSTY. WE DID THE WATER CROSSING, TOOK A LITTLE BIT FOR BELLE TO GO IN THAN NOT PROBLEM. DUSTY DECIDED THAT REBA NEEDED TO GO SWIMMING THAT WAS FUNNY SHIT.JAKE DID WELL FOR ERIC, AMANDA WAS UNABLE TO COME AND EXERCISE HIM SO SHE LET ERIC. JAKE IS A LITTLE ON THE CHUBBY SIDE SO HE IS ON A STRICT EXERCISE PROGRAM. BUT BELLE DID AMAZING LIKE USUAL WE DID BRUSH RUNNING, WATER AND PASSED OUR FIRST CAR. WELL THE CARS WE DEFINITELY NEED WORK ON, SHE IS SO SCARED OF THEM, WEIRD. EVERY TIME IT GETS A LITTLE BETTER. TODAY WE HAVE OUR 4-H DRESSAGE CLINIC THAN LESSONS TO FOLLOW. REBEL IS FINALLY GETTING IT I AM VERY CURIOUS WHAT MY INSTRUCTOR WILL HAVE TO SAY SINCE HE HAS NOT SEEN US RIDE FOR A FEW WEEKS.

JUST GOT BACK FROM OGEMA REVIEWING FAMILY HISTORY, QUITE AMAZING. IT REALLY GETS A PERSON THINKING ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS . ONE OF THEM FOR ME IS RESTORING OLD BUILDINGS. BEFORE THIS TRIP I WAS READY TO TAKE DOWN THE OLD DAIRY BARN, NOW I AM HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS BIG TIME. I GUESS WHEN YOU GO AND SEE HOUSES, BARNS, SILOS, AND SCHOOL HOUSES THAT YOUR GREAT GRANDFATHER HELPED BUILD MAKES A PERSON VIEW THINGS MORE DIFFERENTLY. SEEING THEM IN A CRUMPLED PILE OR NOT EVEN THERE ANYMORE IS REALLY SAD, BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE SEEING THE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CARED FOR OVER THE PAST 200 YEARS IS AMAZING AND REALLY WANTS ME TO DO THE SAME FOR WHAT I HAVE, IF ONLY I WAS A MILLIONAIRE. LOL. BUT I AM PRETTY STUBBORN AND WORK HARD FOR WHAT I HAVE SO LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS. MAYBE SOMEDAY SOMEONE WILL PULL INTO OUR YARD AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AS THE GREAT GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER WHO ' S GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER USED TO MILK COWS IN THAT BARN . THAN I COULD PROUDLY SHOW THEM THE ORIGINAL HOUSE, BARN, SUMMER KITCHEN, AND OUTBUILDINGS INSTEAD OF WHERE THEY USE TO BE BECAUSE I TORE THEM DOWN NOT EVEN CARING ABOUT SOMEBODY ELSE'S HISTORY AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN TO THEM YEARS LATER.

ONCE I GET WRITING SOMETIMES I JUST CAN NOT STOP, SO I HAVE A LITTLE STORY TO TELL FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO READ ON. AS MANY KNOW GOING TO A HORSE SHOW IS STRESSFUL AND A LOT OF HARD WORK, BUT BEFORE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GRUELING HOURS THAT GO INTO IT, AND WHEN THAT CHILD AND HORSE CLICK AFTER ALL THAT HARD WORK IT REALLY BRINGS TEARS TO YOUR EYES, BUT STANDING BACK AND WATCHING THE PARENTS WHEN THEIR CHILD DOES WELL IS PRICELESS. NOTHING IS MORE SATISFYING AS A TRAINER AND PARENT TO WATCH ANOTHER PARENT EXPERIENCE THAT EMOTION. CONGRATS TO ALL THE KIDS WHO ARE WORKING SO HARD WITH THEIR HORSES, THEY ARE ALL VERY DEDICATED AND HAVE A STRONG BOND NOT ONLY WITH THEIR HORSES BUT WITH EACH OTHER AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NOBODY CAN EVER TAKE WAY.

CHECK IT OUT. JADA RIDING MJ, PRETTY COOL. THE FARM HAS BEEN VERY BUSY GETTING READY FOR A CLINIC THIS WEEKEND, PREPARING FOR OUR FIRST DRESSAGE SHOW AND LIKE ALWAYS GETTING KIDS READY FOR THE COUNTY FAIR WHICH IS COMING UP FAST. REALLY WHERE DOES ALL THE TIME GO! SOMETIMES I CAN NOT EVEN THINK STRAIGHT, BUT MOM AND I ARE GOING ON A LITTLE GET AWAY THIS WEEKEND HEADING TO OGEMA, WI. WHERE THE HELL IS OGEMA SOMEWHERE NORTHWEST THEY TELL ME, BUT IT HAPPENS TO BE WHERE THE ORIGINAL SODERBECK FARM WAS WHEN MY ANCESTORS CAME OFF OF THE BOATS FROM SWEDEN YEARS AND YEARS AGO. I WILL BE TOURING MY FATHERS OLD STOMPING GROUNDS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IS LEFT BUT I GUESS I WILL FIND OUT. IT IS STILL PRETTY COOL THAT I HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY, TRUST ME I WILL NOT FORGET THE WINE:-)

Busy weekend. We survived the horse show. Tears of happiness presented itself and tears of defeat. Jada got a bloody nose right before her riding class which really sucked, but that how it goes. There is always more. Today was catching up. mowing lawn and training and cleaning. oh my. Belle is doing amazing we are cantering and working on headset. Oh and my dressage saddle arrived amazing. I love it and so does Rebel.

ALL THE HAY IS OFF THE FIELD YEAH!!!!!! HOPEFULLY LESSONS TOMORROW, A FULL DAY OF THEM.

JUST GOT IN FROM THE BARN. WHAT A GREAT NIGHT, OUR OPEN RIDING WAS AWESOME. THE KIDS ARE LEARNING TO HAVE FUN WITH THEIR HORSES AND WE COULD NOT GET THEM OFF OF THEM. THE GREAT NEWS IS JADA CANTERED WITH BARNEY I WAS SO PROUD OF HER. ALL OF HER FRIENDS ENCOURAGED HER AND THERE IT WAS, SHE WAS SMILE FROM EAR TO EAR. WE ALSO GOT A NEW ADDITION TO THE BARN, HERBIE AND SADIE. SADIE GOT HER VERY OWN HORSE AND THEY MAKE A PERFECT MATCH. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! BELLA GOT THE NIGHT OFF.

WHAT A WONDERFUL START OF A WEEK. DRILL TEAM IS LOOKING AWESOME, OPEN RIDING IS GOING VERY WELL, I PURCHASED A TIMBERLINE DRESSAGE SADDLE AND BELLA IS DOING TERRIFIC. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE HAY IS BEAUTIFUL AND FINALLY GETTING OFF THE FIELD, BUT I HAVE ONE TIRED HARDWORKING HUSBAND. I LOVE HIM SOOOOO MUCH:-) I TOOK BELLA FOR HER FIRST TRAILRIDE TODAY AROUND THE PROPERTY AND I COULD NOT HAVE ASKED HER TO DO BETTER. THE ONLY THING SHE LOOKED AT REALLY HARD WAS THE TRACTOR AND BALER, BUT SHE SURVIVED. AFTER THE TRAILRIDE WE WENT IN THE OUTDOOR AND WORKED ON HER TROTTING WHICH SHE IS DOING QUIT WELL. I AM VERY PROUD OF HER. AS FOR MISS FLICKA SHE IS WAITING FOR THE VET TO HAVE HER TEETH CHECKED OUT SHE IS HAVING PROBLEMS EATING AND THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN HER HATRED FOR BIT PRESSURE. I HOPE. I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO MY NEXT LESSON WHICH IS ON MON IF ALL GOES WELL. REBEL AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD AND WE ARE IMPROVING, BABY STEPS. I GUESS BABY STEPS ARE BETTER THAN GOING BACKWARDS.

River on Barney Lakken on Hank

Jada on Barney

Eric on Yogi being instructed by Vic

Open riding english green

Thurs. open riding Western blue.

Deb and Rebel dressage lesson with Vic

Deb on Bella bareback

Madison and River riding Rusty

Yesterday went well. I even rode Bella bareback for a while and took her for a walk with a group of horses down the road. She did great! I also introduced her to being ponied thanks to Barney. Than River rode Barney while Lakken rode Hank. The kids continued to ride for about 3 hours. HAPPY Kids and HAPPY Horses thats what it is all about.

TRAINING IS GOING VERY WELL BELLA IS A SWEETIE PIE, I AM NOW RIDING HER IN THE INDOOR AND WE TROTTED FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT AND SHE DID GREAT. FLICKA ON THE OTHER HAND IS GIVING ME AND ERIC A RUN FOR OUR MONEY, SHE IS SO SPOILED ROTTEN AND STUBBORN AS HELL. LET ME TELL U LONG LINING HER IS A REAL TREAT.LOL. PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE GOTTA HAVE A LOT OF THAT WHEN YOU GET A HORSE LIKE THAT TO WORK WITH.

BELOW ARE PICS OF ERIC LEARNING HOW TO LONG LINE, FOR THE FIRST TIME HE DID A GREAT JOB. BELLA IS THE SORREL WHO IS DOING VERY WELL. YESTERDAY SHE JUST GOT 2 WOLF TEETH EXTRACTED AND SHEDDED 2 SETS OF BABY TEETH, WOW!!! ERIC ALSO GOT TO RIDE FLICKA TONIGHT WHO IS NOW OFFICIALLY IN TRAINING. HE DID REALLY WELL WITH HER SHE IS LIKE RIDING A MARSHMALLOW. THERE WAS ONE POINT SHE GOT CONFUSED AND GAVE ERIC A LITTLE BUCKA ROO, BUT HE HANDLED IT WELL AND I EXPLAINED TO HIM YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THE HORSE OR U MIGHT BE PICKING DIRT OUT OF YOUR TEETH. LESSON LEARNED, THANK GOD HE DID NOT HAVE TO PICK DIRT OUT OF HIS TEETH.

ERIC IN TRAINING DOING AN AWESOME JOB!!!

NEXT LESSON TOMORROW. FIRST SHOW JULY 10th.

WE STILL DO NOT HAVE ANY HAY UP:-( TODAY WE WILL BE CUTTING EVERYBODY CROSS THEIR FINGERS FOR GOOD WEATHER. THIS MORNING WE ARE GOING TO BREAKFAST ON THE FARM AND AFTER A COUPLE PARTIES TO ATTEND.
UPDATE: ERIC IS LEARNING ALOT, I HAVE HIM WORKING WITH FLICKA AND SHE IS QUITE A CHALLENGE. HE DID GET TO RIDE HER BAREBACK , THAT MADE HIS DAY AFTER THE VERY LONG TRAINING LESSON AND DID I FORGET TO SAY THAT SHE IS A JUMPER, SHE CLEARED THE OUTDOOR ARENA LIKE NOTHING. I JUST TOLD ERIC THAT SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS. ABBY WENT HOME, READY TO DO SOME LIGHT TRAIL RIDING. DALE AND TRACY ENJOY HER, SHE IS A LOT OF FUN AND SHE IS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE U GUYS. THAN IN CAME A NEW PROJECT. THREE YEAR OLD QH WITH NOT A LOT OF EXPOSURE. HER NAME IS BELLA, AND EVERYDAY GETS BETTER. SHE GOT DROPPED OFF AND IS THINKING WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED AND WHERE IS MY MOMMY. SHE TOOK A FEW DAYS TO ADJUST WITH DOGS, CATS SCREAMING KIDS, AND HORSES FLYING BY WITH LITTLE PEOPLE ON THEM. I SWEAR HER HEAD IS STILL SPINNING. HER FIRST LESSON WENT AMAZING, EXCEPT FOR THE SURCINGLE, SHE BUCKED WITH THE BEST OF THEM FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS. FINALLY LAST NIGHT NO BUCK EVEN WITH THE CROUPER--PREPARING NOT TO LOOSE MY SADDLE IN CASE SHE FREAKS. WITH ERICS HELP LIFTING THE SADDLE ON BECAUSE I THREW OUT MY NECK/SHOULDER---I THINK I AM GETTING TO OLD FOR THIS SHIT BUT I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT. SADDLE IS ON, BREAST COLLAR IS ON, CROUPER IS ON. FINISH CINCHING SADDLE AND SAY A PRAYER THAT ALL OUR PREPARATION FOR THIS PAID OFF. GOOD GIRL, GOOD GIRL ,WALK ,GOOD GIRL. NO BUCK WALK TROT CANTER. YEAH WE DID IT!!!! UNTIL NEXT TIME.

KEN AND I WENT ON A BEAUTIFUL RIDE CHECKING OUT A PEACE OF PROPERTY THAT IS TOTALLY IN OUR DREAMS, BUT WE ALL HAVE TO DREAM I GUESS. THE HORSES WERE VERY GOOD, AND TOMORROW I HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK BOO HOO!!! UNTIL NEXT TIME.

MADISON ON REBEL RIVER ON FEDX

ERIC&DUSTY DEB&FEDX AT SPEED SHOW.

MADISON AND RIVER RIDING THEIR MOMMY'S HORSES

WELL I SURVIVED MY FIRST SPEED SHOW IN FIFTEEN YEARS. MY GOAL WAS TO STAY ON AND NOT SCREW UP THE PATTERN, I SUCCEEDED YEAH ME!!! OUR TIMES STARTED AT 26 SEC. AND WE GOT THEM DOWN TO 19 SEC NOT SO BAD FOR FEDX NEVER RUNNING A BARREL BEFORE I WAS REALLY PROUD OF HER AND HER BEHAVIOR. SOME OF THEM HORSES WERE SASSSSY.. WE MIGHT HAVE TO TRY AGAIN AT THE END OF THE SEASON, NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO PURSUE TO HEAVILY. ALSO CONGRATS TO ERIC WHO RAN DUSTY AND DID A SUPER JOB, FIRST AND A THIRD GOOD JOB. WE BOTH JUST NEED TO WORK ON STRAIGHT LINES DOWN THE CENTER OF THE ARENA. ITS AMAZING WE TRY SO HARD TO KEEP THEM ON THE RAIL NOW WE ARE ASKING THEM SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. THEY ARE GOING WHAT THE HELL!!!! IT WAS A GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL THANKS ROC RANCH FOR LETTING US JOIN IN.

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY!! THIS IS A TOTALLY REST YOUR BODY AND SOUL DAY. I NEED THESE EVERY NOW AND AGAIN. WE WERE SUPPOSE TO GO CAMPING THIS WEEKEND WITH THE KIDS BUT THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE FORECAST. OH WELL WE HAVE ALL SUMMER. YESTERDAY ROBIN AND I WENT FOR A WONDERFUL RIDE WITH OUR HORSES AND WHEN WE GOT HOME MADISON AND RIVER RODE THEM, NOW THAT IS WONDERFUL TO WITNESS. AFTER THAT THEY BOTH GOT THEIR PONIES OUT AND RODE THEM IN THE OUTDOOR, PRACTICED TRYING TO GET ON THEM AND DOING AROUND THE WORLD. WATCHING THEM WAS TOTALLY PRICELESS. TOMORROW WE ARE THINKING ABOUT HEADING UP TO EQUITY PARK TO TRY SOME BARRELS, SOMETHING LOW KEY AND A BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER. SOUNDS PERFECT TO ME! ALSO SCHEDULING FIRST DRESSAGE TEST THE END OF JULY, KINDA SCARED. " IF YOU WANT TO GROW AS A PERSON YOU NEED TO TRY NEW THINGS OUTSIDE OF YOUR BUBBLE." WELL I WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES:-)

WENT SWIMMING WITH BARNEY AND THE KIDS. WE HAD A BLAST. KEN TOOK MJ AND GAVE US A SHOW. I PONIED HER IN THE WATER WITH NO RIDER BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE AND KEN DID NOT WANT TO GET HIS BOOTS WET, PLUS HE RODE HER BAREBACK FOR THREE MILES. I THINK HE WAS A LITTLE SORE, BUT THE FUNNY PART OF IT AND I MISSED IT. DARN IT! HE WENT TO JUMP ON HER BAREBACK AND MISSED HER BACK AND LANDED ON HER BUTT. HE SLID OFF AND WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND STILL HOLDING ONTO THE REINS. THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER HE FINALLY LET GO OF THE REINS. MJ JUST EATING GRASS THINKING THAT HE BETTER TAKE A BAREBACK LESSON:-)KEN THEN GRACEFULLY MOUNTED HIS MUSTANG AND OFF WE ALL WENT. BARNEY AND ME, MJ AND KEN, YOGI AND ROBIN,AND AMIRA AND SHARON. UNTIL NEXT TIME.

A HOT ONE TODAY. WORKING ON LANDSCAPING AND TAKING REBEL FOR A SWIM TODAY, HOPEFULLY I WILL HAVE COMPANY:-)

IN MEMORY OF BEAR DOG

I AM UP EARLY READY FOR SOMETHING JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. SHOULD I GO FOR A WALK, DO BOOK WORK. NAHHH I AM ENJOYING THE VERY QUIET HOUSE WHILE EVERYONE IS STILL A SLEEP AND IT IS KINDA NICE AND FREAKY AT THE SAME TIME. BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THAT IT WILL BE SHORT LIVED. LOL. FIRST OFF WE DID THE BEAR THING AND IT JUST SUCKS, BUT HE DID LEAVE US WITH A STORY. WELL HERE IT GOES.
IT IS THURSDAY AFTERNOON JUST GETTING FINISHED WITH WORK, PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THERE GOES KEN AND MADDY ON THE FOUR WHEELER. JADA AND I WERE LIKE WHAT THE HECK??? WE GET OUT OF THE CAR AND MOM HOLLERS TO US WE CAN'T FIND BEAR!! OH GREAT AS I AM THINKING TO MYSELF HE WENT OFF AND DIED SHIT! SHIT! BECAUSE WE REALLY WANTED TO BURY HIM AND DO EVERYTHING JUST RIGHT, SO WE ALL PROCEEDED TO LOOK WHILE I WAS CALLING ROBIN WHO WAS WAITING FOR US AT RHONDA 'S TO TELL THEM WE COULD NOT FIND BEAR. SHE SAID DON'T WORRY, RHONDA CAN'T FIND HER CAT SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE THE VET FIX. HOW CAN U NOT LAUGH AT THIS POINT! BY THE WAY WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR BEAR IN EVERY DIRECTION BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO FIND HIM DEAD OR ALIVE, SO I WOULD KNOW. THERE HE WAS COVERED IN HAY-SAWDUST TROTTING UP TO ME, LIKE HERE I AM WHATS THE BIG DEAL PEOPLE!! TRYING NOT TO LAUGH AND CRY AT THE SAME TIME I JUST HUGGED HIM AND SAID WE HAVE TO GO FOR OUR LAST RIDE. IN THE CAR WE PACKED KEN, MADDY, JADA, BEAR, CINCH, AND ME. NOT COOL I WAS THE ONE TRYING TO HANG MY HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOW BECAUSE THE SMELL WAS NOT SO GREAT IN THE BACK SEAT WITH 2 DOGS . WE FINALLY ARRIVED AT RHONDA, WHO STILL COULD NOT FIND HER CAT, LUCKY CAT I GUESS.LOL. VET WAS NOT THERE SO WE HUNG OUT .KEN AND THE GIRLS TOOK BEAR SWIMMING, WHICH WAS WONDERFUL FOR ALL OF THEM. THEN THE SAD MOMENT HAD TO COME BUT WE WERE ALL READY FOR IT OR AS READY AS ONE CAN BE. WE SURROUNDED HIM WITH LOVE AS THE VET INJECTED HIM, AND I SWEAR HE LEFT US AS SHE PLACED THE NEEDLE IN HIS VEIN. EVERYTHING WENT FAST AND PEACEFUL. THE SONG PLAYING ON THE RADIO AT THAT TIME WAS "TEMPORARY HOME" BY CARRIE UNDERWOOD. HOW PERFECT IS THAT. WE ALL SAID OUR GOOD BYES INCLUDING CINCH, SO SHE WOULD KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO BEAR. I WAS TOLD THAT SOME DOGS WILL SEARCH FOR THEIR COMPANIONS FOR DAYS AND WE DID NOT WANT CINCH TO GO THROUGH THAT. WE HUGGED EVERYBODY LOADED BACK IN THE CAR, ONE SHORT OF COURSE, BUT HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS AND HEADED BACK HOME TO DO THE BURIEL. BEAR IS NOW IN ONE OF HIS FAVORITE SPOTS AND THE KIDS EVEN BURIED SOME DOGGY TREATS FOR HIM. HOW CUTE IS THAT. NOW TODAY WILL BE MY OFFCIAL DAY RIDING MY HORSE WITHOUT MY DOG , BUT IT IS OK. BECAUSE HE IS PROBABLY RUNNING A HELL OF A LOT FASTER NOW!!!!!!

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO HELPED!!!!!

ALL THE VOLUNTEERS "ANGELS"

2010 Victory Olympics-Gillett Wi

2010 Victory Olympics-Gillett Wi

FINALLY GETTING SOME WELL NEEDED RAIN AND A RAIN NIGHT IS ALWAYS NICE TOO. WE HAD DRILL TEAM LAST NIGHT AND IT WENT VERY WELL, THE KIDS ARE REALLY PROGRESSING VERY FAST AND HAVING A BLAST. I HAD TO BE A SUB AND I HAD A BLAST. I GOT TO RIDE FED X, SHE IS A TOTALLY AWESOME MARE AND SUPER FUN TO RIDE.NEXT WEEK I WILL TAKE PICTURES AND DOWNLOAD THEM TO SHARE!

evening ride at wildcat

AREN'T THEY HANDSOME!

RIDE UM COWBOYS

WILDCAT RIDERS

The Underdowns Merrill Wi

Deb on Rebel

Robin and Sean

ROBIN N FEDX, SHARON N AMIRA. DEB N REBEL, MYRON N BRANDY, CRICKET N BEAUTY

I FINALLY HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO SPARE. FIRST OFF VACATION WAS AWESOME A LITTLE WET,BUT STILL WAY BETTER THAN WORK. ALL THE HORSES WERE GOOD AND THE RIDING WAS EXCELLENT AT WILD CAT MOUNTAIN, THAN HALF OF US MOVED TO THE UNDERDOWNS OVER IN MERRILL AND THAT WAS PRETTY RIDING ALSO. I WAS GLAD IT WAS A LITTLE CHILLY BECAUSE THE BUGS I BELIEVE WOULD HAVE CARRIED US AWAY. I WILL BE POSTING PICS OF OUR ADVENTURE!! HOME AT LAST, OF COURSE, THE LAWN GOT 2 FEET TALL, SO I WENT FROM RIDING MY HORSE TO THE LAWN MOWER NOT SO FUN:-) ON WED. WE HAD ANOTHER DRESSAGE LESSON WHICH DID NOT GO SO GREAT, I THINK REBEL'S MIND WAS STILL ON VACATION, UNFORTUNATELY. I BUSTED MY ASS ON HIM TRYING TO GET HIM ON HIS RIGHT LEAD AND OF COURSE NOT. HE WOULD PICK UP HIS LEFT BUT HEAVEN FORBIDE HIS RIGHT DID NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING. NEXT WEEK THE INSTRUCTOR HAS A FEW MORE IDEAS TO TRY, AND I AM HOPING REBEL WAS JUST HAVING A BAD NIGHT. TODAY A LITTLE RAINY AND WHEN I GOT HOME FOR LUNCH I NOTICED THAT OUR DOG BEAR WAS LICKING HIMSELF, I TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AND HE HAS A GROWTH ON HIS BELLY. IT LOOKS PRETTY SORE AND NASTY. I CRIED ALL AFTERNOON TRYING TO DELIVER MY MAIL KNOWING THAT DECISIONS WILL NEED TO BE MADE. I KEEP TELLING MYSELF HE HAS HAD A GOOD LIFE ALL OF 15 YEARS. HE HAS BEEN THROUGH IT ALL WITH ME, MARRIAGE , DIVORCE, MARRIGE , GIVING BIRTH, DEATH OF MY FATHER, JOB CHANGES. THAT GOOD OLD DOG HAS HEARD IT ALL GOOD AND BAD, HAPPY AND SAD. HE ALWAYS HAVE BEEN THERE FOR ME EVEN WHEN PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WERE NOT, SO I NEED TO BE THERE FOR HIM WHEN HE NEEDS ME . NOW IS THE TIME, THE TIME HAS COME FOR HIM TO BE MY FATHER COMPANION IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE WHERE HE WILL NO LONGER NEED TO SUFFER. THANKS FOR BEING A GREAT DOG BEAR AND HELPING TRAIN A YOUNGSTER, CINCH. SHE HAS SOME PRETTY BIG SHOES TO FILL BUT SHE HAS HAD A GREAT TEACHER.

MIDWEST FAIR WAS FUN I JUST WISH WE COULD HAVE STAYED LONGER. OUR 5K WAS NOT SO BAD FOR THE FIRST, FINISHED IN 35 MIN. THAT IS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE I GUESS. DRESSAGE LESSONS ARE SO MUCH FUN I AM LIKING IT MORE THAN I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO, I JUST WISH REBEL WAS I LITTLE BIT MORE COOPERATIVE. BUT WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD AND IN THE END OUR END PRODUCT WILL WE WONDERFUL. THE INSTRUCTOR ALREADY WANTS US TO GO TO A TESTING PLUS TRY AN ENGLISH EQUITATION CLASS. ALL I HAD WAS FLASHBACKS OF THE FIRST SHOW AND LAST THAT I TOOK HIM TO NOT SO PRETTY. WE ALMOST RAN THE JUDGE OVER AND I SWEAR HE HAD FIRE COMING OUT OF HIS ASS!!! WELL I SUPPOSE THAT IS ONE GOOD THING ABOUT DRESSAGE THE JUDGE IS OUTSIDE OF THE RING LOL. AS FOR DEAR FLICKA I AM GETTING MOTIVATED AGAIN AND SHE IS DOING WONDERFUL. WE ACTUALLY HAD OUR FIRST RIDE OUTSIDE AND SHE DID AWESOME. TONIGHT IS ANOTHER LESSON IF WE DON'T GET RAINED OUT, BUT I CAN ALMOST SMELL VACATION!YEAH!!!!!

GETTING EXCITED ABOUT HEADED TO THE MIDWEST HORSE FAIR THIS WEEKEND, BUT FIRST HAVE TO STOP MIDWAY TO RUN A 5K ROBIN AND I HAVE BEEN TRAINING FOR----THAT SHOULD BE REAL INTERESTING:-)

HAD THE DAY OFF TODAY, CAR BROKE DOWN COULDN'T GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY, OH DARN!!! INSTEAD I WENT TO THE DR. WITH MY MOM AND SISTER, HAD LUNCH AND DID SOME SHOPPING FOR THE KIDS SINCE THEY BOTH RECEIVED ALL A'S ON THEIR REPORT CARDS. NOW I AM HOME AND BOTH THE GIRLS WANT LESSONS, THANK GOD FOR THE BARN BECAUSE IT IS KINDA ICKY OUT THERE. SO OUT TO THE BARN I TRUDGE WISHING THE SUN WAS SHINING. OH BY THE WAY MY LESSON WAS AWESOME. THE INSTUCTOR SAYS WE HAVE HUGE POTENTIAL, NOW WE HAVE TO SEE IF HE CAN TURN US INTO SOMETHING. I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT ONE AND I ALREADY HOOKED HIM UP WITH A FEW MORE CLIENTS. NEVER TO OLD TO LEARN AND I LOVE IT!!!!

TODAY WAS A WONDERFUL DAY WITH FAMILY, WE EVEN GOT SOME YARD WORK DONE. YEAHHHH!! TOMORROW I WILL BE MEETING WITH THE DRESSAGE INSTRUCTOR AND WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES, HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER HOLDS OUT FOR REBEL AND I'S FIRST LESSON. IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE I EVER HAD A LESSON IT WILL BE INTERESTING IF ANYTHING ELSE. I WILL LET U KNOW HOW IT GOES.

KARMA. DO YOU BELIEVE OR DON'T YOU??? FOR THE RECORD I AM A BELIEVER. FOR EVERY ACTION THERE IS A REACTION, RIGHT. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND, IT TOTALLY HAS BEEN PROVEN. ME PERSONALLY I HAVE WITNESSED IT, BEEN A PART OF IT AND HELPED CREATE IT. HAVEN'T WE ALL SOME TIME IN OUR LIVES. BUT RECENTLY IT HAS COME FULL CIRCLE IN MY LIFE BY GETTING A LONG TIME FRIEND BACK, WHOM I CHASED AWAY. I EVEN GOT KICKED IN THE HEAD BY A BIG ASS HOOF AND I BELIEVE NOW IT WAS A SIGN TO LITERALLY GET MY HEAD OUT OF MY ASS, BUT I DIDN'T AND WE JUST GREW APART. BUT KNOW WE HAVE REJOINED AND IT FEELS REAL GOOD TO HAVE THAT FRIEND BACK IN MY LIFE. I GUESS THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON AND SOMETIMES A PERSON DOESN'T KNOW THE REASON UNTIL YEARS GONE BY. IF IT IS MEANT TO BE IT WILL BE. IF LIFE IS UNSURE IN YOUR ROAD YOU ARE TRAVELING DOWN FOCUS ON SOMETHING POSITIVE AND POSITIVE WILL HAPPEN . PEOPLE ARE IN OUR LIVES FOR A REASON SOME FOR A SHORT TIME AND OTHERS LIFE LONG, SO ENJOY THE TIME YOU SPEND WITH THEM BECAUSE TOMORROW THEY MIGHT BE GONE. I ALSO EVERYDAY NO MATTER HOW BUSY I AM HUG AND KISS MY KIDS AND TELL THEM THAT I LOVE THEM AND THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US.

BRANDI WENT HOME LAST NIGHT WE WILL MISS HER, BUT HER OWNERS ARE VERY HAPPY ESPECIALLY CADEN!! THE KIDS RODE LAST NIGHT BUT IT WAS SO WINDY WE HAD TO RIDE IN THE INDOOR TO AVOID BEING BLINDED BY SAND.LOL. WE ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE NIKKLOE ON THE PURCHASE OF LIL MAC, THEY MAKE A GREAT TEAM. I ALSO WORKED ERIC PRETTY HARD HE RODE A QUITE A FEW DIFFERENT HORSES AND DID A SUPER JOB. I TOLD HIM THE MORE HORSES U RIDE THE BETTER YOU WILL GET.