Jada comes home from school yesterday with a get well card for Belle that all the kids signed, talk about pulling on heart strings.    But we did get good news Belle is doing very well she is still sound and healing well.    The vet says she is getting an opinion about getting her temp. taken, which don't surprise me none. She is quite a mare and that is why I know she is going to pull through this like a champ.  She has a lot of support and we really miss her at home and lessons learned the hard way.    The whole family including myself got educated and reminded that no matter how careful you may be or how much riding you have underneath your belt----life can throw you a loop.   Thank God it wasn't worse, thank God my kid is not in the hospital.     Hopefully Belle will be home Friday and that she continues a quick recovery.

My brain is still spinning, my emotions are still high, trying to keep everything in control without totally losing my mind.  I wanted to end the weekend with a ride, so I saddled up Belle and went off for an adventure and everything was going great. Left the farm without a problem, passed the cows, passed a group of riders, crossed the creek and enjoyed every bit of the fall smells and smiled. Well that was short lived I decided to crest a hill and as I was descending I  heard a TWANG. Heart dropped and I new we were in trouble, it was deadly barbed wire!  I jumped off of Belle three legs escaped the nasty tangle, but the left hind wasn't so lucky.   In 30 seconds a lot of damage can be done, so close to hitting an artery where she would of bled out before we made it home.   Thanks God she quit fighting so I could untangle her leg and started toward home which was a mile away.   She was a trooper, we had to cross the creek up hills down hills finally made it.  Not wasting anytime off to the vet we went not expecting the news.   All I heard was hock joint- infection- a week in the hospital and $2000.   Holy shit shoot me now.   Look at what I did to my kids horse, how can I not fix her.   So I signed the release and come home without a horse and a worried family wondering what the next few days will bring.   

What a beautiful weekend?  Went riding with 16 other women at Spur of the Moment Ranch and had a wonderful time---great riding, good food, and better drinks and most of all a lot of laughs.   If the saying laughing makes you live longer is true, we all added a few years.   The most exciting part of the weekend is we added a new addition to the family, her name is cocoa, a black and white 8 year old paint mare for our youngest daughter Madison.  We have been searching a long time to replace good old Barney and we finally found her.   They fly like the wind together, its magical watching rider and horse connect like they do.  As a mom my heart stops a little bit and at the same time you get teared up because they are so perfect together, now both of our girls have their girls to take care of them and grow together.
     Just got off the phone with Micah's trainer things are going a little better with the help of Billy and Cuckoo.  Micah is doing all three gaits, but is born a runner, he don't want to be a western pleasure horse. He is thinking barrels would be more fun, what ever it is it is at least we can make him in to something where he will be happy.  Wednesday I will go observe his training and make the call to keep him in or out.  Happy trails to all who have been enjoying this beautiful weather!!!!!!
    

     This weekend I watched a really good movie if you like tear jerkers, I need to watch one of them every now and again.   The name of it was " A Little Bit of Heaven" with Kate Hudson, I just love her, well she didn't disappoint me, another excellent movie.  She was a young lady that found out she had colon cancer at the age of 25, what a life changing moment.  Movie or not you start to think about all the people you have known or know that have lost their lives to cancer or are fighting for every  minute of their life.   My hat goes off to all of them and the people around them that have supported them, because in reality when they pass on we are still here grieving.   You might see something that reminds you of them or hear a song that triggers a memory, I would like to hope that most of the tears we shed are happy ones, I know mine are with a little sadness because you miss them so much.  That movie triggers this and makes one ask themselves about their life.  What am I doing right now?   What do you want to do?   Are you happy?  Did you experience love? Do you want a family?   Out of all the questions I always think Are you happy is the important one, because if you are not happy you are not going to experience the treasures of life.   I personally have always set goals and made them---some people say its my pig headedness--- I want to say its my passion for life.   Without passion what the hell is life!  I couldn't imagine riding horse just cause, or going to work hating it, kissing my husband because he is the man I married.....No I do all them things because I love them and its my choice.  If I didn't want to ride no more I would get a motorcycle, if I didn't like my job I would relocate and surely if I didn't enjoy kissing my husband I would divorce him.    Sounds drastic to some people but not me, its life and if you are going to live it you should be happy.   Chances are if you are happy so will the people around you be--its contagious.  

I guess I do the best writing in the morning, quiet house, sleeping kids.  Well, we all survived fair weekend. Jada's horse, Belle did good at the fair for her first time, we took her everyday to prepare her for the sale of champions on Sunday than Friday night I had a dream to bring Barney and leave her home, so we did.   Call me weird but I listen when stuff like that happens if only other things could be so clear----like Mr Micah.    Micah he is a work in progress not to sure about him, I like him and what to continue liking him but some days it is really hard when he is a spaz.   He is a 5yr old Appendix I sent out to training and that was hard to do, I usually do it myself and let me tell you it is so hard to trust someone with your animal when u are on the other side of the scene.   My boy is an hour away I only see him once a week if I am lucky.  I think right now he is pissed off at me and that makes me sad.   Only time will tell if he is going to work out.   I know it will take longer than normal because he has been in situations before we can only assume with his behavior  or he is just a head case and I will have to move on.....what else does a person do,  how much money can one dish out?
     I also ran into a long time friend at the fair with his family----and I call him the lucky man that still had something to share  because 2years ago he was in an accident where his tractor ran him over and just about killed him.   No one thought he would ever pull through, but with Gods prayers he did, he looked amazing I could not believe it was him.  We hugged and bullshitted about horses cause I trained every horse he ever rode.  What a guy!! What a strong support system!!!!   That is what it is all about God, strong family, and true friends.  Sometimes life leads us all a stray, but the ones that find that correct path really have something to share.   They are the strong ones, the survivors!  So please don't take your life for granted and listen to the little things, because some times those are the things that really stop us in our tracks for a brief second and save us.

Waiting for my coffee to brew is one of my best things to do in the morning---the smell is amazing, but drinking it is my favorite.   I recently tried the french vanilla folgers yummy yummy top it off with a little almond milk and good to go.

     This week has been a little busy its fair time, plus madison is sick on top of it.  They say its just allergies which is good at least its not west niles or the crouping cough.  I guess we can handle the allergies, she just is not thinking that spray up her nose is a good thing. LOL.  As for Jada had to run and get picture thats after we had a photo shoot with a hyped up horse and a soon to be teenager.....Fun Fun!   My sister and I survived and the pictures are awesome.  Now it is to the fair everyday after work today with cupcakes, tomorrow with Belle, the next day with Belle and ect...... Jada qualified for the sale of champions and the horses do not stay at the fair so we have to run them back and forth and Belle has never seen a ferris wheel, pigs, or chickens----this should be at least exciting.  HA HA.  God please be with us the next few days so I don't have to turn to mount royal light for comfort.LOL

     Mondays are my day off at work from running the mail, so I get a little free time which is super, sometimes I get stuff done while other days I might just watch a classic movie.  Well today I am counting our families blessing which has happened in the past and totally freaks me out.  Sometimes I wonder if my time is drawing nearer.
     We were headed up to the in laws just pull in the drive way and I am hearing a horn go off like it is stuck or the alarm or something---kept going on with life---thinking to myself weird.   Ten minutes later we heard someone pulled out on the highway and hit another car and at that point hair stands up on the back of your neck,because it easily could have been us.At that moment you give your kids the biggest hug ever and thank the Lord we were all still together and that I did have to go to the bathroom before we left home.  Things happen for a reason--right.

BACK AT IT!!!

This time of year always makes me want to write so here I am again.  Life has changed alot since last year, we closed our barn last fall which opened alot of windows for the family.  The kids are growing up so fast and I don't ever want to look back at my life and realized that I missed it because I was to busy.   So decisions were made with no regrets and we have been going nonstop since.  Jada who is 11 is showing in pleasure shows on a 5year old QH mare, Belle, who you guys might remember from previous posts and they are doing awesome together.  Our youngest Madison, who is 8, is running barrels with her horse Barney and leading in her division for high point.  We are so proud of both of them as for Ken and I we are strong as ever and enjoying our time together with our kids and our less hectic schedule.
     This time around with the blog I will concentrate on life. Sometimes when you are laying in bed and thinking about something do you ever just want to write it down or discuss it??? I do. So it might get  a little random or crazy, but I am doing this for my mental health no one elses, but along the way it might inspire someone to do a good deed or think about your own lives and really look at it.  Maybe you might pick up the phone and call someone you haven't talked to in a while or tell someone you love them and really mean it.. So I guess I will see how this goes, talk to ya all soon.

GOING BACK TO WORK TOMORROW... YUCK. BEAUTIFUL VACATION, WELL RESTED TO RETURN TO LOTS OF WORK----- BUILDING FENCE AND 2 MORE TRAINING HORSES. BUSY BUSY!!!! NO REST FOR THE WICKED I GUESS. WE WENT TO A PLACE CALLED ENDLESS VALLEY IN SPRING GREEN, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYBODY. FINALLY FINISHED MY FENCE TODAY IN BETWEEN RAIN SHOWERS---IS IT EVER GOING TO END:-( TRAINING HORSE 1- HAMMER, A PAINT GELDING SUPER PERSONALITY ALREADY RIDING IN THE INDOOR. TRAINING HORSE 2- AUTUMN AN APPALOOSA MARE GREAT PERSONALITY ALSO RIDING IN THE INDOOR. YEAHHHH!!!!! CALL IT LUCKY, VERY SELDOM DO U GET 2 TRAINING HORSES IN A ROW THAT U ARE RIDING IN THE FIRST HOUR. ABBY IS STILL HERE DOING GREAT, ALOT OF ALONE RIDING AND RELAXING, STILL HAVE NOT CONQUERED THE TYING PROBLEM , YET. I SWEAR I HAVE TO GO TO WORK TO REST LOL. HAPPY TRAILS TO EVERYONE!!!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND!!!!! KEN AND I WENT FOR A TRAIL RIDE IN MOUNTAIN REALLY NICE RIDE. THE TRAINING HORSE, ABBY, IS DOING VERY WELL, EXCELLENT TRAIL HORSE I JUST HAVE TO SHINE UP HER GROUND MANNERS AND FIX HER TYING PROBLEMS, BUT I THINK SHE IS WORTH A TRY. I HAVE BEEN GOING EVERYDAY AND VISITING NEVADA, THE NEW COLT GIVING HIM GRAIN AND DEWORMER AND TRYING TO BEFRIEND HIM, WHICH I DON'T THINK HE WANTS A FRIEND, LOL. IN DUE TIME, IT WILL ME MUCH BETTER WHEN I CAN GET HIM HOME. AS FOR VEGAS SHE IS DOING REMARKABLE, ERIC HAS BEEN RIDING HER UNDER SADDLE AND DOING A GREAT JOB WITH HER. SHE IS GOING TO MAKE A GREAT HORSE---SUPER QUIET. VACATION COUNTDOWN IS ON---- STARTING NOW:-)

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!! ONE OF THE BETTER DAYS IN A LONG TIME, IT IS SO NICE TO FEEL THE SUN ON MY SKIN. VEGAS IS DOING VERY WELL, COMING ALONG FASTER THAN EXPECTED. SHE EVEN GOT HER FRONT FEET TRIMMED ON FRIDAY, THINGS ARE GOING SO WELL I DECIDED TO GET THE LITTLE STUD COLT THAT WAS STILL THERE WE NAMED HIM NEVADA. NEVADA WILL BE ARRIVING SOME TIME THIS WEEK, I WILL KEEP U POSTED.

What a day it has been, just got in from the barn. When I got home for lunch today mom looks out the window and says " there is a horse out." I look and it is Rebel which is not good cause if he was out so was the whole pasture. My cousin David and I go out there and sure shit they were all out. Broken 4x4 and gate laying on the ground, yuck!!! Quickly threw horses in stalls and in the indoor, so I could quickly get on my way and finish delivering the mail. When Ken got home he so nicely fixed the fence for his wife and out went the horses again- minus Belle, but added Sandy. I have tried so hard to get Belle accepted in the pasture but it just is not working. Rebel is kicking her butt from one side to the other and Sandy over the fence is tormenting her when she goes and gets water. HELP!!!!! Well we kicked Sandy out in the herd with Lori's permission and I will try putting Belle with an older Mare, Rizer. I will see how that works. Well after all that I did get to ride Rebel tonight and he did very well ,our clinic is right around the corner. The new mare Vegas did awesome I was able to take her for a walk tonight and Eric and Kathy brushed her while I held her. She behaved like a princess until she tried to take a bit out on Kathy's hand also learning real fast that doing that is very unacceptable. Sassy Vegsas! LOL.

IT HAS BEEN QUITE A WHILESESE I HAVE POSTED, BAD ME, BUT THIS TIME OF YEAR BRINGS US BACK TO THOUGHTS OF THE MIDWEST HORSE FAIR WITH MJ. WHAT A TIME THAT WAS AND MANY LEAPS AND BOUNDS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THAT AMAZING HORSE. YESTERDAY WAS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST STEP TO DATE-THE VET- SCARRRRRY. WE ACTUALLY DREW HER BLOOD AND VACCINATED HER WITH NO SEDATION, AMAZING FEAT. GREAT JOB DR PATTY! AS FOR BELLE, I LOVE HER, THE MORE I RIDE HER THE MORE I REALLY REALLY LIKE HER, IF I WERE REBEL I WOULD BE SCARED OF BEING REPLACED. LOL. I COULD NEVER REPLACE REBEL I WOULD MISS ALL THE AMAZING GUMBY RIDES IN THE AIR.LOL.ITS NOT SO BAD WHEN I STAY ON, BUT HITTING THE GROUND HURTS WAY MORE THAN IT DID WHEN I WAS 18. WE ALSO ENROLLED BACK IN THE KEN BORDAN CLINIC AT THE END OF THE MONTH, WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES. I ALSO PICKED UP A NEW PROJECT,WE NAMED HER VEGAS, AN UNBROKE NOT HALTER TRAINED 3YEAR OLD MARE WHO NEEDS ALOT OF LOVE AND MONEY STUCK INTO HER. WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES,YEAHHHH!! IF THIS WEATHER EVER MAKES UP ITS MIND TRAINING HORSES WILL BE STARTING SOON, LOTS OF CALLS SHOULD BE A BUSY SPRING/SUMMER. HAPPY RIDING TO YOU ALL, STAY SAFE!!!

OUR NEW DOG LILY

DEB AND REBEL

DEB AND BELLE

ERIC AND SURPRISE

IT IS DEFINITELY WINTER IN WISCONSIN. HOW CAN ONE ENJOY RIDING WHEN THE WINDCHILL IS BELOW ZERO. BRRRRRR!!!! BUT KEN AND I DID GET A FEW RIDES IN BEFORE THE COLD STREAK. HE RODE MJ AND I RODE BELLE ON ONE AND REBEL ON THE OTHER. THAT WAS BELLE FIRST TRAILRIDE SINCE I BOUGHT HER AND SHE DID AMAZING, TRUDGING THROUGH SNOW DRIFTS 4' DEEP. FUN FUN!!!! AS FOR REBEL HE IS ALWAYS FULL OF HIMSELF, BUT WE ARE FINALLY LOPING CIRCLES IN THE INDOOR, YEAHH!!!! GETTING READY FOR OUR NEXT DRESSAGE CLINIC WITH KEN BORDAN IN APRIL, HOW EXCITING. ALSO KEN AND I ARE GOING TO VEGAS FOR A FEW DAYS, WE WILL TRY TO BRING BACK SOME WARM WEATHER.

BACK TO WORK TODAY!YUCK! WHEN YOU GO IN THE BARN TO DO CHORES AND FENCE IS DOWN WITH HORSES WHERE THEY SHOULD NOT BE, YOU JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO BED AND PULL THE COVERS RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD. WELL THE HORSES WERE GETTING ALONG SO THEY GOT TO SOCIALIZE UNTIL I GOT HOME TO FIX FENCE AND PUT CRITTERS IN THERE RIGHT SPOTS. GOT HOME ABOUT 3, ERIC WAS THERE ALREADY HAD ONE FENCE FIXED, YEAH!! KEN HAD TO FIX THE OTHER ONE BECAUSE BARNEY AND RIO WERE CLIMBING OVER A SNOW MOUNTAIN TO GET OUT, THEM SINKERS!!! WELL AFTER THAT WAS ALL FINISHED I TOOK RIO FOR A RIDE BY HERSELF AND SHE DID AWESOME. SHE IS GOING TO MAKE MADDY AN AMAZING PONY FOR MANY YEARS. THAN I WORKED WITH MISS BELLE, SHE IS FINALLY COMING BACK TO ME, I EVEN RODE HER BAREBACK IN THE INDOOR AND SHE DID GREAT. REBEL LOOKED AT ME FROM HIS STALL SADLY,AS IF SAYING WHY DON'T WE GO FOR A RIDE. I PATTED HIM AND GAVE HIM A KISS AND TOLD ME TOMORROW NIGHT MY DEAR BOY.

ANOTHER SNOWY BLOWY DAY IN WISCONSIN, PERFECT FOR A RIDE. NO WORK ALL PLAY YEAHHH!!!!! I FINALLY GOT TO TAKE REBEL OUT ON SATURDAY . HE WAS ALL FULL OF HIMSELF BUT ALOT OF FUN TO RIDE, THANK GOD I WAS RIDING WESTERN OR HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LEFT ME IN THE BACK FORTY TO WALK HOME---NOT GOOD. IT WAS STILL FUN CANTERING THROUGH THE SNOW, I CAN NOT WAIT TO DO THAT WITH MY LITTLE BELLE. I LUNGED HER IN THE SNOW FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND SHE DID GREAT LOTS OF CHARACTER.. WHY IS IT THAT HORSES WITH ALOT OF OPINION SEEM TO FALL MY WAY???? CHALLENGING YES. FUN YES YES!! ERIC SHOULD BE HERE TO RIDE SHORTLY, HIS MARE SURPRISE IS DOING AMAZING FOR HIM. I THINK I AM GOING TO RIDE RIO TODAY AFTER REBEL, I THINK SHE GAINED 100# SINCE SHE HAS BEEN HERE, SO SHE NEEDS THE WORKOUT SO MISS MADDY CAN RIDE HER AFTER SCHOOL.

THE BARN WAS BUSY TODAY, NICE TO SEE SINCE IT HAS BEEN SO COLD. FINALLY WAS NICE ENOUGH TO GET SOME PICS OF BELLE, WHICH WAS FUN. WE ALSO WENT FOR A WALK AND I THINK SHE GOT MORE TIRED THAN ME. HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER STAYS GOOD SO I CAN START TO RIDE HER OUTSIDE.

DID NOT HAVE TO WORK TODAY, KINDA NICE. TRIED TO ENJOY THE WEATHER BUT IT IS DAMN COLD OUT THERE, THANK GOD FOR THE INDOOR. BEEN WORKIN WITH BELLE A LITTLE BIT EVERYDAY, SHE IS A LITTLE ON THE HOT CRAZY SIDE WE SHOULD GET ALONG JUST FINE .LOL SHE IS A VERY INSECURE MARE WITH HUGE POTENTIAL AND ALOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF RIDIN. IT REALLY DOES AMAZE ME HOW MUCH A HORSE CAN REGRESS IN A FEW MONTHS WITHOUT FOLLOW THROUGH, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT NEEDED A JOB A YEAR AGO. BUT I AM UP FOR THE CHALLENGE, I LOVE THIS LITTLE MARE AND SHE IS GOING TO DO AMAZING THINGS.