Sunday, December 27, 2009

Medifast update

I gained a pound last week but I think it was mostly water weight. I was down 3 pounds on Christmas Eve but Christmas eating has sent me haywire. I have done better than expected but not as good as I hoped. My downfall this week wasn't Christmas dinner or dessert of any kind...well it was the seas toffees...but instead it was flavored popcorn. I don't know why I let Peter talk me into the popcorn store. He didn't have to work too hard to talk me into it as I love popcorn.

Tomorrow is the biggest challenge of the holiday. We are going to a really good buffet with Nick and Stacy. I am going to try to stick to legal, low carb foods. I hope I can.

Lovely Christmas

Our Christmas plans were interrupted by a freak Texas snow storm. What was originally listed as a small chance of snow, but most likely rain, turned into several inches of snow for some and a couple inches for us. My mom wasn't able to come, and our friend Alexa wasn't able to come. The roads were bad, so we couldn't get out to church. We didn't have any company so we didn't have to cook. It was the most laid back holiday I have ever had. We were disappointed that our friends and family couldn't be with us, but we made the best of it in the aftermath.

Peter gave us a book on teaching a horse to drive...teaching Joe Bear to drive is going to be a goal for the winter. Of course, we will also have to teach ourselves to drive :-) I have been measuring the horses so I know what size harness to buy and I have started reading the book. Peter also got us the Wii Fit Plus which has already proved to be lots of fun.

Today we had lunch with Cat and Jena, which we haven't done for awhile. Then Jena came to the field and she and Maggie rode for awhile. I even got on bareback, which I almost never do! Liberty was fantastic for me as I wiggled into place.

I have no idea what my weigh in will be this week. I had one day of sort of eating Medifast, one day of eating no Medifast and then yesterday mostly back on track...except for movie popcorn yesterday and some hashbrowns at breakfast today. I have been exercising more, so I'm hoping that my extra calories will be offset.

Now Maggie is in her room working and I'm watching the mini-series Alice that I recorded and never watched. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, but it's entertaining enough I guess. My friend Amy Martin loved it and kept asking me to watch it so we could talk about it.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Snuggies


Peter bought Maggie and me Snuggies for Christmas. Here Peter and Maggie are wearing the snuggies so I could take a picture. I thinking it was really cute.
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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas is closing in

I decided to stay home from work again today, so I slept in today and it was a good thing. i didn't get out of bed till almost 10am. I'm very pleased with myself. I have a group at 1 and a massage at 3 and a weigh in between the 2. Not sure how that will go. My initial weigh in on my scales are favorable. I just have to drink/eat very little before I weigh in.

I am going to sew this am...really, I am going to sew. I just don't feel motivated yet.

My mom may not be able to make it for the holiday b/c there may be snow between us. We won't know till tomorrow. The house is pretty much ready. I have a turkey thawing in the fridge and Peter is going to shop later today.

I would love to have a week just to lay around...not really sure why I feel so lethargic. My mood is good. I just hate that feeling that there is always something that needs to be done...which, of course, there is.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Medifast this week...not so hot

I have had a cold this week and not done so well on my food. I ate sweets a little each day. I should know by now that eating sweets is a bad, bad thing for me, but I still seem to do it anyway. Maggie made a really tasty chocolate cake and I indulged. So, tomorrow is weigh in and I have no idea how it will go. I weighed this am, and I will close to the same weight that I was. This holiday season has really been kicking my butt. It's hard to eat right this time of year. I don't know how people do it.

Of course, the flip side is, that I'm eating so much better this year than I normally would, so I shouldn't beat myself up.

I have begun to discover that wheat and baked goods make me sick to my stomach. Not ever time, but a lot of the time. I'm hoping that this knowledge will keep me out of the cakes and cookies...but I also know that I like this stuff enough to eat them anyway sometimes.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Photos from the Christmas Ride 2009


I got some great photos of Maggie and me from the Christmas Ride at Parrie Haynes. We had such a great time. The one above was Liberty and me cantering across a big field.
I think Maggie was cold when she hugged Dixie like this, but it's still a really cute photo.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Rearranging complete











I finally got the rearranging done and the rooms put back together. I got rid of some fabric (donating it to Meals on Wheels for their folks to sew), the bookshelf it was on and three bags of various trash. We still have entirely too much stuff in our midst, but it's a start. I have put back the dining area and will get a table eventually. As long as we live here, we'll never have an uncluttered existence. Not enough space.

I'm all cleaned out. I'm hoping to get Peter and Maggie to finish the middle room and their own rooms cleaned up. My cold has just made me feel too crummy to work anymore today.

I have been watching Dr. Zhivago on Turner Movie Classics. They are doing all epics today. I haven't seen this before all the way through. It's been good.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

New tv and chilling out

We got the dvd player installed on our new tv and we are watching our yearly White Christmas movie. It's amazing watching it on the big screen.

The rearranging and cleaning is almost done. By the end of tomorrow the house should be squared away.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Busy Day

Maggie and I worked on projects today and had lunch with a friend. I am currently finishing the last sewing project. Peter and I bought something tonight we've been wanting...I will reveal it later once I take photos of my newly "remodeled" room...but I want Maggie to be surprised so will have to post about that later.
The above picture is of the chaos of my room...Hopefully by tomorrow evening things will be looking a little neater.

Right now I've finished emptying the fabric from my shelves and I'm going through all the scraps. One of my friends does volunteer work for Meals on Wheels and they have an elderly lady who quilts and sews all day long. She likes donations of fabric, so I'm going to take a bag of fabric to my friend when I see her next week. This makes me so much happier than just throwing it away. And it's so much less work than trying to sell it on Ebay. As a result of my consolidation, we're getting rid of one book shelf that has been around for ages. I'm putting all my fabric in bins...mostly under the bed so that it will be a little more work to go retrieve my fabric, but it will be so much better for the clutter in my room. I'm in a period of cleaning things out and it's invigorating to remove baggage from my life! Maggie and I will have a little less work space, but we'll be able to move our family room back around the fireplace where we can enjoy comfortable family time.

The other reason I like to rearrange is that it gives me a chance to really clean. So, hopefully, the house will look nice when my mom comes to visit for Christmas.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Quiet Sunday morning

Peter went to early service...Maggie and I will be going to the 11am service. She has confirmation class following the second service and I saw no reason to go to two services and a budget meeting to get to confirmation class. Peter really doesn't enjoy the second service, so I think he and Alexa will go to breakfast while Maggie and I are in church. Usually we prefer the first service for the liturgy, but today, we just didn't want to get up early.

Maggie, Peter and I went to a Christmas party at Amy and Corey Crane's house last night. It was a party they throw for Corey's son and other nieces and nephews in the family. I think Maggie was the oldest there, but she still had a great time. They played games and decorated cookies. There was good food...but I ate too many cookies. I know better. One leads to another...

We have decided to rearrange again...only I can't do it yet. I want to, but it's going to be a multi-step process. We're going to move our couch back into the family room...Maggie and I will have to clean out the room. We're going to paint the room, put in flooring and then put the room together. I have the paint already, so that won't cost anything but time. We're going to do inexpensive carpet...The big thing will be that we will probably be getting a flat screen once we get the decorating done. We hope to reuse our existing furniture as much as possible and we're going to get a new table so we can have a dining room again.

I was realizing the other day that i have lived in this house almost 8 years. I think the reason I don't get tired of the house is that we keep changing and rearranging to keep it fresh. I have grown tired of having so much stuff. That's what a lot of the rearranging will be about...just getting rid of stuff.

Friday, December 11, 2009

New food favorite

Today has been a hard and hungry day for me. I confess, I have been limiting any yummy goodies in my house b/c I don't need to cheat and the rest of my family doesn't need the extra goodies either. We always have fruits and veggies in the house, but since I'm working to get back into a better fat burning state, I can't have any fruit. My diet is consisting of Medifast foods and my veggies and meat each day.

One decision I decided today was to begin to split my lean and green meal into two meals, so I can have 3 oz of lean meat twice (or 4 oz if I'm eating fish). It really helped me in the middle of the afternoon when it wasn't really snack time and wasn't meal time either.

I have discovered I really like kale. I like to toss it in olive oil, taco season, garlic powder and some pepper. Then I bake it in the oven till it gets crispy...like chips. Maggie likes it too.

It's very grey today. Maggie and I are working on schoolwork and some sewing.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Liberty is a Winner and I was not a loser...

This past weekend at Parrie Haynes, I really saw what a great horse I have in Liberty...He did his first open ride. We rode 25.5 miles each day and he still had lots of energy when it was all over. He lost one point on his MAW and a few points on metabolics over the weekend, but overall, I was very impressed.

We are having issues with gut sounds. He eats like mad on the trail, but I think he gets focused on his work and the gut sounds just never circulate. I'm going to have to figure out something to do with him that helps him keep loud guts.

Liberty placed 3rd in a class of 7 (three pulls, only four left at the end) Even more impressive, he placed ahead of the horse who won the President's cup last year. I was pretty excited.

The year end results from 2009 came out as well and we did really well. I knew that we were tied for first place in novice heavyweight, but I found out we were overall novice reserve champion. I also won first in novice horsemanship (that blew my mind) and we won novice team. and....because his half Arab papers came through before the end of the year, he's also novice/CP high point half Arab. He so far has exceeded all my expectations that I could just bust.

The ponies are getting the week off while Maggie and I do Christmas crafts and just take a break. It's been cold, so staying off the horses hasn't been a struggle. Liberty continues to surprise me with his attitude too. He seems to thrive on the work. He's happier to see me when i'm riding hard and traveling a lot than he is after I have given him days off.

This year (2010) we're going to tackle open, brush up on obstacle--I'm finally going to learn to open and close a gate--do a 50 miles endurance ride and start taking dressage lessons.

Medifast today...I gained a half pound. I'm sooo frustrated. I went to the ride and I rode hard. I ate a little more than usual, but I was hungry and I burned about 1200-1500 calories each day riding hard. I only consumed maybe 1500 calories each day (well, except for Sunday when I ate cookies and drank cider) So, this week...no cheating at all. Maggie and I had lunch after my weigh in at Jamaica gates where I ate meat and salad, which is on my plan. I began to think that I should split my 6-8 ounces of protein and my 3 veggies into 2 meals instead of one. Maybe that would help with hunger? I also got some of the momentum products to help with speeding things up and appetite control.

Christmas ride...booting story

I have known since I first started riding Liberty that he was going to be special. Before I began to really train him, I had thought he might be a "transitional" horse...the one I rode while I waited for Fiera to grow up to be old enough to ride. Now, I'm not only sure he's not transitional, but I find myself wondering why I have another horse at all. He has turned into such a special guy, that my heart swells with love and happiness to have him in my life.

This past weekend was the Christmas at the Ranch Ride. Usually it's held at Six O Ranch in Cleburne, TX, but this past weekend it was in Killeen at Parrie Haynes. They have been in a severe, multi-year drought, so they are very happy to have had so much rain. I was concerned about doing the ride in my easy boots, since in NATRC, we can only use boots which go below the hairline and don't cover the heel bulb. I have used them successfully a few times, but since I had had Liberty trimmed the previous week, the boots seemed to be a little big. I wasn't sure they would stay on at the trot and canter since we were now in open. Previously, I had only done novice speeds in boots.

We applied our boots (Maggie was using boots on Dixie too) before check in on Friday. In this case, I did nothing special to apply the boots but just pulled them on his feet. Usually I use either athletic tape or duct tape as a base for the boots, but I had such a difficult time to putting the boots on without any tape, I decided to go with just the boots. I had thought I would pull off the boots and add the tape, but since I couldn't pull them off easily, I just went with it.

Saturday Liberty's boots stayed on for the first loop. He lost the left one early, but we saw it come off and I put it back on at the first P&R. He lost the right one on the beginning of the second loop, but again, Maggie saw it and we put it back on...only to lose it again in the next mile cantering on some good footing. That boot was never found again. Dixie lost her first boot on the first loop and we reapplied and lost it. She lost her other boot too, but I have no clue where it went or when we lost it. At the end of the day 3 of our 4 boots were found. We decided that we would ride barefoot on Sunday as it was just too much hassle in light of the fact that we'd had multiple boot failure that day. We had no idea if we would be able to complete sound without boots, but it was worth a try.

Sunday it was raining and the trails were even wetter than the day before. We did not boot and had less trouble with slipping and sliding than the day before. In fact, while wearing just one boot, Liberty fell down in the muddy conditions on Saturday (miraculously, I didn't come off and he hopped up and went on about his business) The horses began to slow down for rocks and mud, but figured out the game of keeping good time elsewhere. We checked out sound, having ridden barefoot the whole day.

Liberty and Dixie don't live in rocky conditions, so conditioning their feet is not really a great possibility. Liberty has never had shoes; Dixie has had shoes one time. She has gotten sore footed in the past, mostly due to her tendency toward insulin resistance and being overweight. Liberty was tenderfooted this summer when the rain caused extra grass growth. I also think that sometimes the hay has too much sugar in it and will cause these problems. It's been my limited experience that management and diet are more important than conditioning on the terrain where riding will take place, but it's nice if you can throw in some conditioning. As a result, I always prefer to boot rather than to take my chances barefoot. One of my friends with a really good barefoot horse, was laid up all fall when her mare suffered a stone bruise which turned into an abscess and then a bone infection...better safe than sorry. I have recently purchased some gloves for Dixie and some Goober Glue, but the glue didn't arrive in time for booting this past weekend. Liberty's feet aren't quite the right shape, but I'm sure we'll try the boots on Dixie in the future.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Packing

I have been busying myself packing for the NATRC ride tomorrow. Almost all my stuff is together...I only need a few things at the store, which is a solid relief. I'm buying the food package at the ride and eating/drinking my medifast food.

Maggie has a friend over today, which is great for her. She doesn't get to play with other kids enough.

Maggie has been sewing her Christmas presents today and I have been embroidering the things that she's sewing.

Getting ready to weigh in..not feeling too optimistic about it.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Busy, good day

I had a good Medifast day today after my earlier blog. I ate only what I was supposed to with the exception of sharing some dessert at a local restaurant with Peter tonight. I ate fish with veggies and skipped the mashed potatoes. I weigh 2.5 less pounds than I did this AM, which means that I have a ton of water weight hanging around. I don't weigh in till Thursday this week, so I'm hoping that one more good day will at least leave me even from last week...counter acting the holiday.

I have made my plan about the weekend. I'm going to order up the dinner, and the two lunches, skipping the breakfast for my shakes. I'm going to be hungry when I come in off the trail, so I feel like the soup and salad lunch will be just the ticket. I'm planning to buy a box of the "green" bars this week, which have a few more calories in them and have ready made shakes and easily eaten snacks to take on the trail. Now that I have a plan, it will be much easier to stick with it.

For the potluck, I'm either going to make some apple bread (or Maggie will) and/or sweet potato casserole (b/c I have a ton of sweet potatoes in my cupboard and I'm really not supposed to eat them) but I also think I'll bring a jug of red wine to share with my friends. I might be feeling like bringing two...not sure. I always want a beer when I come off the trail, so I'm going to buy a six pack of beer and take two...one for each day. If I take more, I will just eat them. Of course, Peter did buy me a new bottle of brandy, so Maggie and I could go nuts and make a bread pudding instead of anything I have mentioned...I'm wondering if you can make pumpkin bread pudding, or sweet potato bread pudding...the possibilities are endless.

I still need to pack for the trip the rest of the way. I have been gathering my clothes and packing the various things I will need. Since I have the platform in the back of the suburban now I will have to reinvent how I pack.

I have packed our suitcase

Medifast Update

I realized that I was doing better eating right when I blogged each day about my progress, or lack thereof. The last month hasn't been so hot. I have my weigh in and measurements tomorrow and I have no idea how it will go. I have lost something every week, but nothing close to what I was losing before. I have to seriously get back on track to make my February deadline.

This weekend will be my first open ride in NATRC. That is not a problem in itself. The problem lies in that they are serving yummy food all weekend! I'm planning to buy dinner on Friday, eat the potluck on Saturday (but I'm bringing my own salad in case there aren't enough veggies) and I'm going to eat the soup lunch on Sunday. Maggie and I may stay over till Monday am, so I will have to plan dinner for her. I hope/plan to stay on my diet as much as possible. I'm allowed to have an extra shake if I get hungry and I"m going to get some bars which are a little more filling to take on the trail. I'm going to keep my eating plan up as much as possible. I figure I'll bring extra green with me so that if I get really hungry I can eat pickles or something. I might even eat my salad back at the trailer before supper, or wait till the end of the line while eating my salad, so that I won't be so hungry...of course, my usual strategy is to get in line first, so I can get the veggies I need in my diet.

At first, a little cheating wasn't the end of the world, but I"m slipping. By slipping, I'm not learning the proper way to conduct myself outside of my medifast world, so it has to stop NOW.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Lovely Monday

Maggie and I slept in a little today, but we were up doing school work by 9am. She has been working very hard on a report about the Panama Canal. I finally did tell her that the whole assignment was only worth one point, but she's enjoying the research and writing so much, I hated to take away her fun, so I just left her be. We have made a fire in the fireplace and have a creme brulee candle burning (which is making us hungry). I am working with Maggie on her writing skills...which is a little tricky at time. Lucky for her (even though she doesn't know it) I'm a good writing.

I have been working on my NATRC numbers for the ride this weekend. Maggie and I are both changing to open this year and my new assigned number is number 105. I cut out and ironed on numbers to my light jersey shirt, but decided that I would rather embroider the numbers on my sweatshirt and my tshirt, after I noticed that the required size was the same as the emboridery hoop. I'm doing a test on some royal blue fabric now and I plan to pin that on my royal blue poncho. I have four layers of numbers for the weekend: a long sleeved tshirt, a short sleeved jersey shirt, and a royal blue sweatshirt. Then I have a poncho that just happens to be royal blue.My goal is for everyone to be able to see my numbers.

Well, the embroidery was too small. It's supposed to be a minimum of 6 inches tall and it wasn't going to be.

Maggie is in her room studying for a Bible test. I'm glad b/c she was driving me nuts! She was reading all the material out loud and I couldn't' stand it. I had work to do too and her quoting and over analyzing Genesis and creation of the world was starting to be a bit much :-)

WE had a great holiday weekend. On Friday Maggie went to her friend's house and spent the night and went to the TCU football game. I went riding with friends and had such a nice time. It reminded me how I enjoyed pleasure riding and not always having an agenda. I did get to work on some gates with the help of several helpful people, and we all had our photos taken at the top of the mountain at Six O.

On Thursday, after we had Thanksgiving at church, we played with the horses and took a few photos: This is Fiera cantering on the longe line. She has begun to be worked for a few minutes 2-3 times per week...I'm trying to work on her naughty teenage attitude. I found out recently that the guys next door were charged by her when they came in the field to take their own horse back home after it had come over. I thought it was pretty funny when I heard the story. They are probably 20 years old or so. They said she was nuts!

Joe Bear is still going strong!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Thanksgiving Explanations

I have had some folks ask me about our change in Thanksgiving Plans this year. Last year we went to the Texas Renaissance Faire and it was so much fun. We made plans to go this year with our friend Alexa, but it turned out that none of us could afford to go. Our flu in October set us pack one thousand dollars in lost pay for me...so no faire. It was good to stay home. We felt bad b/c Peter's mom and dad wanted us to come to Eureka Springs and my sister in Law asked us to come to Springfield. So, I let everyone down, but we are so happy to be home and resting on this holiday!

Poor Frankie is having a terrible scratching fit today. I'm going to get him a cone so he can't keep itchy and chewing on himself. Poor guy!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Day 2009

We had dinner at church today, as we did last year. It was great fun, with great food. Shawn came too and Peter took several different dishes to share. The best dessert I had was a pumpkin cheesecake, made by our associate pastor's wife. It was to die for! I was very proud of myself and ate only one plate and a few bites of dessert. This evening has been devoted to a little bit of snacking and drinking, but nothing excessive. Shawn and Alexa have come over and we were going to play games together...only the football game interrupted and then it turns out the game they picked only has 4 people, so I opted for my comfy chair in the corner as they are all more invested in games than I am. I was looking forward to playing a couple of the games with more people, but it's clear to me that we need a large, round card table.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Maggie and I hope to ride to the park tomorrow (if we don't just watch TV and be lazy) which we have never done with Liberty and Dixie. It should be fun. I'm kind of chicken about riding through the city, but she has shamed me into giving it a try. I recognize that I'm not in inherent danger, I just get nervous about riding where others are driving. Of course, with all the hunting going on in the Grasslands this weekend, I think taking my chances with a tiny bit of traffic through a residential neighborhood is a safer bet.

Saturday I'm going to Six O to ride with Tracey, Tammy, Kim, Toni...and whoever else is there. I need to call Amy Crane and see if she wants to go. I asked Sprite, but she has hurt her ankle and can't go. Maggie is going to her friend Abby's for the night Friday and then going to the TCU football game on Saturday with Abby.

Sunday will be church and laziness, b/c it's supposed to rain. I also hope to get to Walmart to get my blue shirts and make my bib for the ride next weekend.

I have looked at the weather this coming weekend for Killeen and was not pleased. Saturday is a 60% of rain with a high of only 57 so I will have to make sure we're ready for rainy weather. I told my friend Robin I would pick her up and take her with us, so there may be 3 people crammed into the burb this weekend. However, thanks to Alanna, I have a platform to pack most of my stuff under which will be way, way cool.

I started working with Fiera this week. For two days, I worked her on the circle game for about 10 minutes each day. I broke it up with some yoyo and some arguing about going across water. I have discovered that when she doesn't want to do something, she will kick. She kicked at the whip and the rope on the whip. So I have to work on desensitizing her to the whip. At least she has finally quit running on top of me for the most part. I'm discovering that she's a lot like Liberty was. She is mostly very confident, but she get emotional and tries to jump in my lap for comfort. Most of my early work is invested in getting her to get off me and respect my space. This is actually going quite well. She is licking and chewing and yawning and showing a lot of general understanding.

Today I also did Equine Touch on Dixie and discovered she was having a lot of sensitive areas. She seemed very relieved after I finished with her. She kept itching her nose and yawning and licking and chewing. The chiropractor is ordering her a special pad after we measure her next trip. We are also going to detox her so that we can get her some relief.

I worked at Emerald Hills this am. It was fun. We played with the Rock Band for the Wii. I brought the wrong game though and we didn't have the Beatles. The residents loved beating the drum. I know that the residents really like the programming I provide. Whether I ultimately stay or go, I know that they like me, no matter what I'm being told currently.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Friday activities/Medifast Weigh in

Maggie and I attended New Moon last night at midnight. My honest opinion that it was just OK. It was visually stunning, but the story on screen was rushed and lame. I liked the book a lot, but I hate that an 18 year old girl was so wrapped up in a guy that her whole world was going to crash in without her. I hate that any girl needs any man that much. I like independent and strong women!

Today we were tired so we sat around and did school work and watched TV. It's been nice, but nothing to write about...other than we've had a good time clearing off the DVR.

Medifast this week said 2 pounds off for a total of 21.5. I didn't have a great week last week, but I am determined to have a good week this week.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Diet sabotage...

I have been sabotaging myself the last 3 weeks. I have eaten food off my plan and I haven't been sorry...but now I have to weigh in tomorrow and I'm very sorry. I may be looking at a weight gain tomorrow instead of a loss. I have to find my original motivation again. It's not that I"m not motivated...it's that I have let a few minor and normal indiscretions blow into a string of bad eating. This weekend there were two potlucks and a lot of sweets and I didn't say no. I have to learn to say no if I'm going to be thin.

So, tomorrow, I go in and weigh (or I put it off two days and really watch what I eat and be careful) and I start over as though every day is the first day. Now I have to go through the pain of getting off sweets again. GRRR. Why are we human's so stupid sometimes?

Still feeling melancholy over friendships, but that will pass. I have so much sewing and embroidery to do for Christmas, I shouldn't have too much time to think on it.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Quiet Monday

Maggie and I took it easy today. We had a long weekend and were pretty tired, so we slept in and then did low impact school work. I got chores done around the house and Maggie did schoolwork. My checks that I have been waiting for are finally getting here...though not the big one I really need. But, hey, I figured they will show up eventually. All bills will get paid!

I've been feeling down the last week or so. A friendship that has been close to me for several years seems to be fading away. I'm feeling a little blue for missing having a good girlfriend to hang out with. It could be just a phase of the friendship, but I suspect that lack of proximity and shared interests have done us in. It's not that we won't be friends, but we no longer talk daily or share personal things. I call and she doesn't answer, or doesn't call me back. When I try to make plans, she's always busy or can't afford to go. It just makes me sad.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Restless

I'm in a weird mood today. I'm a little bored and restless. The weather was gorgeous and I didn't get to ride. Tomorrow no riding either, but Thursday-Sunday look like good prospects. We have a trail challenge this weekend and that will be fun and Maggie and I will be camping out. I have been sewing alot and that has been productive. Maggie has been gone with Alexa since Sunday. I find that I really miss having her around. Usually she would be at her dad's today, but I would have normally spent the last 3 days with her. The house is too quiet without her.

Monday, November 9, 2009

The past weekend

I spent the weekend indoors. Which is crazy b/c the weather was beautiful. I had projects to work on and I enjoyed that. I watched more TV than I normally watch in a month, but I enjoyed myself. I caught up all the Castle's that had been on my DVR. Cute show. I had thought Maggie and I would ride yesterday, but Alexa invited her to go to Wichita Falls for a couple days, so I agreed and off they went. I also thought my hay was going to come yesterday, but that didn't happen either. I'm alone today, with a long list of things that need to be finished, but not really sure where to start.

I am planning to get my workout routine back under control this week. I have been very negligent about exercise lately and now it's time to pick it up back up again.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Nervous about a meeting

Why is it when you hear the words from your supervisor: I want to meet with you, it's enought to send you over the nervous edge? As far as I know I haven't done anything wrong, but now I worry. And I will keep worrying until I get the meeting overwith. It could be something as simple as making December and January scheduling plans. I just wonder why that can't tell you about that part when they schedule the meeting?

I rode with Betsy and Maggie yesterday. We had such a great time. We did 15 miles in 3 hours. The weather was nice, company good, and the horses paced well together. It was awesome.

Feeling Crafty

This time of year I always feeling like sewing and cross stitching. Partly it's for Christmas but partly, I just get in the mood to catch up on my TV. I am currently watching Castle and cross stitching. I have a few sewing projects up my sleeve but I wasn't in the mood to work on it. Mostly I get stuck in one project and have trouble changing gears. Of course, I only have 3 free weeks of Peter being busy so I will have to get organized and use my time wisely. I have a few ideas about Maggie's gifts too and since she's not here, I should be sewing for her too. However this year I am lucky enough to have a separate sewing room. That will come in handy!

This week I lost 1.5 pounds. Trying to get on the wagon for next week by eating right this weekend!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sweet, Muddy Pony


Maggie and I were gone to a ride at Teresa's this weekend. We had a great time. I got to judge and she competed on Dixie.(I was one of six judges, so whatever score I gave her didn't take up 1/15 of her overall score) I didn't take Liberty as I felt like he could use a break after all his hard competition this year (Ok, well, Novice isn't that hard, but he's been traveling a lot) When we caught Dixie to leave on Friday, he seemed a little confused why he wasn't going. I guess he, Joe and Fiera had a good enough weekend together. When we got back today Joe was standing by his bucket, by the fence waiting to be fed. He's a muddy mess! I doubt we'll get him cleaned up till spring.

Maggie enjoyed riding and I enjoyed judging. She placed 3rd out of 4 in her class and Dixie was really well behaved. We stayed over after the ride to hang out with our favorite horse buddies, most of whom we don't get to spend enough time with. We had supper and took a night ride up in the hills by Teresa's house. I rode Freeley and he was pretty good, but I had forgotten how big and forward he is. He was really chugging along and not always watching where he went. A couple times he made me kind of nervous charging down this hills, but I loved his big walk. I had forgotten how big and quick he is. We got to sleep in Teresa's cabins on beds and we had a shower to use. It was very luxurious camping.

Alanna is going to be putting on an STC at this location next summer. Since I'm trying to keep my traveling down to shorter distances from home next year, I know this is one ride we'll be attending. It will be June 12.
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Friday, October 30, 2009

Weekend Diet Challenge

I had a slice of pizza last night for supper, with a big salad and it was really, really good. I am finding that knowing I can have one meal, or one thing, or one bit of something tasty actually helps me. Feeling my clothes so much looser keeps me motivated to not completely derail. I'm learning that planning is of the essence. This weekend I have a ride where they are feeding the judges, of which I am one. I asked what they were eating. In the past I would have just gone with it, but now I know I have to plan, or get stuck breaking my plan. I found out they were eating hot dogs. I don't like hot dogs enough to go off my diet, so I'm going to eat lunch at a restaurant I really enjoy and then eat medifast food when everyone is eating hot dogs. Tomorrow they are serving breakfast and lunch and having a potluck at night. My current plan is to bring potluck food, but I may or may not eat depending on what they serve. I will probably eat lunch again and if breakfast has protein I may or may not eat breakfast. Sunday I'm not yet sure what I will do, but I probably will just eat my own food. Of course, the trick is to make sure I pack food for Maggie too.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Medifast Weigh In week 5 (one month)

I weighed for my 5 week/1 month weigh in yesterday afternoon. I lost 6 pounds this week. This was a relief since I had gained 2 pounds the week before. I lost those 2 again plus 4 more. I have a weekly average of 3.5 pounds (3.4 exactly) which they tell me is really good. They also did my measurements and I have lost 16.5 pounds.

Last night after weigh in, I decided to eat one thing I really like to eat. I settled on a bowl of popcorn...which wasn't as tasty as I had wanted it to be, but was still a nice treat. Today I'm hungry. I'm probably paying for carb overload from last night.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Horsemasters 2009

Maggie and I attended the Horsemasters ride in East TX. It was the last NATRC ride of the season as the Last Chance ride had to be canceled. I have mixed feelings about it being the end of the season b/c I added up points and it looks like I'm tied for 1st in the Novice Heavyweight division. If I had one more ride, I could possible win clear...of course, I might not even actually be tied for first b/c I might have added it up wrong, so I will wait for official word to roll in.

The ride weather was beautiful. Liberty and Dixie had a hard time separating. The trail wrapped back on itself, so about the time we would each settle our horses, they would see each other and go nuts. Liberty was badly behaved at the first P&R because he saw Dixie leaving...somehow, despite his bad behavior, he didn't blow his P&R. Maggie told me that Dixie was upset about being alone as well. She said that she had never been nervous riding Dixie, but this weekend, she was nervous about her behavior. She said they did OK till the end of the ride, when she inadvertently crossed the two mile marker before she intended, in front of the judge, and had to continue on. Her buddy that she had ridden with all day had left her (another difficult horse) and was having similar trouble. Maggie ended up coming in 2 minutes early, which is better than she had expected. She just hated losing the points.

Sunday we decided to ride together, which was mostly OK. Dixie was misbehaving some and at one point, Maggie sent me over the edge b/c I felt like she was being mean to Dixie. Someone else helped me with Maggie, after I had yelled at her (Maggie, not Dixie) and we repositioned some tack and got out of the woods, and got away from the stallion we were riding with. Something helped to fix her attitude because things improved from there. I was so embarrassed yelling at Maggie in public. I hate to punish her in public. It embarrasses me, and her, but it had to be done in this case. The day ended pleasantly and we had fun cantering through some fields just b/c we could.

The obstacles were all things I could do! There was a dismount and remount on the offside, backing through two trees (he backed through them even though he bumped into one of the trees) downhills, uphills, a huge log that we had to jump b/c he just couldn't get over it. In the end, Liberty not only placed first but Sweepstaked again! I was shocked. I had been thinking about how bad he had been fidgeting for the vet and just generally not behaving, but evidently he wasn't as bad as I thought. It's kind of a nice switch from the days when I thought I was really good, but wasn't :-) Now I don't' think we're good and we're OK. He's just such a tremendous horse. I'm so happy and surprised that the year turned out this way. I never would have believed he be this good at this sport. In the beginning I thought he'd be better suited for endurance, but now I think he's suited to do whatever we decide we want to do. I adore this horse. I am so grateful to God for bringing him into my life.

I forgot to post about Medifast last week. I didn't do so hot last week. With my birthday, I ate too much and gained 2 pounds. However, I think I will have lost it plus a couple more when I weigh in this week.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Pole Canyon wrap up

Pole Canyon Ranch in Quitaque, TX is my most favorite place I have ever ridden. It is just a gorgeous place to go (photos will be at Tierone Photos when Peter gets them finished) The rocks and the flat lands, the trees and the cows, the coyote and the deer all add to the rustic nature of this gorgeous place to ride.

The weather was just beautiful. It was chilly, but tolerable at night and sunny and just warm enough during the day. The obstacles were challenging, but very doable. Some of the obstacles were things I had been practicing "just in case" I was ever asked to do them in competition. For example: we dismounted onto a rock on the near side and then had to turn our horse to the offside to remount. I can successfully do this in reverse, but wondered how well I would do it the opposite way, so I had been practicing. All those off side mounts paid off.

Maggie and I rode together in the STC on Saturday. We both had really high scored and I was very proud of Liberty. We are consistently getting 8's and a few 10's instead of all 6's. I had the pleasure of riding with Jeanne Dover, a newcomer to CTR, though not at all a newcomer to riding. Her horse, Harley, was wonderful and paced well with Liberty. She said he could be hard to stop, though I confess, I never noticed it. I was once again tickled that I have a horse who listens to me so well. Once, while galloping across a field with Maggie, Jeanne, and another junior, I decided I was ready to slow down. So, I asked Liberty to walk...and he did. The girls kept on running and he just picked up a nice walk and walked on. This is probably his best feature! Now, to perfect more obstacles.

In the end, Maggie was the only junior who finished. Rachel, the other junior, had a lameness issue with her horse between 12-16 miles and had to pull, which was very disappointing. Maggie placed first, as a result. I placed 4th and Jeanne placed third. Annette Thurlow, who has had her share of terrible horse problems over the years won our division, her first time in level 1...Everyone was tickled for her. On the year end awards, Irene Henry was the Supreme Trail Champion and I was reserve with Maggie a close third.

On Sunday, I got to judge for the first time and I really enjoyed it. I thought carefully about what I was looking for, so that I could explain at the end what I was judging. Maggie was again the only junior and placed first again. I believe she has now passed me in the year end NCTHA standings and depending on what happens in the next few weeks with our rides, she may end up being the high point winner. Of course, the year isn't over till the end of December, and no telling what will happen, but I can't think of anyone I'd rather be beaten by than my own kid! Maggie is asking when she can ride with the adults, as she doesn't like always winning b/c there aren't any other kids. I wish that we could get more juniors to participate.

My eating wasn't as hot as it could have been this weekend. I did great on the trail and around camp, but Alanna, the ride manager, fed us so well. I took small portions and lots of salad and didn't overeat dessert, but I did have a lot more carbs than I have been used to. Now I'm going to have to 'detox' myself all over again...and that's hard. I don't have to weigh in till the end of the week though...and that's good.

One more ride in the NATRC season and then we have 2 more TTC's and we're done with that for the year. In November, I am looking forward to taking a little break, but the Christmas ride is the first weekend of December and I plan to start riding open at that point, so I can't take too much of a break.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Pole Canyon Fall

Maggie, Peter and I are heading out to Pole Canyon Ranch tomorrow for a Supreme Trail Challenge. Sunday will be my first opportunity to do some simple judging...I guess that means my training will be beginning. I have a ton of stuff to do tonight before we leave, but the truck and the clothes are mostly packed. It's been hard to do much this week because I have felt so crummy. I came home from Missouri feeling OK, but then Wednesday morning I woke up with an upset tummy and terrible headache. So, I slept in and took yesterday off. I felt a little less crummy today, but still felt bad until about noon...then I started feeling much, much better.

I went to Medifast today and weighed in. I have lost a total of 13.5 pounds...4 pounds this week. I have been really good about my diet, but did eat the buffet food and some wine on Saturday night. I also had some popcorn this week. This weekend will be challenging b/c I'm going to eat Alanna's cooking (and her cooking is really good) So, I will eat my medifast food for breakfast and snacks and eat Alanna's food for lunch and dinner and exercise enough to burn off the extra calories. That shouldn't be a problem since we are going 20 miles.

My friend Dee is checking on the horses while I'm gone. I'm leaving them tack if they want to ride while I'm gone. I'm so happy to have someone to help me with the ponies. Fiera and Joe Bear will be alone and hopefully it will give them a chance to bond. I hate leaving her alone so Joe being back is a great addition to our little family.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Diets and driving

Travel is not condusive to eating right. After eating properly through lunch, i succombed to snacking on the road. Tomorrow will be better.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Liberty Hs class of 1984 reunion

I was amazed how few people I recognized at my HS reunion. I felt really terrible that I had to read so many name tags to remember who people were. Among those I though never changed were Doug Bishop, Amy Brown (Duncan), Rolland Yoakum, Sheri Mos...there were others but those are the folks I kept looking at thinking I would still know them 25 years later. Of course, I kept in touch with a few folks so I knew those folks as well. It was an entertaining evening and I was happy to see everyone.

I managed to mostly stay on my food program but did drink a little. Today I am back on plan.

Will be leaving Susan's for Columbia this evening so I can make the trip back in one day. It's too cold to want to camp.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Recent NATRC rides

We have had such a great NATRC season so far. It's been so much fun. i admit that it's also been tiring to go to so many rides, though I have been having such a good time.

Liberty is becoming everything I ever wanted in a horse. Now, I just have to become a better rider for him. If can learn to calmly open a gate one of these days I will be thrilled.

Liberty helped me achieve something I never dreamed of in the past: he won novice sweepstakes at Robber's route. I'm still on cloud nine about. Maggie was first in Novice Junior, me in Novice Heavy and I got the sweepstakes. one of these days I'm sure she'll beat me. Well, heck she did at the STC.

At the benefit ride this past weekend, I cost him points and I feel so bad about it. I didn't add my second pad b/c I didn't want to mess with it in the rain...as a result I rubbed all the hair off his loin. I'm so annoyed with myself. Poor Liberty!

I am not good at writing good descriptions of the entire ride unless I do it in process or right after. This week I feel too crummy to write anything really detailed and Robber's Route was 2 weeks ago.

On having the flu

This being sick business is absolutely no fun. Today I feel a little less hungover, but my breathing is worse. I'm wheezing quite a bit, but my temp is down. Maggie and I are both sick and doing no work today. She has a higher fever than me, but today we're both under 101, so that's a good sign. We're pretty sure it's the H1N1 flu as they say there are no cases of the "regular" flu already this year. I haven't gone to the doctor as they won't test you for it anyway and I figure there are sicker people at the doctor than at home, so I might as well just stay home. Tomorrow I will probably try to get her back to reading and do some light work. I hope to work a little on Thursday, though I confess to being torn since I'm leaving town on Thursday afternoon anyway.

I should also add the mailman won't deliver my mail b/c I have my trailer parked out front. I called the Post office today and told them I was ill and I couldn't move it till I felt better and please just deliver the mail. My best friend in MO is a delivery person and she says he's just being lazy and there is no reason he can't deliver the mail. I left a gap so that he could deliver the mail...and it's a walking route anyway. It depends on which guy is doing the delivering. Sometimes they will leave it, sometimes they won't. I'm hoping that I feel good enough to take it back tonight or tomorrow am.


Diet wise...I think that I have blown it this week. I'm still keeping my calories under 1000, but I have gained a couple pounds. This makes no sense to me. I rode 2 days this weekend. I ate on plan until the end of the day Sunday, but I still haven't gone over 1000 calories any day. I will have to get in to the center to weigh before I leave town for my weekend trip. I won't have enough food to make it through the rest of the week. I'm not sure what the problem is but I am discouraged. Hopefully I can get this back on track tomorrow.

Monday, October 5, 2009

The flu

We all have the flu. We are all miserable. Peter is on the back end of it and feeling better. Maggie's temp has been as high as 104. Mine has been as high as 102.5. This am we're a little lower, but still miserable. This week is going to be a long one. Not sure when I'll be able to wor k. I have cheated on my diet. Not terribly, but yesterday I was so hungry that I did eat some real food. I doubt I ate enough to really hurt myself, but I won't be in a fat burning state anymore. Of course, as bad as I feel, I probably won't be weighing in tomorrow anyway.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Today

I found out today that my belt could go up two notches. This is very exciting! I am also seeing how each little food choice makes a difference. It's ok to say yes to goodies sometimes, but it's better to say no more often. I also realize once again that I don't need as much food as I think I need.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Day nine

Today I had to wait a long time between my morning snack and my lunch. I was so hungry, I could have eaten anything in front of me...but I didn't. I ate low carb, lean and green and I was very proud of myself. I think I like eating lunch or eating in the mid-afternoon better than I like eating supper. I stay satisfied from food when I eat lunch/dinner between 3pm and 5pm. Of course, I can't always do that, so I'm learning to adapt. Each day I'm amazed how I can be hungry and not lose my mind. I think having less carbs and no sugar in my life keep me from getting as hungry.

Maggie baked cookies for the NATRC potluck. I had her do it when I wasn't here b/c I didn't want to smell them baking. Chocolate Chip cookies are really a big weakness for me. I can more easily not eat one than I can avoid eating 5. Though, that said, people are always saying to me that once you give up sugar, you eventually don't miss it...I think they are lying.

Tomorrow Maggie and I will get up and pack to go to the Natrc Region 4 benefit ride. We aren't as prepared to leave as early as possible. I still have to buy hay, go to the store and pack the cooler.

Poor Peter is sick...running a fever, probably flu. Not the scary flu, just a little flu. We are hanging out in the office to stay away from him and his germs.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Ride this weekend and making an effort to stay on task

I realized tonight, while I was preparing my salads and chicken for the Region 4 Benefit Ride this weekend, that I can't drink gatorade on my current plan. It has too much sugar and would totally throw off my sugar levels. Oops...glad I thought of it before I cracked open a bottle. I have Dynamite Elixir and that's what I'll use instead, but I'm really happy I thought it out ahead of time. It would be just like me to screw up accidentally, not really planning and sabotage myself.

Tonight Liberty tried to choke on me again. Well, I guess he did more than try. It lasted longer than usual, and I even called the vet b/c he didn't pass it like he usually does. Normally, he'll cough a little and go right back to eating, but not tonight. I used all my Dynamite remedies (relax and release) and that usually does the trick, but tonight I cold water hosed him. IT seemed like he coughed most of the stuff up right away, but he kept having spasms for a good while after. Eventually he started bossing Toots around and I knew he was OK. I left him in the round pen with no food and lots of water tonight. He'll be itching to get out by morning. I can never let him have even one bite of dry food. I hadn't soaked it. Usually I add a little water after I give it to him, but tonight just shows that he can't take even one bite without it being mush.

I cheated on my diet tonight...I'm not normally a stress eater. I didn't eat while I was stressed, but since I have started Medifast I have been eating in a very organized way. I wasn't home and didn't have an extra meal with me. I ate 6 almonds and a handful of "trucker's trash", but I stopped there and didn't keep going. I was just so hungry at the time, but of course, it was probably relief at Liberty being OK too.

I spent part of the evening making my meals for the weekend. I proportioned my chicken and packaged it for the cooler. I packed double so Maggie could have some if she wanted it, plus a little extra if I found I was just too hungry not to eat real food. I'm bringing cans of green beans for my cooked veggie fetish, though I really hope there is something at the potluck I can eat on Saturday night. I have salads packs for both days. I also made salads for Maggie. She isn't so keen on salad, but if it's all there is, she'll eat it. She's lost a couple pounds too, since I started the diet b/c there isn't a lot of junk around. I guess she'll have to finish off the rice krispy treats in the truck :-) Love those things!

Off to bed. I have to get up early so I can go let Liberty out of the round pen tomorrow before work.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Weigh In

My weigh in netted me a total loss of 8 pounds this week, my first week on the plan. I'm not sure it really was a full 8 pounds b/c they weighed me on one scale, and maybe I was wearing heavier clothes? Not really sure. But from now on, I'm going to wear the same clothes each Tuesday till I can't wear them anymore, to get an accurate reading. I'm pretty excited. I'm not in ketosis yet, as a couple of my "cheats" are keeping me out of fat burning, so this week, I will watch my extras a little better. I'm still taking in less than 80 grams of carbs each day, so I suspect my body is just a bit resistant.

I got 7 boxes of food today. I decided to get a box of snacks for the trail and a box of oatmeal for variety. Turns out I can make muffins with the oatmeal, which I will probably do for the ride this weekend b/c that will make an easy breakfast. I also got some crunch bars, which I will save for the weekend. They tell me the cappacino is good, so I'm trying that also. And I got a box of banana pudding. If I don't lose enough weight this week with the higher calorie items (these are 110 vs 90) I will drop back next week and try to have something a little lower, like more shakes.

I asked them what I should do about the weekend since I will be expended so many calories riding. Their answer was not to do it. I told them that wasn't really an option! So, I can have an extra snack, or an extra shake or eat more veggies...but no carbs. sigh...I'm going to be missing bread, but it's ultimately worth it.

I realized I never blogged about Robber's Route. I will try to rectify that later.

Off to get a new tire for my trailer. Fun, fun.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Nice riding, almost one week

I weighed this morning and it looks like I will be getting in my full five or six pound loss tomorrow I think. I'm so happy. I can see where my sodium was really high before and how that was really holding me up. I'm logging all my food in sparkpeople and it wouldn't allow me to lose 65 pounds by February 23. I had to move the goal out to May 23 before it would give me a calorie range of 1200-1400.

Tonight I made the best chicken for dinner! I put lemon pepper on it and lemon juice. At the end I'm made a sauce of white wine and I thickened it tiny bit of flour. It was really, really good. I also sauteed mushrooms and zucchini together. I only used a tiny bit of the sauce b/c this diet is low fat and low carb, so I don't want to mess up my fat burning. After dinner I had my treat of a sugar free popcicle.

Today I realized how much Peter's boredom eating has affected me. He will go into the kitchen and start prowling. I never realized that I would often get "hungry" along with him. He would prowl, I would think about what time it was, or start thinking about eating. Last night he was doing it and I asked him if he was hungry. He wasn't, but he wanted food. He went after the chocolate chips in the cabinet. I asked him not to eat them b/c Maggie was going to use them to make cookies.

I'm finding that it's really a lot easier not to eat at all, even when hungry, than to try to regulate my eating. I'm learning again that I need less food than I thought I needed in the past.

We had a great ride at Six O today. We left Fiera alone in the pasture and she didn't go nuts and break any fences, so that was great. She's learning to be independent at an early age.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Sunday, Day 5

Today started out in a big rush. Jena spent the night with Maggie and I had to get the girls out for church at 8:30. The a/c was busted in the sanctuary. So, it was warm. Jena was sleepy and the pastor overheated. They had the second service in the fellowship hall, where the a/c was working. Peter was the assistant minister for today's service and he was also cantor. He did a great job. His tone quality and pitch memory are coming along as he becomes less nervous with the job.

I decided to eat lunch today instead of summer. It worked out well, but I did eat a little more, and a few things off plan. I still only totaled 1100 calories for the day and I did walk for 20 minutes, so I'm hoping that will counter act some of what I ate that wasn't correct. WE went to our favorite hamburger joint. I had a mushroom swiss burger, hold the bun. I added extra mushrooms, ate no fries and had a side salad. It was very satisfying. We ate about 2pm and I wasn't hungry for a shake until about 6:30. I still have one more shake to go, which I will have before bed. I'm proud of myself b/c I didn't eat any bread or any of Peter's french fries even though he offered me one. At this point in the game I'm better off not eating anything sweet or carby. I like that stuff way, way too much.

When we went to check on the horses, we found that the horses behind us were in our field again. I walked over to find out who I needed to talk to get the fence fixed, but no one who lives in the house has anything to do with the pasture. I called the girl who used to be behind me, and she said she'd try to round up some phone numbers, but not to hold my breath. Peter and I fixed the fence with what we had to fix it...at least they will have to go through a solid object to come over now. But, I do worry someone will get hurt. I don't want mine going over there anymore than I want them over at my place. I have hay, so they are coming over to eat my hay. If it keeps happening, I will probably lodge a complaint with the police department. I'd really rather not do that if I don't have to. It won't engender good will.

Maggie went to Hurricane Harbor with a friend's daughter and had a nice time. Peter and I came home and watched an old British Comedy we like called Allo, Allo. It was funny. Now I'm procrastinating writing my notes by writing in my blog. I need to be going through the laundry on my bed as well. I don't see myself doing that either.

Tomorrow Maggie and I will go riding with our friend Robin at Six O Ranch in Cleburne. I may be buying some fencing to fix the back just in case my friends come back over yet again. Maggie will do her math in the car while we drive. It's going to be such a nice day tomorrow.

I weighed on the Wii fit this am and I am down 5.3 pounds since last Tuesday when I weighed on the Wii before going to Medifast. That was really exciting!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Medifast day 4 and a busy Saturday

I have been doing great so far. I have already lost about 5 pounds according to my home scales. Tomorrow I hope to weigh on the Wii fit before getting ready for church b/c it's the most accurate to go with the scales at the Medifast center. Today has been really hard. I have been hungry all day. I'm learning to just not eat. I spent a good deal of time cross stitching tonight and watching TV with Maggie and Jena. I cooked an early supper and have been sipping tea until I got hungry around nine, when I had my last shake. I'm consuming about 800 calories per day right now, so pretty small amounts. I did eat my extra snack today, which was a small sugar free snow cone. IT had about 15 calories in it. I'm learning that I don't need the huge amounts of food that I thought I did. I'm surviving quite well. I'm also discovering that while I'm not a stress eater, I'm definitely a boredom eater. I didn't even realize how much I liked to munch just b/c it was there. I definitely am learning what real hunger is. Knowing I have no options of what to eat is really comforting. I drink my shakes every 2-3 hours and I get hungry in between and it's just how it is. I washed my popcorn pan and there isn't any corn in the house (my biggest weakness) Maggie has been making s'mores in the microwave and that about did me in. I had Peter put the fixins way up high! I think that when I can have real textures again next week, it will be good. I'm a little nervous about the CTR next weekend b/c I'm going to expend more calories than I'm used to. I'm not sure how to handle that event and will have to talk to my counselor about it on Tuesday. I want to eat enough food to stay afloat for the exercise, but I don't want to "cheat" i want to have a plan.

The vet came today to check everyone's teeth and to vaccinate. It was pretty much a non-event. Thank goodness I didn't need any teeth floated. I almost have last year's bill paid off (I had a few extra medical road bumps along the way) and I hated to have to add anything else to it. But, we have travel plans coming up so everyone needed a coggins.

Jena came to hang out today and the kids worked out at the Y while the vet was in. I walked 20 minutes in the field, fixing fences, etc. The neighbor's horse, Pocono had come to visit again, but when I went to catch him, he ran from me, straight back into his own field. I think he just likes my grass better.

Tomorrow is church. Maggie may go to Hurricane Harbor with a friend. It's the last day they are open this year. I'm actually trying to expend as little energy as possible this first week, though hopefully by next week, I can start adding exercise back in. I'm missing it.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Medifast day 3.5

Today went really smoothly. I only drank 3 of my 5 shakes during the day. I never had that empty grumbling feeling that I have been getting, so that's pretty good. I'm sure with it only be 7pm, I will probably drink at least one more shake tonight, but I won't if I don't get hungry. I often don't eat after supper. I had a huge reality check today when I realized how much food I could eat and not eat that many calories if I just chose the right food. Of course, I suspect the right foods will get boring at some point. Today I had a chicken breast and zucchini and swiss chard all sauteed in 1 tsp of olive oil plus garlic cloves. I have already lost 2 pounds according to my home scales.

Medifast day 3

Today was a reasonably easy start. I think my body is getting used to the reduced calories. I had to have my bloodwork drawn, so it was 9am before I had my first shake and I feel pretty good. I have had my coffee and am getting ready to go see a client. I wanted to take Maggie with me, but she feels like being home, so I gave her reading to do and she is going to do a few house chores. I will be home early afternoon and then I have to take in my truck to have one of the tires repaired and go see another client this evening. It's been a productive week. Tomorrow we plan to go riding. I hope that I do ok with the reduced calories and increased exercise. Honestly, I'm prepared to eat a healthy snack if I need more food tomorrow...something like eggs or turkey, nothing high carb. I'll just have to play it by ear.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Medifast day 2

Yesterday was easy compared to today. I'm very hungry today and I can't shake it. Yesterday when I had a shake I was temporarily full, but not today. I drink my shake, run to the bathroom, drink lots of water and try not to think about how hungry I am. I'm very tired today and having trouble getting through my day. I am wishing i didn't have to go back out to see clients, but I have to. I'm just sooo hungry.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

medifast

I started Medifast today. While I am a little nervous about such a radical change, I am rxcited about losing weight. I figure the fees for the program are cheaper than a heart attack.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Too many hours

I am currently blessed with a lot of work. So much so that I find myself a bit stressed and tired. I am homeschooling maggie,which I find is going well. However, the hours I work keep me from feeling as organized as I would like. She is doing a great job. At the same time I don't want to cut off any income streams. I am giving myself plenty of time to really decide well.

Monday, August 31, 2009

I am So Tired!

Today was our first day of school...homeschool that is...and to start things off, we did nothing on school work. Maggie had a doctor's appointment, I had an assessment to do. We had chores to complete. The weather was nice and wanted to ride. I had to do a mega grocery store trip. I have walked over 8000 steps today and it's only 5pm. I'm very tired.



I did manage to save a bunch of money on my groceries though. I have a list through The Grocery Game and it tells me when to use my coupons and what to buy. My first total was $266 which came down to $155 after the coupons and in store savings. I have food for the weekend ride, the potluck and for the household. It takes a little time, but it's worth it.



Now I have food, but don't have to cook dinner. Peter made a turkey that we bought almost a year ago (I found it in the freezer) and we will eat on that this week. Yummo!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Vacation part 3

Spendng time with parents is always a fun part of vacation, but since they have both moved away from Liberty, my hometown, I find I don't get back often enough. So I have been trying to get back to Liberty more often. I wish my friend Susan would come visit me in Texas, but she says that she doesn't like Texas and won't come, so I try to get back to Liberty. Susan has good reason not to travel as her mom is ill and she needs to stay close to home.

Saturday Maggie was to ride in a MOTDRA CTR with our friend Eric Nelson. He has Shagya's and we've known each other through the horses for several years. He rides a beautiful stallion known as Max. He has one of the other horses that Myrna bred as well. Her name is Prima, and she is Deli's half sister. Maggie was to ride Wineglass Rouge and I was going along to deliver Maggie and volunteer.

Motrdra rules are a bit different than Natrc. The pace is faster, the mileage is longer and there is no horsemanship judging. It's very laid back in many ways, but the competition is stiff. In this sport the P&R points are key. The cut off is 44 instead of the 48 that we try to reach in NATRC. As a result there aren't many perfect scores.

Maggie had never ridden that far or fast before and she was one tired puppy. She had a great time riding with Eric and Rouge got second place in junior division. The only points she lost were for a high P&R of 49. She actually has better P&R's on 50's according to Eric.

Her trot was so big that Maggie was a wreck for a couple of days.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Vacation part two

As usual, I start getting busy and don't find time to write. I started to write about my vacation and then my dad and his wife came back from condo shopping and we went out to dinner. My dad is such a serious computer addict (if you read this dad, I apologize...it's just so true) He plays solitaire, checks his stock portfolio. He and his wife have a tiny little office where they sit side by side. Dad on his desktop and Shirley on her lap top. It's very cute. They like each other very much. My dad is very happy.

On Sunday night after riding we went to my dad's house. Being at Dad's is very relaxed. They let us come and go as we please. We do stuff together, but we do stuff with them too. The big excitement for Maggie in Columbia, besides her grandparents, was seeing her old pony Joe Bear. The weather was very rainy while we were in town, so riding was kind of hit and miss, but Maggie had such much getting to play with and ride her pony. He, on the other hand, was really not pleased to have her on him so much. By the third day of riding, he was running away from us when we showed up to ride. But, true to Joe Bear nature, he would come when feed buckets were shaken. Poor little guy just can't help himself.

We stayed at my dad's until Thursday morning, when we had planned to go to Worlds of Fun to swim and ride. There had been a chance of rain all week, so we didn't really want to get wet and cold and decided to wait till Friday to go. We drove to Liberty, got massages and went to see a movie. We just needed to kill time till Susan got off work. Then we went to Red Lobster (always our favorite place) to eat dinner with Susan and her friend Mary.

The weather was so pleasant that we were able to sleep with the windows down at Susan's house all the nights we were there. It was so cool that we decided not to go to Worlds of Fun or Schlitterbahn the next day b/c we knew we'd freeze. We couldn't believe we were worried about being cold in August. Since we were going to the CTR with Eric on Saturday, I knew I needed to buy a jacket or I'd be freezing! It was supposed to be a low of 53 on Friday night. Susan had to work on Friday since the post office had gone back to mandatory 6 days, so I went to Robin's, where Maggie rode one of her horses and we walked. Then we loaded up with her girlfriend, Kelli, and Kelli's daughter and went to a wine shop in Excelsior, owned by yet another HS friend, Daphne. We were treated to a wine tasting and great lunch food and just passed the afternoon. It was four before we all realized how late it had gotten and headed back to Robin's house, just in time for Maggie and I to head to the CTR to meet Eric.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Maggie and Joe

It has rained every day we have been in Missouri. Loving Joe Bear as she does Maggie has ridden every day in spite of the rain. Yesterday she began teaching him the parelli 7 games, which he did not enjoy so much. I think that 33 year old ponies think they should not have to work this hard! Today he ran around away from us when she tried to catch him. He knew work was coming and he wasn't so enthused.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Vacation so far

I left Arlington early on Friday am to head to my mom's house in Nixa, MO. I had planned originally to take horses so that we could ride in some new locations, but after thinking about my 8 mph truck and my 26 mph car, I decided to ditch the extended horsey road trip for another month. We are entering a lot of rides this far and as much as I would have loved to have ridden in new places for 2 weeks, I decided saving the cash for the rides was better...Peter was happy that I did that.

I got to my mom's mid-afternoon where she and Maggie were enjoying a quiet afternoon. Mom taught Maggie to cross stitch and Maggie had finished one picture and started another. Mom was going to make homemade ice cream to take to my brother's house for dinner.

It was great to see my brother and his wife and kids. My brother made ribs and we had a great dinner. Eric's grill got really hot for some reason though, and melted the lid on his grill. The meat was fine on the inside, but a little black on the outside. Maggie loved being able to play with her cousins as they have a great big yard and they have a lot of equipment. she played baseball and ran around fighting jedi knights with her cousin, Travis. Saturday we had a relaxing day and were able to read and watch TV. Maggie's cousin, Reagan came over to play and then we hung out with mom in the evening and ate her hamburgers, which are always great.

Sunday we headed to Warsaw, MO to ride with my friend, Eric Nelson, at Berry Bend State Park on the horse trails. He was telling me how rocky they were, and I didn't really believe they could be any worse than trails we have in TX, but they were so rocky. At one point, Eric asked me why anyone would ask a horse to go barefoot on trails like those and I confess, I had to agree with him. I have no doubt that Liberty could, but having seen them, I would definitely boot him.

Eric brought his stallion, Max to ride. Maggie rode Rouge, who I rode at the Cedar Creek NATRC ride 3 years ago and I rode Prima, who is Deli's half sister. I had a heck of a time getting on that silly horse. She's a full hand bigger than Liberty and when I adjusted the stirrups to the right position, even standing on the curb I couldn't quite reach the stirrup. She doesn't stand so well, and that didn't help either.

Max and Rouge were ready to run and Prima was at first, but the poor thing just couldn't keep up all the time. We did trot a little in the beginning when it wasn't very rocky. Her trot was so smooth, it felt like she was barely coming off the ground. Deli feels that way when she trots too. I had forgotten how nice it was! Toward the end of the loop, she began to wait and eat and puff and blow and then decide the other two horses were far enough away and go catch up. We came to a water hole and I thought she was going to take me swimming for awhile. But, she was happy to stand in the hole and let me sponge her off. We only did about 8 miles total, but I think it was all she was ready for that day. I was riding in Eric's Tucker. I had always thought they looked so comfortable, but when I got off I found that the top of my hamstrings and my hips hurt so bad that I'm not sure I could ride in that saddle long term. Eric says it's b/c we only walked and that could be, but boy, I'm still sore, even today. Eric invited us to go to KS to a MODTRA ride next Saturday and I think we're going to do it. He has someone else riding Rouge, but Maggie is going to ride Prima and I'm going to volunteer.

I was so impressed by how well behaved they were and how they let us each ride them and didn't even care they'd never seen us before. They were such good ponies, and I had a great day getting to visit with Eric, who I just don't get to see often enough.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Great riding

I thought I should post about my fun day riding at Six O today. Maggie is out of town so I decided to ride a bit with my friends, since I'm usually riding with Maggie and my friends. Robin (same robin as Tracey's story) met me at Six O today with one of her older horses, since Shetan was tired from all the riding at PHR. we did about 20 miles, and tried to go faster than my typical 3.5 mph. I think we averaged 6.5 until the end when we walked in and it brought our average down to about 4.5 Liberty was great all day long. he was always willing go forward, trotted, walked and cantered when I asked. Opened a few gates, and just generally was a good boy. We came in and ate lunch and then headed back out for a second, shorter loop. The second loop, he wanted in the water somewhere badly! We drank out of the bass pond, but I didn't let him go in since I didn't know how squishy the bottom was. Liberty scared me at the stock tank by putting a whole hoof into the stock tank by the windwill, which was no good. I pulled him back very quickly. At the last windmill, he put his hoof on top of the concrete. He loves the water, so I had to get off and lead him up to the water or he would have jumped in.

I also got to ride yesterday at the grasslands with Amy Crane. she has done one NATRC ride, at IT, several years ago. She also did the TTC recently at Cbar. She has a really sweet saddlebred/arab cross named Lexie, who she bought from Leslie Sloan. We mostly walked with a little trotting, but we had a great time. Liberty did take me swimming when we got back to camp...he loves his water. I think Wishi should give him her water wings.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Just waiting

My friend Dee is on her to meet me. We had planed a ride and then water aerobics at the ymca but it looks like it's going to storm. Since I gave Deli to the Flying G Ranch I don't have an extra friend horse anymore and it bums me out but at the same time it is such a relief to know she has a good home. Maggie is gone to my mom's so I planned to let Dee ride Dixie. The poor chubby mare doesn't need to be out of work for two weeks while Maggie and I are gone, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to let her ride. I suppose I could offer Liberty upfor others to ride at some point, but I am not ready to share him yet. While waiting I trimmed his feet. I had forgotten how hard trimming is. The last time they needed a trim I had Tony do it. I am considering calling him for Fiera and Dixie. Liberty is grazing in his halter and lead rope. I am afraid to turn him loose for fear I won't be able to catch him if the storm blows over.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Funny Frankie

With the recent rain the grass has gotten very tall. Frankie won't walk through the tall grass to go to the bathroom. Maggie mowed the front yard today and made a trip through the backyard so he would go. He ran outside on the path and went to the fence and went right away. He was so relieved to be able to walk through the grass without it touching his belly. Funny little dog will jumpinto the water trough and roll in the dirt but doesn't want to walk through the tall, wet grass.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

I'm in a weird mood

I'm feeling blue and melancholy tonight for no apparent reason. I feel like I"m bored, yet I have things to do...yet, I don't want to do them. I wasted a good riding weekend just sitting around. IT's not entirely true. I didn't waste it. I had Peter's family here today and that was great fun. They all came for lunch and Peter's brother's and wife's birthdays. I got to see my inlaws and I haven't seen them since Christmas. Maggie has gone back with her grandparents to Peter's brother's house, where she will spend the night hanging out with Peter's mom and getting to play with her almost 2 year old cousin tomorrow. Normally I really enjoy the alone time. Tonight I just feel odd. I had thought when they left to go to Nick's house (Peter's brother) I would go ride my horse, but I didn't. I was feeling comfortable in my chair and I played Sims 3, which is a complete waste of time, but was fun anyhow. Now I really wouldn't mind going out, but it's 8:20 and I have to work early tomorrow, so I won't go.

I was supposed to meet someone to camp tomorrow night and ride both tomorrow night and Tuesday morning, but she had to cancel. So, I was going to go ahead and go down tomorrow night and camp, but it seems strange to camp all alone with no one else around. I have enjoyed the rides I have gone on alone, but to go to a place and be completely alone just doesn't sound like fun. I think I have decided to sleep at home tomorrow night and get up at 4:30 and drive to Athens to ride. I may even put out a note to the NATRC list to see if anyone is free that wants to go. If I could find some other people to camp, then I'd go down, but going alone just doesn't feel right. I wish that Maggie could go with me, but she goes to her dad's on Tuesday and with her going to visit my mom in a few weeks, I don't want to take them away from each other.

I have been wanting to judge in STC/TTC and I'm finding out that people don't find me to be qualified right now. I have been trying to reinvent myself, but evidently I'm not quite there yet. Yesterday it really upset me, but now I've decided that I would just as soon ride and enjoy my horse for the rest of this year and see what a year of campaigning can do for me. I have already decided to ride open next year. Maggie wants to, but it may not be time for Dixie yet. We still have saddle issues to work out!

I did ride at the field last night with Maggie trying out my new Icelandic saddle. I don't think it's going to work on Liberty so well. IT's a Duett Bravo and it's billed as a trail saddle. It's too small for me, but I think it fit him OK. It also looks like it may work on Dixie, but Maggie wasn't sure she was crazy about the way it fit her. So, it will probably be up for sale. It's nice saddle and I got it for a good price, so I can probably resell it for the same money again.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Hot Fourth of July

Well, OK, duh, it's hot and it's July which makes it summer...

Our fourth started with a bang and some sparks that were NOT fireworks related. In the middle of the night we noticed the house was really, really quiet. The power was off. The dog was barking in Maggie's room. I got up (and was able to see without glasses or contacts thanks to Lasik Surgery) and found the neighbors on the front lawn and 2 firetrucks in the street lights flashing. The teen age boy next door told me they heard a pop and had sparks in the backyard so they called the fire department. Sounds like a transformer blew. I have no idea what time it was, but it was really, really dark. So, I'm guess 4am or before. I didn't go to bed till midnight, so I was pretty bleary eyed. I came in the house, which was thankfully still cool. Peter couldn't sleep anymore so he was up and down after 5. I finally got up at 7:45, Maggie was awake then so we ended up all getting up and going to breakfast.

Now, I'm home, getting ready to cook a brisket...which seems to be a great summer sort of thing to do. I'm getting the fire ready right now. I like the char the brisket and then bring it in, wrap it in foil and cook it in a sauce.

Last night I rode with my friend Amy Crane. It was great fun. We left about 6pm and rode until dark. It was much cooler than riding in the day time. It was good to ride as it got cooler instead of it getting hotter. The horses did great, until the deer started popping up. It was really fun until they got jumpy. We did get out into the lake and that was so pleasant. The horses were great and wanted to go in deeper, even though there were boats and wakes. I was so pleased how sensible they were. We did a little trotting and cantering to work on Amy's confidence. Her last horse bucked her off at the canter so she's working on her confidence to canter again.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

So much to do, so little time

Cat's son was rushed to the ER yesterday. At first they thought that he had been given a drug called GHB, since he had many of the symptoms of this drug, but after he became coherent he remembered his day and he hadn't eaten or drunk anything that wasn't his own. They decided today it must have been heat stroke. They couldn't check for the drug as they said the ER lab didn't have the ability to test for it. It's a date rape drug and it's known as Liquid X or Liquid Ecstasy. It can sometimes be given along with a drink or candy and kids might not know it's been given to them.

Today is my "desk day" It's the day I run errands and pay bills. My bills are way backed up...so I guess that means next I will have no money once I pay them, but hey, that's why I work. I had the guy come to mow my field this am and that took a lot longer than it should have.

I got to play with Fiera for awhile when I was at the field. She was very ornery. I decided that I need to review some of my foal/yearling materials before I proceed. She has begun to kick out if you push her away and she's very pushy. I spent most of my time this morning working on the yoyo game to get her out of my space. She was a very quick study, but she became offended when I would ask her to leave my space and then try to reel her back in. Little goober wanted to stay away. Then I worked a little on circling and giving the hind quarters. This didn't go very well. She kept running into me forcing me to move my feet before starting her circle. Since I lose when I move my feet, and I lose if she plows me down, I think I will have to start here. I may call Jennifer up and have some lessons to get us started. Since she's just a yearling, I don't think I can work with her long at a time, but I'm definitely seeing some very obstinant characteristics. She's sticky and doesn't move...unless it's her idea. I did finally get her to move around me in a circle without plowing me down and I did get her to back away from me and face me, but I haven't really gotten her to yielding her hind quarters when I ask her to. But, I didn't want to make it too much work, so I let it go for the day when I got what I wanted a couple times.

I'm wondering if ground work with a yearling qualifies as aerobic exercise? She gave me a serious workout. She's really grown lately and I can see I need to spend more time teaching her to be more respectful. One of the things I have been doing today while I pay bills is listening to my Clinton Anderson DVD on Foals and Yearlings as a refresher course.

I have been sorting out papers on my desk, paying bills and feeling slightly depressed. I have money coming in, but it's not here yet...bills are due...it's just one of those things that happens from time to time.

I have been contemplating how much I enjoy being off work on Tuesday while Maggie is at her dad's. I would very much like to have a day to myself like this next year and not have to go to springtown. However, I also have a hard time turning down the $200/week of pay that I get from them. I'm just thinking at this point. I'm sure I won't give up the school.

I have been watching reruns of ER on TNT. I have been enjoying them, but think I might be getting tired of it. I don't have room on my DVR for other stuff anymore. I have seen them all before. I just wanted to watch through to get to the ones I hadn't seen.

Due to Maggie's horse having trouble with the heat, I think we're going to have to stay home this weekend. I dread having to cancel. I know the ride needs riders and we were really looking forward to going. I just don't want to risk Dixie's health putting her in a hot trailer to and from the ride. Maggie has another horse to borrow if the girth gall doesn't heal before the weekend (another reason not to go) and we decide to go riding.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Trace Trails

Maggie and I had the pleasure of riding the Trace Trails in Athens this weekend. I had been hearing about them from so many people and was eager to check them out as I think it would be a great site for a NATRC or STC/TTC ride in the next year or so. We went down on Saturday night late with Robin Timmons, who is an endurance rider. We rode out about 8 or so and came in after dark. Maggie said it freaked her out riding in the dark but I found I really liked it. Liberty was eager and forward and only spooked once at some unknown booger. We slept under the stars on our cots as it was too hot to sleep in the truck. The next morning we got up and rode before it got too hot. The trails are all sandy and pleasant. They have lots of ups and downs and are mainly in the trees. There are over 40 miles of marked trails at Trace. It was really great.

Unfortunately Dixie got overheated even though our pace was pretty slow. She began to pant and we walked in to give her a rest. We hosed, e-lyted and let her rest. She was always interested in food and her gums stayed moist and pink. Even after we hauled her home she was still panting. Her temp was also normal. Maggie was pretty worried about her as she has never done this before.

We're also still fighting girth gall issues. Maggie thought she's found a saddle they both liked but Dixie continues to gall.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has dealt with panting and it's causes. She was sweating and drinking and eating so we are puzzled.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Trouble with Heat

Maggie and I got to ride at the Trace Trails today in Athens, TX. We had a pleasant ride in spite of the heat, except that Dixie had trouble with the heat. Her heart rate was fine, her temperature was slightly high, but not too bad, but her breathing was out of control. We trotted/cantered a little, but not a lot. We mostly walked. She was eating and drinking well and acted normal, except for the panting. I haven't been able to figure out what the problem was since she didn't seem to actually be hot. She didn't sweat as much as Liberty, but she did sweat. She also got another girth gall from the English saddle Maggie has been using, so it's back to the saddle drawing board. I'm not sure what we will do about The Other Half ride next weekend. Dixie was still panting when she unloaded at home in spite of multiple hosings. She got right off the trailer and started eating. She never had any signs of stress. Her gums weren't injected and her skin didn't tent. She was a little better after a dose of electrolytes, but I am very puzzled.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Crazy Day off

Today was the big day to have my new lasik surgery checked out. I came out 20/20 and I was very pleased. I was going to run to the doctor and then the grocery store and then come home and do paperwork. Well, all good plans seem to have a failure built in :-( One of my friends who I hadn't seen in awhile asked me to breakfast. I hopped on that...still time to do my shopping, right? Then I remembered that today was my day to pick up my organic veggies, so I had to pick those up, and then I remembered that I needed toner for my printer, so I could write my notes when I came home, so I stopped off for that too. Then I went to the grocery store, which, with my new system took longer, but saved me a ton of money. I have got a car load of groceries for $168 using specials and coupons from The Grocery Game. I also picked up a few things so I'd have complete meals this week.

So, after all that, I unloaded groceries and repackaged the meat and prepped for dinner. Then I turned around and it was 5pm and I have yet to actually do any of my paperwork yet.

I'm finding that I really do need one day a week just for me. Whether I use it to do housework, or ride or (fill in the blank) I'm finding that it's really a good thing to have some "free" time.

Going to make supper now...didn't get to see the horses today as I had to stay out of the sun.