One woman's journey through life as she juggles career, family and horses...but mostly it's about the horses.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
A Tribute to Liberty
A Tribute to Alice and Liberty
Isn't it interesting how "mistakes" turn out? You see, Liberty is the
product of two breeds that one would logically not think of mixing. The two
breeds are total opposites in their gaits. The Paso Fino is bred to have a
short quick stride and the Arab flows in long, ground covering strides.
However, both breeds are similar in their temperament. They both possess
heart, stamina.and brio. They will go and go for you. They are quick and
intelligent.
Liberty's sire was a beautiful, bold Paso Fino. He had the smoothest gait.
It was so thrilling to ride him and have his luxurious mane, that was at
least a yard long, whip along beside you. He was not afraid of anything on
the trail. Rabbits could jump out or birds could fly up and he would be as
steady as can be.You could take him anywhere and away from other riders. He
was not dependent upon any other horse. He was brave on the trail and
successful in the show ring. He would have been great at distance competition.
Unfortunately, he died as a result of a tragic accident at only 7 years
of age.
Liberty's mother is an elegant, demure, Arabian of Polish lines. She was
used primarily as a brood mare and was not ridden in competition. However,
the Polish horses are known for their athletic abilities and devotion.
Liberty was one of the most beautiful colts I had produced.He was so
balanced and fluid. He was striking in his black and white coloring. Just ask
Alice to see his baby pictures! He inherited boldness, integrity, and
quickness from his sire. From his mother, intelligence and refined beauty.
From both-heart, stamina and great feet. I now think that the two breeds
combined to make a great endurance horse!
Liberty was definitely not a finished horse when Alice bought him. He had
been raised well and taken care of. He understood the saddle and blanket,
tied and loaded well, and understood the longe. However, he had been
mounted only a few times, and had never been off the farm. But, he was mature
and ready to go under serious training.
Alice took this very green horse and worked hard at training him. She
worked through several training issues with courage and tenacity. In addition,
she was not afraid to reach out to the community to ask for advice. It
is no surprise that she has reached this level of success. Now, as Liberty
and Alice embark on their next level, (50 milers) I am sure that we will all
hear about many more accomplishments.
I salute Alice and her award for Liberty as the #1 Half Arab of 2009.
Sincerely,
Karen Haile
Rancho del Rayo
Karen has great horses and she has been reducing her herd some...anyone who reads this...I can probably get you guys in touch with her. She has some beautiful animals.
Friday, January 29, 2010
The year of the YMCA
I found out tonight that Liberty is the nation's top 1/2 Arab for Natrc. I am so proud of him. I think I cried for 10 minutes when I saw the note in my facebook box. I had no idea. I keep reading it not quite sure it's true :-)
Still trying to decide about the fifty versus 25. I am starting to think 25 and the 50 just because it's a new venue but I kept keep from wondering if I am selling us short.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Nice ride until the cactus
The bad news is that I now missed two Zumba Classes. I'm bummed, but I could not zumba being sore from falling off and still having prickles.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Weigh In
I did another Zumba class tonight. I didn't enjoy this class as much as I did the first one. It was a different instructor, and was actually a little easier, but I found that the faster pace not as interesting. There is another one at 7pm tomorrow at the same place that I went before and I hope to make it over there in time after seeing clients.
I get to ride with Alanna tomorrow. The weather is supposed to turn south the next day, so I will be grateful for the ride.
My 50 mile ride may be in danger. Max, my friend Eric's horse, is sick and he doesn't think his mare is in good enough shape. He doesn't want to drive from MO to TX for 25 miles and I can't blame him. Doing a 50 alone sounds pretty dull to me...will give it some thought.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
popcorn
Good news is that I did an hour of exercise today...but was up 3 pounds from yesterday. I need to go back down 3 pounds before weighing in on Monday.
Since the holidays have not been 100% and I don't know why.
Today I almost had a serious accident at my field. Fiera had gotten tangled in some wire I had been in the process of eradicating. She had it wrapped around all four legs, her body and her neck. She was still connected to the fence. She was very quiet and didn't move while we freed her. I was very proud of her. She has a good brain. I finished cleaning what I thought was harmless wire.
Liberty was very naughty today. He waited for me to put hands on him and then took off running. Maggie chased him down on Dixie, not giving him a break until he was in the round pen. He finally went in because I fed Fiera and he couldn't stand not take it from her. Then he got to work more, but it was 30 minutes before I could catch him. Don't know what it was all about because he worked perfectly, faced me, played all the games but was jumpy to touch and very twitchy. It was like he was spooked though who knows why.
Tomorrow, grasslands.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Zumba
Today wasn't a good food/eating day, so I thought extra exercise was called for. Supposedly zumba burns about 600 calories in an hour, so I figure it was worth it.
The hour went by really fast.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Fiera under saddle
Monday, January 18, 2010
Medifast stalling out
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Our trip to San Antonio
Friday night we hung out in the bar and met 2 sets of people from Montana. Peter wandered around taking photos of the gorgeous chandeliers at St. Anthony's. We found out that the hall was originally called Peacock Alley because after eating in the formal dining area with their wives, the men would go to that part of the hotel to stru their stuff and smoke and drink while the women went elsewhere. The chandeliers were purchased for a relatively small amount of money originally but are currently appraised at 1/4 million each.
Saturday we slept until 9am and then had breakfast at Blanca's cafe. I went traditional and had a regular egg and bacon breakfast but Peter had a dish called chilaquiles. He made the better choice! We should have shared this dish b/c it was huge...and spicy.
From there we began to walk. We visited the Alamo and we took a carriage ride around the Alamo. The carriage driver told us about the haunted hotels and some other interesting Landmarks. I got to pet a horse and learn more about driving.
From there, Peter and I went to the Menger hotel, which is supposed to be haunted. It had a beautiful lobby and some neat shops. The bar attached was where Teddy Roosevelt recruited the rough riders.
We took a cabout to a place that had been recommended called The Liberty Bar. It's a very crooked building that had an interesting menu,but we ended up next door, eating at a place called The Josephine Cafe. There, we had a 7 oz, peppered & bacon wrapped filet for $12.95. At Liberty Bar, the same food was over twice as much. It was really tasty!
By this time it was four o'clock and Peter was tired. I had slept great on Friday night, but Peter not so much so we lounged and dozed & watched a little tv. I could have really slept but he was restless and our room was cold as the heater had quit working.
So, at 6pm we headed down to the bar again. We hung out talking to a group of folks until 10 and watching football. John, the bar tender was always up to make a new beverage and one of the guys bought everyone a round, I think, b/c he was enjoying the company so much that he wanted us to say. Rick, the policeman from Saledo, was so entertaining that I am still laughing today. He and his wife, a flutist, said they had come to San Antonio, looking for a chandelier for their chapel. He joked a lot about pulling off a 3am heist of one in Peacock Alley. Later, when he revealed he was a policeman, Peter commented that he had been gathering suspects to pin the theft on. At some point a joke got started that he was related to wyatt earp and things spiraled from there. Aaron, the young man from California continued to add fuel to the joke fire.
It was such a fun night we hated to have to go to bed. However, the train pulled out at 7am, so we made it an early night. We were almost asleep when a group of teens at the hotel for a beta club conference came in loudly and woke us up. I could not believe how loud they were. I almost got up and said something to them, but I wasn't sure it would matter. I finally really got to sleep about 2am. Peter slept great though and even though he is currently snoring away, seems to be fairly rested.
We'll be home by 2pm today. It will be good to be back. I had a great time getting away from home.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
An evening in the bar
We didn't drink too much, but we had a great time tryung out some new cocktails. These included the green Iguana, which was midori, tequila and sweet & sour. I had a white russian made with raspberry vodka. Peter had a suntan lotion which was amaretto, malibu and cream. I had a martini...the bar tender John was just the best.
Anyway, tomorrow we head back on the train. It's been fun.
Friday, January 15, 2010
I am leaving on a train
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Reflecting on the diet journey
Not to talk about this twice in one day, but it's on my mind...and that is what blogs are for.
I weighed in today and I gained four pounds. I don't really feel all that bad about the pounds as I was actually up by 3 more last week and I have been dropping steadily each day per the wii fit. I'm exercising and eating better than I was eating previously when I gained 30 pounds last year (from March till September) so overall, I can't be too upset with myself.
I'm finding that I dislike the very diet industry that is helping me. I'm getting over the attitude b/c they are providing me valuable tools and I'm losing weight, but I'm finding that I resent not being able to eat any fruit (per the medifast plan) and I'm missing the occasional potato. I really want to get the weight off, so I'm going to stick with it b/c I know it works, but I do find myself looking longingly at plates of pasta and produce and wishing for some. I don't even really miss dessert when I don't eat it. But I do miss popcorn. Of course, all this missing is good for me b/c these are things I was eating that was wrecking my health and making me gain weight...so resenting the diet plan is not very productive. I was reminded again today that it's one day at a time, one meal at a time, one choice at a time.
Last night we watched the Good Eats special: Live and Let Diet. Alton Brown showed videos of when he was 50 pounds heavier and talked about the plan he developed for himself to lose 50 pounds in 9 months...a feat which I found to be impressive.
He works off four lists which I will copy below. He starts each day with a smoothie for breakfast. I hope to use these lists as I finish medifast and continue onto maintenance...only I suspect I will continue to lose even while on Medifast maintenance.
Daily
- Fruits
- Whole Grains - Leafy Greens - Nuts - Carrots - Green Tea
3 times a week
- Oily Fish
- Yogurt
- Broccoli
- Sweet Potato
- Avocado
Once a week
- Red meat
- Pasta
- Dessert
- Alcohol
NEVER!
- Fast Food
- Soda
- Processed meals/frozen dinners
- Canned soup
- "Diet" anything
Eat breakfast every day, no exceptions
Medifast Weigh in/music therapy rant
I had a good start today. I made some medifast eggs and I put some of my veggie allotment for the day in it and that filled me up nicely. I'm currently drinking a chai latte. I have to do a group in 45 minutes and then I will weigh in. This week, I'm planning to get one thing that is "food" but the rest is going to be shakes and hot drinks. I seem to be better at this when I don't eat. The act of eating seems to be more of a trigger. Plus, the shakes have fewer calories, so I hope to jump start things again.
It was so great not to go to the nursing home the last couple days. Maggie stayed in her room yesterday and I made no real attempt to accomplish anything. I watched a little TV...found a new show on History channel called "life after people" which I found really interesting. I went to the store, I fed the horses, I did counted cross stitch. I stayed up way too late (which resulted in sleeping extra late this am) Peter watched TV with us which was nice. He sorted photos on his laptop and hug out with me and Maggie.
I found out that Lifetime Wellness, my employer, never discussed the music therapy program ending with the facility, Emerald Hills. I guess my boss thought she would have 30 days to sugar coat things for them, promising them bigger and better things, or begging off due to lack of funds. My understanding is that there are no more music therapists left, save one, besides me and so they decided to discontinue the entire program. It's a shame because the residents will suffer and they really benefited from the services...but...oh well. I find it somewhat amusing that I left the way I did and put her in a bind. The reason that they don't have music therapists is that they don't want to pay them.
Today hasn't been much better in the productivity department. I did the dishes and sorted some laundry, but I didn't even wake up till 9:30. I woke up...made breakfast and watched my TNT rerun of ER. They are to the episodes I never watched so I'm enjoying them immensely. Today's episode starred Ray Liotta as a dying man and was very interesting.
I'm finding that I am probably sewing and watching TV far too much though...
Last night (or rather this am) I had the weirdest dream. First I dreamed that I had been kidnapped and I was trying to call Stotlemeyer and Monk to come save me. Then I dreamed I was having a baby, breech and one of the doctors from ER was trying to pull the baby out feet first. I kept telling them I needed a C section, but no one would listen...more and more people just kept coming to watch and observe. That was the dream I was having when I was waking up this am and I just couldn't get away from it. At one point in the dream they agreed I needed the Csection, but they were going to make me walk to the OR. Crazy!
Monday, January 4, 2010
FW: [NCTHA-Admin] NCTHA YE AWARD WINNERS!!!!!
The results are in..... the points are tallied..... verifications made....AND THE WINNERS ARE:
2009 NCTHA PERFORMANCE AWARD WINNERS | ||
TITLE | TEAM | POINTS |
All Around Performance Champion | Maggie Steinke & Gorgeous Dixie | 167 |
All Around Performance Reserve Champion | Alice Yovich & Liberty | 149 |
All Around Performance Third Place | Cheryl Edmondson & Ojala Ariel Moon | 139 |
All Around Performance Fourth Place | Elaine Swiss & EW Zarabella | 95 |
All Around Performance Fifth Place | Miriam Rieck & Misty Blue Moon | 78 |
All Around Performance Sixth Place | Betsy Zimmerman & NKR April's Jewel | 77 |
2009 NCTHA MILEAGE AWARD WINNERS | ||
TITLE | TEAM | MILES |
High Mileage Champion | Cheryl Edmondson & Ojala Ariel Moon | 506.9** |
High Mileage Reserve Champion | Alice Yovich & Liberty | 345.1* |
High Mileage Third Place | Maggie Steinke & Gorgeous Dixie | 294.4* |
High Mileage Fourth Place | Miriam Rieck & Misty Blue Moon | 230.9 |
High Mileage Fifth Place | Elaine Swiss & EW Zarabella | 220.4 |
High Mileage Sixth Place | Betsy Zimmerman & NKR April's Jewel | 214.2 |
* 250 mile chevron
* 500 mile chevron
* 750 mile chevron
* 1000 mile chevron
Bev
Happy trails, fair winds & safe anchorages,
Bev & JD
www.chiggervillefarm.com
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year thoughts
My other source of irritation comes from my job status in the new year. My contracts have been picking up with DSSW, but I received an email from the head of my Lifetime Wellness division late yesterday (no doubt right before she left for the year so she wouldn't actually have to speak with me) letting me know that music therapy was being discontinued as of Jan 31, 2010 at my facility. They have been hard to get along with for about 6 weeks now. My direct supervisor kept showing up whenever I was in the building and then pulling me aside to criticize my previously good work with the residents. She first picked on one thing, which I was doing well, then something else, and then got upset b/c one of us (me) had gotten on facebook at work. Funny part about that was that I was actually copying activity suggestions from a fellow music therapist. Then she started saying I wasn't engaging the entire group of residents from the lowest functioning, almost comatose, to the higher functioning, almost normal, senior. Of course, during the course of the criticism I had anywhere from 30-44 residents in a group...near half the facility, so I figure I wasn't doing that badly. And the residents I saw privately in their room continued to appreciate me as did the nurses and aids I worked with. So, I honestly don't' feel like it had anything to do with me. If it had, then all the efforts I made to do what they were asking for would have been followed up on...which they weren't.
I have new contracts for the new year which pay better anyway, so I that is something to be very happy about!
Today Dee and her kids are coming over, so I need to get off the couch and clean a bit. I will feed at 3:00 and then they will come over afterward. We'll play games which will be lots of fun.
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