Simply Horse Crazy (Mare and Mare) bestowed upon Milo and I the Leibster Blog award.

Leibster in German means "Dearest". Thanks Mare and Mare for thinking of us as a dearest blog! :)

The rules of the award are as follows:
1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award
3. Pick your five favorite blogs with less than 200 followers, and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.
4. Hope that the five blogs chosen will keep spreading the love and pass it on to five more blogs!


Only five is hard to decide upon, and I will only add those who I know have not received the award, so that leaves Simply Horse Crazy, and R Lil Bit of Cash out. But you know I love you two ladies! And your cute mares!


1. Cedar View Paint Horses - great posts on their pretty paints and the activities at their farm. 
2. Diary of the Overanxious Horse Owner - stories of sillypony (hehe) Junior and their journey in the showpen and horsemanship. 
3. All Gear No Skill - pretty Dee and her flowing mane. :P Story and Dee ride in reining, but are working toward greater horsemanship goals. 
4. An Image of Grace - a personal friend in real life, I love following their rides via blogs. Melissa and Grace are thriving for horsemanship through realization of looking into oneself. 
5. Horse Genes - posts on a pretty Paint named Semper and their reining and cowhorse activities. 


There you have it! Some of the Dearest. 

Where Were You?

Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day?

A great song from Alan Jackson in memory of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

I remember where I was on that day. My sister and I were just eleven years old, wildly jumping on our beds one school morning when we were supposed to be getting ready to go. We came running wildly out of the bedroom and into the living room, where our Mother sat horrified in front of the news screen, coffee in hand. She snapped to us that we needed to settle down. We still did not understand what was going on.

We arrived to school, to hear over the P.A. system what tragedy occurred. The news stations were on in all of the classrooms. It was starting to sink in what was really happening to my small sixth grade mind. The United States, land of the free, the greatest place to live, my home and my country whose national anthem and pledge of allegiance I dutifully sang and chanted. It suddenly did not feel so safe anymore.

All the students were sent home early. I dont remember what happened in my home that night. But I do remember the insecurity of suddenly not feeling safe. It was a terrifying concept to a naive eleven year old girl.

Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day? Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke, rising against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor? Or did you just sit down and cry?

To the men and women lost. The service men and women who bravely gave their lives to help others. To the families and children whose world's forever changed. You will never be forgotten. The world will never be the same.

A Little Off Topic...

Just thought I would let you guys know that I started a second blog called The Crafting Cowgirl. I love to "craft" and create, and all of the projects I have worked on (and plan to) just didnt fit in with the topic of this Milo blog. So, I created the craft blog. If any of you guys have an interest into the woodworking, yarn crafting, painting, or decorating spontaneity and projects that I have, check out the other blog as well. You might just be inspired to create and craft yourself!

Three Years Today

A little off topic, but very important in my life. Today marks three years that I have happily been with Boyfriend. We have lived together for two and a half now, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment that we have been together.

I told Boyfriend before we even got together that horses were a huge part of my life, and I would always see Milo before coming home. I wanted him to be very clear that these horses are not just a "hobby" for me but a tremendous part of my life, they are my passion and I take what I do with them very, very seriously. He has stood by me and my passion through thick and thin, and fully understands how truly important Milo is to me. No one else would be doing as much as he could to bring my second love home like Boyfriend has.

Best of all, he likes Milo too and although he himself is not all that interested in riding Milo, he enjoys spending time with him. Works for me!

I am truly one very lucky girl, and I look forward to a long, happy future with him. :)

My favorite boys. 

Corey's Day on the Farm

I might not be riding on the rodeo drill team anymore, but that doesnt mean I can't still believe in it's wonderful beneficiaries. Monday and Tuesday marked the annual Corey's Day on the Farm. The Corey family has been dedicating their time, money, and nearly life to put on this two day event at our local Fairgrounds. The event if for special needs children to experience "A Day on the Farm" and enjoy the "Cowboy Ways" through tractor rides, ropings, petting farms, and the huge highlight; horseback rides. Naturally, I always volunteer for the horse event and although I dont bring my own horse to the event, there is always a need for many side walkers.

As a side walker, I get to not only ensure that the children stay steady in the saddle, but I also get to talk with them and either keep them calm, or just enjoy some upbeat chitter chatter. This was my fourth year in attendance, and although job hunting kept me away on Monday, I was there bright and early for Tuesday's events.

Many of the Cowgirls were there with and without their horses, and it was nice to see them and catch up a bit as well. Soon the bus-loads of eager children arrived, and the lines for the horseback riding stretched long. I got to hold onto and talk with many children, but every year there are a special few who I leave the day remembering for the rest of the year. Usually they are of some special circumstance - scared to get on the horse, or needing to be ridden double with, to which we always experience the ripe rewards of seeing after only a few minutes walking around the pen bring a broad smile and cry of joy. Those experiences really are amazing. But yesterday it was the cheerful and chattering children riding the big horses. One was Conner who made my day with his bright smiles, confidence, and upbeat attitude. Conner first got on my Cowgirl's friend's horse Skip, and he chattered and smiled saying how he loved to ride, reaching down and patting Skip's shoulder with enthusiasm. About an hour later, he had waited through the long line again, and was now on another friend's horse, chipper and cheerful even more.

There were a few more children who brightened my day, one who exclaimed that the horse's movement was "so pumpy...and bumpy..." which made me laugh out loud. Another rode a tobiano paint horse, but pointed over to an overo walking by saying "I named that one Spot. Spot is my favorite I've ridden him twice. This horse is nice, but Spot has three white spots on him [his wither] and thats why I named him Spot". Many of the kids would get very excited riding the horses, pumping their arms confidently into the air yelling "YeeHaw!" or "Giddy-up!", and getting very excited when seeing one of their classmates on another horse.

There were confident ones, chatting ones, ones that made you laugh out loud and bring a true smile on your face. There were others who needed some talking to while they rode, but always ended the ride with a smile or sometimes a confident pat on the horse's neck. There were some who were too scared to ride the big horses but instead pat or rode the smaller ponies. No matter which child however, it still brought happiness over myself, and for that day I wasnt concerned about the happenings in my own life, but instead was focusing on the happiness in others. Corey's Day on the Farm will stay with me throughout the year, until next year comes around where we can participate in it again.

Life's Changes...

Thursday morning began as usual - up at 5:10; shower, leave to work for the day. Get to work at 6:30, clean office for first hour. Make cup of coffee, sit down at desk and check e-mails. Supervisor comes in, and gets to work. I begin printing Payroll Reports from this last week's ended payroll cycle. Its about 8:00 when I see my boss, the CFO has arrived. Supervisor goes upstairs to his office, normal. I find it funny that no other co-workers are here yet, but continue printing reports. Half an hour later, CFO and Supervisor come in the door. I said hello to CFO, whom I hadnt seen in a few weeks due to unforeseen family issues. He doesnt meet my chipper morning offering, but asked to see me in the conference room. I was informed my employment had been terminated, and a brief letter was slid across the table into my hands. I read the letter, but the blood had drained from my head, arms and legs. I began to shake. I didnt comprehend what I was reading. In a daze, I sat back at my desk and finished printing the reports. Soon I was met by the Supervisor again asking when I was leaving. "After these reports are finished" I replied. "You know, I've done this before, and usually when someone's employment is terminated they dont go back to work." "I know," I responded, "but the reports are almost done, and it helps me process...unless I'm not aloud to anymore!" I quickly added, realizing maybe they were now concerned about the sensitive information I was processing.

I packed up my belongings, filling my schoolbag and purse to their limits. "Mhmm, by now" the Supervisor said as he closed the door on my heels. The blood was still missing from my limbs and brain as I walked across the street to my truck, and loaded my contents into it. All I could think of was telling Boyfriend what happened, and going next door to the police department where his Mother works.

I waited for her to see me, and began to cry in the waiting room. The sharp realization hit me, and it hit me hard. She swung the door open and the cheerful smile on her face vanished quickly as she saw I was distraught. I told her everything, and she helped me apply for unemployment online, and said she would let me know if anything opened up within the City. Boyfriend was texting me rapid-fire, wanting me to call him. I would as soon as I caught my brain again.

I went to the bank to cash my final check. Tears welling in my eyes again. I drove in silence to the barn, and finally was able to talk to Boyfriend as I groomed Milo in the cross ties.

I was absolutely blindsided by this. I had never received any negative feedback from either the CFO or Supervisor. I had just been sent to a User Group Meeting just three weeks prior to be prepared for this summer's benefits enrollment for our contracted employees. July was coming up with reviews and promotions. CFO knew intricate details on the financial burdens both Boyfriend and I were facing. He knew about Boyfriend's job ending in a matter of months, weeks, or days, as the company he works for is deciding to close. He knows that I needed to get a loan for a new vehicle, as my F150 is on its last legs at 220,000 miles. He knew that I had just started going back to school, and promised ripe rewards at work after attaining my degree. The company is a family owned business, who stated that they held employee's happiness and welfare above all. Why was I not seeing this now?

I tried to calm down, and I looked into my horse's big soft eyes. He knew I was hurting. I thought it might be ludicrous to try and ride in my emotionally unstable position, but I tacked him up and led him to the arena. I wanted to try some of the new exercises I had read about in Peggy's book. On the ground, I incorporated cheek press, cheek delineation, caterpillars, and shoulder delineation. Milo was relaxing, and I was in a neutral posture. I was focusing on myself and my horse and for the entire time I was with Milo, the crisis that just happened in my life had slipped from my memory. I had a wonderful ride.

I cleaned the pastures, not sure when I would be at the barn again. With Milo boarded 45 minutes away from my house, it makes it hard to visit when I need to consolidate my gas now. All this extra time on my hands now, and I cant even spend it with my horse.

After getting home and updating my resume and cover letter, I cranked out seven applications that evening, and learned of a walk-in resume acceptance happening on Monday at one location. Guess I know what Im doing Monday at least. This morning, I applied to three more locations, and am still on the hunt. I took a break and took Angie to the lake down the road, trying to enjoy the solidity of the quiet park, as I watched the waves of the lake slowly lap on the sand. I zoned out for a little while. Soon it started to rain, so we made our way back home.

I checked the mailbox this afternoon to find a large package with a return address of my old job's PO Box. I didnt want to open it. But inside where some of the belonging I had forgotten there - a calendar with photos featuring Milo I had on the wall behind my desk, bringing my favorite thing in the world to the office with me every day. I had also left a State Line Tack catalog, earphones, and my copies of my employee paperwork. Seeing the company's logo on the folder made me ache inside, and I hid them behind the calendar.

But where things end, others begin. In the mail I also received an envelope from the College. In it was a letter depicting a congratulatory message that I was being awarded a scholarship for next year's classes. That did put a smile on my face.

I just need to put one foot in front of the other now, and believe that I can change my life again. This can only be for the better. I now have over a year of experience in a field I had not yet explored. I met a lot of important people involved with contracts here locally, and even found one that was hiring. If I think I can, I can make it happen. I have to stay positive, and believe that I can control my future.

Disaster

I was going to post about how Milo seemed sound at the walk and trot last night, and how he was turning with all his weight on the left hind. I was going to post how it made me sad that I couldnt go to the show this morning. I was going to post that I think Milo may be on the fast road to recovery.

But at 3:30pm as I was cleaning the horse pastures, I got a call from Boyfriend.

His cousin, Jason, who has been clearing the property for us, and who we are close to as a family, lost his house to a tragic fire yesterday morning.

Suquamish Home and Contents Destroyed in Fire - North Kitsap Herald

I cannot even fathom this happening.

You hear of it happening to other people, but to someone in your family it really changes.

Suddenly, Im not feeling such self pity.

I am a "Stylish" Blogger.

Oh the prestige! My first "blogger award". I was received this award from R Lil Bit of Cash, thank you!

There are 4 duties to perform to receive this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

On to the "7 things about myself", here we go:

1. I am a very creative person and love to stay busy. Be that crochet, painting or drawing, decorating my home, or anything else that keeps my mind busy. The hardest part about this is finding the time. 
2. I am not very good at cooking. My downfall: never actually learning (or practicing). Im getting better at making real meals, but am best at deserts. Fortunetly, Boyfriend is a fantastic cook. 
3. I love my truck. It is old and gives me grief, but I love it. I dreamed of having my own truck and absolutely love driving it. When the day comes to replace it, I will be very, very sad. 
4. I get attached in inanimate objects (see #3).
5. I have many ambitions and goals. I want to learn how to be my own farrier. I also want to become an Equine Massage Therapist. I am fascinated by all that Sarah does and wishes I could have her job and abilities someday. While I wish horses could be my occupation, I know that it isnt entirely feasible, and truthfully, I do love my office job (Im a total combination of creativity, and meticulousy).
6. I am a bit OCD and very, very detail oriented. Some might call it controlling (this ties in from #5). Micro Management is one of my biggest downfalls as a horsewoman. 
7. Finally, I really, really want to get a Corgi, but Boyfriend won't let me. I hope to weasel one in sometime...

And now, for 15 fellow bloggers to receive the award (in no particular order):

Mugwump Chronicles

Mountain Music

An Image of Grace

CredarCreek Performance

All Gear No Skill

Horse Genes

MiKael's Mania

The 7MSN Ranch

I Am Boyfriend

Dressage Mom

Bird House Family

These bloggers have already received the award from R Lil Bit of Cash, but I need to re-award them as well (plus, I dont have that many blogs that I follow!)

R Lil Bit of Cash
Diary of the Overanxious Horseowner

Cedar View Paint Horses
A Year With Horses

Congrats to everyone, and remember to nominate those bloggers you follow!

Snow, Trucks, and Milo

The weatherman was calling for a Winter Storm Advisory yesterday. It was expected that Western Washington would see upwards of six inches of snow to start at about 5 pm last night (right at commute time!). Well, still being out of a truck, I was dropped off at the barn and had the extreme fortune to have total arena access for the second day in a row! I put the Cowhorse Equipment saddle on Milo and headed into the arena. One lesson was just finishing up and I warmed up Milo much like I did the day before with symmetrical circles (now this is a touh on for Milo as he is stiff on the left side and also likes to bulge his shoulder out that way), straight lines, and counter arc bending. He warmed up nicely.

I moved him up into a trot and he was moving very nicely again. It took a while to get a couple of even trot circles (especially to the left) and as I worked on this I realized I was overaiding, or rather, helping him too much. See, at my lesson with Sarah, she had mentioned to quit crossing my outside rein hand over his neck. If he isnt responding to the rein pressure or my outside leg, I need to bump with my inside rein. I noticed last night that with this being his stiff side he doesnt want to bend to the inside, he would rather move straight but travel in a somewhat circle shaped pattern. So I would aid with my outside rein and outside leg, but then bring my outside rein over his neck then widely bring my inside rein out. It was all sorts of weird. But I was doing that to compensate for his lack of willingly bending his body to the left (he is also more resistant to counter arc this direction too, naturally). So once I realized I was doing that, I brought him back to a walk and really focused on driving him forward into the bridle with my legs, then supporting my inside leg with my outside rein and just giving an upright bump on the inside rein when needed. It was hard for Milo, but he held the correct position for about a half circle with light contact. Good Milo. I knew I couldnt expect much more then that from him.

But this brought on another realization. Not only was I automatically altering my aids to get by Milo's flaws, I also have lost a lot of my ability to ride in a saddle. I've mentioned this before when I suddenly have a saddle for use for a brief period of time, but it was really evident the past two rides. I've lost some of my lower leg strength, and how to stretch my weight down into my heels. Bareback, I just let them loosely hang to remind myself to sit deep and stay relaxed. In a saddle, my weight feels like its in my toes and that Im posting off of them. I also have a hard time keeping my stirrups which I believe is due to the lower leg weakness. But I must say, I am getting much better on staying upright and not leaning forward, which is improving with Milo tremendously - I think this is where his fantastic trotting is coming from now, his shoulders are freeing up and he can work over his back and hocks. Finally, my seat itself feels insecure in a saddle. This particular saddle is quite slippery and I have a hard time staying in place anyways due to my sliding. But I can also tell that Im not sitting deeply like I should be.

With this in mind, when I pushed Milo into the lope, I focused very much on distributing my weight evenly down into my heels and sitting deep and relaxed. This took a few laps to get my cadence with Milo but once I did he finally dropped his head and lifted his back. However, at the lope to the right, Milo still pinned his ears almost the entirety of the work. He leaped right into the lope nicely and after I found my seat he worked correctly, but he still was voicing his opinion (or maybe an objection?) to loping through his ears (not his tail, which is usually where the attitude shows). But once I got a bit of nice lope work we came down to the trot (which was a beautiful transition by the way and you want to know why? I consciously relaxed my lower back and simply blocked my seat's forward motion. It truly proved that our downward transitions are due to my stiff and bracing lower back) then finally the walk for a short breather.

Our lope to the left was far better then the other direction. No pinned ears, he stepped right into the lope balanced and collected, and even moved off my leg fantastically for our circles. The only thing that I can think of that needs work this direction is he has a tendancy to not only push his hip to the inside on our circles (when Im aiding at B not C) and drop his shoulder (not nearly as dramatically as to the right however). After a good workout I brought Milo back down and walked him out a bit.

All this ear vocalization is telling me something is up with his body. I know he is stiffer, but maybe he is sore too? I cant imagine his rib would be out again as its been months of proper saddle fitting and bareback riding, plus he is working over his back so well as before when the rib was out he would refuse to. Im thinking he may just be a bit body sore. Ive been working him consistently 4 or 5 days a week for the past two months and in these months I have asked him to use his body in a much harder and different way. Sure I give him the weekend off and occasionally a few days off during the week , but maybe his muscles really are just sore. Its really the only thing I can think of.

Well, Milo sure thinks I work him real hard.

I just liked this photo :) 01/11/11

Have you noticed though, that darned neck cover has rubbed off some of his mane?? Its made me really sad but I didnt want to braid it or band it underneath the cover for fear that that would make it easier to rub out. Maybe I should have? Suggestions?

So I have a lesson scheduled with Sarah tomorrow and Im quite excited for it, but Im also hoping she can give Milo a thorough once-over and verify if anything is sore, and possibly help me out with the areas that are tight and show me something I can do for it at home. I do still execute the cookie stretches to both sides and down, but Im thinking there is more I could/should be doing.

So post ride, I was picked up by Boyfriend's Father and taken to his house where Boyfriend's Brother (a diesel mechanic for the city) has been working on my truck and was now ready to send it home with me. He replaced numerous parts (not all that I can remember) including a new radiator, a new fuel sensor (which is the culprit behind my 6 m/gal fuel economy), a completely new tune up (sparks plugs, etc), and he also took off the exhaust, cut out one cat (? Not exactly sure what it is but its something involved with the exhaust) and replaced another, cleaning out all the mud and crud and carbon buildup that was in there greatly effecting the truck's ability to run.

So what was wrong with it? Numerous things, but mostly that it was so clogged up with crap from being old and not part of routine maintenance (not entirely my fault, but those who owned it the two years prior to my ownership). Now, it is almost entirely cleaned out, with some new essential parts, and they even kept one cat cut off so it sounds real mean when running. It actually scared me when I first turned the ignition from the unexpected sound that it made.

Can I just say that never have I ever enjoyed driving my truck home so much as I did last night? In the two years I have owned it it has never ran as well as it is right now. Granted, Boyfriend's Brother still wants me to bring it back to his this weekend so he can fully service the transmission and give it an oil change, it should be a secure vehicle for me for the next 6-8 months he estimated. Surely enough time for me to go get a loan for my dream truck.

So back to weather. Driving home, as soon as I got to the Seabeck Marina (still a few miles away from home) there was snow accumulation. Now I've mentioned before how Seabeck always seems to get the worst of the weather, well that still hold true. We had gotten snowfall Monday night which was still around. And now we got six more inches on top of that. So I carefully drove my truck home (I'll be damned if after its all fixed up that some stupid thing like snow is going to compromise my ability to drive the darned thing!) and arrived home to some slippery roads and a lot of fresh snow. Im just hoping this doesnt effect my lesson with Sarah tomorrow, or that would be three weeks in a row!

O Christmas Tree

The plan was to cut a tree down off of our property this year to help save some money on the Christmas costs. Throughout the month of November, I slowly purchased all of the fittings for the tree. Than the big weekend arrived - it was time to find a tree! I diligently scowerd the property, trying to find one that would be suitable. After making the rounds on our shy 3 acres, I came up empty-handed. Discouraged, I told Boyfriend I could not find one. Within two minutes he found a cluster of pine trees, with a few of them suitable (in my taste) to adorn the star. Boyfriend said that on Sunday he would pick one to cut.

The ornaments, ready to be placed on a tree.

Sunday morning arrived and he took off on the quad, looking through the wooded trees as I had done the day before. About a half an hour went by and then I heard the sound of a chainsaw. Our tree!! I excitedly ran to the window and peered outside, only to see Boyfriend cutting limbs and throwing them onto a firepit. Hmm. Looks like he gave up? I threw on my Carhartt and headed outside with Angie. I asked if he found a tree. "None suitable," he replied. "What about the pines we found yesterday?" "Not good enough," he gruffed. "Well what are we going to do?" my visions of decorating the tree that evening dimishinging from my mind. He decided we would price artifical trees, or maybe just buy a real one.

We took off into town and found a nice artificial, for the hefty price tag of two hundred dollars. Yeesh. Went to the next store, with nothing better. Back to store #1 we went, than ended up deciding to buy a pre-cut Douglas Fir. We trecked it into the house and the decorating began.

As I began to string the three boxes of lights we had purchased (Boyfriend wanted LED lights, so my 2/$5 lights werent suitable) Boyfriend remarked that we needed one more box, could we finish decorating after he gets another box the next day? Dismayed, I pouted. I really was looking forward to the decorating tonight. After more pouting, Boyfriend gruffly said, "Fine, decorate it tonight. But I can see holes."

With guilt, I finished decorating the tree, trying to find the holiday spirit again, and laughing over the costly splurge on the tree, when for a month prior I had been so thoughtful in making this decoration a non-expensive one.

When finished, I looked back and smiled. It was a great first Christmas tree for Boyfriend and I.

A few of the ornaments are ones that were collected throughout childhood. One ornament in particular made me smile as I found the perfect home for it on the tree.

Even Milo found his way into the merriment of it all. This ornament was given to me by the barn owner of a facility I once kept Milo at. He was three years old in this photo, and even was sporting his pleasure horse mane then!

I hope everyone is having a good holiday season so far, and that your horses and pets have found a warm place in your home as well.