In some ways, January was impressive, in some ways, depressing. Here are the figures:
Shopping: 0 (Though I got my earring leverbacks and changed all my old earrings, and spent $35 from my discretionary fund; Papoose bought a toy at Build A Bear with some Christmas money) Still, no clothes. Loving using only what I own. Impressive list.
Bar Method: 9 times; okay, considering; would have been closer to 12 if Papoose didn't get sick or have school holidays, and I wasn't intimidated by the Mixed Level class.
Gym & Yoga: 8 times. Tried to do much early on, which resulted in some recuperation days, overall, good.
Riding: A bit depressing: 6 times, but there were 14 solid days of rain so considering the other available 10 days, I suppose, pretty good.
I should look at it this way: in 31 days, I exercised 15 days and bought no clothes. Not bad at all.
I love playing with stats.
For February, I plan:
Bar Method: 11 times
Ride (weather permitting): 10
Gym: 6 times
Passing my Boards.
Going on one date night with Hubs.
Another girls party-one per month- the last one, only E showed up to scrap and another friend dropped by to visit. Rainbow Brite sent me a hilarious email on why she couldn't come. I'll post it (she agreed to let me) sometime soon. Anyway, this one will have a jewelry making/swap theme.
Lunch with friends once per week.
Finish off work application.
No shopping.
Stay on Zero plan budget- we actually made it last week, reviewed our Jan spending tonight and planned the week ahead.
Bed by 9:30; by far the hardest (the best Law& Orders are on 9-10)
I love being accountable to you, Dear Reader. Twice I have driven to the gym, sat in my car in the dusty outer parking lot and contemplated not going in. The weather was cold. The seat warmer so cozy. You, or blogging to you about it, made me go in. For that, I thank you.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Coveting
I've been such a good girl. I haven't gone shopping, at all. I even went to the mall (Papoose had saved enough money to go to Build A Bear) and we went to Godiva to get our free monthly chocolate and Boudin, where I registered a frequent buyer card and can now get a free loaf of bread!
For the most part, I haven't missed shopping. I love the Bar Method. I go to the gym, but I'm doing 25 minute sessions- any more was exhausting. I'm riding again tomorrow after all this rain. And certainly Papoose, her activities, my Boards, the dogs and using my art supplies (I bought leverbacks to switch my earrings,so I can use, not lose them, and paid for it with my discretionary cash fund).
But I am coveting this:
Fortunately this is all vintage and worn by some bright young thing who also accessorizes with Chanel 1994 fluorescent boas. And it looks cute on her. But this:
Doesn't it have a chic French look to it? And so practical, roomy, durable.
It's $143, with the monogram. I would have bought it last year. That's so last year! (I crack myself up)
I'm just thinking maybe with the money I save, I can fly to Paris and buy meself a lovely Speedy from LV!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Do You Believe In Angels?
I think I have a guardian angel.
I was completely stressed about my board certification, because on top of the test, there is some kind performance improvement arm to it. Reading the requirements made me realized it was geared for people in large practices or academic settings. Neither of which describe me. Hubs convinced me to call the Boards people, so I did. The very nice lady helping me guided me to an online module (on hand washing! we've both taught little kids about it.) for the performance improvement part and it turns out that I'm taking the test a year early- to give myself a cushion. Phew. Actually, I think that was the whoosh of my guardian angel's wings.
I was completely stressed about my board certification, because on top of the test, there is some kind performance improvement arm to it. Reading the requirements made me realized it was geared for people in large practices or academic settings. Neither of which describe me. Hubs convinced me to call the Boards people, so I did. The very nice lady helping me guided me to an online module (on hand washing! we've both taught little kids about it.) for the performance improvement part and it turns out that I'm taking the test a year early- to give myself a cushion. Phew. Actually, I think that was the whoosh of my guardian angel's wings.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
My High Riding Standards for 2010
This year my trainer was very particular that we develop our goals specifically and clearly for the year.He told us to start with what we are grateful for, what we learned last year, and then our plan for this year.
Grateful for:
Being able to own a horse
Trainer & Assistant as trainers for me and Hadley
Hadley’s health and happy attitude
Hadley’s canter
Supportive friends at barn- and out of barn
Going to Pebble
Ribbons from Pebble
Lessons Learned in 2009:
Getting pneumonia: rest when I get sick instead of trying to “push through it” – 3 days in the hospital is not fun!
Ride more=more confident riding
Going to the gym before riding helps riding- warmed up and feel positive
Riding in the Indoor Arena will help me at warm up arena at horse shows
Have Hubs or friend come with me to show- it is emotionally stressful!
Riding Goals for 2010:
1) Fitness:
Lose 10 lbs by 10/10
Increase endurance – goal to run 1 mile w/o stopping by 12/10
Bar Method 3x/week
Cardio at gym 3x wk
Schedule in calendar
2) Confidence while riding:
Ride minimum of 2x per week, preferably 3x
Schedule in calendar
3) Know feel of diagonals and leads without looking
4) Always say to myself: “Heels down and hands light”
“Saturday Night Fever strut”
5) Shows: 2-3
Stirrup Cup Champion
Place in Top 3 in Equitation on the flat in an A rated class
Then Trainer asked me to make it compelling for me to reach my goals, so with his help, I tweaked it to this:
My High Riding Standards 2010
I am a great athlete, a confident rider,
a focused planner and a consistent winner.
I do not accept any limitations.
I live as who I believe I am.
I do what I believe will make my riding better today and everyday, this moment and every moment.
I feel stronger physically and mentally by having an exercise routine.
I review and remind myself everyday of my goals.
I make sure everything is on track.
Success requires me to pay attention to the little details, take exceptional care of myself, my horse, my equipment.
I always look and feel like the winner I am.
I take action today and everyday to take my life to even higher level than it is now.
I SEE MYSELF AS A CHAMPION EVERYDAY.
Grateful for:
Being able to own a horse
Trainer & Assistant as trainers for me and Hadley
Hadley’s health and happy attitude
Hadley’s canter
Supportive friends at barn- and out of barn
Going to Pebble
Ribbons from Pebble
Lessons Learned in 2009:
Getting pneumonia: rest when I get sick instead of trying to “push through it” – 3 days in the hospital is not fun!
Ride more=more confident riding
Going to the gym before riding helps riding- warmed up and feel positive
Riding in the Indoor Arena will help me at warm up arena at horse shows
Have Hubs or friend come with me to show- it is emotionally stressful!
Riding Goals for 2010:
1) Fitness:
Lose 10 lbs by 10/10
Increase endurance – goal to run 1 mile w/o stopping by 12/10
Bar Method 3x/week
Cardio at gym 3x wk
Schedule in calendar
2) Confidence while riding:
Ride minimum of 2x per week, preferably 3x
Schedule in calendar
3) Know feel of diagonals and leads without looking
4) Always say to myself: “Heels down and hands light”
“Saturday Night Fever strut”
5) Shows: 2-3
Stirrup Cup Champion
Place in Top 3 in Equitation on the flat in an A rated class
Then Trainer asked me to make it compelling for me to reach my goals, so with his help, I tweaked it to this:
My High Riding Standards 2010
I am a great athlete, a confident rider,
a focused planner and a consistent winner.
I do not accept any limitations.
I live as who I believe I am.
I do what I believe will make my riding better today and everyday, this moment and every moment.
I feel stronger physically and mentally by having an exercise routine.
I review and remind myself everyday of my goals.
I make sure everything is on track.
Success requires me to pay attention to the little details, take exceptional care of myself, my horse, my equipment.
I always look and feel like the winner I am.
I take action today and everyday to take my life to even higher level than it is now.
I SEE MYSELF AS A CHAMPION EVERYDAY.
Monday, January 25, 2010
An Interview with Shay
I met Shay at Thanksgiving. Hubs and I had just returned from walking the dogs on the beach and were waiting for a table at the Half Moon Bay Brewery with the dogs (Papoose was with my parents in Seattle). Shay noticed my socks (K Bells, with blue ribbons on them) peeking out of my Uggs and asked me if I ride. We started talking and I discovered Shay is an amazing person.
She's tall, pretty and really nice. She has an open and generous spirit. She also won a golf cart riding. In the same division as me, the Stirrup Cup. So I finally figured out Blogger enough to publish an interview with her. She had great pictures, but Blogger won't let me pull them up.
What made you start riding?
I was at a dog park with my two German Shepherds.I met this gal, G, wearing a sling.
I asked her what happened to her arm she asked me if I knew anything about English riding. She said, “Well, I fell jumping over this 6 foot oxer!” The effect was lost on me- I didn’t know what an oxer was.
She confessed she was really only jumping 2’ and at the time of the accident, she was at a dead stop.
G asked me if the belt I was wearing was crocodile. so I told her its story: we were in Florida when a crocodile crossed us. We had no choice but to wrangle it, eventually the game wardens put it down and so since we had the leather I thought I might as well put it to good use.
G: “Really?”
Me: “No!”
We laughed, laughed, and thus started our friendship.
She asked if I wanted to ride. I thought about it, and answered with a definitive yes.
A week later we were at the local Saddlery where I purchased $900 dollars worth of gear (I still have the receipt). My first lesson Aug. 23, 2007.
I have a ton of pictures of me during my progress as a rider and they are funny to look at. At the beginning, particularly when you could really tell that I didn’t know what I was doing; I used to hold the reigns, high, almost as if they were stinky dirty diapers.
Exactly two years later, I happen to win two-year end divisions, 3 reserves with different associations, a golf cart for overall highpoint, two champion jackets,
an embroidered champion scrim sheet, a hunt coat, Champion engrave leather halter, Ariat duffle bag, Ariat quilted vest, 41 blue ribbons, 11 show champions, 2 silver champion buckles, several horse engraved glass pitchers, pilsner glasses, a Swarovski horseshoe necklace, stuff animal horses, horse tin, Swarovksi adorned & silver engraved spurs, show socks, saddle pads, house welcome mat, embroidered boot back, a medal and the three awards banquets are still to come. At some point, I gave my ribbons to teammates; everyone in my barn got a prize(s)…All this in only 8 months of showing.
I am telling you this not because I wish to come across as cocky but because I am proud to have achieved physical prowess when two years prior I could barely walk. I had severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease where your own body attacks itself as it is confused and cannot distinguish healthy tissue from invading bacteria. So when I met G in the park and she said do you want to ride, I thought, you got your body back, use it to the FULLEST, you don’t know for how long and I didn’t want to have regrets in life or a bucket list of unfulfilled “could have beens”.
How did you win the golf cart?
At my local riding club, there are many different rated shows there but regardless of the rating, when hosted by Camelot Riding Club, points earned accrue. The Amateur rider with the highest points gets a golf cart and the Junior Rider with the highest amount of Camelot points gets a golf cart.
At the very last Camelot show at the Expo Center in Industry Hills, the person in second place for the golf cart brought two horses. She was able to increase the number of classes she was in from 28 to 44!
I am in the low amateur division which means I cannot jump higher than 2’3” . I simply could not be in as many classes. I am also not skilled enough to jump higher so I was at a disadvantage with the number of classes that I could enter. That girl, who jumps 3’ even dummied down to my very class and jumped 2’3” in my class. I was devastated that this loop completely could exist and it looked like she was going to win the golf cart.
G let me rider her horse in a few of the classes so that I could increase that number of classes that I could ride in for 18 classes to her 44. I even did cross rail jumpers, which I’d never done. I was competing against ponies who can take inside turns that I cannot on a horse that is 17 hands. It wasn’t easy, I was especially tired, my groom was sick of moving my saddle from horse to horse, and I had to switch the number on my back as well... It was frantic. We all thought that the golf cart was out of reach. We broke out a bottle of wine to help ease the madness that was going on into the evening- I was still showing at 6:30pm, in the dark, shadows making the horses frisky.
Apparently, I got a seven stride in five- but it was cross rails mind you and my friend’s horse is a 3’9” jumper so he did not have any problems. In fact, it took me ¾ the length of the ring to get him to finally slow after we crossed the final timer. I remember coming out of the ring -my trainer just looked at me like “That was atrocious, but it’s jumpers and you are never doing that again so I’m not going to say a thing.”
I knew it was awful, but I had no energy left. I just held on and spurred.
Out of the three jumper classes with the two horses I Disqualified my first attempt by not going through the timer, then I got 1, 1, 2, 3, 3.
As it turned out, those points clinched the golf cart for me.
How has riding affected other parts of your life?
It has helped me avoid the mid life question of “what the hell am I doing with my life” because I feel I did something awe inspiring and whenever I feel questionable, I think of this past year to raise me up. I’m really, still in disbelief to have accomplished this much in such a short period of time. Two years ago I had not even seen an English saddle up close. So the amount of pride that I feel has swelled into the self esteem part of my life. Whether I continue to ride our not I will always look back on this and say, “I did it.” It also makes me feel that the barriers and obstacles in life look less ominous, I’ve gained new mental strength and belief in myself not to give up and that new heights can be reached if you just believe you can EVEN if you start the proverbial rat race late. I think often we are fearful to start something new in life, career, hobby etc because we are afraid of not doing well and starting a race late certainly makes us feel like its hard to catch up and the odds are against us from being competitive.
I have to say that I was extremely fortuitous that several people took an interest in helping me improve.
She's tall, pretty and really nice. She has an open and generous spirit. She also won a golf cart riding. In the same division as me, the Stirrup Cup. So I finally figured out Blogger enough to publish an interview with her. She had great pictures, but Blogger won't let me pull them up.
What made you start riding?
I was at a dog park with my two German Shepherds.I met this gal, G, wearing a sling.
I asked her what happened to her arm she asked me if I knew anything about English riding. She said, “Well, I fell jumping over this 6 foot oxer!” The effect was lost on me- I didn’t know what an oxer was.
She confessed she was really only jumping 2’ and at the time of the accident, she was at a dead stop.
G asked me if the belt I was wearing was crocodile. so I told her its story: we were in Florida when a crocodile crossed us. We had no choice but to wrangle it, eventually the game wardens put it down and so since we had the leather I thought I might as well put it to good use.
G: “Really?”
Me: “No!”
We laughed, laughed, and thus started our friendship.
She asked if I wanted to ride. I thought about it, and answered with a definitive yes.
A week later we were at the local Saddlery where I purchased $900 dollars worth of gear (I still have the receipt). My first lesson Aug. 23, 2007.
I have a ton of pictures of me during my progress as a rider and they are funny to look at. At the beginning, particularly when you could really tell that I didn’t know what I was doing; I used to hold the reigns, high, almost as if they were stinky dirty diapers.
Exactly two years later, I happen to win two-year end divisions, 3 reserves with different associations, a golf cart for overall highpoint, two champion jackets,
an embroidered champion scrim sheet, a hunt coat, Champion engrave leather halter, Ariat duffle bag, Ariat quilted vest, 41 blue ribbons, 11 show champions, 2 silver champion buckles, several horse engraved glass pitchers, pilsner glasses, a Swarovski horseshoe necklace, stuff animal horses, horse tin, Swarovksi adorned & silver engraved spurs, show socks, saddle pads, house welcome mat, embroidered boot back, a medal and the three awards banquets are still to come. At some point, I gave my ribbons to teammates; everyone in my barn got a prize(s)…All this in only 8 months of showing.
I am telling you this not because I wish to come across as cocky but because I am proud to have achieved physical prowess when two years prior I could barely walk. I had severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease where your own body attacks itself as it is confused and cannot distinguish healthy tissue from invading bacteria. So when I met G in the park and she said do you want to ride, I thought, you got your body back, use it to the FULLEST, you don’t know for how long and I didn’t want to have regrets in life or a bucket list of unfulfilled “could have beens”.
How did you win the golf cart?
At my local riding club, there are many different rated shows there but regardless of the rating, when hosted by Camelot Riding Club, points earned accrue. The Amateur rider with the highest points gets a golf cart and the Junior Rider with the highest amount of Camelot points gets a golf cart.
At the very last Camelot show at the Expo Center in Industry Hills, the person in second place for the golf cart brought two horses. She was able to increase the number of classes she was in from 28 to 44!
I am in the low amateur division which means I cannot jump higher than 2’3” . I simply could not be in as many classes. I am also not skilled enough to jump higher so I was at a disadvantage with the number of classes that I could enter. That girl, who jumps 3’ even dummied down to my very class and jumped 2’3” in my class. I was devastated that this loop completely could exist and it looked like she was going to win the golf cart.
G let me rider her horse in a few of the classes so that I could increase that number of classes that I could ride in for 18 classes to her 44. I even did cross rail jumpers, which I’d never done. I was competing against ponies who can take inside turns that I cannot on a horse that is 17 hands. It wasn’t easy, I was especially tired, my groom was sick of moving my saddle from horse to horse, and I had to switch the number on my back as well... It was frantic. We all thought that the golf cart was out of reach. We broke out a bottle of wine to help ease the madness that was going on into the evening- I was still showing at 6:30pm, in the dark, shadows making the horses frisky.
Apparently, I got a seven stride in five- but it was cross rails mind you and my friend’s horse is a 3’9” jumper so he did not have any problems. In fact, it took me ¾ the length of the ring to get him to finally slow after we crossed the final timer. I remember coming out of the ring -my trainer just looked at me like “That was atrocious, but it’s jumpers and you are never doing that again so I’m not going to say a thing.”
I knew it was awful, but I had no energy left. I just held on and spurred.
Out of the three jumper classes with the two horses I Disqualified my first attempt by not going through the timer, then I got 1, 1, 2, 3, 3.
As it turned out, those points clinched the golf cart for me.
How has riding affected other parts of your life?
It has helped me avoid the mid life question of “what the hell am I doing with my life” because I feel I did something awe inspiring and whenever I feel questionable, I think of this past year to raise me up. I’m really, still in disbelief to have accomplished this much in such a short period of time. Two years ago I had not even seen an English saddle up close. So the amount of pride that I feel has swelled into the self esteem part of my life. Whether I continue to ride our not I will always look back on this and say, “I did it.” It also makes me feel that the barriers and obstacles in life look less ominous, I’ve gained new mental strength and belief in myself not to give up and that new heights can be reached if you just believe you can EVEN if you start the proverbial rat race late. I think often we are fearful to start something new in life, career, hobby etc because we are afraid of not doing well and starting a race late certainly makes us feel like its hard to catch up and the odds are against us from being competitive.
I have to say that I was extremely fortuitous that several people took an interest in helping me improve.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
It's Raining, It's Pouring...
...the melancholy's boring.
It's raining nonstop. Even the indoor arena has been flooded at the barn. G, the Assistant called me today and said it was fine not to ride. Good, because thunder and lightning were testing my will to improve my riding. I was relieved.
Of course, that meant I could stay home and study for my re-certification, which was actually less appealing than riding a skittish horse in slippery mud with gusty winds and thunder in a crowded arena full of other antsy horses. It's been ten years since I took a big exam. And I'm so rusty at it. I didn't start to get anxiety dreams until last week, and that queasy sick feeling of not being prepared and hoping the test would magically disappear, did not come up until this week. It's just a few short steps to full on panic and housecleaning. I always got the overwhelming urge to scrub the bathtub before finals. Now I just surf the web.
It's raining it's pouring, the pity party's going...
It's raining nonstop. Even the indoor arena has been flooded at the barn. G, the Assistant called me today and said it was fine not to ride. Good, because thunder and lightning were testing my will to improve my riding. I was relieved.
Of course, that meant I could stay home and study for my re-certification, which was actually less appealing than riding a skittish horse in slippery mud with gusty winds and thunder in a crowded arena full of other antsy horses. It's been ten years since I took a big exam. And I'm so rusty at it. I didn't start to get anxiety dreams until last week, and that queasy sick feeling of not being prepared and hoping the test would magically disappear, did not come up until this week. It's just a few short steps to full on panic and housecleaning. I always got the overwhelming urge to scrub the bathtub before finals. Now I just surf the web.
It's raining it's pouring, the pity party's going...
Sunday, January 10, 2010
48
There are a few magic numbers in life. When tasks get set to them, they seem easier to accomplish. I can do just about anything for fifteen minutes, and strangely, when I limit myself to that much time, I usually get the task, usually procrastinatingly odious, done.
It takes thirty days to make a habit.
It takes ten thousand hours- or about ten years, to make an expert.
My Bro said he lost twenty five pounds over the past eight months, but it took him four before he could really discern results. I went to Bar Method three times last week, rode three times and did cardio twice. (The third day of riding was great, even if I was pretty tired, I felt more confident. But I felt as if my legs were just rubbery with fatigue all of Friday) Four months is daunting, even to an optimistic planner like me.
But I started to think about it, and came up with forty eight. A nice number. On the short half of one hundred. Two days. A TV series. Doing the Bar Method three times a week for sixteen weeks was going to class forty eight times. And I've already done three. Forty eight times of riding over sixteen weeks, and I've already done three. Forty eight sessions of cardio maybe harder, but I'm hoping to add cardio to a day I ride or a day I go to Bar. (So far: Mon-Bar, Tues-Cardio, Wed- Bar& Ride, Th-Ride, Fri-Bar, Ride, Sat-Rest, Sun-Cardio)
And not shopping has been easier than I thought. I did have to go to Target for restocking the medicine cabinet with items not at Costco. (Papoose will only take grape flavored Motrin. Why fight a sick kid with orange flavor? It's just asking for trouble.) I stayed true to my task with the exception of an American Girl doll outfit ($17- compared to the $40 one in the catalog), three sticker books from the dollar bin($3) and ribbon (0.30) from the Christmas leftovers. A well spent $20. It wasn't as tempting as I thought it would have been, but I was sucked into browsing for some time. HUbs will come with me next time. Or I will set a fifteen minute timer.
Anyway, for my forty eight sessions of Bar, Riding and Cardio, I'm keeping a post it count down pad. I used to do this studying for finals, for reviewing chapters, etc. It's very satisfying to peel off the posties.
Wish me luck, tomorrow is post it 45!
It takes thirty days to make a habit.
It takes ten thousand hours- or about ten years, to make an expert.
My Bro said he lost twenty five pounds over the past eight months, but it took him four before he could really discern results. I went to Bar Method three times last week, rode three times and did cardio twice. (The third day of riding was great, even if I was pretty tired, I felt more confident. But I felt as if my legs were just rubbery with fatigue all of Friday) Four months is daunting, even to an optimistic planner like me.
But I started to think about it, and came up with forty eight. A nice number. On the short half of one hundred. Two days. A TV series. Doing the Bar Method three times a week for sixteen weeks was going to class forty eight times. And I've already done three. Forty eight times of riding over sixteen weeks, and I've already done three. Forty eight sessions of cardio maybe harder, but I'm hoping to add cardio to a day I ride or a day I go to Bar. (So far: Mon-Bar, Tues-Cardio, Wed- Bar& Ride, Th-Ride, Fri-Bar, Ride, Sat-Rest, Sun-Cardio)
And not shopping has been easier than I thought. I did have to go to Target for restocking the medicine cabinet with items not at Costco. (Papoose will only take grape flavored Motrin. Why fight a sick kid with orange flavor? It's just asking for trouble.) I stayed true to my task with the exception of an American Girl doll outfit ($17- compared to the $40 one in the catalog), three sticker books from the dollar bin($3) and ribbon (0.30) from the Christmas leftovers. A well spent $20. It wasn't as tempting as I thought it would have been, but I was sucked into browsing for some time. HUbs will come with me next time. Or I will set a fifteen minute timer.
Anyway, for my forty eight sessions of Bar, Riding and Cardio, I'm keeping a post it count down pad. I used to do this studying for finals, for reviewing chapters, etc. It's very satisfying to peel off the posties.
Wish me luck, tomorrow is post it 45!
The Pink Lady Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree
Papoose: You know shoes that make you feel like you can stomp on the whole world?
Me: Yes?
Papoose: Those are my favorite.
Mommy too, baby girl!
And if you haven't had a Pink Lady Apple, go out and get some. Yum.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Yeah, I'm, that easy.Thursday, January 7, 2010
That Clever Horse, Hadley (Or Hubs' Return From China)
I don't think I clarified in my last post that the offending Uggs were offending because they were fake fur. Not shearling. Anyway, after a brief quarrantine, Hubs is out of the dog house.
Clever Hadley. I rode today, even though I didn't want to, and Hadley was perfect. We jumped, and while I was scared, the Assistant told me to remember to push my heels down at the trot pole before the jump and to land in my heels. Nothing else. I remembered to push my heels down and relax my forearms (tried to avoid the rigor mortis elbow). It worked! I can remember max of two things, sequentially- not together, when riding. Of course as the Assistant says, if those are the only two things I remember every time, then I'll be a great rider. Guess Hadley and Hubs can both stick around.
For now.
Clever Hadley. I rode today, even though I didn't want to, and Hadley was perfect. We jumped, and while I was scared, the Assistant told me to remember to push my heels down at the trot pole before the jump and to land in my heels. Nothing else. I remembered to push my heels down and relax my forearms (tried to avoid the rigor mortis elbow). It worked! I can remember max of two things, sequentially- not together, when riding. Of course as the Assistant says, if those are the only two things I remember every time, then I'll be a great rider. Guess Hadley and Hubs can both stick around.
For now.
Riding, and Hubs Goes to the Doghouse In China
I rode yesterday, after two weeks. I went to Bar Method, then rode.
The day before, was super productive. I didn't post, on account of making Almond Roca too upset about my super productivity: I went to the gym, for forty five minutes on the treadmill and Precor. Combined, not each. I just kept looking at the rolls in the mirror and it kept me going. And I went grocery shopping, took the dogs out, helped in class. Made dinner. Took Papoose to Kumon, piano, scheduled major trash pick up day.Life was good. Well, Papoose was late to class, but overall, life was good.
Yesterday should have been the same. Took the dogs to the groomer, went to Bar went to the barn. I flatted with the Assistant (my Trainer was teaching the other class) after she rode Hadley. He was great. I felt great. Then Assistant said I should jump. I did, but it was ugly. Ugly. I was fearful and Hadley got excited going towards the gate. I curled forward and close to his neck, arms stiff and tight. We went the other way and it was better, but not much.
The Trainer said, "Unicorn, you gotta get out here and ride. Once a week if you can. Twice a week if you can. Three times a week is better. Because that's how you will progress, and you gotta feel like you are progressing. You see everyone today? No one rode since before Christmas, and they were all shaky. You gotta ride. Now stop getting all fetal, which I hate, and sit up!."
The Assistant said, "She hasn't ridden since Christmas, either. Use your New York walk."
The Trainer: "What's that?"
Assistant: "You know, so you won't get mugged."
Me: "Like John Travolta, singing Stayin' Alive."
The Trainer laughed and said,"That's a great analogy. Wear that white suit."
I relaxed, sat up, Hadley immediately stopped chomping the bit and walked, maybe even strutted, back to the barn.
But I felt crabby, defensive. It's true, I hadn't ridden since Christmas. I was sick last week. But I had ridden three times a week regularly before.
And I'm planning to ride today and tomorrow. Hell, it's in my schedule. But no. My first day back and that's all the Trainer can say?
But the day was going to get worse.
Now I was crabby, tired and hungry. I had forgotten my carefully packed lunch. Extra crabby.
Hubs chooses this moment to call, to tell me my Christmas Uggs had arrived. From China.
Folks, the rest of this story is ugly, so you can stop reading now if you have delicate sensibilities.
I will just say there were accusations (Really, who orders from unknown websites with multiple obvious spelling mistakes? We know who does.)
There were tears. Remember how I hoarded up to be prepared for 2010 so I wouldn't need to buy anything? That's what this Christmas present was about. I didn't buy them from October last year so Hubs could buy them for me for Christmas. I gave him my little list (cosy slippers, Uggs, Wellies) before Thanksgiving. I even gave him the websites to order from. I guarantee Ugg11.com was not one of them.
More crying because now I have to use my stretched out, water damaged, stained Uggs for another year. It's the stretched out, smushed shearling part I don't like. New Uggs are like sinking your toes into soft, thick piled carpet every time you put on your shoes. Like a cocoon of warmth, all the way up your shins. They even kinda have a new car scent to them.
I don't know what's worse: not having new Uggs or crying about them. And I don't want to go ride. Anyone want a horse?
The day before, was super productive. I didn't post, on account of making Almond Roca too upset about my super productivity: I went to the gym, for forty five minutes on the treadmill and Precor. Combined, not each. I just kept looking at the rolls in the mirror and it kept me going. And I went grocery shopping, took the dogs out, helped in class. Made dinner. Took Papoose to Kumon, piano, scheduled major trash pick up day.Life was good. Well, Papoose was late to class, but overall, life was good.
Yesterday should have been the same. Took the dogs to the groomer, went to Bar went to the barn. I flatted with the Assistant (my Trainer was teaching the other class) after she rode Hadley. He was great. I felt great. Then Assistant said I should jump. I did, but it was ugly. Ugly. I was fearful and Hadley got excited going towards the gate. I curled forward and close to his neck, arms stiff and tight. We went the other way and it was better, but not much.
The Trainer said, "Unicorn, you gotta get out here and ride. Once a week if you can. Twice a week if you can. Three times a week is better. Because that's how you will progress, and you gotta feel like you are progressing. You see everyone today? No one rode since before Christmas, and they were all shaky. You gotta ride. Now stop getting all fetal, which I hate, and sit up!."
The Assistant said, "She hasn't ridden since Christmas, either. Use your New York walk."
The Trainer: "What's that?"
Assistant: "You know, so you won't get mugged."
Me: "Like John Travolta, singing Stayin' Alive."
The Trainer laughed and said,"That's a great analogy. Wear that white suit."
I relaxed, sat up, Hadley immediately stopped chomping the bit and walked, maybe even strutted, back to the barn.
But I felt crabby, defensive. It's true, I hadn't ridden since Christmas. I was sick last week. But I had ridden three times a week regularly before.
And I'm planning to ride today and tomorrow. Hell, it's in my schedule. But no. My first day back and that's all the Trainer can say?
But the day was going to get worse.
Now I was crabby, tired and hungry. I had forgotten my carefully packed lunch. Extra crabby.
Hubs chooses this moment to call, to tell me my Christmas Uggs had arrived. From China.
Folks, the rest of this story is ugly, so you can stop reading now if you have delicate sensibilities.
I will just say there were accusations (Really, who orders from unknown websites with multiple obvious spelling mistakes? We know who does.)
There were tears. Remember how I hoarded up to be prepared for 2010 so I wouldn't need to buy anything? That's what this Christmas present was about. I didn't buy them from October last year so Hubs could buy them for me for Christmas. I gave him my little list (cosy slippers, Uggs, Wellies) before Thanksgiving. I even gave him the websites to order from. I guarantee Ugg11.com was not one of them.
More crying because now I have to use my stretched out, water damaged, stained Uggs for another year. It's the stretched out, smushed shearling part I don't like. New Uggs are like sinking your toes into soft, thick piled carpet every time you put on your shoes. Like a cocoon of warmth, all the way up your shins. They even kinda have a new car scent to them.
I don't know what's worse: not having new Uggs or crying about them. And I don't want to go ride. Anyone want a horse?
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Getting to the bar is productive, baby!
I went to The Bar yesterday. Not a bar, The bar method, where two pound weights can turn you into a quivering mass of jello. I was productive!
Papoose got dropped off and picked up on time. In between, I:
went to the Bar
Papoose lost a tooth in school
took the dogs out
ate lunch
studied
made dinner
cleaned up the backyard
Then:
Papoose finished her Kumon,
most of her homework,
went to karate, while I
bought cat food
returned two items at the mall, without looking at anything else...
chatted with my friend, Almond Roca (I did not pick her name) who reminded me I said I wasn't buying anything last year
fake smiled and chatted with another karate mom
had dinner with the family
made pompoms
went to bed on time!!!!
Which allows me to be up now, ungodly early, blogging to you!
And after all this nice weather while I was sick an not riding, I get better and ready to ride and the weatherman says RAIN?
I am being tested.
Also, I've decided that this will be my next pet. I don't think they bark, so the neighbors can't complain:
Papoose got dropped off and picked up on time. In between, I:
went to the Bar
Papoose lost a tooth in school
took the dogs out
ate lunch
studied
made dinner
cleaned up the backyard
Then:
Papoose finished her Kumon,
most of her homework,
went to karate, while I
bought cat food
returned two items at the mall, without looking at anything else...
chatted with my friend, Almond Roca (I did not pick her name) who reminded me I said I wasn't buying anything last year
fake smiled and chatted with another karate mom
had dinner with the family
made pompoms
went to bed on time!!!!
Which allows me to be up now, ungodly early, blogging to you!
And after all this nice weather while I was sick an not riding, I get better and ready to ride and the weatherman says RAIN?
I am being tested.
Also, I've decided that this will be my next pet. I don't think they bark, so the neighbors can't complain:
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Annoyed, anonymously
Blogger is making me crazy. I did not say blogging is making me crazy, just this format- I can't import a Word document into a post.
I met Shay because she noticed i was wearing riding socks. (Those K Bells I am obsessed with.) It's impossible to not like Shay. She's tall, skinny, gorgeous. She's also the definition of nice: friendly, open, engaging. When we met, she told me she had just won a golf cart riding! I was intrigued. And we did an email interview.
Which Blogger is not letting me post. Shay even included great pictures. Sigh.
Then, to top it off, we came back and some nasty neighbor left a note about Jack's barking. We were gone less than four hours and of course I want to know if he was a nuisance- but tell me nicely and leave your name so I can apologize and bake some cookies for you. Instead of mean anonymous notes that leaves all parties frustrated. Anonymous is just another word for coward, anyway.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Best Party I've Ever Crashed.
I almost made it to bed, but then Jack barked. I came downstairs, turned off the alarm, let him out, put another load of laundry (why is it since we got this constantly shedding dog, do I need to wash stuff constantly?). Came back from the garage to discover Jack really didn't want to go out. Went back across the living room to turn on the alarm, peeked out the front window to see if the cat had come in- and I do this every time- get startled to see his luminescent green eyes peering back at me-let the cat in, escort him to the kitchen so Jack doesn't chase him, remind Taffy that Jack is the reason his tuxedo-ass is warm inside the house- turn the alarm on, reach for the light- and realize I didn't post today.
But I did sign up for Bar Method for Mon at 9AM! And schedule gym, riding and studying time.
So here I am in the office, typing. In new flannel PJs and old red eyes.
We went to a bday party of one of Papoose's friend. It was at one of those jungly gym indoor places, and the hostess mom was nice and so Papoose's cousin along with Hubs, Bro, SisInLaw and I hung out in the grown ups lounge. Then our hostess mom came to tell us a weird thing that had happened. A woman and her five year old crashed the party. She apparently knew some other parent at the party from AA, quit smoking yesterday and well, could she and her son just come on in? Since Hostess Mom is way nicer than me and didn't know what to say, she reluctantly said okay. Crasher mom kept saying this was the best party they'd ever crashed. How weird is that? It's not like we're celebrities that you'd want to hang out with us. It was a nice party, nice kids, but typical suburban fare: pizza, cakes, glitter, kids running, climbing, sliding and screaming.
I guess it goes to show you, what's ordinary and mundane to you and me can seem amazing and awesome to someone else.
Isn't this life the best party you ever crashed?
And one day, I'll get back to writing about riding. Promises, promises.
But I did sign up for Bar Method for Mon at 9AM! And schedule gym, riding and studying time.
So here I am in the office, typing. In new flannel PJs and old red eyes.
We went to a bday party of one of Papoose's friend. It was at one of those jungly gym indoor places, and the hostess mom was nice and so Papoose's cousin along with Hubs, Bro, SisInLaw and I hung out in the grown ups lounge. Then our hostess mom came to tell us a weird thing that had happened. A woman and her five year old crashed the party. She apparently knew some other parent at the party from AA, quit smoking yesterday and well, could she and her son just come on in? Since Hostess Mom is way nicer than me and didn't know what to say, she reluctantly said okay. Crasher mom kept saying this was the best party they'd ever crashed. How weird is that? It's not like we're celebrities that you'd want to hang out with us. It was a nice party, nice kids, but typical suburban fare: pizza, cakes, glitter, kids running, climbing, sliding and screaming.
I guess it goes to show you, what's ordinary and mundane to you and me can seem amazing and awesome to someone else.
Isn't this life the best party you ever crashed?
And one day, I'll get back to writing about riding. Promises, promises.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Your name here:
I may refer to you on this blog. It is a danger of knowing, even inadvertently, a blogger. You can know what I really think.
So if you don't want me to make up a name for you, please pick a name for yourself.
You can pick your p@rn star name by:
Name of first pet + First Street you lived on
(mine would be Sniffy Glendora, not so good) or
Rock Star name: Name favorite pet + Type of Car
(Indy Pilot, much better. Hubs would be Winston X-i, who appears to be a retro 80s Asian popstar)
Or whatever you'd like. Or I will have to pick one for you, like RainbowBrite Summer.
You cannot pick your own name if you are:
Hubs
Bro
Papoose (who is not invited to read this blog, anyway)
Ms SnarkE (who doesn't want to read this blog anyway)
You can email me if you can't post a comment. This means you, RainbowBrite Summer-- you know who you are.
So if you don't want me to make up a name for you, please pick a name for yourself.
You can pick your p@rn star name by:
Name of first pet + First Street you lived on
(mine would be Sniffy Glendora, not so good) or
Rock Star name: Name favorite pet + Type of Car
(Indy Pilot, much better. Hubs would be Winston X-i, who appears to be a retro 80s Asian popstar)
Or whatever you'd like. Or I will have to pick one for you, like RainbowBrite Summer.
You cannot pick your own name if you are:
Hubs
Bro
Papoose (who is not invited to read this blog, anyway)
Ms SnarkE (who doesn't want to read this blog anyway)
You can email me if you can't post a comment. This means you, RainbowBrite Summer-- you know who you are.
New Year, Newly Resolved
Our financial planner used to tell us that knowing your finances is empowering. Let's face it- it's also full of recriminations, denial, shock and guilt. I remorselessly blame this on my parents. The burden of spending in our house falls to me. I buy the groceries, the toiletries, the clothes, the school supplies, the gifts. I take care of the checks for Papoose, the animals, etc. So I'm the one primarily responsible for cashflow out. I'm not crazy careless, but
I figure with the amount I spent on clothing last year (for me, Hubs and some gifts to a lesser degree) I could've flown to Paris and back, first class, sipping Veuve Cliquot Rose, bought two couture Chanel suits and a set of Goyard luggage. Ok, maybe not two suits, and maybe not the luggage. But you get what I mean- The worst part is, I usually wear leggings with knee high socks, Uggs and a ratty sweatshirt.
So this year, I am not buying any new clothes.
I am not buying any new clothes.
See this blog:
Bye Bye Buy: December 2006 So of course in the waning days of 2009, I did what any other addict about to be cut off does: I hoarded. I bought myself some extra knee high socks (check out the K. Bells with the cute horse patterns. They are simply the best. Cosy without losing elasticity or cutting off circulation.) I bought sports bras. We don't want worn out ones of those, do we? A pair of flannel pajamas. Leggings and tights (the best are by Hue- same criteria as knee highs). Polar fleece riding tights, so I actually get out and ride when it's cold.
I also made Hubs buy me new Uggs for Christmas, in grey, and I wanted Hunter Wellies, but can you believe there are none to be found in Hunter Green, size 7? (It's true. Not trusting Hubs, I looked myself)
With all my free time and money, I am going to lose the muffin top. (Stop quivering like a bowl full of jelly, you evil fat cells, you're harder to get rid of than the Taliban) I'm going to do this by:
1)the evil Bar Method three days a week
2) the gym for cardio three days a week.
Plus of course riding three days a week...because I am going to do three shows this year. (Totally inspired by Shay, whose interview -I promise- is coming up)
So bye bye Target. Bye bye Stanford and Hillsdale Mall. I'll miss you, Macys. And especially you, my dearest Nordstrom. Good bye, Pottery Barn.
My art room overfloweth, so good bye Joann's and Michaels.
Hubs and I made a list of things we can buy from- CostCo (toiletries,paper goods, bulk carrots) and groceries from WholeFoods and Trader Joes.
And because we are not totally crazy, we are allowing ourselves a weekly allowance- totally discretionary- $20 ( ooh, a MAC eyeshadow) and a limited amount of books not from the library.
I'm curious to see how long I can manage this. I love shopping. I am the most creative at not exercising and eating fatty food.
Will I turn into Mr Krabs from Sponge Bob and love me money more? OR will I become even more like Patrick, the Starfish?
I'm resolved to do better with my money, time and energy this year.
I figure with the amount I spent on clothing last year (for me, Hubs and some gifts to a lesser degree) I could've flown to Paris and back, first class, sipping Veuve Cliquot Rose, bought two couture Chanel suits and a set of Goyard luggage. Ok, maybe not two suits, and maybe not the luggage. But you get what I mean- The worst part is, I usually wear leggings with knee high socks, Uggs and a ratty sweatshirt.
So this year, I am not buying any new clothes.
I am not buying any new clothes.
See this blog:
Bye Bye Buy: December 2006 So of course in the waning days of 2009, I did what any other addict about to be cut off does: I hoarded. I bought myself some extra knee high socks (check out the K. Bells with the cute horse patterns. They are simply the best. Cosy without losing elasticity or cutting off circulation.) I bought sports bras. We don't want worn out ones of those, do we? A pair of flannel pajamas. Leggings and tights (the best are by Hue- same criteria as knee highs). Polar fleece riding tights, so I actually get out and ride when it's cold.
I also made Hubs buy me new Uggs for Christmas, in grey, and I wanted Hunter Wellies, but can you believe there are none to be found in Hunter Green, size 7? (It's true. Not trusting Hubs, I looked myself)
With all my free time and money, I am going to lose the muffin top. (Stop quivering like a bowl full of jelly, you evil fat cells, you're harder to get rid of than the Taliban) I'm going to do this by:
1)the evil Bar Method three days a week
2) the gym for cardio three days a week.
Plus of course riding three days a week...because I am going to do three shows this year. (Totally inspired by Shay, whose interview -I promise- is coming up)
So bye bye Target. Bye bye Stanford and Hillsdale Mall. I'll miss you, Macys. And especially you, my dearest Nordstrom. Good bye, Pottery Barn.
My art room overfloweth, so good bye Joann's and Michaels.
Hubs and I made a list of things we can buy from- CostCo (toiletries,paper goods, bulk carrots) and groceries from WholeFoods and Trader Joes.
And because we are not totally crazy, we are allowing ourselves a weekly allowance- totally discretionary- $20 ( ooh, a MAC eyeshadow) and a limited amount of books not from the library.
I'm curious to see how long I can manage this. I love shopping. I am the most creative at not exercising and eating fatty food.
Will I turn into Mr Krabs from Sponge Bob and love me money more? OR will I become even more like Patrick, the Starfish?
I'm resolved to do better with my money, time and energy this year.
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