I spent most of yesterday at Equine Affaire in Pomona with Linda and Liz. Horse, horses, horses! It's a huge horse convention with booths and seminars and horses everywhere. It was wonderful. My favorite part was the Friesians. They're my favorite horse but I've never been able to get up close to one until yesterday. Now I want one even more!
I just got home from spending some time with High School Ministry (still trying to figure out if this is where God's calling me) and I'm about ready to run up to the barn to go riding. Linda and Liz are going to give me a lesson on Kalvin to learn some dressage, which is pretty awesome. I also have a lesson set up with Anna for next Saturday. Liz told me that I can borrow her jumping saddle so I can start learning to jump. I am so excited how God has brought horses back into my life and how I've been learning so much. It's incredible! I wonder if He has plans for me to use horses in my ministry somehow. I hope so!
I want to buy An Awesome Book by Dallas Clayton.
Sunday
Wednesday
01.28.09
On Facebook, I got tagged and had to write 25 random things about me. Since I've been slacking lately on my blog, I thought I'd share them. Here goes!
1. I've broken two bones, my wrist and my foot, both while climbing around on monkey bars.
2. I love the way I feel with super-long hair but I like the way I look when it's short.
3. I love healthy foods and could live off of fruits, veggies, nuts and whole grains for the rest of my life and be completely content.
4. I castrated two lambs when I was in 4-H. True story.
5. I secretly wish I would get laid off so I could spend a year living in Zimbabwe.
6. I don't like sleeping with socks on.
7. On some days, my anxiety is so bad I go through an entire pack of gum from lunch time until I leave work (roughly four hours).
8. I think my sister is one of the most beautiful women in the world and I used to take pictures of her all the time for my photography class.
9. I love everything there is about horses (aside from how expensive they are to keep). My favorite thing is to hold on tight and let them run!
10. I'm pale skinned and rarely ever show my legs in fear of blinding (or disgusting) people.
11. Every year for Christmas, my Mother gives me a children's book signed by the illustrator. It's fired a dream in me to one day write and illustrate my very own children's book.
12. It takes a long time for me to trust people and open up to them. Because of that, I can be pretty socially awkward.
13. I thank Jesus for saving me from the person I would have been without Him. I can't wait to see what other awesome things He's going to do with my life!
14. I have two cats that are so naughty and sometimes I wish they were dogs, but I love when they lay at my feet on cold nights and purr super loud.
15. I have two tattoos and am going to get another one in the next few weeks (Refuge wings).
16. I'm part of an amazing group of girls who are on a mission to change Zimbabwe, and maybe even the world! (shout out to Lorz, Gi and CC....woohoo!)
17. I don't have a favorite song or a favorite movie because I'm always changing my mind.
18. I long to live in the country, surrounded by wide-open spaces.
19. I work in a cubicle but I hate it and wish I could be working where my hands get dirty and I feel physically tired by the end of the work day.
20. I used to have a huge fear of crickets after I found one on my pillow in the middle of the night. I got over the fear when I started working at a pet store and had to bag and sell crickets to people who owned creatures that ate them. It was horrible at first.
21. I've always known I'd be good at playing the piano but am too stubborn to learn on a keyboard. My Mom bought me a piano a couple years back at an antique auction and I'm waiting for it to be moved into my house (I finally have a place where it will fit!) before I start teaching myself to play.
22. I am not nice to be around if I don't get enough sleep...and, sadly, I'm not one of those people who can survive on less than eight hours.
23. I have the best Mom in the entire world and I'm not just saying that. She's AMAZING.
24. Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite places ever.
25. One day, I want to be an artist.
1. I've broken two bones, my wrist and my foot, both while climbing around on monkey bars.
2. I love the way I feel with super-long hair but I like the way I look when it's short.
3. I love healthy foods and could live off of fruits, veggies, nuts and whole grains for the rest of my life and be completely content.
4. I castrated two lambs when I was in 4-H. True story.
5. I secretly wish I would get laid off so I could spend a year living in Zimbabwe.
6. I don't like sleeping with socks on.
7. On some days, my anxiety is so bad I go through an entire pack of gum from lunch time until I leave work (roughly four hours).
8. I think my sister is one of the most beautiful women in the world and I used to take pictures of her all the time for my photography class.
9. I love everything there is about horses (aside from how expensive they are to keep). My favorite thing is to hold on tight and let them run!
10. I'm pale skinned and rarely ever show my legs in fear of blinding (or disgusting) people.
11. Every year for Christmas, my Mother gives me a children's book signed by the illustrator. It's fired a dream in me to one day write and illustrate my very own children's book.
12. It takes a long time for me to trust people and open up to them. Because of that, I can be pretty socially awkward.
13. I thank Jesus for saving me from the person I would have been without Him. I can't wait to see what other awesome things He's going to do with my life!
14. I have two cats that are so naughty and sometimes I wish they were dogs, but I love when they lay at my feet on cold nights and purr super loud.
15. I have two tattoos and am going to get another one in the next few weeks (Refuge wings).
16. I'm part of an amazing group of girls who are on a mission to change Zimbabwe, and maybe even the world! (shout out to Lorz, Gi and CC....woohoo!)
17. I don't have a favorite song or a favorite movie because I'm always changing my mind.
18. I long to live in the country, surrounded by wide-open spaces.
19. I work in a cubicle but I hate it and wish I could be working where my hands get dirty and I feel physically tired by the end of the work day.
20. I used to have a huge fear of crickets after I found one on my pillow in the middle of the night. I got over the fear when I started working at a pet store and had to bag and sell crickets to people who owned creatures that ate them. It was horrible at first.
21. I've always known I'd be good at playing the piano but am too stubborn to learn on a keyboard. My Mom bought me a piano a couple years back at an antique auction and I'm waiting for it to be moved into my house (I finally have a place where it will fit!) before I start teaching myself to play.
22. I am not nice to be around if I don't get enough sleep...and, sadly, I'm not one of those people who can survive on less than eight hours.
23. I have the best Mom in the entire world and I'm not just saying that. She's AMAZING.
24. Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite places ever.
25. One day, I want to be an artist.
Monday
01.26.09
I can feel myself changing. It's a growth that's happening from the inside. The wounds I've carried for so many years are suddenly surfacing and it hurts...but after the pain comes healing...and after the healing comes growth...and through that growth comes strength. They are relatively small hurts and small strengths, but I can feel my faith stretching each time, and that's a pretty beautiful thing to feel.
Another cloud picture from my camera phone:
Another cloud picture from my camera phone:
Friday
01.23.09
Boca burger on Ezekiel bread with mustard. I just had to take a picture of it because I was walking up from the cafeteria (where I toasted the bread) and was slightly embarrassed with how unappetizing my lunch looks. It doesn't look very pretty but it's SO yummy!
Wednesday
01.21.09
I can't get enough of the clouds. This is from my drive home today. It's always so easy to see God in a cloudy sky.
Monday
01.19.09
This weekend was really nice. The weather was perfect (if felt like spring) and the company was wonderful.
Saturday, Regina and I drove up to Cal State Northridge to see an extremely talented young man run. I'd never been to a track meet before and had a blast watching people jump, run and throw things. That night, after getting back to OC, a small group of us did a movie and popcorn at my Mom's. It was a good day.
Sunday, I went to church with my new friend K. The lesson was on the mustard seed...how small and insignificant it seems but how it will grow into a huge, flowered bush that birds will perch on. I feel so much like a mustard seed right now...so small but with this huge desire to grow. After service, K and I had lunch and then I went for a trail ride. Kalvin went right over the bridge without any spinning (hooray)! Then, last night, I met Regina and two of her friends at Newport Church for worship night. Imagine a bar/club that just the night before was filled with people drinking and doing all the other stuff that comes along with partying...and imagine that place being packed tight with youth who have a passion for the Lord. Now, picture a band spouting out rockin' music and almost the entire room of people jumping up and down with their arms raised, singing at the top of their lungs to God. Incredible.
Now, back to Monday. It's not as painful as most Mondays though -- I'll be taking tomorrow off to go to Disneyland with Regina and K. Fun!
Saturday, Regina and I drove up to Cal State Northridge to see an extremely talented young man run. I'd never been to a track meet before and had a blast watching people jump, run and throw things. That night, after getting back to OC, a small group of us did a movie and popcorn at my Mom's. It was a good day.
Sunday, I went to church with my new friend K. The lesson was on the mustard seed...how small and insignificant it seems but how it will grow into a huge, flowered bush that birds will perch on. I feel so much like a mustard seed right now...so small but with this huge desire to grow. After service, K and I had lunch and then I went for a trail ride. Kalvin went right over the bridge without any spinning (hooray)! Then, last night, I met Regina and two of her friends at Newport Church for worship night. Imagine a bar/club that just the night before was filled with people drinking and doing all the other stuff that comes along with partying...and imagine that place being packed tight with youth who have a passion for the Lord. Now, picture a band spouting out rockin' music and almost the entire room of people jumping up and down with their arms raised, singing at the top of their lungs to God. Incredible.
Now, back to Monday. It's not as painful as most Mondays though -- I'll be taking tomorrow off to go to Disneyland with Regina and K. Fun!
Wednesday
1.14.09 P.S.
Every time a blog reposts “People Got A Lotta Nerve” by Neko Case, ANTI will donate five dollars to the Best Friends Foundation.
Let me tell you, Neko Case is amazing, amazing, amazing. So, grab the free download now. Great music for a great cause...can it get any better?
Now it's your turn to post this and help raise money for animals.
(Thanks KK for the heads up on this.)
Let me tell you, Neko Case is amazing, amazing, amazing. So, grab the free download now. Great music for a great cause...can it get any better?
Now it's your turn to post this and help raise money for animals.
(Thanks KK for the heads up on this.)
01.14.09
When I get to Heaven, I'm definitely going to hang out with C.S. Lewis. I want to spend hours talking with him...his mind fascinates me! Hmmmm...I wonder if he likes horses? I'd love to take a trail ride with him and then stop midway for lunch under a huge oak tree and chat it up over yummy sandwiches.
Here are a few of his quotes I especially like right now:
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
"...that people often say about Him: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg--or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."
"You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body."
"I have found a desire within myself that no experience in this world can satisfy; the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
"This year, or this month, or, more likely, this very day, we have failed to practise ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other people."
Here are a few of his quotes I especially like right now:
"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."
"...that people often say about Him: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg--or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."
"You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body."
"I have found a desire within myself that no experience in this world can satisfy; the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
"This year, or this month, or, more likely, this very day, we have failed to practise ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other people."
Sunday
01.11.09
From The Inside Out, by Hillsong, speaks to my heart in so many ways right now...
A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
11.11.09
Ah. Today is beautiful! The sun is out, the sky is clean and blue, there's a wonderful, spring-time feeling in the air (even though it's January). Last night, Regina was telling me how I live in one of the most beautiful places and I need to start opening my eyes to it all. Today was a good day to start opening my eyes...it wasn't hard at all to see it when so much of the states are covered in snow and ice right now. Maybe I do have it pretty good! ;)
I looked up a painting class online this morning. It starts in February at the local community college...I think I'm going to sign up for it. I had a wonderful heart-to-heart with Lorz the other night (that girl is AMAZING) and she made me realize how much I've been holding back my creativity because I'm scared to let it out. I need to stop worrying about what people think so much and start living to please God. A huge part of that, for me, will be to release the creativity full-force -- paint, draw, play guitar, sing...just be the quirky little thing He's made me to be and use it all as an act of worship. I need to give it all to Him and not care that others may think. That's huge for me and it's going to take some time to get there...but I'm excited to start!
Regina flew in on Thursday and it's been such a blessing to spend time with her. I knew I missed her, but I had no idea how much! I need to get used to being tired (I'm so tired right now!) because I'll want to spend as much time with her as I can before she heads back to Zim. It's hard because she's so busy (so many people want her time) but I'm determined to steal her for a day and spend some quality time with her. I wonder how cold Joshua Tree is right now?
::yawn:: Gonna go take a nap...
I looked up a painting class online this morning. It starts in February at the local community college...I think I'm going to sign up for it. I had a wonderful heart-to-heart with Lorz the other night (that girl is AMAZING) and she made me realize how much I've been holding back my creativity because I'm scared to let it out. I need to stop worrying about what people think so much and start living to please God. A huge part of that, for me, will be to release the creativity full-force -- paint, draw, play guitar, sing...just be the quirky little thing He's made me to be and use it all as an act of worship. I need to give it all to Him and not care that others may think. That's huge for me and it's going to take some time to get there...but I'm excited to start!
Regina flew in on Thursday and it's been such a blessing to spend time with her. I knew I missed her, but I had no idea how much! I need to get used to being tired (I'm so tired right now!) because I'll want to spend as much time with her as I can before she heads back to Zim. It's hard because she's so busy (so many people want her time) but I'm determined to steal her for a day and spend some quality time with her. I wonder how cold Joshua Tree is right now?
::yawn:: Gonna go take a nap...
Wednesday
1.07.09
Tomorrow Regina is here! I'm really excited to see her and can't wait to hear about everything she's been doing in Zim. It's going to be so special to spend time with her and I'm really looking forward to it!
I started a sketchbook a few days ago in order to spur my creativity back to life. So far, the pages are pretty dull, but at least I'm drawing/doodling every day. Here's something I did today. I folded two pages in half vertically to make doors and when you open them there's a sacred heart inside.
I started a sketchbook a few days ago in order to spur my creativity back to life. So far, the pages are pretty dull, but at least I'm drawing/doodling every day. Here's something I did today. I folded two pages in half vertically to make doors and when you open them there's a sacred heart inside.
Monday
01.05.09
It's so my style --the evening before I have to go back to work I catch a cold. Last night I curled up next to a roll of toilet paper and tried to sleep through a marathon of nose blowing...by morning there was a sea of tissue balls around my bed. The beginning is the worst for me -- I'm such a big baby when I have an achy body -- so work was a tad uncomfortable. I can't wait for 8 o'clock so I can take some p.m. meds and zonk out until tomorrow. Waaaaah...
I ordered a book on Amazon called The China Study and am really excited for it to get here. I think a huge reason I get sick all the time and have stomach problems is because of my diet (makes sense!). I try to eat healthy but the problems are still here...and I'm beginning to think it has to do with the meat and dairy in my diet. I'm really looking forward to learning more about nutrition and the benefits of eating more vegan-like. Not only might it help me be healthier but I'll feel so much better not noshing on animals!
Below is a picture of the curtains my Mom made for my kitchen. I picked out the fabric and she sewed them up in one night. She's seriously the most amazing mother in the entire world.
I ordered a book on Amazon called The China Study and am really excited for it to get here. I think a huge reason I get sick all the time and have stomach problems is because of my diet (makes sense!). I try to eat healthy but the problems are still here...and I'm beginning to think it has to do with the meat and dairy in my diet. I'm really looking forward to learning more about nutrition and the benefits of eating more vegan-like. Not only might it help me be healthier but I'll feel so much better not noshing on animals!
Below is a picture of the curtains my Mom made for my kitchen. I picked out the fabric and she sewed them up in one night. She's seriously the most amazing mother in the entire world.
Saturday
01.03.09
I really like this chair. So do my cats...to scratch on.
I have to figure out how to make it work in my bedroom. That way I can close the door when I'm not home and they can't get to it. Sadly, that also means there will be one less sitting spot in my living room.
Thursday
01.01.09 P.S.
Shortly after I wrote the previous post, I went into the bathroom to hang the curtain rod before returning my Grandfather's power drill (by the way, I want my own power drill...they are fantastic!). I forgot about the wet paint as I was trying to screw in part of the curtain-rod holder and pressed my head and arm into the freshly painted wall. Paint got in my hair, on my cheek and down the side of my sweater...and the wall doesn't look so pretty now. I suppose I'll have to find a picture to hang to hide the smudged paint marks.
01.01.09
Happy new year! The year has started off on the right foot. I woke up and met a friend out at the barn for a trail ride, and when I got home I found a happy little mix of tunes from Kev...then I put up the new curtains and after that my Mom came over to help me paint the bathroom. Now I'll be heading over to my Mom's house in a few for a little family party to celebrate the new year. There will be homemade pizzas and board games, and lots of hugs from the nieces. Fun!
Look, the bathroom is painted!
Finally, curtains!
Look, the bathroom is painted!
Finally, curtains!
Wednesday
12.31.08
This morning, I took Kalvin on a trail ride and then my Uncle Kevin's family came to the barn to meet the horses. I took River out for his two girls to brush, lead and ride around in the arena. I'm learning that I really enjoy teaching kids about horses. Maybe one day I'll be knowledgeable enough to teach lessons -- that would be a dream job!
After leaving the barn, I met up with my Mom and we worked some more on my house. I had no idea it took so much effort just putting up curtain rods. They aren't even all up yet! So, tomorrow will be more of drilling holes in the walls and I think we're also going to paint my bathroom. I still can't believe I haven't had a lazy moment since my Christmas vacation began. I suppose I'll finally get around to laziness tonight, because I'm not going out for New Years Eve. I'm actually looking forward to some quiet time to catch up on some reading.
After leaving the barn, I met up with my Mom and we worked some more on my house. I had no idea it took so much effort just putting up curtain rods. They aren't even all up yet! So, tomorrow will be more of drilling holes in the walls and I think we're also going to paint my bathroom. I still can't believe I haven't had a lazy moment since my Christmas vacation began. I suppose I'll finally get around to laziness tonight, because I'm not going out for New Years Eve. I'm actually looking forward to some quiet time to catch up on some reading.
Tuesday
12.30.08
Wow. I could get used to not working. I'm really enjoying my Christmas vacation so far!
Saturday night I met Kev and Michael (and JT and his sister) in Carlsbad. It was nice to take in the the Kev and Michael vibes -- they are my absolute favorite guys and it's such a treat to spend time with them. Then, I drove back down to Oceanside on Sunday to spend the afternoon with Sara. It was so good to see her. We had a late lunch (which included an insane amount of laughing) and then walked down to the beach to play some pool...and ended up staying there for hours, laughing and pooling it up. It was such a blast. We even met a couple guys and played doubles for awhile. The best part is that my team mate was really good at pool and I picked up on some pretty neat pool tips. I want to get good at pool now! Luckily, my Grandparents down the street have a pretty nice table and I think I'm going to make it a habit of going and playing with my Grandfather. Let's see...yesterday I rode Kalvin for the third day in a row (it would be SO nice to be able to ride every day) and then went shopping with my Mom to find some things for my house, including cute curtains and a dandy little sparrow (birds are kind of my thing these days). This morning, I'm meeting my sister and nieces out at the barn to give the girls a riding lesson and then I'll be working more on my house this afternoon. So far, I've been super busy and loving it!
Here's the dandy sparrow I got yesterday (currently resting on my fireplace mantel, with a few other things that make me happy):
Saturday night I met Kev and Michael (and JT and his sister) in Carlsbad. It was nice to take in the the Kev and Michael vibes -- they are my absolute favorite guys and it's such a treat to spend time with them. Then, I drove back down to Oceanside on Sunday to spend the afternoon with Sara. It was so good to see her. We had a late lunch (which included an insane amount of laughing) and then walked down to the beach to play some pool...and ended up staying there for hours, laughing and pooling it up. It was such a blast. We even met a couple guys and played doubles for awhile. The best part is that my team mate was really good at pool and I picked up on some pretty neat pool tips. I want to get good at pool now! Luckily, my Grandparents down the street have a pretty nice table and I think I'm going to make it a habit of going and playing with my Grandfather. Let's see...yesterday I rode Kalvin for the third day in a row (it would be SO nice to be able to ride every day) and then went shopping with my Mom to find some things for my house, including cute curtains and a dandy little sparrow (birds are kind of my thing these days). This morning, I'm meeting my sister and nieces out at the barn to give the girls a riding lesson and then I'll be working more on my house this afternoon. So far, I've been super busy and loving it!
Here's the dandy sparrow I got yesterday (currently resting on my fireplace mantel, with a few other things that make me happy):
Friday
12.26.08
I feel so weighed down and sluggish from all this holiday junk I've been eating. Starting today, I'm going back to basics. Whole grains, lots of veggies and fruits, nuts, yogurt and grilled chicken. The good stuff!
Wednesday
12.24.08
For those of you who are wondering how barefoot running went last night...well, let's just say I wouldn't advise it. My calves are so sore today and I feel like I need an hour-long foot massage to get all the kinks out. And, that's all from only running 3/4 of a mile! The shoes are coming back.
Tuesday
12.23.08
I ran four miles last night...which is impressive for me because I haven't ran over two miles in probably a year. Kev made me an awesome running mix and the music really kept me going. I'm going to try for at least four miles again tonight, but this time I'll be doing it barefoot. Yep, no shoes. I'm not landing correctly with my right foot and it's causing knee pain. I was wandering the internet today and discovered that lots of people find barefoot running much easier on the joints. It makes sense if you think about it. God didn't create us with shoes on, so it seems right that my feet will land most properly without shoes getting in the way. I guess I'll find out soon enough. But, brrrrrr, it's cold out in my garage! I wonder if I can get away with sock running instead of barefoot running?
It was a little slow in the office today and it felt wonderful to pick up a pen and doodle:
It was a little slow in the office today and it felt wonderful to pick up a pen and doodle:
Sunday
12.21.08
Yesterday, I took Kalvin on a trail ride. It was horrible. He kept spinning and trying to head back home. He even reared up at one point. There must have been evil, horse-eating trolls under every bridge because no matter how much I urged him on, Kalvin refused to cross. Puddles must have housed scary monsters with sharp teeth just ready to leap out at us, because Kalvin wouldn't go near them. I was so fed up with fighting to keep him moving forward that I eventually gave in and we left the trail and rode on the street, around the bridges and mud puddles. He got his way.
I decided to take advantage of the sunshine today and take Kalvin on another trail ride. He definitely remembered that he got his way yesterday because he was spinning and circling back toward the barn a handful of times before we even got to the first bridge. I was not about to let him win (especially since his bad habit was only getting worse)! I kept his head down and I faced it slightly towards the fence so he didn't have any room to turn around, and I squeezed him over the bridge. Sure enough, as soon as we were over and he knew I wasn't going to let him get his way, he was a perfect gentleman. It was a wonderful ride! We even took new trails we've never been on before and he behaved himself perfectly. And, to make it even better, as we were heading home we crossed paths with the hot cowboy I've seen a few times on trail. ::blush:: Today was a good day.
I decided to take advantage of the sunshine today and take Kalvin on another trail ride. He definitely remembered that he got his way yesterday because he was spinning and circling back toward the barn a handful of times before we even got to the first bridge. I was not about to let him win (especially since his bad habit was only getting worse)! I kept his head down and I faced it slightly towards the fence so he didn't have any room to turn around, and I squeezed him over the bridge. Sure enough, as soon as we were over and he knew I wasn't going to let him get his way, he was a perfect gentleman. It was a wonderful ride! We even took new trails we've never been on before and he behaved himself perfectly. And, to make it even better, as we were heading home we crossed paths with the hot cowboy I've seen a few times on trail. ::blush:: Today was a good day.
Saturday
Friday
12.19.08
As I was getting ready to head out of the office yesterday, I handed the origami horse directions to Paul, our UI Designer and my cube neighbor, and challenged him to make it. This is what I found on my desk this morning (I think it's absolutely perfect...tape and all):
Thursday
12.18.08
It's finally feeling like winter. There's a refreshing bite to the air (brrrr) and the sky is so crisp it feels like the skies of other seasons have been out of focus (or blurred by smog, more likely). This morning, on the way to work, I noticed the mountains on the horizon completely wrapped in snow. There's something so pure about winter.
I can't get enough of snapping pictures through my windshield. Here's another view of what my drive to work is like. The sky just mesmerizes me!
I can't get enough of snapping pictures through my windshield. Here's another view of what my drive to work is like. The sky just mesmerizes me!
Wednesday
12.17.08
I'm feeling slightly glum tonight. I'm not sure why. Just this morning I was driving to work and marveling at how happy I've been lately. Maybe I'm finally coming down from it all. Maybe it's because the rain is keeping me locked up inside. Maybe I ate way too much sugar today with all the holiday food roaming the office and it's making me feel gross. Maybe I'm tired. Maybe it's because even though I love being a hermit, sometimes this house seems too big and lonely. Maybe it's all of the above. I think I need a hug.
Tuesday
12.16.08 P.S.
This afternoon was my second attempt to fold an origami horse and I just can't seem to do it. Not even close. I thought it would be a nice little break in between web site updates here at work...but instead of mellowing me out it's got me completely frustrated.
I challenge you to an origami test. Download the PDF of directions here.
You'll be my hero if you can master this!
I challenge you to an origami test. Download the PDF of directions here.
You'll be my hero if you can master this!
12.16.08
Today is Carrie's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARRIE!
In celebration of the special day, check out this awesome video of a dog playing in the snow. I can't get enough of it!
Oh, and I just discovered that Where the Wild Things Are is going to be a movie (Oct. 2009). I could cry I'm so excited. It looks like it's going to be AMAZING!
In celebration of the special day, check out this awesome video of a dog playing in the snow. I can't get enough of it!
Oh, and I just discovered that Where the Wild Things Are is going to be a movie (Oct. 2009). I could cry I'm so excited. It looks like it's going to be AMAZING!
Monday
12.15.08
There is so much beauty in the world that I can't help but get overwhelmed. Sometimes I feel like I don't see things the same way other people do and get frustrated when they have a hard time understanding how beautiful it all is. Sometimes I get embarrassed because I can tell they think I'm childish when I spend minutes oohing and aahing over the smallest of things. The thing is, they aren't small at all...they're huge examples of how much God loves us. His love for us is so big that He takes the greatest of care in adding beauty to even the tiniest details.
12.15.08
Here's an e-mail I sent to a friend this morning that recaps my weekend:
...It was supposed to rain for us but didn't start until last night (which is great b/c I got to squeeze in a trail ride yesterday before everything was taken over by mud puddles). It never gets old waking up to the sound of rain and listening to it with a cup of hot coffee in hand, so today has started out quite wonderfully.
Saturday was amazing. I really, really need to learn Spanish so I can communicate with the family more, but the good thing is that love and laughter are universal languages so there weren't too many awkward language-barrier moments. ..."my family". They're pretty special. It was awesome to see how much pride they took in their new home and how well they've taken care of it since July. It felt like a home; there was a warmth to it. Anyway, Saturday was a wonderful day and Sunday wasn't too shabby either. I checked out the high-school ministry small groups and really think I want to volunteer to serve as a leader. It's so amazing to be surrounded by all these kids and think of all the potential they hold for making this world a better place. It's pretty intense. Oh, and the Christmas party last night was great. It's fun to be in a room full of women gabbing about nothing much other than horses. :)
...It was supposed to rain for us but didn't start until last night (which is great b/c I got to squeeze in a trail ride yesterday before everything was taken over by mud puddles). It never gets old waking up to the sound of rain and listening to it with a cup of hot coffee in hand, so today has started out quite wonderfully.
Saturday was amazing. I really, really need to learn Spanish so I can communicate with the family more, but the good thing is that love and laughter are universal languages so there weren't too many awkward language-barrier moments. ..."my family". They're pretty special. It was awesome to see how much pride they took in their new home and how well they've taken care of it since July. It felt like a home; there was a warmth to it. Anyway, Saturday was a wonderful day and Sunday wasn't too shabby either. I checked out the high-school ministry small groups and really think I want to volunteer to serve as a leader. It's so amazing to be surrounded by all these kids and think of all the potential they hold for making this world a better place. It's pretty intense. Oh, and the Christmas party last night was great. It's fun to be in a room full of women gabbing about nothing much other than horses. :)
Saturday
12.13.08
Today's going to be a pretty neat day. A small group of us are going down to El Nino to visit the family we built a house for this past summer. We'll be bringing them lots of love, some fun Christmas stuff and extra donations they might need. I'm so excited that God's giving us the opportunity to start a relationship with this family and I'm also super excited that a couple people from my work are coming. I love being able to join people together in serving...it's something I get such a kick out of.
Another good (but less important) thing about today is that I'm typing this, coffee in hand, at home! I love having internet at home again! :)
Another good (but less important) thing about today is that I'm typing this, coffee in hand, at home! I love having internet at home again! :)
Friday
12.12.08
I love the sky.
I was driving to work this morning, paying more attention to the sky than the road. Horrible, I know. But just look at it...it's beautiful!
I was driving to work this morning, paying more attention to the sky than the road. Horrible, I know. But just look at it...it's beautiful!
Thursday
12.11.08
I kinda-sorta like Magick by Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. It's not his usual style and it's pretty pop...but I've replayed it a bunch of times tonight. You'd better watch out, it might hook you too!
Wednesday
12.10.08
Why is it that it's so hard sometimes to hand a piece of my life over to God...even when I know His plans are so much bigger and better than mine could ever be? I'm in a place where there's something I want that isn't of God and it's hurting my heart to let it go.
On a lighter note, I'm getting internet cable today! I cannot wait to get internet connection at home again...I miss iTunes and I think (don't get too excited yet), I think I might get back on Facebook because I miss my Lorz and Gi.
On a lighter note, I'm getting internet cable today! I cannot wait to get internet connection at home again...I miss iTunes and I think (don't get too excited yet), I think I might get back on Facebook because I miss my Lorz and Gi.
Tuesday
12.09.08
A huge swarm of bad-mood beasties are hanging over my head this morning. It's so annoying when they come around...
Monday
12.08.08
I don't think I'll go back to Vegas for a long time. I was so sensitive to the atmosphere -- it really depressed me to be constantly surrounded by people who were far from sober. It felt like a film was taken off my eyes and I could see Vegas for what it truly is, not a glittering city filled with excitement and energy, but instead a dirty city filled with lost and broken people. It made me incredibly sad.
Yesterday, I climbed up on my roof with a box of Christmas lights. I don't have a ladder so I pulled myself up from a barstool to the playhouse roof then to the house roof. When I got up, dragging the box behind me, I realized how steep the roof actually was. I could get to the end of it but bending down to the staple lights onto the wooden eave would have been suicidal. So, I figured it would be smarter to put the lights up while on a ladder and decided to climb back down. That's when I realized coming down from the roof without a ladder was a lot harder than climbing up! I ended up jumping to the playhouse roof (after a silent prayer that the roof wouldn't cave in under my weight) and then shimmied down the house window frame. It was quite an adventure. I'm thinking tonight I might borrow my grandparents ladder and try putting up lights the right way.
Giant wheels on our drive to Vegas:
The space ship at Alien Fresh Jerky:
Visiting with Nicole. We met on the last Africa trip and she lives in Vegas...and she's fabulous:
My Mom and I won big at Excalibur's games:
Yesterday, I climbed up on my roof with a box of Christmas lights. I don't have a ladder so I pulled myself up from a barstool to the playhouse roof then to the house roof. When I got up, dragging the box behind me, I realized how steep the roof actually was. I could get to the end of it but bending down to the staple lights onto the wooden eave would have been suicidal. So, I figured it would be smarter to put the lights up while on a ladder and decided to climb back down. That's when I realized coming down from the roof without a ladder was a lot harder than climbing up! I ended up jumping to the playhouse roof (after a silent prayer that the roof wouldn't cave in under my weight) and then shimmied down the house window frame. It was quite an adventure. I'm thinking tonight I might borrow my grandparents ladder and try putting up lights the right way.
Giant wheels on our drive to Vegas:
The space ship at Alien Fresh Jerky:
Visiting with Nicole. We met on the last Africa trip and she lives in Vegas...and she's fabulous:
My Mom and I won big at Excalibur's games:
Thursday
12.04.08
Last night was amazing. It started even before I went to church. Thank you so much for those of you who prayed for me...I could feel it! God eased my anxiety and it started with a soap bubble. Yes, a soap bubble. I was doing dishes and talking with God and a few soap bubbles started floating up around me. I was watching them drift up towards the ceiling, enjoying the way they moved and the little tiny, glossy rainbows reflecting from them. I know this might sound silly (yes, more silly then watching bubbles)...but I was talking with God and said something like, "Okay God. I haven't been feeling your presence lately and it would be great if I could feel you near tonight. I know I shouldn't be testing you but the bubble is about to hit the ceiling and pop and it would be near impossible for it to move back down again...so could you please move it back down so I know you're here?" Well, the bubble didn't just float back down again, it also stopped in mid air right in front of my eyes and hoovered there. No joke. It felt like a giant hug from God. So, my usual anxiety was completely gone as I headed for church. No sweaty palms, no racing heart, no shaky legs...nothing! Just a nice, easy calm. Last night was the high school ministry's service so I met a few of the other volunteers, a couple of the students and then sat down to hear the high school pastor speak. He shared a video from Advent Conspiracy (see below) that just blew me away. It's exactly how my heart feels about this time of year. I just watched it again this morning and started tearing up. I urge you to watch it and rethink Christmas. Anyway, back to the service...wow! I was completely blown away by seeing all these young faces worshiping God -- so full of energy and passion and potential. I need to do a little more praying about it, and check out the Sunday morning life groups, but I have a feeling I finally found where I'm supposed to be serving in the church. I'm really, really excited about it (and hope I can start volunteering in time for broom ball night)! :)
On to other exciting things...I'm driving out the Vegas around lunch time with my Mom. We'll be meeting up with some old Oregon friends for a few days and I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait!
(I'm having issues uploading the video from Advent Conspiracy. I'll try again later but if you want to check it out now, go here.)
On to other exciting things...I'm driving out the Vegas around lunch time with my Mom. We'll be meeting up with some old Oregon friends for a few days and I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait!
(I'm having issues uploading the video from Advent Conspiracy. I'll try again later but if you want to check it out now, go here.)
Wednesday
12.03.08 P.S.
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings is making my morning pretty awesome. They've been in my itunes for some time now -- I'm giving them a re-listen and loving it. Give 'em a try!
12.03.08
I'll be checking out high school ministry at my church tonight to see if it's something I can start volunteering with...and I'm super nervous. Please pray for me today! I have social anxiety that gets pretty bad sometimes and I'm worried I'll freeze up and get all awkward in front of a huge group of highschoolers.
Monday
12.01.08
I have three amazingly wonderful things and one not-so-wonderful thing to share.
Amazingly wonderful:
1) Carrie is in labor right now! I'm SO excited and my heart literally hurts because I want so much to be in Texas right now.
2) Shannon had her son on Thanksgiving day -- Joshua Walter Johnson! I've been really sick (spent the last three and a half days in bed) so I haven't been able to see him in person, but his photographs are so adorable!
3) I jumped Kalvin yesterday! Linda put two poles down on either side of the arena and told me to trot him over them. He jumped over them (even though he didn't need to because they were just poles lying on the ground)! We ended up running around the arena for about five minutes straight, jumping each pole. We must have been a sight...me hanging on without stirrups, laughing the entire time and him jumping and running around. It was a blast!
Not-so-wonderful
1) I HATE AT&T! I was on the phone for at least an hour today and ended up just canceling my service. I still don't have a phone line hooked up to my house (which means no internet either) and am getting billed. Plus, they cancelled my internet without letting me know. So, now I might end up forking out more cash and getting a cable line through Time Warner. I miss my internet, darn it!
Amazingly wonderful:
1) Carrie is in labor right now! I'm SO excited and my heart literally hurts because I want so much to be in Texas right now.
2) Shannon had her son on Thanksgiving day -- Joshua Walter Johnson! I've been really sick (spent the last three and a half days in bed) so I haven't been able to see him in person, but his photographs are so adorable!
3) I jumped Kalvin yesterday! Linda put two poles down on either side of the arena and told me to trot him over them. He jumped over them (even though he didn't need to because they were just poles lying on the ground)! We ended up running around the arena for about five minutes straight, jumping each pole. We must have been a sight...me hanging on without stirrups, laughing the entire time and him jumping and running around. It was a blast!
Not-so-wonderful
1) I HATE AT&T! I was on the phone for at least an hour today and ended up just canceling my service. I still don't have a phone line hooked up to my house (which means no internet either) and am getting billed. Plus, they cancelled my internet without letting me know. So, now I might end up forking out more cash and getting a cable line through Time Warner. I miss my internet, darn it!
Wednesday
11.26.08
Price stickers. I hate them. I hate them more than splinters or traffic or techno music. I'm trying to peel one off a pen I bought yesterday and it's coming off in thin, little sections and leaving a sticky film behind. The world would be a better place without annoying price stickers that won't unstick!
Tuesday
11.25.08
As promised, here's video of Junebug and me playing. She was having so much fun I had to climb over the fence to get away -- she's little but she's strong!
Monday
11.24.08
I smashed my fingers pretty badly in the garage door this morning. A few are still throbbing, even after soaking them in ice water and taking Advil. So, as much as I want to share about my Texas trip, it's just going to have to wait until it doesn't hurt so much to type. Until then, here are a few of my favorite pictures (mostly of Norman, of course):
Feeding Norman mints:
Riding Norman (well, attempting to ride because he isn't trained):
Norman and Mo in the background:
Loving on JuneBug, the baby cow I got to play with (video coming soon):
Another one of JuneBug, so you can appreciate her cuteness:
Feeding Norman mints:
Riding Norman (well, attempting to ride because he isn't trained):
Norman and Mo in the background:
Loving on JuneBug, the baby cow I got to play with (video coming soon):
Another one of JuneBug, so you can appreciate her cuteness:
Friday
11.21.08
Hello from Texas! I'm already having so much fun. Before I left I saw my Mom and she told me, "Have fun in Texas...but don't have too much fun. Come back!" She knew what she was talking about. Each time I visit Carrie I want so much to stay in Texas. I could afford my own house out here...with land for horses! There's wide-open spaces, huge skies, four seasons...not to mention my best friend. I feel a weight lift from me when I'm out of OC. It's calmer here...more real.
Last night I went with Carrie while she fed the horses dinner. HOLY COW is Norman huge! It was pitch black and the other two horses had already come up...but no Norman (apparently he has quite an independent streak). After a few minutes of calling I heard a thundering of hooves (and, it's truly a thundering considering his hooves are the size of big plates) and then Norman came charging up to his stall. He's massive, absolutely huggable, goofy and I couln't help but laugh when I saw him. He's two and a half years old and the size of a small elephant. I kept telling Carrie that she has her own pet dinosaur. Carrie took a few pictures of me feeding him tiny little mints. Norman hasn't quite figured out how to gently pick up treats and instead enveloped my entire hand with his huge horse lips. It was so funny!
...Carrie should be waking up in a few minutes and we'll get the horses ready for the vet. Yes, the vet. They are getting vaccinations and I get to help hold them down. I've been told Norman is an absolute lunatic when it comes to needles. This morning should be interesting!
Last night I went with Carrie while she fed the horses dinner. HOLY COW is Norman huge! It was pitch black and the other two horses had already come up...but no Norman (apparently he has quite an independent streak). After a few minutes of calling I heard a thundering of hooves (and, it's truly a thundering considering his hooves are the size of big plates) and then Norman came charging up to his stall. He's massive, absolutely huggable, goofy and I couln't help but laugh when I saw him. He's two and a half years old and the size of a small elephant. I kept telling Carrie that she has her own pet dinosaur. Carrie took a few pictures of me feeding him tiny little mints. Norman hasn't quite figured out how to gently pick up treats and instead enveloped my entire hand with his huge horse lips. It was so funny!
...Carrie should be waking up in a few minutes and we'll get the horses ready for the vet. Yes, the vet. They are getting vaccinations and I get to help hold them down. I've been told Norman is an absolute lunatic when it comes to needles. This morning should be interesting!
Thursday
11.20.08
I'm flying to Texas today! I've been pretty excited for the past couple weeks about the big trip. I honestly don't think I laugh harder then when I'm spending time with Carrie...and I'm so excited to see how her baby belly has grown! Plus, there's always some fun little adventure or another that happens during my Texas trips. Last May, it was petting a leamur at the rodeo (his name was Lance) and driving through Fossil Rim to feed giraffe, zebra, deer, ostrich and other animals I would have never imagined getting so close to. Another year we went to Athens to see the world's largest blue catfish, Splash. We've also wandered the streets of Austin, visited the deserted remains of Starship Pegasus, eaten at Nobu...not to mention a bunch of other random, way-too-fun stuff.
This weekend, I know we at least have Twilight planned, dinner at this super-yummy steak house on Friday, a baby shower on Saturday (I still can't believe Carrie and Charles are having a baby soon!) and hopefully a night in watching Napoleon Dynamite and eating homemade apple-bran muffins.
This weekend, I know we at least have Twilight planned, dinner at this super-yummy steak house on Friday, a baby shower on Saturday (I still can't believe Carrie and Charles are having a baby soon!) and hopefully a night in watching Napoleon Dynamite and eating homemade apple-bran muffins.
Wednesday
11.19.08
To all my friends out there...don't let me cut my hair!
I've been wanting to grow it long for a while now but every time it gets to this annoying mid-length I get impatient and end up chopping it short. Then I wallow in mild regret and end up spending the next six months or so trying to grow it out...only to end up chopping it once again out of impatience. I need to break the cycle.
I miss my long hair.
I've been wanting to grow it long for a while now but every time it gets to this annoying mid-length I get impatient and end up chopping it short. Then I wallow in mild regret and end up spending the next six months or so trying to grow it out...only to end up chopping it once again out of impatience. I need to break the cycle.
I miss my long hair.
Tuesday
11.18.08 P.S.
I was on the phone with AT&T for a half hour and finally hung up. I hate AT&T. ...still no internet service at home. They can't come out until Wednesday to hook up DSL to my phone line. blah.
11.18.08
I've been going to Calvary steadily for a couple of months, and even though I now consider it my home church I'm not involved. I'll go to Sunday service and attend an occasional Wednesday night lecture, but I've been feeling a tug lately to dive into the heart of what Calvary is doing. To serve. To volunteer. To be holding an oar and paddling instead of sitting along for the ride. To seek out fellowship and become an impactful part of the living, breathing community of the church.
A month or so back, I went to observe children's ministry on Wednesday night in hopes that I'd feel a calling to help out. I won't get into details, but by the end of the night I knew it wasn't where I was meant to be. Then I remembered hearing that sometimes we're meant to serve where we had once struggled...because we have an easier time understanding and relating. My testimony is more age appropriate for high school and college students. Those were the years when I was struggling. Those were the years I was wandering in a haze of depression and self destruction. Those were the years I pushed God away, my heart so hard and unwilling to accept the fact that I was loved. Maybe, just maybe, those bad times can be used for good -- I can use those experiences to shed light and love on kids who are going through the same struggles I once was. Maybe I can help them because I'll understand them. Maybe...
So, I filled out a card requesting more information on serving in high-school ministries and just yesterday I received an e-mail from the high-school pastor of my church. In the next week or so I'm going to visit and see what it's all about. Deep down, I'm feeling this tug to serve...but I'm also feeling very, very intimidated. I'm scared. I'm scared of stepping out of my little, safe bubble. I'm scared of committing (serving in high-school ministry requires at least a one-year commitment -- serving Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings). I'm scared that the kids will think I'm uncool, lame and uninteresting. I'm scared my anxiety will build and I'll have a panic attack if I have to stand up and introduce myself in front of them. I'm scared I won't have anything of value to give. I'm scared I'll be rejected. This fear though...this fear is the extra push I need to dive into this....because I know fear is not of God. I know that when I feel this fear start to well up inside me, that it's trying to keep me from doing something God has created me to do. Satan has used fear for so long to keep me suppressed...to keep me from stepping out in faith and reaching the potential God has for me. He's used fear too long to keep me pushed down. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of letting it rule me. I'm at my breaking point...I'm ready to step out and push the fear aside.
A month or so back, I went to observe children's ministry on Wednesday night in hopes that I'd feel a calling to help out. I won't get into details, but by the end of the night I knew it wasn't where I was meant to be. Then I remembered hearing that sometimes we're meant to serve where we had once struggled...because we have an easier time understanding and relating. My testimony is more age appropriate for high school and college students. Those were the years when I was struggling. Those were the years I was wandering in a haze of depression and self destruction. Those were the years I pushed God away, my heart so hard and unwilling to accept the fact that I was loved. Maybe, just maybe, those bad times can be used for good -- I can use those experiences to shed light and love on kids who are going through the same struggles I once was. Maybe I can help them because I'll understand them. Maybe...
So, I filled out a card requesting more information on serving in high-school ministries and just yesterday I received an e-mail from the high-school pastor of my church. In the next week or so I'm going to visit and see what it's all about. Deep down, I'm feeling this tug to serve...but I'm also feeling very, very intimidated. I'm scared. I'm scared of stepping out of my little, safe bubble. I'm scared of committing (serving in high-school ministry requires at least a one-year commitment -- serving Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings). I'm scared that the kids will think I'm uncool, lame and uninteresting. I'm scared my anxiety will build and I'll have a panic attack if I have to stand up and introduce myself in front of them. I'm scared I won't have anything of value to give. I'm scared I'll be rejected. This fear though...this fear is the extra push I need to dive into this....because I know fear is not of God. I know that when I feel this fear start to well up inside me, that it's trying to keep me from doing something God has created me to do. Satan has used fear for so long to keep me suppressed...to keep me from stepping out in faith and reaching the potential God has for me. He's used fear too long to keep me pushed down. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of letting it rule me. I'm at my breaking point...I'm ready to step out and push the fear aside.
Thursday
11.13.08
I want a pet squirrel...and an elk and an otter and a big-eyed cow...plus a miniature horse, a giraffe, a baby camel, a skunk (de-scented, of course), an anteater, a praying mantis, an Australian cattle dog, a tarsier, a meerkat, a llama, a kangaroo rat, a zebra and a herd of horses in all different breeds.
Wednesday
11.12.08
Linda brought me a dragonfly "engineer kit" from Chick-fil-A. It had less pieces than the praying mantis kit but it was a lot harder to put together...
Tuesday
11.11.08
Today I wrote a pretty heavy e-mail to my bio dad who's been non-existent for the majority of my life and recently showed up again. It was difficult to write and brought up a lot of hurt -- but the good part is that it reminded me of how important my Heavenly Father is. I can trust Him with my heart and He'll never let it go, even for a second. His love is all I need. Today I really leaned into that truth and felt the real impact of it. He will never desert me and He will always love me. I find such incredible peace in that.
Monday
11.10.08 p.s.
It's so much fun having Christie work at Ingram. Today, she drew her very first monster...and it was on MY whiteboard. How special is that?! She made my day!
Christie and her monster:
Christie and her monster:
11.10.08
I was out at the barn by 7:00 on Saturday morning. (I never would have imagined the day would come, but I'm starting to become a morning person! There's something so special about being up and about, enjoying the day while most everyone else is still in bed. It's so quiet and peaceful.) Kalvin was wound up pretty tight and it took some effort to ride the trail out to Sully Miller arena. A handful of times he'd spin and try to head back home. When we got to Sully, he was jigging and fighting for the reins...riding him was work! We ended up doing a LOT of trotting in the round pen until he finally started to cool down a bit. By the time we headed home he was sweaty, but finally nice and relaxed. We ended the morning with a bath...soap and all! I just love putting him back into his stall, with fresh shavings and a flake of alfalfa waiting for him, when he's sparkling clean. It makes me feel like in that very minute all is well in the world.
Turned out in the arena, waiting for me to bring him up to the barn and get ready for our morning ride:
I'm so in love with him!
Showing me what he thinks about his bath:
Turned out in the arena, waiting for me to bring him up to the barn and get ready for our morning ride:
I'm so in love with him!
Showing me what he thinks about his bath:
Friday
11.07.08 p.s.
My friend Christie loves bulldogs. I'm trying to learn how to draw them for her but so far they've turned out to be quite a challenge.
Bulldogs are hard to draw:
Bulldogs are hard to draw:
11.07.08
Hooray for Friday! I think tonight I'm going to take it easy...maybe wander the mall in search of new work clothes and then curl up on my couch with Wuthering Heights. Sara is coming up tomorrow to check out the new house. She doesn't know it yet, but I'm volunteering her and her truck to help me move over a kitchen table and chairs from my Mom's house. I'll pay her back with Yogurtland, of course. Oh, and I'll be waking up extra early tomorrow to get in a trail ride with Kalvin before Sara gets here. It's going to be a good day!
Petunia:
Petunia:
Thursday
11.06.08
I just got a phone call from my Mom. She spent the better half of her day scrubbing my kithen floor with ammonia...and then going over it with a steam mop.
Seriously...I have the best Mom in the world (and I'm one spoiled-rotten brat).
Seriously...I have the best Mom in the world (and I'm one spoiled-rotten brat).
Wednesday
11.04.08
Zimbabwe is on my mind this morning. Check out this article on cnn.com.
...Zimbabwe's currency continues to lose value as inflation gallops ahead. The official rate of inflation is 230 million percent, the world's highest, but independent analysts put the figure in billions.
...Meanwhile, the fight against a cholera outbreak in the capital city, Harare, seems to be faltering as more deaths are reported. Official statistics say 10 people have died since last week, but doctors say the disease has killed more than 30. The country is battling to raise foreign currency to import medicine.
I'm also thinking a lot about my friend Regina who's on Zimbabwe soil right now, bleeding out her heart for the people and the country. Please pray for her, the work she's doing and for the people her life touches. There is so much prayer needed.
...Zimbabwe's currency continues to lose value as inflation gallops ahead. The official rate of inflation is 230 million percent, the world's highest, but independent analysts put the figure in billions.
...Meanwhile, the fight against a cholera outbreak in the capital city, Harare, seems to be faltering as more deaths are reported. Official statistics say 10 people have died since last week, but doctors say the disease has killed more than 30. The country is battling to raise foreign currency to import medicine.
I'm also thinking a lot about my friend Regina who's on Zimbabwe soil right now, bleeding out her heart for the people and the country. Please pray for her, the work she's doing and for the people her life touches. There is so much prayer needed.
Tuesday
Monday
11.03.08
I'm not nearly settled in, but it's getting there!
Living room (I'll be bringing over my beloved, antique piano sometime in the next couple of weeks):
Bedroom (I'll be hanging pictures and curtains, getting a comforter and hanging my old chandelier in the corner above the desk):
This week I need to do another scrubbing on the kitchen floor and move over the kitchen table/chairs, start working on the back room/studio, clean the windows inside and out, buy fabric for curtains, work on decorating the bathroom, and sign up for internet service...
Living room (I'll be bringing over my beloved, antique piano sometime in the next couple of weeks):
Bedroom (I'll be hanging pictures and curtains, getting a comforter and hanging my old chandelier in the corner above the desk):
This week I need to do another scrubbing on the kitchen floor and move over the kitchen table/chairs, start working on the back room/studio, clean the windows inside and out, buy fabric for curtains, work on decorating the bathroom, and sign up for internet service...
Friday
Wednesday
10.29.08
Griffin is tearing up my new house. I can deal with him opening up all the cupboards, mewing all night and chomping down on anything he can find that's made of plastic. I should be used to that by now. What I'm not used to is his new desire to claw on the couch. Unacceptable! I even bought a new cat tree and spread catnip all over it, but the other day I heard him destructing the couch. Ugh! I love him (look at his adorable cat face) but if he keeps up this destructive behavior he's either going to be an outside cat or he's finding a new home...and I'm not happy with either of those options.
Tuesday
10.28.08 p.s.
I came in to work this morning to find a really cool create-your-own praying mantis 3-D model from J. I assembled it at lunch today and I just love it!
Oh, and yesterday afternoon Eric sent me a picture from last Wednesday's Disneyland Ditch Day. I've been told it's a little treat of what's in store for the photos to come...
Oh, and yesterday afternoon Eric sent me a picture from last Wednesday's Disneyland Ditch Day. I've been told it's a little treat of what's in store for the photos to come...
10.28.08
I've officially moved into the new place. I'm still living mostly out of boxes, the place needs another round of really good cleaning and the furniture placement doesn't make too much sense -- but the move is definitely official! I love it already and it's only going to get better once everything is settled. The only thing I need to get used to is the hardwood floors. I've always wanted hardwood flooring (carpet is nasty!) but had no idea how much sound carries with them...especially with two nocturnal cats. I can hear everything...all night...and being a light sleeper isn't helping the situation. I'm hoping soon enough I'll get used to it and will be able to sleep through the sounds of Griffin opening the cupboards and rummaging inside, the clinking of cat tags against the food bowl, the thud of cats jumping down from counters, the shuffling of cat feet on doors and the never-ending mewing of a very bored Griffin who wants to play at 3 am. So much for thinking a bigger house would keep the cats from breaking my sleep!
Last night, after a quick trip to see Kalvin, I unpacked my boxes marked "kitchen".
Last night, after a quick trip to see Kalvin, I unpacked my boxes marked "kitchen".
Thursday
Monday
10.20.08 p.s.
My nieces came out tonight to see Kalvin. They came walking up to the barn wearing cowboy boots and the most giant smiles. They were so excited to be around horses! It surprised me how brave and eager they were to learn and do as much as they could -- brushing, leading, lounging, riding, taking off the polo wraps...they wanted to do everything and they sucked all the information up in their little sponge brains.
My goal is to try to teach them as much as I can but it's going to be a challenge because Kalvin isn't really a kid-safe horse. I wish I had my plot of land out in the country so I could keep a pony for them. Until that dream comes true, I'll do my best with Kalvin. They won't ever be able to ride him without me leading, but at least I can teach them how to care for a horse, and lead them around so they can start to feel comfortable and balanced on a horse. I'm really enjoying teaching them about something I love so much and watching them begin to love it too. It's pretty neat.
Elyssa leading River up to his stall (he's SUCH a good guy):
Brushing Kalvin:
Teaching Elyssa about lounging:
Eva riding:
My goal is to try to teach them as much as I can but it's going to be a challenge because Kalvin isn't really a kid-safe horse. I wish I had my plot of land out in the country so I could keep a pony for them. Until that dream comes true, I'll do my best with Kalvin. They won't ever be able to ride him without me leading, but at least I can teach them how to care for a horse, and lead them around so they can start to feel comfortable and balanced on a horse. I'm really enjoying teaching them about something I love so much and watching them begin to love it too. It's pretty neat.
Elyssa leading River up to his stall (he's SUCH a good guy):
Brushing Kalvin:
Teaching Elyssa about lounging:
Eva riding:
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