Yeah so this happend...

So to back things up a little bit the summer of two shows went well. Lucy and I placed decently in our classes, Greg got used to being a 'horse show husband' and carrying things. (He has asked for a back pack for next show season) We only ended up going to two local shows, one at C &D's and another just 10 minutes down the road.

We also went away for a long weekend to St. Andrews / Deer Island just off the coast of New Brunswick and had a fantastic time being tourists in our own province.

The marriage and wedding conversations started there in St. Andrews but finished on November 20th when we picked out a ring at a local jewellery store. We told both sets of parents on November 22nd, and on Christmas eve my ring finally arrived. It was handmade in Canada using Canadian diamonds, which was important to us.

I'm Back!

I'm really sorry it's been forever, (almost 6 months I think?) A lot has happened and I've finally got an updated browser at work that allows me to update blogger! So the biggest news is that I've moved in with my boyfriend! Our place is about 20 min from the city in a near by resort town. The town only has about 5000 people in the winter, but almost triples in size once the spring hits.

G is amazing. Caring, loving, understanding of my RA and of the side effects that come with it. We've managed to merge two lives into one without any drama or issues what so ever. I never knew how easy a relationship could be until I met him. Not that every day is perfect, we have our bumps in the road, but loving him is easy.

On the horse side, I've been riding a couple of times each month on good old Lucy, G has even gone and ridden her! He's really good with the horses but a bit nervous in the saddle. Lucy kept sneaking looks at me while he walked and jogged her around. She wasn't real impressed to have a new beginner but she was very good for him. He's never ridden much but he's really looking forward to going to some shows this summer.

We're going to hit a couple of small shows that Lucy's young lesser is more than happy to let me ride her in a couple of Sr classes so I get to go to some of the shows.

Chilly is still working out for her new family although it kills me to watch them ride her. But I knew going into it she was going to be sold, and that I couldn't afford her. I just wish they could have sold her a little bit further away.

I promise that I will update more frequently in the future! First show is on July 4th

Goals for 2015! (The better late than never edition)

I've been slacking on the blogging.  Although this blog really started out as a way for me to deal with some difficult feelings and health issues when I was diagnosed with RA and a lump on my thyroid it blended into more of a riding/horse focused blog over the past 5-6 years (OMG has it really been that long?!?).  So if anyone out there is still reading.. what do you guys want to read?  I'm not getting much riding time lately, and my showing this summer is going to be limited... Do you guys want stories of my past as a head groom/trainer before RA got in the way?  More about my everyday life?  Help me keep writing!

So heres a recap and relfection on the goals from last year (you can find that post here)

1) Ride different horses.  Even if its just the kids horses, more saddle time on different horses will make me more confidant.

Again not so much of a win here... I rode Chilly and Oscar most of the spring/summer and I did get to ride Lucy a couple of times.  I guess I also got to ride 2 different lesson horses this fall so I guess it wasn't too bad.

2) Try to continue to ride at least twice a week. 

Done! At least until the fall, when the move to the city took over my life

3) To have more "wow look what we just did" moments weather at home or at shows.

Done!  I was so proud of Chilly and I this summer.  From an unbroken 3yo to kicking but in the show pen 6 months later is a huge accomplishment for anyone, let alone someone with health issues.  Chilly was one in a million though, and she is very happy with her new owners.

4) To have some serious plans to be out of my parents house and be closer to work by this time next year.  Its going to mean moving away from the barn but part of the plan is going to be finding a way to ride.

Done!  I now have a 6 minute drive to work, it is so great you have no idea.  The lack of riding time sucks but hopefully in the new year I'll figure something out.

5) To show this summer.  Doesn't matter what horse or where but I want to show.  I'd really love it to be with Chilly.  (And maybe Lucy at the exhibition lol)

Done!  Took Chilly to 5 shows this summer and had so much fun with her.

6) To make myself go out and interact with people who might not necessarily be horse related. 

Done!  I'm even dating... who would have thought?

7) To try to get out to a clinic or two this year and ride in them!

Done!  I got to two clinics with an old trainer friend and I took 2 lessons, one with my old trainer that I hadn't ridden with in a while and one new trainer.

I'm going to set some more reachable goals for next year, and might even update later this spring when I have a better hold on what I have time/money for and what I don't.

1)  To get out of my box more and interact with new people.  Join club or fundraising group, something.
2)  To get into some kind of lesson program to get riding on a semi-regular basis again.
3) To get to a show and show in a couple of classes 
4) To continue with this walk/run thing when my feet are good enough and the weather cooperates.