The weather this winter seems to be on a roller coaster! Snow and ice are not fun, but then additional rain on top of this as it all melts makes for a slippery walk to the pasture!

So far so good though and the most issue we've had is having to put in some major elbow grease to get the caked-on mud off the horses. If that's the worst of it...I'll take it!

2011 goals are going to require some serious hard work. The big goal is to compete Nyah in one of the Fall Classic weeks. I'm a little nervous about setting such a challenging goal, but think everyone needs one big goal each year to help them stay motivated with the smaller feats. This one is the biggest challenge for me yet since my car accident 2 years ago. It will require me to get back into jumping and push my back quite a bit. I am up for the challenge though and fortunate to have a good gym not too far from the house with an indoor pool to help me keep the back muscles in order. Just crossing my fingers I can keep the pace to make this work.

Graffi has decided she likes fox hunting. Erin joined Kay and Karen in a fox hunt on December 28th and took Graffi. I have to admit that those two are like peas and carrots! I cannot believe that the scared little Graffi I came across in 2005 has the confidence to do something like that now. Such a pleasure to see and wish more people would understand that horses are not machines and most are very sensitive. Too much too soon in life impacts them negatively forever!

Well, that's the skinny to date. Hope all are having a good start to 2011!

S

The 2010 door is closing and the 2011 will be opening

First and foremost, Merry Christmas to all and wishing you a very prosperous 2011!

This year has been an interesting one, but as we often hear, God doesn't give us anymore than He knows we can handle. Can I get an Amen? I think the trials we go through only make us stronger, and it's how we choose to work through them that teaches us what's important. We can wake up and complain about it or swing the covers off and say bring it on (after a quick prayer for strength of course)!

For those of you who feel like life is bringing you down at times...stop, take a deep breath, and just repeat, "God is with me" many times. You will be amazed how you feel a sense of calm take over. He is amazing.

So what's in store for 2011? I hope each of you really thinks about this before you make any resolutions or goals. We often just go through it with the same old plans...lose weight, make more money, spend more time at home, blah blah. However, if there is no conviction, it's just a waste of air. So really give it some thought. Have something you've always wanted to do? Go for it! There's no time like the present right??? Me? I'm personally going to begin jumping again. Yes, I know my mother just sighed and said, "great, the girl will give me even more grey hair!". However, my goals will be completely different this round than they were in my "younger days". Long gone is the desire to enjoy lots of air and hang time on jumps 3'6" and up on the jumpers. This time, it's just to go into the hunter ring and be happy competing at 2'6". It's still respectable, and I feel like it's time again. Oh I still have my passion for dressage, but this is more like something I have to at least prove to myself that I can still handle. Not to mention, Nyah needs to get into the hunter ring where she belongs, and I can only rely on myself to get her there ;-)

So my prayers for you are that you take some time to reflect on where you are in life and then decide what you have a passion for now...not 5 years ago, but now. You might be surprized at what you really want to do in your life that may be a huge right turn from where you thought you were headed.

Many blessings to each of you and sending you all a big hug (nicker, lick, and kitty hug from the critters)!

Susan, Graffi, Nyah, Lexie, Max, Mr. Big, Precious, Possum, and Oscar

Changes in the landscape

It's been awhile. Why does it seem that time flies faster the older we get??? Not digging it!

Well since the last "check in", I have had some ups and downs. The downs include losing two of my precious babies this year. Gus passed on and so did my sweet little Mollie kitty. Everyone misses them, especially Mr. Big. He lost two of his best pals within months of each other.

The ups...I have rececently been hired as a contractor for a few months with AT&T Wireless. What makes this not just an "up" because I'm employed, but rather "ups" is because I work for a very nice person. I am hoping this contract gets extended!

The rest of the crazies in the nut house are well. Max is still ridiculously full of energy, Lexie is amazing, and the kitties are sweet as ever. The horses are doing well...no showing lately due to some issues with hooves and funds, so hoping to at least do one fun event before the end of the year :)

Can you believe Fall is already here...bring on some beautiful colors and cooler weather!!!

All the best,
S

It's been awhile since the last posting. Things are good and still trying to stay positive while continuing the search for employment.

Critters are well :) Gus is still making it up the stairs one step at a time (often with help, but he tries to do it on his own). Pretty good for being 15! Lexie and Max are still "wrastle" maniacs daily. Sometimes I don't know how Max manages down the stairs while Lexie drags him by a leg!

Graffi and Nyah are well. Trying our best to get ready for show season, but the weather has not been helpful. Oh well, looks like showing by the seat of our pants may be the only option! LOL

Kitties are great, but not liking all the cold weather. Since I keep the heat set at 67-68 degrees, they act as if we live in Alaska in an igloo!

Not much else to report from the "zoo". Take care all!

Well show season is officially over for me for 2009. It was a lot of fun! Looking forward to working hard to make 2010 even better :)

Graffi competed successfully at 2'6"and 2'9" in hunters and 3' in the CT Novice division with Erin Beach and began schooling Training level in dressage. I could not be more proud of her and how she is beginning to become the confident beauty I know she could be in multiple disciplines. 2010 will be a stronger dressage year for us. I am also hoping Erin and Graffi will be able to compete in the Atlanta Spring Classic!

Nyah truly began her show career this year and took it on like a champ! We took her into anything we could to tack on some show mileage. She did extremely well placing in every show - open hunter, AQHA, and dressage (first show receiving a 63%!). She seemed to really relax into the dressage experience, so maybe that will be an area where she will excel. Looking forward to seeing how much she progresses by next Spring. :)

Successful day

Well, another horse show under Graffi's belt. She and Erin did an excellent job today. 2'6" was the division.

I'm very proud of them both! Graffi is listening to Erin and slowing her pace. Each show brings them closer to the Atlanta Fall Classic! Yea!

A new website

Yes, I am going for it...a side business that I am hoping will lead into a full time gig! A website specifically for equestrians and making it easier for them to locate anything for their horse. I now, big dealio you say. I say, thank goodness!

I am one of those people (and you know there are a lot of us out there) who will place a site into my favorites list and then have to scroll like crazy to find it again or only use it once in a blue moon and forget what it's called. My website will completely make things easier!

The website is www.equineadcentral.com, and it will be growing and evolving in the months ahead. The site will be collection of advertisers of anything equine to have one place where customers can locate their ads and click to get to them easily. The experience will be totally customized by the user and tailored to provide them with companies they want to see and save and provide suggestions as well.

If you know anyone in the equine industry or if you are in the equine industry and want to advertise on the site, feel free to contact me through the site.

Happy Horsing!
Susan