Happy New Year’s Trails

“As 2013 comes to an end, so does the old paths.  2014 will bring new paths, new choices, and a new way of life.  What will you chose for 2014?  Will you stay on the old path? Maybe with new direction? Or will you take a totally new path?  Will your priorities stay the same or change?  Will you focus on the same issues or decide to focus on something that is more important now, due to where you are in your life now?  I know I will.

As we ponder the New Year, we can let go of the old year.  It doesn’t matter what we didn’t accomplish, what we could have done, what we did but shouldn’t have.  But then, maybe these things do matter.  It’s all in the context of what you did or didn’t do, the meaning of your thoughts, and the reasoning behind what you did or didn’t do.  Yes, I’m sure I would undo some of the things that I did.  I would try now to do some things differently or with a different mindset.  But, regardless, it is what it is.  And we can take what we know now, learn from it, and move on.  Change for the better.  Maybe some areas of our life don’t need to change, and that is great also!

That was my point in my New Year’s Eve Blog about new paths and new choices.  I wasn’t so much asking the questions for myself, because I knew some of my answers.  I was asking them for you to ponder about also.  We all have choices and sometimes we follow different paths, for different reasons.  That’s ok to go off the original path and follow other paths/distractions/goals.  Our lives change constantly and we need to change our paths to best suit where we are at the moment.  I try to do that. I try to change when I need to, but sometimes I’m slower than I need to be.  Sometimes, I want to change faster than the situation needs.  Sometimes I change, but not in the way I should have changed. The point is, be open to change when the time comes.

So now, on New Year’s Day, we are on the 1^st day of our 2014 path.  And now, we can ask ourselves the question, “what path do we want to take this year?”  Is our path based on a new personal goal, a change in last year’s goal, a life changing decision to try something totally different?  Or will we continue on our same goal with some different choices, and by following different paths, will that lead to the same goal?

I think I will revise the goals that always seem to be part of my yearly decisions.  Family needs to be prioritized.  We are trying to go to church as often as we can in off season, as sometimes horse competitions and rides takes us away from church.  During those times, I think of God in the beautiful surroundings around me as I ride. God’s country is beautiful!  Sunrises, sunsets, trees, hills, mountains, and in all the lovely scenery!

I am thinking of where I want to go with the horses this year. I will be breeding more Rushcreek bred endurance Arabians and I will have more foals this year.  I need to handle last year’s foals and start my coming 3 year old and a coming 5 year old.  I need to start 2, 3 year old QH’s as well as ride 2, 6 year olds.

I need to decide what my riding goals will be.  The last 2 years, I have pushed for miles on the Horsetrailriders Distance Derby, but this year, I don’t want to push for the miles.  Instead, I need to spend more quality time with the horses that I haven’t done so with this year.  I need to spend quality time with my riding horses also.  A plan may be riding one day, ponying the next day, then doing some arena and slow work the 3^rd day.  I do need to keep 2 horses in competition mode though, and do some fast, longer miles.  Maybe I’ll work on interval training with longer, faster distances then slower work.

Wherever life leads me this year, wherever my horses take me this year, whatever happens in my family life, I know that I can turn to God for answers and to help me through any choices.  But one area in my life is constantly changing, and that is to be the best person and horse person that I can be.  My horses are my life, my soul and my being, and I will always do what I can to protect the horses in my care and to learn as much as I can  about thinking like horses.

“Embrace the Journey”!

Happy New Years Eve Dec 31, 2013

Stay Straight and Focus:

As I rode Allie today in the field, I thought “stay straight and focus” on where you are going whenever she would turn her head to look back at the barn.  She would turn her head left or right, depending on what she was seeing off to the side.  I thought, “come on, girl, go straight”.

Then I realized my life was just like this.  I would try to go straight and stay on the course that I, or God, had chosen for me.  Then something would catch my attention and I would start looking to the right or left.  Sometimes I would keep going straight, but like Allie today, I had a hard time thinking of going straight as my attention would be on what was either to the right or left of me.  Sometimes, I wouldn’t go straight and would actually veer off course and start going to the right or left.

 

What is it that draws our attention off of our initial or desired path and makes us look or go a different way?  When we think we have our path clearly in front of us, and we start making plans to follow it, and we do start to follow it, why can’t we follow it to the end?  Before we realize it, there are little turns to the right and maybe even bigger turns to the left.  Sometimes, there are delays and something we have to go backwards a few steps.

 

I start to think that I am meant to follow the new path.  Why, what is wrong with the old path?  If I start the new path, do I know where it is heading or what I am suppose to do? Probably not.  But if I was not suppose to follow this new path, then why was the choice in front of me?

 

I begin to think that the path that I was initially on isn’t the path that I want to be on any longer.  The new path is taking me into a different direction, one that I wouldn’t have thought of earlier but now looks like a good choice.  Just like Allie wanting to take another route around a brush pile or through a field, maybe when there is a turn in our path we need to think that the new path is a better path.

 

New paths bring different choices.  New paths make us choose between old ways and new ways.  New paths bring a difference to our lives. 

New Paths.  New Choices.  New Ways.   Sometimes, different choices aren’t what we would want.  Sometimes they are sad, sometimes hard, sometimes they are ones that we don’t want, but once the choice is made, and we let ourselves change, sometimes we see that the choice make us a better person.  New paths make a wonderful difference in our lives if we choose to follow them.  One thing is for sure, though, we can only change if we follow different paths.  Make a change, make a choice, and become what you are meant to become.

As 2013 comes to an end, so does the old paths.  2014 will bring new paths, new choices, and a new way of life.

New Year Thoughts

Duke as a 3 year old, he's 15 now. I'll post more about him tomorrow. 

           I have made some promises to myself for the year.  The first was to ride as many days as I could, weather permitting.  I’ve yet to start riding, but the sun is out and it’s going to be a beautiful day.  I’m riding today!  I know others rode on New Year’s and the day after, but the wind was terrible on New Year’s and I had family plans the next day. Then yesterday was pleasant, but a little chilly, and I was just too tired to do too much.  I did almost nothing, even though I tried. I was just tired from moving the clothing and tack back home after closing the store for holiday shoppers on Saturday. We traveled to CO twice for the holidays, which I loved. I worked 6 days a week  the first 2 weeks of Dec, we had 2 grandchildren birthdays, and yesterday was my first day I was home alone. I was ready to do nothing. I did a few things, but it didn’t account for much.  Today, I’m in overdrive, as I’m doing household expenses, store expenses and reports, blogging, bills, planning CTR’s and vacations, drinking coffee, and just feeling better!

Second, I want to exercise/yoga/pilates/ whatever more this year.  I really don’t care what exercise, but something more than horse chores.  The middle age “middle” is beginning to happen and I don’t like it. I’ve been wanting to get an elliptical machine, as that helps movement in all the joints, which goes hand in hand with my Centered Riding. I’ve yet to start exercising this year, but I did put a week in at the gym before Christmas. I love Groupons and Living Social coupons. I got a membership for me and my hubby, only paying $19 each for unlimited usage.  It will get expensive if we don’t start using it again. I have 10 more days left so I better start!

            Third, I want to work on being more gracious.  You know, the kind of lady that just smiles and is gracious to people around her, no matter what the situation or environment.  She smiles, says things are fine or welcome, takes you by the hand, and makes you feel welcomed.  Well, I’ve only seen this done well in movies, but that is the type of person that I want to be.  No matter what happens to me or around me, I smile and say, well, everything is going to be ok, or so nice of you to be here too, or everything will work out. And things usually are fine or work out, but it’s nice to have someone nice around you.  So I’m not sure how I’ll do but at least it’s a thought in my head.  And maybe, if I stop and think, that thought will pop out and put some nice words in my head to say.  Here’s hoping, anyways!  LOL

            And 4^th, I want to get back to blogging every day.  Even if it’s just hello and what are you doing?  Or put across an inspirational saying that I came across on Facebook, or start reading the bible or other inspirational/personal growth books more and put out a saying.  Just something.  I enjoy doing this blogging as it gets my thoughts out of my head to make room for all of those nice sayings that I’m suppose to have.  I found that as I worked on my chat, Horses Are Our Lives, I blogged less. I want to incorporate the 2, and what we talk about on the chat, I’ll blog more about it.  Like right now, we’ve gone through the Centered Riding Book 1, each chapter at a time.  I’ve outlined the chapter, gave my thoughts, and others posted their thoughts to discuss. I’ve decided to post each chapter and thoughts here too, starting next week, and go through Books 1 and 2. If I talk about the exercises, by the time spring rolls around, we will know them, understand them, and ready to implement them and practice the while we ride.

So I missed blogging each day already, but I’ve made up for it today. 

Sunday, Jan 1.  Happy New Years. We had pork and sauerkraut for supper.  This is our traditional Pennsylvanian good luck meal.  Friends came for New Years Eve, keeping us up until 2:30!  LOL  The kids and mom stayed over and Hubby cooked us scrapple, hash browns and egg, ham and cheese omelet for breakfast.  Friends left, and hubby and I finished watching a movie, as it was too late to go to church.  I need to rest a little longer, but then watched the 2^nd movie, Last of the Dogmen.  I just love that movie!  I was feeling really tired, but horse water tanks needed filled, and horses needed to be grained.  I made myself go outside to help. And I’m so glad I did. I felt so much better once I was in the nice, crisp cool weather.

Monday, Jan 2.  Still a holiday. Family came to watch the Penn State Football Bowl game.  First, they helped me unpack some of the trailer, and we brought in all the hanging clothes that were left over from the store.  My basement looks like a store now!  We snacked on a meat and cheese tray and a veggie tray.  We had pork sandwiches for supper. And then it was time for showers and to relax. The days go by too fast sometimes.

Tuesday, Jan 3.  My first day home alone in a long time.  And I was tired.  I’ve already talked about that. I should have just laid down on the couch and read a book and napped (which I never do, except for Sundays when the weather is terrible out). I did a few things, but nothing worthwhile blogging about. LOL  Hubby started a new job, so the highlight of my day was hearing how excited he was talking about what he will do.  And he brought Chinese take-out home for dinner, and that made the day better.

Today, Jan 4^th.  I’ve started my blogging promise.  I’ve starting thinking about how and what to say to be gracious.  I’ve made the promise to ride this afternoon.  And I’m to meet hubby after 5 to go exercise. The day is off to a great start. I hope the sun shines all winter!

I've pictured Duke above. I plan on riding him a lot more this year. I'll post about him tomorrow. Have a great day everyone!

Daily Inspirations

I recently found these inspirations. We can all probably relate to the first one. To me, it means going after that dream!


“Do you ever feel like there are major obstacles in your path to fulfilling your destiny? Maybe you don’t see how you could ever accomplish your dreams, or how you can get well, or how a legal situation will ever get resolved. Maybe the negative thoughts are telling you “It’s over. Just accept it. It’s never going to get any better.” But my encouragement to you is that God is a faithful God! He’s called the Author and the Finisher of our faith. God will never start something that He cannot finish. That promise He put in your heart—that you’re going to be healed, that you’re coming out of debt, that your family will be restored—God has every intention of bringing those promises to pass.

When God put the dream in your heart, He already had a completion date. He can already see it done. You may not see how it can happen. It may be taking a long time. All the odds are against you. But if you’ll just keep believing, keep praying, and keep being your best, then God promises He is going to finish what He started in you!”

God put the dream in your heart! That is so refreshing to read! There is a reason that I feel a certain way. God put my thoughts there. It always surprises me though, that people don’t appreciate how I think, what I say, what I do, etc, etc. LOL If God wants me to be this type of person, why can’t people see that, see God in me, and just accept that! I really do try to be a good person. Maybe I need to watch my thoughts and watch my words. Maybe it’s not what is said, but maybe how it is said. Or maybe it’s what is not said.

But I regress. To get back to dreams! Keep believing. Because God will finish what he started IN you! I’ve started Yoga for stretching and for inner peace. But this saying also brings me that peace!

And another inspiration:

"A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there.  With enough effort, he may achieve it.  Or he may find something that is even more rewarding.  But in the end, no matter what the outcome, He will know that he has been alive. Walt Disney"


So not only does God give us those dreams in our heart, he gives us goals to achieve. But it is up to me, to you, to all of us, to give the appropriate energy and work to achieve those dreams, to achieve those goals, to find what makes us happy.

And another inspiration:

“It’s time now to let go of the past

And embrace all that awaits you.”

Now is the time to appreciate all that we had in the past and be thankful for what the past has showed us and has taught us. We are the person we are today because of the past. Now it’s time to move on and become a better person. Let go of all those doubts and bad moments. Let go of how things used to be, of how you used to do things, and develop new ways. Show people through your actions and words that you have changed.

Look forward to the future. What is out there waiting for you? Go after those dreams. Set those goals and work with effort, towards them. But most important, do what you are meant to do. Do what you enjoy and what builds you up. Have people who appreciate you and help to build you up. Let go of all others.

I’m not sure I can let go of everything from the past, especially my pets and horses. They made me who I am today. But I will let go of the pain and put the memories in my heart, and rejoice that I have had them in my life.

As I look out at the morning sun, shining bright, warming the ground, I also feel that warmth in my heart. I need to move forward. I need to see what else is out there for me. I’m looking forward to the challenges that I will encounter to fulfill my dreams. The dreams that God put into my heart. And he put them there for a reason, so I must embrace them, and feel that peace that I am searching for.

I’ve always believed that there is a reason for everything! Just like the changing Seasons!

Ecclesiastes 3
King James 2000 Bible

A Time for Everything

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9 What profit has he that works in that in which he labors?

10 I have seen the task, which God has given to the sons of men to be occupied in it.

11 He has made every thing beautiful in its time: also he has put eternity in men's hearts, so that no man can find out the work that God does from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

14 I know that, whatsoever God does, it shall be forever: nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before him.

15 That which has been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and God requires that which is past.

16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17 I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time for every purpose and for every work.

18 I said in my heart concerning the condition of the sons of men, that God might reveal them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

19 For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; the same thing befalls them: as the one dies, so dies the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man has no advantage over a beast: for all is vanity.

20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21 Who knows the spirit of man that goes upward, and the spirit of the beast that goes downward to the earth?

22 Therefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his lot: for who can bring him to see what shall be after him

Ecclesiastes 3

Goals for the 2011 Year

January 1, 2011

Happy New Year everyone!

I have thought of the year behind us now, and I'm thinking of the year ahead. What dreams do I have? What would I like to accomplish? What will I like to do different? Ride different trails? Go different places?I have thought of what I did last year, what I want to change and what I want to do this year. I'm thinking where I want to be next year, in 5 years, maybe even in 10 years.

Maybe some goals shouldn’t be made for just 1 year, but may take years to complete.For now, some of my New Year's thoughts and goals, as I'll change and add to thisduring the day today, through next week and the following months, are:

1) GET MY CENTERED RIDING CAREER GOING!!! I will attend a clinic this spring, and an update clinic if I have to. I want to qualify to be a Level 2 Instructor. I want to develop an outline that I will use for each lesson. I think when people can take home a description of what they have just practiced, they will remember what to practice and how to do something

2) GET HORSEMANSHIP CLINICS ON THE CALENDAR AND PROMOTE THEM!!! I have decided that I will just set some dates to hold some Horsemanship Clinics, where I can teach the CR exercises. I need to send out emails and try to get some out-of-town clinics together. I’ll try to do a free 4-H clinic, maybe more, and from there, work on getting some extra lessons scheduled.

3) ESTABLISH ONCE A MONTH ADULT RIDE TIME/LESSON TIME/TRAINING TIME, probably at a local arena. I have loved all of my adult lesson times. I just need to establish something here at my barn and maybe at a few local barns, on a schedule.

4) START A TRAIL RIDE GROUP, maybe a once a month time, with emphasis on IMPROVING HORSEMANSHIP ON THE TRAIL. Watch for details. I’ll start with a winter ride, here in February, weather permitting. No storms allowed.

5) KEEPING MY CALENDAR ORGANIZED!!! Write down ride times, training times,mileage etc. I love a calendar, that when you open it, has the week on 2 pages. My last calendar also had a month calendar before the weekly part. But I used my monthly part too much andmy weekly part not enough, ending up with a messy calendar!

6) 5 or 6 CTR's. I will try to attend most of the ones in our region. I see that this year, they have ride in July! I really hate competing during the summer months. I ride in the morning, and done by noon! But CTR’s start early, so maybe July isn’t out. It will all depend on whether the temps are in the high 90’s or not.

7) 1 or 2 ENDURANCE RIDES - maybe 1 50 and 1 100, or 2 50's. Enough said. I hope I can last the distance!LONG TERM GOAL...SEE TEVIS! This one may have to be on my Bucket List, but I want to go see Tevis, or see the area, or ride some of the trail, and within the next few years, ride TEVIS! But I'd be content riding the Tevis route some day! Traci, get ready. I’d really love to get out there this year to see it, ride the trail next year, and compete next year or the year after!!! Big goal!!!

What would you like to do this year with your horse or horsemanship goals?

I would always appreciate ideas on how to accomplish my goals too.We need to work together and encourage each other, and by the end of the year, we are better horsewomen, whether or not we even do a goal, because we are always on a journey, which changes and takes on new directions!

Start to get better organized! check! Well almost, as I’m thinking about it, but I don’t even have my 2011 calendar bought yet!

Happy New Year today and through the year!

Happy New Year 2010

January 1, 2010



I look with an excited anticipation for what is before me in the New Year! We talk about New Year’s Resolutions. Have we ever thought about what that really means? I really haven’t dissected the word apart before. I used to just think about what changes I want to make, I try to set some goals, and I focus on what I can get done by the end of the year. I will still set some goals, but some other thoughts first.

According to the Webster’s New World dictionary, the words are all about making changes!

What is the meaning of resolutions? This is the act or result of resolving something, a thing determined upon, decision as to the future action, a resolute quality of mind, a formal statement of opinion or determination!

The meaning of resolute? Fixed and form in purpose, determined.

The meaning of resolve? To break into separate parts, analyze, to change, to reach as a decision, determine, to solve, to come to a decision!

And I am seeing a pattern. With the words determined and decision, and also the 2 words action and change, which I will perceive to be the same. You can’t change if you don’t act!

This year seems to be the year that my whole life is going through a resolution. My whole life is changing. Turning 50 last year, with hormone level changes, that is about as much change as you want your body to do! The warm nights, waking up 3, 4, 5 times a night, getting up to go to the bathroom - why not, I’m already awake. So you may see me in t-shirts in winter, but I don’t it as I keep the temperature turned way down. Summer was actually ok for me, as I slept with a ceiling fan on. That helped. This year I will resolve to change that, somehow staying cooler. Less clothes?



This year my life is changing in a different way. I have decided to close the tack store and continue with my Centered Riding journey. I want to do more training and more teaching. I want to teach little girls to ride, help teenagers to train and compete with their horses, and give adults a better understanding of their horse. I want to give myself time to compete in NATRC CTR’s, and time to ride condition my horse. I need the time to work with some of my younger horses, preparing them for sale.



I think I have fulfilled the requirements of the word, “resolution”. I have resolved something. I have made a determination. I have made the decision for a future action. And the above is my formal statement of my opinions, which I do not lack in opinions!

Resolutions is also about a resolute quality of mind? Hmmm, have to think about that one. What is really in my mind? Resolute is to be fixed and form in purpose and to be determined. My mind is determined to follow my dreams. My dream has always had something to do with horses. I was living my dream 4 years ago, training 8-10 horses a month in the spring, teaching riding lessons 4-5 evenings a week, coaching at shows, finishing up my son’s last year of showing QH, and I was getting burned out! That was the year I should have made a real resolution. Instead of searching for a determined action and purpose with horses, I went a different route in the horse industry. I started a tack store so I no longer had to deal with kids, with parents, no wintery days and rainy spring days, no snow nor muck, no afternoon rides on a sunny 70 degree spring or fall day. And then this year, I started not living my dream. I need to get back to horses.

Now to resolve what I want to do. I need to break down my resolution into parts, analyze them and make changes, solve problems along the way, and come to a decision. To resolve sounds a whole lot like setting goals!

I don’t need to break down the resolutions of selling the tack store and start training and lessons again. That is determined. Set in gold. And it feels right.


What I need to do is set some goals for myself, my riding, my business, and more importantly, for family functions.

Breaking goals down into small steps sets you up for success. No frustrations that you can’t see the end picture coming fast enough. Instead, this will be replaced with a sense of fulfillment and achievement, a happiness that appears in all faucets of your life, and a more relaxed you.

I would rather look at what I want to achieve and set some goals to achieve them. I’m a calendar person - everything needs to be written down. My calendar makes my life so much easily. Plan something and write it on the calendar. Put reminder’s at the top of the page. This year’s calendar has a note page beside the monthly calendar - NO reason not to see my reminders! My calendar also has weekly pages with appointment times, with each hour giving me 4 lines! Lots of space to write!

Can you tell I’m excited about having a calendar that helps me with my work, my schedules, and my goals!

I have my calendar out and ready for my pencil to start filling in the blanks. I have actually started, putting in the 2010 NATRC CTR schedule and the Centered Riding clinics in the area.


(1) My goal is to attend as many CTR’s as I can. I’ll look at competing in 7 rides for the year, as I competed in 6 last year. To reach that goal, I’ll start with riding and conditioning a horse, starting March 1. I better start looking for a horse. I’m still thinking gaited. A gaited horse for me for CTR’s and then that horse will be for Tom for the trail rides. I’ll work on one of my Quarter Horses for the trail rides.


(2) I will attend 2 Centered Riding Clinics and all I need to do is check the dates against my calendar, and sign up - done! I will take 2 Centered Riding individual lessons - 1 is already scheduled!

Now to work on developing my training, riding lessons, horsemanship clinics, and lessons with Centered Riding exercises. Start booking! Here is where the calendar comes in. Fill in the gaps!

(3) Give at least 2 in-house Centered Riding group lessons, where we learn the exercises off the horse.

(4) Book 4-6 group lessons, teaching Centered Riding exercises.

(5) Book 4-6 Horsemanship Clinics, teaching people to ride correctly, working on maneuvers, trail obstacles, collective loping, whatever is needed.

(6) Bring in 4 horses a month in training, April though July, and bring in 2 horses Sept-Nov. I better start promoting my services.

(7) Add more youth times and adult group times to my lesson schedule.



Now to move on to some leisurely trail riding. Time to enjoy the scenery. I missed some group 3,4, 5 day rides in 2009 and only made 1 ride this fall, and even then, not for the whole time. I want to work on doing another group ride to a new place that I haven’t ridden before. I want to ride more of the Wednesday night adult rides.

(8) I will schedule 4 long weekend rides - 1 each in the spring and summer, and 2 in the fall, Two will be in the books as soon as the dates are set - the annual HT’s ride in June and the Fall Turkey Creek ride. Another ride is being organized by a friend to western NE - just a few girls! In the books as soon as the date is set for that one, also. Only need 1 more for the books.

(9) Now to think about a place where I haven’t ridden before and sounds like fun. I’ve missed the Big Canyon ride, for one - may need to start working on something!



(10) Wed night rides. My goal is to ride in 50% of them, as in previous years, I’ve only made 2-4 of the rides. I better set a lower goal then I would have liked to do, but I want to set myself up for success. If I’m able to ride at more of them, then I’ll gain the extra trail time with a horse that needs to get used to trail riding.

(11) I would like to go on at least 4 weekend rides with Tom, for 1 night or 2 nights. Just us, maybe a few other riders, just for some relaxation time, spending a few hours on the horses a day, then having time to sit at the fire, cook out, read, relax. Hear the theme of this one - RELAX!



Some other thoughts that have been in the back of my mind. Competing at some Trail Challenges. Riding in a limited distance endurance ride, which my friend tried talking into competing in one this past fall, but I felt like I had enough on my plate with the CTR rides.

(12) This year, with starting a new horse, I will take some lessons on the Trail Challenge course. Let’s start with 4 lessons, then decide if the trail challenge is for me.

(13) Limited Distance Endurance Ride. I’m ready for one if the CTR horse that I compete with is ready for one. I’ll see about scheduling one into my schedule.

(14) Spend as much time as possible with my grandbabies!


Well, I think I’m done. I’ve broke the areas down into parts. I’ve reached some decisions and I am determined. I have my future actions laying out in front of me. I have a purpose. Slow down, smell the roses (which I finally had a few roses bloom this year and the fragrance was unbelievable), and sit and watch the sunsets!

My life has gone back to horses. My journey is taking me full circle. I’ve come home. I’m happy and relaxed. I know I have made some right decisions for me!

Live your dream. You can make it happen. Be happy with your horse or find small ways to spend with your horse that leaves you happy!

Happy New Year to all of you. Come along on the rides with me! I’ll look forward to seeing you!

Goodbye to 2009

December 31, 2009
11:00 pm

2009 is just about over. Time to say goodbye, as I had to say goodbye to Finny earlier today. After almost 3 months, I could write about what I had been feeling after the initial shock of his death wore off. At first I was sad, then for some reason today, as I continued to write about some of the good memories of him, a great weight was lifted. I didn’t realize that it was happening. I just knew that the end of writing my farewell to Finny, and posted many happy pictures, I wasn’t as sad. Maybe Finny found a way to lighten my heart. Maybe I can start concentrating on who I want to have as my next riding partner. I knew I couldn’t stay sad forever. I just needed time to heal.
SO LONG, MY FRIEND. I WILL SEE YOU IN HEAVEN.

MY FAMILY BRINGS JOY TO OUR HEARTS:



But before saying goodbye to 09, I need to think about all the good memories I’ve had this year. New grandbabies, visiting family, Nebraska Horse Expo, tack store, Centered Riding Clinic and Instructors Course, NATRC CTR’s, training and giving lessons, my summer week-long lessons for kids, Anniversaries and Birthdays, a warm vacation with sun and sand, and having my elderly parents visit twice.



We had 2 grandbabies born December, 2008. Our granddaughter, Makenzie, came Dec 10th.



and our grandson, Caden, was born on December 26.


We enjoyed visiting with both of them as much as possible. With Makenzie in Colorado, we were able to see her about once a month, but a few times, we missed a couple of weeks. Our 2 newest members of our family have brightened our lives to an extent that filled our hearts with an unbelievable love.


We were able to take a warm vacation in January and visit Tom’s mother in PA in February. On a sad note, his father had passed away a year ago, and it was his first visit home since the funeral. He spent a few days with his mom while I visited my parents 3 hours away.

We attended the Nebraska Horse Expo in March as a family. Sara, Jake and Makenzie came to help in the store vendor booth. Jacob, Amber and Caden and Micah and Amy came. But I think everyone did more visiting with friends who haven't seen Makenzie and Caden.


We visited Sara’s twice in March. Once for Makenzie's baptism,

again for Easter.


Training horses soon started arriving, and I began riding in the evenings and on the weekend. We celebrated Jacob and Amber’s 3rd Anniversary in April and Sara and Jake’s 5th Anniversary in June. Micah is in his 4th year of college, but will have another year before graduating. Tom and I celebrated our 28th year together. I won’t say what birthdays we had, but it wasn’t as hard as last year when we went into the next decade!


Sara and Makenzie came home for a quick weekend in May for hay. We stayed home for Memorial day and visited with Jacob, Amber and Caden. We tried hard to see Caden at least once a week. That was a special treat to have him so close so be able to play with him often. During the summer, he came to swim often.

We took a vacation with Jacob, Amber and Caden in May to Branson, MO.


I started my Centered Riding journey in May when I attended my first clinic in Kansas. I knew at that time that I wanted to continue to study this style of riding and to pass along what I learned to my students.

My tack store flourished. I had vendor booths at the NE Horse Expo in Lincoln and the State 4-H show in Grand Island. The store’s business increased dramatically, even with the ½ days that I had decided to keep after summer. Summer time is busy for me with training and lessons. In May, I spend a ½ day training and a ½ day at the store. June through August, I spend a ½ day with lessons or riding my horses, and a ½ day at the store. As fall approached, and I was getting busier with the NATRC CTR’s and Centered Riding Course, I knew I couldn’t keep up with my riding and work the store full days. Most mornings were quiet at the store anyways, so I decided to keep my ½ day schedule, which has worked out well for me and my customers.

My fall was filled with NATRC CTR’s and beginning teaching the Centered Riding exercises in my lessons. I enjoyed my lesson times this fall. The lesson kids get busy with school events and I was gone at events, so I missed a lot of their lesson times. I was able to have a few adult group sessions. As I taught the Centered Riding principles, my adult riders did extremely well, building a renewed confidence.


My parents came to visit the first time in August.

This will be the first time they see their 2 newest great=grandchildren.

We went to Sara’s in Sept to help them build a lean-to. Tom and Jake’s dad built the lean-to while Sara and the 2 grandmas painted the kitchen and played with Makenzie. In October, I finished my last 2 CTR’s for the year. With bittersweet memories, Finny died after the first day of my last ride, with a bad case of colic. Our ride was incredible and I will always remember that ride.

We had an earlier birthday celebration for the grandbabies, when their Great-Grandparents from Pennsylvania came for a visit in November.

We had an early Thanksgiving meal that weekend also.
My parents were so happy to see their 2 newest grandbabies!




Sara and Jake were able to come home then, and again in early December, for a hunting trip.


4 generations, together. Grandma, Great-Grandma with Makenzie, and Sara.


Micah, Jacob with Caden, and Pop.


We had Caden's Dedication at his church in late November. He looks like a little college student!

The grandbabies turned 1. We had Makenzie’s birthday party in Colorado the weekend after her birthday, which was on Dec 10th. For Makenzie's first birthday, she went horseback riding! Yes, I know, I need to find her a small helmet!



Caden’s 1st birthday party was to be the Sunday after Christmas, but the snow storm changed everyone’s plans. Then the cold and flu bugs hit and we had to cancel Tuesday night’s party plans. His party will be this Sunday, but since I‘m in the middle of bronchitis and a mild pneumonia, Pops will take lots of pictures for me.

Christmas came a week early for our family.

I am so glad that it did as Christmas on the 25th came in a snow storm. We were all together, Grandma, Pop, our 3 children, 2 spouses, a girlfriend, and 2 baby cousins. What a joy!


Then the important decision came of changing directions in my life’s work. Centered Riding has become part of me. Centered Riding is a journey, both of riding and of life. Centered Riding changes how you think about your life. You begin to enjoy the same principles that you are taught in Centered Riding while going through your daily life. You relax as you go about your daily routine, breathing deeper and slowing down.

The decision I made was to sell the store or clearance the tack and all the other inventory. My goal is to close the store by the end of March, after this next year’s Nebraska Horse Expo. I’ll start training full time, do more horsemanship clinics, continue adding more Centered Riding lessons to my schedule. I need to have the time to start and condition a new NATRC CTR horse for next year’s NATRC rides. Another decision I need to make is whether to geld my stud and start riding him. He would make an awesome riding horse, I love his big trot and his smooth, deep lope. I’ve been riding Shaggy and he is coming along fine. I’m not sure what I would do abut a CTR horse though. I’m still thinking about a gaited horse, for me to ride at CTR’s and for Tom to ride on trail rides with me. I want to make more time for weekend trail rides, too.



2009 was busy. We’ve had many happy moments and many firsts. I’ve started finding time to sit and enjoy life. I think that is what the grandbabies are teaching me. I have made a decision that is giving me great satisfaction. I don’t know where this Centered Riding journey is taking me, but I’m welcoming the change. Wherever it leads, I’m ready to teach as many people as I can about horses. I want to teach my students how to feel their horse’s movement, how to love their horse’s soul, and how to be one with their horse.

2010 is arriving soon. Happy New Year to all of you.

What should I write about?

What should I write about? I need to get back to talking about horses, but with the cold weather and 15” of snow, horses are not what I’m thinking about right now. Holidays are coming and going. Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is in full swing. And I have the 1st birthdays of 2 grandbabies this month of December.

I am closing one chapter in my life and opening up a bunch more! I tell people that when I grow up, I’ll let them know what I want to be! LOL!

I raised a family of 3 children. I had a Quarter Horse breeding operation. I trained and coached Western Pleasure and English Equitation (Hunt Seat), and Showmanship to QH Youth. I was burned out and didn’t want to do much in the horse world, but a few, honest, sweet kids asked who they would ride if I sold my show horses. I was suckered into continuing lessons by a 5 year old! But I had learned about what type of client I wanted and how much I wanted to work. I wanted the client who came with smiles! And sometimes they brought me cookies.

I became an empty nester when our 3rd child went to college 3 years ago. I started a tack store in Lincoln because I just couldn’t see myself doing all the horse chores and work around the place by myself. Sure, my husband, Tom, helps tremendously, but he also works a full time job that actually takes the time of a job and a half. He enjoys outside work but doesn’t want to do my chores the whole time that he is home. He wants to do mindless chores, like trimming trees down to the roots, or clearing brush and burning it from an area that we don’t even pasture, or pulling weeds from the sidewalk edges. Go figure!

On to the next chapter in my life. I need to get back to horses. To riding more. To teaching more. To training more. It’s almost such a pull from an indefinable source that it’s hard to explain. The desire is there again. That’s all I can say. I need to go where my heart is leading me.

I may have found what I am searching for with Centered Riding. The discipline has brought everything that I have learned and what I have taught into one simple topic. Work more on the rider than the horse. I should have studied under Sally Swift. I think I would have loved her! Enjoy the Journey! The horse already understands this, and it was made so clear to me on the 2nd say of my Level 1 Instructors Course. My horse, Finny, rode so beautifully. No resistance. Ears perked. Loving each moment.

Competitive Trail Riding brought the spark of competition back to my life. I have truly love trail riding since my early youth years of riding the Pennsylvania hills of the Appalachian Mountains. Recently, I raised a talented Quarter Horse gelding and competed 2 years of CTR’s with him. On my last CTR, he colicked, and later that day, I made the heart wrenching decision to put him down. And part of my heart died also. Two months have passed, and writing that statement still brings me to tears and makes me sad. How do you ever get past this moment? Some days, it tears me up inside.

Then the grandbabies came. And they tug at my heart. What a feeling. It is so different than when I had my own babies. I swell with such an intense feeling when they look at me and smile. I just want to squeeze them forever. I want to give them their first horse. I want to make their dreams happen. I want to be part of their lives forever.

I’ve decided to close or sell the tack store. I sold tack out of my training facility for a year and a half. I moved to Lincoln and sold tack, feed, home décor, etc for 3 ½ years. And now, it’s time to get back to horses. I can’t sit inside any longer. I can’t let a sunny afternoon pass me by as I sit inside. I know there are horses I can help. I know there are people who would love my help.

I have always loved taking pictures. Tom reminded me yesterday that I talked about taking pictures as a kid, and how excited I was when my parents bought me a Yashica 35 mm camera for my college graduation gift. I was thrilled. I took a lot of pictures and had the camera repaired twice. Tom says that I wore it out. I am loving the digital world. I can take as many pictures as I want to. I delete and I save. I save more than I delete, even if they are not the best pictures. They are a memory to me. I realized that maybe photography could be part of my life now. Maybe my life with horses. Maybe part of my healing since Finny died. I have taken a lot of pictures the last 3 months.

I am at my grandaughter‘s, Makenzie, first birthday. This weekend is so special. She is my first grandchild. I love her to pieces. She reminds me of what is important in life. I am taking many pictures. I am already dreading Monday morning when I have to leave. Tomorrow is such a special day for her. For me. And I am going to cherish it forever.

Forever. How is that possible when things aren’t forever? But forever is in my heart! I need to listen to my heart. I know that when the right horse comes, I will feel it in my heart. I know that what I am meant to be and meant to do will be felt within my heart. And I know that my grandchildren have a very special place in my heart, and nothing will ever replace that feeling.

I am enjoying this feeling. And I will ride and train and talk about horses when the weather warms! Come along on the journey with me!

Summer is Over!

Summer is almost over! Hard to believe! Summer just didn’t seem long enough! We just didn’t have the heat that we have had most summers. Sure, we had a few hot, unbearable days, but not so many that we were counting the days until fall. And now, August is ending in near record lows. We even had days in July where we did have record lows! Isn’t that amazing? Yet, weather stations have said that July was only the 5th coldest, so there were even colder Julys sometime since the late 1800’s, when they started keeping record of the temps!

Traditionally, I don’t ride in August because of the unbearable heat. But I had no excuse with the cooler mornings. I still didn’t ride very much. After County Fair the first week of August, I spent the 2nd week in Colorado. I did ride for 4 days while I completed the Centered Riding Level 1 Instructors Course. Since coming home, I have spent the last 2 weeks not riding. I had to take a few days to recover from jet lag, then I spent the last week and a half doing odds and ends around the house.



I caught the “Organizing Bug” while my parents were here in July. My parents came for a 2 week visit to see their 2 newest, then 7 ½ month old, great-grandchildren for the 1st time! (This makes # 17 and 18 for them! Isn‘t that wonderful!). While they were here, I refinished the downstairs family room, which I love! I said good bye, no, I said good riddance, to the 70’s look. No more orange not-quite-shag carpet. No more dull walls and ceiling. Every day, we did something different in the mornings. I worked my tack store in the afternoons. The first Monday, we went carpet shopping. The rest of the 1st week, we packed up books, moved out furniture, tore up the old carpet, and repainted the walls and ceiling. The 2nd week, new carpet was laid, furniture was rearranged, bookcases were filled with books, and a toy area was established. I love my new family room!!! Nice, padded, soft carpet for the grandbabies to crawl on, and for grandpa “Pop” to lay on also!!!
Back to the present. Or at least, back to the last 2 weeks. I really had no excuse to not be riding for the last week and a half. Cooler mornings. ½ days at the store. Needing to prepare for Fall CTR’s. But I just wanted to get some odd and ends done in the house. I don’t know if I ever had the “nesting” bug when I was pregnant, but it was kind of like that. I just wanted to get some things done. Maybe because, when my parents were here, I started cleaning up the house and bedroom closets. The family room was emptied out, and the pool table was ladened down with all that stuff. One Sunday, when Sara, Jake and Makenzie were home to see grandparents, AND Jacob, Amber and Caden were here, AND Micah was home also, it was almost a free for all!!! LOL I told the kids that everything on that table was going. Take what was yours, and if there was anything left, whoever spoke up first got it! It was amazing how much stuff did go!!! But I wondered why I had some of Amber’s old stuff here, and not at her parent’s house! LOL And, no Sara, you can’t have the NEW horseshoe towel bars - they are for the bathroom! LOL

The one spare bedroom is the office now, but we had set up the bunk beds again, even though the grandkids won’t be able to use them for years! A bookcase and computer hutch were taken out, but the desk and closet was the pits! I went through boxes of “stuff” and got the closet organized and now I can see the desk again.

And I put the kid's baby pictures back up on the wall. I can't wait to add Makenzie's and Caden's baby pictures above the parent's baby pics!

Then, this past week, I wanted to work on Sara’s old bedroom, which is now the spare bedroom/baby room. I needed to make more room for a crib, and still be able to walk around the room. At first, I though I would repaint. But I had repainted after Sara was in college, and the walls still looked nice. It was amazing how much bigger the room looked after I de-cluttered.

A cedar chest went to the family room to sit beside the toy area and one of the bookcases.
Breyer horses, that were still in their boxes, and that were stacked on the floor, were taken down to the family room. 3 large stuffed horses were taken to the bunk beds.
The rocking chair was taken to the family room, to a corner beside the furnace room door. (Tom said the family room is looking cluttered now, but I think it looks just fine, and horsey!)

Now, I had to get Tom help me to rearrange furniture. He loves doing this with me. Not! We do have a wall filled with a dresser and my old vanity, but that opened up a wall for the baby crib.
Now, we have a portable crib,
but I’m ready to set up my old crib when we get a new crib mattress. And I hung some of my old paintings that my mom had done for me. They are from the old, paint by number sets.





One year, both my sister and I got them as a gift. I thought they were special then, and I think they are doubly special now. I haven’t had them hanging in a long time, and now they frame the large bedroom window. I just have to hang another hook for the new curtains, that I had for about 2 years in a bag under the bed, that I found when I started de-cluttering. It's great to find things that you forgot that you had! The room is ready for family and grandbabies to come visit!

Tom and I spent the morning cleaning the large windows in the 2 bedrooms, and cleaned 4 ceiling fans throughout the house. While Tom finished putting shelf hooks and the shelves into the closet, I hung curtains that I washed a few days ago.


Tom attached a book case to the wall and I vacuumed the living room. We changed the water filter. Tom starting working on getting a larger frig to fit into the smaller frig opening in the downstairs kitchenette. I put the finishing touches on the bedrooms.

Time for chores. It was already 6. The day flew by, and still no horse time, except for feeding them their grain. Maybe tomorrow….

Come along for the ride, when I get riding! I better start riding soon…