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!

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!

2010 Comes to an End

As 2010 comes to an end, I think about the year that I have had. I think about happy times, and about some sad times. I think about what I am blessed with. I think about all the wonderful times that are now part of my memories of 2010.

I’ll start with my saddest times, as I’m hoping that, as the year ends and another year starts, the sad memories are replaced by acceptance and happy thoughts. This past year, with each moment that I thought about Finny, I have been sad. As the year went by, I thought I would be over the hurt and anguish of losing him. But as a good friend and some of my family know, I’m still very sad. I understand everything that they tell me, and I would tell another horse owner the same things, but it doesn’t lessen the pain yet. I pray that 2011 brings me some of the peace that I know my heart needs.

Some of my wonderful family times include a vacation in the sun and beach for hubby and I,

traveling to Colorado for Easter,

and again in June and December to watch the grandbabies play together. We were there for the birthday celebrations of 2 year old Makenzie in CO in December


and 2 year old Caden later this month in Nebraska.

We had many summer afternoons swimming with Jacob, Amber and Caden.

They were also able to come with us to CO for Makenzie’s birthday, and we are so thankful that we had that family time together. Micah wasn’t able to come, as he is still in College and going through finals, and I look forward to the time that we are all together again.

Micah was able to be at Caden’s birthday party and I enjoyed seeing the 2 brothers together, if even for a short time. We tried to get together to watch football on Saturdays as often as possible. We miss seeing Sara, Jake and Makenzie often, but this week, Hubby and I are spending the last 5 days of the year with them at their home.

We traveled to PA twice this year. Sara and Jake were able to bring Makenzie in February and we had a gathering with both sides of the family.

Once again, it was great to see family members that I haven’t seen in a long time.

Tom’s mom is in great health at the age of 90 and my parents are 83. That is wonderful that they are here to enjoy our children and grandchildren with us.

We celebrated my parent's 65th Wedding Anniversary in October.

For my horse business, I have the memories of another vendor booth at the Nebraska Horse Expo. I attended a AAHS, American Association of Horsemanship Safety, clinic in Georgia in May. I rode Shaggy in a Centered Riding Clinic in Colorado in June and I rode him for 4 days at a Peter Campbell Clinic in Omaha in September. I also took my 2 year old gelding Duster for the Foundation Class.

I got my first gaited horse, 4 year old Savannah, a TWH (Tenn Walking Horse) in June.

I competed in 2 CTR’s with Savannah in the fall, and I was thrilled with the rides she gave me, as young as she is.

I purchased Dixie in May, as a backup trail horse and as a lesson horse.

I also took a mini out to Makenzie in June and it’s great to see her love of horses, and of all animals, blossom! She sure loves her bunnies, and chickens, can kitties, and dogs, and horses, and Pody! Caden is enjoying seeing the horses too, and loves to pet them whenever we walk to the horse lots.

I have wonderful memories of Tom and I on a quiet Thanksgiving Day, giving thanks to our family, even though they couldn’t be with us that day. We enjoyed a movie together and some down time. With another grandchild on the way in April, we are remembering that we need to spend more time together with our children and grandchildren. The babies are growing too fast and we don’t want to miss out on too much of their lives.

Centered Riding continued to provide the path of the journey that I am on. I am and hopefully, will always be, searching for the life with horses where I was meant to be. I am teaching other riders the Centered Riding exercises, and will continue to train on horses with that same centered and balanced principles. As I study and learn, horses get deeper and deeper into my soul. The lessons that I have given this year have shown me, that with a Centered Riding influence, we can change how we ride and how horses respond to us.

I want to wish all of you a Happy 2011 Year. I pray the New Year bring you the love and peace of family and friends. I pray that you have the life of horses that you are meant to have also. Remember to enjoy what you have, as we are all blessed by the quality of what we have and what life gives us.

“Embrace the Journey” that you are on.

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!

New Years Ponderings

A New Year has begun. Traditionally, everyone makes New Year’s Resolutions. We all make choices and promises. Some healthy and some soul searching, others just for fun. But do the promises come to be reality? How good are we in keeping our promise to ourselves? What motivates us to change? What keeps us from making our goals? Why do we get discouraged? What keeps us on track? How do we keep the initial excitement alive and forge ahead? How do we make resolutions that are attainable?

We are always excited to start a new year. It’s a new beginning. It’s a fresh start. Motivation comes from being excited and from doing something new. Time to set goals. I plan on doing something for myself this year. What do I want to accomplish? How will I meet my goal? I know HOW I will do it: I will set a plan! I live by a calendar. I can never lose my calendar. I did that once, and I had the whole family looking for it!!! I love the organizational data and commitment of writing something down that a calendar offers. I’ll incorporate my goals into my calendar. I’ll write down WHAT I want to achieve. I’ll write down WHEN I want to achieve my goal. And I’ll write down what I achieved and HOW I did it. WHY? So I feel good about myself, for helping others, and for helping my horses.

Should I meet daily, weekly or monthly goals? How small of tasks can I break down the big goal into? To reach any goal, I should start out with little steps, that can grow into larger steps as I’m conditioned in working on my goal. Maybe I don’t need as much physically conditioning as I need mentally conditioning in working on my goal each day. I’ll write down what I want to do each day or each week, or by the end of each month. I’ll also write down what I accomplished each day or week, and what I was able to achieve at the end of the month. That way, for future reference in setting goals, I’ll be able to determine what times of the year it is easier for me to achieve certain parts of a goal.

I need to be conditioned into working a little each day on my goal. Mentally, I’ll need to work on a mindset that no matter what else happens, my goal for the year is what I need to work on that day. My goal is possible. Maybe all that I accomplish is a thought about the goal, but I need to keep that goal alive and positive in my head. Keep that initial excitement alive.

Maybe it will take a week to make that first tiny step, or a month. Does it really matter how long, as long as I’m further ahead in a month than where I am today? Look towards the finished product. What do I want that end result to look like? How do I want to feel about what I have accomplished? Maybe whatever we do, we need to feel good about ourselves.

So what promise should I make myself this year? I will list out some thoughts, then look at them realistically.

Every day, tell Tom that I love him, and tell him that more often.
Clean my tack once a week, because I know I’ll never get it cleaned every day! I may get the bit rinsed off once a week though!
Ride Finny 5 days a week during conditioning and ride season, or at least average 5 times a week.
Compete in 5 CTR’s, Competitive Trail Rides. I have those dates on the calendar already.
Set some goals to accomplish at the CTRs:
Have Finny stand quiet when other horses walk away.
Work on Finny’s maneuvers so we perform better obstacles.
Condition long and slow - set a mileage and speed chart and stick to it.
Ride a few day long conditioning rides.
Participate in some clinics this year. I have already scheduled a Centered Riding clinic. I would like to do 1 more riding one with Finny.
Instruct a Riding Clinic.
Start and ride my 2 young geldings, who are now 5 and 6, more than 30 days! Maybe 90 days on the 5 year old, and 6 months on the 6 year old.
Organize my home office. It’s a mess, and it’s so bad, that I just let the piles grow!

Maybe some of the goals are too large, and we need to decide to break those large goals down and accomplish a small portion this year. If a goal is too large, then I may never start it if I feel like I could never achieve it. Decide on the most important part of a goal that you want to accomplish and work on that the first year, and decide on the next part for the 2nd year, and so on. You want to ride better, than maybe work on body position or keeping your legs back.

I read somewhere that you should always do the worse job first. That would definitely be working on organizing the home office. Then it is actually getting started with the 2 young horses! I just need to get those 2 in the barn for a week and put a solid first week on them. Then a habit has started! This is something I really need to do this year, and I have the desire to do this, but I also know that it is going to be work. I have decided that if I work a little bit at this, then it will start not to be work, and will turn into fun. When it’s not fun, I will give myself, and my horses, a break!

What happens if we work hard at our goal and nothing is happening? If we are physically exercising and we don’t lose weight? If we are doing something we love, and it begins to be work? If we get disappointed in ourselves, we get frustrated, and we’ll stop trying. Make the goals something you want to do, not just what is going to make you healthy. Don’t set a goal because you know that is what other people want you to do. Work on your mental health first. If you are working on any goal, you will feel better about yourself, therefore being healthier because you have a healthy mindset. Then maybe you will achieve a physical goal without even realizing it.

Maybe that is what makes New Year’s Resolutions possible - make them a habit! Keep your promises by having a plan and sticking to it. Make the goals reachable. Make the goal something you want to do. And don’t forget to add the fun in there. Do something that means a lot to you.

Happy New Year 2009

Jan.2, 2009

Wow, what a busy December I have had, and Fall, and Summer, and Year!

Tom and I have just had our first 2 grandbabies born in December. Makenzie Ruth was born Dec. 10th and Caden Thomas was born Dec. 26th. We went to CO for Makenzie’s birth and then we traveled back to spend Christmas with Sara, Jake, and Makenzie.

Grandma, Pop and Makenzie

We left the day after Christmas to travel back to NE for the arrival of Caden. A week later, we spent New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with Jacob, Amber, and Caden. Pop, Caden and Grandma

Jan. 9, 2009

I started this blog a week ago, and just found the time to finish it! Tom and I are starting a week’s vacation today, that is definitely needed by him. Poor guy. He has worked 7 days straight since September, with only Thanksgiving off, and the time to see our newborn grandchildren. Now we are sitting in the Atlanta airport at 6:30 in the morning, after leaving from Denver at 1 am. Yes, we left Friday night/early Saturday morning at 1 AM!!! Since we had to fly from somewhere, we drove to Denver to see Sara, Jake and Makenzie.

Makenzie is changing her looks already. Now she looks smaller that what Sara did at that age. He face is so petite. She was a little fussy last night with a sore stomach, poor baby girl! I did hold her and was able to put her to sleep. A really deep sleep and she was so content.

When we fly back to Denver next weekend, the Denver Market is taking place. This is a vendor market for stores to see new product and order at discounts. We would be driving out to Denver for the market anyways, so we decided to drive out a little early. It was just perfect timing to drive out early, go on our vacation from here, and when we get back, we are already here for the market. AND….we get to see Makenzie!

For now, we are still sitting in the airport for a few more hours. On our way to Aruba! A sunny, sandy resort island. Inland is mostly like a desert, but resorts line the shoreline. A quiet place. Very restful! To me, this seems like a resort for retirees. We seem young, but occasionally, you will see newly weds and families. And nude sunbathers! What a shock when we saw them last year! European women like to be in the sun without tops on! Guys still have shorts on though, no fair!!! Tom pointed out a guy for me….about 1 year of age! LOL!!!

We are anxiously awaiting for 4 pm today. We should be walking the sandy shores! Watching the beautiful sunset! Relaxing and lounging on chairs, drinking an Aruba Ariba…ask Tom about the first time he had one of those drinks! I’ll never forget his experience!!!