Category Archives: Family Life

All about family.

Stranger than truth-my life!

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Feather with her mane braided ready for the show.

Feather with her mane braided ready for the show.

I leave for work in the dark-like before 5:00 am.  I drive over ten miles before I hit the freeway and part of it is very rural (think Deliverance).  This morning, I am up getting into the new routine of feeding a new pony along with the others, get dressed, get in my little VW and head to work.  I am maybe four or five miles from the house when I feel a thunk.  I had not seen anything in the road, but figured I had run over something.  Immediately my icon lights up on my dash for the battery.  I am immediately panicked!  I have recently replaced the battery but who knows.  I pull over on the dark road.  Turn off the car and think, well I might as well try to start it again.  It starts right up.  Then I realize I have NO power steering.  Oh, don’t forget I just had shoulder surgery and am in a giant sling.  I try to turn the car around to head back home.  Worst thing I have done since my surgery. It hurt so bad.  I cannot make the little car turn.  I am pretty much in the middle of the rural highway and can see cars (or trucks) coming the opposite direction.  It added an extra slice of terror to being stuck in the middle of deliveranceville on the dark road and having no turning ability.

WORST TIME EVER (well, maybe not-but it was bad!).  I finally get the car turned around and head home.  By this point I am thinking maybe I just am out of power steering fluid.  It should have been checked but anything could happen.  I wake Lauren up who is due to leave for Feather’s first rated horse show at 7:00.  I tell her I am going to Wal-Mart to get power steering fluid and a giant screw driver to open the stupid VW power steering fluid reservoir.  I get back just in time for Lauren to leave, and finally open the power steering holder thing.  It is full of fluid.  I pour some in for good measure.  I get Lauren to test drive the car because my arm is killing me.  She doesn’t even get to the end of the driveway and it is obvious the car is not steering.  GEEZ!

So, in spite of her needing desperately to leave, I have her drive the car to only mechanic in town.  I follow her in the Jeep which is barely an on-road vehicle but it has power steering.  We leave the car.

Back at the house, Lauren hasn’t even gotten out of the drive to leave for the horse show when I see a missed call on my phone.  The mechanic leaves a message that says, “I have real bad news, but some good news too”.  Okay, we had this talk about the vet that does not leave specific messages. I was freaking out that I had blown my engine or something (although was a little unclear what the good news was going to be).

I get the mechanic on the phone.  This is the stranger than truth part.  I know some of you men reading along are guessing what is wrong with my car-I guarantee this is NOT what you are thinking-I lost the engine belt when a cat had gotten up in the engine.  That ‘thunk’ I heard was part of the cat falling out of the engine.  The rest of cat managed to pull the belt off the engine (thus triggering the battery light because it was not charging the alternator).  I really don’t know how that effected the power steering but it did.  So the bad news was my cat was dead-not to be flippant-but what is a week at my place without a dead cat.  Pretty much all the ones I have neutered are dead as well.  I think this was one of the wild kittens.  The good news was they only had to order a replacement belt (which would take half the day) but it was not a major deal.  Wow-so who guessed there was a cat in my engine taking off my belts? Yeah!

I finally got the car back (had to take a vacation day from work) around 1 pm and headed up to try to catch Lauren and Feather make their rated show debut.  I get there with my poodle, Kona, to learn Lauren has lost her phone.  She heads to the show ring and I go searching for her phone.  I am walking with Kona toward the show office when some random man stops me.  Excitedly he tells me, “I found your dog’s phone!!”.  A cell phone with Kona’s picture on it is in the office.  At least four more people stop me with Kona to tell me “his” phone is in the office.  Really people?  But I guess it did pay off to have such an easily identifiable picture on your cell phone background.  So, remember that-for safety sake- take a picture of something that is uniquely you and yet you are willing to parade this object around in public and put it on your phone.  That way if you lose your phone people know it is yours.  Perhaps another idea is to take a photo of your business card-less embarrassing than people thinking the poodle had a phone.

Lauren and Feather had good rounds.  Feather looked beautiful and Lauren rode well.  They earned two third places today.  But keeping with my kooky day, on the way home, we were watching the road for where we thought the kitten had fallen out when we were stopped by chickens in the road.

Why did the chicken cross the road-to get in front of my car!

Why did the chicken cross the road-to get in front of my car!

Jordyn got sent home from school with diarrhea and a sore bottom Tuesday and I flashed back to her Monday night playing with Codi, her Florida friend.  They were busily chipping off pieces of my giant horse salt block and eating it.  Codi’s mom warned not to let Jordyn have milk for three hours because the salt coupled with milk caused Codi to projectile vomit.  And it burned when it came back up.  Explains Jordyn’s sore bottom.  Trying telling the school that story.  Wow.

I have had it with living in rural crazyville!  Dev says we should just get our reality show.  Then Kona could get his own cell phone!

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My momma has been under the weather.  She will be okay but sure could use any prayers you could send her way.

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Sick Leave

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I resorted to taking pictures of the dogs today. Sneaky is Lauren's Corgi.

I resorted to taking pictures of the dogs today. Sneaky is Lauren’s Corgi.

It has been three weeks today since the orthopedic surgeon cut into my shoulder to repair my torn rotator cuff and remove numerous bone spurs. I am tired of sick leave. Don’t get me wrong, I am immensely grateful to have sick leave and not to be fretting over how I will pay the bills during this time but I am so ready to be back at work (did I really say that?) and back to be able to do the things I enjoy doing and need to do.

Lauren will rush from the house eager to be anywhere but here and I will agree to do something simple like put on Mickey’s and Feather’s fly mask for the night and send them out to pasture.  Go try to put on a fly mask or halter with one hand.  Good luck with that.  Even if I am left with very simple things to do, I cannot do them.  Frustrating!

At this point in my sick leave, my daughter, my mother and all my animals are sick of me.  Yesterday, I dragged my mom and Lauren to the nail place to get our nails done.  Fun for all but not necessarily in a group.  Today I was lying down with my mom after lunch and she called the aide to come give her shower.  She told me, ‘see you later’.  Wow, that is harsh.

I am pretty fun but dachshund Lula says she is old and doesn’t want to go out to the barn again to look at the horses,  We already went seven times.  The poodle can usually be talked into to chasing the ball, which I throw with my right hand, using a “Chuck-it” that makes it go really far, but even he had enough of chasing the ball in the 80 degree sun today.

I don’t know.  I started taking random pictures of the other dogs and even found a Welsh Corgi Facebook page to post Sneaky’s picture on.  They are running from me now.  I took some pictures of BrownDog but apparently there is not a Lab-Australian shepherd with maybe some Doberman mix Facebook page.  Don’t know why.

Lauren and Kona at the final 'rally' at dog class last night.

Lauren and Kona at the final ‘rally’ at dog class last night.

Even the obedience class which was good for a few hours of entertainment on Mondays, ended last night.  I have to say that Kona has learned a lot but most interesting to me was that Lauren who has been around and worked with animals all her life, had never been to a formalized training session.  J-Canine Pet Resort in Rosenberg, with trainer Martine, did an outstanding job of helping  both the owner and the dog learn productively.  Lauren learned a lot about patience, giving good commands, providing strong feedback and getting the best from Kona.  Wow, what kind of class was it?  Because both Lauren and Kona learned a lot!

We will be going back for next step in training as well.  Bravo!

I will stick out another week at home and get back to work next Monday.  I am beginning to understand a little about why Bruno wanted to escape and his fascination with watching the cows across the road.  You have to do something.  By next week, I might drive everyone nuts.

Look ma, one foot!

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Bruno out in the second pasture, bucking with all his weight on his newly healed hoof! "Look mom, one leg!"

Bruno out in the second pasture, bucking with all his weight on his newly healed hoof! “Look mom, one leg!”

Bruno got to go out first thing this morning into the second paddock where I would not have to worry about him hitting  the roof.  It was a dreary overcast day but nothing was standing in the way of this big gelding, green grass and freedom.  He dashed back and forth running with the pure joy of his thoroughbred heritage-the one that includes Seattle Slew and the big Secretariat.  Many, many races were made back to paddock fence with sliding stops that would have caused envy to a reining horse.  I caught the picture above as he bucked and ran.  I am sending it Dr. Marsh and Dr. Criner to show them this guy is placing all 1350 pounds of his body weight on his newly healed hoof-AND it is holding up fine.

To watch him trot, canter and gallop without a single off-step was a miracle time for me.  I remembered feeling so helpless/hopeless when it was determined he had to have surgery but to see him run today you would never know he had a problem, surgery or been out for months.

Okay, we are still a long way from a successful ride in the jumper ring-he has not had much training as a jumper because he was always having trouble with his foot.  But this horse has totally enveloped Lauren with love.  I had to remind her that this horse was not a pet and if he pushed her around, she had to bark back at him and re-gain his respect outside the stall.  And we will have to see if the hoof holds up now that he is running and pounding on it.  Lots of things to do before this is a total success story, but it a pretty awesome mid-point!

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My shoulder is healing.  I am doing the daily exercises.  It hurts.  Sleep is always hard.  My other shoulder aches all the time now as well, doing the work of both.

Lauren and Feather have a horse show this weekend.  Pictures and updates to come!

My daughters, Ally and Amber, met in Orlando today.  It will be a chance to piggy-back off Amber’s nursing seminar with some time alone with for the sisters.  I keep thinking of my son-in-laws, in Denver and Houston, respectively, handling two children each without their wives.  Wish I had a little nanny cam to watch how things are going but I know they will both have it under control.

PuppyGirl (the Yorkie) and Kona were having some fun times on the couch the other night.  Talk about cute!

Face off!

Face off!

A Cool Front

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Momma after she had her hair done today. She wanted to send a picture to Jim.

Momma after she had her hair done today. She wanted to send a picture to Jim.

The day started fast and furious.  It was a balmy, overcast day, warm with a chance of showers as we started the day. The men were coming to do the roof extension which meant Kid and Bruno needed to be out and gone by 8:00 am. To get us moving faster, the first truck arrived at 7:15.  We were hustling.   I have had the luxury of sleeping in (which is good because I have not slept much at night) the last week or so. But it was up and at it today.  Even simple things like getting dressed are harder with an arm in sling-but I was hurrying as fast as I could.  It was also my day to get my stitches out.

I gave Bruno a little shot to ease his excitement over being out of his stall for one of the few times in four months.  I wasn’t sure how I, ‘the one arm wonder’, was going to handle unloading the horses at the vet. To compound our morning excitement, Lauren’s favorite cat, Orange had been limping around on three legs so we thought we better take him along as well.

I was in charge of getting Kid to the trailer.  The plan was for Bruno to follow him but that lasted about two seconds and Bruno and Lauren blasted past us.  I tied Kid to the trailer so I was ‘hand free’ to close the slant in the trailer.  Bruno went in easily but was pawing away as we loaded Kid.  Off we went.

I called ahead to ask for help and quickly Kid and Bruno were in their new stalls looking for alfalfa.  We left Orange so they could check out his leg.  We went home to change so Lauren could go to school while I would stay with Momma until my doctor’s appointment.

Momma was getting her hair done when I arrived.  I knew the days I had not been there were lost days.  It was harder for her to recognize either Lauren and I.  I gave her an update on Jim-that he was back in Denver and staying with his daughter, Janie.  She told me he had been over to visit just the other day and had told her he was very happy (of course, she had not seen him).  But honestly, I am glad they still see each-however, she thinks it happens.  I told her she looked real nice in her pretty sweater and with her hair just done-but both Lauren and I thought she was looking thinner than usual.

From mom’s, I was off to get my stitches out.  I got a talking to about not lifting “anything” with my arm.  And not even taking off my sling at night (try sleeping in a sling-not conducive to a good night’s sleep!). I got some exercises to start, my stitches out and view from the MRI showed all healing well.  We discussed me getting back to work, making the drive in the sling (he told me Sugar Land police would give me a ticket for driving in the sling) and typing (keep tapping it out with one finger, Cindy).

The vet called, Orange had a 105 degree temperature and was coming home with antibiotics.  We picked him up on the trip back home.

Getting the roof supports up.

Getting the roof supports up.

When we got home, the main roof supports of the new section were up.  Then the monsoon hit.  The same storm that rocked Bartlesville, Tulsa and Denver, was headed for Houston.  We saw the men scramble for their trucks and rushed out to get Mickey and Feather out of the blasting rain.  Lauren, in shorts and I, in capris, stopped short as we opened the front door.  Freezing-we could see our breath.

The plan had been for Ally to come down and help Lauren re-align the mats in the stalls while the horses were gone.  Instead, it was her and I.  Me, using all the skills I had, wrangling the heavy mats with my feet.  Lauren would pick them up and I would stand on them while she dug out underneath.  Finally, a good use for me!

The storm moved on quickly.  We got the stalls re-matted.  I came in and took my first real shower in over a week.  I was cold and it was great!

Ally did make the trip down and helped Lauren move over 800 pounds of shavings into the stalls while I watched the girls play.  I am completely and totally exhausted from my long day.  Hope I sleep better tonight.

Oh, and the welders and workers came back.  They are still working.

Back to the world

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Easter Egg aftermath.

Easter Egg aftermath.

I feel like I have been lost to the world for the last several days.  We had a great Easter on Sunday with my mom, Ally, her kids, Lauren and I.  Mom seemed more aware and enjoyed the day.  Jordyn was playing music and dancing. Mom was tapping her foot and clapping along.  It was very cute.  And it made me happy that she was so engaged with all of us.

Amber, Lexi and Riley got in early on Monday.  The Easter Bunny had hidden lots of eggs in the yard and they all had a ball running, playing and shrieking over the finding of the eggs. We enjoyed the afternoon and it was soon time for Lauren, Kona and I to head off to obedience class.  Amber and family spent the night with Ally.

Tuesday we were at the hospital by 5:45.   Amber was with me as I was prepped for surgery.  The surgeon found the tear in the rotator cuff and several bone spurs that were removed.  I went home with a nerve block and pain pump.  Tuesday was a lost day for me.  I awakened around midnight and the nerve block was gone.  Apparently I had pulled the line or loosened the connection.  The fluid was leaking out of the line in my neck and down my shirt.

Wednesday, Amber was attempting to put the line back together when the anesthesiologist called.  Amber was able to reconnect the line with the help from the hospital.  It was great.  Much better with the pump running.

Honestly, I don’t have a lot of details of the last few days.  Just know my family was close, the kids were playing, and I was being taken care of well.

Lauren got out to ride last night after a couple of days of rain.  I didn’t watch but she snapped a  great shot of the sun dropping in the evening sky.  feath sun

I got out for the first time today.  I went to see my mom.  Took the obligatory trip to Wal-Mart  and  I am ready to settle in again for a while.  Thank you to all of you that sent messages of support and prayers!  I have a wonderful group of family and followers.  I am grateful.

Getting Ready

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Out for a nice walk, eating some grass and not yanking Lauren's arm off! Bonus!

Out for a nice walk, eating some grass and not yanking Lauren’s arm off! Bonus!

I am in the “oh, my God! I am not going to have use of my arm for several weeks and I better get everything I ever imagined done before I have surgery”, which is really stupid.  But I get a) compulsive and b) seem to have a little ADHD.  I get going on one project, then see something else that needs to be done, drop what I am doing and never complete what I started.

Jordyn spent the night after Leadline and we all worked on chores.  We all enjoyed the nice weather.  I had promised Jo a ride on Feather, but felt I better get on first.  Lauren is still sidelined from her fall this week.  I had not ridden Feather since last spring.  I was pleasantly surprised to have such a nice, responsive horse under me.  She trotted well and picked up her canter immediately when I asked.

Enjoying the day!

Enjoying the day!

Jordyn did great on Feather as well.  She walked her around the barrels and over poles-all by herself.  She asked if she would be able to do Pin Oak again next year.  We told her she would be too old to do Leadline and had to be ready to do the ‘walk-trot:’ class.  She looked up and asked, “Do you think I can ride Heartbreaker?”

Well, no I don’t but we will have a pony ready for her if she is ready to ride.  Lauren went off to see Blake and Jo and I finished feeding and the night-time chores.  I was rushing off to take Jordyn to meet her folks. I did not completely latch Bruno’s stall gate (I know, I know, really stupid).  I got back from taking Jordyn home to find Bruno cantering around the stall run.  Kid was hidden back in the corner of Bruno’s stall-staying out-of-the-way of the big horse as he enjoyed freedom for the first time in months.

I took my time getting him back in-actually I wasn’t sure how I was going to catch him without grave danger to myself.  As I watched he bounded around the pen (I was thankful for the six-foot high walls) stopping to roll in the warm sand, first one side then the other.  Not once as watched him, did he show any signs of lameness.  Finally, he stopped to drink deeply from the water trough. I slipped a lead rope around his neck and he came quietly behind me into his stall.  He was lathered with sweat and covered in sand.

I was grateful this morning to find Bruno no worse for his evening romp.  I figured it was a good time to try a walk again.  At least, he would be tired.  So, I took Kid and Lauren-Bruno and both boys got to eat some nice green grass.  Bruno behaved like a gentleman the entire time.  Guess we will start a daily outing so it all becomes more commonplace and less exciting.

Happy Easter all!  We will celebrate with mom, Ally, Kendyll, Jo, Lauren and I tomorrow.  Amber and the kids will be here Monday.

bru grass

Leadline, Doctors and Decisions

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Leadline is tomorrow.  Jordyn has been over the moon excited all week.  She called me yesterday to tell me (screaming in the phone) that she just got her report card and she had straight A’s!  Additionally, she went on to tell me it was the best week of her life because she had the great report card, an Easter Party at school and PIN OAK!!

Jordyn will get out of school tomorrow at noon for the Easter break.  She will travel with her mom and sister to meet Aunt Lauren and have her hair French braided into pigtails for the night’s activities.  We will all meet up at the Equestrian Center.  I promise lots of pictures and I hope it is all she anticipates it to be.

Kathy just let me know that she turned in the entry form and Jordyn is officially a Pin Oak exhibitor.  Non-horse show people won’t get this, but riders wait their whole life to make it to Pin Oak.  Today, Jordyn told her dad that he needed to get off work to come watch her-“it’s the most important day of my life!” And so he will be there.  Stop by, 5:30, Main ring if you are nearby-it would be great to have a cheering section for Jo and her friend, Abby.

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Feather's skinned face.

Feather’s skinned face.

Lauren took Feather to Dev’s for a lesson yesterday.  She loaded easily and calmly (wow, how things change!). Young horses are ‘schooled’ because finding the right spot to jump from or the correct way to take off are instinctual but also something that the rider helps to guide.  Lauren and Feather were having a perfectly nice lesson, jumping easily and well, when Feather just took a bad step and got tangled up in the jump.

Down she and Lauren went.  I am sure you are sick of our stories of hurt horses and hurt people, I am sick of telling them and paying for the problems caused by them.  It was a hard fall but both were lucky.  Feather has a scrapped up face (like skinning your knee) and Lauren has a full left side of hurt from her head to her knee.  Doc says she will be okay-mild concussion and some bruises.  A little concern around her knee which is the same one she hurt last year on Mickey.  She will see the orthopedic guy next week.  I would be really happy to have at least a week or so without vet or doctor visits. Not going to happen for a while.

My surgery scheduled for next Tuesday has also changed.  The surgeon had an opportunity to review my MRIs today and it is unclear (since I have had three previous surgeries on the right shoulder) exactly what the current damage is.  He wants to do another MRI with injectable dye to better see that shoulder.  But surgery is still on for Tuesday because my left shoulder (the virgin shoulder) is completely torn.  We will fix the left one and have plenty of time to obtain additional views of the right.  How great!

As I am right-handed, it will be easier to have the left arm in the sling.  It will also be good when we go to do the right arm that the left will be healed and healthy.  Glad I had plenty of torn shoulders to choose from!

And things change

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Life is an ever evolving thing at Six Meadow Farm.  A week ago Mickey was attacked in our pasture by an “unknown assailant”.  He is healing.  He is as Jordyn says “tore up”.  But at this point we seem to have warded off infection and all the bites, scratches and cuts are healing.

Mickey and Bruno went to the vet this afternoon.  Mickey for some routine stuff and a check on his injuries.  Bruno, to have his stitches removed from his injury on March 4th that was re-stitched during his trip to Texas A&M.  That is one injury, with its casts, and wrappings that I am very happy to see healing well.  His front hoof, the old bad hoof, is looking great.  Time goes on.  Healing takes place.

We decided against the purchase of a donkey at this time.  I just can’t deal with one additional thing right now.  Hated to let Jack go, tho, I think he would have been the perfect donkey.

Lauren working with Kona (Watch me!) during obedience class.

Lauren working with Kona (Watch me!) during obedience class.

Tonight Lauren  took over as Kona’s trainer in obedience classes.  I saw the orthopedic surgeon last week and he decreed immediate surgery to my right shoulder.  I am scheduled for a rotator cuff repair (four times is charm-I pray) next Tuesday morning.  Have you ever heard of anyone having four repairs to the same shoulder?  But it is so hard.  Each time it is repaired the shoulder is a little more fragile but my work on the farm is no less strenuous.  Last time, I tore it (I believe) reaching up into the Christmas tree.  This time, I believe it tore completely simply reaching my arm up over Leo’s head (yeah, that was awhile ago) to put on his halter.  So, I have been careful.  And I will be ever so careful this time as I ride the road to shoulder re-hab this final time.  I do not think it will take another repair.

Amother dog in obedience class showing his owner love during play time.

Another dog in obedience class showing his owner love during play time.

Amber (the nurse practitioner) will come in next week to help out with my care.  All my girls will be there as I go into the operating room.  It is nice to have their support.  All the grandkids will be here so that will be a welcome diversion as well.

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Jordyn called me early this morning to tell me-THREE DAYS UNTIL PIN OAK, GRANNY!!.  She is so excited.  We are down to the final details now.  Packing her things to be sure everything  from bows to boots are clean and shiny for her trip in the ring.  Caitlyn will be leading Ky while Jordyn rides.  I think this will allow for a great chance for success as Ky knows and trusts his owner, Caitlyn.  Caitlyn is actually wearing a dress.  We have tried to get Lauren to step up but her dress selection seems limited to sun dresses or prom dresses and neither seems very appropriate.

I am scrambling to get a million things done before I am side-lined.  Please say a prayer for me.  Thanks for riding along.

Spring Break on the Farm

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Jim sent his love back to momma via a text message.

Jim sent his love back to momma via a text message.

momma 0313

Mom was all dolled up and wanted to send her love to Jim.  We sent a text message with the picture attached.  Quickly Jim sent her a text back with his love and a current shot of him.  Gee, 95 and 88, respectively, using all the current tools.  Crazy.  Glad to see them both looking so good!

Lauren and Megan headed back from Galveston Island today and picked up Jordyn on the way home.  The weather was beautiful and it was a great afternoon to spend on horseback.  While Megan was riding Mickey and Lauren riding Feather, Jordyn enjoyed playing ball with new dog, Kona in the arena.  I figured it was good for Feather to have a ball-playing dog running around the arena.  And I was proud of Kona as he stayed focused on the game and never offered to chase or bother the horses.  The biggest surprise was when little miniature dachshund Lula decided she wanted to chase the ball as well.

Jordyn waiting her turn to ride and playing ball with the dogs.

Jordyn waiting her turn to ride and playing ball with the dogs.

11After the girls got their rides in-posed here with Feather-it was time to change Bruno’s bandage for the first time since the return from A&M.  I had not seen the newly stitched new hurt hoof.  It looked good and was much less swollen.  Lauren got both hooves re-bandaged and took Bruno out for his first walk with her since December.

Jordyn, acting as the vet tech for Aunt Lauren!

Jordyn, acting as the vet tech for Aunt Lauren!

The re-stitched new hurt hoof-but looking good!

Last night when I was home alone, I got the great idea to take Bruno out for some fresh green grass.  I had texted my friend Caroline and told her I was taking Bruno out for a walk and if I did not get back to her in 15 minutes-call Life Flight!  Well, I did not last even five minutes.  As soon as Kid started neighing for Bruno and then Mickey picked up the chant, Bruno started cantering in place and trying to bolt away from me.  Honestly, if this 1300 pound animal had wanted to bolt he would have, and I would have been left standing (maybe) in the pretty green grass.  With my heart beating a million miles an hour, I sternly walked Bruno back to his stall as he continued to try to dance out of my grasp.  Epic failure-but at least I got him safely back to his stall.  I texted Caroline back-‘never mind’ .  She thought I had not even gone out, instead I was out and back before she even started to worry about me.

Bruno looking out over the fence with his bandaged up feet.

Bruno looking out over the fence with his bandaged up feet.

Jordyn just got the exciting news that she will be riding in the biggest horse show in Texas-Pin Oak-courtesy of Kathy and Caitlyn!!

It is so exciting and Aunt Lauren will be with her as she enters the arena. For a brief period, due to the formal nature of this horse show, Lauren thought she would have to wear a dress to lead the horse in.  Now, that would have been worth more than even Jordyn’s debut Pin Oak ride.