OK. Sunday's Cross Country Training is all set for Sera Valley. It is only about 15 minutes from Cathy's place, so we don't have far to take the ponies. This farm is new, and last week I saw all the cool looking jumps. Can't wait to go! And, being the glutton for punishment that I am, I am going to do the Horse Trials at Legacy Stables on April 18 - a show to get me in the mood for Rolex. Well, that's not really necessary, but it's a good reason to do the show. I'll take any excuse.
After we ride I'm putting a leg of lamb in the oven for our Easter dinner later on. The plan is lamb, roasted potatoes, a veg and apple pie for dessert. That's it. No extravagant dishes that are calorie-laden!
I decided that I needed to take a break from exercising today. My knees hurt, my leg hurts and I'm just really tired. Think my body needs a break. Tomorrow, back in the gym!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
A Riding Weekend
Photo of Sara and me at our riding lesson two weeks ago when it was really, really warm! Bella loves Satchmo, but Satchmo wants nothing to do with her whatsoever. (We think he's gay; well, not think we know he's gay!) Satchmo is on the right; see how he's avoiding looking Bella in the eye? He just tolerates her and puts his ears back and tries to bite her every time she gets near. Does she get the message? NooOOOO. She's such a floosey!
Saturday I went to a dressage schooling show at Legacy Stables. The good news is my ride time was 2:40 and 3:20 because I didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn, and I didn't have to ride in the freezing cold. Around 10:00 I went out to the barn, got Bella out of othe muddy paddock, pulled her mane, did some of her forlock, but not a great success at that, clipped her nose and made her look pretty. Since her feet were caked in mud, I got a bucket of water and washed off as much of the mud as I could. I know the water was cold, but there was nothing else I could do unless I ran up to Cathy's and got hot water from the tap; no way that was happening; I would have spent half the time just going up and getting water! Anyway, got several layers of mud off and we could even see her hooves, and her feathers were somewhat white. At 12:30 or so we loaded up Bella and took off for Legacy Stables. The distance wasn't too far, but since we went back roads, it took almost an hour to get there! We went to get my number, etc., and found out I was riding at 3:10 and 3:50 instead of the earlier times. What can you do?
We sat around, chatted, and finally got Bella off the trailer to tack her up; we went down to the warm-up ring, and Bella was in a great mood. Did not need the whip at all. Did my first test and I got positive feedback except for the bad canter depart on the right lead. I told the judge, "Here's the story. I pulled on the reins, gave her leg, and she didn't know what to do." The judge thought it was funny; I was just telling the truth! got a 61.30, but no ribbon. Second test I rode and afterwards, the judge said, "What about that second test?" I thought I had done a horrible job! On the contrary, she said I did a much better job of riding and not being a passenger. Whew! Got a 63.57 and second place. Two personal best scores EVER!
Had a riding lesson with Sara yesterday. For all the years I've been riding, it's finally beginning to feel comfortable, and I'm feeling more confidant. Only took about 9 years to get there. Sit back, I tell ya, sit back.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Busy Weekend
Saturday - Horse Show! Ride Times were finally posted and I don't ride until 2:40 and 3:20 - 50 minutes apart. Just enough time to get off, but not really relax after the first ride. Better than 9:00, when the show starts. So, I will go out to Cathy's and pretty up Bella the best I can. I think it will be too cold to give her a bath, which she despearately needs, but I will do what I can. Saturday shows are mostly a pain for me. I really like have Saturday to get ready and not have to run around Friday night getting all my gear together. Such is life and the burdens we have to bear. Not sure where my clippers are; I think they are in the bucket at the barn. However, they are close to being on their last legs. Think I'll go to Target and get some on the way.
Sunday will be a riding lesson with Sara at 9:00! Dave's parents want to take us to brunch, so we will have to go an hour earlier for the lesson so I can get back to shower and leave around 11:15 (?) I think. Anyway, Sara got out of going, and the only saving grace is I will get something to eat after riding.
Leg is feeling better, but still getting twinges when I move from side to side. The front-to-back movement is ok unless I've been sitting for awhile, but at least I'm on the mend. That first step is a real killer!
Knitting Report: I'm at the point where I will change from the bulky yarn to the worsted weight yarn. Unfortunately, because the yarn and needles are so much smaller, I have to increase stitches to a whopping 210 stitches. Better than I thought; I thought it was 300 stitches. Always a bright side to everything!
Sunday will be a riding lesson with Sara at 9:00! Dave's parents want to take us to brunch, so we will have to go an hour earlier for the lesson so I can get back to shower and leave around 11:15 (?) I think. Anyway, Sara got out of going, and the only saving grace is I will get something to eat after riding.
Leg is feeling better, but still getting twinges when I move from side to side. The front-to-back movement is ok unless I've been sitting for awhile, but at least I'm on the mend. That first step is a real killer!
Knitting Report: I'm at the point where I will change from the bulky yarn to the worsted weight yarn. Unfortunately, because the yarn and needles are so much smaller, I have to increase stitches to a whopping 210 stitches. Better than I thought; I thought it was 300 stitches. Always a bright side to everything!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Will This Week Ever End?
Saturday I'm going to a dressage show at Legacy Stables. At first another rider from the barn was going with me. She's a senior in high school, but was apparently goofing off too much this week, so she's not going with me. Another solo trip to a show. Rats! That also means I have to pay for trailering costs/coaching fee by myself. This is going to be an expensive show. I better get a ribbon - at this rate - any color will do!
The firm has an unofficial book club which is meeting today at noon. I forgot about it and did not go to the gym this morning. I was going to bit the bullet and let it be a rest day. Having said that, I realized I'm having pizza for dinner, so the gym it is! I can't eliminate the gym when I'm having Dave's Famous Pizza for dinner.
My menu for lunch/snacks: veg. chili, green peppers, tomatoes, orange, activia with wheat germ, banana (maybe) and popcorn (maybe). Dinner: Pizza!
I'm still working on my self-evaluation. It is a royal pain in the rear end, and what will it do for us? The firm is cutting back on everything, except partner bonuses, so no one is expecting any type of raises this year. Blah!
Official Countdown to Rolex: 27 days.
The firm has an unofficial book club which is meeting today at noon. I forgot about it and did not go to the gym this morning. I was going to bit the bullet and let it be a rest day. Having said that, I realized I'm having pizza for dinner, so the gym it is! I can't eliminate the gym when I'm having Dave's Famous Pizza for dinner.
My menu for lunch/snacks: veg. chili, green peppers, tomatoes, orange, activia with wheat germ, banana (maybe) and popcorn (maybe). Dinner: Pizza!
I'm still working on my self-evaluation. It is a royal pain in the rear end, and what will it do for us? The firm is cutting back on everything, except partner bonuses, so no one is expecting any type of raises this year. Blah!
Official Countdown to Rolex: 27 days.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Self-Evaluation??? This is nuts.
On the work side of things: Once a year we are compelled to do a self-evaluation, then our bosses get to read it and tell us we don't actually walk on water! I despise doing these things, and I, basically, repeat the same crap I said last year. How does one expand on printing, stapling, hole punching and filing? There has to be a way to make this all sound very executive-like and nobody else in the world could possibly do this job. Granted, there is a bit more to the job, but......
On the exercise side of things I 'm still working on the elliptical waiting for my leg to be well enough to run. I might be doing a 5K on April 11, so I'm not doing any running until I know if I will actually be doing this.
On the knitting side of things, I re-started the sweater because it just didn't look big enough around the armholes. I'm at the armholes and still it looks small; could be the stitch holders since they don't stretch with the yarn. Anyway, I'm forging ahead with it. Needles: Size 15; Yarn: Crystal Palace, Kaya, a bulky yarn. Should go fast (at least I'm hoping so).
No other side of things to talk about right now.
On the exercise side of things I 'm still working on the elliptical waiting for my leg to be well enough to run. I might be doing a 5K on April 11, so I'm not doing any running until I know if I will actually be doing this.
On the knitting side of things, I re-started the sweater because it just didn't look big enough around the armholes. I'm at the armholes and still it looks small; could be the stitch holders since they don't stretch with the yarn. Anyway, I'm forging ahead with it. Needles: Size 15; Yarn: Crystal Palace, Kaya, a bulky yarn. Should go fast (at least I'm hoping so).
No other side of things to talk about right now.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Weekend Wrap-Up
Saturday - The first day of spring and the temperature was wonderfully warm! Sara and I met (with Romeo) and did our 1 1/2 hour walk around the lake two times for 4.8 miles. Lots of people out walking and running with dogs and kids. Where were these people when Sara and I were out there in 17-degree weather and sliding down icy paths? Hmmmm?
We did a moderate walk, and was just enough to get the juices flowing. Romeo was mostly a good boy although he did snip at a dog. We're not sure, though, who instigated the entire event. Romeo or the other dog. Anyway, Romeo was a very tired boy when we got him home.
I had gone onto the deck in the early morning (7:30 or so) and it was really cold! I had a sweater and a jacket on. I guess living in the hills makes a difference in the temperature. Centennial Park's temperature at 9:30 was perfect.
We spent the day lounging and sitting on the deck enjoying the nice weather. Dave had to take some pictures of a business sign after dark and the sign with lit up. Don't know why, but the company wanted pictures of the sign lit up. We went to Bethesda, took the pictures, couldn't find the place that we wanted to eat; drove in circles, then went to Tysons Corner to take a picture of the sign there. We drove in circles trying to find that one, too. After Dave took the pictures it was 9:45! Still no dinner. We saw a Chili's sign, went in there and had a very disappointing meal - at least mine was. It was supposed to be a quaesadilla with chicken; Ugh!
Sunday was also very nice. Sara and I had a riding lesson. Bella was in a good mood, a very good mood, which makes it a good lesson for me. Sara and Satchmo had a good time and Satchmo even took the first jump instead of having to examine it first! A plus! Maybe he's realizing the jump won't all of a sudden spring upwards into his face! Stupid horse. We are planning a cross country training trip on April 4, which is Easter Sunday, but what better way to spend the day than riding?
After the lesson Dave and I went to Savage Mill to meet Lea and go to a "yarn thing" there. It was a room that had yarn vendors from local farms, etc. We had brunch first, and that was also a really bad meal. I ordered an omelette with crab, cheese and mushrooms. They didn't have mushrooms, so I asked for broccoli. Intead of florets, there were 3 giant stalks of broccoli in the egg. Sheesh! Not only that, the egg was lukewarm when it got to the table. I had never eaten there before, and I was very anxious to have a meal there. Not ever again!
Even the yarn displays were somewhat disappointing. I was ready to purchase yarn, but there wasn't the type I was looking for. Most of the yarn was sock yarn, hand painted, so hardly any solid colors. I did splurge and buy two skeins of alpaca - a beautiful creamy buttery yellow and a light grey for - you guessed it- a pair of mittens. They will be the most expensive and the warmest mittens I ever owned.
Food wise - Not the best choices I could have made this weekend, but sometimes it just works out like that. Redeeming myself by packing much healthier foods than I had yesterday.
I was making great headway on my sweater that I started, looked at it and (it is difficult to tell on the needles) it looked too small. I ripped it out and now I'm going to do the next higher number of increases instead of what I was doing. Now, I'm concerned if I'll have enough yarn. Maybe I should buy a few more skeins - "just in case." Ha ha.
We did a moderate walk, and was just enough to get the juices flowing. Romeo was mostly a good boy although he did snip at a dog. We're not sure, though, who instigated the entire event. Romeo or the other dog. Anyway, Romeo was a very tired boy when we got him home.
I had gone onto the deck in the early morning (7:30 or so) and it was really cold! I had a sweater and a jacket on. I guess living in the hills makes a difference in the temperature. Centennial Park's temperature at 9:30 was perfect.
We spent the day lounging and sitting on the deck enjoying the nice weather. Dave had to take some pictures of a business sign after dark and the sign with lit up. Don't know why, but the company wanted pictures of the sign lit up. We went to Bethesda, took the pictures, couldn't find the place that we wanted to eat; drove in circles, then went to Tysons Corner to take a picture of the sign there. We drove in circles trying to find that one, too. After Dave took the pictures it was 9:45! Still no dinner. We saw a Chili's sign, went in there and had a very disappointing meal - at least mine was. It was supposed to be a quaesadilla with chicken; Ugh!
Sunday was also very nice. Sara and I had a riding lesson. Bella was in a good mood, a very good mood, which makes it a good lesson for me. Sara and Satchmo had a good time and Satchmo even took the first jump instead of having to examine it first! A plus! Maybe he's realizing the jump won't all of a sudden spring upwards into his face! Stupid horse. We are planning a cross country training trip on April 4, which is Easter Sunday, but what better way to spend the day than riding?
After the lesson Dave and I went to Savage Mill to meet Lea and go to a "yarn thing" there. It was a room that had yarn vendors from local farms, etc. We had brunch first, and that was also a really bad meal. I ordered an omelette with crab, cheese and mushrooms. They didn't have mushrooms, so I asked for broccoli. Intead of florets, there were 3 giant stalks of broccoli in the egg. Sheesh! Not only that, the egg was lukewarm when it got to the table. I had never eaten there before, and I was very anxious to have a meal there. Not ever again!
Even the yarn displays were somewhat disappointing. I was ready to purchase yarn, but there wasn't the type I was looking for. Most of the yarn was sock yarn, hand painted, so hardly any solid colors. I did splurge and buy two skeins of alpaca - a beautiful creamy buttery yellow and a light grey for - you guessed it- a pair of mittens. They will be the most expensive and the warmest mittens I ever owned.
Food wise - Not the best choices I could have made this weekend, but sometimes it just works out like that. Redeeming myself by packing much healthier foods than I had yesterday.
I was making great headway on my sweater that I started, looked at it and (it is difficult to tell on the needles) it looked too small. I ripped it out and now I'm going to do the next higher number of increases instead of what I was doing. Now, I'm concerned if I'll have enough yarn. Maybe I should buy a few more skeins - "just in case." Ha ha.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Finally Friday! It's About Time!
When I got up this morning, I was so relieved that it WAS finally and absolutely Friday. Of course, it's not over, yet, because I'm at work and have to struggle through the day. Ugh!
On the exercise side, I am still working with an injured leg. Yesterday I did some stretches hoping it would help me. Not sure if it has because my leg still hurts when I stand up - that's when it hurts the most, but after I get moving, it's not too bad, not perfect, but not too bad. I would like to go outside, but I think I will stay in and hop on the elliptical since it is not so hard on my leg as running - even walking. I need those cardio calories.
We are going to have a great 70-degree Saturday - the first day of spring. I've been counting down since 45 days ago, and I thought it would never get here. Sunday is a riding lesson, then off to Savage Mill for a Yarn Experience or whatever it's called. Going to meet Lea and Betty there; Dave is coming with me so he can get out of the house, we'll all have lunch; Dave will walk around, and the three of us will talk/walk yarn for a few hours. I'm not even going to attempt to say I will exercise will power and not buy anything! It's just not worth it! I do have a sweater I want to make, but have been unable to find the right yarn for it.
I'm just about finished the tan/chocolate mittens. Just a few more rows on the thumb and I'm done. Then, the two have to be blocked so the stitches even out and look really smooth. One more pair of mittens to make with yarn I already have, thank you very much! It is a white yarn and a sock multi-colored yarn, which I'm hoping will look very striking. Better to knit them now, then I can give them away at Christmas time for gifts. Betty hinted that the tan mittens would really match her new camel colored coat. I'll save those for her and give them to her at Christmas. Her birthday is in January, so Christmas is the first occasion for me to give them to her.
Next countdown - Rolex! Only 33 days. April 21 flying off to Louisville, KY, getting in the van with Aileen, Cassidy and Sara and driving to Lexington, KY. I put a countdown tracker on my page; it actually works. Yesterday, it said 1 month, 3 days, now it says 1 month, 2 days. Imagine that!
On the exercise side, I am still working with an injured leg. Yesterday I did some stretches hoping it would help me. Not sure if it has because my leg still hurts when I stand up - that's when it hurts the most, but after I get moving, it's not too bad, not perfect, but not too bad. I would like to go outside, but I think I will stay in and hop on the elliptical since it is not so hard on my leg as running - even walking. I need those cardio calories.
We are going to have a great 70-degree Saturday - the first day of spring. I've been counting down since 45 days ago, and I thought it would never get here. Sunday is a riding lesson, then off to Savage Mill for a Yarn Experience or whatever it's called. Going to meet Lea and Betty there; Dave is coming with me so he can get out of the house, we'll all have lunch; Dave will walk around, and the three of us will talk/walk yarn for a few hours. I'm not even going to attempt to say I will exercise will power and not buy anything! It's just not worth it! I do have a sweater I want to make, but have been unable to find the right yarn for it.
I'm just about finished the tan/chocolate mittens. Just a few more rows on the thumb and I'm done. Then, the two have to be blocked so the stitches even out and look really smooth. One more pair of mittens to make with yarn I already have, thank you very much! It is a white yarn and a sock multi-colored yarn, which I'm hoping will look very striking. Better to knit them now, then I can give them away at Christmas time for gifts. Betty hinted that the tan mittens would really match her new camel colored coat. I'll save those for her and give them to her at Christmas. Her birthday is in January, so Christmas is the first occasion for me to give them to her.
Next countdown - Rolex! Only 33 days. April 21 flying off to Louisville, KY, getting in the van with Aileen, Cassidy and Sara and driving to Lexington, KY. I put a countdown tracker on my page; it actually works. Yesterday, it said 1 month, 3 days, now it says 1 month, 2 days. Imagine that!
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