Hibernation over, but bun is still in the oven!

It has been so long since the last post, that I actually had to go back and read what I had posted! I supposed I had the time to post while sitting around the house in the cold arctic winter that WOULD NOT QUIT. But... it wouldn't have been very interesting. Plus getting ready to have a baby took much more time than I ever would have imagined!

I sit here today, three days past my due date, wondering when this all come to the exciting end (beginning) that we've been planning for! And, of course, I am getting more and more desperate to get back on the red beast with each passing day. While the pregnancy was one obstacle, I know a newborn will be a whole other crazy complication to riding like I used to (ie 5 days a week with regular lessons).

I am extremely grateful to have had a healthy pregnancy that allowed me the ability to still get out to the barn on weekends. I even had a resurgence of riding in my second trimester that I wasn't expecting to do (I only admit this on the horse blog, because I am sure you would all do the same given the situation!) I fully appreciate all the times my husband came out with me to scrape mud off Lola, and he's become a hoof picking star (seeing as that was rather uncomfortable for me). I was lucky enough to end up with not one but TWO riders to part lease my mare, and right at the time when my low back and hips were telling me that riding was no longer an option. They have done a lovely job getting her back into shape this spring and giving her love, exercise, and regular grooming. In fact, I hope they both stick around for a while. With their current schedule I could still have my Lola two days a week, which, in reality, is probably what I can commit to once I get back in the saddle.

So within a few days (hopefully!) I will have a new distraction that make me totally forget that all I really want to do is have a nice canter on the grass! Then it really will be only a handful of weeks (all filled with baby-joy/exhaustion and visiting family) before I will have a body that can start getting back in the saddle. In the mean time, I can rest assured that Lola has excellent care from the barn, and two wonderful riders giving her attention (and cookies).

Although grounded, I have still enjoyed some lovely spring days out there with her!

Winter mane went from:

To a cool new summer cut:

Belly and all, I'm still working her from the ground (this was just Saturday!):


And, may have spent a day or two this spring just cleaning tack and watching her laze in the sun!
 Such is the joy of NOT riding. Oh well, there will always be next year!

Time off...

Amazing what time off will do to you. I really APPRECIATE my time with Lola these days, because it is few and far between, but without goals, it is hard to stay committed.

First off, I'm pregnant and due in May!!! HURRAY! It has been long awaited, and much rejoiced, but BOY does it change your life!

So seeing as I work full time, work three personal businesses that I hope to create full time income with, AND I'm pretty much ready for bed by 9:30pm, there is not much time in my life. Add to this that my first winter in Ohio happens to be one of the most "wintery" in a long time doesn't help.

So I'm sitting here on the sofa, with dog and blanket, watching the beautiful snow fall out my sliding glass door, and wondering why I would ever leave this spot? I have plenty to do here in the house. Between the French lessons that need to be prepared, children's book events/parties to schedule, and packing for a trip next weekend, I have plenty of justification to stay home.

Normally January is my horse planning month. I'm anxiously awaiting everyone to list their events, clinics, schooling series, etc so that I can plan my spring training, summer competition schedule (cheap and low-key), and my fall "prove that I made progress" event. This year I have no foreseeable goals, no events on the calendar, nothing but a vague idea that I might catch a dressage schooling show at the end of the season if I'm really good about getting back into shape. This just doesn't feel right.

So I am trying to come up with different goals.

-I will still lunge Lola regularly through my pregnancy to keep her fit and happy
-I will do my best to FULLY desensitize her to clipping instead of having to coerce her into letting me de-fuzz her ears
-I will spend lots of extra time grooming so that she shiny!
-I will maintain her tail so that everyone is jealous of it while she stands around eating (as apposed to only fluffing tail for shows)
-I will make the most of this, because it is only one year, and I can learn a ton from focusing on the "other stuff" when I'm not distracted by riding being my main focus for the time I have with her

Alright, now to venture out into the snow...