This seems like a significant event to blog about

I made my Weight Watchers goal on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. I lost a total of 24.8 pounds.

I am quite proud of myself and feel really good. I look in the mirror like I look in my head, what my brain thinks I "really" look like. It is a relief, but it has made me buy a lot of clothes. Which my WW leader says is necessary, because if you just keep your old clothes, it is harder to realize when you are creeping up again than if you are wearing clothes that fit. So I HAD to go shopping, you see?

It is hard not to think I could loose five pounds more, which I could and still be healthy I think -- but I think staying at that weight is not something I want to do. I like ice cream and bread too much, and honestly I know I can have those treats and happily stay at this weight.

Now the real work begins.

Just assume every Thursday I will have a post titled: "I have the Best Pony Ever!"

I had the best lesson yesterday.

We started by warming up with an excellent, forward trot. Kip has such a great rhythm, and is so willing to work. He really is a joy to ride. Then Anne had us show her our turn on the haunches. In our last ride, Kip got confused and frustrated when we were practicing this so I was a bit leery. I did make my self as clear as I could, and let him know I was not going to ask for a canter -- that is really what throws him, when he knows (or think he knows) a canter transition is coming up he does not want to listen or do whatever little exercise I am having him do to prepare for the canter - he wants to canter Now. Now. Now! Anyway, I asked for a few forward steps, left leg at the girth, right asking for sideways movement, and he gave me some great sideways steps for a turn on the haunches left. Good -- now to the right. He stiffened up and counter-bent a bit, but I was able to get him to wrap around my right leg and relax a bit, and he finally believed me that this was different then asking for canter, and he gave me a very solid turn on the haunches right. I need to practice this with no canter transition until we are solid. Or do it at the walk a bunch, and then ask for a canter on the last one.

We then did some circle work, getting him through the bit, lifting his back and really reaching under himself to the left. He has a lovely bend going left and is really starting to stretch though his topline. This trot is much slower but more connected than the working trot that I have been schooling; now that he is stronger I can ask for him to carry me and he is getting it. So nice. Again, the right is a different story, I am mostly asking for more action from his hind legs, and for some flexing in the jaw, and move the shoulders to the outside -- much stiffer this way and not quite as strong, so going to the right we are working on finding the pieces rather than putting them together, like we are on the left.

We were in the indoor arena because the weather was terrible - this spring has been really wet and lots of hail--no fun in a metal-roofed arena - so we did cavaletti work on a figure eight. I am finally feeling confident enough to let him canter at his working speed, which feels really fast to me, but he is able to carry himself better than at the speed I want him to go. When I get it through my head that he is quick, then I have a much better balanced, more in control ride, even though it is fast (really fast!!) But his canter is developing into this great uphill bouncy thing that is really easy to ride. The main thing I have been working on is to keep my leg on, and to steer and adjust with my legs and seat (step in that outside stirrup!!). I can only concentrate on one thing at a time, so now that my legs are doing ok I need to start concentrating on my hands -- my release leaves a bit to be desired. I'm not dragging on his face, but I am also not giving him the freedom he needs to use his neck and shoulders. So this week, I will concentrate on that. Onward!

Re-design & etc

So I have pfutzed around with the template here -- Still not good. But I am thinking about it.

The real thing I am thinking about is how much further along my garden was this time last year.

Keep in mind this is the same plant. 2010 on the left, 2011 on the right.

Both of these photos are titled "early April".

Things can sure turn on a dime. You can be drifting through your little life, concerned about things, preoccupied sure, but content in yourself and the space you have made. Then an outside force can come along and threaten nearly every aspect of that happy little place. It makes you realize one needs to be resourceful in this life, and when I understood the threat, my little brain went into overdrive. I really started questioning where I am right now and why I am here -- and where I want to be. And that is the crux of the biscuit, ladies and gentlemen. Where do I want to be? Why aren't I there?

And So. You gonna do something about it?

People who know me, know I usually get what I want. Not because I am lucky or "blessed" (ick), but because I work hard, dammit. That is the problem with deciding what I want, is realizing all the work that will go in to making that a reality.

And I got some work to do.

For a busy person, I sure don't have much to say.

So somehow another month has passed.

I am constantly busy but feel like I don't have anything to say here.

Yesterday was jump group. Kip is getting to be more solid and I have to up my game to keep up with him. When we were first learning to jump, I was not certain he would go over the jump, and if he did, how big he would jump. this got me in the habit of coming forward very far out of the tack. Well now he is reliably going over, so I need to sit back and drive him to the base of the jump. Believe in the deep spot, as Anne says. Jump group is always exhilarating, and I want to go again the minute I get done. Today I am planning on setting up a teardrop shaped gymnastic, to practice bending lines and turning.

Carolyn's Oscar party was super fun but my tiara kept digging in to my head. I don't think real princesses have that to contend with.

Jay's sisiter Katie is having a baby and the shower is Saturday.

I have the King County Bar Assoc. 5K scheduled for Sunday March 4th

Then on the 13th another 5k, Cove to Clover -- this one "the hardest in Seattle" --Beers withe Jay, Scott and Carolyn afterwards. Doesn't sound too hard to me.

Speaking of which, I need to go run.

Dates and Numbers

It is hard to post after one like that last one, about the passing of our dear King dog. I have come here and tried to compose a post but did not have the heart to push that post down the page.

But time marches on. Dammit.

I have had a couple of significant things happen, the first being new number on the scale. Now mind you this is not my "official" weight, what I weigh at meetings on Tuesdays. That weight is fully clothed and with shoes on. No, this new number occurred during my daily "NW" as I think of it -- my "nekkidweight". I weigh myself first thing in the morning every morning and write it on a calendar. That way I can see at a glance if I am trending upwards or staying the same or losing (!!). I know, started this paragraph talking about a new number and that number is...2. It's real significance is its position sitting snugly in the tens column of the weight I wrote down. Ok, I will just come out and say I have broken the 120's!! Granted the number after the 2 was a 9 but WOW! to see that was extraordinary. That was Friday, and I have gained a pound over the weekend, but still.

The other thing is my trainer and I were talking, and she said that if I did a couple of unrecognized events and horse trials, it is entirely possible I could be ready to ride in the Aspen Farms Horse Trials over Labor Day weekend. Finally, a goal. And a totally attainable one at that. I do still have the problem of being without a truck and trailer. That really makes things much harder to get to. I am at the mercy of others in my barn going to Unrecs, and I am not sure anyone is going to do that. They are all busy going to the recognized shows. I need to figure out a way to get mobile. Humm. Regardless, I am looking forward to tonight's ride.

And tomorrow's weigh in.

Taking Care

Kingdog
Originally uploaded by yvettef.

So, there is nothing like huburis

My last post was all about how great everything was, and now the fickle Fates have slapped me right back in to my place.

Our dear dog, King went sick last Saturday evening. I was thinking of turning in, and Scott came into the room and told me King was acting sick. Sure enough, he was panting heavily, and in obvious distress. Was it Bloat? Heart failure? Pain from his hips? He was 94 in people years, so it could be anything. We spent an anxious night, hoping for a morning miracle. It was not to be.

We took him to the emergency vet on Sunday morning, and nearly four hours, an MRI and many x-rays later, we had a diagnosis of right mid-lobe pneumonia. We were sent home with antibiotics and a directive to take him to our regurlar vet by Wednesday. We ran the humidifyer 24/7, gave him a pill melenge -- but he was not eating or drinking very well, by the time Scott took him in on Wednesday. Our great vet, Dr. Heino, had chosen this time to retire, and pass his practice on to other vets - and Scott was not impressed with them. But they gave us anti-nausea pills, so we could get him to eat, so he could continue with the antibiotics. King had a little rally, and he and Scott were able to go for a walk around the block, something both of them enjoyed very much; King with the added pleasure of sniffing and peeing on things.

By Friday morning, He wasn't eating though, and again very distressed and uncomfortable. He asked Scott to put him on the bed, and we did so -- I was happy to move to the couch, becuase there simply is not enough room for two people and a 110 pound dog on our bed -- and I knew dear King needed some comfort. We took him back to the emergency vet, because they were great when we took him in before, and we needed advice from people we liked and trusted. They were great, and quickly made room in Dr. Cuthbert's schedule, so we could be seen right away.

Again waiting in the exam room, we waited for the x-rays, blood work and what ever else they needed to do to find out what was causing King's distress. When the news was delivered, Dr. Cuthbert told us that the pneumonia was clearing up nicely, but that he found a tumor high up in King's intestine, and he had peritonitis. Our path was clear, King needed us to take care of him one more time, to make sure his suffering did not continue, and to help him on to his next journey.

He passed away quietly and with dignity, with the people he loved there with him.

Good dog. You are missed.

Hello 2011

I have to admit, 2010 was a great year for me. I feel kind of bad, because it was really terrible for so many. But I worked hard, and things turned out well. I know hard work won't fend off cancer, or make mean people suck less, but it can do some things.

I started the year with a very handsome gelding who I was trying to bring along, and if sheer force of will were all it took, he'd be a grand prix jumper by now. But he was not interested in work, and he took a very scary fall giving me a mild concussion. Alas, he had to go back to his owner, and I needed to look for a new horse.

I was determined to get the right partner, come hell or high water. I had had two horses who

were unsuited for eventing, and dammit, I was going to get one who wanted to jump and was not crazy. Other people had found such critters, and I would too. However, I did come into this process with some prejudices. One was no Chestnuts. I know, no good horse is a bad color, but come on. Most Chestnuts out there that are not TB are a failed experiment in Spots. Then there is the red-headed reputation -- that they are dingy and hot. I just wanted a nice bay gelding, chrome totally optional. You can tell the way this story is going, that I found a Chestnut, can't you? I could not have found a more perfect eventing partner, Kip! He is perfect and I just love him and we have such an amazing partnership that grows with every ride. Words cant express his fantasticness.

I also got a handle on my weight this year. I kept hearing ( and telling myself) that women just gain weight as they get older, that at least it was only a couple of pounds a year, and that I ate very healthfully - and I did too. But I also ate what and how ever much I wanted. In August I joined Weight Watchers. I was very skeptical, but I was at a point of desperation, with the scale registering a unacceptable number, and I was terribly depressed and felt horrible in my own body. I have to say with the zealotry of the converted, WW is awesome. It has taught me how to eat, what portions are, what really makes me gain and loose weight. And I have lost weight while not being hungry, I have kept going out and to parties the whole time. So far I have lost 20 pounds, and have four to go to make Lifetime. These last four are the hard ones, which brings me to the next awesome thing that happened in 2010:

Running. With the weight loss, I suddenly found myself able to run

again. Before, my knees and shins just couldn't take it, and I would get terrible shin splints even at the slowest pace. But I am happy to report I have trained for and completed my first 5K, the Resolution Run. I finished in 42:01, with a pace of 13:33. Not bad! I have signed up for the Big Backyard 5K in May. The Resolution Run was so fun, especially because I did it with one of my very best friends. The best part was just hanging out with her.

I also finally stopped biting my nails. Jeeze so disgusting.

I am looking forward to 2011, there are so many exciting things on the horizon: the first showing season with my wonderful horse, new 5Ks to conquer, projects to knit, sew and paint and a few other exciting things that might happen, but I don't want to jinx it.

I hope to complete an Event, get a truck and trailer, to weigh what I did in High School and get some landscaping done on the spare lot. I don't know if those things qualify as resolutions, but there it is.

5k

So I have signed up for a 5K, the Resolution Run and it is happening tomorrow. I am fully expecting I may be walking for most of it, but I am going to try my hardest. I will walk for 30 seconds then run for 60 ... that is my strategy right now.

Frankly at this point I am most worried about parking at the event. Two thousand people have signed up for this thing.

My WW leader has given me my 5k charm already, so I won't be tempted to back out. I have left it in its plastic until I actually complete the run. She's going to be there too - participating in the Polar Bear Plunge part. I will not be doing that. No.

There is Chili and a Beergarden at the end of the race. That part I am doing.

Every ride I try to ride my best. I don't always achieve this, and it is hard not to beat myself up when I am just not feeling strong or sharp or what ever it is that I feel I am lacking. Because it is not just for me. I have an obligation, a responsibility to Kip. Sure, I train Kip so I will have a great partner to help me live out my dream of Eventing, but more importantly, I train him to give him the very best chance he can have in this world. A smart, willing, trained horse will pretty much always be able to find a home, no matter what happens to me. So every ride I try to build my skill level, because Kip sure as heck is building his -- He is better every single ride. It is really amazing. In my lesson last night, I was expressing my frustration with myself for not always supporting him with my leg to get that nice, bouncy canter to the fence. I guess I was being kind of hard on myself, because my trainer said that I had done an extremely good job with Kip, that I had not taken one misstep in his training, and that his amazing progress was because I was a good rider. I almost burst into tears.

Every morning I re-pledge my self to sticking to my WW points allowance, and getting some exercise. And every day it is really a struggle. News flash, I know. This last week has been a complete over-points-fest, with Crush dinner, my birthday, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving leftovers, and then my birthday again. (Thanks Stitchers!)

Today another Yoga session starts, and I have a riding lesson -- so there are some activity points. But sheesh - I have gained weight this week and it is totally demoralizing. But, today is another day, and I will stay within my 29 points today. That is my pledge. Just for today. I can do that.

Kip seems to get better every ride, with no help from me. This guy is so smart, it is scary.

Our lessons have been gymnastics for the last month or so -- with winter setting in, keeping rides interesting is hard. Our lesson last night was extra fun. We have been working on transitions in between jumps. So we started with 18" cavaletti 3 canter strides apart. The exercise is come in (straight) at a trot, land, transition to a walk, and then hop out. Then Canter in, trot transition, hop out; third, canter the whole thing. The key to this exercise is for me to SIT UP for heaven's sake. It's eighteen inches after all, no need for a crest release.

Add to that a bounce. So, enter canter, cavaletti, three strides, cavaletti, land on left lead, sharp left, 2' bounce. (that is an in-and-out with no stride in between) . That was cake, Kip is super catty and snapped his feet up nice and tight through the bounce. Add to that - land on right lead, right turn, down the long side (Keep that canter forward and bouncy) sharp right to cross-bar on the diagonal, land in left lead, down the long side, left turn over another cross bar.

That is a lot of thinking. One of the challenges of a smart horse is they have opinions about what they want to jump and in what order. Kip "locks on" to any jump we have even the barest line to, and I have a hard time convincing him that that is not, in fact, our jump. So I need to get a lot more precise in seeing the line. Something I have not been really great at in the past. Part of this is sitting up, and going deep into the corners. Since most of my past experience is with Jumpers, I am used to cutting those corners, and jumping out of a bending line, taking the fence where ever will get me closer to my next fence. Two problems with that are, Kip is green and still figuring out where his feet go, so he needs to come in nice and straight; and I am not riding Jumpers, and that is not how you ride Stadium. Old habits, and all that.

This week's lesson: SIT UP. Put on your leg, and support that canter.

Our first dressage show

This weekend was rather eventful.

Kip and I went to our first horseshow. It was at Donida and was a Dressage Schooling show.

Heidi and I are both Anxious Annies, so we left the barn at 9 am for the 30 minute drive to Donida. My first ride was not until 12:22. We really wanted to get there with pleanty of time, I guess. We found our stalls, and unloaded the horses and our stuff.

We got our numbers, I was 94, and Heidi 66. We got the lay of the land, brushed our horses, hung out a bit and before you knew it, it was time for me to tack up for warmup. This took longer than I wanted it to, but I was the first ride after lunch, so I could warmup in the ring we were taking our test in. Kip was great, very interested and looking around, but never feeing that "OMG I am going to EXPLODE" thing that Imax did. All of the time. Kip was distracted but I could not have asked for better behavior. He was a doll.

Anyway, the bell rang and my first ride was on. Kip was above the bit the whole time, and on the forehand, but he did great. Some comments from movements in our first test:

The good:

Nicely forward

fairly straight

square halt

The not as good:

looses contact, out of balance

fall into trot

could use more prep into transisitons

looses rythm

Then in further remarks:

Left lead canter looses rythm.

Elegant pair, Work to develop constant rounder connection to the bridle and better preparation into and out of canter, especially transition to trot.

That is exactly the comments I would make as the rider. I think the judge nailed our ride exactly.

Second ride was 20 minutes later. It was much better, except I did not prepare him sufficiently for the left canter, knew I was not preparing correctly, psyched myself out, and sure enough, cross-fired and did not get the canter in the corner.

The video

Some remarks

The good:

Active haunches and swing

balanced trot, fairly active and connected

smooth active medium walk

The bad:

hollow unbalanced on left canter

Needs better prep

almost no stretch shown in free walk (that one hurts - Kip has a great free walk at home!)

Final comments:

Lots of potential, can do more to engage from hind legs so that back comes up more and horse reaches more to bridle.

Again, totally fair. The judge was right on in all her comments to me.

So, Victory! The first show down, and Kip proved himself to be steady, sane and perfect. We cam in 6th and 7th in our class of eleven. Not too shabby.

This week has been so long, how is it there is still one day to go?

I was so excited to go to dinner and then on the artwalk with Scott last night that yesterday totally felt like Friday.

But alas, it was not and I still have an entire day to get through before the show tomorrow. I am very excited and not nervous at all, at least yet. I figure there is nothing to get nervous about as there is nothing at stake. Exactly what a schooling show is supposed to be.

I have done exactly zero to prepare for this. I still have to clean my saddle, bridle and boots, launder the breeches and jacket I am going to wear, pack my show kit, go shopping for food (no concession stand at this show -- which is fine because all they sell is crap anyway). Not to mention Kip will be a dirtball with his shaggy coat and love of rolling on to his back and grinding the dirt in from his poll to his dock. Oh, andt he also has rain scald. I have laundered my saddle pad, so that is something.

Oh well, what ever I get done will be done. I am just really looking forward to the ride. Fun!!

First Show - preparation.

Another excellent lesson last night. We primarily worked on transitions with poles and fences. Trot pole, halt. Trot 2-3 steps, jump. We are learning ride to the base, pat the ground, rock back, snappy little jump. Kip of course is getting is quickly. We also rode our dressage test.

Kip and I are going to our first show on Saturday, the Dressage Schooling show at Donida. We are going to be doing Training Level 1 - twice. So my ride times are 12:22 and 12:46. My number is 94. Numerologically speaking, that is "4" which is a practical and organized number. I am good with that. (For an atheist, I am so superstitious. Embarrassing.)

Our goal at this show is just to have fun. Kip is going to be very distracted, and i am sure the judge's stand is going to be very scary. But I am just going to ride, what ever horse I have and have a good time.

Since our ride times are late, I am hoping we can get there with plenty of time to settle in, and have a good look around before warming up and riding. Heidi, who is going with me rides at 1:52 and 2:56, so we won't be leaving until after her scores are posted and tests released, so I am thinking around 4:00 probably.

Training Level 1 test:

Enter at A brisk trot
halt at X, salute
Track Right at C
At E circle
between K and A, Right Canter
Circle at B
Between X and B, Trot
at C, Medium walk
HXF free walk
at F medium walk
Trot at A
at E Circle
between H and C Canter left lead
at B circle
Between X and B, trot
At A turn down the centerline
at X halt, salute.

Halloween Jumper Group

Wow. That was so much fun, I just want to go back and do it all over again.

Kip and I attended the first Jump Group this fall, our first ever. Kip was just amazing.

I was prepared for him to be more focused on the other horses in the arena, and generally mischievous to begin with -- but right away, he settled in to work. He listened to me very well the entire day.

There were horse and rider combinations, all in the indoor - so it was crowded. The highlight of the whole thing to me was we jumped a course of eleven jumps. And he did it willingly and with very little "green horse looky-loo-ism" (there's a term for 'ya) . There were many kinds of jumps he'd never seen before, and sometimes on the first pass, he'd be crooked, but he learned so fast that usually the second time around, he was jumping it like an old pro. Many people commented on how great he is doing, and how cute he is. He is really cute.

As a bonus, Heidi asked me to go to a dressage schooling show with her next saturday. We are so ready. I am once again expecing him to shy at everything. Then if he doesn't I will be pleasantly surprised.

Wednesday was a rough lesson.

First, I had not ridden in a week, due to crush. Kip was totally scattered, blasting through my leg, trotting like a sewing machine, rooting, running me into walls and generally doing his best to ignore me. I admit I did let myself get frustrated. It did not help that Anne was having a frustrating day too, and really laid in to me about Smartpaks. It is a long and boring story, not worth going in to here, except to say that she harangued a little too long, well after I got the point -- NO SMARTPAKS. Alright already.

We decided to work in the indoor because Kip was being such a twerp. We had to get him listening. To improve the canter-trot transition, I need to ask on a turn -- a very definite turn, not a drift. He is still rough, but by the end of the evening, improving.

We also had 2 cavaleti 9' apart, at X -- Canter at B, turn at A (Look early!! look at P!) steady the canter, support with the outside leg, bring both hands to the right; canter the cavaletti, opening rein to the right to land on the right lead, turn to M, repeat.

He rushes this exercise so by the time we are over the second cavaleti, he's going Mach 5 into the turn. I need to sit up, NOT lean forward, and let him find his feet. He'll figure out it is easier if he goes more slowly.

Anyway this is the homework for the week.

And Jumper Group is Sunday -- So excited! squeek!

Post Crush weekend weigh-in

This was Crush weekend and I told myself I could eat what ever I felt like eating. I did not want to make this about any thing other than enjoying this experience.

Thing was, that I did not want very much. My first meal on the road with the "new rules" in effect, I ate an entire garden burger. It was really mediocre at best, but I scarfed it down anyway. At least I ordered the side salad with it, and ate all of that too. I also had 10 sweet potato fries from Scott's plate. I was miserable for the rest of the day afterwards. I think I learned my lesson.

At the Hightowers, I still had plenty of cheese and potatoes and gnocci and cookies and, well WINE (so good), but did not over-eat again.

We worked really hard this weekend, processing a record amount of tonnage (I can't remember the actual amount, of course). So I was very active from 10 am until 9:00pm. That burned some calories, lemmie tell you. I also tore the crap out of my fingers - that has never happened before, and is no fun. Next year I will have to take precautions.

On the drive home we took HWY 410, and it snowed. It was very pretty, and a fun adventure. We had to put the chains on for about ten miles, but that went pretty easily and we made it just fine.

So the upshot of all of this is, I gained .4 pounds. My total so far is 14.4 pounds.

New rooster

100_3993
Originally uploaded by yvettef.

Scott and I left to catch the new light rail train to the airport at 4:30am on Monday. The train took us right to the parking garage at Seatac, and we went to our gate. We had a little confusion with getting boarding passes, because for some reason if you are traveling to the Carribean

Scott and i went to Belize for christmas and new year's - we had a fantasic time and are very tan.

We took the train in to SeaTac airport , and it worked like a charm, getting us there with just the right amout to time to check in & go through TSA. I totally recommend it when you go to the airport., works like a charm.

We arrived in Belize City and took a prop plane down to Placencia. Placencia is a 13 mile long peninsula, with a mangrove lagoon on one side and the best beach in Belize on the other. White sands and sloping shore, with not too much turtle grass.

We went on some tours, to Cockscomb National Park (Jaguar preserve) where we had a jungle walk with a wonderful Mayan man named Bascillo, who showed us what we could eat ( including termites - tastes like carrots!) drink, and use medicinally in the jungle. Fascinating. Then we floated on tubes down the river back through the jungle.

We also visited Xunantunich, Mayan ruins that you reach by a hand-cranked ferry. Besides the ruins we saw an actual boa constrictor slithering through the jungle, that then slithered up a tree when it got tired of us staring at it. We saw a spider monkey and howler monkeys, too. The ruins were stunning, see my flicker site for more photos than you will ever want to see.

We went snorkeling to the outer Cayes twice, to the Silk Cayes and one inner Caye I am forgetting the name of. It was amazing - we saw tons of blue tang, yellow tang, butterfly fish, huge schools of parrot fish,damsel fish etc, etc-- most exciting was the nurse shark, the eagle rays, sting rays bat rays, trunk fish, grey angel fish , stoplight parrot fish...obviously I could go on and on. The corals we beautiful too.

Weather for the first week was mostly sunny, and the second week was pretty rainy. We made the most of it though, and the second the sun came out, we were back on the beach. Scott didn't wait for the sun, and spent time swimming and snorkeling even in the rain.

This has been a very dry description of a fantastic and exciting trip. See my flickr site for more photos than you can shake a stick at. I will be organizing them later, right now they are just kind of there in a pile.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yvettef/sets/72157623021996133/