This and That

A quick update on miscellaneous stuff:

Cruz at Boot Camp:
I picked a bad month to start this, things have been more busy than expected.  But what little time I have devoted to Cruz's training these past 2 weeks has been very encouraging and regardless of how far we get over the next 2 weeks, its a good starting point.  It has taught me to take control of his training rather than wait around for someone to hold my hand.

He follows a fairly predictable pattern at each lesson: nervous and poopy (which is a nervous thing), then come the sillies (typical young horse stuff) and finally focus and calm.  The cycle through steps 1 and 2 goes quicker with each lesson and then we get down to some real learning in step 3. I can't wait to be able to ride him, he has such a lovely floaty trot and lope and when he's calm he is VERY calm!  I admit to having buyers remorse this fall when I felt like I was in over my head and suspected some conformation and hoof issues. But I think I have found the right trainer to help with the training challenges, a good equine chiropractor/massage practitioner and a fantastic farrier. I'm feeling like Cruz and I have a promising future.

Cash:
He's just hanging out in the pasture with his old friend and temporary companion, Buck. I've enjoyed having Buck, he's just such a nice horse to have around.  I have made some good progress with Cash too.  He no longer plays the "you can't catch me!" game and he does not need to be haltered every time I do something with him (pick out the ice packs under his hooves, blanket/unblanket, grooming after a good roll in the mud.)  The boys are learning that the white bucket usually contains oats (their fave!) so when they see/hear the white bucket they come running (which means I don't have to trudge out across the coulee to get them!)  I believe that when I start riding lessons on him again (hopefully after Christmas!) it won't take long for us to be a solid team.  My goal with him is to pass the search and rescue certification this coming summer and I'm feeling like that's totally achievable.

Its not so easy to take pictures of Cash, he's very intrigued by the phone/camera!




Kitty and The Dawgs:
Just the usual routine for my other four-legged friends. Kitty lays around all day and snuggles with me on the bed all night.  Pretty easy life!  The dawgs don't get as much outdoor time as they'd like because of the cold weather a few weeks ago and they get snakey being inside all the time.  I am starting to think that Lilly will never grow up (she's almost 2 and still a nut case!)  She seems to think that hiding under the desk with the spoils of her counter surfing expedition will save her from a spanking ... which worked in a way, instead of reprimanding her, I took a picture.



This is her best attempt at using cuteness to feign innocence.  Sometimes that works too, how can you be mad at a face like that?! (I know, I'm a push over.)



Selah Singers:
I joined this choir this fall along with my niece.  She has been a vocal student of the choir director, Ralph Browne, for a few years now, an extremely talented teacher and musician.  We had our Christmas performances this weekend and all in all, everything worked out well.  I hope to continue on with that (if they will allow it haha!)  I will try to post a video of this weekend's performance at a later date (not yet available) but in the mean time, here is a You Tube clip of the Selah Singers from a couple years ago (before I joined) ...

http://youtu.be/rCfJpq8GMPA

Twitter:
Yesterday was my "Twitterversary" ... apparently.  I received an email about that so I guess it must be true.  I have tinkered around on Twitter a little bit (see the sidebar for my Tweets ... all four of them haha).  It seems like a useful tool for many things and one of these days I will really get down to figgering out how it works.

Volleyball:
This fall I joined a new recreational ladies volleyball team.  I played beach doubles this summer with my niece and it rekindled my love for that game, both indoor and beach.  I used to play several times a week and occasionally I got the chance to play with some high-ish caliber teams (ex-college players, co-ed and ladies).  I was no superstar "back in the day" but I could hold my own.  I had a ranking on the AVA tour one summer ... albeit a very very very low one!

The good news is that with this new team, I get to play every week rather than just the occasional call to sub for other teams.  And we are friendly, drama-free bunch.  The bad news is that (rant alert) this team is VERY recreational, very non-competitive, very ... frustrating.  The most frustrating part is that when I play "hack" ball, I myself play like a hack ... grrrr!  I joined up with realistic expectations so I'm not exactly surprised that its nowhere near the level of competition and intensity that I used play (and would like to play again!)  We are improving as a team and I keep my feelings to myself, just focus on my own skills and roll with the punches whether we win or lose ... but some nights I am just not having fun. *sigh*