We all know that in order to lead a well organized efficient life, one that leads us somewhere we want to be, we have to make plans. Plans encourage and motivate us much like goals do. But even the best laid plans can change.
In 2009 I was working for BLM in Norwood, CO, and in my off time I rode colts for a guy in Olathe. I'm not sure exactly what happened but after a treacherous day in the field with a very intense man(who didn't believe in catching your breath), I came up lame. My left knee was swollen, hurt and looked funny. I went to the doctor and he agreed I had injured it but physical therapy was about all we could do for it at that point. A couple weeks later I was riding a little cutting bred filly who had a major attitude. All was going well, we were about done when I asked her to lope one more time. I guess she figured she had worked hard enough. She started bucking, I rode her a little ways then came off. We were in a round pen with good footing, but she threw me into the wall and my right foot got hung up in the stirrup. Of course I got drug a little, but my knee got seriously tweaked. It was ok, if I kicked hard enough I could pop it back and it felt fine. That fall I started physical therapy and my knees started to feel better, and in fact they didn't bother me for 3 years.
Last winter/spring my left knee started to bother me. There's always something that hurts, so I half ignored it for several months. Until it got so bad that if I squatted down I could barely walk when I stood back up. It was a sharp, crippling pain. I began favoring it at work(cement floors in a butcher shop aren't user friendly), and my right knee started to swell and hurt as well. It was more of a dull throbbing pain that could be iced away. I saw a doctor several more times during the summer. She didn't really look at my knee just listened to the symptoms, and set me up with more PT. It was my cousin that worked on me, and no one in the clinic could figured out what was causing the pain. It was incredibly frustrating. I moved the end of September to start school again, and began PT up here. I went for 4 months and showed no real improvement. Clearly something was wrong.
Over Christmas break I saw my real doctor, she actually felt my knee and decided that much swelling at all times really wasn't normal, and gave me a referral to an Orthopedic. Finally! I saw the Orthopedist the day I came back here. I had already had x-rays and an MRI done on both knees. He messed around with my knees, tweaking them and twisting them, finally asking for another x-ray which they did in the office. I came back and in minutes he told me that my knee caps were tracking way outside and I had folded tissue in my joints. Wow, 1 appointment and I got an answer I'd been looking for, for 6 months. He ordered a special CT Scan that would show the degree of tilt in each knee at certain angles. Come to find out, my knee caps are severely tilted and surgery is required. The left one being the worse of the 2 which is so typical considering I signed off on the Workman's Comp case. Oh well, such is life.
The really big deal is that I have to have both knees operated on. Originally the plan was an arthroscopic surgery that loosened the tendons allowing my knee cap to float back to its original position. Only since I have the worst Irish luck, mine will be much more extensive. Involving slicing my leg open, re-attaching bones with screws and to top it off staples. Staples along at least a 6" incision! Each knee requires a 6 week Nothing period, with a 6 month recovery overall. Now when I say nothing, I mean I can't even drive myself! This is was pretty much just the most awful news I've had in quite awhile. Even worse than finding out my ex-fiance will be getting married while I'm going under the knife... Perfect, just perfect.
So rather than staying here and learning how to farm, and barrel racing for the summer, or going to OK to intern on a ranch(if I got it) I have to move home and do NOTHING all summer long! Just horrible! Not that I don't love my home and my parents, but I just moved from CA and I'm trying to go forth in life. This is definitely not the going forth I had in mind. I hate surgeries, I hate blood, staples, stitches, scars, braces everything medical!!! When I had my nose fixed I was barely clear headed from the anesthesia before I started dreading the day when the tubes had to come out. Really. So now, besides dreading these 2 awful very intrusive surgeries I'm freaking out about having the staples taken out. I mean that just can't feel pleasant.
So there ya go. My rant on my whole summer going from something great to something completely lame. Oh and lets not forget that surgery #1 will be taking place in June, with #2 being 6 weeks after that, that I won't be able to ride a horse again until 2014. I swear, my life is ruined as far as I can see for now... I'm terribly upset and freaked out. I have to drive 10 hours the middle of March to meet with the surgeon(who's like the best on the west coast) to finalize details and go over it all in great depth. Ugh, I'll probably pass out, just the thought of it all makes my toes curl.
Always remember, never take your today for granted because tomorrow could be something you never bargained for. Thanks for letting me get that all out :)
Xo Loves,
Me
Scorup Cabin
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Macie vs. Town Deer
This post was supposed to go out last week, but we had internet malfunctions and it didn't happen. This was also in lieu of a post I wanted to do on very old books I found in the basement of our University library. I am very proud of my little Macie, who is now 18 weeks. For those of you who don't know she's the grand-pup of my late Fanncie. So she has some big paws to fill, such as it were haha.
While I do live in town, we're on the outskirts kind of and we have a big lot, with an abandoned lot next door. It's not strange to have deer grazing around in the back yard, and they often times bed down in the back corner. Tonight was no different. I let Macie out and there were 5 Mule Deer outside. She sat on the edge of the porch barking her little fool head off, I was quite amused. The deer, the fawns in particular came wandering in wondering about the little white creature making noise. The fawn would move in, Macie would move back, and so it went. Finally this fawn came right up to the edge of the porch, and I thought she was going to step up on it! We've had bucks walk on it before. Macie was quite upset, she growled and moved around, not showing a ton of confidence but better than most. This was her first encounter with deer and I think she did quite well! So even though we live in town and she only sees horses every couple of days, she can still learn how to be a working dog.
XO Loves,
Me
While I do live in town, we're on the outskirts kind of and we have a big lot, with an abandoned lot next door. It's not strange to have deer grazing around in the back yard, and they often times bed down in the back corner. Tonight was no different. I let Macie out and there were 5 Mule Deer outside. She sat on the edge of the porch barking her little fool head off, I was quite amused. The deer, the fawns in particular came wandering in wondering about the little white creature making noise. The fawn would move in, Macie would move back, and so it went. Finally this fawn came right up to the edge of the porch, and I thought she was going to step up on it! We've had bucks walk on it before. Macie was quite upset, she growled and moved around, not showing a ton of confidence but better than most. This was her first encounter with deer and I think she did quite well! So even though we live in town and she only sees horses every couple of days, she can still learn how to be a working dog.
XO Loves,
Me
Monday, February 18, 2013
The Old Man
Ok, so I apologize for how long it's been since my last post! Our internet has been down for almost a week, but we got it back today! Here's a little story I wrote the other night for my papa and I thought I would share it with all of you. I'm not a poet, and this is just a story, not a poem, so don't judge as though it were. I hope you like it!
The Old Man
As the sun comes up a man and his horse are trotting out
Cold, clean air, dog padding silently along behind
Hes as familiar with these mountains as he is the cracks in his hands
He was here, his family was here, before the roads criss-crossed the land
The pale horse hadn't been raised there, but he was as sure as the man
It was just the 3 of them, raising little dust in their search
He knew they were near, the horse and dog smelled them, the man could hear them
Their pace quickened
Finally the brush rustled, patches of black could be seen
The dog slipped quietly into the brush
The horse pulled against the bit
The man waited
There was barking and bawling and the hillside came to life, bells clanking
The man checked the pale horse and slowly began moving the cows home
He knew his situation was special
Knew his was a luxury most never know
They'd all be hoof sore by the time they covered the 15 miles home
There are no corrals, holding pens or trailers
Just a lot of wild country in between
He doesn't know where or when they'll meet
Somewhere theres his uncle and daughter doing the same thing
The mans seasoned, his horse fit, the stocky red dog tough
Together they work, waiting for home
Like every year before...
XO Loves,
Me
The Old Man
As the sun comes up a man and his horse are trotting out
Cold, clean air, dog padding silently along behind
Hes as familiar with these mountains as he is the cracks in his hands
He was here, his family was here, before the roads criss-crossed the land
The pale horse hadn't been raised there, but he was as sure as the man
It was just the 3 of them, raising little dust in their search
He knew they were near, the horse and dog smelled them, the man could hear them
Their pace quickened
Finally the brush rustled, patches of black could be seen
The dog slipped quietly into the brush
The horse pulled against the bit
The man waited
There was barking and bawling and the hillside came to life, bells clanking
The man checked the pale horse and slowly began moving the cows home
He knew his situation was special
Knew his was a luxury most never know
They'd all be hoof sore by the time they covered the 15 miles home
There are no corrals, holding pens or trailers
Just a lot of wild country in between
He doesn't know where or when they'll meet
Somewhere theres his uncle and daughter doing the same thing
The mans seasoned, his horse fit, the stocky red dog tough
Together they work, waiting for home
Like every year before...
XO Loves,
Me
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A Little Less Stress
The other day my mama sent me an e-mail about stress management, and I found it extremely informational so I thought I'd share.
1 * Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!
2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
4 * Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker..
5 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague
6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
8 * Never buy a car you can't push.
9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
10 * Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
11 * Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.
13 * When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.
17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
19 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
20 *Save the earth..... It's the only planet with chocolate!*
And I'll end it with an Irish Blessing.
May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door...
XO Loves,
Me
1 * Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!
2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
4 * Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker..
5 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague
6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
8 * Never buy a car you can't push.
9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
10 * Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
11 * Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.
13 * When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.
17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
19 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
20 *Save the earth..... It's the only planet with chocolate!*
And I'll end it with an Irish Blessing.
May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door...
XO Loves,
Me
Monday, January 21, 2013
Self-Image
I meant to sit down today and do another post for my TB series, but someone said something the other night on a Facebook page that kind of offended me...
I was commenting on a thread about the difference between the types of cowboys throughout the country, when someone said something rude about a friend of mine. This friend is an Amazing person and I really look up to her. I spoke my peace on the matter, and the offender tried saying that's not who they were talking about, but the damage was already done. The comment really got me to thinking about self-image, and in particular that we all have our haters.
Self-image is something I have and do struggle with. I go back and forth from being semi-happy with myself to unsure and less than pleased. Being a woman I'm fairly certain I'm not alone here, but it is something I try to work on. I recently made a new friend who told me I'm totally awesome! Who doesn't like to hear that?! That one simple comment did a lot for my ego, which rarely makes an appearance in my personality. It made me think that maybe, just maybe I really am awesome. Every morning the alarm on my phone goes off and as I slide the dismiss button I read 'Wake up Gorgeous'. A constant reminder does wonders for your overall attitude. My wonderful roommate also wrote a little message on my shower wall, 'A smile completes any outfit'. Isn't that just so true? The way we carry ourselves and how we portray ourselves to others is really important. If we slunch, yes I said slunch(a hybrid of slouch and hunch) and act mousy or intimidated then that is what people will think of us. In order to be taken seriously one must exude power and confidence, even if you don't really feel that way inside. No matter the situation, you are what you make of it. So make the best of every one!
It doesn't really matter if we're Joe Schmoe down the road, the Queen of England or someone in between there will always be people who have something negative to say about us. Naysayers and haters are abundant in this world. I found a really great quote by Mark Twain: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that. But the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great".
So lift your chin up, square your shoulders and tackle the ne'er-do-wells in life with reckless abandon. Smile and say to yourself that it's all O.K. because, well, you're fabulous and that's all there is to it!
Xoxo Loves,
Me
I was commenting on a thread about the difference between the types of cowboys throughout the country, when someone said something rude about a friend of mine. This friend is an Amazing person and I really look up to her. I spoke my peace on the matter, and the offender tried saying that's not who they were talking about, but the damage was already done. The comment really got me to thinking about self-image, and in particular that we all have our haters.
Self-image is something I have and do struggle with. I go back and forth from being semi-happy with myself to unsure and less than pleased. Being a woman I'm fairly certain I'm not alone here, but it is something I try to work on. I recently made a new friend who told me I'm totally awesome! Who doesn't like to hear that?! That one simple comment did a lot for my ego, which rarely makes an appearance in my personality. It made me think that maybe, just maybe I really am awesome. Every morning the alarm on my phone goes off and as I slide the dismiss button I read 'Wake up Gorgeous'. A constant reminder does wonders for your overall attitude. My wonderful roommate also wrote a little message on my shower wall, 'A smile completes any outfit'. Isn't that just so true? The way we carry ourselves and how we portray ourselves to others is really important. If we slunch, yes I said slunch(a hybrid of slouch and hunch) and act mousy or intimidated then that is what people will think of us. In order to be taken seriously one must exude power and confidence, even if you don't really feel that way inside. No matter the situation, you are what you make of it. So make the best of every one!
It doesn't really matter if we're Joe Schmoe down the road, the Queen of England or someone in between there will always be people who have something negative to say about us. Naysayers and haters are abundant in this world. I found a really great quote by Mark Twain: "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that. But the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great".
So lift your chin up, square your shoulders and tackle the ne'er-do-wells in life with reckless abandon. Smile and say to yourself that it's all O.K. because, well, you're fabulous and that's all there is to it!
Xoxo Loves,
Me
Monday, January 14, 2013
Today I Will...
Today I will not wait for someone to come to my aid. I'm not helpless. Although help may come, I'm my own rescuer. My relationships will dramatically improve when I stop rescuing others and stop expecting others to rescue me.
Xo Loves,
Me
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The Pamplemousse, #1 in TB Series
Alright, so this guy has recently made a place for himself in my top favorites. I mentioned in my last post that I really want a foal out of him. His stud fee seems pretty steep, but in the racing world it's really not bad. Just another huge expenditure to save for! So here's some background on this huge odd colored stallion.
The Pamplemousse was born in April 2006 at Clarkland Farm in Kentucky. He's a 16.3 hh gray roan stallion by Kafwain-Comfort Zone, By Rubiano. The Pamplemousse broke his maiden at Hollywood Park on December 14, 2008, winning the San Rafael Stakes. He also won the Sham Stakes, a race which he led the entire way and won by six lengths. He ran five races, winning three and placing once. It was said by the media that "he is that rare thoroughbred with sharp speed and the ability to carry it over a distance of ground." The Pamplemousse was the odds-on favorite for the 2009 Santa Anita Derby, but was scratched the morning of the race due to a torn tendon. Trainer Julio Canani said, "The Pamplemousse had more raw ability than any horse I ever trained. Not only was he fast, but he could carry his speed a long way. I really believed he had Classic potential, it was a travesty that he never had a chance to prove it." This gorgeous big stud had some serious potential and was well favored for the run at the Triple Crown.
The show Jockeys is awesome, if you've never seen it, you should totally check it out! One of The Pomplemousse's owners Alex Solis Jr. is featured in an episode, and his jockey Alex Solis is one of the jockeys followed. The Pamplemousse returned to light training in June 2009, but didn't race again due to an ankle issue. He was retired from racing and turned out to stud at Tom and Nancy Clark's Rancho San Miguel near San Miguel, CA. Ownership was syndicated with a $10,000 buy in for forty shares and two free breeding's for the first two years. It was decided that a fifty mare book would be a good start for The Pamplemousse. Only twenty-two mares were bred to him in 2011. His first foal was a filly born at Rancho San Miguel on January 11, 2012 out of Broke the Slump. I tried, but couldn't find any pictures from his first foal crop.
The Pamplemousse was born in April 2006 at Clarkland Farm in Kentucky. He's a 16.3 hh gray roan stallion by Kafwain-Comfort Zone, By Rubiano. The Pamplemousse broke his maiden at Hollywood Park on December 14, 2008, winning the San Rafael Stakes. He also won the Sham Stakes, a race which he led the entire way and won by six lengths. He ran five races, winning three and placing once. It was said by the media that "he is that rare thoroughbred with sharp speed and the ability to carry it over a distance of ground." The Pamplemousse was the odds-on favorite for the 2009 Santa Anita Derby, but was scratched the morning of the race due to a torn tendon. Trainer Julio Canani said, "The Pamplemousse had more raw ability than any horse I ever trained. Not only was he fast, but he could carry his speed a long way. I really believed he had Classic potential, it was a travesty that he never had a chance to prove it." This gorgeous big stud had some serious potential and was well favored for the run at the Triple Crown.
The show Jockeys is awesome, if you've never seen it, you should totally check it out! One of The Pomplemousse's owners Alex Solis Jr. is featured in an episode, and his jockey Alex Solis is one of the jockeys followed. The Pamplemousse returned to light training in June 2009, but didn't race again due to an ankle issue. He was retired from racing and turned out to stud at Tom and Nancy Clark's Rancho San Miguel near San Miguel, CA. Ownership was syndicated with a $10,000 buy in for forty shares and two free breeding's for the first two years. It was decided that a fifty mare book would be a good start for The Pamplemousse. Only twenty-two mares were bred to him in 2011. His first foal was a filly born at Rancho San Miguel on January 11, 2012 out of Broke the Slump. I tried, but couldn't find any pictures from his first foal crop.
Here are some good thoroughbred links you might enjoy:
The Pamplemousse winning San Rafael Stakes
The Pamplemousse dominating the Sham Stakes
Xoxo Loves,
Me
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