Hope Therapy Benefit Show

On Saturday Sept 26th, (yes I know I'm behind) the First Coast Hunter Jumper Association held their annual show and silent auction and all proceeds went to Hope Therapy. Three of the patients from Hope Therapy were able to participate in a demonstration class. The girls had to show the judge how they steer the horse around cones and played a ring toss game. The judge was so sweet and gave each participant a first place ribbon and trophy. It was really cool to see how our patients were so excited to be apart of the show.

There are also pictures from other random riders during flat classes and jumping; which I use to do both as a kid. A flat class is where they walk, trot, canter and jumping is just that - horse and rider jumping. Being at this show just makes me miss that part of my childhood so much more. Maybe one day it will be something I can do again; after all several participants in the show were over age 55.... so there is hope for me yet.

Hope Therapy patients in the demonstration class.

They were to demonstrate to the judge two of the things we do during our therapy sessions.

Regular flat class - walk/trot/canter with random riders

Jumping....my favorite sport

I think she read my thoughts.......

Do you ever feel like a post was written specifically for you? Well that's how I feel this morning after reading a post written by Beth Moore. If you have time it's a good read. Even if it's not something you are currently facing; I know it's something we've all faced in the past and is sure to come up in the future.

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2009/09/just-one-word.html

Bailey's Thoughts on New Carpet

**For the record no animals very physically or emotionally hurt during this story**

The Culprit:

Michael and I have been talking for awhile now about putting new carpet in the back three bedrooms. Either that or put down the extra laminate flooring we have. I almost prefer carpet because I'd like to keep those three rooms warm and inviting. The carpet in there now is builders grade, cheapo stuff that was here when we purchased the house in 2005. So it's time for some new stuff.

Well Bailey, the ever so smart dog of ours, has apparently been listening to our conversations and decided that while our sweet innocent dog sitter, Sarah was here while we were in NY, took it upon herself to help pull up the carpet in the front bedroom.

Or was it because she was being a brat and got mad about being locked in her kennel, only to break out of her kennel (because the latch is broken), then somehow manage to shut the door on herself, and proceeded to dig her way out by pulling back the carpet and eating the padding. What dog does that I ask you?? Oh yeah MINE!

Look maw no padding...

While I'm not surprised she managed to break out because she's done it a time or two before since that latch is busted. I am shocked she ate the carpet padding. She hasn't acted that way since she was a puppy and she'll be 5 yrs old next month. She can be a destructive little monster when she gets mad though - just ask my window sill and the corners of my baseboards. The vet says it is because of the Husky in her, they don't like being left alone, I say it's because she's a ........

This destructive, evil behavior all started the morning we left. It was 4:50 AM on Thursday morning, I woke up 30 minutes late but somehow managed to only be 10 minutes behind schedule in leaving for the airport when Bailey decided she was NOT going in her kennel. Michael and I chased her around the house for like 10 minutes. He tried getting her in and all she did was bark and run away. Or she crouches down low and when you grab her collar to pull her in she yelps like you are hurting her. That way when you release her she runs away again.... ohhhh she's a beast! He has no patience for this kind of behavior and told me I could get in her. So I sweet talked her at first, then yelled, then sweet talked again and even tried getting her in there with her cookie, to which she snuffed. Finally, victory! I was able to get her in only to turn around and watch her put her furry little paws on the kennel door and kick it open. You little %^&$# I said sternly.... get in your kennel. She barked at me as if she was telling me no.

What is your deal crazy? I asked her sternly.

She barked as if to tell me she was not going in her kennel because she likes being out.

Again sternly I tell her - Bailey in your kennel now; it is too stinking early in the morning for this garbage.

She barked again telling me she's not going in and no way I can make her and it's too early to be locked up...

Okay fine - Michael you deal with her. I'm not quite sure what happened in there that day. But all I could here was yelling, barking, her squeal, and then her kennel door being shut and pushed tightly into place, and her kicking at her water and food bowl. He comes storming out and says get in the car, lets go. I never did ask what happened - I don't think I want to know.

Then I felt even more bad because I had to ask my mom to come over and let them out mid day so they weren't locked up for 14 hours. And Bailey of course pulled the same thing with my mom - she hid behind the elliptical, barked, and ran around in circles... LOL My mom has raised 5 children so she has the patience for this stuff. She was smarter than we were though and shut the bedroom door and just sweet talked her little face off until Bailey ran into her kennel....

Then apparently after all of that she pulled the same stuff on Sarah but turned destructive when she escaped. All I could do was laugh because that's my dog. But I felt so bad for Sarah having to deal with it.... I hope she comes back.

I don't know if you can tell in this picture or not but the front entrance has no padding - from the top of the picture to the bottom where my cat decided to lay has zero padding! As in it's all cold, hard concrete.

While on my trip I kept thinking what on earth has gotten into this crazy dog? She has never acted like this when told to get in her kennel. She is normally the one that goes right in and lays down waiting for her cookie. It's Greta that has to be coxed in. Then it hit me, I've been working at home more or when we leave to run errands we've been leaving them out. So it's been a long time since she's had to get locked up. She's just going to have to get over that though and learn to go back in.

But now it's my turn to show her in the Savery ghetto fabulous style. I'm trusting the bungee cord to keep her in... I apparently have a lot of trust in that tough little elastic band. Notice she's already smelling it figuring out this little contraption I hope keeps her in. You can see it in her eyes, that the wheels are already turning.

So now with the entrance into the bedroom missing the padding it's left us at an interesting crossroad. Do we finish ripping it up and put down laminate in the one bedroom? Which I'm not a fan of personally. Or do we live ghetto style for awhile until we can save the money for new carpet in all three bedrooms? Or do we start shopping around now for new carpet? Decisions that I'm sure will take us months to make.

New York

For Labor Day weekend we took a trip to see Michael's parents in NY. We could not have asked for better weather while we were there. It was in the 70's most of the trip with blue skies and just beautiful. I can't wait for that fall like weather here in FL.

We managed to squeeze in a lot of activities while we were there but one of the highlights of the trip was going to see a Mets/Cubs game (Go Cubs) on Friday night. Even though the Cubs lost the Mets new stadium, Citi Field is extremely nice. We arrived 2 hours before the game started so we could walk around to see all the new shops and watch the guys practice.

Below are pictures from Friday night's baseball game. I apparently need photography lessons because more than half of my pictures came out blurry - UGH! These were the only ones that made it.

So mom if you are reading this.... for Christmas I need photography classes, please and thank you!

Practice time...

Our seats - notice we are once section away from nose bleed. Guess that puts us in the pre-nose bleed section

Apparently it is his tradition that every time I take his picture his gives me the finger... You wonder why I don't post vacation pictures; it's because this is how they would turn out. Or maybe it is because we don't go on any vacations...

Who could pass up an opportunity to not take a picture of this sign.... Oh, you say you could... Well I couldn't.

NY City Skyline during the game.

All Banged Up

I'm sure there are some things I should keep to myself - but why start now. I started riding again and had another lesson on August 30th. Apparently when I was dismounting I banged my stomach on the saddle and the result was a nasty bruise. Which is still here a week and a half later - only now it's yellow instead of bright purple. Just thought I'd share some of the grossness in my life.... you are welcome!

BooMama's DipTacular

In honor of BooMama's DipTacular post here are two dips made with cream cheese.

Rotel Dip

1 8 oz pkg of cream cheese
1 can of Rotel dip (I use mild because I'm a sissy)

1. Soften the cream cheese first
2. Melt the cream cheese over the stove in a sauce pan on med to med-low heat. Stirring frequently in order to prevent burning
3. Once the cream cheese has melted but not soupy, pour in the can of Rotel
4. Turn off heat and mix together and then pour in a serving bowl.
5. Put in the fridge for at least 2 hours for it to set. I've found that sometimes making it the night before the big event is better because it sets better. Or make first thing in the morning if your party is later that day. Or if you are like me and tend to forget or run behind you can put in the freezer for 30 minutes and then in the fridge for an hour or so to help speed up the process.

Serve with Tostito Chips

Cream Cheese Chili Dip (from my mother in law)

1 8 oz pkg of cream cheese
1 can of Hormel Chili - bean or no beans depending on your preference
1 block of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 block of Monterey Cheese (or a spicier white cheese if you prefer)
Black Olives
1 - 10 inch round pan (if you want a bigger plan like a 9 x13 then you'll need another block of cream cheese and another can of chili)

1. Soften the cream cheese first so that it's easy to mash down
2. Mash the cream cheese down into the bottom of the 10 inch round pan
3. Add the Hormel Chili to the top
4. Shred about half a bar of each block of cheese or if you like cheese (like me) you can use the full block if you like. Sprinkle the cheese on top
5. Add olives to the top - again the amount is based on if you like olives or not or you can leave them off if you don't. This dip is good either way
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and cook for 25 - 30 minutes depending on how your oven cooks. You want to make sure the inside of the dip is cooked but watch the cheese so it doesn't burn.

This is good with Frito's or Tostito Chips.

These are a hit at BBQ's, football parties, or can even be enjoyed when home alone and no one else is sticking their grubby little hands in.

Why Is It?

This is a result of me sitting in an airport for 3 1/2 hours. See what happens when I'm left alone for long periods of time watching people and have been up since 4:22 AM.

• Why is it when we are told we can't have something, we want it more?
• Why is it when we are told we can't do something, we want to do it that much more?
• Why is it when the flight attendant tells us there are plenty of seats on the plane, someone feels the need to sit on top of me.
• Why is it the pilot felt the need to tell us we had a warning light on but it should be okay. There is no need to tell us that... just keep it to yourself.
• Why is it we can't apologize quickly but we expect others to?
• Why is it that when we say hurtful words we can blow it off? But when others do it we hold grudges.
• Why is it that we seem to never be satisfied with where we are or who we are?
• Why is it that in our world of plenty, we never seem to have enough?
• Why is patience a virtue that most lack?
• Why is it hard to look a stranger in the eye and say hello, excuse me, thank you, or please? Manners people....manners
• Why is it the older I get the more nausea I experience while flying? Could it have something to do with the turbulence that made me feel like I was on the back of a bull.
• Why is it I can't figure out how to put a filter on my mouth?
• Why is it we struggle to find contentment - maybe that goes back to my question about never being satisfied.
• Why do we feel the need to control every aspect in our life, when in reality we have no control? Or maybe I'm the only one with this problem.
• Why is it every 5 minutes today at the airport an announcement had to come on telling people to use a tissue to sneeze into or cough into? Because most walk around with tissues handy...thats why I use my sleeve. It was also nice enough to tell us how to wash our hands. Did I mention I was there for 3 1/2 hours???
• Why is it I can't stop writing when I really have nothing of importance to say?

I think this blog makes me think I'm cooler than I am and gives me a chance to show how nerdy I am... LOL But if you people only really knew what else went through my mind you would be afraid............very afraid. I know I am 99% of the time.