Even Horses Love Christmas

Thought the horses would like a little extra treat for Christmas this year.

I crushed up a bunch of peppermints, cooked up a huge bowl of oat bran, and mixed in apples and carrots for a warm winter afternoon treat.

I think they liked it!

Winter Fun

It's so nice to not have a schedule full of stuff to do. Today was kind of warm (as warm as northwest Indiana gets in the winter anyway) so I decided I'd take the kiddos to a real sledding hill. We attempted this a few years ago, but Jade was too little and freaked right out the first time she catapulted down the hill. Needless to say, we didn't stay long that year. This year, however, was different. We stayed there for about an hour and had a great time. I successfully got a picture of us when we first got there wanting to get it out of the way should there be a galactic meltdown at any point.

There were a few near misses...


and a little friendly competition...


and all in all we had a fun time. I was asked when I launched myself into the shrubbery why I didn't steer... well, duh! Because I was too busy filming on the Blackberry to steer! We thwarted any major injury, despite a small collision with a 10 year old for me and a major collision with some other sledders for Jade - and the kids had a blast. This is definitely something we'll have to do again soon. Or maybe we'll just take them skiing. That is... if I survive my first ski trip (in who knows how many years) that is in the works...

Hooray for winter fun.

Taekwondo

Yesterday was the big belt test day at ATA. Jade was going for her orange belt and Vincent is looking to move to camoflauge (a pretty significant jump). I also participated, but there is no visual documentation of that (haha).

Everyone did a pretty good job. There were so many people there cheering and clapping it was a really stimulating environment. The kids did a great job concentrating on the job they had to do. Vincent got selected as "most improved" over the past 8 weeks - based not only on his Taekwondo skills but his attention, leadership, and behavior in class as well. Surprisingly, on an unrelated note, I also got a note from his teacher that he has really stepped up his behavior in his class over the past couple weeks. Worthy of an atta-boy of some sort I think...

Enjoy the videos and pictures from last night's festivities - and if you're going to watch the videos, I recommend muting your volume or turning it way down... just saying.

Thankful For... Dinner!

I thought I'd add that image to this post for all of you who feel the need to comment, "Awww, Bambi!"

But before you feel too bad for the pretty deer, consider the number of car/deer crashes that happen every year and the massive amount of property damage and personal injury they cause. Yes, I know, it's our "urban sprawl" that is pushing them into areas they don't usually inhabit... blah blah blah. Regardless of why they're there, they cause problems. On to the story.

Tonight was the kids (well, and really my) first experience with a venison roast. I've had deer brats (thanks Schnick) in the past, but I've never had just plain old deer. Luckily, this particular roast was completely prepared by someone other than me - as I have no idea how to make venison roast not taste gamey...

Another cool little factoid is that this was the preparer's first attempt at actually butchering said deer himself too. But that's a whole 'nuther story. Yoy.

So I told the kids what they were going to be eating, and surprisingly there was no protest. The thing sat in the crock pot for a good long time, and when it was dinner time, I was surprised at how lean and tender the meat was. The kids hesitatingly took their first bite, but after the first taste, devoured the entire plateful. I have to say, it was pretty darn good. I was pretty proud of them for being open minded and trying something new.

So not only was is so tasty, it was kind of cool to be eating wild game with some healthy fresh veggies on a cold and icy Thanksgiving Eve. And with Thanksgiving still being my favorite holiday, things are so just right. Cheers to warm and fuzzy feelings... :)

Fire Tower Expedition

Ever since we went camping last summer the kids have been gnawing at me to take them back to the campground to return to the fire tower there. When we went camping, it rained in the morning and brought out so many mosquitoes, I was pretty sure they'd just carry us away if we attempted anything resembling hiking and/or fire tower climbing.

So we bypassed the fire tower experience, much to the dismay of my company.

This weekend was probably one of the last of the nice ones we'll have for the year, so I decided to suit up and take the gang back today. We climbed to the top and back down not once, but twice. I'm pretty sure I about fell down the stairs the second time my legs were so weary from the 115 or so *very* steep stairs. Didn't help I had to carry Jade halfway down the first time either (sigh).

After the trek, we did some additional hiking, playground playing, and outhouse visiting (double sigh). But we all made it home alive, and I even got the boogers to cooperate long enough to get a couple of cute pics ;)

Ninjas

Vincent's been involved in Taekwando for about a year now. He's improved so much, and I've noticed a big improvement in his self confidence and behavior since he's started. His coordination and balance has improved too and he has good role models to look up to in his class. He's learning personal achievement, self discipline, perseverence, and the value of hard work for reward. Jade and I have spent many many hours watching him - and she's been asking for months to join too.

Today I let her, and she was stoked. She entered her first "Tiny Tigers" class full of gusto. She did so well and picked up on what she was supposed to do so quickly. She had great focus, followed the rules, and did a fantastic job. She was so tickled about her new uniform and how she did that she insisted on calling Auntie and Grandma right then and there to tell them about it before we could even leave for home.

Here's to hoping eventually I'll have two black belts, who can use the skills and values they're learning today to better themselves as adults (helps the resume too!)

Good job guys!

I Finally Did It...

It's a dream I've had for years and years - to own my own Harley. I almost did it when I got my job and moved back to Valparaiso, but apparently the stars weren't in line for me at that point. The motocycle got put on hold indefinitely. I went through periods of wishing I had one, to periods of being perfectly content that I didn't. I've seen friends get hurt on them, and I've seen friends have the time of their life on them. I've spent a considerable amount of time on the back of one this summer...

And then it happened.

I was passing the car lot in Demotte that always has more than a few Harley's for sale. I always turn my head and glance, and then something caught my eye. I saw this bike and instantly fell in love. I couldn't help but think about it all day, and after work, decided to stop and take a look. I figured it would be unaffordable, but I still had to check. Turns out it wasn't.

So today I became the proud owner of a 2009 Harley Davidson Super Glide Custom. And I'm elated.

Party Success

Well we pulled off the big 0-5 for Miss Jade this weekend. We had family and a lot of friends over to help celebrate and the kids had a ton of fun trashing my house playing and being perfect angels.

Jade cashed in big (way to go girl), I didn't even burn the cake (what 5 year old wants a home baked cake? *sigh), and everyone ate and laughed and had fun. Thanks to everyone who took time from their weekend to help us celebrate and make her day so much fun; Mom, Auntie, Mike, Rick, Combs, Baileys, Schnicks... and, Great, you were sorely missed -

Jade, you are getting so big and the things you do and say just crack us all up. I haven't quite figured out where you get your goofy attitude from just yet, or your sass, or your strong will... but it fits you well. You are so smart and so pretty and so outgoing and caring. We love you to pieces and hope that you had the bestest birthday ever!

<3, Mom

Blue

Hope you catch many tennis balls, take endless rides in the box truck, and enjoy friendly pats on your head from great grandpa... rest in peace good buddy.

Summa!

So lately I've spent some time on the back of a Harley. Both the four legged and the 2 wheeled type. I finally broke down and went out and got some stuff to actually ride safely - a helmet and some riding glasses...

We had a good time today at the dealership, looking and admiring what they had on the showroom floor. I took a particular liking to this one! Sedona Orange, a totally hot color...

None the less, I think I actually prefer being on the back as an accessory :)

Chicago

Awesome! That's all I'm gonna say about that!

Yeah Babe!

Hellooooo!!!!






The kids thinking they were gonna have a brush with stardom...


But this was as close as we got (his motorhome is the one with the door open behind the white van...)

So after I 1) got called out for work exactly 45 minutes before I was hoping to leave for the concert, and 2) finally made it home in a hurried haste and then got stuck in traffic moving only 1 mile in 1 hour... we made it to the Jason Aldean concert! *sigh

It probably was for the better though that we were fashionably late. We got there when the opening act had one song left to play before Aldean made his appearance. I think by the end of the "real" concert the kids were pretty much cashed and would have never made it had we been there an hour earlier.

I was able to get a few decent pics despite the folks' heads in front of me. The kids had a blast, singing and dancing and otherwise being cute. For "Big Green Tractor" Jade got to sit on my shoulders where she proceeded to sing every single word, much to the awe of those around us. Yes, we were a 3 man entertaining crew, as usual :)

After the concert in order to avoid sitting in traffic for another hour (oy!) we met up with a few guys from the Sheriff's Department who were working the concert area. We were gladly escorted to the bus area, where George and Steve did their best to convince Aldean's crew that he really needed to meet Vincent and Jade (well, me too... ) Unfortunately what is shown in these pictures is as close as we got to meeting anyone, but it was hilarious to watch Jade giddy in the thought that she was going to meet him. Vincent hung out at the gate with Matt while onlooking fans thought that Vincent was Aldean's son - too funny - and funnier is the fact that Vincent totally had them convinced he was.

When we finally decided to try and brave the outbound traffic, just before getting in the car, Jade bellows, "I love you Jason Aldean!" Good girl... me too!!!

Morning On The Farm

What a great morning! The sun is out and it looks like its going to be another hot one... time for a quick post...

I got up this morning and fed the horses. Vincent came out and started playing with the cats right away, and somehow everyone ended up in a tree out back. I got a chance to snap a couple of quick shots amidst all the action...

Holy Cow! That Was Fun!

Yesterday we had plans to grill out and go to the county fair... until I got a call from Rick at 2:15 that went something like this...

"Hey whatcha doin tonight?"
"Uh, I thought we were going out... grilling..."
"Well get over here now. We're going to see Brad Paisley and the bus is leaving in 45 minutes."

So I made record time (and that's no joke) getting ready and getting over to the house - we jumped on the party bus and were off to Chi town for the concert! We had a great time and hung out with some really cool friends. I think partially what added to the excitement was that I didn't even know where we were going until we were actually on our way there but I figured I was hanging out with a bunch of cops, what's the worst thing that can happen, right? (ha)

Darius Rucker opened the show and even that was awesome. Paisley played and played and we danced and danced to the point that I'm actually sore today from it. But anyway, if anyone was wondering why I disappeared off the planet for oh, 18 hours or so, thats what happened to me! Thanks everyone! I had a wonderful time! :)

Camping, Take One

Well we broke out the trailer for our maiden family camping trip - to a real campground - and had a great time. We just went local to save the miles, but enjoyed ourselves none the less. We brought Tori with us, which turned out to be a good thing because she was instrumental in getting the awning on the trailer out.

The campground was quiet, just a few other families there, but there were other kids so Vincent and Jade weren't totally bored. We were going to go to the fire tower this morning after breakfast, but it rained a good portion of the morning and the mosquitoes were awful once the rain cleared. We'll get back to do that next time perhaps. Last night was fabulous though, and the tv and DVD player in the camper turned out to be a nice relief. Gave me a little mom time alone by the fire - enjoying the cool air, twinkling stars, crickets singing, oh yeah, and an ice cold beer. Or two...

So here's to summer. Here's to good times with the kids. Here's to lovin livin. :)

What A Weekend

So I made a hasty decision to go ahead and go to the horse show on Sunday on, uh, Sunday morning. Got up Sunday morning feeling pretty good so I figured why not. Funny thing is the horse was no where near ready (no bath, no clipping... no... nothing, really) so I got him kind of presentable, loaded, and went.

I decided to get a little extra practice (since we weren't really there to be serious about it) and showed in the English and Western classes. He did great - we ended up with a 2nd in a class of 27 (!) and 1st in a class of 4 (not so stellar, but had a great ride none the less). The last class I think he'd just had it and was done. I disqualified myself with our not so subtle attitude adjustment, but at least he didn't get away with it. Better luck next time.

It was a hot day but I had good company. And it's always interesting to people watch at those things. The cold home brewed celebratory beer after the 1st place wasn't too bad either! I'm off for a few days with the kiddos because the sitter is on vacation, so I'm thinking after I get this place in order, I'm gonna pack them and the gear and hit the campground for a night.

Report to follow! This could be interesting!

I'm Taking A Day Off... Mostly

Last night I took the kiddos to the fireworks at Hebron. It was a pretty short, but it was a decent little show. Much longer and I think the kids would've probably melted down right there. In all my brilliance, I didn't take my good camera with the cool lens, but I was able to get at least one kinda ok shot with my phone... haha. Go figure.



This morning I got up bright and early and started to shovel the 4.5 tons of gravel that I had delivered yesterday. I got one stall mostly done, and the other leveled before it got just too darn hot to do anymore. I guess I have all day tomorrow to have fun with that, too, so no rush. With that, I think the kids and I are gonna just take the day off. Chill, go to a barbeque and enjoy and actual holiday. Things have been so busy around here we haven't had a day of nothing at all in quite a while.

On the topic of busy, Tory finally found a horse in Michigan that used to be a collegiate polo pony for Harvard's polo team. The price was right and we tripped up there on Thursday night/Friday morning to get the horse to bring it home. He's a nice little guy, and hopefully I can talk Tory into letting me do a little stick and balling (it's a polo term) on him! Pics (of me breaking my stupid neck I'm sure) to follow. I'm pretty excited actually. Harley's top speed is just past stop, so he's not much of a polo pony. To say the least.

So here's to relaxing! I'm getting on to my day of nothingness!

Well So Much For Extending The Project...

It was my goal and intention to extend this project into the fall/winter... but alas, that didn't happen. Carrying water across the property and working in the dark got old sooner than that... so it's done.

I'm so happy with the final results, and pretty darn proud of how the stalls that I built turned out. Not too bad for a rookie! Now just to get some of the other, less fun projects around here going! Oh yeah, and I threw a couple extra obligatory photos of the kids doing what they do best around here... Jade looking sassy, and Vincent mowing the grass, yoy...

Stolen, But Still Funny...

How's this for irony? This was from a Facebook post of a friend of mine, I just thought it was too ironic not to post it...

A sign seen at a BP Fueling Island...

Today's Status

Today is the day of the big move! Due to the rain in the past few weeks, the fence guys got behind on their work, so I don't have a fence yet. They'll be out first thing tomorrow morning though, and will be completely done Wednesday, so hopefully they'll at least start at the dry lot at the back of the barn so that Har doesn't have to spend the whole day inside tomorrow. Yesterday my BFF came up and helped put up the planking for the back stall walls and the side walls. It was a project, but we took our time and got it done. The original plan was to get all 3 sides done, but I would have settled for half - none the less, we kicked ass and finished.

Today we're moving the horse here, which is sure to be a stressful event for all involved, including the four legged type. It's so awesome to watch this all unfold - and to see all the hard work pay off that this is actually happening!

Now just for the darn fence people to get here!

A Barn!

It's hard to believe that just Wednesday, there was nothing here. By 2pm today, this is part of my property. Amazing. The barn is done, now I have another boat load of work in front of me getting ready for move in day on Monday. All the wood is here to build 2 sides of my stalls (the sides that don't have metal grates or doors) and I'll be getting going on that after the wedding this weekend. Shouldn't take real long, really, it's just nailing planks to the walls, right?

So if there's anyone out there dying to nail planks to walls, let me know. I'm working Sunday and Monday if needed (hint hint).

What The Heck Is This Thing?

I was cleaning up my pasture area this afternoon, slowly patrolling the yard with the John Deere in low gear, when I rolled past this thing. It was the only one that I saw in the whole yard, and I'd really like to know what the heck it is.

I thought of just trying a bite to determine if it was good to eat, poisonous, psychadellic, or otherwise, but figured that probably wasn't the best idea. For now, I'm going to leave it rooted. I'll dig it up soon if someone doesn't make claim to it as some rare delicacy - so if you want it or know what it might be, let me know.

More Progress

Aside from the progress in my life, things are progressing on the home front as well. The barn is finally delivered and I'm just waiting on Morton Buildings to get out here and get this thing put up! I am so excited, and the kids are bouncing off the walls to see how it all works. Funny how what exists now (basically a big pile of stuff) will turn into an entire building. I can't wait to have horses here, to let the kids experience what it's like to have the ability to ride whenever they want, run in the pasture, and all the other stuff I remember so fondly growing up... just no riding bareback, facing backwards, at full speed through the field with only a halter at best, please ;)

Guess symbolically, this means something too. Right now I have all the pieces to make something great. They don't look like much to the casual onlooker, mostly just a pile of stuff, can't even really tell what it's supposed to be just by looking. But to me these pieces are much more. They represent a dream, and when they are all put into some kind of logical order, some kind of sense, they'll be the foundation for good things to come. It's going to take work, a little help from some friends, and a lot of determination to make it great, but great it will be. I'm sure during the process, there will be a miscut board, a broken nail, perhaps a smashed finger or couple of bruises, but in all, the minor bumps in the road will be worth it.

It might even rain. The workers might call off. Progress might skip a day here and there, but this thing will be complete in the end. It might take longer than I hope, there might be more roadblocks than I anticipate, but if we just keep building, the work will eventually be done. Then I can sit on the porch, enjoy a cold one, kick my feet back, and smile as my life unfolds in front of me...

A Day In History

I realize I really haven't said a lot publically about my divorce and the situation I have been involved in since I filed. Today, the final decree went to the courthouse for approval. It's been a very rocky, very turbulent, very ODD journey to say the least. Those of you who know me best know the details - and I'm not going to hash them out here.

I guess the purpose of this post is that today, finally, I feel like I'm taking a step forward. After 10 years I'm leaving a jaded past behind me. 10 years of my life that are filled with memories ranging from fabulous to downright the worst ever. 10 years that blessed me with two of the greatest kids I could ever ask for. 10 years in which I have learned so, so much.

It's time to get on with things. Explore the relationships I've made with new people, and embrace the ones that I've kept. I've learned in this process who the true friends are in my life, and who I know I can depend on. I know that I've been trash-talked to just about everyone I can be trash-talked to - and I owe a big "thanks" to those of you who have had the honor, guts, and integrity to ask me before passing judgement.

I guess as I go through just about every emotion today that has hit me throughout this process; pride, truth, success, failure, hurt, anger, hopelesness, lost, happy, relieved... and so many many more... that those of you who care, those of you I know I can depend on, wish me a little peace, finally.

New Stuff Is Cool | Bodybugg

Even though I don't have a ton of weight to lose, I just can't bring myself to do Weight Watchers again. I just don't have the desire, and the thought of it is unpleasant, and thats definitely no way to start...

So during my most recent visit to my uber-cool friend, Wendy, I was introduced to her Bodybugg, that little widget thing that they were (are?) using on the Biggest Loser... click on the photo to see more about it.

Actually, she told me about this thing months ago, and I researched it a bit then but couldn't quite bring myself to drop the coin for it. So when we went to Dayton, she was telling me about her and her husband's AMAZING success with the system, and how easy (and accurate) it is to use. She showed me the online program, and the relative ease in which one enters their calories/foods intake. I looked at her little graph on the website and it showed a "better than goal" decline. She swore by it, so I figured I'd give it a run. I just got the whole thing hooked up and running last night so today will be my first full day on it. This morning, I actually measured my coffee creamer, which I didn't love, but I'll get used to coffee flavored coffee I suppose.

I'll keep updating to let you all know how this goes... right now I need to get showered and ready for work. Hope everyone has a great day!

Off This Week

My friend Jen is training to do Census work this week. She isn't around to watch Jade this week and I have a squajillion things to do, and I have some time at work that I need to compensate for. I figured it'd be a good week to chill out at home. I got the grass cut again yesterday (that's checked off the list!) so basically, it's just playing catch up with some of my photo stuff, as May REALLY marks the beginning of a busy 3 months with that for me. I'm also trying to get an album FTP'd - and the darn computer keeps timing out, which is neither here nor there, other than the fact that I have 43 MB of info to send in what's turning out to be 0.5 MB bits... *sigh.

Well anyway, we're getting an early start off to the grocery store, and a list of other places today :)

Earth Day

Let's take today to live a little cleaner, and make at least one "green" effort as we pass through our day. Think of the little things you can do, and carry those thoughts with you! If we all made one "green" change, then made that a habit and did it every day, think what a difference we could make!

An Outing.

Today I'm gonna break out the horse trailer, get Harley tacked up, and go for a trail ride with Dorothy. We're going to try one of the local parks here that has horse trails, additionally, it'll be Vincent's first experience with riding on back and not complaining!

I'll post back to let you know how it goes! Yay!

Sadie...

Please pray for this angel, the daughter of an acquaintance of mine and a friend of a good friend. Faryl and Nick, it was great to see you a few weeks ago, and please know that my deepest thoughts are of you and your family. Your story makes us all take a step back, and appreciate the blessings we have in our lives every day...