Thursday, October 30, 2014

Get the facts

This post is a previous post that I just added a few too.
1) I have an emotional attachment to my phone and computer. A little sad, but one of those two things are with me constantly.

2) I am always cold and I hate it. I am not happy unless it is at least 78 degrees. When I typed 78 degrees, I immediately thought of 98 degrees. Oh, the boy band days. 

3) I claim that my dog is a total mama's boy but I am pretty sure I am the one that fuels that relationship. I am a little obsessed with him.

4) I hate spending money, but love to shop. How the hell does that work? I am in constant battle with  myself. It's really sad. I usually just walk around stores like a creeper, talking myself out of purchases.

5) My pet peeve is when I am talking to the hubs and he doses off like an 80 year old. That just happened. I wanted to hit him scream at him. I just turned off his boring show, and it will take him 10 minutes to realize it. Well, he just noticed and now I am getting the stink eye.

6) I get super grouchy when I don't ride. No saddle time= mega bitch.
Can you blame me? Look at that face! 

7) I am an organized freak and hate when people reorganize my desk without asking. Organizing also makes me very happy and relaxed. 

8) Miranda Lambert's Airstream Song makes me insanely happy. 

9) I always have to have a candle lit. I have one at the office and one in each room at home. I think they are so relaxing. 

10) I love anything vintage and anything with lace. Oh and I love pearls. We went wedding dress shopping for my best friend's wedding and it made me wish that we could wear gorgeous dresses everyday. The world would be a better place if it were acceptable to wear wedding dresses 24/7. 

New ones...
11)  I think mudding is the best way to relax. 

12) My nephew is my favorite person at the moment. He makes me laugh.

13) I am still friends with most of my exes. Even if they say "I don't talk to my exes" they call me after a few months. Blessing? Curse? Who knows. I usually work it to my advantage.  (even though I am pretty fed up with one of them right now)

14) I am not a fan of bacon. I will eat it but it's not a must have.

15) I am also not a fan of scary movies. I am a wimp.

So there you have it. I am weird, but I think I am lovable. At least I hope I am. What are you facts?

Helene in Between Blogtober

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Yep... that would be my horse!

I have had so many embarrassing moments that it was hard to choose just one. I managed to narrow it down to one that was so embarrassing I cried. It involves this guy:
He looks cute. Don't let him fool you.

So I was around 14 and we were at a local horse show. Everyone who was anyone was there. I rode Casper in a few classes and he placed well. I was proud of him! Then it was my sister's turn to take him in a class or two. 

We put her up on Casper and my cousin went in on her horse. The class was a large beginners class. Everything seemed to be going well, but then I saw it. A little pony threatening to kick Casper. Casper's eyes got big but he kept trotting. The second time around my cousin lost her balance and her horse (Toby) panicked and threw her off. This is all it took. 

The next thing I know Toby is running around the arena and Casper is right behind him. My sister and cousin are both on the ground. Parents are yelling and trainers are grabbing ponies and kids. I run to the gate and ask to go in. 

The ring steward said, "Young lady only adults are allowed in the arena at this time. It is to dangerous in there for children."

I put my hand on my hip and in my sassy 14 year old way said, "Mr. if you want that big gray horse causing the chaos caught you better let me in the gate." I think he wanted to strangle me but he let me in the gate. At this point all the ponies had gathered at one end of the arena. I couldn't see over their backs to see where Casper was so I let our special whistle and yelled his name. All of a sudden a big gray face popped over the back of the pony in front of me. I grabbed his reins and got him out of there, throwing a smug grin at the ring steward. 

When we got back to the barn and I had groomed Casper and tucked him in his stall, my cousin and I sat down and cried. We realized we had one more day of competing and everyone now knew us and our naughty horses. We had to face these people. Casper kept nickering apologies at me and I accepted but I was super embarrassed and still kind of am. 

In his defense, the show officials should have known better than to let that many beginners in an arena together.

-M
Helene in Between Blogtober

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Superstitions


Am I am superstitious person? Maybe a little. I just asked my husband and he said he didn't think so, but then he mentioned he breaks like a hundred mirrors a week and I kinda panicked. Do you realize how many years of bad luck that is?! And yes, I am religious so I get that luck isn't a real thing but better safe than sorry right?

So here are some superstitions that I have heard all my life:
  • If you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake the first try you will get your wish. Don't tell anyone what that wish is though. 
  • If someone sweeps under or over your feet you will never get married. I panicked if mom came near me with a broom when I was younger.
  •  It's good luck to find a four-leaf clover. I always searched for them before horse shows.
  • Wish on eyelashes. Always.
  • A horseshoe, hung above the doorway, will bring good luck to a home. In Europe they hang them upside down. That drives me insane. You pour out the luck that way! 
  • If a black cat crosses your path draw an ex on your windshield.
  • Bad luck comes if you walk under a ladder. 
  • If you leave a rocking chair rocking when empty, it invites evil spirits to come into your house to sit in the rocking chair.
  • Bad luck will follow the spilling of salt unless a pinch is thrown over the left shoulder into the face of the devil waiting there.
  • Wish on shooting stars. At our farm we could see so many on any given night that we couldn't think of enough wishes. 
  • It's bad luck to open an umbrella inside the house, especially if you put it over your head.
  •  If you get a chill up your back or goosebumps, it means that someone is walking over your grave.
I might abide by a few of these. Maybe... I do not buy it the whole Friday 13th thing though. My husband was born on Friday 13th so it's a good day around here.

What superstitions have you heard of?


Helene in Between Blogtober

Monday, October 27, 2014

Dear High School Self




Dear high-school self, 
You little baby hoe. Just kidding. But seriously, let's have a little chat. 

Stop worrying about boys and focus on school. You want to be a veterinarian, right? Well, they can do this thing called math. Yeah you are an A student when it comes to everything else, but for some reason that boy's curly brown locks are more important than Algebra. Guess what? You met someone else. Someone better, who doesn't say he is at his sick grandma's house when he is in fact with another girl. Someone who doesn't make you cry. Someone who knows when to grow up and takes care of you. By the way you actually meet him at the beginning of Junior year. That guy at the barn? The jerk? You fall head over heels in love with him.  Now, if we could get all those math classes back. 

Be confident. Be yourself. You are pretty awesome. You can sing, you ride horses, you are pretty and you are smart. So... try out for that lead role and belt it! You don't give your voice enough credit. Later in life you will stand in front of half the town and sing at your grandfather's funeral. Your voice is a gift. 

Spend all the time you can on that big gray horse. One day he will have to be retired and you will feel broken. Later, you will realize that is not the end of y'alls bond. Cry into his mane, canter up hills and groom him. Love him like he loves you. Unconditionally.

I got off track... just own who you are and live each day to the fullest. Don't waste a second. Take every opportunity that comes your way and better yourself. Leave the drama behind and let the peace enter your world. Push all the hate out and love. Love with all you've got and put your faith first. 

Once you've done that, it will all fall into place.
Now, get to class. 

-M

Helene in Between Blogtober

Friday, October 24, 2014

The beauty product I can't live without...

My go to beauty product is one I recently found. And when I say recent, I mean like 5 days ago.

My eyes are naturally huge and my eyelashes are naturally super long, but they are super light. So I have to have eyeliner and mascara on or I look weird. The problem I have is that the mascara will last all day and about 3 hours in the eyeliner smudges off. So then I look REALLY weird. It doesn't matter what brand of eyeliner or how much I spend I get the same results.

This week changed that. I am a Julep Maven and got the Halloween box. I got 3 awesome nail polishes and eye pencil in Blackest Black. It is a gel eye glider and I haven't had luck with gel so I was a skeptic, but I tried it anyways.

Around 3:00 p.m. I had a minute to breathe and looked in the mirror. It had lasted through a stressful work day. It looked the same as it had at 8:00am. That night, it was still there and looked like it had just been applied. I was sold. It is by far my favorite eyeliner.

You can find it here.

And that's my can't live without for now!


What are your beauty secrets? 

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And no Julep did not compensate me at all for this post. I am just super obsessed with their gel eye glider. 

Helene in Between Blogtober

Thursday, October 23, 2014

My favorite blog/Instagram editing tools

Okay, so this is the one where I prove that I am a terrible blogger. I really don't use any apps or editing tools. That is right. I am boring.

All of my pictures just go straight through Instagram. No fancy filter apps here. I just use the plain Jane Instagram apps.

Occasionally for the blog I will use Canva or PicMonkey but that is as crazy as I get. I am a horrible blogger. For real.

What are your favorite apps and editing tools? What should I be using?


Helene in Between Blogtober

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

8 Pet Peeves

I am usually a pretty laid back person. Don't get me wrong, I have a bad temper, but as I get older it takes more and more to make me go off. There are a few pet peeves that I have that will set me off instantly though and most of them include driving. I have horrible road rage.

1. Not using a blinker
You do know they come standard on every model right? So use it. Are we really to lazy to flip a switch?  If you are you deserve to be honked at and/or rear ended.

2. Driving slow in the fast lane 
You are going to get someone killed, especially on 285. Move over.

3. Chipped nail polish
I hate nothing more than to spend an hour painting and drying my nails, just to chip them the second I move.(This just happened by the way)

4.When I park in the middle of nowhere so no one hits me and some jerk parks right next to me. 
Seriously? Out of the 400 other spots you choose the one in the back next to me? 

5. Things that are off center 
I am OCD. I prefer things to be even and lined up just right. 

6. People who chew loudly. 
Manners. No one wants to hear you eat. 

7. Talking with your mouth full. 
Again, manners. 

8. Losing a favorite pen
It usually sends me into a panic. Searching the office, asking drivers where they were at the time of disappearance and crying... Okay, so maybe I don't cry, but when I lose a pen I get upset. 

These are the pet peeves that made the list today. It grows and shrinks depending on the day. 

Helene in Between Blogtober

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Dream vacation

Today I am definitely dreaming of vacation. Why?  Because I am halfway through day 2 of my computer at work not doing crap. Dad sent me out yesterday with a company card to replace it (yay) and I got the perfect one that I am super excited about but now I have to wait on them to download all of my programs. Sounds like fun, huh?

If I could be any where right  now I think I would be sitting in Italy with my husband drinking wine and touring little villages.



Now I am just going to go and dream of Italy and pray my computer works soon!


Helene in Between Blogtober

Monday, October 20, 2014

A few fears...

Photo By Gabi Agu via StockPholio.com 

 It is only fitting to talk about our fears with Halloween just around the corner.  I have the usual fears: losing someone I love, failure, loneliness, not having kids....

And I have others:

  • Spiders. I cannot handle spiders. I have wrestled alligators, walked lions on leashes and handled snakes but you bring a spider around and I lose it. 
  • Running out of chocolate. I keep chocolate on hand all the time and the second I realize my stash is out I panic a little.  Okay, a lot and I usually make an emergency run to the store in my pajamas. 
  • Heights. I am clumsy and then you put me up high and I just know my next stumble will be my last.
  • Breaking another bone. Breaking my elbow was not so bad, but breaking my tailbone was excruciating. Yes, I broke my ass. 
  • Scary movies. I cannot even watch the previews of 90% of them. Even movies that kids can handle sometimes freak me out.  
So those are a few of my fears. What are yours?

Helene in Between Blogtober


Saturday, October 18, 2014

A secret...

Today's Blogtober topic is all about secrets. I am going to get serious for a this one.

 
My secret: I suffer from anxiety and depression and it is 100x worse in fall and winter.

I don't talk about my struggle with anxiety because honestly most days I feel like I have it under control and maybe don't struggle as much as others. I was reminded how wrong that thinking truly is last Saturday.

I was sleeping and everything had been okay. I woke up at 2:30 a.m. with this feeling of dread. I grabbed a glass of water and Confianzas (a natural remedy for anxiety that usually works) and tried to lay back down, but I was too far gone. The negative thoughts kept creeping in.

".... something bad is going to happen. ... too Chris?.... the dogs?.... my parents?... my horse?"

I sent a text to  my sister at 3:00 a.m asking about my horse. She is a doll and sent me a picture to assure me he was okay.
 
Sorry it's blurry. It's a 3 a.m. iphone photo
More thoughts flooded.
" Are we okay money wise?..... am I drifting from my friends?.... Brantley is growing up in a scary world...."

It just kept going. I was sobbing and couldn't calm myself down. The next morning at Bible study I was still shaking and on the verge of tears. A sweet friend suffers from anxiety too and calmed me down. She told me ways to try to control it and I went home calmer.

I really don't want to go back on a prescription. I feel like a zombie on pills. A few years ago I went through a massive mental breakdown, called off my wedding and withdrew from everyone. The prescription got me through it but I didn't like the person I was on it.

So, for now I am trying to get more sunlight and more vitamin D. I am taking Niacin and Confianza. I feel better. So much better but at the same time I know the next attack could be around the corner.

I have kept this part of me hidden from most people, even those I see daily. I am sharing my secret now so that maybe I can help someone.Just know if you feel withdrawn and alone, if you feel depressed, if you feel anxiety attacks coming on... you are not alone. You are not crazy. Reach out and get help. Don't suffer through it alone.

Helene in Between Blogtober

Friday, October 17, 2014

Don't Worry, I'm an expert.

Helene in Between Blogtober


Today's topic is all about being an expert. My husband goes, "Oh, that's easy... dressage or horses in general." Nah, I have a lot to learn from the "greats" still.

So, here is the list of things I think I could be considered an expert at right now.

Napping
I can sleep anywhere and just about anytime. Try me.
My lovely husband captured this picture of me and some fellow expert nappers napping in a stall at a horse show. Yes, I said a stall. 



Messing up my freshly painted nails
I suck at painting them anyway. When I finally get them just right I usually wait for what seems like hours for them to dry. I sit perfectly still. The second I deem them dry and move a little. They are ruined. 

Snuggling
I snuggle with my husband, my nephew, my cat, my horses, the dogs.... anything that will sit still long enough. That almost sounds dirty. 

Checking IG and Facebook
 I can scan through and make sure I am not missing anything in 30 seconds flat. 

A good cry
I am the emotional human ever. I cried this week watching victory laps at the horse show. Seriously. 

Choosing the worst movies
Seriously, don't ask me to pick out a movie. I am to A.D.D to sit through them and I cannot for the life of me choose one. 

Not knowing how to end a blog post 
I always sound weird and awkward and just kind of trail off. 

On that note... 

What are you an expert at? 

- Mal 





Fall Fashion or my lack thereof

So today's Blogtober topic is all about fall fashion. So now I am going to tell you why I will never do a fashion post. Fall or otherwise.

This is about as good as it gets. 


 I work with 24 guys.
 They do not care if I look good. Plus, most of the time they fully expect me to join in all of their shenanigans. These shenanigans can be pulling a vehicle out of mud, changing tires, doing paperwork, handling belligerent customers or slinging greasy chains. So yes, technically my job is too do paper work and running the front office, but somehow I end up in the back with the guys being the mom of the group. I wear yoga pants and t-shirts most days.

I ride horses.
 When I am not working around gross boys, I am riding horses. That means hay and dirt and horse hair. I can usually be found rocking jeans and tees or riding pants and tank tops and boots. Those tall boots you guys wear to be fashionable... I have to wear them to compete in. Only difference... for competition and to fit properly they have to be super tight. Which means they are super uncomfortable. Yay tall boots!

I am not creative
I am super jealous of all of you who can throw together colored tights with this and that and the other and have an outfit. I wish I could push the envelope and be edgy but nope. I do not have an ounce of it in me. At all.

The Daily Tay Blogtober14

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The outside of a horse... #blogtober2014


Today's topic was probably my favorite. I love quotes. I have a notebook filled with them and 2 pinterest boards dedicated to them.

My favorite quote is probably this one about horses and their healing by Winston Churchhill. That horse is my boy and he has healed my broken heart and bruised soul more than once. My husband has a rule that I have to be around horses as much as possible. If not I become grouchy and sad and not myself. Then I go ride and the outside of my horse heals the inside of me.

Cheesy yes. True absolutely. I need horses. They are my passion and my gift. You can't waste your gift or talent. And who are you without your passion?



Helene in Between Blogtober

Monday, October 13, 2014

My Favorite Fall Recipe...

Fall is my favorite time of the year because of all the yummy food. Chili, caramel apples, soup, the list goes on. I am drooling now. 
My favorite recipe. The go to. The one that I crave when I am sick or when it is freezing. 
My mama's potato soup. 
 Fair warning- It is addicting and is in no way figure friendly. It is super easy to make though and that makes me super happy.  This makes a huge pot of it for lots of people. You can cut it down if you just want to serve one or two but I never do. I will literally eat this stuff for breakfast lunch and dinner for 3 days. I am obsessed. 
Here it is: 
You need... 
1 box Velveeta, 5lbs potatoes, 1 bag of the broccoli/cauliflower/carrots mixed, 1 large tub of sour cream and salt an pepper. 
Then... 
You boil the potatoes until they are just about done. DO NOT DRAIN THEM. You need the broth. Add the box of Velveeta  and the veggies and the sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve. Heaven in a bowl folks! 
That is it. That is all you do and then you get Heaven in a bowl. You are welcome. And no I do not have a picture because I devour it every time I make it. Next time I will remember. 

          Helene in Between Blogtober

Friday, October 10, 2014

I never thought blogging would.... #blogtober14


 
This little blog has done more for me than I ever thought it would. I started it in 2011 to document my life. I had just suffered a major loss in the family and was planning a wedding. It was for me to have a space to go but it ended up being way more than that. It ended up doing things I never thought it would.

I never thought blogging would...
... be so healing. Some days this is all I need to work it all out.
... be so frustrating. Some days I come here and can't manage a single word.
... open so many doors.
... be so time consuming.
... be so rewarding.
... become an obsession er, lifestyle.
... cause me to take 1000 pictures.
... cause me to hash-tag like a mad woman.
... push me to be smarter.
... teach me to think outside of the box.
... make me think about who I am. Who I really am. 
... introduce me to so many amazing people. I love my blog friends.

Helene in Between Blogtober


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Wednesday, October 8, 2014

A letter to myself in 10 years: #Blogtober14

Photo By liz west via StockPholio.com
        Hey you! I hope this letter finds you well. You look great! I see you lost the weight you set out to lose. Congratulations! You and Chris have been together 20 years now. 20. Kids or no kids? Who cares, you can enjoy life either way. 
       I see Chris got promoted and is now a regional manager. I always knew he was smart enough and determined enough to make it up the ladder. And you rocking the title of one of the top Real estate agents in the state. I am glad you found something you loved and stuck with it. You guys are doing well and out of debt! 
      I see a few new 4-legged faces running around. Rescues are still a big part of your life. Speaking of   4-legged companions, your new horses are gorgeous. The dressage freestyle you are preparing looks fun and that hunter horse is breathtaking. Chris's Belgium looks super sweet. I hope he is enjoying trail riding. I am glad you guys were finally able to buy that 40 acre farm you always dreamed of. I heard dad finally talked mom into showing horses too! And mother daughter team that can't be beat! 
     I hope the next 10 years are just as great. Just remember to not stress, do not take things to serious, slow down and enjoy. Never lose yourself. Never forget to love and allow yourself to be loved. Hold on to those who matters and let go of those who don't. 





Helene in Between Blogtober
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Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Best Vacation

Today's Blogtober topic is your best or worse vacation.
I have been pretty lucky.  Most of my vacations have been pretty amazing. Most of them take place at the beach or Lake Burton.

The only "bad" one would be the time we were all at Lake Burton and we all ended up with the  stomach virus. Some were hospitalized from severe dehydration. Luckily, I didnt get my round until the last day and I stayed decently hydrated the trip home was hell though. Winding roads and severe nausea do not go well. 

One vacation I really enjoyed was our trip to Virginia. The resort was amazing. We went sailing, played on the beach, attended a mock trial or two, and played in the ocean. We explored battlefields, strolled through the town, and ate a one of George Washington's old hangouts. It was amazing. The weather was perfect, the people were friendly and we had a blast. Now photo dump.









Monday, October 6, 2014

10 Things You'd Tell Yourself When You Started Blogging: blogtober 2014

I am loving this blogtober. And yes, I have slacked already, but I am enjoying the topics and reading what everyone else has to say!

Today's Topic: 10 Things You'd Tell Yourself When You Started Blogging

1. You do not have to post everyday. If you come to this space and aren't feeling it don't hit publish. Seriously, you will just end up pumping out crap no one wants to read.

2. Take pictures, lady! You go on so many adventures with the horses and Chris and you never take pictures!

3. Stop stressing about followers and stats. This space is supposed to be fun.

4. In regards to #3. This is a space for you to document life, so stop worrying about who's watching. Do this for you.

5. Remember to take time and comment on posts. It is a great way to build your little community. It's like school. You have to participate.

6. Be yourself. Don't get to caught up in what everyone else is posting. You don't have to jump on every bandwagon.

7.Don't sell this space to just anyone. If you have to force the post or reach way out in left field, your readers will know and move on.

8. Proofread. Please, Proofread. (Still guilty of forgetting this one)

9. Keep showing up.

10. Ignore the haters. They know 1/10th of your life. They do not matter.


Helene in Between Blogtober
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Friday, October 3, 2014

Dream job : Then and Now

When I was a kid I didn't have one specific job I wanted to do but here is the general list:

1. Princess - I pretended my room was a castle.
2. Lawyer- I carried around the cutest brief case but never actually had a trial.
3. Librarian- I made my mom, friends and stuffed animals check out books. So cool, I know.
4. Real estate agent- I took the mini real estate books and "sold" the houses in them.
5. Magazine editor- I made mini magazines with little articles of current events and "sold" them.
6. Horse trainer/ equestrian

I find that list very interesting. I mean, I was 6ish and that list is very specific and grown up. Probably because I was an only child the first 9 years of life.

My list now isn't much different. I am kinda doing that whole horse trainer thing. I would love to own a cozy bookstore or work at the library and I am currently getting my real estate license. I guess little me and big me are one and the same. Some people never change.

- M

Thursday, October 2, 2014

If I won the Lottery I would.....

So I am a day late. Starting off the blog everyday in October a day late. this is going to go well.

The first prompt is "If you won the lottery you'd..."

I would go horse cray-cray. I would pay off all of our debt.

Then I would buy 2 new dodge trucks. One for him and one for me. I am going to need a big truck to haul all of my new ponies around. I better get a new horse trailer while I am at it.

Now for the ponies. I am going to want a dressage horse and a hunter horse. Then new saddles and matching saddle pads with matching blankets and brushes.
Hunter 

Dressage

I am going to need gorgeous riding clothes. An outfit for everyday of course. And then once I buy all of that I am going to need a large estate (Not a barn or farm an estate. Estate sounds fancier) I want stables that make the Queens horses jealous.

After all of that is bought and the horses are settled I would take a month vacation somewhere with gorgeous beaches and drinks with umbrellas and I would relax.

I really need to win the lottery.

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