The Roomate

Yesterday, I felt my love for animals waver for a minute.

That sounds awful, but let me explain.

I live in the south. Georgia to be exact and near a creek. That equals snakes. Lots and lots of snakes. My property tends to collect copperheads which are aggressive and poisonous. Yay. One year I stepped on 2 of these jerks. It took years off of my life.

Jump ahead to this year...
We have a black snake that has decided to live IN the barn. IN my tack room where I keep my horses food, grooming supplies and stuff I need daily. The only reason I am letting him stay is because I have always heard that black snakes keep the poisonous ones away and so far no copperheads have been seen.

Side note: There is also a rabbit living in the tack room and the snake doesn't bother it. 

In the beginning the snake kept his distance. I would walk into the barn he would slither out until I was done. The room mate agreement was working and we were all happy. Then he started leaving creepy little gifts in my grooming box and on my shelves in the form of his shed skin. Ew. Freaked me out. Chris removed the gifts. And I declared the snake needed to go.

Yesterday I headed into the barn to clean Casper's stall. I was on the phone with my best friend talking about her newest boy issues. I hung up with her and opened the door to the stall and something darted to the right. I darted to the left screaming. I looked over my shoulder to make sure it wasn't chasing me and realized it was the harmless cute bunny and not the snake. I started laughing uncontrollably at myself, freaking out over little bunny foo foo.  I cleaned the stall as fast as I could and got out of the barn. I am talking record time. If it didn't cause heart attacks I would say small scary animals would be great motivators for getting barns cleaned quickly. *Shudder*

As it goes, Chris cleaned the stall today. I didn't tell him I was still a little leary of the beasts we have done there but I conveniently found another chore that I knew he would rather not take on. Tomorrow I go in with a full suit of armor. Snake boots ... jeans ... a helmet. It could get serious.

That time I found a rattlesnake at work.

Let's all travel back to Monday... 

I am sitting at my desk when mom comes in with her new rescue dog that is still terrified of everyone. About an hour later someone leaves the door open and he gets out in to the back yard. 

How the heck do you catch a dog that doesn't trust you and isn't driven by food? 

A lot of coaxing and chasing. 

Somehow in the chaos, my dads dog comes to the back along with my cousins 4 month old puppy. CHAOS. 

Haley (dad's dog) and Remi (the scared little basset/beagle)

Don't they look cute. They aren't. Not when you are chasing them around 400 cars.

Any who... at one point we are along the back fence. We go to the left and hit the end. They go around the front of the cars to the right and I chase them back. The we go left again. We are running in a tiny lane about 12 inches wide between the back of the cars and the fence. 

About the 3rd back-and-forth I heard leaves rustling and a distinct rattle. I look down and about 6 inches from my feet I saw what looked like a black snake. Then I noticed the rustling sound was his freaking TAIL!

And he was standing a foot off the ground. 

This picture freaks me out. 

I froze. It felt like 5 minutes, but it was more like 30 seconds. It clicked that I was looking at a Timber Rattler. A dark, pre-shed, post-winter timber rattler. I ran backwards fast and saw mom and dad running towards where the snake was. I knew I had already made it angry. I started screaming "rattle snake, rattle snake, rattle snake!" at the top of my lungs.

We got away from it and I stood shaking in the middle of the yard. Then I noticed the dogs were still running along the fence. Past the snake. Over and over again. 

I started screaming their names, begging them to come. Four years ago my sister's 4 pound mini dachsund was bitten by a Copperhead. She almost died but my sister rushed her to the puppy ER and hubs and I kept her the following week for all the fun creams and pills. 

I just knew that one of these three were going to be the next victim. Somehow all of my screaming scared the snake and it got away when I was focused on getting away so the dogs were okay. After 45 minutes we wrangled all the brats, but I am still shaken up. 

Who thinks they are going to find a RATTLE SNAKE at work? 

Not me. I was grouchy and touchy for the rest of the day. And cleaning the barn? I jumped every time my horse moved. I am typically okay with snakes. I worked at a zoo! But, it's different when a rattle snake decides he hates you.

The Craftroom/blogging room

Hello loves!

Today I started thinking about how we all blog in our own little nooks and crannies but we never actually get to see where each other blogs.

I like to be able to put a name to a face. Take it a step further and a bit more stalkerish... I like to be able to imagine people in their own little environment. So I figure eventually post by post I can let you visit me in my home.

First stop, the office/craftroom. When I want to feel important I tell the hubs I will be in my blogging room doing official blog business.

One thing that I insisted on was a wall full of bookshelves. I have always loved reading and think that private libraries are romantic. I am a nerd.

I loved the idea of a nice open work space that 2 people could use. I also needed a way to fill this huge room. So we put the desk in the middle and got 2 chairs.

Excuse the mess. It was a hardcore crafting day!

I am an organizer. I have binders with receipts for each year. I have binders for each dog and horse's medical records. I have binders for the blog, our medical records and recipes... the list goes on and on. I needed a place to store the binders without them taking up space on my bookshelves.

Enter, the Pottery Barn Hutch... 

It needs stuff. And I needed to clean up from painting. Oops. I am a real human, ya'll.

Then I decided I really needed a print station. It needed to have drawers to hold my different stationary but fit the room. My mom thrifted an antique dresser, we painted it black and I fell in love. With a piece of furniture. It happens.

I am eventually switching out the handles and knobs on this. One is missing but it's still a charming piece. 

Then there is the view from the backside of the house which is where this room is located. It looks like this... 

Casper aka my little "cappy roo" ans yes I yell that from the 3rd story window to get his attention in between blog posts.
Is he not perfect?

Eventually I am adding a crafting table, but for now it works. 

Where do you blog?

Georgia is in panic mode

So the meteorologists threatened us with our yearly ice storm here in Georgia. There is no longer bread or milk in the stores and schools are already closing. Last time I checked it was still 37 degrees outside. People around here just CANNOT handle it.

 All day my wimpy little ass whined that the one lesson I was able to squeeze in this week was on the coldest day of the year. Then I got a text from the trainer that said, " The boat stopped running and I don't feel like swimming to the arena and later we will probably have to have the horses fitted with ice skates, so the lesson is cancelled."

My first though was, "I won't have to freeze!" Then I got home and started thinking about this....

And now my crazy self wants to be in the freezing cold arena. I am pretty indecisive. For reals. And maybe slightly insane.

Then I thought about how my parents generously left their elliptical machine here when they moved. Anyone else think it's weird that my parents moved out when I got older instead of the other way around? Anyways, I could have used my energy to workout, because Lord knows I need too. I never made it down stairs.

Those yoga pants and sneakers still are not being used for what the were intended for. Fact: I am a lazy lady.
I use the term "lady" loosely... I have a mouth like a sailor. I will work on it.

I have no idea where this post is going. Down the drain maybe? I seriously cannot for the life of me remember what I wanted to tell you guys. Oh, instead of the elliptical I organized the blogging/office room a little more and made badass  amazing tacos. I hope I get to show you guys this amazing room by next weekend. IKEA basically took it over and that makes me insanely happy.

Wanna know what else makes me insanely happy? My bed. Night ya'll!

Rain, Rain Go Away!

It has been raining for four days in the lovely state of Georgia. Four days!

My whole world is soggy. Does anyone else think that the word soggy is an odd word?

Any who, with the wet conditions there have been no photos and as you can imagine no fun activities. It has seriously thrown me into a rut. Not just a blogging rut but a life rut.

My poor horse has not been outside in four days. He reared at me Monday. Lovely. Sorry, Casper, we have at least two more days of this crap.

I have to beg my dogs to go outside. Do you know how embarrassing it is to stand outside in my pajamas begging, " Please go potty, pleeeeaaaase." My neighbors probably think I am pretty pathetic and I can promise you my dogs think they have the upper hand here. And maybe they do.

My garage is flooding and smells lovely. I just kinda hold my breath when I walk to the car. I cannot wait until the rain stops so I can use the shopvac and clean up that mess.

I am sorry I have been slacking here the past couple of days, but now you know why. I am basically having to swim to work and back!

I promise to be in a better mood tomorrow.

Friday Letters- A letter to Carter.

Dear Carter, Thank you. Thank you for being that horse that brings me back to me, even if you are just temporarily in my life. You have brought my confidence up. You have given me a purpose again. You have put me back on the path to my passion. I love you for this. I know you were an investment. One to sell, but little man I want you to know that working with you was an investment in my soul, not financially. I feel so alive on your back, like I can still do this. It's like I am at peace up there just teaching you how to balance physically as you teach me to balance mentally. How did you do this? The horse I thought I would like the least and you suck me in. You make me feel like an equestrian. You make me feel like a trainer. You make me feel alive. Dressage is riding as if two were one and I truly feel that on your back. You have been so brave this month. Coming down from New York to a new barn with a new rider and going straight to work. I am proud of you Carter. I will do my best to make sure the home you land in understands your talent and appreciates you and love you like I do. You are my blessing, even if only for a minute.

How to tell if your hubby REALLY loves you...

This weekend I would say I really tested Mr.'s love. I mean really tested it. The test...

Step 1
Ask him if he will help you with a "project" even though he is on call this weekend. It's just a small project. When he asks what the project vaguely point to the back yard.

Step 2
Once in the backyard wrangle him to the barn, which you haven't bother to straighten up since you moved in.  Hand him a shovel and ask him to help you level a stall. 6 wheel barrels full of dirt later ask if he would like to take a break.

Step 3
Just when he thinks he is off the hook, hand him a bottle of bleach and ask him to help you bleach all the buckets and mats in the place.

Step 4
Try to look as sexy as possible in sweatpants and a tshirt with hay and poop and shavings all over you while asking if he will now help you set up one more stall and your feed room (if he whistles or smacks your booty he is passing the test).

Step 5
Once you are done, talk about how exhausted and achy you are even though he did most of the work. If he pulls you close (mud, hay and all) and kisses your forehead, he passed.

Being an equestrian is glamorous I tell ya, and I don't know what I would do without the hubs. I would have spent 3 days working in the barn instead of just one! I will say I always feel like a new person after barn work days. There is something so relaxing about getting so gross and working until you hurt. It's like I work out all my issues right there in the barn with the horses and then I get to come inside and stand in the shower and wash it all away. As cheesy as it sounds I feel like a new person afterwards.



Thank God for horses... and my amazing hubs.

The easiest mac and cheese

I know you guys cannot wait for me to spill the Thanksgiving fun that occurred at the Hermann/Castleberry households. I am going to keep it very brief, because Saturday AM I thought I had manly muscles and lifted a box that weighed a ton. That resulting in my back muscles pulling. This post is fueled by wine and maybe a 303 pill. This should go swimmingly.

Me and sissy Anna!

So Thursday we woke up and made amazing mac and cheese for my family's dinner. It was seriously the easiest and we made it in the crockpot. I forgot to take pictures but here is the recipe.
16 ounces elbow pasta
1/2 cup melted butter
2 eggs beaten
1 can (12oz) evaporated milk
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cheddar soup
1 cup 2% milk
1/8 teaspoon paprika (I left this out)
*Cook the macaroni and drain it. Put it in the crockpot and pour butter on top. Mix all the other ingredients in a bowl and pour them in the crockpot. Stir it all in and let cook for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. YUM.

We went to my gradmother's house and had lunch there. It was pretty low key. No drama, just people in every corner mapping out Black-Friday strategies. I passed on that fun. We then rushed home and through on rolls for his family dinner. My A.D.D kicked in and video games and youTube cause us to burn the only rolls I had prepared. Oops. I swear I can never smoothly prepare for any of his family get togethers. We ended up going to the store and getting the last brown-n-serve rolls they had. Sorry I suck Hermann family, sorry I suck.

We then went to mom's where our little show horse decided to come down with a case of lamnitis, which could potentially put him out of work forever. It can even kill him. We caught it early and took turns cold hosing his sore legs.

Sissy Sara came home to take care of him because he is her baby and it looks like she may be staying. Thank God. My mom was worrying herself to death. Let's hope she stays home where she belongs. By the end of the night she seemed more like herself. We watched movies and looked at cows ( yes, cows) for the farm up here. Two cattle farms will be interesting. I am excited though. Ranching is what hubs loves to do and dad really seems to want to add another herd. 

All in and all it was a peaceful Thanksgiving. Now to to kick it into gear for Christmas!

Leaves are not supposed to smell yummy.

Just a quick post to tell you I am still here! 

We are finally getting settled in the new place (pics to come!) and we got internet today. 

I am almost ashamed to say I was very close to crying tears of happiness. I missed ya'll way too much. 

In other news... 

We have decided that since I am a horse nut dignified equestrian, we are going for a horse theme in the house. We could go random horses, upscale equestrian or foxhunt-ish, western, race horse themed... that all seemed a little silly for a whole house. 

Our house is a traditional with wooden floors and a gorgeous brick hearth that takes up a whole wall. It was all built by my awesome grandfathers. They rock. The tones in the wood inspired us to go with a western/southern/southwestern feel. Ya with me? I kinda lost myself there. 

I just want the western style (boots, saddles, horses) with the southwestern colors and textures(reds, browns....) with a southern charm (mason jars, iron beds, fresh flowers). 

The hubs wants me to stick with one style religiously. I don't see the fun in that. What do ya'll think?

Also, I am obsessed with my new "leaves" candle. It smells yummy. Why? The wet leaves I have been raking do not smell yummy. At all. And I have learned critters and creepy crawlies live under the leaves. Speaking of creepy crawlies... the caretaker at the weekend house moved out last weekend. He left us with a black widow problem in the house he was living in! WTH?? I am not entering that house ever again. 

Friday letters.

Dear Baby K, You have grown so much and aunty loves being able to see you everyday. What a blessing. Happy one month little bit! 

Dear little blog, You are growing and we are meeting new people. Yay! I love the community. I love the people I have met. I love the outlet.

Dear Mama and Daddy, (yes I am a true Southern girl and still call them mama and daddy) I miss you guys! 2 weeks is way to long. Work is boring without ya'll. I didn't realize how much I enjoy seeing ya'll everyday. Please come home soon!

Dear sissy Sara, I hope you are rocking it at the World Championships. Enjoy every moment because you will miss it. I know your 17 year old self said that it is interfering with life, but honey you will realize that those horses are a huge part of  life. When you grow up and have a job and have to squeeze in ride time you will miss spending 6 hours a day in the saddle. Trust me. 

*** Update*** One World Champion Title and 2 reserve World Champion Titles! Way to show off The Castleberry girls' talents! I am proud of you. 

Dear hubby, Yay for this new chapter! You know the one where we get to spend a lot more time at home? Sitting on our deck, eating dinner and watching the sunset behind our horse was amazing. Can you believe we are lucky enough to see that every night now. 

The hay bale in my car

With this whole moving stuff I have neglected everything. Seriously everything.

I only posted 3 times last week and they were hurried posts. I apologize.

 The sad part is the blog is one of the least neglected parts on my life. 

My house looks like a tornado hit it. There are boxes everywhere, there are cleaning supplies lying here and  there and there are piles of stuff to be donated in every corner. I want to scream. 

My barn... Oh my... the barn. I got a load of bagged shavings in 2 weeks ago. They are still in the aisle. One of the stalls has all of the mats removed. Those are also in the aisle. There is grass growing in the aisle. My horses mane is impossibly long and needs shortened and thinned. I just avoid looking in the barns direction. 

Then you get to my car. You know that new car I swore to clean weekly. Its been 6 weeks. Those 6 weeks have included 2 trips to the farm with dogs and cows. My car is disgusting. 

That is what the pretty baby is supposed to look like. I am pretty sure there is enough hay to make a bale in there now. Plus, the hubby wants to trade it for a truck and it's hard to convince him to let me keep it when it's gross. 

I cannot wait for this long drawn out move to be over. I cannot wait to get my life organized. My OCD is making me stressy and cranky and I am on the verge of a panic attack. Not a fake panic attack. A real deal one. I can feel my body shutting down the way it does before I panic. I am taking more naps, not taking time to do makeup or hair, not caring.... I keep telling myself one more week and it will be over.

 ONE MORE WEEK. 

Ya know who's awesome?

Me. Just kidding. I am more modest than that. Or am I? 

But for serious. have a few more amazing sponsors you guys should check out. 

First up... 

Erin is adorable. Her family is adorable. She is open and honest and I love that about her. She recently wrote a post called If it happens, it happens. It was a beautiful post and made me realize that because of PCOS I have convinced myself I don't want children and maybe I do. I thank her for that post. 

next....

Courtney is my newest sponsor and I cannot wait to get to know her. She lives in the Big Apple and blogs about her life.She wants to be in the music world and I think that is awesome. How cool would it be to say, we knew her when...? 

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Okay and now back to me... 

My favorite topic. I am obviously in a mood today and that mood is stuck on myself. I blame that on the fact that my sister is in Oklahoma City at the World Championships and I chose to sit out this year and buy a house. This causes me to be jealous. How lame am I? 

I could just live in the horse trailer with my pony and travel the country competing. Oh wait, I did this and then I was broke for a year. Sigh.... I need to win the lottery or find wealthy equestrian sponsors. 

I can feel it... I am going to be grouchy for the next two weeks knowing my family is at the biggest equestrian event of the year and I am stuck in Georgia. Lord, I am whiny... sorry ya'll. Don't give up on me! 

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Side note... We are moving this month and I may need a few guest posts, so if you are interested please email me! 

"E" is for Equestrian.

My first show horse- Gracies Boston Star Aka "Casper"

I am an equestrian. I have been riding as long as I can remember. My mom even rode while pregnant with me. My grandfather rode, my great- grandfather was an honest to goodness horse whisperer. People all around called him. He managed some of the largest show barns in the Southeast. It's in my blood. I was destined to do this. It is my one talent. I may be clumsy and awkward in any other endeavor, but put me with a horse and I become graceful. It's a natural God-given talent that I am thankful for.

I got my first pony when I was 3. I rode that little thing all over my grandparent's property. Then when I was 9 my great-grandfather was killed by a horse. It was not the horse's fault. She was spooked and stressed. I stopped riding for a year or so. Then I found a barn that did dressage lessons. 

This is dressage (My sister and her horse Rifle)

I bought that gorgeous boy up top, Casper, and started showing. Against the big times. And we were winning. These people had huge, fancy horses and had been practicing for years. I had a little quarter horse that I was training myself, little by little. I had been riding dressage for 2 months. We won the state- reserve champ title that year. Talk about under dogs. 

A few years later Casper threw me off during a ride and broke my elbow. I healed and he quickly threw me off again. This time it was a compressed tailbone. I called the vet to have him looked at because it was very unlike him. We found that he had scar tissue built up in his hips. The vet said something that broke my heart to pieces. I can't even type it without crying... he said, " This horse has more heart than I have seen in a long time. He has carried you with this issue for awhile, but kept going because he loved and trusted you. You can continue to ride him, but it will be to hard to show him." I lost it. I decided to retire Casper. He now lives like a king in my barn, playing in the fields and greeting kids. He is pretty happy. 

Casper in his blanket

Greeting kids, like a king

After his retirement I rode a few others but never really showed. Then I got back with my old trainer. She helped me get over my fears and I met this guy.

Monnington Soul aka "Soul"

We fell in love and went to the Grand nationals and the world championships after only 3 months of practice. We ended up being 2nd in the state, 2nd in the region, 9th in the nation and 11th in the world. It was amazing. We made magazines and were household names in our division. I fell in love with Soul and our life.  Big time trainers were asking who I rode for, would I ride for them?  People I looked up to were complimenting me on my riding and talking about how I had feeling and compassion for the horse. My confidence issue (read my B post ) went away. 

We aren't showing this year because I am buying a house, but I am still an equestrian. I go see him from time to time and ride. I teach on the side. It's my confidence boost, my passion, my outlet. 

"E" is an equestrian. I am an awesome equestrian. 

Love ya'll, so leave me some love!,