Linking up- Always.Sometimes.Never

The girls up top had a stroke of brilliance for a link up and I am joining in!

I always say I dread Thursday nights because Chris works.
I sometimes enjoy it because I can have wine and rocky road ice cream for dinner.
I never tell him this.

I always plan on getting in bed early on Thursdays.
I sometimes make it to bed.
But I never go to sleep early, because a book is usually waiting there.

I always lock all the doors and avoid windows,
because sometimes I think I hear creepers at the door.
I never actually tell the hubs I am scared. He would laugh.

Now, it's time for me to find that bed and go to sleep!

I always love blogging with ya'll.
I sometimes check my social networks and blog too much.
I never want this to stop growing, so follow me!

If you really new me from a different point of view. Check this one out please

I know, I know... another post? Really? Yep. Ya'll get a lot of me tonight. I'll be brief. 

I am a pitbull lover and voice. I took a different stance on the "If you really knew me" posts. Check it out Here. 

Today I will be a follower. So, If you really knew me.

You know this is going around the blog world like a wildfire. I figured, it's my turn. I have seen several different people credited with beginning this. Whoever you are... thanks!

If you really knew me you would know that... 

I am really insecure. I come off as loud and confident but inside I am shaking. 

I cry at ALL animal movies, even happy ones! It's really pathetic. Horse movies are the worst. I am usually crying within the first 30 seconds just knowing there is going to be a horse in it. I have such a love and pride for horses, even those I don't know. Honestly, someone could produce a movie about animals that eat dinner and crap gold and I would cry. Sad, sad, sad. (I'm sad, not the movies)

My biggest fear is losing loved ones. I have faced this fear several times here lately. I lost my grandfather 2 years ago and my great-grandmother on my wedding day one year ago. This is why I want to keep everyone I love in a safe embrace forever. Seriously, my family lives within 5 minutes of one another. My parents are moving 20 minutes out and I am not 100% okay with it. 

Things that have sentimental value never leave. Even the smallest trinkets. I am not a hoarder, I am actually very organized, but I am very sentimental about things. 

My dogs and horses are my kids. Sometimes I think I might wait on the kid scenario so that my dogs can have more mama time. Weird? Nah...

I used to be terrified of snakes. Then I worked at a wildlife preserve and got over it. Now, I am okay with alligators, crocodiles, tigers, lions and bears... but I am scared of the tiniest spider. I won't even kill them. 

I love the taste of yogurt, but HATE the texture. I wish I could get over it. 

My grandfather and I used to dance to George Jones. I still get teary and make everyone in the room go silent if a George Jones song comes on. 

Sharks amaze me. I think they are beautiful. Same with alligators. 

I love rain. I love playing in it. I love hanging out in the barn while the horses munch and the rain pours. I love snuggling in bed with a book while it hits the windows. I love being dry in the car watching it fall. I LOVE it. 

I could go on and on, but that's enough. Maybe I will spill more "secrets" another day! 

Terrified

We are buying my childhood home, from my parents. I was really excited at first, but now I am hitting the nervous point. Is that normal? 

Here's the scoop. The house is being sold to us at about 30k more than what our budget was, but it appraised at 60k more than that! It only will raise what the monthly payment $200 more than what we wanted, but that's $600 more than what we are paying now. It's just a little over 30% of our income, which is what all the financial experts say it should be. After all our bills are paid and we have gas and groceries we should have $400 left over at the end of every month. We just have to follow our Dame Ramsey budget to a T. No exceptions. 

The house is big and gorgeous and it has a barn and riding arena. It's close to work ( we will be saving 200 bucks in gas alone). My dad said we could drive a company vehicle back and forth except for days off ( we are off 10 days a month). We now eat out almost every night. That is almost $500 a month. We will live 5 minutes from work instead of 35 minutes, so I will be able to cook all of our meals. Also saving money.

 So why am I scared? Is this normal? Should I stop while I am ahead? Were ya'll scared? Should I just drink a glass of wine and let it all happen? 

"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!, 

Friday Letters- Home edition

Dear Childhood home, 

Hey you! I haven't slept under your roof in 2 years. It seems like forever. I miss you. I miss your fireplace, the divot in the 6th step up, and the view of the valley behind you. I miss your convenience, your warmth and the cozy kitchen. I miss your quiet street, your loving neighbors and the laughter echoing off the walls. My parents designed you, my grandfathers built you. Their hands built those stairs, trimmed those walls and laid the brick hearth. You are worth 4 times what my parents paid to build you. You are in one of the most valued areas in the state. This is all great and many people look at you as an investment. I see the sentimental value and beauty of you. 

I have been looking for a house for about 8 months now. I have seen many, some old and some new. None of them felt right. None of them felt like a home like you did. I was losing hope. Then daddy called. He wants to move. I was devastated. You were perfect. Why would he want to leave? But then I learned  he wants his future grand-kids to feel your warmth.  He wants a change, but he wants the house to stay in the family! He offered you to me for a steal! Can you believe our luck? The hubby and I are discussing it this weekend. It's a little more than our budget, but we feel you are worth it. I hope and pray things work out. I will budget like a beast. Maybe we will be back together soon. 

-Mal

hump day = pinterest dreaming

Linking up with Michelle at the vintage apple for another Pinteresting Wednesday. 

Ain't that the truth? 

I want an anniversary band for year 5. I want something like this but without the round stone. Ya'll tell the hubs. K?

This chair with a great foot stool and my well worn copy of Gone With the Wind.

Its 10000  ok 100 degrees, I need a new tea picture. 

Red velvet Cheesecake?! Heaven on a plate folks.

Gorgeous dress. 

Okay, that's all for tonight. There is a thunderstorm coming in, so I have a terrified min pin, a bed and a book calling! In the mean time leave me some love and enjoy my blog awhile.