K is for Kiss and L is for Lacey

I have slacked on the "about me" challenge. This post is a two for one deal, because you are getting the letters "K" and "L" . I am cheating and I am lazy. Whatevs.... I just closed on a house so I am celebrating with popcorn and TopGear. Tanner Foust is invited to my new house when ever he wants. For serious.

I also can't stop laughing. Like uncontrollably. My husband thinks I am a mad woman. I had ButterBuds smeared on my face like a lady. Popcorn for dinner = FAIL.

Anyways back to kissing Lacey.

She looks thrilled. 

I promise a more coherent post tomorrow.

Did I mention this was my first house? and that we had margaritas BEFORE closing to celebrate? Nothing like dealing with a boring closing a bit tipsy. Classy. I know. 

Okay, I am rambling. Night loves!

"I" is for important

"I" is for important because that word has been everywhere for me this week. 

The help

1). My job is important. The guys at work sometimes forget that I am just as important as they are. Sometimes they just act like I am there to wait on them.Yes, I get to be in the office on the rainy days while they are in the field, but that doesn't make my job any less valuable. Without me, the calls don't get to them! 

2) I am important. My opinion matters. I am sick of it not being heard. My wants and needs matter. My accomplishments matter. I can express my opinion. I can be proud of my accomplishments and everyone else can get over it! 

3) My husband is important. He sometimes forgets this. I pledge to work harder this week to make him see it, because he has been hard on himself lately. It doesn't help that his father still won't make an effort to be in his life. 

I want everyone to realize that they are important. Everyone, no matter the job, age, status. YOU MATTER! Without you this world would not be the same. So embrace you! Take time for you! Love you! 

That is important to me, that everyone feel loved. 

"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!, 

"D" is for Dive in...

The letter D was starting to be a problem. It was an odd one for me. I had no clue what I was going to write about until today. Weirdly enough, I was watching the Olympics and diving came on and that was my inspiration. I am chicken when it comes to high dive, because I am terrified of heights. But in life I am diving in, unafraid. Seriously, here lately I am rocking it. I know, I know... brag much?

I am diving into this whole wife thing. Yes, we have been married a whole year, but I feel like I have hit my stride in the past month or so. Household accountant- check. Maid- check. Chef- check. Dog trainer- check. Barn manager- check. Lover- Check. Yeah, I got this. 

I am diving into the whole blogging thing. Seriously, I am addicted to blogging. This is my outlet. This is now becoming a huge part of me. It's cheaper than therapy. 

I am diving into the whole author thing. I have attempted this before. Last time I got through the character development and just lost interest in the story. Maybe, it was bad timing. I was switching jobs, getting married and moving. This time I am confident a book will be born. We shall see. 

I am diving into the whole social scene. I used to be so social. Then I got married, got a job, lost touch. This month I have said "I need me time!" Hubs works Thursday nights, so I have no one to cook for, no one to clean for. ( No, he doesn't ask me to do these things, but I want to be there for him.) Thursday nights is officially ladies' night. I have enjoyed connecting with the girls. Some old friends and some new. They put a smile on my face. 

I am diving into the whole workout thing. My body is like, "It's about time!" I used to be so active, then I got injured and lost all motivation. This week I have been hitting the workout videos pretty hard. Today Pilates kicked my butt. In the end, healthy will be worth it. 

I am diving into this whole challenge thing. Thank you Kate. I have learned so much from this challenge already, and we are only on week 4! I am loving it. It is so inspiring and I love reading the other ladies' posts. I can't wait to see everyone's "E" post.