This is just a quickie to say hello and re-introduce myself . . . it's been. . . oh gosh. . . eight months since I've posted a blog. . . I'll get my act together. . . I promise. . . I'll also be uploading some new photos. . . maybe a video or two! So check back often and see what I add!

Ciao, Friends

WOW! Summer  has come and gone since I last updated my site!  It's been busy, that's for sure.  Especially August. . . not sure how it happened, but I did a bit of traveling.  Went to the Warren Dunes State Park  in Michigan. . . A day at the beach was JUST what I had been needing. A chance to unwind and wash away the stresses of life.  I had houseguests for the weekend of the 17th, which was interesting.  Fun for sure. . . we had a poker party and cooked smores over a campfire. 

 And in amongst the social life . . . I am getting some riding time in on my beloved Lando. . . He's such a cookie.  Sweet and ya just never get enough. . . I've got a new saddle for him. . . well, it's an OLD saddle, that I've had for YEARS. 

This saddle has been collecting barn dirt and grime for at LEAST 6 years.  We hadn't used it b/c it didn't fit our mare. . . she was really short in the back and it disagreed with her.  So it got set up on a rack and forgotten about.  HOW I could forget about a Big Horn saddle, I don't know. . . but it happened.  Maybe because I was riding my arab at the time. . .  that saddle CERTAINLY didn't fit HIM.  Anyways. . . we moved two years ago, and the saddle  came with.  I had decided to use the saddle as a bar stool. . . but then the lightbulb came on! MAYBE it will fit my gelding.  I've ridden him in it 2 or 3 times, and it seems that it will work out for us! But all that dirt and grime!  I'll admit. . . I've never been the best at cleaning tack. . . but I tackled the task of cleaning this saddle with determination. . . and armed with a toothbrush to get all the nooks and crannies of that amazingly detailed, hand tooled design. The difference is AMAZING! It went from dry, dirty and dingey. . . to squeeky clean and glowing. . . I will have to upload my before and after pics for comparison!

I'm sure for alot of folks, Friday the 13th is full of superstitious horrors, and cautionary tales about black cats and NOT stepping on cracks. . .

But my Friday the 13th was none of that!  Quite the pleasant day, really.  I just HAPPENED to have the day off of work, so I spent a good 3 hours working and schooling my horse. Granted. . . we had our "off" moments, but on the whole it was a GREAT time, and I feel we made some progress.  If anything. . . my muscles certainly felt the burn!

So my cousin's wedding was the evening of the 13th.  I had a great dress. . . the beginnings of a tan (at least on my arms! Had to use bronzer on the legs), and my hair COOPERATED! This Friday the 13th is lookin UP! I was all prepared to have a good time. . . and a good time I had.

I tell ya! There is just something so free and easy about an outdoor wedding.  It gives me a low stress, kick back and relax, don't need to put on a show, kinda feeling.  They had a live band for the dancing, and BOY OH BOY! Did they know how to keep the party hopping! I can't think of anything more fun than rockin out to a great sounding band, pulling off great sounding covers of classic 70's and 80's rock n' roll, and dancing barefoot in the cool green grass.  

My cousin is a good 5 years older than me, but she runs with a younger crowd. . . so this wedding was practically a class reunion for me. SO MANY people that I haven't seen in years! Fun to catch up with them.  Now I'll admit. . . I was by no means a popular girl in high school. . . I was more the quiet and smart wallflower type. . . only a select few knew how I REALLY WAS!  A little crazy, great musical taste (if I do say so myself), and just darned fun to hang around with!  So now. . . seven years after graduation, I run into some of the "popular" kids from highschool. And they can't wrap their drunken brains around me! Pretty darned funny, if ya ask me! Girls and guys alike were in awe, when, by somebody elses suggestion we did a round of shots. . . And I ordered up Jack Daniels. "WHAT?!!?!? a GIRL. . . shooting WHISKEY???"  Like it's never been done before, right?  I'll admit. . . the attention I recieved from the guys at the wedding was something close to a GREAT ego stroking for me.  It's not very often that I'm singled out by the guys, so I was a bit surprised when a fella from my graduating class just completely lets down all reservations and blurts out that he would love to take me out to dinner.  Granted. . . it was a very, VERY drunken proposal. . . it's still flattering, as I DON'T often receive such open attentions.

I've been often told that my confidence is intimidating to "guys".  Is it different with "men"? IS there a difference?  I always thought confidence in a woman was something men found attractive. . . but it seems to me, more and more, that the only time men find my confidence captivating is when they are drunk.  Otherwise, I end up being "one of the guys". . . or absolutely nothing at all.  Anybody want to shed some insight for me???

Well. . . let's wrap this up. . . I started out talking about the wedding. . . kinda got off topic a bit there. . . but I'll finish back with the wedding.  It was a beautiful ceremony, set down among the willow trees by the creek.  The food was good (even if it WAS vegan), and the folks who shared in the happiness of the bride and groom were as good a group as any I've ever come across. . . SO. . . Friday the 13th. . . UNLUCKY???  Doesn't seem that way, does it?

Man alive! We've got a nice change in the weather. Last two days have been HOT... And HUMID... Oh, and did I mention the RAIN??? Torrential downpours on Monday AND Tuesday. Overwhelmed the drainage system in good 'ol Dekalb, Illinois. On Monday we had over 4 inches of rain fall in a 2 hour timespan... Tuesday was a little less, but still significant.  Flooded streets, flooded basements, and cars stalled out in flooded intersections.  Not something we normally see in Northern Illinois!

But today... aaahhhhhh... today.  It's a beautiful, breezy, and sunny day. The humidity is non-existent and we've got temps in the 70's.  PERFECT day for riding! Who's with me!?!?! We'll pack a lunch, hit the trails. . .

For a good home made fly spray recipe. . .

After my battle with the flies today while out at the barn, and the constant burden of little to no money. . . I'd like to try making my own. . . The stuff I get at the store just doesn't seem to do the trick, and for as much as I get charged for a bottle of spray. . . I figure I'd rather try to make it myself. . . So I'm searchin for the skinny on the holy grail of fly spray. . . I sure hope somebody's got what I'm lookin for!  And for whomever has this wonderful concoction. . .

May all the flies that pester you and your horses spontaneously combust and forever more be gone from this earth!