D&G Stephenville

Ok, so Im getting better here but still have things to work on

this was my first big barrel race

Keep on Keepin on

so I finally got a Gazelle .. yesterday I started out with 10 mins and today Ive done 2 sessions of 10 mins each. I am hoping that I have as much success with this as I have heard others have. And NOOO I will not be posting photos of me on it

Starting today

Someone please hold me accountable to this! I need all the help I can get.

Starting today, I will be working out at least every weekday. I have GOT to do something to kick start the diet. Actually have been dieting some for the last 2 weeks and am down 5 lbs but it seems Im stuck and wont lose anymore. So, Im going to start my workout videos back up today and hope to continue them everyday and at least ride several days a week

Bah humbug!

Ok, so my readers have vanished. But thats okay. This weekend has been oh so un-eventful! We have not done 1 exciting thing. Okay, so I take that back. Yesterday (saturday) we went to meet Marks sister for lunch. We met at ON The Border (blech) Had a nice visit then decided to drive on over to JC Penney to look at their stuff. So me, Mark and Tanner load up in my Jeep and then Rilee and Keli went in her truck. We have to go down the northbound access road, cross over I-35 and back up the south bound side access road to get into the JCP parking lot. We got over there and the clouds looked very ominous. We sat there a minute just staring the in sky at how weird the clouds were moving. We finally get out and run to the front because it had started to rain a tad. As we get in JCP the workers are yelling at us to get in the back of the store because we are under a Tornado WARNING. Uhm, WHAT?? Im not going anywhere until we get Rilee and Keli in. They understood that we were waiting for them before we went back to the shoe dept (where people were taking cover) They finally arrive, Keli basically does a drive by and Mark grabs Rilee and runs back to the store. Keli parks and runs inside to be with us. As soon as she gets in, they made the announcement on the intercom that we could now resume with our shopping. SIGH. All that excitement for nothing. Oh well .. at least we were all safe and out of harms way.

Pete

Pete is a horse that was originally bought for me. But I later found Caddie and gave Pete to Mark. We've put some time into him and although we dont have enough time .. Pete is starting to come along nice for him. They were trying to see if Pete would bump a horse ... then Buck (Marks bro in law) started hollerin to see if it would bother him. If you havent figured it out yet, Pete is a pick up horse in the making

This and that ..

Im posting some random stuff on here. Theres no telling what Ill put. I know Im posting a pic of my bay yearling and some vids of Jillian Woodward

Friends

I have to say that this past weekend has been one of my most favorite of all. I got to spend some good quality time with some good quality friends. I am so glad that I got to hang out with my 3 favorite girls .. Rilee, Crazy-in-love Jenn and Silly Jilly. Those 2 girls are so awesome with Rilee. Really makes me proud to call them my friends. They both had some good runs this weekend and I wont post the videos that I do have until I get the "go ahead" from them.

but thanks to ALL my friends that were there to help me with the barrel race saturday. I couldnt have done it without all of your support!

Also, thanks to my wonderful husband MARK that was there for the entire duration on saturday and part of it on sunday. I feel really blessed to have the support that I do and I love him dearly for it.

Also .. I just love me some Mrs Vickie and Mr Jack and Mrs Becky .. they have been my rock throughout my barrel races lately and I truly believe they help me in my progress with my horse. I love them dearly.

Back then and now

Okay .. going to post my first run and my run from yesterday from the BRAT Attack

"Then"

I havent posted in awhile so I thought Id just post this for yall. I made 2 videos for Mark. Which, one of them came about the day we had to put Goose to sleep.

Jiill and IPH Dapper Dan Man

Check out Jillian Woodward and IPH Dapper Dan Man "Versace"

One Second

Just this past wednesday, I ran at Rendon. My time was a 17.6 (cant remember the rest)

Today I ran at the NBHA in Rendon and guess what .. I ran a 16.6 !!!!!


I am so excited and proud! I still wasnt pushing her and have room for improvement!

We're getting there

Well, last night we ventured out to the saddle series at Rendon .. BBR approved (we arent going for those right now) and also a saddle series .. (a girl can hope, right?)

Anyhow .. I believe the last time I ran there, my time was around the 19-20 sec mark. Last night we did alot better and as Brynn says .. I wasnt all over her this time. Im slowly starting to ride her better but the speed will eventually come.

I think Im ready for sunday. More speed? We'll see .. its a spur of the moment thought on what Im going to do when I reach that alleyway

Judgement

well, Im going against my better judgement at the moment. You see, I am trying to get back in the swing of things (barrel horses that is) and Ive been trying my best to ride my mare right. I know she is a nice mare and I have to just trust her. There is not a thing wrong with her, I am just not doing her justice at the moment.

However, I am not good at taking criticism very well. I know there are a ton of things that Im doing wrong and I am working on those things.

I have been sitting here contemplating on posting my runs from this weekend because I just dont take lightly to rude comments.

So, with all that being said .. take it lightly on me. I know there are things (ok, ALOT of things) that need to be addressed and I am working on that. I am getting there but its baby steps for me.


First run is Cleburne on Saturday
Second is Diamond W on the full standard pattern (and not so great ground)

New saddle

Okee dokee .. here is my new (used) saddle .. I love it!!!

Yippee .. my hubby is quite the maker

So, my hubby made this for me. It has worked really well for my Hooker mare (yes, she is quite the hooker with the men she hauls with, lol)

Im so excited to start using this! She worked soooo great in one like this on wednesday!

Thank you Mark, I love you!

This is a must read

Although I have been blessed with such a wonderful husband who really does understand ... some have not been so fortunate to have that .. therefore, I find this email a must read for everyone! lol



Terms -

EASY TO LOCATE.
She's either off on the horse or out in the barn

UPHOLDS THE DOUBLE STANDARD. Smooches with the most bewhiskered beast, but quickly recoils when you need to shave.


OWNS ONE VACUUM CLEANER. And operates it exclusively in the barn.


A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY. Providing the party is given by another horsey wife. Falls asleep in her soup at all other functions.


ECONOMY MINDED. Won't waste your money on permanents, facials, or manicures.


A CULINARY PERFECTIONIST. Checks every section of hay for mold but doesn't blink when she petrifies your dinner in the microwave.


OCCASIONALLY AMOROUS. But never leaves lipstick on your collar, at worst, slight trace of chap stick.


EASY TO OUTFIT. No need for embarrassing visits to uncomfortable little boutiques. You can find all she wears at your local tack store.


FEATURES A SELECTIVE SENSE OF SMELL. Bitterly complains about your sticky-sweet cigar smoke while remaining totally oblivious to the almost visible aroma of her boots drying next to the heater.


UNMISTAKABLE IN A BATHING SUIT. She's the one whose tan starts at the nose, ends at the neck, and picks up again at the wrists.


A DEDICATED CLUB WOMAN. As long as the words "horse" or "riding" appear in its name.


HAS YOUR LEISURE AT HEART. Eliminates grass cutting by turning every square inch of lawn into pasture which, in turn, converts itself into mud.


A MASTER AT MULTIPLICATION. She starts with one horse, adds a companion, and the next time you look there are five.


KEEPS AN EAGLE EYE ON THE BUDGET. Easily justifies spending six hundred dollars on tack or feed but croaks when you blow ten on bowling.


AN ENGAGING CONVERSATIONALIST. Can rattle on endlessly about pedigrees, training or breeding.


SOCIALLY AWARE. Knows that formal occasions calls for clean boots.


A MOVING FORCE IN THE FAMILY. House by house, she'll get you to move closer to horse country (and farther away from your job).


EASY TO PLEASE. A new wheelbarrow, custom boots, or even a folding hoof pick will win her heart forever.


SENTIMENTAL FOOL. Displays a minimum of six 8x10 color photos of the horse in the house and carries a crumpled snapshot of you (taken before you were married) somewhere in the bottom of her purse.


SHOWS HER AFFECTION IN UNUSUAL WAYS.
If she pats you on the neck and says "you're a good boy", believe it or not, she loves you!

MOTHER HEN: If you say you feel bad, she says she is sorry, take some meds and go to bed, you're essentially on your own. Let the horse(s) get sick or injured you may not see her for days as she has temporarily moved into the barn.


Things every man should realize before marrying a horsewoman.


1. The horse(s) will always come first, understand this going in.

2. A clean house is a sign of an ignored horse, this is unacceptable.

3. You can be King of the castle. That makes it your responsibility.

4.
I'm Queen of the barn, Invasion of your things will be considered an act of war
5. Grass is sacred. However, the horse is allowed to tear up the sod with his hoofs. If you do the same with your 4-wheeler, you're dead.

6. I fed the horses, you're allowed in the kitchen so feed yourself.

7. Horses can't use pitchforks, but you CAN use the vacuum.

8. If you must write in the dust, please don't date it.

9. Manure is a wonderful aroma and useful by-product. Make the best of it, plant me some roses.

10. If I helped you 'mess' the bed, don't expect me to 'make' it too.

11. Kitchen closed on all beautiful days.

12. A little horse hair in the washer won't kill you, it's clean.

13. Whenever you think you are a 'real stud' go take a closer look at the fellows in the barn.

14. Ring bell for maid service. if no one answers, do it yourself.

15. The house was clean once this season.
What more do you want?
16. If you don't like my standards of cooking and cleaning. then lower your standards.

17. A clean barn makes a happy horse, A happy horse makes me happy, A happy me is much easier to live with.

18. PMS is nothing compared to a woman kept from her horse.

19. A messy kitchen is a happy kitchen, and my kitchen is delirious.

20. YOU can help keep the kitchen clean. take me out to dinner.

21. If you want dinner on the table when you get home. Bring the pizza with you.

22. A dozen leafy green bales in the barn mean more and smell sweeter to me than a dozen roses in a bouquet.

23. The hell with a real fur coat, (my horse already has one) give me real fence instead.

24. If you want to know where you rate with me. Just count the horses and add one.

25. So this isn't home sweet home... adjust!

Ugh ... slacker!

Ive been bad .. I havent blogged in a few days.

Today was a very good day. I took the kids to school and then took Caddie and Pete to get blood drawn .. then headed on over to Keli's (Marks sister)

I rode a few horses for another lady and then rode one of Keli's horses. I also helped her with barrels. I hope she starts running with us soon.

Tomorrow is a big day for me and Keli. We are going and riding with Paul Humphrey.

Rilee 2-21-09

And here is my baby girl's run from today

shes so cute

Today's Run for me

Well, todays run was better. I still held her back but its a big milestone from where we were several weeks ago. The more I ride her, the more I love her. Shes so nice and will take care of me. I just have to keep that in my mind. It really helped that Trudy stayed with me in the back and my friends and fellow barrel racers "cheered" for me and made me feel more at ease. They all know how nervous I am. I love them!

Now, I pulled her up way too much on the 3rd barrel. So she did a jig/jag crap thing as we got to it .. so, that was MY fault, not hers.

Just for today

Im slackin', really I am. I havent posted a blog in 2 days. (I think)

Today was a bum day. I was really ticked off that my husband wouldn't let me use his truck. It sucks only having 1. So, after that I decided to go ahead and put my Jeep up for sale for the 14867463516845312 time. Hopefully I can get it sold.

So, instead I texted Marks sister and had her meet me and us go to Teskey's. That was fun. I got another winter blanket and Rilee got some more "cookies" for her horses. I didnt get much today since I had already gone on monday of this week, too.

So, now Mark wants to go out to eat tonight and Im not so much into going. I dont know why but I just feel like staying here. Ill be gone all day tomorrow at a barrel race and then all day sunday at the sis in law's.

Annnnnd, the job I've been waiting on has not called me back. So it doesnt look very hopeful for me.