Walking Funny

So I've been riding twice now. I'm thankful I've done so much bike riding the last couple of years. This could have been SOOOOO much worse. Really only my adductor muscles are what's screaming at me. But boy are they screaming loud!

My boots haven't yet arrived and since their not tall anyway AND after the NASTY wound on my calf (I'll spare you a photo) from the stirrup leather & my jeans fighting, I've invested in a pair of half chaps (weird, costumers call them gators). I think they're ugly especially the pair I bought (pictured earlier) but that's what the store had to fit my gargantuan calf. Back to the ride!

Thursday went well. I felt sloppy but not all over the place. Better than alot of people riding in the background of a movie (i.e. the kid who ratted out the bad guy in "Appaloosa". it was only 2 seconds of screen time for his ride but it was ugly). Koadie is a gorgeous horse and moves nicely. We'll get on fine together. I did end up bruising the ego a bit though during my dismount. My feet hit the incredibly hard-packed dirt by the tack room & my body kept going. The ground hit me where the good Lord split me. That's still sore.

I rode again on Saturday. Half chaps, healing wound, sore adductors & butt and all. I ended up riding longer than I thought I would. I already felt an improvement so that was nice. It's amazing how much work it is when at one point in my life it was very little mental or physical work. But as Kaisara so lovingly put it (as he always does), "You're not 13 anymore."

I'm going back to the stables tomorrow after work but don't think I'll ride. I really want my wound to heal & my adductors to recover from the recent abuse.

My boots should arrive on Tuesday which will give me a little time to break them in for a ride on Thursday. I'll keep you posted!

I'm one happy girl. Am I totally blessed right out of my socks or what?!?!?

Childhood Dream Come True

It's funny when a childhood dream comes true and in what form. Funny enough for me this week it's in the form of paddock boots. Crazy, I know. But I have wanted a pair since grade school. When I was riding every weekend I had a rubber version of dress English riding boots. A gorgeous boot that leaves much to be desired when in the form of rubber. But they were a practical, inexpensive, functional solution to needing riding boots. When I was riding everyday after school I eventually saved up & got a cheap pair of leather ones that weren't nearly as gorgeous as the ones linked earlier in this paragraph. My dream was a pair of Effingham Field Boots. In my mind, the most gorgeous riding boot a girl could ever want. And one Christmas it finally happened. I got my Effinghams. Of course they were back ordered and didn't arrive for a couple months and were therefore referred to as my F-ing hams by the entire family. But they eventually showed up and they were GORGEOUS. I loved my boots. I wore them to numerous horse shows just knowing they looked awesome. I mean really, anyone wearing such a rad pair of boots had to be taken seriously as an equestrian (did I mention I was in junior high? that explains alot of this whole thing).

But if I what I wanted so bad were field boots how do paddock boots fulfil a dream? You see, those were a luxury (this is not necessarily the case just how it was in my junior high aged brain saw it). One didn't ride in paddock boots, duh. That's what tall boots were for. When one was finished riding but still mucking about the stables, one wore their paddock boots not last year's sneakers from p.e. like I did. Paddock boots were what rich, truly devoted riders had. Wow, to be like them...

I JUST ORDERED A PAIR OF PADDOCK BOOTS!!!!! They should arrive by Thursday. Here's the funny part. I ordered them because they're WAY cheaper than tall boots. Life cracks me up sometimes :-)

Here's the part that is the real story: One of my sister's coworkers needs help taking care of her sister's horse (that lives at the bottom of my hill). You mean you want me to ride & play with your gorgeous 17.2 hand bay Thoroughbred and I don't have to pay you? OKAY!

I'm so excited. Literally I'll be back in the saddle. I met the beauty boy after church on Sunday. My first ride is Thursday night. Not sure that I won't cry with joy.

Held on Tight

It's sideways but you'll get the idea. No that's not me screaming like an 8 year old.


We had a great time.

Going Sledding

After years of wanting to hit the sledding slopes, I'm heading up today! I'm taking Kaisara's mom & 2 cousins visiting from New Zeland (this is there 1st visit to the U.S. & will be their first time seeing snow). I'm excited! I'll let you know how it goes!

Close But No Cigar

I finally tallied up my mileage for 2008. I knew I was short. I was smoking the first 2/3 of the year & then hit the brakes. Flat tire, getting a cold, rain and just plain not riding my bike is what caused me to loose my lead.

My goal was 700 miles. I did 661.5. That's not bad. That's almost 100 more miles than last year. 661.5 is also a very modest total. That doesn't include any day-to-day walking around (of which my job has alot). I feel good about my 661.5.

My 2009 goal is the same; 700. I'll make it this year.

Eat my dust!