Shoot a beautiful landscape and share it with the world. Find a nice foreground and don't forget the sky.
Phone photo of the view from the front window.
There were so many landscapes that I wanted to go out and get while we had our snowpocalypse but was mostly stuck at home. The roads were not safe to drive and while we could have done okay with my all wheel drive car and Robert's truck, we didn't have to risk it, so we didn't.
Instagram photo of Chewie looking and the view.
It snowed, then the clouds left and it got really cold. With the sun out during the day though, the snow on the streets melted enough for people to start getting around and we went out to the barn to do chores and haul water buckets all over since we'd only hook up one hose to fill waters. The morning crew would take the evening's buckets and put in the tack room to thaw out for the evening crew to switch with the day's buckets. And pushing wheelbarrows full of manure through snow to dump is a pain in the butt. Almost literally. Carus slipped a few times pushing up hill (I clean stalls, she dumps) but we managed and were rewarded with some lovely sunsets.
Cold weather and clear skies gives some pretty sunrises and sunsets.
Phone photo of the sunset colors at the barn.
Adam shoveled our driveway and some of the sidewalk and then made me a snowman. If you look just so, you can see he has two eyes and a smile.
I did get my big camera out on my lunch and breaks and walked the backyard with the dogs. (Downfall from working from home - no snow days.)
View from our back porch
7 inches of snow
Adam making snowballs for the dogs.
And then he bit on it and was confused when it disappeared into the rest of the snow.
Playing with the frozen soccer ball.
My frozen clothes line.
One of the evenings we were out at the barn doing chores, Carus and I decided to go for a little ride.
We probably spent more time tacking the horses up than riding. It was COLD!
More information about the Dogwood Photography 52 Week Photography Challenge can be found here. #dogwood52, #dogwood2017, and #dogwoodweek2
Hmm, how to start this post? I mean, I used all my creativity up on the title already, what is left for the rest of this?
Things are going.... well, they're going somewhere. Half the time I feel like I'm doing okay and the other half of the time I feel like I'm struggling to breathe. I keep forgetting my doctor gave me a prescription for anxiety meds and I have a full blown anxiety attack before I remember.
I joined a group on Facebook that is dedicated to cleaning tips and tricks on a recommendation from a friend after asking about front load washers and dryers. It's a large group so you can get a lot of input on types and brands of W&D (as well as vacuums, detergents, soaps, etc). After a few weeks in that group though, a few things:
1) Some of those ladies are CRAAAAY-ZAYY about keeping their house clean; to the point where they have an actual breakdown because hubby didn't rinse his plate before putting it in the sink.
2) For about a week I felt really guilty about my house, but then I realized: it's not that bad overall and it could be worse and I'd rather be doing all the other stuff I do do and things I never find time for than obsessing over it.
3) The insistence that husbands are unable to clean up after themselves and are therefore referred to as another child is epidemic and sad. Expect them to be an adult and help out and they will. Also, stop referring to grown ass men as children. Yes, they can be as much of a pain in the ass as kids; however, they are still not kids and are capable of a lot more than they are sometimes given credit for. It also seems that a lot of them know the trick of doing a half-assed job the first time asked so they won't ever be asked to do it again. Also, if they do something differently than you, but the end result is the same - suck it up buttercup, it's not how it gets done just that it gets done.
4) I still don't know what washer and dryer I want. Front load or top load? If I go with top load - with or without an agitator? What brand is good? WHY IN THE HELL DO THE COOL ONES HAVE TO COST SO MUCH?!
Adam will be turning 18 this year. (I know, right?!!?!?) Every now and then Robert and I remember this, or realize that he will (theoretically) graduate next year (he's on track to graduate but shit happens and I'm not trying to jinx anything) and we will be floored for a few seconds while contemplating the HOLY SHIT-ness of it all.
Like now. I just realized what I typed out and had to focus on breathing for a second.
My boss was even floored the other day when I said something about his 18th birthday this year. I've been working at Providence for 10 years this August so yeah - time flies when you're not looking.
Anyways - he turns 18 and I realized that he can 1-can vote for the first time this year, 2-vote in the primaries which for Oregon take place in April, and 3-will get to vote for president for the first time. I made him register to vote but won't force him to vote. He doesn't know who he'd like to vote for beyond, "NOT Trump!" I'm right there with him.
Carus has started working - sort of. She is working off some of Scout's boarding fees by working at the barn 3 days a week. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday she is to feed dinner to all horses (11 horses and 1 mini horse), check and fill waters in all pastures and stalls, and clean 5 stalls in addition to Scout's. I'm helping too because I can't just sit around waiting for her to be done while twiddling my thumbs. She is very excited about it.
Adam tagged along for Donkey lessons this week too. He became friends with Tess, which wasn't too hard as he had a scratcher and some grain. Carus is still making friends with Bailey who is making Carus work for her friendship, though they did graduate to donkey driving which was semi-successful. Adam might have some interest in driving donkeys too. He's being a bit shy about whether or not he wants to learn how.
(There is no sound to the above video - the rain hitting the barn roof was too loud so I muted it.) (Stupid Oregon is still raining. LOTS)
Chewie is still a puppy and all the puppy work that comes with it, but he is starting to understand potty training and he can sit on command. Most of the time he will also stop chewing on something he isn't supposed to be chewing on when I say leave it. Most of the time. He doesn't like me reprimanding him either. He got his first shots today - 13 lbs 8 oz. He is growing quickly.
In this video he was trying to convince Wilbur to come down and play. Wilbur has no interest. He doesn't poof up or hiss or swipe at Chewie, but he will walk away when he's done with the puppy barking and bouncing and trying to bite his tail. Simba, on the other hand, flat out Cats at Chewie, though he Cats at Leia too. He might consider Yoda a cat as he just ignores him.
Carus and Scout had their first show of the year (year being the 4H year, which runs September through June) this weekend. It wasn't specifically a 4H show - more of an open show for all interested to come from peewee (4-9) to older and wiser (40+) and was a gaming show with a costume contest. (Gaming in horses are courses/obstacles that are ridden horseback AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.)
For the costume contest, they were pirates. Scout's missing eye lends perfectly to the eye patch.
We had a little photoshoot at the barn the week before to fully document the costume.
Carus's shirt, pants, and both hats were found at Goodwill. I made the vest using some old vinyl/pleather material we had from refinishing a piano bench a couple years ago. It's a very simple vest with holes punched for lacing - leftover leather lacing bought for another craft project. Using the same vinyl material and some yarn we made the eye patch for Scout.
The day of the photos, the sky was amazing with lovely clouds and pretty colors in the sunset and the moon at just the right height.
The bridle Scout is wearing is the one Carus won in the raffle at Horse Fair back in June. It fits him perfectly and has heart-shaped pieces all along both sides and across the brow-band.
He had no problem with the hat or eye patch whatsoever. He's such a good boy!
Halloween Day - Boo Bash
Warming up before the contest starts.
Just put on the finishing touches - hats (Carus's was tied onto her helmet which she needs to wear always when riding*) and Carus, Scout, and I posed for a photo with Karen (Scout's owner and our ride).
Walking the circle for the judge.
First place in the costume contest!! Blue ribbon for Carus and a new one-eared bridle for Scout.
Waiting out of the rain for her next turn at the games. She had a lot of fun with the games. After every run she would say she wanted to go again! Too bad games are one shot, fast as you can, sort of deal. We'll practice them at our home barn.
I made a little video of the clips I took of their runs. I'm still not a great videographer...or video editor, but hey, I try. I even figured out how to put it to music! (You can view the video here on YouTube.)
Grooming contest team (Kylie, Carus, Mitchell, Amelie)
But we already knew that, huh.
Horse Fair was June 28th through July 1st. I think I am able to finally get this up because I finally feel I've recuperated HAHA!
The week leading up to Fair was crazy busy and I stressed over remembering things and getting things done, and trying to anticipate everything we'd need when I didn't know what to expect because no one tells you anything except that it is hot and busy and crazy. I was so very confident that it wouldn't be hot because my birthday weekend is NEVER hot here in Oregon and most years we actually get rain often.
I probably jinxed it. Oops.
The 4 days of Horse Fair were crazy busy and HOT! and I stressed over things getting done.
It was really, really hot. It is never in the 90s the last week of June, let alone the low 100s, but all that week it was.
The barn with all the people and horses and little to no breeze kept it feeling much warmer...though it didn't have the sun beating down on you so it sometimes it was better.
After In-Hand Trail hug
There was lots of waiting and working in the barn (the kids have to keep their section clean for a Herdsmanship competition - we won one day but not the trophy overall), and waiting outside in the sun (very little shade and not where it was needed) and running back and forth to the campgrounds and the barn and the arenas and barn again.
I was fairly successful in keeping us hydrated and not sunburned - but I did get sick and sunburned the last day (Robert took over in the last chores as I went home "early" to rest).
The days were also very long. Carus had to get up at 5 am to feed Scout as when one horse in the group is fed, the others need to be fed too, and there were early events.
Events started at 7 am and go until the schedule for the day was completed - sometimes 8 or 9 pm. Then there were the evening fun activities and bed wasn't before 10 any of those nights, and at least one night it was near midnight.
I stuck a pedometer in my pocket halfway through the first day and got over 35,000 steps that (half) day, and kept that trend up the rest of the week.
Our friend, Scout's owner, was a GOD SEND! for lending us her RV. The AC and nice bed to sleep on and fridge for cold drinks and food were very helpful. It was very much appreciated.
Riding at sunset
Carus had a lot of fun too! She did great in all her events bringing home Red Ribbons in in-hand trail and riding trail, and Blue Ribbons in showmanship and western equitation. She did so well in her western equitation she got a special recognition ribbon that was presented to her at the final meeting with all the participants in attendance.
Game night riding
The grooming contest was the first day. Our group had two teams working in the contest. Each team gets a dirty horse to bathe and clip and present in a showmanship-type presentation (in hand walking, trotting, and set up presentation for the judge). Carus's team bathed Mitchell and they won that contest. They each got a free ice cream for that.
Each evening they had fun activities planned like Game Night where they had games they could play with their horses - like the apple bobbing race, which she got to do, and the team ribbon race where each team of two riders hold a string of yarn between them as they ride around the arena at different speeds and stops and turns and Carus and her teammate didn't win, but they had fun. Another evening there was a potluck and another was a movie under the stars.
One of the 4H groups had a member holding a raffle contest to raise money for her to go to Nationals and Carus entered all the money allotted to her (some she got Daddy to put up and some she got Gramma Barbara to put up) into the raffle for a bridle with heart-shaped conchos on it. She won that.
Waiting for their event.
We've enjoyed our first year of 4H though have been really stressed about things (they don't explain shit! and I need information and it drove me nuts) and there are changes being discussed with the 4H group we're with where there might not be a group next year or it will be extra small (we're already small) and I didn't want Carus to say she didn't want to do it again right after being exhausted by Horse Fair so I told her she can't decide until the first week of August at the earliest.
I'm thinking she will want to do it again; she really likes the competition and shows and the ribbons.
I'm also thinking next year would be better because now I know what's going on...well, at least I know more of what's going on. And I'm determined to create a manual for new 4H parents because we need one!
Carus and I were in heaven with all the GORGEOUS horses.
Carus and Scout had a good first show together. No ribbons were won this time, but loads of experience was gained and fun was had. They both did really well.
I was so nervous and wound up and worried for her safety. There were so many horses in the warm-up arena and some of the events were PACKED and I was so scared she or Scout would be hurt.
They did great. Carus watched out for his blind side. He didn't flip out at any of the new stuff he was experiencing, nor at not being able to see. He was a bit of a lookie-loo, turning his head and occasionally his body around trying to see what was going on. She kept her seat nicely and he had a slow jog when needed; both things that have been a bit elusive to Carus lately.
And he was so pretty! Karen (his owner) picked up Carus the day before the show and they had a little trail ride and then they scrubbed a winter's worth of mud and muck off of Scout and he was so bright and white! He had several people comment on how clean he was - often fellow white horse owners. They know the struggle!
It was a looooong day, but really good. Carus is happy with their performance and knows what she wants to work on for the next show. Geneva was a god-send! She hauled Scout, helped with last minute touch ups on Carus and Scout (white attracts dirt!), she helped Carus feel prepared, and me feel Carus was safe.
When we got back to the barn I took a few more photos (the one above) and Carus let Scout loose in the arena. He took off at full speed to the other end to see Luke and Texas who were being curious over the arena wall, then spun around and immediately laid down for a good roll.
