Apologies, amigos! Sorry for being so silent. No particular reason, just didn't have much to say.
I actually don't have a lot to talk about right now either, but I figured I needed to put something in here.
Work has been nothing short of awful lately. I won't go into why, just that it stresses me out. My personal life has been so-so. Not great. A couple things were getting me down, and then it just started a spiral into depression. Last weekend was tough. Not to worry, though, I'm going to see my therapist on Monday, we'll talk all about it. It's sometimes hard to describe, how that all feels. It begins with negative thoughts, and those negative thoughts breed more negative thoughts, and then no matter how hard I try I can't get positive again.
It really sucks.
I'm feeling better though, so don't sweat it. And there's good stuff in there too, so don't sweat that either. Like my horse class. I had my last one on Monday, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. Nice instructor, nice classmates (all 2 of them), nice horses. I've decided to take the plunge and will begin lessons in the spring. It's extravagant, to be sure, but it's also my dream. If fulfilling my dream means cancelling my cable TV or athletic club membership (and you can probably figure out which item will win THAT cage match), so be it. I don't really care. I want to learn to ride and I'm going to do it.
I have done a lot of work and research, and I am comfortable in saying that the people who own the stables and run the barn are really, really good. Everything about what they do is above board. They live on the property, steps from the horses. They have a viewing area where you can watch the lessons. Their horses are incredibly well cared for, and seem quite content and happy. They practice natural horsemanship. And one of their instructors sort of specializes in people like me. Women of a certain age who are fulfilling their desire to work with horses. It's just the perfect place for me.
So that's good.
I'll be sure to let you know all about what I'm learning. I think the semester starts in April, so I have a month or so to get prepared. I would like to lose some more weight and have every intention on doing just that.
Speaking of which, the weight loss is good. The setback I had over the holidays is still affecting my total (just that it takes about 3 times as long to lose it as it did to gain it), but I've gotten back in the groove and have been consistently losing. I've got a big, big milestone coming up, so that's my next goal.
I'm going to sign off now. Just wanted to pop in and give you an update. I'll try and come up with something better next post.
Adios!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Horse Class!
Hey Amigos,
Did I tell you all that I was taking a class called "The Wonderful World of Horses"? I can't remember and I'm too lazy to go looking at older posts. ANYway, I had my second class last night, and we actually got to work with one of the horses, and I'm absolutely in LOVE with them, even more than I ever have been. Last night it was abundantly clear that horses are my thing.
Our instructor, Rosanne, had us simply move the horse, a beautiful red mare. First with just our words and body language, no reins or rope (we weren't ON the horse, this was strictly ground work). It didn't work for me at first. I was trying to get her to turn right and she just kept lifting her massive head over my puny one so I'd end up on her other side. So, I changed things up. I moved back a little and clucked my tongue at her and just generally started walking into her, and sure enough she turned for me. That was cool. Then Rosanne put a bridle on her with a rope attached. This time I was to hold the rope and make sure that she didn't move! I think that's a lot of what working with horses is. Getting them to go where you want, and getting them to stay out of where you don't!
This horse wanted to be near us, so she definitely wasn't just going to stand there. So as soon as I saw her begin to take a step I just put my hand up and said "No." Not loudly, but firmly. And sure enough, she was right at attention and stayed put. I think my work with dogs gave me just the right amount of firmness and assuredness. Not that working with dogs and horses is that similar. You need some of the same skills, it's the psychology of the animal that makes the difference.
Then I had to hold the rope with her next to me, and keep still while ensuring she didn't go anywhere. Not as easy as it sounds, but I did it.
I told Rosanne what was so hard is that what I really want to do is hug the horse! I haven't ever gotten that out of my system, I just want to walk up to them, put my arms around their neck and hug them and pet them, talk to them, hang out with them.
Yeah, I've got a problem. That little 8 year old girl who fell in love with Black Beauty and Misty of Chincoteague and Fury is still in me.
I have learned SO much in just these 2 classes. I won't go in to everything I've learned, it's just too much. Bottom line, I love it. The instructor is awesome, so knowledgeable, calm and patient. And the other 2 women in the class are so super nice. I thought I may have been at a disadvantage because they both know the owners (one woman's daughter is taking lessons; the other woman actually was taking lessons but suffered a fall and is slowly working her way back). But I've been welcomed with open arms and feel on equal footing with everyone.
I even have homework! I need to clip ads for horses for sale, because next week we're going to talk about actually purchasing and owning a horse. Not that I could ever do that, but it's all part of the process, and stuff that I should know.
Next week I'll be doing more actual hands on work, and I can hardly wait!
Not too much else is new. Doing well on the old weight loss front. I am very near a milestone and am hoping to blow past it this week. Think light thoughts amigos.
Did I tell you all that I was taking a class called "The Wonderful World of Horses"? I can't remember and I'm too lazy to go looking at older posts. ANYway, I had my second class last night, and we actually got to work with one of the horses, and I'm absolutely in LOVE with them, even more than I ever have been. Last night it was abundantly clear that horses are my thing.
Our instructor, Rosanne, had us simply move the horse, a beautiful red mare. First with just our words and body language, no reins or rope (we weren't ON the horse, this was strictly ground work). It didn't work for me at first. I was trying to get her to turn right and she just kept lifting her massive head over my puny one so I'd end up on her other side. So, I changed things up. I moved back a little and clucked my tongue at her and just generally started walking into her, and sure enough she turned for me. That was cool. Then Rosanne put a bridle on her with a rope attached. This time I was to hold the rope and make sure that she didn't move! I think that's a lot of what working with horses is. Getting them to go where you want, and getting them to stay out of where you don't!
This horse wanted to be near us, so she definitely wasn't just going to stand there. So as soon as I saw her begin to take a step I just put my hand up and said "No." Not loudly, but firmly. And sure enough, she was right at attention and stayed put. I think my work with dogs gave me just the right amount of firmness and assuredness. Not that working with dogs and horses is that similar. You need some of the same skills, it's the psychology of the animal that makes the difference.
Then I had to hold the rope with her next to me, and keep still while ensuring she didn't go anywhere. Not as easy as it sounds, but I did it.
I told Rosanne what was so hard is that what I really want to do is hug the horse! I haven't ever gotten that out of my system, I just want to walk up to them, put my arms around their neck and hug them and pet them, talk to them, hang out with them.
Yeah, I've got a problem. That little 8 year old girl who fell in love with Black Beauty and Misty of Chincoteague and Fury is still in me.
I have learned SO much in just these 2 classes. I won't go in to everything I've learned, it's just too much. Bottom line, I love it. The instructor is awesome, so knowledgeable, calm and patient. And the other 2 women in the class are so super nice. I thought I may have been at a disadvantage because they both know the owners (one woman's daughter is taking lessons; the other woman actually was taking lessons but suffered a fall and is slowly working her way back). But I've been welcomed with open arms and feel on equal footing with everyone.
I even have homework! I need to clip ads for horses for sale, because next week we're going to talk about actually purchasing and owning a horse. Not that I could ever do that, but it's all part of the process, and stuff that I should know.
Next week I'll be doing more actual hands on work, and I can hardly wait!
Not too much else is new. Doing well on the old weight loss front. I am very near a milestone and am hoping to blow past it this week. Think light thoughts amigos.
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