liminal_space | Word of the Day: Short

There should be a tag that automatically pops up for me: #ithasbeenawhilesincelastIwrote.

I'm just saying.

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As summer vacation edges toward its end, it feels like nothing was accomplished and it's only through conscious effort that I can let go of that feeling. Because, really, much happened.

1. Horse had serious hoof issues and I, almost singlehandedly, have moved him out of his lameness. I've been at the barn two times a day for close to six weeks (if not more) and have nursed his feet, exercised him in the round pen, researched treatments, learned far more than I really wanted to about horse rehabilitation, and have finally landed him in a place where he can be ridden properly by the kid. We are still not quite at jumping and he's only cantering when I lunge him, but we'll get there.

2. My kitchen remodel is 99% finished. We went from dated ugly to updated pretty and I'm so proud of myself for balancing costs for upgrades with how much it will impact the value of the house. I went cost effective in a lot of places -- go me! I'm also super proud of the husband for doing some of the stuff that was originally planned by the contractor and saving us close to $2000 dollars. We still need baseboards down and the living room needs tiling, but as it stands, I think we will be just a smidge over budget vs. quite a bit over budget. Go team!

3. I have stuck with the horse riding and have averaged lessons 2x per week. =D It's been an exercise in patience for me, because I am ready for my own horse and want to ride every single day -- thank you very much -- but I'm waiting for my trainer to give me the OK. =D I took the last week off because a) I gained 5 lbs and was pissy about it and b) I just needed some time to dick off without feeling like everything was in a constant state of GO GO GO. I ride again on Thursday (hrm....maybe it's been closer to 2 weeks I've been off -- slacker!) and we'll hammer out days and times so I can keep a minimum of 2 days a week going with maybe a 3rd thrown in every week for just a fun ride.

Fun rides are the BEST. I got to go on my first trail ride on the 17th and even though it's super fun and doesn't FEEL like work, my legs and core hurt more after that ride than any of the others.

I'm still riding w/a bareback pad and prefer it to anything else. So far I've walked, trotted, and cantered (the canter was an accident) w/o a saddle. I've also practiced emergency dismounts, one of which resulted in a major bruise on my arm. I was really proud of that bruise.

4. While I haven't kept up on the "diet" (seriously, trying to eat anything during a kitchen remodel is virtually impossible), I haven't really gained any weight. The 5lbs of weight gain were related to bloating, heat, and lack of water. It's still hot, but I've upped the water consumption tremendously and that's helped the bloating. Stupid water weight.

5. I haven't been a bitch like I usually am during the summer. At least I don't think I have. o.O I attribute the better attitude to the keeping body and mind busy. Sitting and stewing does no one any good.

There's lots of other little things, too. I've read and relaxed; I've worked hard to plan for positive things and dump the negative cloud that's been hanging around; I've tried to consciously let go of things that I have no control over; I've tried to be a better mother to the short one. I did not kill any of the plants I put in containers. I haven't went out and bought a horse even though I could. :) That last one is a biggie.

There's negative, too....of course. But really, why let it have a home here? Or anywhere, really? It's amazing how much better my mental wellbeing is when I focus on the things I can change vs. the negatives that are beyond my sphere of influence.

All of this Pollyanna comes at a cost, though: I think the internal work through has been causing physical manifestations of ugly. I have a rash on the underside of my arms that's been with me since school got out. It might be stress related or allergy related (I've been around hay and horses to the point where that's my new signature scent). Or I might just be getting old. lol

Anyway, it's all good.

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I have a training tomorrow & Wednesday in town, so have to get up at my "school day" hour. Ugh. My first contract day is on the 10th and that starts the school year. Ugh!

I really need to make a small fortune so I can stay home and have all the horses. ;)

Monday Recommendation:

The Black Tapes is a bi-weekly podcast from Pacific Northwest Stories and Minnow Beats Whale, and is hosted by Alex Reagan. The Black Tapes is a serialized docudrama about one journalist's search for truth, her enigmatic subject's mysterious past, and the literal and figurative ghosts that haunt them both.

[It's been a GREAT listen!]