I don't know WHY I have such a mental block behind getting over that "hump" of 180 lbs - I get right down to it, then rebound 3-4-5-6-7 or 8 lbs?? (I spasmed last week after splurging on pizza and Tex-Mex, when the scales jumped 4 lbs in a single night!)
I'm like Sisyphus - almost getting there, but having to restart the process all over again. Bad choices precipitate cravings; now I'm having to fight that mental gauntlet as I drive my circuit: Popeye's? No
Church's Chicken? NO! Taco Bell? Heavens, no, no, NO!!!
It's Official
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
..I did NOT win this spring weight-loss challenge at my gym! No big surprises there; it has been a hard slog on and off-track many times to result in a net loss of 6.2 lbs...
(For my participation, I won a free training session - whoo-wee!)
It is gratifying, since I had given myself stern warnings that if I didn't lose at least 5 lbs, I wouldn't haul off 580 mi to try to conquer the Ozark Trail this year on my lil' pony. He looked great all day at last weekend's local 50-mi event - once again, I was the weak link although dear Z seemed to be feeling the mileage more so than when we did our last 50 together last Nov...
Or then again, maybe it was just teenaged angst - he started in on me during our SECOND loop (there were 5): "We're just repeating the same trail! Why are we doing this, this is BORING!!!" so forth & so on for many tedious miles. I never managed to get into that meditative state, trotting along which is so pleasant - why DO I do endurance, after all? It is hard to explain - I tried paraphrasing Sir Edmund Hillary: "We do this because it's there, & because we CAN - it's something very few equestriennes are willing or able to do!" (as my friend L said, "You've either got the bug or you ain't!"
I was so fed up with Z's whining that I gave him full permission to QUIT at several points, but who knows where he got that stubbornness from ;-) ??? He soldiered on and got his completion.
(And as busy as we've been, I've been lucky to get this abbreviated update posted; hopefully MORE LATER!)
(For my participation, I won a free training session - whoo-wee!)
It is gratifying, since I had given myself stern warnings that if I didn't lose at least 5 lbs, I wouldn't haul off 580 mi to try to conquer the Ozark Trail this year on my lil' pony. He looked great all day at last weekend's local 50-mi event - once again, I was the weak link although dear Z seemed to be feeling the mileage more so than when we did our last 50 together last Nov...
Or then again, maybe it was just teenaged angst - he started in on me during our SECOND loop (there were 5): "We're just repeating the same trail! Why are we doing this, this is BORING!!!" so forth & so on for many tedious miles. I never managed to get into that meditative state, trotting along which is so pleasant - why DO I do endurance, after all? It is hard to explain - I tried paraphrasing Sir Edmund Hillary: "We do this because it's there, & because we CAN - it's something very few equestriennes are willing or able to do!" (as my friend L said, "You've either got the bug or you ain't!"
I was so fed up with Z's whining that I gave him full permission to QUIT at several points, but who knows where he got that stubbornness from ;-) ??? He soldiered on and got his completion.
(And as busy as we've been, I've been lucky to get this abbreviated update posted; hopefully MORE LATER!)
Decisions, Decisions
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Staring down the barrel of this last week of preparation to haul off to the Ozark Trail, Val remains ambivalent...
As I said, we completed our 50 last weekend under heavy protest from Master Z - maybe 50 mi was more challenging than he remembered it being, maybe he was just being a teenager but it was a true endurance test for ME to get through the ride without blowing up at his whining & griping! Several times I gave him the option of QUITTING but he must have gotten a double-dose of Stubborn from I-don't-know-where since he kept on going ;-) (He got extremely bored w/the trail repetition which is inevitable when we're at a crowded venue - each of those 0.3 mi repeats going in & out is factored into our mileage; ride management was going to make certain we were not "shortchanged"!) And since he had held up his end of the bargain (riding w/me; guess I should have specified that he needed to be PLEASANT COMPANY!!! - I held up my end of the bargain by driving home Sat night, going to pick up Friend Jack for a sleepover, taking 'em to the movies Sun afternoon...)
(Two thumbs up for the new Jackie Robinson movie "42" BTW!!!)
What echoes in my head is his ringing questions as to "WHY" we do endurance - hell, I was getting tired & irritable myself so I couldn't do much better than a crude paraphrase of Sir Edmund Hillary: Because it's THERE & because we CAN!!! I have never forgotten the spectacle of Mark Dees shouting down my ex-husband at the AERC convention all those years ago as to what true endurance was (i.e. 50 mi or greater) - Ex was arguing that what was classified as the shorter "training distances" of 25 or 35 mi should count too**...& while I do think LD "counts" (not very many riders even go that far!), it's a whole different level when you step it up to 50, 75, or 100 miles. To me it's the difference between leisurely recreation & WORK.
So that's a roundabout way of saying I'm on the fence as I stare down these final days of prep for Ozark Trail... While I hate for Z to miss out on what I think will be a memorable experience (a point-to-point ride on a historic trail), I don't want to haul a recalcitrant teen 1200+ mi & drag him through another event he'd just as soon opt out of.
A.) If I go by myself, it would be stupid to refuse L a berth even though she's a minor PITA as a travelling companion - will my husband remain on speaking terms w/me? Well, he did it last year ;-) !
B.) If Z doesn't go, I could handle this several ways:
1.) 4-d weekend w/Amamma & Granddad
2.) 4-d weekend w/Friend Jack & family (if they'll have him)
3.) ask MRJ to switch weekends (which given his current mood may be unlikely, so I'd lose 2 weekends in a row w/Z)
This morning we were both tired & irritable - neither of us got a good night's sleep since I am resisting turning on the AC hopefully until May 1st - it was pretty warm & humid. I think any attempt at discussion would have not turned out well. But my farrier is coming out tomorrow & there's no point in paying to shoe a mule who isn't going to MO. Nothing like putting off things until the last minute, huh?
**About 20 yrs ago, our national ride organization (AERC) was at a crossroads: while it was originally established to sanction 50 mi & up events, the popularity of the Limited Distance 25 or 35 mi rides was so great that these members required recognition. Not to mention that at many rides, they provided the backbone of support - in essence subsidizing the longer distances! The compromise that was reached was to give LD riders their own registry for mileage tracking/awards. I've done plenty of LD rides myself (1675 mi to be exact, but that's only a fraction of my "REAL" endurance mileage = 6720) - for many reasons, be it a green horse or rider, insufficient training time, limited resources - LD may be the only distance a lot of riders ever participate in...
But I still count myself as a REAL endurance rider, which means I never feel as if I've "done enough" after only 25 or 35 mi. And with diesel staying close to $4/gal, I may not be hauling back out to our crown jewel of endurance, the Tevis ride in CA, until Z is out of college, an independent adult being. What a concept.
As I said, we completed our 50 last weekend under heavy protest from Master Z - maybe 50 mi was more challenging than he remembered it being, maybe he was just being a teenager but it was a true endurance test for ME to get through the ride without blowing up at his whining & griping! Several times I gave him the option of QUITTING but he must have gotten a double-dose of Stubborn from I-don't-know-where since he kept on going ;-) (He got extremely bored w/the trail repetition which is inevitable when we're at a crowded venue - each of those 0.3 mi repeats going in & out is factored into our mileage; ride management was going to make certain we were not "shortchanged"!) And since he had held up his end of the bargain (riding w/me; guess I should have specified that he needed to be PLEASANT COMPANY!!! - I held up my end of the bargain by driving home Sat night, going to pick up Friend Jack for a sleepover, taking 'em to the movies Sun afternoon...)
(Two thumbs up for the new Jackie Robinson movie "42" BTW!!!)
What echoes in my head is his ringing questions as to "WHY" we do endurance - hell, I was getting tired & irritable myself so I couldn't do much better than a crude paraphrase of Sir Edmund Hillary: Because it's THERE & because we CAN!!! I have never forgotten the spectacle of Mark Dees shouting down my ex-husband at the AERC convention all those years ago as to what true endurance was (i.e. 50 mi or greater) - Ex was arguing that what was classified as the shorter "training distances" of 25 or 35 mi should count too**...& while I do think LD "counts" (not very many riders even go that far!), it's a whole different level when you step it up to 50, 75, or 100 miles. To me it's the difference between leisurely recreation & WORK.
So that's a roundabout way of saying I'm on the fence as I stare down these final days of prep for Ozark Trail... While I hate for Z to miss out on what I think will be a memorable experience (a point-to-point ride on a historic trail), I don't want to haul a recalcitrant teen 1200+ mi & drag him through another event he'd just as soon opt out of.
A.) If I go by myself, it would be stupid to refuse L a berth even though she's a minor PITA as a travelling companion - will my husband remain on speaking terms w/me? Well, he did it last year ;-) !
B.) If Z doesn't go, I could handle this several ways:
1.) 4-d weekend w/Amamma & Granddad
2.) 4-d weekend w/Friend Jack & family (if they'll have him)
3.) ask MRJ to switch weekends (which given his current mood may be unlikely, so I'd lose 2 weekends in a row w/Z)
This morning we were both tired & irritable - neither of us got a good night's sleep since I am resisting turning on the AC hopefully until May 1st - it was pretty warm & humid. I think any attempt at discussion would have not turned out well. But my farrier is coming out tomorrow & there's no point in paying to shoe a mule who isn't going to MO. Nothing like putting off things until the last minute, huh?
**About 20 yrs ago, our national ride organization (AERC) was at a crossroads: while it was originally established to sanction 50 mi & up events, the popularity of the Limited Distance 25 or 35 mi rides was so great that these members required recognition. Not to mention that at many rides, they provided the backbone of support - in essence subsidizing the longer distances! The compromise that was reached was to give LD riders their own registry for mileage tracking/awards. I've done plenty of LD rides myself (1675 mi to be exact, but that's only a fraction of my "REAL" endurance mileage = 6720) - for many reasons, be it a green horse or rider, insufficient training time, limited resources - LD may be the only distance a lot of riders ever participate in...
But I still count myself as a REAL endurance rider, which means I never feel as if I've "done enough" after only 25 or 35 mi. And with diesel staying close to $4/gal, I may not be hauling back out to our crown jewel of endurance, the Tevis ride in CA, until Z is out of college, an independent adult being. What a concept.
Stress & Irritability
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Let's face it, there are never enough hrs in the day...
In one way, I was happy to pass the parental baton to M this weekend - it gives me two days to make the most of my time: today I've been attacking laundry, cleaning tack, washing saddle pads & otherwise starting to load up/pack for next weekend's Big Ride, the Ozark Trail.
But I had to give away this morning to trail work at our local park. That gave me sore feet & a minor hitch in my getalong from hauling heavy boxes of trail-stake markers out on trail, where the boys could come behind me & drive 'em into place. I should have brought my lil' donkeys to serve as pack animals!
I didn't stay to ride afterwards, needed to get on home & get a few things done. Now I ought to devote some Quality Time to DH, who is flying out mañana so he can return Wed night to help w/the driving this weekend. Wish me luck folks!
(Blogging on this iPad is less than optimal, but home computer won't cooperate; every time I try to post a blog entry OR comment on SparkFriends blogs, it locks up?!?!? It's mildly irritating since I'm married to a computer guy, but I guess he don't care if Val gets her "typing therapy" or not!)
Ad I'll have to post about the latest BS from Ex later - he just can't stop! My friend Lisa says he must not be over me - I don't have the energy to argue that HE'S the one who left and is now remarried?!?!?!? A little over 3 yrs, let me pray for patience bcz if I pray for strength I'll just beat him to death!
In one way, I was happy to pass the parental baton to M this weekend - it gives me two days to make the most of my time: today I've been attacking laundry, cleaning tack, washing saddle pads & otherwise starting to load up/pack for next weekend's Big Ride, the Ozark Trail.
But I had to give away this morning to trail work at our local park. That gave me sore feet & a minor hitch in my getalong from hauling heavy boxes of trail-stake markers out on trail, where the boys could come behind me & drive 'em into place. I should have brought my lil' donkeys to serve as pack animals!
I didn't stay to ride afterwards, needed to get on home & get a few things done. Now I ought to devote some Quality Time to DH, who is flying out mañana so he can return Wed night to help w/the driving this weekend. Wish me luck folks!
(Blogging on this iPad is less than optimal, but home computer won't cooperate; every time I try to post a blog entry OR comment on SparkFriends blogs, it locks up?!?!? It's mildly irritating since I'm married to a computer guy, but I guess he don't care if Val gets her "typing therapy" or not!)
Ad I'll have to post about the latest BS from Ex later - he just can't stop! My friend Lisa says he must not be over me - I don't have the energy to argue that HE'S the one who left and is now remarried?!?!?!? A little over 3 yrs, let me pray for patience bcz if I pray for strength I'll just beat him to death!
Raining & Pouring
Monday, April 22, 2013
(a figurative assessment of current conditions, since literally it has been BEAUTIFUL weather all weekend: cool spring weather, clear blue skies, wildflowers in bloom - prob the best time of all to live in N Central TX!)
But when I logged in to check my email last Fri morning, I found this "gem" waiting in my inbox from my ex:
"Valerie,
Since I did not notify you by April 1, my summer visit will begin as per the agreement at 6pm on Friday, June 28, 2013. It will end at 6pm on Friday, August 2, 2013. I will pick Z up and drop him off at these times at whatever location we agree on.
Per your request, your intervening weekend will begin at 6pm on Friday, July 5, 2013 and will end at 6pm on Sunday, July 7, 2013. We can meet at McDonalds in H for drop-off and pick-up as you suggest.
Per your request, your summer vacation take-away weekend will be Saturday and Sunday, August 3 & 4.
Thanks,
M"
As usual, no salutation, but wow! I warranted a "Thanks" (as in "thanks for the opportunity to screw you over!" in the closing; that is atypical. Fri morning, in a red-hot fury, I emailed my attorney... Of COURSE, M is well within his rights to screw me over by appropriating the "Dead Week" of the FB schedule for himself, so there's not a damn thing I can do without being in contempt of court.
Also as usual, who will suffer the most will be my poor child... He will be devastated to learn that we won't be able to go see our friends on the coast (that is, unless he sacrifices a couple of d of FB practice that following week); he'll be back in school w/orientation beginning Aug 13th.
So this makes me more determined than ever to "Carpe Diem" by taking Z to the Ozark Trail ride this weekend; it will be a hard push but hopefully worthwhile. I'm strategizing all the errands I need to run to finish up most of my packing BEFORE Z gets home manana...Ah, the stress & strain of balancing your teenager's social life with your own! Z has been asked to a quinceanera, the 15th-BD "coming out" party of a Hispanic girl... This is a VERY big deal!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qu
incea%C3%B1era
The closest approximation I can think of is a debutante ball; a huge investment of time, effort, social capital as well as M*O*N*E*Y.
Last Fri night I noticed an unknown email which I didn't bother opening until Sat AM:
"Evening Family, Parents, Friends/Classmates,
Thank you all for being part of our special family event. All of you play an important role in our lives.
The following messages was originally sent to your child or children to allow them to book and plan ahead for the practices. We were under the impression that they in turn would communicate with you, their parent(s). However, sometimes that has not been the case. This being said, below please find the following information: dates, name of location, address, etc.
We request that your child attend all practices, but if unable to- then, at least try to attend the last four. Those would be the most important ones. Should there be any changes or modifications- you and your child/children will be contacted.
Thank you again!
(Original/1st message:)
Listen, we've made arrangements with United Dance Academy to hold one hour practices from 5-6 pm on Saturdays. This was the latest time they had available and since most people have some type of commitment prior to this, we took it. The practices will be on the following dates:
April 13 & 20
May 11, 18, & 25
June 1
Please make sure to attend and if you are unable to let me know. Thank you for being part of this event."
Yikes! Obviously Z had already missed the 1st practice, since A.) we were in horse camp, and B.) that was the first I'd heard of it! I was thrilled to think of my big handsome young man being the escort of the quince girl ("We're just FRIENDS, Mom!") so I immediately replied to her mom:
Hi V:
Well, I do apologize, but as you mentioned, dear Z had not told me anything!
I will certainly bring him to practice on 5/11 & 5/25, but those other dates fall on Z's weekends at his dad's. I'll do my best to convey their importance - I certainly know how important this is & how much expense & effort are involved in your baby's quince !!! Thanks so much for the privilege of Z being asked to be an escort. (This mom's for one is very proud)
Yours truly,
Val
I noticed in the original email that she CC'd everyone: mother, stepdad, father, stepmother. I don't know if bringing M's attn to the importance of this social event will make it more or less likely that he'll take Z to those remaining practices (no, OF COURSE he didn't take him to last Sat's practice, the b@stard!)
Z sounded really discouraged last night, saying he just wouldn't be able to go - I tried to "talk him down", saying it would be alright if he just made 2 practice sessions (i.e. the ones on MY weekends)... M assured me several mos ago when this event was in the planning stages that he would take Z (it falls on the 1st weekend of June) - I'm afraid the social fallout from backing out at this late date would be disastrous for Z.
"Evening Ms. Val,
I apologize for this reply and I appreciate you allowing and bringing your son to our practices.
My daughter considers him a good friend and I'm glad to him be a part of this.
I will send you the tuxedo information tomorrow so that you can order it.
Thank you again.
V"
Every time I read this, it brings tears to my eyes - why is she apologizing to ME? If I were in her shoes, I would be roundly cursing the idiot adults who can't get their sh!t together to allow their kids to participate...
So those have been the dramatic incidents of MY life recently - and I haven't even gotten into my dad's weird neuro episode last Thurs (I think he's OK but he has temporarily lost the use of his L arm). I've rattled on long enough; lots to do to keep on track for my upcoming Ozark Trail expedition. I feel just like Commander Decker: "...I want THIS!" and we shall see if this headstrong willfulness turns out to be Good or Bad.
But when I logged in to check my email last Fri morning, I found this "gem" waiting in my inbox from my ex:
"Valerie,
Since I did not notify you by April 1, my summer visit will begin as per the agreement at 6pm on Friday, June 28, 2013. It will end at 6pm on Friday, August 2, 2013. I will pick Z up and drop him off at these times at whatever location we agree on.
Per your request, your intervening weekend will begin at 6pm on Friday, July 5, 2013 and will end at 6pm on Sunday, July 7, 2013. We can meet at McDonalds in H for drop-off and pick-up as you suggest.
Per your request, your summer vacation take-away weekend will be Saturday and Sunday, August 3 & 4.
Thanks,
M"
As usual, no salutation, but wow! I warranted a "Thanks" (as in "thanks for the opportunity to screw you over!" in the closing; that is atypical. Fri morning, in a red-hot fury, I emailed my attorney... Of COURSE, M is well within his rights to screw me over by appropriating the "Dead Week" of the FB schedule for himself, so there's not a damn thing I can do without being in contempt of court.
Also as usual, who will suffer the most will be my poor child... He will be devastated to learn that we won't be able to go see our friends on the coast (that is, unless he sacrifices a couple of d of FB practice that following week); he'll be back in school w/orientation beginning Aug 13th.
So this makes me more determined than ever to "Carpe Diem" by taking Z to the Ozark Trail ride this weekend; it will be a hard push but hopefully worthwhile. I'm strategizing all the errands I need to run to finish up most of my packing BEFORE Z gets home manana...Ah, the stress & strain of balancing your teenager's social life with your own! Z has been asked to a quinceanera, the 15th-BD "coming out" party of a Hispanic girl... This is a VERY big deal!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qu
incea%C3%B1era
The closest approximation I can think of is a debutante ball; a huge investment of time, effort, social capital as well as M*O*N*E*Y.
Last Fri night I noticed an unknown email which I didn't bother opening until Sat AM:
"Evening Family, Parents, Friends/Classmates,
Thank you all for being part of our special family event. All of you play an important role in our lives.
The following messages was originally sent to your child or children to allow them to book and plan ahead for the practices. We were under the impression that they in turn would communicate with you, their parent(s). However, sometimes that has not been the case. This being said, below please find the following information: dates, name of location, address, etc.
We request that your child attend all practices, but if unable to- then, at least try to attend the last four. Those would be the most important ones. Should there be any changes or modifications- you and your child/children will be contacted.
Thank you again!
(Original/1st message:)
Listen, we've made arrangements with United Dance Academy to hold one hour practices from 5-6 pm on Saturdays. This was the latest time they had available and since most people have some type of commitment prior to this, we took it. The practices will be on the following dates:
April 13 & 20
May 11, 18, & 25
June 1
Please make sure to attend and if you are unable to let me know. Thank you for being part of this event."
Yikes! Obviously Z had already missed the 1st practice, since A.) we were in horse camp, and B.) that was the first I'd heard of it! I was thrilled to think of my big handsome young man being the escort of the quince girl ("We're just FRIENDS, Mom!") so I immediately replied to her mom:
Hi V:
Well, I do apologize, but as you mentioned, dear Z had not told me anything!
I will certainly bring him to practice on 5/11 & 5/25, but those other dates fall on Z's weekends at his dad's. I'll do my best to convey their importance - I certainly know how important this is & how much expense & effort are involved in your baby's quince !!! Thanks so much for the privilege of Z being asked to be an escort. (This mom's for one is very proud)
Yours truly,
Val
I noticed in the original email that she CC'd everyone: mother, stepdad, father, stepmother. I don't know if bringing M's attn to the importance of this social event will make it more or less likely that he'll take Z to those remaining practices (no, OF COURSE he didn't take him to last Sat's practice, the b@stard!)
Z sounded really discouraged last night, saying he just wouldn't be able to go - I tried to "talk him down", saying it would be alright if he just made 2 practice sessions (i.e. the ones on MY weekends)... M assured me several mos ago when this event was in the planning stages that he would take Z (it falls on the 1st weekend of June) - I'm afraid the social fallout from backing out at this late date would be disastrous for Z.
"Evening Ms. Val,
I apologize for this reply and I appreciate you allowing and bringing your son to our practices.
My daughter considers him a good friend and I'm glad to him be a part of this.
I will send you the tuxedo information tomorrow so that you can order it.
Thank you again.
V"
Every time I read this, it brings tears to my eyes - why is she apologizing to ME? If I were in her shoes, I would be roundly cursing the idiot adults who can't get their sh!t together to allow their kids to participate...
So those have been the dramatic incidents of MY life recently - and I haven't even gotten into my dad's weird neuro episode last Thurs (I think he's OK but he has temporarily lost the use of his L arm). I've rattled on long enough; lots to do to keep on track for my upcoming Ozark Trail expedition. I feel just like Commander Decker: "...I want THIS!" and we shall see if this headstrong willfulness turns out to be Good or Bad.
Guilt & Retribution
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Instead of coming home victorious from the Ozark Trail, sporting my shiny new belt buckle, all I have to show for my efforts are these mysterious marks:
OK, so I've never learned how to manipulate these iPhone photos, but that's my R breast, turned 90 degrees, with vampiric chafing from my beloved Enell riding bra!
I just figure the multihooked front placket got infolded - I knew I was suffering some chafing which I blamed on the pervasive dampness (it rained, it rained, then it rained some more!)
Last year it was a freak thermal inversion, heat index of 116 that did us in, but this year it was torrential rains! I'll just post an excerpt from a friend's FB post:
"Well.....We had our usual bad weather for the Ozark Trail 100. The 30% chance of scattered showers turned into an all night deluge. We had to, once again.. change the trail to going out 35 miles and then coming back to basecamp. Most of the entries opted to do the 75 and then think about elevating. Only 4 were in the 100. One tied up early. One got a cramp at mile 35. It was worked out and ok to go on, but the rider wisely decided that 65 more miles on a horse with a cramp was a bad idea. So the two left both completed with a ride time of about 17 1/2 hours. Like Tevis, that time includes the time spent at the gate and goes eating and resting. "
Instead of original plan to start at one camp & ride to another (a point-to-point ride), it turned into an out & back... Poor Z had all the "fun" he could stand after one way; I can't say that I blamed him. I was cold & cramped; the mule was trying to scrape Z off on random trees & Baraq was tripping & slipping in the mud & rocks. I didn't want to take responsibility for damage to my friend Paul's trailer if we loaded the mule & took her Bosom Buddy Baraq away, so I pulled too.
Much easier to bemoan this latest failure than to get into the latest co-parenting drama, but that will have to be a subject for another post. Brace yourself!
Time for one more good quote I came across: "What's done is done. You can't change the past but you CAN control the future. Today, stop obsessing over what you did or didn't do and instead, think about what you can do today to get you to where you want to be tomorrow."
OK, so I've never learned how to manipulate these iPhone photos, but that's my R breast, turned 90 degrees, with vampiric chafing from my beloved Enell riding bra!
I just figure the multihooked front placket got infolded - I knew I was suffering some chafing which I blamed on the pervasive dampness (it rained, it rained, then it rained some more!)
Last year it was a freak thermal inversion, heat index of 116 that did us in, but this year it was torrential rains! I'll just post an excerpt from a friend's FB post:
"Well.....We had our usual bad weather for the Ozark Trail 100. The 30% chance of scattered showers turned into an all night deluge. We had to, once again.. change the trail to going out 35 miles and then coming back to basecamp. Most of the entries opted to do the 75 and then think about elevating. Only 4 were in the 100. One tied up early. One got a cramp at mile 35. It was worked out and ok to go on, but the rider wisely decided that 65 more miles on a horse with a cramp was a bad idea. So the two left both completed with a ride time of about 17 1/2 hours. Like Tevis, that time includes the time spent at the gate and goes eating and resting. "
Instead of original plan to start at one camp & ride to another (a point-to-point ride), it turned into an out & back... Poor Z had all the "fun" he could stand after one way; I can't say that I blamed him. I was cold & cramped; the mule was trying to scrape Z off on random trees & Baraq was tripping & slipping in the mud & rocks. I didn't want to take responsibility for damage to my friend Paul's trailer if we loaded the mule & took her Bosom Buddy Baraq away, so I pulled too.
Much easier to bemoan this latest failure than to get into the latest co-parenting drama, but that will have to be a subject for another post. Brace yourself!
Time for one more good quote I came across: "What's done is done. You can't change the past but you CAN control the future. Today, stop obsessing over what you did or didn't do and instead, think about what you can do today to get you to where you want to be tomorrow."
It's For Realz
Monday, May 13, 2013
I find myself hopping on my clinic scales several times a day as I reassure myself that those numbers are REAL; I'm a Middleweight once again after years of struggle...
However, as I logged into Blogger & started my photo downloads for last weekend, it has taken 35 min for 10 photos! I am committing to finishing out Allan's photo challenge for 2 more days - completing my Mother's Day weekend recap, today & tomorrow to document 2 solid weeks of photojournalism of my food - then I'm going to have to resign; this is taking too much TIME!
mtcvet.blogspot.com/
In the meantime, two NSV's: I've moved back down to size Large scrub pants; my XL's were getting too baggy! The Larges are snug but not skintight...
Once again, I only got about a half-hour break for lunch; not enough TIME to hit the gym, but instead of eating, I parked my car in the shade & had a 25-min NAP to partially recharge my batteries for the rest of this Manic Monday. Trying not to be too critical of myself; felt as though I ran my a$$ off all weekend. I had such big plans for all the fitness goals I could accomplish w/that extra time in the mornings (when I have to take Z to school for early FB practice), but it seems the most useful talent I've perfected is the fine art of napping in my lil' car. The drone of traffic on the interstate is actually soporific.
However, as I logged into Blogger & started my photo downloads for last weekend, it has taken 35 min for 10 photos! I am committing to finishing out Allan's photo challenge for 2 more days - completing my Mother's Day weekend recap, today & tomorrow to document 2 solid weeks of photojournalism of my food - then I'm going to have to resign; this is taking too much TIME!
mtcvet.blogspot.com/
In the meantime, two NSV's: I've moved back down to size Large scrub pants; my XL's were getting too baggy! The Larges are snug but not skintight...
Once again, I only got about a half-hour break for lunch; not enough TIME to hit the gym, but instead of eating, I parked my car in the shade & had a 25-min NAP to partially recharge my batteries for the rest of this Manic Monday. Trying not to be too critical of myself; felt as though I ran my a$$ off all weekend. I had such big plans for all the fitness goals I could accomplish w/that extra time in the mornings (when I have to take Z to school for early FB practice), but it seems the most useful talent I've perfected is the fine art of napping in my lil' car. The drone of traffic on the interstate is actually soporific.
It IS Possible to Erase One's Mistakes
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Responsibility & accountability continue to be my buzzwords; el cheapo WW home scales displayed 210.2 this AM. These are P's scales - I got rid of mine several years ago in frustration when I tried to adopt a HAES philosophy... Unfortunately my weight didn't "normalize" when I tried to exit the feast or famine carousel, it just kept creeping higher - and my scientific mind flat-out could NOT accept that carrying around 50, 60, and eventually 70 excess pounds could be "healthy" for bones, joints, the rest of my entrails, and last but not least, beneficial for my poor ponies to tote around!
So I haven't lost any more, but at least maintained during these past 10 d of "relaxed tracking". Thursday I retrieved my horse trailer from the shop - I had inflicted damage to L fender & consequently the wastewater tanks when I scraped a tree in MO (just one more item on my list of Things to be Bummed Out About my failed Ozark Trail expedition). It was overdue for routine maintenance anyway, so I bit the bullet & pulled out ye olde Visa card which was almost paid off, damnit! They also noticed that tires were deteriorating (ya get what you pay for dontcha; those tires from local dealer turned out to be the literal "too good to be true") so I had them put down new Michelins all the way round - one of my least favorite activities would be crouching by the highway changing a flat, especially in inclement weather...
A least the trailer looks brand-spanking NEW: they acid-washed the aluminum & power-washed the horse compartment; it made me itch to hit the open road! Called my friend Rhonda as I drove home & she told me a riding clinic which had been rained out Memorial Day weekend had been rescheduled for yesterday. No time like the present to spend a Grandma & Me day w/my colt Moonshine, beloved only son of Sahara, grandson of Molly... Too bad I picked him up from trainer last Nov & let him sit idle, but I have faith in the awesome power of genetics! (Darling Moll passed on her terrific temperament to all her foals; I trained Sahara myself back when I had more Free Time & she turned out flawlessly if I DO say so myself)
(Hubby is rustling around anxiously to go to breakfast so I'll wrap it up)
Short answer is yes, it did go well - this facility has impressive high-tech equipment & I'll definitely visit again & refer clients there; click on "Clinics" tab in L sidebar & you'll get to see some of what we did (trainer complimented Moonie on holding steady as she set off fireworks & blasted air horn, but shoot, I knew that was the easy part! My cousins would fire pistols from astride Moll & she never flinched)
www.coldriverequine.com
So I haven't lost any more, but at least maintained during these past 10 d of "relaxed tracking". Thursday I retrieved my horse trailer from the shop - I had inflicted damage to L fender & consequently the wastewater tanks when I scraped a tree in MO (just one more item on my list of Things to be Bummed Out About my failed Ozark Trail expedition). It was overdue for routine maintenance anyway, so I bit the bullet & pulled out ye olde Visa card which was almost paid off, damnit! They also noticed that tires were deteriorating (ya get what you pay for dontcha; those tires from local dealer turned out to be the literal "too good to be true") so I had them put down new Michelins all the way round - one of my least favorite activities would be crouching by the highway changing a flat, especially in inclement weather...
A least the trailer looks brand-spanking NEW: they acid-washed the aluminum & power-washed the horse compartment; it made me itch to hit the open road! Called my friend Rhonda as I drove home & she told me a riding clinic which had been rained out Memorial Day weekend had been rescheduled for yesterday. No time like the present to spend a Grandma & Me day w/my colt Moonshine, beloved only son of Sahara, grandson of Molly... Too bad I picked him up from trainer last Nov & let him sit idle, but I have faith in the awesome power of genetics! (Darling Moll passed on her terrific temperament to all her foals; I trained Sahara myself back when I had more Free Time & she turned out flawlessly if I DO say so myself)
(Hubby is rustling around anxiously to go to breakfast so I'll wrap it up)
Short answer is yes, it did go well - this facility has impressive high-tech equipment & I'll definitely visit again & refer clients there; click on "Clinics" tab in L sidebar & you'll get to see some of what we did (trainer complimented Moonie on holding steady as she set off fireworks & blasted air horn, but shoot, I knew that was the easy part! My cousins would fire pistols from astride Moll & she never flinched)
www.coldriverequine.com
Yeah Right
Thursday, June 06, 2013
"Into each life, a little rain must fall" & of course Val must take two steps forward, then backslide a bit! Sure as hell, as soon as I posted about "accountability", I made several Epic Fail-quality bad decisions...
Another 2 lbs up - yeah I know it's not pure fat, mostly inflammatory effects of wheat & sugar, but how many times must I beat my head against that particular wall before I learn my lesson?!?!?!?
So as usual, I'm surfing around for inspiration:
"There is a difference in complaining and being truthful
There is a difference in seeing and doing
There is a difference in whining and standing up for yourself
There is a difference in blaming and accountability
There is a difference in struggling and failing"
(Thanks to Tony P, the Anti-Jared)
www.attunefoods.com/blog
/2013/04/the-secret-to-wei
ght-loss-the-difference/
I've found another source of inspiration in Marion at her Affection for Fitness blog:
affectionforfitness.blog
spot.com/2013/06/the-magic
-of-saying-no-for-every-no.html
This post in particular spoke to me, after an end-of-school celebratory dinner last night which has me feeling like that proverbial beached whale... Dust myself off, fire up the blender for a protein shake (to my disgust I AM feeling a few hunger pangs this AM) and as always, try try again...
Another 2 lbs up - yeah I know it's not pure fat, mostly inflammatory effects of wheat & sugar, but how many times must I beat my head against that particular wall before I learn my lesson?!?!?!?
So as usual, I'm surfing around for inspiration:
"There is a difference in complaining and being truthful
There is a difference in seeing and doing
There is a difference in whining and standing up for yourself
There is a difference in blaming and accountability
There is a difference in struggling and failing"
(Thanks to Tony P, the Anti-Jared)
www.attunefoods.com/blog
/2013/04/the-secret-to-wei
ght-loss-the-difference/
I've found another source of inspiration in Marion at her Affection for Fitness blog:
affectionforfitness.blog
spot.com/2013/06/the-magic
-of-saying-no-for-every-no.html
This post in particular spoke to me, after an end-of-school celebratory dinner last night which has me feeling like that proverbial beached whale... Dust myself off, fire up the blender for a protein shake (to my disgust I AM feeling a few hunger pangs this AM) and as always, try try again...
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