Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Badger Swimming

Badger Swimming - some of you were curious, so i took pics of Badger swimming today.






Last Weekend

This past weekend was long. On Friday I took Shelby to work. I believe normally this would not have been a big deal. But, this week she had been sick. I thought it was because of her teething. Long story, short…I took her to work and she was very whiney and fussy. That made for a long day and I got little done. By the middle of the day I called the doctor again and they told me they had a 2 pm appointment. I was supposed to run in Katy around 3 pm so I wasn’t sure what to do. Well, I ended up meeting Ryan and he took Shelby to the doctor while I went off to Katy.

The doc said she had a virus and there was nothing we could do other than keep giving her the Tylenol and motrin. With all the chaos, it was amazing I made my run! We ran, but we didn’t clock very well. My horse is fat and he is officially on a diet and will be worked a whole lot more now that I’m off of work. This will include swimming 1-2 times a week. He also gets a little rusty when he hasn’t run in a week. So, I’m going to make a run on him during the week in the practice pen.

I had to make another run on Saturday. Badger felt really good warming up. He dropped his shoulder going to the 2nd barrel, so I was a little worried about that. But, as I warmed him I kept bumping him in the front left shoulder to change his weight so he would get off of his shoulder. Three runners before my turn a girl was making a really nice run. She came around the third, her horse slipped real bad in the back end, through her off of her balance and she fell off facing down and hit her head. Apparently she was knocked out, but she did wake up shortly afterwards. Because of her hitting her head, they called an ambulance. That delayed the race at least 20-30 minutes. Fortunately, I believe she will be ok. She runs with us in the GCBRA and I think the NBHA too and her husband drags at a lot of our races. They are VERY nice people!

After that, they got the race going again and Badger was pumped. We started to the first running full force and feeling good. We wrapped around it real nice and were heading to the 2nd. That was awesome…he didn’t drop his should and he had a lot of power coming out of it. We go to the third, make a really nice turn only for him to slip on the back of the barrel, lose his balance, pulled himself up only to hit the barrel with his shoulder. I, regretfully, said a few choice words as I was running home and after I exited the arena. I know, I know, bad sportsmanship. I was just so angry the ground was that bad on the third. We saw a lot of horses this weekend slip or almost fall because the ground was not holding. So I was very frustrated that it happened to my horse too. Luckily, we both came out ok. Badger was favoring his back end a little after our run, but he walked it off.

Sunday I went to church. It was so great to be back. It has been 6-8 week since I had been. Going to my church for me is like going home after a long weekend. God and I had quite the conversation and I got centered again. I so missed going to church! After church we hung out inside pretty much all day. It was hot out and we were all tired. Shelby and I took several naps throughout the day. 

I went grocery shopping Sunday evening and then came back and we fed the horses and that was about it. I wanted to ride, but didn’t. That is ok. I’ll ride tomorrow morning, first thing! I planned to take Mito, but he is sore in the back so we’ll have to work on him to, hopefully, get rid of the sore back. I really need to start riding him.

This week I work Tuesday and Thursday and I am getting some work done on my teeth Wednesday. I am not looking forward to that. I have a feeling I’m going to walk out feeling some pain. YUCK…I can’t even remember what they are going to do me because I was supposed to go back in December. I just know that it’s not going to be fun and it’s going to be expensive.

Oh, I almost forgot, Shelby is starting to try many different foods. This weekend she tried chicken, chicken noodle soup, blueberries and cherry tomatoes. She also likes to eat strawberries and watermelon. If we’re eating it, she wants to try it. She also likes to drink out of a regular cup. Of course, she spills a lot all over herself, but she still likes to drink out of the big cup. I bought her a sippy cup I think will be easy to drink out of. We got some nice ones as gifts, but I think they are for when she gets bigger cause you have to suck pretty hard to get any liquid out of it.

Well, that’s it for me.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Shelby Talking and Big Run

This is what Shelby has to say about it all. Poor little girl had a 102.2 temperature from Tuesday evening until mid-day Wednesday. The nurse suggested alternating Motrin and Tylenol every three hours. We had been giving her Tyelnol, but her temp would only come down to 100. But, once we gave her the Motrin her temp dropped and she started feeling a lot better. This was last night. Our baby was back!! I was talking to her and then I pulled the camera out and she wouldn't talk. Then, she started talking again so I got it on video. Sorry it's so dark. I had the lights off in the living room. I was afraid if I turned them on it would be a change in her environment and she would quit talking. So, sit back and listen to what she has to say....

This is after she did all that talking. She learned how to make this 'rasberry' sound. Not sure where because I can't do it like her. It cracks me up!

This weekend is the big NBHA State Finals for Texas. I'm super excited as Badger does well in averages. He also ran really well last Sunday. So, we are going into this with a lot of confidence. It's also a bigger pattern, which is what he likes as well. I will run Friday evening and Saturday mid morning. The payout is good and they are giving away some awesome prizes. So, Run Badger, Run!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

7 Years Yesterday

I don't bring this up in saddness. I bring this up in memory. Yesterday was the 7th anniversary of my Mom, Marlene Helmreich, passing away. It is hard to believe my Mom has been gone that long. I feel blessed that I was able to move forward by cherishing the memories of her, but letting go of the saddness it brings me knowing she is no longer here. I have my moments, but most of the time I am at peace with her passing away so early in my life.

I did find saddness at times during my pregnancy and shortly after Shelby was born. I also felt pride knowing I was able to give her a grandaughter. Being the youngest of three and marrying so late in my 20s I always felt that when it came to me it was a "been there, done that" moment. So, to offer something that noone else has in the past makes me feel good. But, it also makes me feel sad because Mom wasn't here to experience it with me. (However, I do have some girl clothes that my Mom had bought with hopes of one day having a girl.)

So, here's to you Mom. You were the rock of our family and I am blessed to be your daughter. I hope I continue to make you proud! What you taught me growing up has taught me to be a strong, independent woman and I am thankful for that! You have taught me to be happy with who I am and not worry about what others said or were doing.

I still remember in my early 20s a friend of yours asked when I was going to get married. After all, her daughter had been married with a couple of kids! Your reply was "Why would she get married, she is having so much fun now!" I also remember when my pony, Chico, was very old and very ill. It was the middle of winter and I was walking him around the garage cause it wasn't as cold and it was late at night. Your friend had called very distraught about a family issue and your reply was "I am very sorry, but I can't talk right now. My daughter needs me." That still makes me smile. My problem was really small compared to your friend's problem, but you chose me. I am so thankful for those special memories and many more.

I have to laugh cause us girls are just as stubborn as my Mom was. My dad gets really frustrated with us sometimes, but at least we are fighters and survivors! :) I pray every night over Shelby that she may live a long, healthy life and that I get to enjoy it with her! I can just see the two of us together running down the road chasing our barrel racing dreams! Who knows, maybe there will be a 3rd generation little girl running with us too. Poor Ryan! hehehehe...

Monday, June 1, 2009

Pictures from Sunday

These were taken by www.jcapelo.instaproofs.com. I love the one of us running home.











Cejay - Playing Ball

These are pictures of my nephew, Cejay. He is Connie (my sister) and Jason's son.

Photos from http://funflashphoto.zenfolio.com/








Great Run

I have added pictures to Michigan and New Mexico links of my nephew and Ryan's parent's riding on Val Kilmer's ranch in NM.

This weekend was a busy weekend of barrel racing. Saturday I was a little rusty from not running for a couple of weeks and I didn't trust my horse like I should have cause I had hit barrels the last two times. So, I did not check him at the first where I needed to and we went past it, to the fence, and looped around to loose a good 1/2 second. UGH...so I ran a 16.0 and a 15.2 won it. I was at the bottom of the 2D to bring home no check.

Sunday I was ready to forget my mistake, ride like I should and trust my horse, who is feeling REALLY good! That was proven to be a good plan. I ran a 17.5 on a really big pattern. There were only 5 other girls out of 130-150 riders that beat my time. We did awesome! Badger was extremely powerful. I really struggled to get him to turn the barrels tight, but he did it. On two barrels I thought for sure we were going to blow out of them, but just went I thought "Oh crap, here we go on a detour" he suddenly turned and sucked up the barrels. It was awesome! I so wish I had it on video!!

We then tried to haul back to Rosenberg to hit another barrel race. We got about 20 min away and called and they only had 7 runners left. So, there was no way we could've made it. i was bummed cause I think I could have done really well at that race or maybe even won it. But, that is ok. It was probably a blessing since I wasn't able to run him twice in one day and three times in a weekend. that's a lot to ask of a horse so I think it's good it didn't work out that way.

Instead, we went to Rebecca and Jesse's. Rebecca bummed up her knee really bad and has not been able to ride since February. So, we went over there to hang out and so Rebecca and I could go riding. She rode trustworthy Badger and I rode Mito. It was a very enjoyable ride and it was good for Mito to get out and relax instead of always working in the arena.

After we rode we just hung out and we finally left around 8:30. Shelby was pretty worn out from the long weekend and was glad to get home in her jammies and go night night.

Once I took my shower and got her in bed I baked a cake for today's summer birthday celebrations at work.

It was a fun weekend, but I'm ready to rest for a couple of days. :) This weekend is the big NBHA state show in Katy. This is a big barrel race with a lot of money added as well as other prizes. I'm very anxious to go this weekend, especially since Badger is running really well and super strong.