Horses

When it comes to hobbies....

 I have many.  

But the one that has really stuck with me throughout the years has been horses and riding.  The timing of this is quite funny, because as I say this I am gearing up for a cross country move, 2300 miles away from my barn and the horses.

I guess you could say I never grew out of the "I LOVE PONIES" phase that nearly all little girls experience.  Countless Christmas' I would beg for a pony, only to be disappointed with clothes and dolls.  To my parent's credit, ponies do not fit in third story apartments in Fall River, Massachusetts.  

Years and a new town later, I will never forget the Christmas where my father told Ashley (my sister) and I, he had a surprise waiting in the garage for us.  Wow we thought, we were FINALLY getting that pony.  Santa delivered.  Well, you can only imagine the terror on our face when we came out to see a new ping pong table and a set of paddles.

Long story short, I have always been a "horse fanatic" and grew up a very privileged and lucky girl, with or without the pony.  At the age of 12, my father finally caved in (or was sick of our begging) and took Ashley and I to buy our first horse.  And now we can laugh about the ping pong table. 

Problem was, though we were obsessed with horses, we knew nothing about buying one, about the health of one, and where to go and what to look for.  Again, long story short, we came home with a very lame un experience horse we soon returned.  In exchange, we received a black and white horse, four years old with a lot of heart (and even more spook).  We embarked on an adventure.  12  and 13 year old girls and 4 year old horse-  the math doesn't add up but it was love at first site.  I really can't talk about him in detail without drowning my keyboard, so you can read more about him here. 

I no longer have that wonderful horse, but I still have that love for horses.  It's a little different, a little uneasy, a little mistrusting,  But, it is still there.  When I had Cow, I refused to leave the area.  I went to college 20 minutes away so I could come home every weekend and ride.  I turned down semesters abroad, and stayed put in this sleepy little beach town as long as he was here to anchor me down.

14 years later, my ties to the area are slowly drifting and I feel that I can spread out a little more.  As I am sure you all know, I am moving across the country in a few short weeks, attending graduate school at the University of Utah.  For the first time I am leaving this "safety" net of my friends, family and horses, and venturing out.  

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my world of my perfect horse I once had, that I don't take the time to acknowledge one that I have learned to love, and changed my perspective on this whole horse thing.

After I lost Cow, my father offered to let me ride one of my sister's horses.  She has four so lending me one to play with sort of worked out for all parties involved (although I am sure she doesn't agree).  

I went from a 15'3 pinto to a 17'3 warmblood named Bradley.  For you non-horsey friends, I went from a fast quick little fire ball sleek and crazy motor cycle, to a big low slow and clumbsy mini van.  Don't get me wrong, opposite was good, and even welcomed, and I slowly learned to ride all over again.  I have had almost 2 years with Bradley and I am grateful for the opportunity and of course, now I am heart broken to leave him.  

The plan is I go and Bradley stays, but this new chapter will have horses because lets be honest, horses will always be a part of my life.  But it will be a big change going from horses in your back yard, views from your bedroom window, to taking lessons at a large facility once a week.  

It almost feels a little like the end, although I know it's not.  Regardless, I am thankful for this horse, that as corny as it sounds, taught me a lesson in falling in love again.  And even more thankful to my father who spoiled his pony obsessed daughters for years.  To the father who bought a black and white horse for their daughters to share lessons on once a week.   To the father who told them for fun only and horse showing wasn't an option, yet sent me to countless horse shows with the trailer full.  To the father who said one was enough, and at times filled out barn with five horses.  

Thank you.

And to the father who is soon to be receiving pleads of having a horse in Utah,

I'm sorry for my constant begging that is about to start. 

And start packing up Bradley's stuff. 

Wedding and Running Weekend

After taking a week off running,

 I finally laced up my sneakers Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

 and went for a run.

Three days in a row.... 

Am I feeling okay?

Well, feeling overwhelmed and stressed with this upcoming move weddings and events, but overall, feeling fine!  I have lots of "non running" posts coming up, so I thought I would update you all on my running. 

I pulled out my new Newtons that have been waiting in the box for me.  Nothing like a new pair of sneakers to get you motivated again.   Saturday I did an easy 3 mile run in the morning with the dogs before I went to my cousins wedding.  I knew the dogs were going to be alone for a large part of the day so I took Olive and Peterson for an easy (and really humid) three miles.  There is something about squeezing in a run before a glutenous event (like a wedding) that makes you feel just a little bit better. 

Philip, Victoria, Ashley and me.... all of my siblings in one photo! 

My sisters and I.  Yes I demand a lot of pictures but when do you get all dressed up with your sisters? And pictures like this are so nice to have.  

My lavendar lattice dress was really comfortable and got soo many compliments.  And for $20 from marshalls, it did not break the bank.  I wore this dress once to my sister's rehearsal dinner so i was happy to wear it again.  

It was a beautiful wedding.  The Bride's mom read a passage out of The Velveteen Rabbit that got the tears flowing:

“Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'

'Does it hurt?' asked the Rabbit. 

'Sometimes,' said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. 'When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.' 

'Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,' he asked, 'or bit by bit?' 

'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.” 
― Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

Sunday I woke up with some wedding guilt (there may have been a Wendy's trip on the way home... and the first time I have eaten fast food in a VERRRRY long time) so I grabbed Olive and headed to Essex to change up the scenery for a run.

I spent 2 year living in Essex and just love this darling little town.  I ran 3 miles with Olive, and picked up Leni the boxer half way through our run.  Two of my very good friends just moved to Essex so I got to stop by and see their beautiful homes post run. 

Monday evening, Olive was a little stir crazy after being left home with my mom all day, so I took her for a post dinner run at about 7:30.  It was still humid out but it was a nice evening and felt good to move after dinner. 

I am hoping to squeeze in another workout today, maybe even a run, but its a double work day so I will play the day as it goes. 

Hope my little post got you motivated to run and it's never too late to start even after a little hiatus :)

Happy Running!

Floats and Hoes - July 2014 Bachelorette Weekend

This summer has been chaotic and wonderful.  The days are all filled up with summer activities and one of my favorite seasons here in New England is just flying by.  I am so thankful for this crazy wonderful life I live, and I am proud to say I have packed sun surf and sand into every free second I have.  

I am also really thankful for this little piece of the internet where I can sit, reflect, and document all of the wonderful things I have been up to.  Sit back and relax while I ditch my "health and fitness" personality for the day and share an amazing weekend. 

Friday night, I packed up my car, met two of the girls, and went to pick up Liz at her house for the start of her bachelorette weekend.  If you remember my Bridal Shower Post, Liz is a classic, simple, beautiful lady who only wanted a weekend away with her favorite girls.  Liz was not a NYC or Casino type of bachelorette, but she was more of a beer Olympics lets play on the water, bachelorette.

Well....
Nailed it.

Liz and her 8 bridesmaid (7 of which all grew up in Old Lyme together) spent a fantastic weekend at a lake house on Norwich Lake in Huntington, Massachusetts.  Below are a few pictures of an amazing weekend celebrating this beautiful Bride To Be.  I brought my GOPRO which created some amazing videos which will be put into a fun montage later on.

But now... how we celebrate this Bride.

"Floats and Hoe's" 

Lake house, Rafts, Alcohol, Burgers, Dizzy Bat, Limo, Dinner, Beer Pong, Pineapples, and the adorable Matching Tank Tops. 

Congratulations Liz,

 You were surrounded by so much love that weekend, 

and you picked an amazing group of girls to stand by your side.  

We Love You! 

Power Hour

Sometimes, time is tight.  

You didn't get out of bed early enough for your morning workout, and you have plans after work.  You could get in that RUNCH, but getting super sweaty at work on a hot summer day isn't always the greatest plan either.

What's a girl to do?  

POWER HOUR!

Spend 2 minutes working out every hour on the hour, from 9-5 and youv'e got yourself some decent strength training, without the sweat, and it helps pass the day.   

Two of my friends are in on my power hour and we send out a mass text every hour on the hour checking in-  A little excessive but it helps.   We try to change up the power hour work out but this was our first round.  

10 Full Sit Ups

10 Push Ups

10 Squats

Every hour on the hour from 9-5. You get arms abs and legs in and by the end of day you have done 80 sit ups, 80 push ups, and 80 squats.  Not too shabby right?  If you want a full workout you could add a few more moves and make it into a 5 minute round, 8 times for a 40 minute strength circuit.  

Join in on the power hour fun today, and join me at looking like a complete fool in your office.  Thankfully I (mostly) work alone!