Saturday, January 7, 2017

A Week In Review 1/1/2017-1/7/2017

Hopefully doing by doing weekly recaps I'll be able to stay on top of this and actually publish valuable content. So, for the first official 2017 post, here's my weekly recap.

Sunday - 1/1/2017
I started my new year by ringing it in with some of the most amazing people possible. My friend from New York thew a party at his new house which meant that we didn't have to brave the Disney crowds. I would have thrown the party but I had family in town and they're notorious for going to bed early. One huge perk of this party was that the Jedi got to meet New York and Vegas. It also, unfortunately, meant this is the last New Years I'll get to spend with Vegas. In February, he'll sadly be moving to Las Vegas for his job.

Outfit for the night! Naturally all White House Black Market

Three Mouseketeers and Jedi!

Three Mouseketeers? 

The lovely host of the evening
The rest of day was spent saying goodbye to my family, as they had to drive back to Illinois. and cleaning the house. I also received a request from my mom to go look at a house for her. She had been considering this house for awhile but there are some architectural quirks that have turned her off. My realtor was, thankfully, available to go view the house the next day.

Monday - 1/2/2017
I was able to get a quick 2 mile run in the morning and some stretching. Lately I've been neglecting any form of yoga so my legs and back have been extremely tight.

Jedi was willing to go check out the house for my mom with me, so we went to meet with my realtor. The house was surprisingly beautiful. It has an amazing view, beautiful land, and a nice structure. My poor mom received the report that she might want to fly down to check it out.

Jedi and I got back to my house and hung out watching Netflix for a bit. While we did that I attempted to finish my tree skirt that was supposed to be finished by Christmas. Obviously, I haven't finished it yet.

Tuesday - 1/3/2017
On Tuesday I had to go back to work. As expected it was an extremely slow day because everyone was getting back into the swing of things. Unfortunately for me I was still feeling the effects of my lack of sleep over the weekend so I dragged all day. When I got home I may or may not have fallen asleep on the couch.

Yes I have a cow calendar at my desk....
Wednesday - 1/4/2017
Wednesday at work was fairly slow, but thankfully picked up as the day went on. I skipped out on my lunch break to go visit Cupid and apologize for only making it out to her once over the weekend. While she may not be my lease right now I do feel a personal responsibility to make sure she stays happy and socialized.

Thursday - 1/5/2017
While at work we had a quick meeting regarding dress code. During this meeting skinny jeans, work appropriate tops, and sandals were discussed. I personally can't stand conversations about dress code. It forces people to get defensive and puts a spotlight on those who have accidentally violated the dress code.

That afternoon I received a quick text from Jedi "What's realtor's contact information? I need to get out of my rental property." This was a nice start to my day because I've become pretty fond of searching for houses. We made plans to hang out after I got off work but that didn't happen because he got off work late and just wanted to go to bed.

Friday - 1/6/2017
Friday, I got to stand through a meeting discussing how bad of a storm the southern states are getting. I also had a jeans day option, but because of the meeting the previous day I elected not to participate. I only buy my jeans from White House Black Market and have a pair dedicated to work dress down days. But because of the meeting the day before I decided it wasn't worth the hassle.

After work Jedi and I were finally able to hang out and look at the houses he was interested in. He had contacted my realtor and was sent a whole list of houses in our area for his consideration.

Saturday - 1/7/2017
Which finally brings us to today. My car was sorely overdue for an oil change so that was in order. While there they naturally were able to find something wrong with my car and recommended I get the tires aligned. This would be a nice thing to do but it'll have to wait a few weeks until after a few changes have taken place.

Because the Goodyear is by Dover I naturally had to make a stop. While there I was there I was able to find the set of reins that my trainer suggested I buy. At 25 I'm now officially living my pony kid dreams. I have a 14.1 hand, grey pony mare, and now I have a set of pastel rainbow reins. I wish I could say I was embarrassed to buy them but it was super exciting to pick them out. I plan on trying them on Cupid tomorrow to make sure I bought the right size. If not, I'll have to run to Dover after my lesson to make an exchange.

Hello Goodyear, we meet again

Hummingbird feeder that I totally should have gotten

Rainbow reins and Wonder Dust #GreenBeanProblems
While my week wasn't too exciting it was certainly eventful in terms of amusement.

*If anyone has a suggestion for a Valentine's day costume for a horse let me know! With a pony named Cupid I definitely have to play up the Valentine's day cheesiness.

Monday, January 2, 2017

2016 Reflection

2016 was a year of big changes for me. While everyone seems to be glad to see the year end, I find it bittersweet. 2016 was good to me and allowed me to grow in both my personal life and professional life.

January:
I packed up my life in Illinois and moved across the country to Florida. I had virtually no family here and only a close knit group of friends. While it was hard knowing I wouldn't be with my family, it was exciting knowing that I was setting out on my own. 

Pumpkin checking out what's on tv
Max knew I was leaving and wasn't a happy camper


Brother trying gator tail for the first time
February:
I started a new job in a profession I never saw myself in. Training was stressful, but I learned so much and feel like I've gained several extremely valuable skills. Through training (and this job) I've also been able to meet people who have pushed me to be the best I can be. February also brought the Princess Half Marathon weekend. This race occurred during my training for work so I was stressed, exhausted, and so excited for everything. I wouldn't change how this race happened for anything. 

In addition to work and the race I also suddenly lost my Cockapoo, Max. It's still hard to think about how I wasn't able to be there with him and how I'll never be able to do the things we loved with him. Red in peace buddy. I know you're waiting for me somewhere (with your red ball or squeaky pig). 

Last picture of Max. Rest in Peace Bubbie.
Mom and I at the Princess 5k

Princess 10k character stop at the Boardwalk
Meeting with Jack and Sally at the Princess Half



March: 
I've always had cats in my life. After the decision was made to not move Pumpkin down with me, I took it upon my self to find a cat to adopt. The requirements were it had to be an adult, have short hair, and display it knew how to use the litter box. Somehow one cat turned into two and I couldn't be happier. Cali and Bailey fit every requirement and added one that might have to be on my list in the future: they're bonded and always make me smile with their "sister act". 

March also brought my mom down for spring break. During her trip we hoped to get my washing machine repaired but this wasn't a goal that HHGregg seemed to have. The darn washing machine repair lasted almost two months and several hours off work. 

The day I went to look at the girls at Petco
Bailey's adoption picture

Cali's adoption picture
April:
In April, I was one of a small percentage at work to pass a competency test. This pass was due to hours of study and making sure I knew my info 110%. Passing this test might go down as one of the proudest moments of my career. 

I also participated in the Dark Side half marathon. The race was fun and is actually one that I've signed up to run in 2017!

April also brought me to my current stable. I met with our barn "ambassador" to learn about the facility and our trainer. It was during my tour that she pointed out a grey pony and commented "You would make a good team with Cupid. You're the perfect size for her". Talk about sealing my fate. 



Dark Side Half Medal
 May:
I got to go home for my brothers graduation. It was strange seeing how my room had changed and not having Max around, but it was nice seeing everyone. I got to see my best friend for a bit and catch up with her (and her boyfriend) which was a major highlight of the trip. 

I also had my first few lessons at the new barn. It was at my second lesson that I rode Cupid and at my third lesson I made the decision to lease her starting in June. 

For work I achieved a major milestone where I was invited onto a team of select individuals to do more advanced work. Knowing that I had been handpicked validated my choice in accepting this job. 
Graduate Kitty?
NIU CLAS Graduation. Go Huskies!



Cupid doesn't understand "stand still and take the picture"
June:
June was much slower. I started my lease on Cupid and spent as much time with her as I was allowed. I also had my mom come visit and got to go antiquing with her. It was during this visit that she suggested I look into purchasing a house so I could get out of my shoddy apartment. 





July:
I spent the Fourth of July with a friend at Altamonte Springs Red, Hot and Boom. It was a fun and cheap way to spend the holiday, plus Altamonte threw a really good event.

My riding took a backseat in July when Cupid tried to jump out of her pasture. She made it but also took down the fence a injured her shoulder. So we took time off from riding and spent a lot of time cleaning her cut and making sure it wasn't infected. Because she hates being stalled and the cut was in a place that we couldn't bandage I did have to spend a lot of time cleaning dirt and other nastiness out of it.

Towards the end of July I got to test if my cats were actually dog friendly with my moms two dogs, Kodi and Lucy. Poor Kodi was the first victim and we learned that my cats are so dog friendly they will back the dog up into the wall in an effort to smell him. All four animals are now able to live in peace and we've actually left them all home alone without incident. This really helps when my mom comes to visit so that she doesn't have to get a hotel room with the dogs.

Hulk pony waiting for me in her stall
This is what happens when you challenge a metal fence


Aftermath of Hulk Pony using Hulk Smash

One of the many lunch breaks I spent applying meds

Bailey preparing to pounce on Lucy's tail

































Somehow harmony was achieved
August:
August brought be back into the saddle and back into biking. Cupid's leg had fully healed so I was able to start riding her again. After a brief discussion with my trainer, we decided that it was time to try Cupid at a show. We set our sights on an upcoming show at the Sumter Equestrian Center and set to work on getting her ready.

I also went and joined the Florida Freewheelers. They're a local bike club and it allowed me to explore some of the biking opportunities that Florida has to offer. Unfortunately, they cater to the road bike crew and I refuse to spend money on one. I would rather keep my hybrid and stick to local trails than bike on the road constantly.

Wine and Paint night with my mom
Hulk Pony showing me she's no longer lame


First Florida Freewheelers ride
September:
September brought my first show with Cupid. We showed at the Sumter Equestrian Center's September Hunter/Jumper, Dressage show in walk-trot cross rails, and pre-long stirrup. While Cupid and I do canter at home she hasn't gotten her leads consistently on her left side so we didn't want to set her up to fail. We took 5th in pre-long stirrup hunter on the flat, 4th in walk-trot hunter on the flat, and 3rd in both walk-trot equitation on the flat and pre-long stirrup equitation on the flat. We did scratch all of our jumping classes. On Saturday Cupid had been so exhausted by the show environment that she laid down right before we were set to do our first fence course. My trainer and I decided to scratch her for the rest of the day and I would take her out later that night to do a quick course at the open warm-up slot. We wanted to make sure that she was just tired and not sick. On Sunday Cupid had adjusted to the show environment so well that she was back to pulling some of her "I don't want to trot, so I'm not going to trot" stunts. Because I wanted to have a good experience showing her and not have a course where we took out every fence we decided to scratch her. Overall, we had a good experience and I now know what to expect from her.

I also made my first "giant" adult decision. After the news about the UN I knew that interest rates would possibly be going up so I decided to look for a house of my own. I knew the exact neighborhood I wanted and at the end of September I put an offer out on a townhouse and had my offer accepted. The house passed the inspection with flying colors.

Pony all clean and loaded in the trailer
Showing off her ribbons from the first day


Walking before our class

The green bean and I waiting in the lineup
October:
Which brings be to October. At the end of October, I closed on my house and began preparing it to move in. My apartment complex was a complicated mess who attempted to make the whole process difficult which meant I would have my apartment until the end of November. This did allow me to paint the house and do minor work on items that I knew I wanted to change (like the gross bathroom lighting).

Also in October, I went back home for a weekend to see my cousins and family. Thankfully this trip was a short one because the day before I returned home my maintenance man at the apartment decided he needed to do a repair right then and there. They entered my apartment, unauthorized, and while performing their "good customer service", locked poor Cali in the closet. Thankfully I came home the next day and was able to get her out of the closet and get her food and water. This officially marked the end of my cooperation with the apartment company and helped validate why I needed the house right away.
My emergency water stash during the hurricane
Looking out my back door in the middle of the storm




































November:
I was finally able to move my furniture to the house in November. I also stripped and completely refinished a china cabinet that I had bought while in my apartment. The cabinet had been painted in chalk paint and took forever to remove the paint enough to take another coat. Never again will I buy an item that has been treated with chalk paint and chalk paint wax.

I participated in my final races of the year, the Wine and Dine Half Marathon and 10k. They were great races and I'm glad I did them, but the timing of the races has really caused me to reconsider signing up for Disney races in the future. Because I had signed up months before I didn't know I was going to purchase the house. Had I known, I would have waited and wouldn't have had a 10k and a move on the same day.

Speaking of Disney, in November a friend of mine from my Disney days came down to visit. It was my first time meeting her fiance and he fit in with our group just fine. I'm so glad she found him and am so proud of her.
Poor Cal didn't take the move too well
She had to learn how to do stairs



Bailey got rushed to the vet
During the Half Marathon
The color I had to strip
Final product





December:
Finally, December brought the return of Cupid. I took off October and November to have a bit of a financial break and to focus fully on my house. Seeing her and being able to work with her again was a huge relief.

I also went to Battleground Orlando for the first time. It's a laser tag and paint ball course set up like a video game. We went for a friends birthday using groupon and it was totally worth it. The games they arranged were extremely fun and I was exhausted by the end. If anyone in the Orlando area is looking for a fun activity I would highly recommend it. 

It's hard to believe that was my entire year in a nutshell. Here's to a great 2016 and a (hopefully) even better 2017. 
Battleground Orlando for C's birthday
Work ugly sweater group costume


Christmas pony!

Here's to our Vegas trips in 2017
I couldn't think of three better people to say goodbye to 2016 with




One Step, Two Steps, Breathe

"One Step, Two Steps, Breathe." That's the mantra I repeated as I slowly hand walked Cupid around the farm. "One Step, ...