Rochester Bound!

Wahoo! Jeff and I are headed back to Rochester, NY at the end of May! Jeff accepted a position at Harris Communications. I am currently applying for school counseling positions. They are few and far between, but I've sent out quite a few application packets. Each school usually requires a cover letter, resume, an application, three (or more) letters of recommendation, a copy of my certification, and three or more essay-type questions. It's a lot of work, but, hopefully, it will be worth it in the end.
Chester and Miami are in for a road trip and we're glad we bought the horse trailer to get them home. They'll be living with my trainer in Williamson, as she has two open stalls. Things just seem to be working out for us. We can't wait to get home!

Time For A New Post

OK...so I've been slacking again. The Blog has taken a backseat to lots of things. Not really...I'm just making excuses. I've just been really lazy.
A few things have happened since the last post...
1. Chester Bean had his wolf teeth pulled. Did you know that the vet doesn't even use any painkillers? Just a shot of sedative and then they're yanked out! Ouch.
2. Jeff and I finally caved and got hooked up to cable. It's addicting. I used to go to bed at a decent hour. Lately, I've been binging on E's "True Hollywood Story" and Animal Planet's "Animal Precinct". I've decided that I could never be an ASPCA cop - I would seriously hurt these people who keep Pit Bulls in their spare bedrooms for months at a time and those who let their dog's collar grow too small for their necks and the skin just grows over it. I would put a serious beat down on these people.
3. At work, I am supposed to carry a MAXIMUM case load of 10 people, due to state statutes. I have 13 clients. Statutes, smatutes.
4. I recently learned that reduced fat peanut butter is comprised of approximately 50% soy. It sure is yummy. They should call it peanut 'better'. Praise the soy bean!
So, as you can see, things have been not too exciting and, therefore, I do not have a valid excuse for waiting so long to post. I apologize to my loyal fans. I really hope to teach Jeff to use this whole Blog thing, but he has been legitimately busy. And not just reading peanut butter ingredient labels, either.
Hope all is well.
Peace from the Midwest.
-D

Open Season on Kitties

Apparently, Wisconsin hunters have very itchy trigger fingers. It has been, I guess, a pretty long and boring winter. Also, the deer season only lasts about a week out here, so folks don't really have enough time to satisfy their homicidal urges. So what do you do when there just aren't any opportunities to kill an animal legally? You create open season on CATS. Yes...you read that right...CAT SEASON. The great state of Wisconsin is proposing a new bill that will make cat hunting legal. Apparently, some guy is all bent out of shape because every morning he wakes up and there are - GASP - cat prints in the snow all around the base of his bird feeder (See Yahoo.com homepage).
"I get up in the morning and if there's new snow, there's cat tracks under my bird feeder ... I look at them as an invasive species, plain and simple," Smith said.
Are you freakin' KIDDING ME? Poor Mr. Smith. All he wants to do is feed his birdies and those evil, horrifying cats are messing it all up. Did you ever think, Mr. Smith, that YOU are the "invasive species"? I mean, after all, it is YOU who chooses to get the wild chickadees and finches all hopped up on commercial bird seed and then, one weekend, you and the Misses take off for a vacation in Cancun and forget to refill the bird feeder. What are the poor, defensless birdies supposed to do NOW? You've got them all hooked on seed, it's below freezing, and they have forgotten how to fend for themselves. They're like little feathered crack addicts and you've done it, Mr. Smith. YOU. And you're whining about the cats. Maybe we should make it open season on all song birds, because, dammit, I'm so sick of them tempting my cats. My kitties spend all their free time hovering around your bird feeder. It's all invasive and what not.
Anyway, I guess the DNR is going to work this all out because, of course, most hunters can tell the difference betweeen a wild, feral cat and Mr. Boots, the family pet...especially after a six pack of Old Milwaukee. God forbid we violate the rights of Mr. Smith's birdies and his right to wake up and see an absence of cat prints under his bird feeder.
You can't make this stuff up. I'm serious. Check it out at dontshootthecat.com. Only in Wisconsin, folks. At least in New York, we just stick to killing deer and, you know, other humans.
Peace for the kitties (for now) in the Midwest.
-D

It's Official...

Well, it's official. I have the flu. Not a really bad cold, which many people call "the flu". I have the actual Influenza Virus. My doctor laughed when I told him that I thought I had the flu, because he said a lot of people call every sniffle they have "the flu". He asked me what my symptoms were, checked my vitals, and, in a very professional doctorly manner, quickly wheeled his little doctor stool backwards across the exam room into the furthest corner from me, and said, "Holy cow, you have the flu." Apparently, he has a trip to Mexico scheduled and didn't want to be near me. Seriously.
Anyway, I tried to go into work this morning, but after taking a shower, driving to work, and stepping into my office, I broke out into a heavy sweat and had to sit down. My boss called in sick with the flu this morning and my co-workers scattered to the winds when I told them I had the flu. I called my boss' boss and told her I couldn't make it.
Anyway, I'm on the couch...again. I plan on taking a nap and I'm glad I have the weekend to recover. I hope you're all healthy. Take care.
Peace from the Midwest.
-D

Things You Discover When You're Sick and Can't Get Off the Couch...

So, here I am on the couch for a third consecutive day. I think I have the flu, as I am achy, have a congested head, and can sleep for 14 hours like it's my job. I was supposed to take an exam for my counseling certification today, but a drive to Milwaukee and sitting at a desk for three hours just isn't in the realm of possibility for me today. I see the doctor at 3:15 today. We'll see what he has to say about my illness.
Anyway, I was doing some research on-line today (since I can bring our laptop to the couch, where I have set up camp), and I found out some pretty interesting facts about my beloved horse, Miami. Check it out:

• Miami won fourth place and eigth place at the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show in 1989 in hunter (jumping) classes...I already knew this, and was already impressed, but it gets even better...
• Miami has five Kentucky Derby winners in his pedigree: Needles, Ponder, Pensive, Count Fleet, and War Admiral
• Pensive was the sire (father) of Ponder, who, in turn, was the sire of Needles - together, these horses make up the only three consecutive generations of Derby winners ever
• Count Fleet and War Admiral each won the Triple Crown, a feat only accomplished eleven times in history

So, you'd think with all of this speed in his pedigree, my horse would run like the wind, right? Nope...only if there's a bucket of grain at the end of the race.

My I Am Great (Miami)

Anyway, I hope you have all enjoyed my rant for the day. I'm sure you are probably not as impressed by all of this as I am, but give me a break. I haven't gone outside in three days and you can only watch so many episodes of "Judge Mathis" before insanity creeps in. I'll keep you all posted on what the doctor says this afternoon.
Peace from the Midwest.
-D

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Mama and Jeff at Thanksgiving
Today is my mama's birthday and she is turning 29 for the 25th time!
She is currently recovering from surgery at home. She sounds like she's doing well. Her vitals are good and she has them sent through the phone line directly to the hospital everyday. I wish we could be back home celebrating with her and helping her get better. Happy Birthday, Mama!
(My four year old niece, Hadyn, took the above picture, hence the lack of the top of Jeff's noggin. Still pretty good photography, though, don't you think?)

The Simpsons Visit Wisconsin

The Simpsons in WI
Jeff and I were lucky enough to share a visit with Jeff's mom and dad, Judy and Kevin this past weekend. We spent time enjoying good food and good company. We ventured out to the stable so that Judy and Kevin could meet Miami and Chester. We had a great time, although, the weekend went way too fast.

Judy and Miami taking a ride 

Kevin and Miami 

Kevin, Miami, and Chester 

I Am A Slacker...

Our New Trailer
Wow...it's been almost a whole month since I last posted. I have been threatened to publish another entry in this blog, but that is not why I am posting. No one is the boss of me...NO ONE! HA HA HA HA HA HA...
OK, seriously, back to posting...
Things have been a bit hectic here in the Midwest. Jeff and I have been working a lot. I started my new position in the outpatient program as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. It's been going well...still crazy, but the craziness stops at 4:00 when I get to leave. No more weekend or middle-of-the-night phone calls for me. YAY!
Jeff is still patrolling at Tyrol Basin, a ski hill about 30 minutes from our apartment. He's planning an overnight camping trip in two weeks up north for a Mountain Travel and Rescue class he's been taking. Me? I'm staying inside, under a blanket.
Kevin and Judy are coming out to Wisconsin to visit next weekend. We can't wait for them to get here. We really miss our families and we're looking forward to spending time with them. Let's hope the week goes by fast and their travels are smooth and trouble-free.
Chester the Wonder Horse cut the lens in his left eye a week and a half ago. After antibiotics four times a day for a week, he seems to be OK. His pupil is still dialated from the meds, so he has to wear his Super Horse mask for another three weeks. He should make a full recovery and, as my blacksmith says, "He'll live...it's a long way from his heart."
Miami turns 20 this year. He's doing well...old and ornery, but still a nice, quiet trail horse.
Jeff and I drove to Rochester, Minnesota yesterday to look at a horse trailer. It's an older model, but is in good shape. We're picking it up in three weeks. I'm psyched...now I can go to more horse shows with Chester.
Anyway, I hope you're all doing well. Hopefully, our loyal fans won't have to wait another month for my next post. We'll see...
Peace from the Midwest.
-D

Now Looking Forward to Baseball Season...Sigh

Well, my beloved Steelers sucked big time today. I was so ashamed. I don't know about you guys, but I am sure sick of the Patriots. Who do they think they are...the Yankees or something? Bring on somebody else...I'll be rooting for Philly this year.
Or maybe I won't even watch the stupid Super Bowl. I'll just wait for baseball season...now that the Yanks have Tino back, I have a reason to live again.
Maybe next year, Steelers.

Yesterday - For Sale...Today - I Love My Horse Again

Chester the Good Horse
So, yesterday, Chester was this close to going on a one-way field trip to the Alpo Factory. I told him so numerous times, but he still hopped around, squealing as I led him to the indoor arena for some much-needed exercise. When I let him off the lead to run around, he ran and bucked so hard, he almost ran into the wall. So, I made him run for a good twenty minutes. Then, we did some actual work. At the end, he was so tired, he could barely hold his head up while I brushed him. On the way home, I put together a rough draft in my head of what his For Sale ad would sound like...something that would make someone come with their checkbook in hand, something that wouldn't reveal the incident that had just happened. I could use words like "spunky", "spirited", and "fun-loving". I wouldn't have to reveal the pure irritation that was inspired by my baby horse.
So, as you can imagine, I was so looking forward to trecking out to the barn tonight in -15 degree weather to work with the little jerk. When I got there, however, Mr. Chester Bean was very well behaved. It was as if he was saying, "Please, Mama, don't make me run and run again. I'm still tired from yesterday." So, we had a good workout and I won't be placing a For Sale ad anytime soon.

New Carhartt Pants

Well, I am way past due for adding another post to our blog. And since it has been REALLY boring here in Wisconsin, I decided to post about the most exciting thing to happen since my last post...my new pants.
Now, these aren't just any pants. These are fleece-lined Carhartt pants. They are weather-resistant and warm. I decided that, if I plan on trecking out to the barn in sub-zero temperatures, I'd better get a pair of warm pants.
So, yesterday, I went to Farm and Fleet on Stoughton Road, where there was a sale going on. These pants were included in the sale and I landed these babies for $39.00. Sweet.
I wore these pants today (as you can see) and, boy, were they ever warm. Chester even dribbled water on them after he took a drink out of his bucket, and my leg stayed dry. If there was ever any doubt to my Farm Kid status, this purchase has removed it. Carhartts rock.

My New Carhartt Pants!