Week One and Horsin' Around

Week one went well!

I lost 1.5 pounds. That's a start in the right direction. I only went over my points by about 50 (geez, imagine if I didn't go over!).

This was the only picture I remembered to take:

Chicken Salad on toasted Ciabata with a side of Kale chips!

In other news - Jacob started 7th grade and managed to navigate the public bus system! So far, he really likes it. He's growing up! Which made me realize....it's time. Time to get another horse (I know, where did that come from?). It's been 7 years since I had to put my beloved mare "Mandy" down. We had 22 wonderful years together! I still miss her. But......I started to think....why not get another one?

So I'm on a quest. I've got a great partner in crime. My friend Linda, who was my original partner in crime some 30+ years ago (we got our first ponies together when we were 10), has two horses and is offering me her guidance and expertise.

I cannot believe how much things have changed in the years I've been out of the horse world. The board is twice as expensive, but the horses sure aren't. Every boarding facility I check out has horses for lease, or sale...cheap...because the owners can no longer afford them, don't have the time to care for them, are getting divorced, etc. It's making me a little nervous. Am I doing the right thing? Maybe it's not the right time. But I have the fever, and I don't know if I can stop this train, even if I wanted to.

I guess a horse is a luxury. I never really thought of it that way. I remember it being a lot of work and expense, but the reward is immeasurable. People are crazy about their horses for a reason. There is nothing like looking into the eyes of your equine partner and seeing the trust and love (that they make you work for) reflected back at you. There is nothing like knowing your horse will do anything you ask of him or her, because you've earned their trust. Horses are used in therapy for a reason.

I didn't realize how badly I missed Mandy until Linda and I drove down the long gravel driveway to my old boarding stable. There was a quarter horse for sale that we wanted to check out. I don't know what came over me, but as soon as we started down that drive way I just lost it. The last time I made that drive, it was to say good bye to my best friend. I drove away a sad wreck and haven't stepped foot on a ranch since.

I had that horse through my pre-teens, teens, young adulthood, and into my motherhood years. She was a constant in my life (sometimes the only constant) for as long as I can remember. There were periods when I didn't have the time or money to care for her like I should have. But the promises that a little girl makes to her horse are not made lightly "Mandy, you are mine forever, I will never sell you, I will never abandon you." And I didn't. She was 36 when I put her down, which is very very old for a horse. I hadn't ridden her in at least 5 years because of her age. But I would go up and give her treats, groom her, and sometimes take naps laying on her back like I did when I was a kid.

It seems like looking at horses again is allowing me to properly grieve for my old one (considering that I had to take a break from typing to go dry my eyes). I think I'll be ready for my next forever horse soon. She's on her way to me, I know it.

It could be this little gal. Such a sweet heart, I just love her. I can't stop thinking about her or looking at her pictures. But I want to make sure I check out all my options and don't fall for the first pretty girl that comes along!

This is Madelyn, a 6 year old Walkaloosa (Tennessee Walking Horse and Appaloosa)

She is incredibly sweet and a pleaser. She's great out on the trail and just loves to be loved. Not a mean bone in her body. That's what I want. She's just what I want. She's not exactly for sale. But I have a feeling that might change....