40 Things for 40

I saw this on Facebook yesterday, and just had to share. Perhaps the Kur (dressage to music) should be done like this at the Olympics?

Rocks Had a great birthday My family and friends My horses and hound I will be seeing my friends next weekend I am going home for the Easter weekend I have been riding My driving lessons have been going well- I didn't stall this week or anything!!! Although I may have kangeroo hopped slightly at a roundabout Sucks I am now 31 My hayfever is being really bad this year May need to get Amber a new saddle (was hoping Sceptres one would fit her, but alothough it looks like it does, I'm not sure its comfortable for her) Really need a lottery win, or minor, more realistic miracle in order for something to happen

So a slightly off the wall cover- Hayseed Dixie (a Bluegrass band) covering Green Day??? Hayseed Dixie do quite a lot of rock covers, and most of it is pretty good. Slight claim to fame is that Simon and his friend did the lighting for one of Hayseed's shows when they were on tour, the resulting free (signed) CD was played many times at work over the following weeks! Mind you, this was back in 2005! Sorry it's not an original video, but at least you can hear the song!

I'm not normally into this kind of music, but then again, my musical taste is nothing if not eclective! have to say that The Black Eyed Peas 'I Gotta Feeling' is a song that I love! It's got such a bouncy uplifting feel, and on a day like today, has to be turned up LOUD.

Managed to get on board once again, and this time decided to go for 6 circuits around the field. Aside from reversing and spinning (me thinks she wants to be a western pony), she was good and I didn't get panicy at all. I do think that it is to do with the saddle, so will not be riding until we can get that sorted out. Hopefully the saddle might just need some adjustments and it will be fine.

 

I am currently working upstairs in the study (yes, its actually almost tidy) and a short while ago, Blue started barking. I had a look down to the door but couldn't see anything, so assumed a pizza menu or something would come through the door. Just gone downstairs to make a cuppa, and there was a wad of paper and car keys on the door mat! Simon will be getting a company car for his new job, and as there is not one ready, the company are hiring one for him. Which was meant to arrive on Monday morning. The genius who dropped the car off didn't even bother to ring the doorbell, is it really that difficult? Only problem is, they've parked in our neighbours space, so I'm hoping Simon gets back before he does, or I may just have to hand the keys to our neighbour and ask him to move it!

Rocks It's my birthday on Monday Getting on well with my driving lessons Simon starts his new position on Monday- no more worrying about shifts and no more working on weekends! Spring is in the air I've 'ridden' Amber Amber won a rosette, sash and name plate in an on-line photo show! Been doing quite a lot of work for Simon this week- much better than sitting around waiting for the phone to ring! Sucks It's my birthday on Monday I fear my riding mojo has been lost forever- there is an answer to this, but it's hard work trying to convince Simon! Been bad at keeping my blog up to date recently- especially the photo a day part

Had another ride on Amber today. As we had more time, I gave her a small feed first, then groomed etc. Although you should wait an hour after feeding to ride, I figured that it would be fine after half hour as we would only be walking round the field. Got tacked up, with Amber's new bridle. It's a Micklem one, which looks different to a usual bridle, but is supposed to be more cofortable for the horse. Simon (not me, Simon) picked it up in Robinsons as it was half price. It's a good bridle as it can also be used as a headcollar, lunge caverson and 3 types of bitless bridle. Took a litle time to get the bridle on (she is not happy being bitted, so I normally use a bitless bridle, but wanted to see if this new one would be better for her). But once it was on and adjusted she settled in it. Hopped on and did 3 circuits round the field. She still likes to have Simon walking next to her, so need to try and get her confident to walk about without him. I also want to get h...

Had my second lesson on the 20th. This time, I had to get straight into the drivers seat! We went through the plan for the lesson, which was to tackle junctions and roundabouts, then did the cockpit checks (which take ages because I have to adjust the seat, height of the seat, head rest, seat belt and steering wheel column before getting onto the mirrors). Made a couple of errors, including getting caught out by a sharp bend to go up a steep hill. Had to change gear, then did about 2mph to get up the hill. Whoops! Stalled twice too, but recovered well from those. I was driving for pretty much 2 hours, if not a bit more, so my poor little brain was absolutely fried when I got back home! My instructor is quite impressed though and said that my confidence and ability had improved between the two lessons- and I haven't even been practising! I need to send off my licence to get the address changed on it, then once that is back I will book up for my theory. Simon downloaded...

After, I don't know how many weeks, I finally got the chance to go into town today to get my hair cut. Of course, today was also an adventure- first of all the bus from the estate no longer goes to Basingstoke, I had to get off in Hook, then get the bus to Basingstoke. The hairdressers I usually go to are the kind where you do not need to make an appointment, just turn up and wait to be seen. By luck, I was the only person there, so didn't have to wait. Afterwards, I tried to pay on my card, and it was declined...twice. So had to go to the bank and find out if there were any problems on the account. Fortunatly not, and I got some cash over the counter to go back and pay. I then decided to have a cup of tea and sausage roll. Once I had eaten the best sausage roll I have ever had, I had a little look round the shops and was most impressed that I did not buy anything at all. Went back to wait for the bus, got on and off we went, only we seemed to go a very long way round and e...

On Thursday, we finally had some time that I could hop on Amber. She was a little miffed that the saddle appeared rather than her food, but let us tack her up ok. Did attempt to put on some bandages to match her saddlecloth, but after getting them on inside out twice, we decided to give up on that (need a cheat way to make sure I roll them out the right way so the velcro ends up on the outside. Hopped on and got settled, then started walking about. All was going well until we got up to the cow shed and the stupid, annoying screaching hawk recording went off. Now to be fair, Amber's 'spook' was a half spin and some steps in reverse, but my confidence took a bit of a wobble. Got Simon to lead us about for a few minutes, then got off. Feeling rather annoyed with myself, so need to get back on as soon as I can. I am also going to have a couple of riding lessons at a riding school to get my confidence back, and the rust scrapped off my riding ability, then will need to find ...

So I had my first driving lesson in about 12 years on Monday. I didn't really have much of a chance to get nervous in the morning as the work phone would not stop ringing with people wanting things 'urgently', the connection to the server acting funny so I couldn't log in, disaperaing price lists and Simon was in a meeting in Yovil! At least the lesson went well- my driving instructor was actually impressed with how much I had remembered. I made a couple of errors, but nothing too major, so am not worried about them. In two hours we covered quite alot- including hill starts and I even did some reversing. The biggest challenge was driving home from Basingstoke to Hook! I was quite nervous about having to drive with other cars, but survived. I did need to be reminded to breathe a few times though! I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to my one next week.

I know I have been slacking with keeping my blog up to date, so there will be several posts over the next couple of days as I get all caught up!

Blossom in a 20 year old in-hand bridle (used for both Gypsy and Sceptre in the past). We have progressed from being led with the rope attached to a headcollar, to being attached to the bit itself, with no problems.

Blue making himself cosy on the sofa. Spoilt much???

Rocks Blossom  is progressing really well with her training Stallion viewing went very well, so fingers crossed we can put Amber in foal this year Hoping to hop on Amber over the weekend Feeling amazingly positive about pretty much everything right now Simon only has 1.5 shifts to go, then he is working 'normal' hours again Sucks Blossom needs to go on a bit of a diet! The cute puppies will be going to their new homes over the weekend...and none of them with me! Need a bit of a kick up the butt to start sorting out the house

We can sharez