December riding Lessons were spent on a lunge line. I was quite apprehensive at first, even though the time I had spent with Kai Handt 25 years ago was on a lunge line.
Once I got used to not having reins to depend on for balance, she started me holding my hands on my hips, I progressed to hands on my helmet, which was annoying because the headband I was wearing to keep my ears warm in the 35 degree weather would slip into my eyes. But that's another story.
As I progressed each week, the lunge lessons grew harder, not only was I holding my arms straight in front of me (zombie arms), roller coaster arms (straight up), out to the side but I was twisting to the outside and the inside with each of those positions at the trot.
A couple of days before Christmas, she had me ride with my arms above my head at the canter and twisting inside/outside, it was the most incredible feeling. I think she thought I was petrified, but I felt like I was flying. At first, I was nervous, but I realized Silver was not going anywhere but in a circle. I wasn't going to come off. So why was I worried? Head up, eyes off the sand, looking ahead, stay balanced, canter, hold you arms up and twist to the right, now to the left. This has seriously been the best abdominal work out ever! I was sore for a couple of days which has really made me more aware of my lack of abdominal strength, so I'm constantly engaging my abs instead of letting it all hang out. It's been almost 7 years since I had the twins and I'm ready to get serious with my lack of core strength.
So two days after Christmas, Kelsey has me back on the lunge line with the EquiCube - a 5 pound rubber block with handles. So zombie arms holding the Equicube in front of me at the canter - I wanted to throw it at my trainer - I'm so weak. Then she had me hold it over my head at the canter. I wondered if my helmet could handle the weight as it crashed on top of my head from my weak arms. I don't know the answer to that because I mustered all my strength to keep it above my head, it was akin to a military press. 7 hours later I can really feel it in the top of my shoulders.
And much to my surprise, I got to ride Silver with my reins! And over a course of a month, riding on the lunge line has developed my core and given me increased stability. He stumbled and I remained balanced. He started off at a slow canter and increased his speed and not only did I stay on, I remained balanced in the saddle and was able to transition to a beautiful stop while remaining balanced. I was balanced, he was balanced.
I came away with a new realization today. I know that my feet pronate and this is a problem when I ride as my heels are in contact with the horse instead of my calves. But this month has really emphasized my foot/calf/leg position. Today I realized when I really turn my toes in towards the horse, my whole leg has to work, I can really feel my thighs working to stay balanced. A long time ago, a respected horsewoman had said riders shouldn't use their thighs to hold on to the horse especially when bareback. How the heck am I going to stay on then? I think she meant to say, the whole leg is supposed to be connected to the horse, not just the thigh. She was talking about the "ride a buck" bareback class. It's easy to keep the buck under your thigh when walking and in the sitting trot, but not as much posting or cantering. But I digress..
I told my trainer I hoped we could continue the lunge lessons in the future because I can really feel my core working. It also helps me get over whatever fears I might be harboring about my beautiful grey gelding. That fall in July really set me back - no pun intended - in my riding.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
The Three Second Half Halt
Nothing like taking a riding lesson from your trainer while her dressage instructor hangs out at the barn. My trainer is taking dressage lessons from a notable dressage instructor, who only works with professionals. So I'm trying to ride like he is not sitting near the arena, soaking in the sunshine, watching me...he was probably watching her teach.
So I learned a new concept today. Previously, Kelsey showed me how to use my hands in a zig zagging motion, not sawing on the reins, so that the horse's head goes side to side and back and forth -- which looks atrocious and probably feels the same -- I gently squeeze the reins with my hands. Right hand, squeeze, left hand squeeze half halts to remind him, I'm up here and hey, are you listening...don't look at the woods at the end of the arena...listen to me, no, don't speed up...
Today, we took it a little more extreme, still not see sawing his mouth, so that his head swings from side to side but that he listens to me and drops his head and engages his behind. Really listening to me. I heard her ask if I could feel anything in the reins. Why yes, and I'm gently squeezing one hand and then the other - I think I'm doing great. But she says she can't see my arms move. Why would my arms move? I'm just using my hands.
Then she says, to squeeze and pull back on the rein for three seconds, release that hand and repeat on the other side. Well, that made a big difference in our riding! He really collected himself, especially when I applied my calves to his side while doing the 3 second half halt. Total control. He was not going anywhere I didn't want him.
Then we did some canter work and it was fabulous! He really has a lovely canter. I felt like I was out cantering across a pasture at my family's farm. It was that much fun!
We are using yet another bit, the Kimberwick Uster Snaffle bit gives me a lot of leverage and control without head tossing like the Dressage-Pelham-Bits/FES-Snaffle-Elite-Pelham/ used with double reins. The transition from canter to trot to walk was smooth and almost seamless. Wow! This is how it's supposed to happen!
.
So I learned a new concept today. Previously, Kelsey showed me how to use my hands in a zig zagging motion, not sawing on the reins, so that the horse's head goes side to side and back and forth -- which looks atrocious and probably feels the same -- I gently squeeze the reins with my hands. Right hand, squeeze, left hand squeeze half halts to remind him, I'm up here and hey, are you listening...don't look at the woods at the end of the arena...listen to me, no, don't speed up...
Today, we took it a little more extreme, still not see sawing his mouth, so that his head swings from side to side but that he listens to me and drops his head and engages his behind. Really listening to me. I heard her ask if I could feel anything in the reins. Why yes, and I'm gently squeezing one hand and then the other - I think I'm doing great. But she says she can't see my arms move. Why would my arms move? I'm just using my hands.
Then she says, to squeeze and pull back on the rein for three seconds, release that hand and repeat on the other side. Well, that made a big difference in our riding! He really collected himself, especially when I applied my calves to his side while doing the 3 second half halt. Total control. He was not going anywhere I didn't want him.
Then we did some canter work and it was fabulous! He really has a lovely canter. I felt like I was out cantering across a pasture at my family's farm. It was that much fun!
We are using yet another bit, the Kimberwick Uster Snaffle bit gives me a lot of leverage and control without head tossing like the Dressage-Pelham-Bits/FES-Snaffle-Elite-Pelham/ used with double reins. The transition from canter to trot to walk was smooth and almost seamless. Wow! This is how it's supposed to happen!
.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
post schooling show
My first time back in my new saddle since the horse show I participated the day after my birthday. I placed twice. I think Nathaniel liked that I had actually gotten a green ribbon. He loves the color green. He immediately took my ribbons and hung them in my closet with my ribbons from the Hidden Lake show in October.
I got 5th place out of 6 even though my horse trotted instead of cantered to the left. My choice. I wasn't feeling it. The horse that placed 6th apparently, cantered/galloped around the ring at break neck speed. I did get my right lead canter and it was a nice, pleasant pace. And I didn't fall off - that was a big plus.
My last class, was my best ride of the day and I didn't place. I'm not too chapped about that. It was an open equitation class: I competed with western, hunt seat and saddle seat equitation riders. The riders who won all rode Arab/Half Arab horses. Guess who didn't win? The rider on the Thoroughbred.... Nevertheless, Silver gave me a great canter in each direction and he was truly fun to ride.
So my trainer told me, we were going to start cantering in lessons. I have cantered about 3 times since my accident in late July. Not out of fear, not at first, but for pain...in the back...can't feel my left leg...ouch.
so today, she had me ride in the round pen because I was using a new bit, a full-cheek-copper-dr-bristol and we needed to work on transitions before cantering. Also, the smaller ring would instill a bit of security for me at the canter....or so she thought.
For a horse who won at the track, he is not a fast mover, except in the show ring. So I'm in the warm up area at the NTC show and she is yelling more leg, more leg. And we get into the ring and it's Katie bar the door, whooshing around the ring, and she's yelling "sit back, sit back" because I have totally freaked out and I'm sitting too far forward. I thought I needed to sit in line with my stirrup bar. Once I actually sat back, I rode tremendously better and my horse was easier to ride. I no longer felt the need to revise the lyrics to Amazing Grace:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,
I pull at the reins, you're driving me insane,
when will this class end...please slow down,
you get the picture...and only my horse and the show photographer can hear me...But I AM BREATHING...
if ever there was an example of what not to do, I did it. Certainly not balanced riding. Once I got my posture correct, everything else, just fell into place.
Back to today's lesson in the round pen. Pushing Silver at the trot to encourage forward momentum can be a very tiring thing. Usually, I ride with a crop to enhance my legs efforts. It's hard to imagine this creature actually won money at the races -19 starts, 11 placings-. So after trotting in endless circles, we started to canter. Except that I felt him slipping in one corner - do circles have corners?- and then after cantering a full rotation, I felt unbalanced. Was it the size of the round pen? Was it my slippery leather saddle? So, we moved to the large arena. Oh, yes, that's the place to canter! Silver felt great! He has a lovely canter. So in control, even when he was on his left, troublesome lead. He felt good. I was sliding all over the place, but he felt good. This is my happy place, a nice, collected canter with plenty of space to move.
Today's Concepts: we worked on zig zagging hands when stopping or performing a half halt while cantering and pushing forward with the legs. Pushing the horse onto the bit, keeping his back round, with his back legs under him which keeps him collected and balanced. The left lead left me a little unbalanced, I was slipping all over my saddle - he had lots of energy - but once I sat up and put my shoulders back, he became engaged, collected and I became centered and balanced. Beautiful!
I got 5th place out of 6 even though my horse trotted instead of cantered to the left. My choice. I wasn't feeling it. The horse that placed 6th apparently, cantered/galloped around the ring at break neck speed. I did get my right lead canter and it was a nice, pleasant pace. And I didn't fall off - that was a big plus.
My last class, was my best ride of the day and I didn't place. I'm not too chapped about that. It was an open equitation class: I competed with western, hunt seat and saddle seat equitation riders. The riders who won all rode Arab/Half Arab horses. Guess who didn't win? The rider on the Thoroughbred.... Nevertheless, Silver gave me a great canter in each direction and he was truly fun to ride.
So my trainer told me, we were going to start cantering in lessons. I have cantered about 3 times since my accident in late July. Not out of fear, not at first, but for pain...in the back...can't feel my left leg...ouch.
so today, she had me ride in the round pen because I was using a new bit, a full-cheek-copper-dr-bristol and we needed to work on transitions before cantering. Also, the smaller ring would instill a bit of security for me at the canter....or so she thought.
For a horse who won at the track, he is not a fast mover, except in the show ring. So I'm in the warm up area at the NTC show and she is yelling more leg, more leg. And we get into the ring and it's Katie bar the door, whooshing around the ring, and she's yelling "sit back, sit back" because I have totally freaked out and I'm sitting too far forward. I thought I needed to sit in line with my stirrup bar. Once I actually sat back, I rode tremendously better and my horse was easier to ride. I no longer felt the need to revise the lyrics to Amazing Grace:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,
I pull at the reins, you're driving me insane,
when will this class end...please slow down,
you get the picture...and only my horse and the show photographer can hear me...But I AM BREATHING...
if ever there was an example of what not to do, I did it. Certainly not balanced riding. Once I got my posture correct, everything else, just fell into place.
Back to today's lesson in the round pen. Pushing Silver at the trot to encourage forward momentum can be a very tiring thing. Usually, I ride with a crop to enhance my legs efforts. It's hard to imagine this creature actually won money at the races -19 starts, 11 placings-. So after trotting in endless circles, we started to canter. Except that I felt him slipping in one corner - do circles have corners?- and then after cantering a full rotation, I felt unbalanced. Was it the size of the round pen? Was it my slippery leather saddle? So, we moved to the large arena. Oh, yes, that's the place to canter! Silver felt great! He has a lovely canter. So in control, even when he was on his left, troublesome lead. He felt good. I was sliding all over the place, but he felt good. This is my happy place, a nice, collected canter with plenty of space to move.
Today's Concepts: we worked on zig zagging hands when stopping or performing a half halt while cantering and pushing forward with the legs. Pushing the horse onto the bit, keeping his back round, with his back legs under him which keeps him collected and balanced. The left lead left me a little unbalanced, I was slipping all over my saddle - he had lots of energy - but once I sat up and put my shoulders back, he became engaged, collected and I became centered and balanced. Beautiful!
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Riding Lesson 3rd week October
Tuesdays riding lesson lasted about 10 minutes when my horse stumbled and started limping. I really felt bad trotting him so my trainer could see that he was in pain. Fortunately for me, Laurie MacDonald, dressage enthusiast and saddle fitter extraordairie was at the barn. She came to fit some saddles on horses. My old Crosby, my precious saddle that I have loved on for over 20 years has been pronounced by Laurie as well as my trainer Kelsey Magid and Di Hopkins as being too small for me. As in, I should have never purchased it, it never actually fit.
The saddle I bought when I purchased Silver is an Equitation saddle and the fit was a little snug for mommy body. So I went on ebay and purchased a saddle, the morning I make a bid on a black Courbette Lemetex Husar, Kelsey tells me about a Crosby for sale in a Facebook Tack Trading page. So I bought the Crosby off Facebook and I won the ebay auction for the Courbette. Now I have 4 saddles, which one fits? Hence, Laurie's visit to the barn. The equitation saddle fits Silver, but doesn't position me so well on him and it makes his back sore. Get rid of that saddle! No one needs a sore back. I think it makes my back sore, too!
The new 18 Crosby fits really nicely and my hips really open up at the walk, which means he opens up. Kelsey said when my hips start to swing in the saddle, he lifts his tail, expels gas - does this mean he is a gas powered pony- and rounds his back. I noticed in the Equitation saddle it was harder to loosen up my hips when walking. The Crosby is more open and a flatter type saddle so my legs and hips swing easier.
The Courbette is too narrow for Silver. What a bummer! I've always wanted a Courbette. I was disappointed to find out Courbette had been purchased by Stuebben a couple of years ago. Which explains the lack of Courbette's on the market. So I'll condition the leather on the Courbette and resell it on ebay. I'm sure someone will like it for their narrow thoroughbred. Apparently, Silver is built more like a warmblood than the OTTB that he is.
On Thursday, I got to test ride my newly fitted Crosby on Silver. He seems to like it. It fits better over his shoulders and I can use my hips on the flatter/looser frame. Once I loosen my hips, he loosens up. What a concept!
I wore new riding breeches to my lesson, well that was a mistake, because they were way too big on me and caused rubbing in wrong places. Ugh!
It had rained early in the morning, so the arena was wet, which concerned me. I was worried that Silver would slip in the mud, even though Kelsey assured me it would not. She has been working on me not "forcing" my heels down. To put my weight on the ball of my foot and not put the weight on my heels - this is the exact opposite of what I have heard for most of my riding life - This new way of riding is called "balanced riding" - and you thought you were already balanced, right? It totally befuddles me. Actually, it wouldn't be so hard to do, if I wasn't constantly trying to point my toes into the horse. I pronate, which means I ride in ballet's first position, my heels are digging into the horse. Actually, my back of my leg is on the horse, instead of the side of my calf. I know I accomplished the side of my calf during Thursday's lesson because I have an ugly bruise on the side of my calf. And when I squeezed my legs, I could really feel it through my calves and thighs. I haven't been saddle sore in a couple of months, since I started riding "balanced"
I kept having problems on Thursday, I'm still not entirely sure what my deal was, if it was the wet arena, the wind that seemed to be freaking out my horse, that I wasn't on my a game because of allergies, the new saddle, the too big pants...my trainer has to be part psychologist to get me over my blocks. I kept losing my right stirrup and felt like I was unbalanced, I felt like I was all over the place and worried that I couldn't stop the horse. He never ran away with me, I was always in control.
She told me, "it's not him, it's you." Well, that hurts to hear, I'd rather it be him, than me. But I can accept responsibility of my actions...I might not have understood why I was doing certain things with him, but I was always in control. I finally told her, I can either point my toes inward or I can balance on the balls of my feet, but I can not do both at the same time. It's too much today. So I am working on pointing my toes inward and keeping my heels off the horse.
We did some canter work where I bent his head in just a little, he would give and then I would release and push him forward. I am constantly taking up my reins when I do this at the trot. I couldn't figure out why we were doing this at the canter. Part of it was to stay in control and the other part to create/maintain suppleness of the horse. I should probably give myself a break, I've cantered three or four times since I had my flying dismount in July - that could be freaking me out, too.
I'm hoping to go to a rated horse show next Sunday. I'm overly ambitious! So next week, we will start working on jumping. That fall really started me on a different training direction. I need to build more self confidence in the saddle. And maybe get a pair of breeches that fit!
The saddle I bought when I purchased Silver is an Equitation saddle and the fit was a little snug for mommy body. So I went on ebay and purchased a saddle, the morning I make a bid on a black Courbette Lemetex Husar, Kelsey tells me about a Crosby for sale in a Facebook Tack Trading page. So I bought the Crosby off Facebook and I won the ebay auction for the Courbette. Now I have 4 saddles, which one fits? Hence, Laurie's visit to the barn. The equitation saddle fits Silver, but doesn't position me so well on him and it makes his back sore. Get rid of that saddle! No one needs a sore back. I think it makes my back sore, too!
The new 18 Crosby fits really nicely and my hips really open up at the walk, which means he opens up. Kelsey said when my hips start to swing in the saddle, he lifts his tail, expels gas - does this mean he is a gas powered pony- and rounds his back. I noticed in the Equitation saddle it was harder to loosen up my hips when walking. The Crosby is more open and a flatter type saddle so my legs and hips swing easier.
The Courbette is too narrow for Silver. What a bummer! I've always wanted a Courbette. I was disappointed to find out Courbette had been purchased by Stuebben a couple of years ago. Which explains the lack of Courbette's on the market. So I'll condition the leather on the Courbette and resell it on ebay. I'm sure someone will like it for their narrow thoroughbred. Apparently, Silver is built more like a warmblood than the OTTB that he is.
On Thursday, I got to test ride my newly fitted Crosby on Silver. He seems to like it. It fits better over his shoulders and I can use my hips on the flatter/looser frame. Once I loosen my hips, he loosens up. What a concept!
I wore new riding breeches to my lesson, well that was a mistake, because they were way too big on me and caused rubbing in wrong places. Ugh!
It had rained early in the morning, so the arena was wet, which concerned me. I was worried that Silver would slip in the mud, even though Kelsey assured me it would not. She has been working on me not "forcing" my heels down. To put my weight on the ball of my foot and not put the weight on my heels - this is the exact opposite of what I have heard for most of my riding life - This new way of riding is called "balanced riding" - and you thought you were already balanced, right? It totally befuddles me. Actually, it wouldn't be so hard to do, if I wasn't constantly trying to point my toes into the horse. I pronate, which means I ride in ballet's first position, my heels are digging into the horse. Actually, my back of my leg is on the horse, instead of the side of my calf. I know I accomplished the side of my calf during Thursday's lesson because I have an ugly bruise on the side of my calf. And when I squeezed my legs, I could really feel it through my calves and thighs. I haven't been saddle sore in a couple of months, since I started riding "balanced"
I kept having problems on Thursday, I'm still not entirely sure what my deal was, if it was the wet arena, the wind that seemed to be freaking out my horse, that I wasn't on my a game because of allergies, the new saddle, the too big pants...my trainer has to be part psychologist to get me over my blocks. I kept losing my right stirrup and felt like I was unbalanced, I felt like I was all over the place and worried that I couldn't stop the horse. He never ran away with me, I was always in control.
She told me, "it's not him, it's you." Well, that hurts to hear, I'd rather it be him, than me. But I can accept responsibility of my actions...I might not have understood why I was doing certain things with him, but I was always in control. I finally told her, I can either point my toes inward or I can balance on the balls of my feet, but I can not do both at the same time. It's too much today. So I am working on pointing my toes inward and keeping my heels off the horse.
We did some canter work where I bent his head in just a little, he would give and then I would release and push him forward. I am constantly taking up my reins when I do this at the trot. I couldn't figure out why we were doing this at the canter. Part of it was to stay in control and the other part to create/maintain suppleness of the horse. I should probably give myself a break, I've cantered three or four times since I had my flying dismount in July - that could be freaking me out, too.
I'm hoping to go to a rated horse show next Sunday. I'm overly ambitious! So next week, we will start working on jumping. That fall really started me on a different training direction. I need to build more self confidence in the saddle. And maybe get a pair of breeches that fit!
Vowan Gems Halloween Jewelry
Just in time for Halloween, from my Etsy shop: Vowangems All Halloween jewelry is on sale!
Sexy Harlequin Necklace
Black Cat Necklace
Black Cat and Jackolntern Neckalce
Spooky Halloween Skull
for something that can be worn more often than Halloween, check these earrings out:
Twilight Moon Earrings
Raven Earrings
Sexy Harlequin Necklace
Black Cat Necklace
Black Cat and Jackolntern Neckalce
Spooky Halloween Skull
for something that can be worn more often than Halloween, check these earrings out:
Twilight Moon Earrings
Raven Earrings
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Hope
When I dropped Nathaniel off at school Monday morning, his class was headed over to their class room in the other school building. We joined the class as they walked over. His teacher, MacFee tried to engage him but he was not interested in walking with her. He scanned his classmates and then he saw HER... He walked over and gently took her hand and they walked to class together . It was such a precious sight to behold.
And it's all the more precious and awesome because he has autism. My sweet boy, is social, has compassion and cares for others. He totally does his best to be gentle with others. She is a young, small kindergartner and he is so much taller than her. They looked so cute with each other. One of the other boys, Lucas is infatuated with her, too. But he has no clue how to interact with her, so he pokes her in the face, in the eyes and of course, it makes her mad. And it makes Nathaniel mad, too. I hope he doesn't get into too many altercations protecting her.
It really makes my heart happy to see him with her. There is hope.
And it's all the more precious and awesome because he has autism. My sweet boy, is social, has compassion and cares for others. He totally does his best to be gentle with others. She is a young, small kindergartner and he is so much taller than her. They looked so cute with each other. One of the other boys, Lucas is infatuated with her, too. But he has no clue how to interact with her, so he pokes her in the face, in the eyes and of course, it makes her mad. And it makes Nathaniel mad, too. I hope he doesn't get into too many altercations protecting her.
It really makes my heart happy to see him with her. There is hope.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Mommy meltdowns
Ever have one of those days where you just want to scream? at your children?
All the time, but this was one of those days where I snapped. I confess, I yelled and had a hissy fit because my son with autism absolutely refused to get dressed.
He was running around the house in just his underwear, which under normal circumstances wouldn't have bothered me too much. Except the toilet in the bathroom he shares with his twin sister had overflowed...thankfully, it was just pee and not the other. Small favors, right? And this wouldn't have been a big deal, if I hadn't noticed water dripping out of the kitchen cabinets and into my kitchen aid mixing bowl. Ewww! Gross!
So I had to empty the cabinets. In a way it was good to empty the cabinets because I really hadn't organized the cabinets since we moved into the house 9 1/2 months ago.
The leak was strange because only one shelf was wet, the bottom shelf. Well, where is the water coming from. Oh no! It's coming from the other cabinet with the food. Another small favor, it is not coming from that side. I think it's flowing down the middle where the two cabinets connect. That's just great, there is sewage water seeping through the second floor and inbetween the two cabinets. Oh joy!
He comes into the kitchen in just his underwear and I tell him for what seems like the upteenth time to: Put some clothes on!
"No!"
"no, really put some clothes on"
"No!"
"Did you just tell me 'no'?"
I threw a bag of carmel popcorn across the kitchen...he knew he was in trouble then...but he kept telling me no. I yelled louder, he yelled louder. He put his hands over his ears but was not willing to get dressed. We yelled at each other as we climbed the stairs to his room. Finally, we get to his room and he yells and tells me he is angry at me. And I tell him, I'm angry at him for not getting dressed. I go into his closet and found an easy to get on outfit... and he gets dressed. This is not a good Mommy of Autistic Son moment. I realized how awful it must have been for him to have me fly off the handle like that. I didn't use any coping skills. I just screamed at him for not complying with my requests. I wanted him to be dressed in case I had a plumber come over or I needed him to go outside.
Finally, he calms down enough to tell me, he had come into the kitchen to complain that his Halloween costume had been moved from the bottom rack to the top rack. I told him I had moved it because it was so bulky, it took up too much room on the lower rack for his everyday clothes. So I moved it to the upper rack with his other costumes. But it's Batman!
Yes, I understand, you want it closer to you but it takes up to much room on the lower rack. Should we get rid of some of the clothes on the lower rack, to make room for your Batman costume?
He agreed we should, but he wasn't ready to cull his clothes right then.
And we haven't yet.
So he spent most of his day in a ready to fight mood. He got mad at church coffee hour because there wasn't a water pitcher. Since I had the only two children at the church coffee hour, I just got two cups, added ice and was about to fill the cups with water from the faucet when he freaked out. He refused to drink water from the faucet, it had to be from a water pitcher. I was not going to that much trouble. His sister agreed to drink the water I offered her. I finally just put his water filled cup on a table and walked away. He got thirsty enough and drank it.
He went home with Daddy and "helped" fix the toilet. I took Emma to a classmate's birthday party at Pump It Up . Always a fun time at Pump it Up. All that jumping and climbing really wears a kid out. It gave me a chance to chill out.
When we got home, Dad was chilling with the boy watching Ice Age: Collision Course. Nathaniel spent most of the movie cuddling with Dad.
After the movie, the kids rode there bikes and he had a little fall. I was wearing flip flops and couldn't run fast enough to get to him. In fact, one of our neighbors from across the street heard, N shouting and came over to see if he was okay. I thought that was rather sweet. I explained to our neighbor "He fell off his bike, he's fine. he has sensory issues."
Welcome to my world. I got N back on his bike and he gets irate that his sister took two objects off the swing. "it's not fair!" "She's not being nice." Well, they belonged to her, one was a part of her bike and the other was a pumpkin ball from her party bag. "But I wanted it!"
"Oh sweetie, you need dinner, a shower and to go to bed" Of course, he didn't like that.
But he eagerly at his ravioli, chocolate ice cream (very small bowl) but getting into the shower was just delay, after delay, after delay - although, it was nice of him to put his shoes in his closet and to put his clothes in the hamper - I wanted to yell, "get in the damn shower, already!" but I held my tongue.
And then he spent too much time running around the house naked. It is not amusing - well, maybe to him. But I found it annoying. And that's probably why he does it.
All the time, but this was one of those days where I snapped. I confess, I yelled and had a hissy fit because my son with autism absolutely refused to get dressed.
He was running around the house in just his underwear, which under normal circumstances wouldn't have bothered me too much. Except the toilet in the bathroom he shares with his twin sister had overflowed...thankfully, it was just pee and not the other. Small favors, right? And this wouldn't have been a big deal, if I hadn't noticed water dripping out of the kitchen cabinets and into my kitchen aid mixing bowl. Ewww! Gross!
So I had to empty the cabinets. In a way it was good to empty the cabinets because I really hadn't organized the cabinets since we moved into the house 9 1/2 months ago.
The leak was strange because only one shelf was wet, the bottom shelf. Well, where is the water coming from. Oh no! It's coming from the other cabinet with the food. Another small favor, it is not coming from that side. I think it's flowing down the middle where the two cabinets connect. That's just great, there is sewage water seeping through the second floor and inbetween the two cabinets. Oh joy!
He comes into the kitchen in just his underwear and I tell him for what seems like the upteenth time to: Put some clothes on!
"No!"
"no, really put some clothes on"
"No!"
"Did you just tell me 'no'?"
I threw a bag of carmel popcorn across the kitchen...he knew he was in trouble then...but he kept telling me no. I yelled louder, he yelled louder. He put his hands over his ears but was not willing to get dressed. We yelled at each other as we climbed the stairs to his room. Finally, we get to his room and he yells and tells me he is angry at me. And I tell him, I'm angry at him for not getting dressed. I go into his closet and found an easy to get on outfit... and he gets dressed. This is not a good Mommy of Autistic Son moment. I realized how awful it must have been for him to have me fly off the handle like that. I didn't use any coping skills. I just screamed at him for not complying with my requests. I wanted him to be dressed in case I had a plumber come over or I needed him to go outside.
Finally, he calms down enough to tell me, he had come into the kitchen to complain that his Halloween costume had been moved from the bottom rack to the top rack. I told him I had moved it because it was so bulky, it took up too much room on the lower rack for his everyday clothes. So I moved it to the upper rack with his other costumes. But it's Batman!
Yes, I understand, you want it closer to you but it takes up to much room on the lower rack. Should we get rid of some of the clothes on the lower rack, to make room for your Batman costume?
He agreed we should, but he wasn't ready to cull his clothes right then.
And we haven't yet.
So he spent most of his day in a ready to fight mood. He got mad at church coffee hour because there wasn't a water pitcher. Since I had the only two children at the church coffee hour, I just got two cups, added ice and was about to fill the cups with water from the faucet when he freaked out. He refused to drink water from the faucet, it had to be from a water pitcher. I was not going to that much trouble. His sister agreed to drink the water I offered her. I finally just put his water filled cup on a table and walked away. He got thirsty enough and drank it.
He went home with Daddy and "helped" fix the toilet. I took Emma to a classmate's birthday party at Pump It Up . Always a fun time at Pump it Up. All that jumping and climbing really wears a kid out. It gave me a chance to chill out.
When we got home, Dad was chilling with the boy watching Ice Age: Collision Course. Nathaniel spent most of the movie cuddling with Dad.
After the movie, the kids rode there bikes and he had a little fall. I was wearing flip flops and couldn't run fast enough to get to him. In fact, one of our neighbors from across the street heard, N shouting and came over to see if he was okay. I thought that was rather sweet. I explained to our neighbor "He fell off his bike, he's fine. he has sensory issues."
Welcome to my world. I got N back on his bike and he gets irate that his sister took two objects off the swing. "it's not fair!" "She's not being nice." Well, they belonged to her, one was a part of her bike and the other was a pumpkin ball from her party bag. "But I wanted it!"
"Oh sweetie, you need dinner, a shower and to go to bed" Of course, he didn't like that.
But he eagerly at his ravioli, chocolate ice cream (very small bowl) but getting into the shower was just delay, after delay, after delay - although, it was nice of him to put his shoes in his closet and to put his clothes in the hamper - I wanted to yell, "get in the damn shower, already!" but I held my tongue.
And then he spent too much time running around the house naked. It is not amusing - well, maybe to him. But I found it annoying. And that's probably why he does it.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Don't judge a box by its cover
So my husband and I moved our family three days before Christmas 2015. I almost killed him for moving our household right before Christmas. The kids didn't have beds, we provided sleeping bags and pillows and they thought it was great fun, camping indoors. Our new house was piled high with moving boxes. I was able to find most of the kids Christmas gifts in time for Saint Nicholas' visit to our new home. I'm still finding gifts from last Christmas, I'll just wrap them and give them this year, right?
We've unpacked all of the boxes in the house, but quite a few remain in the garage and my new art studio. I've been missing some horse tack for what seems like months - 10 most likely - Two weeks ago, my husband decided it was time to move the minivan into the garage. Not sure why he decided it was time, the spring thunderstorms and tornados have passed us by safely, I might add.
Although, the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve was especially scary for North Texas. We had been experiencing especially mild winter weather, when one evening the temperatures dropped about 30 degrees and we had a thunderstorm. We hadn't been in our new house a week, when the tornado alert sirens started blaring. We stared at the tv watching the tornado's direction - coming right toward our house- My brother - in - law called us and said not to stand next to the windows. In our new house, it's hard not to stand near a window or a French door leading outside, plenty of light in this house as opposed to the ranch house cavern we used to live in. I was mentally assessing the situation, could I lower the children through the pier and beam access holes in the kitchen or utility room faster when he called. And luckily for us, the tornado changed direction, but not so lucky for hundreds of people living in Rowlett and Garland. They lost homes, loved ones, pets, cars, etc. We knew people who lost everything when the tornado rampaged through their neighborhood.
So my husband cleared out a spot in the garage for the minivan. He found some storage containers labeled Lights and Christmas, so naturally I opened the boxes expecting to find Christmas lights. Much to my delight, I discovered 4 headstalls, 5 bits, 5 sets of leather braided reins, only 1 green shipping boot, 4 green polo wraps, a breast plate, a martingale, 3 sets of stirrup leathers including one set still in package, a cavasson, lunge line, bent out of shape lunge whip, various training aids but nothing in a complete set, and some western equipment. I was overjoyed to find my pelham double bridle and my first nice flat leather hunt bridle! Today I oiled Dolly's leather halter,and 4 english bridles along with 5 sets of reins. Perhaps next week, I will tackle the martingale, breast plate and english stirrup leathers. I told my trainer with all this equipment, I needed another horse - like a hole in the head -
We've unpacked all of the boxes in the house, but quite a few remain in the garage and my new art studio. I've been missing some horse tack for what seems like months - 10 most likely - Two weeks ago, my husband decided it was time to move the minivan into the garage. Not sure why he decided it was time, the spring thunderstorms and tornados have passed us by safely, I might add.
Although, the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve was especially scary for North Texas. We had been experiencing especially mild winter weather, when one evening the temperatures dropped about 30 degrees and we had a thunderstorm. We hadn't been in our new house a week, when the tornado alert sirens started blaring. We stared at the tv watching the tornado's direction - coming right toward our house- My brother - in - law called us and said not to stand next to the windows. In our new house, it's hard not to stand near a window or a French door leading outside, plenty of light in this house as opposed to the ranch house cavern we used to live in. I was mentally assessing the situation, could I lower the children through the pier and beam access holes in the kitchen or utility room faster when he called. And luckily for us, the tornado changed direction, but not so lucky for hundreds of people living in Rowlett and Garland. They lost homes, loved ones, pets, cars, etc. We knew people who lost everything when the tornado rampaged through their neighborhood.
So my husband cleared out a spot in the garage for the minivan. He found some storage containers labeled Lights and Christmas, so naturally I opened the boxes expecting to find Christmas lights. Much to my delight, I discovered 4 headstalls, 5 bits, 5 sets of leather braided reins, only 1 green shipping boot, 4 green polo wraps, a breast plate, a martingale, 3 sets of stirrup leathers including one set still in package, a cavasson, lunge line, bent out of shape lunge whip, various training aids but nothing in a complete set, and some western equipment. I was overjoyed to find my pelham double bridle and my first nice flat leather hunt bridle! Today I oiled Dolly's leather halter,and 4 english bridles along with 5 sets of reins. Perhaps next week, I will tackle the martingale, breast plate and english stirrup leathers. I told my trainer with all this equipment, I needed another horse - like a hole in the head -
Friday, October 14, 2016
What's that on my porch - it's from Dover Saddlery!
So the UPS delivery man and I crossed paths as I was rolling out of the driveway on my bicycle this afternoon. He brought me a very long and narrow package and a small, white package from Dover.
What was in my Dover package? I had totally forgotten. I had already heard from Dover Saddlery that the Charles Owen helmet did not come in my size but the Charles Owen GR8 did - only double the cost. Grr! But I must be able to tuck my hair under my helmet when I show in rated horse shows. Showing is so much more expensive than just entry fees, coaching and getting the horse to the show.
I'm also looking at purchasing custom made to order riding breeches in show tan. Gag, $250 for show tan full seat riding breeches because so few brands carry my size - rolling eyes.
When I came back from my bike ride thirty minutes later, I took my Dover package off the front porch. Much to my delight my Ariat black and white horse shirt arrived! I had totally forgot about ordering it as I was more concerned about the Charles Owen show helmet. I'm going to a rated show in a couple of weeks and I need something other than my Tipperary schooling helmet to protect my head.
What was in my Dover package? I had totally forgotten. I had already heard from Dover Saddlery that the Charles Owen helmet did not come in my size but the Charles Owen GR8 did - only double the cost. Grr! But I must be able to tuck my hair under my helmet when I show in rated horse shows. Showing is so much more expensive than just entry fees, coaching and getting the horse to the show.
I'm also looking at purchasing custom made to order riding breeches in show tan. Gag, $250 for show tan full seat riding breeches because so few brands carry my size - rolling eyes.
When I came back from my bike ride thirty minutes later, I took my Dover package off the front porch. Much to my delight my Ariat black and white horse shirt arrived! I had totally forgot about ordering it as I was more concerned about the Charles Owen show helmet. I'm going to a rated show in a couple of weeks and I need something other than my Tipperary schooling helmet to protect my head.
Ariat White horse shirt Fall 2016
Such a cute shirt! It reminds me of a Eagles Eye shirt, I owned back in the late 80's/early 90's. I could get a lot of wear from this shirt. Wear it with jeans, black pants, wear it around town, to the barn, to the saddle shop if it fit. I could get a lot of wear from this shirt if it fit. I ordered an XL, it feels like a large, I could not button it. If I wore a tank under it and wore it like a jacket, it might work...that's something to mull over. I love Ariat products but this one runs a bit small. Back to Dover Saddlery it goes, maybe I can get a credit for that Charles Owen helmet that does fit.
My long, narrow package contains a metal horse shoe ribbon rack. I purchased it mainly for my kids horse show ribbons. Last spring, they both competed in the Equest Spring Horse Show and brought back pretty ribbons. Nathaniel came in first place in his division - he said he would have preferred green ribbons, his favorite color. While his sister earned a second place and third place ribbon - she rides with older children in her division, so I was very proud of her accomplishment.
I originally saw an ad in Practical Horseman magazine for Marbeth Metal Products and was going to order it on my mobile device but decided I didn't want to jinx my luck (or ribbons) so I would wait until after my first show last weekend. I was excited to find Marbeth Metal Products on Etsy, so I ordered the horse shoe show ribbon rack from them on Etsy after the show.
Currently, my ribbons are hanging in my closet.Clearly, a new place is needed to display my pretty ribbons while not getting in the way of my jewelry and belt collection. I need to find a wall to display my ribbons, as well as my children's ribbons.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Zulily Packages
So today's order was from two different orders and it did contain something for my son. I'm sure he will be thrilled with his new E-Land Kids chambray shirt - no, he would rather have a toy or Legos. My daughter actually got a big haul this morning: a pink feathery hair accessory, a Tutu & Lulu mustard yellow and blue floral ruffle dress, a Tutu & Lulu Christmas tunic with red polka dot leggings and a Tutu and Lulu pink and blue floral ruffle dress and pant set. I was not left out, I got Spanx lingerie!
 |
| Tutu & Lulu outfits for my daughter! |
Another Tutu & Lulu outfit! Won't this be cute for Christmas?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)