If you havent already, I reccommend that you get the Amazon Universal Wishlist toolbar. You can go to any website online and say "I want it!" click the button, and it adds to one wishlist. Much handier than having a wishlist at individual stores.
If you are looking for xmas gifts for me, heres my wishlist
http://amzn.com/w/16LDJ00UUDRZW
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Vacation Day 2: St. Thomas
The first day we landed in St. Thomas. The plan here was that me, my 2 sisters and my parents would branch off from the other 4, take a rental car, and hit the beach. This was probably the most relaxing day we had!
We got the rental car, and guess what, in St Thomas they drive on the left side of the road. To make things more confusing however, they don't use the British style cars (where driver sits on right side), they use American cars (maybe because they are American territory?) which puts the driver on the outside of the road. That made it very difficult for dad to drive, and we all had to be very quiet. Shhhhhhh. Ok, that's a little tricky for a bunch of women on the way to the beach!
We made it there safely, despite not being able to see around some turns. The beach is free to visit but you have to pay $5 for a beach chair and they have a bar. Our server's name was Sasha and she was very hospitable. There were specials on buckets of Corona. I had Heather or Katrina take a picture of me doing the stereotype corona by the beach picture, but its on someone else's camera. I wanted to make Lee a little jealous!
Her name is Lady Gaga and she wears a beautiful flowered hat. Take whatever jokes from that you want!
The roads were pretty steep (or we thought this until we got to some of the other islands) Here is a picture I took out the back window, level with the car. As you can see, you cant see road! That's how steep it was!
Heather wasn't allowed to sit at the bar swings because she wasn't 18. However, she WAS allowed to sit on a stool 2 feet back from the bar and watch us enjoy the swings. Doesn't she look like she is having a great time?
After we got on the ship, it was pretty much a normal night. Dinner at 6, then after I had relaxed enough to feel less bloated, I went to the gym and went for a nice 5 mile run on the treadmill. I was happy to find out that my Monday night shows were on my own personal treadmill TV, so the time passed quickly and soon the gym was closing. Early to bed. Early to rise!
This cool dude greeted me in my room and assisted in a restful slumber.
We got the rental car, and guess what, in St Thomas they drive on the left side of the road. To make things more confusing however, they don't use the British style cars (where driver sits on right side), they use American cars (maybe because they are American territory?) which puts the driver on the outside of the road. That made it very difficult for dad to drive, and we all had to be very quiet. Shhhhhhh. Ok, that's a little tricky for a bunch of women on the way to the beach!
We made it there safely, despite not being able to see around some turns. The beach is free to visit but you have to pay $5 for a beach chair and they have a bar. Our server's name was Sasha and she was very hospitable. There were specials on buckets of Corona. I had Heather or Katrina take a picture of me doing the stereotype corona by the beach picture, but its on someone else's camera. I wanted to make Lee a little jealous!
Looking out from our spot to the left.
And to the right! That's where the good snorkeling was I am told.
We stayed there for the better part of the day. I went out swimming immediately when we got there, but I didn't stay long because even without putting my face in the water, the salt was really hurting my eyes. I went back in a second time and was very careful to breaststroke out keeping my head out of the water. Stroke, stroke, stroke... uh oh! I hit something that didn't feel quite like water! Jellyfish! I immediately spun and swam as fast as i could out of the water, keeping my head up but still splashing in my eyes. I like to use the phrase "I punched a jellyfish" as that's what it really felt like. I'm sure there are some good Chuck Norris jokes you can get out of that.
After a bucket of beer and some delicious smoothies, it was time to leave and we drove back toward the ship. We stopped a few times to take photos.
At one particularly beautiful spot, we saw a very nice ass. Pun definitely intended!
Her name is Lady Gaga and she wears a beautiful flowered hat. Take whatever jokes from that you want!
The roads were pretty steep (or we thought this until we got to some of the other islands) Here is a picture I took out the back window, level with the car. As you can see, you cant see road! That's how steep it was!
Mom had eaten back at the beach. She ate the only sandwich, and left her daughters to starve! Haha. So when we saw Wendys and really had to use the *trusted* bathroom, so we grabbed a bite to eat. After, Katrina and I both bought a hat at the market across the street as neither of us had something floppy to protect our heads. Both of us lost our hats at later points in the trip. With the hat, my fanny backpack and my camera, I pulled off the ultimate tourist look!
I realized after, if I wanted the perfect tourist picture, I shouldn't have stood in front of the boat, but instead something weird or meaningless, like a fire hydrant or something. Oh well!
Of course we had to stop at the bar in front of the ship when we saw IT HAD SWINGS!
Heather wasn't allowed to sit at the bar swings because she wasn't 18. However, she WAS allowed to sit on a stool 2 feet back from the bar and watch us enjoy the swings. Doesn't she look like she is having a great time?
After we got on the ship, it was pretty much a normal night. Dinner at 6, then after I had relaxed enough to feel less bloated, I went to the gym and went for a nice 5 mile run on the treadmill. I was happy to find out that my Monday night shows were on my own personal treadmill TV, so the time passed quickly and soon the gym was closing. Early to bed. Early to rise!
This cool dude greeted me in my room and assisted in a restful slumber.
Happy Anniversary!
On this day exactly 1 year ago, I traded a wad of cash for a wad of fur.
Many of you may remember where we were a year ago. A horse that had very little handling and was afraid of people. I couldn't touch anywhere from his shoulder up, or belly down without him being terrified or kicking out with displeasure. Putting on a bridle or halter was out of the question, its a good thing he came with one!
Within a few days, I was able to touch him enough to catch him in the field (even with some silly games) and sort of lead him.
A few days later he was picking up his feet and letting me put a saddlepad on him. He was still an a-hole to lead and sometimes we spend over an hour just trying to get from the field to the barn. How I wasn't injured or killed from being dragged through the mud that many times, I don't know. Despite that, he was progressing nicely in hand... no longer trying to play nip me when trotting beside me and following commands well.
Only a few weeks after I got him, I saddled him and sat on his back for the first time. He took it like a pro!
Soon I was able to (after great struggle) get a bit less bridle on him and we started working at faster gaits.
In March, we did our first ride on the "trails" in other words, around the hayfield.
And finally at the end of September, he was able to complete his first and second distance ride! Wow, look how different he looks! Not physically, but he is so much more mature and confident. No longer a little boy!
He has become the horse I can do anything with, the horse of my dreams! Now we are at our new home, and looking forward to many more great years to come.
Many of you may remember where we were a year ago. A horse that had very little handling and was afraid of people. I couldn't touch anywhere from his shoulder up, or belly down without him being terrified or kicking out with displeasure. Putting on a bridle or halter was out of the question, its a good thing he came with one!
Within a few days, I was able to touch him enough to catch him in the field (even with some silly games) and sort of lead him.
A few days later he was picking up his feet and letting me put a saddlepad on him. He was still an a-hole to lead and sometimes we spend over an hour just trying to get from the field to the barn. How I wasn't injured or killed from being dragged through the mud that many times, I don't know. Despite that, he was progressing nicely in hand... no longer trying to play nip me when trotting beside me and following commands well.
Only a few weeks after I got him, I saddled him and sat on his back for the first time. He took it like a pro!
Soon I was able to (after great struggle) get a bit less bridle on him and we started working at faster gaits.
In March, we did our first ride on the "trails" in other words, around the hayfield.
In April, he was starting to be ok with his ears being touched and for our first lesson with Margie, I introduced the bit. Took it like he had been doing it all his life!
Over the summer we had issues with on and off lameness, so instead of working him too much, we found other ways to amuse ourselves.
And finally at the end of September, he was able to complete his first and second distance ride! Wow, look how different he looks! Not physically, but he is so much more mature and confident. No longer a little boy!
He has become the horse I can do anything with, the horse of my dreams! Now we are at our new home, and looking forward to many more great years to come.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Vacation - Day 1: Debarkation
The day started out nice and early with our trip to the airport. There was a slight setback when our boarding passes we had printed in advance didnt work, so we had to go through the whole ordeal.
After clearing security, we all took turns going to the bathroom, Katrina came back stating about how some child vomit had accidentally flung her way and got on her hand. Of course, I snickered to which she tried to curse me with a sick child next to me on the plane.
The opposite coudlnt be more true, instead I only had one person, empty seat in the middle, and he was very quiet and kept to himself. Exactly how I want to spend my flight! The time *pun intended* flew by and we were in San Juan before I knew it.
After landing, all 9 of us met to get taxis to port, however Nancy's cane had been forgotten/lost/stolen so only half of us went to the port. It was nice to be able to wait somewhere with some ventilation and Katrina and Heather went for ice cream.
Nice Heather!
Heather and went ahead of everyone else to get checked in. When we got there, they took a picture of us together for souvenir purposes. Just as we were about to check in with our boarding passes, everyone else came in and yelled at us to wait for them (although looking back, we didnt need them for anything... one of the negatives about travelling in large groups, one person gets confused and confuses the rest then new rules and directions get created!) Everyone else went to get their souvenir photo done but Katrina missed it, so she was being called back. I told her she had to go and get the photo for her ship ID and even though everyone was posing in photos together, she believed me and stood alone for her photo. Heather and I LAUGHED AND LAUGHED! Katrina wasnt very happy and made a stink about it, which of course made us laugh more.
Heather and I were sharing a room, so we went together to find it after some more confusion resulting in dad forbidding us to go to our rooms (thats what happens when you get older, punishment isnt going to your room, its staying out of it) while he tried to set the limits on our spending cards. It was painful to watch him try to use the touchscreen and eventually as he was giving up and telling us to go to our rooms and figure it out later, I just took over and did it in only a minute. The room was quite nice, the window was actually very large, not just a port hole, but a full window.
I cant remember what we did after that. Probably some exploring before dinner. Dinner was very good, I seem to remember having the fish. The portions were fine dining, which some may consider small, but I was happy with just one appetiser, one main, and sorbet for dessert. Of course that sparked the debate as to what is the difference between sorbet and sherbert. Also signed up for a "cruise the vineyards" package which gave me 5 bottles of wine (split with Katrina). It was just enough to last us all 7 nights of the trip!
After dinner, I believe I did some more exploring, found the gym and got the schedule for yoga. I met up with Katrina and Ramlin (Nancy's friend) later as we wanted to go to some of the onboard bars/clubs. We tried every one (probably 4 or 5) but they all were deserted. Only had one drink in one of the bars and went back to the rooms. We met up with Heather who was apparently not allowed in the teen club without written permission from parents (at 16, who really needs this!) so we all just hung out until 3am in Katrina and Ramlin's room. Ordered some room service which is free and called it a night!
After clearing security, we all took turns going to the bathroom, Katrina came back stating about how some child vomit had accidentally flung her way and got on her hand. Of course, I snickered to which she tried to curse me with a sick child next to me on the plane.
The opposite coudlnt be more true, instead I only had one person, empty seat in the middle, and he was very quiet and kept to himself. Exactly how I want to spend my flight! The time *pun intended* flew by and we were in San Juan before I knew it.
After landing, all 9 of us met to get taxis to port, however Nancy's cane had been forgotten/lost/stolen so only half of us went to the port. It was nice to be able to wait somewhere with some ventilation and Katrina and Heather went for ice cream.
Heather and went ahead of everyone else to get checked in. When we got there, they took a picture of us together for souvenir purposes. Just as we were about to check in with our boarding passes, everyone else came in and yelled at us to wait for them (although looking back, we didnt need them for anything... one of the negatives about travelling in large groups, one person gets confused and confuses the rest then new rules and directions get created!) Everyone else went to get their souvenir photo done but Katrina missed it, so she was being called back. I told her she had to go and get the photo for her ship ID and even though everyone was posing in photos together, she believed me and stood alone for her photo. Heather and I LAUGHED AND LAUGHED! Katrina wasnt very happy and made a stink about it, which of course made us laugh more.
Heather and I were sharing a room, so we went together to find it after some more confusion resulting in dad forbidding us to go to our rooms (thats what happens when you get older, punishment isnt going to your room, its staying out of it) while he tried to set the limits on our spending cards. It was painful to watch him try to use the touchscreen and eventually as he was giving up and telling us to go to our rooms and figure it out later, I just took over and did it in only a minute. The room was quite nice, the window was actually very large, not just a port hole, but a full window.
I cant remember what we did after that. Probably some exploring before dinner. Dinner was very good, I seem to remember having the fish. The portions were fine dining, which some may consider small, but I was happy with just one appetiser, one main, and sorbet for dessert. Of course that sparked the debate as to what is the difference between sorbet and sherbert. Also signed up for a "cruise the vineyards" package which gave me 5 bottles of wine (split with Katrina). It was just enough to last us all 7 nights of the trip!
After dinner, I believe I did some more exploring, found the gym and got the schedule for yoga. I met up with Katrina and Ramlin (Nancy's friend) later as we wanted to go to some of the onboard bars/clubs. We tried every one (probably 4 or 5) but they all were deserted. Only had one drink in one of the bars and went back to the rooms. We met up with Heather who was apparently not allowed in the teen club without written permission from parents (at 16, who really needs this!) so we all just hung out until 3am in Katrina and Ramlin's room. Ordered some room service which is free and called it a night!
Congrats Tayla!
Again I will delay my vacation report, because this morning on the way to work, i got an email from Tayla that she had her baby.
Little (big) boy.
On Monday, she messaged me to say she wouldn't make it to the Christmas party. Funny thing was we were in a meeting to discuss the arrangements for the party. We wondered if that was code for "I'm going into labour" but she assured us she wasn't (but kind of wished she did)
She got her wish and came early. Very happy for her! I had a feeling it was going to be a boy :)
Little (big) boy.
On Monday, she messaged me to say she wouldn't make it to the Christmas party. Funny thing was we were in a meeting to discuss the arrangements for the party. We wondered if that was code for "I'm going into labour" but she assured us she wasn't (but kind of wished she did)
She got her wish and came early. Very happy for her! I had a feeling it was going to be a boy :)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Yoga - lesson number 3.5
Although I desperately wanted to go visit my horsie last night, I went to my usual Monday yoga class. I tried to justify not going but as I counted the amount of Mondays left before my 10 class pass expired, it was quite apparent that I couldn't make any excuses.
Don't worry, i haven't forgotten to write about my vacation, but I haven't had a chance to go through photos yet and I thought it was better to write about yoga while it is fresh in my mind.
So last night was focused on lower back, shoulders and wrists... my specialty! I certainly stunned my teacher Lorie with my super-yoga that night. In fact, there was some where I was able to hold the pose better than her (to give her credit, she had been doing zumba all day and was likely tired at this point!)
She said there was a "request of the week" to do camel pose (I assume this was from one of her other classes) and said that it was hard but we will work up to it and no hard feelings if we cant get it. Well, I not only got it... PERFECTLY (in her words) but it was relatively easy for me. She certainly raved about my back's flexibility and I was able to push it and all the other poses very far. I was wearing my GEC tshirt, not sure if anyone made the connection that riding & mucking=incredible back strength!
Some of the balance poses also were quite easy for me, and I related it to things I do at the house or barn. Gives me an idea for a photo series. That will come in a few months I am sure once I get all my thoughts together!
Lorie is great, so encouraging, I cant believe how well I am able to perform with her. Hmmm hopefully I can find it in the budget after my 10 classes are done to keep going. Time to start eating less or something!
Don't worry, i haven't forgotten to write about my vacation, but I haven't had a chance to go through photos yet and I thought it was better to write about yoga while it is fresh in my mind.
So last night was focused on lower back, shoulders and wrists... my specialty! I certainly stunned my teacher Lorie with my super-yoga that night. In fact, there was some where I was able to hold the pose better than her (to give her credit, she had been doing zumba all day and was likely tired at this point!)
She said there was a "request of the week" to do camel pose (I assume this was from one of her other classes) and said that it was hard but we will work up to it and no hard feelings if we cant get it. Well, I not only got it... PERFECTLY (in her words) but it was relatively easy for me. She certainly raved about my back's flexibility and I was able to push it and all the other poses very far. I was wearing my GEC tshirt, not sure if anyone made the connection that riding & mucking=incredible back strength!
Some of the balance poses also were quite easy for me, and I related it to things I do at the house or barn. Gives me an idea for a photo series. That will come in a few months I am sure once I get all my thoughts together!
Lorie is great, so encouraging, I cant believe how well I am able to perform with her. Hmmm hopefully I can find it in the budget after my 10 classes are done to keep going. Time to start eating less or something!
Monday, December 3, 2012
I'm Back!
Although I didn't mention anything last week, I went on vacation. I didn't publicize it as it seems like a bad idea to tell the whole world that your house will be for the most-part unguarded. Lee was home, but worked enough that I can still use the phrase unguarded.
Besides, I am sure most of who reads this either knew I was going, or went with me.
I will get into details of the vacation later, but for now I have to get to a weeks worth of work and emails that are clogging up my to-do list.
Besides, I am sure most of who reads this either knew I was going, or went with me.
I will get into details of the vacation later, but for now I have to get to a weeks worth of work and emails that are clogging up my to-do list.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)