lambs

Two of the neighbour's lambs seemed to adopt me this morning. They followed along the fence wherever I went, and bleated when they couldn't see me.

Shuga and I rode today. The weather felt uncertain and the wind was a bit gusty, but it was a good ride. We rode about a mile, mostly trotting. She was a speed demon as usual, but remained respectful.

Even more importantly, we rode next to the tarp covered hay stacks, and while she was obviously still uncomfortable, she trusted me to not let her die. Progress, progress, progress.

She did slip into a canter for a few paces, and I almost didn't notice the difference. We'll explore that gait some more under Nancy's direction, perhaps this weekend. I'm also planning to try out ground poles. Maybe I'll even get up to the cross rails by the end of the summer.

I probably won't ever get higher than cross rails, though. I prefer my horse to keep her feet on the ground, thank you very much. But I have to give at least cross rails a try since Shuga has seemed to enjoy it in the past.

at the farm

Communing with the next door sheep, and especially the little lambs.

All of us on the ATV, getting ready to groom the arena for all the riding that was going to happen.

Lila was brave enough to sit up straight instead of clinging to the saddle with her whole body.

Arabelle actually held onto the end of the reins for a little bit during her pony ride.

Yonah actually rode Shuga for the first time ever instead of getting a pony ride. He did pretty well, though he had trouble relaxing.

life goes on...

Once again, signs of spring remind me that life goes on... The lambs have gotten big enough to come out and play, and their bleatings fill the air.

We also had the second bird in the last couple weeks fly into the tack shed and forget the way out.

pony birthday

I'm so grateful for my Shuga. I thought I really needed her last year with all the cancer news, but I'm thinking I need her even more this year. She holds me together while all the emotions heal.

I also took a picture of our new most-of-a-couch. They had to ship the pieces from a store branch in California and somehow the end piece of our sectional got lost. They have no idea where it is or even what state it's in. Hah!

I hadn't intended to share it on the blog until we have the last piece, but a picture of a piece of paper feels a bit lazy for my 365 picture challenge.

horses and crochet

I finally got to go to one of the NWWJ shows! It looks tentatively fun. My goal for the summer is to get so confident at riding that Shuga and I can participate in the ground pole and possibly cross tie classes next winter. At least once.

Unfortunately I forgot my Nikon, so I didn't have the shutter speed needed for catching any of the jumps.

But I did remember to bring my crochet. I had so many people ask if I was knitting that I posted a PSA on Facebook. If you can't get mad about this, what else can you feel upset about?

personal space

Shuga and Saphyra were sharing so nicely... But everything changed when the camera came out.

Also, my work pants. It might be time for new ones . . . Maybe.

swamp

the last few days

Wednesday:

Thirsday:

Friday:

All the bunk bed pieces arrived so we finally got to get the girls set up.

These boxes each held a full twin sized bed. At first I was skeptical. Then I remembered traumatic Jack in the box childhood memories. In the end, it wasn't so bad. They'd vacuum sealed the mattresses and rolled them up tight. The springs sounded somewhat like popcorn kernels when the plastic was cut.

Yonah assembled the bottom bunk almost entirely by himself.

We had to rearrange the room to make the bed fit, and there's a lot less floor space to play on... But the girls are happy with their new bed. Arabelle says she really feels like Rapunzel now.

Saturday:

This picture basically sums Lila up. I love her guts.

Tonight everyone is celebrating Lula's life, so there will undoubtedly be more pictures for today.

wishing

Apparently the kids have never seen a wishing fountain before. They were bummed that I didn't have any coins handy to demonstrate.

Naturally I fantasized about sliding on the ladder Belle-style while dreaming of far off places, magic spells, and a prince in disguise. (If you like it all that much, it's yours...)

wind crazy

a day in the life

Shuga understands how this gate thing works. What she doesn't understand is why I am wasting time taking a picture instead of immediately letting her out.

Meanwhile, the other horses prepare for a mini despooking clinic called "Walking Past the Scary Blue Tractor". You'd think by now they'd be pros, but you'd be very much mistaken.

creative cleanup

And for a bonus, a picture of homeschooling last night:

home again

For the first time in 11 years, we have the Rockin' V back. This time it's a Ranger Station instead of the familiar Ranch.

Some of the old songs have been altered to fit the new theme better. But the important elements are all the same.

Being a part of this certainly makes the last original Budaroo very happy.

Now to train up the next generation of Budaroos...

family night

lessons

Yonah learned how to make scrambled eggs today. They were fantastic, if needing a touch more salt.

I also had some (re)learning to do, as I assembled my western bridle once again. It was given to me when I first got Shuga, but I've left it largely unused. It was too much of a hassle to switch my bit from bridle to bridle all the time. Now with a second bit, both bridles are functional.

long lost sun

After what felt like an eternity, the inversion has finally lifted. It was still gray this morning, but it was the lofty gray of clouds instead of the oppressive gray.

Then the clouds began slowly to dissipate, allowing the sun to shine through. Beautiful day.

wintry day

time with friends

I got a copy of the picture of our (dismounted) gang for the trail ride yesterday. From left to right: Nancy, Sandra, Lyn, me, and Char's hat.

26/26

My birthday started off with a trail ride. Shuga and I worked very well together. We actually led the group for about 1/3 of the ride - which is kind of incredible if you know Shuga and me. I was told that it's the most relaxed I've ever looked in saddle. Progress!

We ended with a small birthday party with friends and family. One of our friends brought her cockatiel, Cheek, as begged by the kiddos.