Easily Distracted November 23, 2008
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I found a new website that I totally am hooked on (http://failblog.org) which lead me to “Fun With Graphs”. I found this graph particularly familiar:
more music charts
Anyway, I did have the full intention of resetting my fitness and nutrition goals this evening. Unfortunately, my really bad head cold has toned my motivation down. Unless I get worse, I will be hitting the gym wit Sherene on Monday, but it may be for a leisurely stroll. I ended up throwing up at dinner tonight (envision my two daughters running over to the sink to witness round one, then running away screaming during round two) so I’m keeping an open mind about tomorrow. I have always been hopelessly optimistic.
So maybe tomorrow I will have a plan. Maybe.
PUPPY CAM! November 21, 2008
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Prepare to be overcome with cuteness:
http://cdn1.ustream.tv/swf/4/viewer.49.swf?cid=317016
It’s super-cute when they are playing.
Even Horses See the Dentist November 19, 2008
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Tigger had his annual dental appointment today. This was definitely a photo opportunity:
A face only a mother could love…
Seriously, he’s just really drugged up. The dental float keeps his teeth all nice and lined up and prevents sharp points from forming that would normally be ground down if he were living in the wild. So, this really is a good thing. That tongue, though…
Gorgeous Day, Fun Walk November 17, 2008
Posted by kimayars Walk
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The girls and I did another walk today toward her Seattle Kids Marathon. This time Samantha got to wear my ForeRunner which was hilarious. She counted every second as we went around. THAT is quite a treat, let me tell you.
Veronica is ready to run, though. She ran most of the way and then looped back to catch up with us. I’m wondering if we can go for a run together this weekend when Samantha is with Jeff. It’s pretty cool to see her want to do this, and has the stamina for it. I’m confident that if she wants to, she can run the last 1.2 miles. I do believe the new shoes are making a huge difference. She wears them all the time now. Quite the sporty looking gal.
I believe that we are at 15 miles now, not counting any milege done at school. I have to admit I think I lost track. I should ask her PE teacher what he’s got her at mileage-wise.
AND, I am delighted to report that Sherene and I have found a time that we can both go to the gym again! Monday and Wednesday evenings you will find us at the gym, gettin’ the groove back on. We’re starting this Wednesday and, to show my dedication, I’m going to go to a Girl Scout Cookie Training Meeting all sweaty and stinky. I will apologize in advance to all the other cookie moms.
I passed on riding Tigger to have a relaxing coffee with Sherene. Sometimes you need one of those mental health moments. It was a great start to the day.
Workout:
- Type: Walk
- Date: 11/17/2008
- Time: 03:30:00
- Total Time: 00:21:00.00
- Distance: 1.08 miles
- Average Pace: 19:25.05/mile
Clippity-do-dah November 16, 2008
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I decided today it was time to give Tigger some sort of clip. The temperature was a balmy 60 degrees again, and his winter coat is causing him to literally melt. There were two problems I had, though:
#1: How much hair should I clip? Too little and it wouldn’t have an effect. Too much and he’d be enjoying blankets all winter long.
#2: Would he let me clip him? He’s not the most confident horse, and he’s very sensitive. It’s taken me a year to get him used to being sprayed with the fly spray bottle. Even then I need to have treats in hand to keep him occupied.
I turned Tigger and Shazam loose in a paddock near the barn, close enough so that I could have the clippers with me. I grabbed a handful of treats and, cradling the clippers in my arm, showed the ponies what I had.
Shazam used to show halter (he’s an Arabian) so clippers are totally no big deal to him. Even though I had the clippers running, he never even sniffed them. Just went right for the treats.
Tigger was a slightly different story. He stood is distance, torn by the lure of tasty treats that Shazam was getting ALL of, and staying away from the gently humming thing in my other hand. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He cautiously approached, and took a treat. As he realized that “humming thing” wasn’t a threat, he contentedly munch his treats and paid it no mind. Yay.
I then put Shazam in his run, and haltered Tigger. I decided to tie him since he does respect being tied very well. I also use one of those Tie Blocker things on him, so he can pull out if he needs to. I held the clippers in one hand, treats in the other, and turned the clippers on. He looked concerned, but not worried. I gave him a treat and touched the clippers to his shoulder. Not even a flinch. I took off a bit of hair. Nothing. I gave him a treat. I couldn’t believe it. This was actually going to work.
He got a steady stream of treats for half an hour while I sculpted out a crude looking bare spot on his neck and chest. The only time he was restless was when too much time had passed between snacks. He didn’t like having his throatlatch done, so I didn’t attempt anything in that area. Instead I kept it positive. I also ran out of cookies.
Here are the results:
.
Now, I know that this is a BAD clip, but it is my first time clipping a horse EVER. In fact it’s horrible. I’m sure I will get quite a bit of ribbing from my instructors. But I think I got the surface area right.
To try it out, I lunged Mr. Sweaty. To my delight, he cooled out rather quickly. His chest was totally soaked, but he dried out much faster than if he had a complete “chest of hair”. I also believe that this helped his shoulders and neck stay drier. This will be important when the weather turns chilly. A wet horse in cold weather is not a good thing.
So, as anti-climactic as it was, Tigger has a clip. And it’s obvious he’s been clipped before, which is a huge relief. Next time I’ll probably pay someone to come do it and save some embarrassment.
