Our Sweet Boys

I have been so busy with work, school, etc,that I don't have as much time to spend with 'the boys', Samsun, our Fjord, and Orion, our Shetland. I'm sure they don't mind as much as I do, as they are two adolescent boys who spend their days playing and hanging out together. They are such sweethearts though, and I do love to spend time with them. It's very therapeutic. There's nothing better than the sweet smell of a horse's breath, and the feel of a velvety muzzle against your cheek to cheer you up! I love this pic of the boys, but please ignore all the poop piles. I really do clean up the paddock every day...really, I do!

My New Adventure

I started my new LPN position at a doctor's office this Monday, and, knock on wood, it's been going okay so far. I am full of a kind of cautious, guarded optimism that goes hand in hand with years of experience out there in the work force. Office politics, petty rivalries, authority figures with God complexes...you know what I mean if you've spent even one minute at a job!

But, this place seems pretty cool. It's only been three days so far, and I'm certain that there's plenty going on below the surface of things, but overall, they seem like a decent group of folks! It's a busy practice, but everyone seems cohesive and supportive.

They are even willing to work with my schedule come January as I complete the RN portion of my education.

I am actually happy to be back on the front lines helping people. Funny thing is, I never dreamed of being a nurse as a kid. Being the feminist that I am, I thought it was such an outdated, old fashioned job so to speak. The idea of being the handmaiden to some male doctor just left me cold. I originally took the LPN school entrance exam to encourage my sister to give it a try as she'd been working as a nurses's aid and wanted something more. But I got accepted and she did not. Weird the way life turns out. It's like the things you're meant to do...they choose you, not the other way around. Nursing has chosen me, and I have done incredibly well academically- better than I'd done at anything in my whole life. My GPA is almost through the roof and I got into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for 2 year schools.

So, on my path I continue. I have dreams I never thought I'd have...finishing the RN, getting my Bachelor's Degree in Nursing/Science...and applying either to a graduate Nurse Practitioner program, or medical school!

An Amazing Time to be an American

I am so glad that I'm an American.

With all that is wrong in our country and in the world, we are still a force to be reckoned with, and we CAN and MUST be a catalyst for change. And not just change as individuals, but as a whole. We are all connected, we are all family.

The entire world watched as this great nation was able to reach out across party lines, and lift the cloak of racism to elect someone with the intelligence, heart, compassion, and diplomacy needed to lead this country. The energy that exudes Barack Obama is that of integrity, and that he will do his absolute best to lead this country through some dark times. It will not be easy or perfect, but I know he's in it for the long haul and I sense that his heart is in the right place.

I wish him and his administration luck, as they certainly have their work cut out for them.

Sittin', Waitin', Wishin.....

...with my fingers crossed...................

Another Great Site

As we wait to learn the fate of our nation, I would like to suggest you horse lovers visit a great site called the Ultimate Dressage Bulletin Board. It's wonderful place to discuss just about anything. There are so many intelligent and well read horse folks who show up, and many don't have anything to do with dressage.

So, check it out!

www.ultimatedressage.com

Get Out and Vote!

People, please exercise your rights as a citizen of this great nation. Make sure you get out and vote tomorrow! But please don't vote out of fear- vote with your hearts AND intellects.
So, get out there to the polls tomorrow.

The Good, the Bad, and the Fugly

With all that is transpiring with our economy, and all the havoc being wreaked upon so many families in, not only the US, but the world, it is not a huge surprise that so many animals are being abandoned. Horses have been especially hard hit. The numbers of horses going to the livestock auctions and slaughter {to ultimately wind up as a meal on French dinner plate} has been increasing dramatically. There is someone who writes a blog called Fugly Horse Of The Day, and it's one of my favorites. Cathy calls it 'like it is' and is never one to sugarcoat things. She features stories concerning horses and their treatment that not only speak to the sad state of affairs for our animal friends , but to society as a whole.
Check it out. Even if you are not a horse person, you'll find it interesting, educational, and just damn funny, too.
www.fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com