MyBlingsOnTheInside (Hola Update)

Hello! It would seem I couldnt stay away for long after all! How could I stay away when there are photos of my sweet Hola to share?!? To say I am happy with the way my little filly is turning out would be a huge understatement. And, within just a few days of my visit I found the perfect registration name for her too.

Meet MyBlingsOnTheInside!

MyBlingsOnTheInside (so named because Hola doesnt have a stitch of white on her, only a few white hairs on her forehead that you have to look hard to find...the white on her legs will disappear.) is everything I wanted in a name... It says that she is something special... and that she doesnt need chrome to be something to special... It doesnt have the pedigree reference that I wanted but the second it popped in to my head I knew that was it!

I am so very excited about this little filly. I pray that she grows up to be a healthy, sound and solid minded mare with a heart of gold like her Momma. If she has even half the amount of try that Abby has, I'll count myself lucky... actually, I already am lucky just to have such a beautiful little filly to pin my dreams on.

Saying Goodbye... Kinda

On July 12th 2008 I hit "publish" for the first time. Since then I've hit that little orange button over five hundred times and in doing so unleashed my unique and quirky perceptive on the world on such varied subjects as horses, dogs, cats, sheep (and my disdain for all wooled creatures), to pop culture, relationships, personal anecdotes (note: anecdotes not antidote... who knew!) and everything and anything in between. While "Horse Crazed" might suggest a primary topic most of you have come to know that you're just as likely to find a rendition of "Night Moves", a story of how I was once blinded by a Caesar salad, and book review of Vampire Porn (no joke) as an article on horse color genetics, the ethics of breeding or my failures as a horseman (See: "Mounting: A Failure to Launch Story".)

I've loved writing Adventures of a Horse Crazed Mind... I loved it. Past tense. For nearly three years I've indulge my passion for writing and personal expression through blogging, not as a chore, out of obligation or for the gratification of having a readership (though it was appreciated), but because I felt an irrepressible desire to share and to share in a form that represented my creativity at its best. That urge to express remains. But my dedication to the art of sharing... to my own standards of quality has been seriously flagging these past few months to the point that I'd rather not publish at all than to continue publishing these half hearted efforts, schlocky (What! It's a word!) written updates or quick little didlees as I have been. In other words, I've put far to much time, effort, love, blood, sweat and tears (okay maybe no blood or sweat but tears for sure!) in to this freakin' blog to let it go to let it go to hell in a hand basket (I tried googling euphemisms for "going to hell" in an effort to get something with more umph than the above but by the time I figured out how to spell euphemism correctly enough that google could figure out what I was trying to say I'd lost all patience.)

So, is this good-bye? Kinda. I dont have the heart to shut this baby down. So this blog will continue to exist and I'll continue to post on it when or if I have something of importance to say and the time and patience to say it in a (remotely) eloquent fashion. Which wont be often. Or at all. We'll see. In the mean time I will continue to post random, poorly written and otherwise shitty blog posts over at The Schlock Blog- where even the name is schlock. I don't recommend you check it out.

Meet Hola

Need I say more?

(of course I do!)

She is just as sweet as pie and cute as a button.

It didnt take me long to name her either. Hola! She is such a friendly little filly with a happy eye and soft demeanor...she just suited a name that meant "Hello!" I get her home in the Fall. My first baby... An hour with her and I was in love... but it took me a few days to get past all of the practical arguments against my buying a foal. But when I saw the above photo I knew. I knew that I would regret saying no... and that I'd never regret saying yes.

So I said yes.

And I feel so damn good about that decision I just cant tell ya.

But there is one decision left to be made! The name for her registration.

I would like it to incorporate Whiz and Rooster... or Gallo Del Cielo (means Heavenly Rooster (the Cielo means heavenly). Jack could be worked in there too. Last year's foal was Whizeroo. I love it but want her to have her own name. Ideas?

A Filly

She is just hours old in this photo. All red. Not a stitch of white. She should shed out a dark chestnut. And yes, this one may be mine... who am I kidding? I think she has to be mine... I meet her tomorrow.

Let the naming game begin!

Ponies At Sunset

Waxed Up!!

(ABOVE: ABBY AND HER 2010 FILLY WHIZEROO) Just got word that Abby is waxed up and dripping white milk. And guess what!! I (God willing) will be able to meet her 2011 foal within the next few days! I am hoping to leave her Monday and get there in time to see a healthy and happy Momma Abby have a healthy, sound, and beautiful little colt or filly. I am so excited.

The Everglades

The Everglades- a place of raw and savage beauty... ...of lush green emerald palm fronds, stunted Poisonwood and brackish gator filled swamp... ...of strangled trees, unearthly mangroves and a scent so rich and damp it lays like a mossy blanket over you... though it is not stagnant, it teams with life... home to those who slither and crawl... ...those who scurry unseen into the depths of bottomless shadows... snakes, spiders, vultures and... ... the Geico Gecko... What? He could be visiting! Maybe even seeking a tax shelter... or visiting elderly relatives... or (with that vibrant colored beard) maybe he's visiting South Beach... ya never know.

These Eyes

(sorry about the lack of spaces, blogger is being a (insert bad word)...

*dunt dun* *dun dunt da da dunt da dun* *dun dun* *dun na da dunt da dun* *dun dun*

Oh come on! I got it close!

How about ya just go on and hit play on this video (make sure your volume is up... 'cause These Eyes, is a must sing-along kinda song and that's just the way I roll... have you hit play yet? Go on... I'll wait....

Oh yah, *bob that head* ... *dunt dun*.... trademark chords, classic... just classic.... These Eyes... cry every night... for you... These Arms... long to hold you... again... The hurtin's on me yah... I will be free now, now my baby oh no now You gave a promise to me, yah you broke it.... you broke it... oh no... *sigh*

Oh yah... God I love that song.

Why are we listening to it, you ask? Well, 'cause these eyes (mine) are the issue at the forefront of my mind right now... While I was away I had to accept something that I've known but have been avoiding for some time. A few days ago my Mom and I were sitting out on the deck of our condo looking out over the ocean and she commented on the size and name of a cruise ship that was sailing past. The thing was that I couldnt see the name on that cruise ship. I could only see a dark blur where I knew the name should be but I couldnt make it out. I was quick to find an excuse...the glare of the water, my tired eyes, that I had been reading and such but then later, as we were driving through the city, I noticed that the road signs were a little harder to read than I remembered... then I recalled how last year I had commented that the isle markers at the grocery store we hard to read and a few other little things like how "tired" my eyes felt at the end of the day. I know you might be thinking, "What's the big deal, go get your eyes checked!" and I'd have to agree. Being less than 20/20 isnt the end of the world.... But... for some reason the idea that I might need corrective lenses really bothers me.... maybe it's because I am an artist and the way I see the world, the detail, light, color, shades and shadows is so important to me... it is almost that it defines some portion of who I am... the idea that I have lost, or am loosing any portion of that is really a little scary to me and I really haven't wanted to face it. This evening I was in Chapters and I was looking for the "Pet" section and found that I had trouble making out the section markers. As we walked to the car I pointed to a sign in the parking lost and asked HS if he could read it. He could. I couldnt. Tomorrow I am going to make and appointment to have my eyes tested. It is pointless and childish to be a little scared. But for some reason I am. *fingers crossed*

Now, I have to leave you with this. One of my favorite scenes of any movie, ever. These Eyes rendition by Michael Cera in Super Bad. The intensity of the coked out guy is crazy...

"You want a line of cocaine?"

"No way, man."

"Yaaahh!"

Classic.

'Robert Is Here' Key Lime Milkshakes

I am home from Florida and while I have much to report I'm going to keep it simple for tonight by posting a picture from our road trip to Everglades National Park that is, surprisingly, not of a gator, a vulture, a mangrove or an exotic bird, as you might expect (those will be coming shortly) but instead this is a pic of a milkshake cup! Why? Because that cup contained the best freakin' milkshake I've ever tasted in my entire life made with fresh Key Limes and ice cream so thick and smooth you cant even suck it through a straw .... I swear this thing was just To Die For. OMG. Seriously.

Want one? Just go to "Robert is Here" fruit stand on West Palm Road outside of Homestead, Florida (on your way in to Everglades Park). The stand also has a large assortment of fruit (duh!), tons of different kinds of honey, pickled vegetables and canned fruit, preserves, real sea sponges, shells and there is even a petting zoo to boot! Oh and Robert really was there! (hence the name). This is obviously a well loved family business that is popular with locals and tourists alike.

"Okay, What Did I Say Then!?!"

So... I am in Miami. Long story. The short story is that it is warm, sunny, palmy (lots of Palm trees) and I like it.... especially when I turned on the television Clinton Anderson was right there on regular cable. I think I almost fell off my chair. FYI- I am not leaving our condo for the remainder of our trip as I dont think I can bring myself to turn it off.... partly because I like Clinton Anderson and partly because the Scott in me cant handle turning down a bargain! It'd cost me $190 to order the DVD for what I watched today, and that's used off of ebay!

The real story I have to tell today is one you are probably all familiar with... I'd almost bet you've done this yourself.

Picture this: I am running around the house like a madwoman trying to get packed and everything sorted before I leave (HS is staying home) when suddenly I remember that I havent told HS what he needs to do to give Hawky his medication (another story for another day). Before I can forget I go in to the living room where HS is reading and I say, "Honey?"

He doesnt look up from the paper but does say, distractedly, "Yah?"

Me: "Can you pay attention for a minute?"

Him: *glances up at me, takes in my impatient expression and resists the urge to look back down at the paper*

"Yes."

I can tell by the expression on his face that his mind is still occupied by whatever he was reading but he was looking at me at least and I was in a rush so I decided to give it a shot so I go ahead and say, "Hawky needs three pills, twice a day and the cream on morning and night. Tomorrow he is only suppose to get two pills twice a day but if he isnt doing any better phone the vet and ask them if you should give him three instead, okay?"

Him: * nods with a blank stare*

Me: "Okay?"

Him (impatiently): "Okay."

Me (impatiently): "Were you listening?"

Him (defiant): "Yes, I got it."

*hint of a sheepish look on his face*

Me (challenging) "Really?! Okay, what did I say then?!?"

Him: *coy smile* .... *taps fingers on desk*..... *thinks hard*

His reply: "Dog.... um... Pills...." (I nod encouragingly) "... something about cream.... and.... (triumphantly) Call the vet!"

*I cross my arms and sigh*

Him: "Did I ever tell you that you're the most beautiful woman in the world?"

*I continue to stare blandly*

Him (resigned): "Alright fine!... Sorry, what did you say?" *smiles that impish, sweet, gorgeous smile*

That smile... I just cant resist it.

So I wrote the instructions for Hawky in a note, stuck it to the fridge and covered it in x's and o's like the big ol' sap I am.

I'm just sucker for that man.

Miss you sweetie! xo

Besties

Marm and Princess- Besties Forever*

*excluding meal times

My Photo from the SET of TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN!!

BWAHAHAHAHA!!! Sorry. That's all I got. What! I was driving! And going fast! And trying to aim my iphone in that general direction of the equipment trucks without driving off the road... subsequently I got more road than set. But you see those white trucks in the photo? Those are trucks from the set of Breaking Dawn... it wasnt like, in action at the time or anything but it had been previously. They have equipment set up all over the town that I am currently visiting and I actually know a few people who have met cast members (wolf pack and Taylor Lautner). There is my five degrees of separation! Yah, I'm cool.

My New Bobs

Did I buy a new Bob's saddle today?

Why yes, yes I did.

*huge grin*

Didn't I just sell a Bob's back in January claiming that sale was going to fund a Europe trip?

*Nods head and shrugs shoulders*

Why yes, yes I did.

Didnt I cry and lament and say a dozen different ways that I would always regret selling that saddle and would buy it back in a heartbeat?

I may have said something along those lines. *waves hand dismissively"*

But I met a saddle today and all of that changed.

*deep, soulful, perfectly content sigh*

So many things in my life are going right these days that it just about scares me. I started working for my Mom and then just a few weeks later I start giving lessons... then yesterday I signed up for a cell phone contract of my very own (Previously I've been covered in HS's bill)... I even got a new iphone 4 yesterday (I'm calling it my "big girl" phone) and in a weeks time I will by flying off with my Mom and Sis to someplace with significantly more sun in the forecast. I have a horse that I adore, I am boarding in a barn that couldnt be any better, have a few new wonderful friends and spring is just around the corner. Life was pretty dang sweet... but today, it got even sweeter.

One thing you should know about me is that I looooove saddles. And I looooove me a Bob's saddle. Like, a lot. I pet them. I drool over them. I call them "sweet thing" and "darling". I will camp my behind in those big ol' Cadillac saddles, sling my arm over the horn, slouch down low and just hang out there for a while... even in the store. (true story) I got a call from a good friend today telling me that I needed to come out and check out a saddle she had in stock. So I did. And the moment I locked eyes on this little beauty I new he had to be mine.

So I texted my man (with my new iphone btw) and said, "Umm... honey... I need $____."

Two seconds later I got this reply.... "Ok."

I started at that little itty bitty word that meant so much and thought... what if he is being sarcastic? So I texted back and said, "Should I just put it on the card?" (meaning the Visa)

And he replied, "Yes."

Now I was sorely tempted to just head right on back in that store, hand over that magic'n'golden piece of plastic and say, "charge it!" but I hesitated (I know what you are thinking! you're thinking, i wouldnt have asked twice I'd be in there buying that dang saddle!"... But I just couldnt do it. I wondered, what if he thinks I am kidding?

Just to be sure, I called. I didnt even say hi... just "are you serious?"

His answer. "Yes."

Mind: "No really, are you sure you are serious because I am going in there right now and I am going to buy it."

His reply was a simple... "Do it quick and get home, I want to go for supper." A smart woman knows when she should just shut up and do as she is told. So I did.

Then I got him supper. So with no further ado.... This is my new baby....

It's a brand spankin' new Bob's Custom cutting saddle. Thanks to my good friend Barbie I was able to get this saddle for a price that even a cheap-o like me couldnt be happier with. Thanks Barbie! You are the best!

Oh, thanks also to my amazing, sweet, generous, fabulous, most-handsome-est, sexy, dashing, gentlemanly man of all men. I love you sweet heart.

Square Footage

HS and I have spent the last few days up in Kelowna, BC looking at houses. If I look waaaay back in my archive I might find a similar post wherein I talked about a big move in the future...a move that never happened. This time we went back to K-town to look at homes for investment purposes not for personal relocation but even so we both walked away from this trip resolute that Kelowna, for all it's good qualities, is not the place for us. Another affirmation we had was on the issue of square footage. The square footage of the three homes we toured were all large- 4,800, 6,200 and 6,100. Huge by most peoples standards. HS and I share a love architecture and have spent many hours discussing the floor plan of the dream home we hope one day to build... but one thing we've never been able to agree on is just how many square feet is too many for a childless couple. I've always maintained that anything over 4,000 and we'll loose each other in the space. Obviously we could and do live in far less but when building a home we have to consider potential resale value so have always agreed that it must have three bedrooms + master (though we wouldnt use them all as bedrooms) and we both love a very roomy great room concept as well as a master suite. In these big homes though we always get hung up on the same thing, most of them have a formal living room and dining room, plus family room, breakfast nook/kitchen table and a rec room (usually in the basement) which makes for two dining tables plus nearly three sitting rooms... way, way too much space for two people. We would never ever use a formal dining room or living room though we both a gree that a rec room, while lost on us, is a necessity for resale. So there we are, two people plus lord knows how many cats and dogs who currently very comfortably live in 1,200 square feet that have convinced each other that we'd need to build to damn near four times that in order to get what we want plus what the market requires (3,500sq.f plus is standard for new single family detached homes constructed in the community where we live.)

What I want is a large great room with kitchen with seating at the island, living room, and a informal dining area (more formal than a kitchen table but far less formal than a traditional dining room set); A roomy master suite with walk in closets, a fair sized ensuite with soaker tub and steam/shower; three bedrooms that we can use as an office (him), studio (me) and guest bedroom; and a rec room (we'd use as a dog/cat room) and a furnace/equipment/storage room and two car garage.... oh and a big mud room/laundry with attached full bath (so I can wash when I come in from the horse, of course. So really, I dont want too much:0

A girl can dream.

I dont even want to think about what that would cost to build.... a spec home runs well over $100 a square foot here and for any kind of quality you can spend well over $200. Let's see... 4500 sq.f. x $225 .... oh would you look at that! Over a million dollars!

Let's see what a million buys you in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia (for those of you who are not familiar with BC, something like 90% of the entire population of BC lives within the Greater Vancouver or Fraser Valley area (within 100 miles of the US border). Vancouver prices are insane especially if you get in to the nicer areas. Here is a nice family home in a nice area of Vancouver (West) 2900 sqf. built in 1927 How about this charming *sarcasm* home in the "working class" area of Vancouver 3500sqf. built in 1971 on a average size lot. both over a million. A 1600 sqf apartment downtown? A million six.

How about something more up our alley (acrage) in the Valley?

A 6,100sqf home on 11 acres with barns... 2.7 m

This is an old TB farm with many outbuildings but the home is dated... 2.4m

Again, dated home but nicer (older) horse facility .. 2.39

Now you might be thinking "I would just buy bare land!" but these days the money is in the dirt so you dont save much.

Check out this beautiful 36 acre piece... 2.2

Or no view but better location, 40 acres for 2.6

Up in Kelowna an older hobby farm would run you something like...

this 2500sqf. home on 12 acres for 1.2m up in the hills.... but if you're talking lake acreage the prices get a liiiitle higher...

a small older home on 6 acres on the lake... 4.6 million

Personally, if I am spending over four mill. I am going to buy me my own freakin' island!

4 acre private island near Victoria, BC.

And if I'm looking in the ten million range I'd definitely give this bad boy a hard look...

private island also off the coast of Vancouver Island.

The home prices in BC are some of the highest in the world. BUT... Vancouver was also voted the most livable city in the world and BC ranks as one of the best places in the world to live. I consider myself very luck to be born in such an amazing part of the world... but it dont come cheap!

Donkey Crossing

Have I ever shared this picture with you all? No? Well, I snapped this while driving along the coast near Kona on the big Island of Hawaii and thought it was just the cutest thing ever. It is one of those holiday pictures that seemed really interesting at the time but later, back at home, you find yourself staring at a few dozen photos trying to discern what it was you found interesting about that gecko, pool, flower, and/or random street sign. Then, seven months later, you stumble upon that pic while desperately searching for something, anything, even remotely interesting to blog about that doesnt require you to think because you've just spent an hour writing a post on a (much more relevant topic) like how you loaded your horse in a trailer for the first time today, which should have been a non-event but for some reason brought a whole boat load of repressed traumatic memories to the surface and left you completely unhinged, which of course transmitted to the horse which only served to make the situation worse, which consequently made the nerves worse and so perpetuated that vicious circle that ended with your horse pulling back... which makes you wonder whether you just anticipated the problem or were actually the cause of it... the later being most likely... contemplating the situation leaves you befuddled and unable to write coherently and so instead you resort to flipping through random old photo files until you see a picture of a sign with a donkey on it and decide that the world would be better served by knowing that there are places like Kona, HI where donkeys crossing the road present a significant enough road hazard to warrant a sign than in having to listen to the doomsday dribble and endless ramblings of a chicken shit like me.

Yup, it is definitely a good thing that I didnt write about all of that and instead went with posting this lame ass picture... get it... lame ass...ass... donkey... *nods* yaaah.... no?

Alrighty then.