diggin in

Today started out rough, my reaction to ice cream was severe enough to keep me from work. Seems like dairy is definitely off the list.I will pick a new food in a few days and try that one next.

I spent the latter part of the day taking care of the chickens, and starting to weed out and turn over the raised garden beds. First one went pretty quick, the second one was FILLED with green June beetle grubs... UGG! How do I know this? Because I looked it up.

After picking the first 17 out, I went and opened up the chicken coop, let the girls have at them. Once they were gone I went back to the second bed and continues, as I found a grub, I put it in the bowl for the girls later. The great part is that about 15 minutes later, the girls and the duck came over to the garden beds. Perfect! I didn't have to go feed them, once they figured out the game they were all for it. They finished off the next bowl full quickly and then were helping me turn over the earth, I say helping because they were flinging it everywhere. They started having a ball, but no sense of direction and quite a bit of earth ended up outside the edge. At one point it was similar to tossing treats to Tequila, they were all standing there, expecting the next tidbit to be tossed to them.

It was very interesting the look they got when eying the next meal, I could see their ancestors creeping in. Very raptor-ish, when I didn't supply the snacks quick enough one of the girls decided that my finger was the next likely treat. By this time they were all gathered around me, with low clucks of satisfaction. Even the duck was whispering his approval of the unexpected meal.

Just another fabulous day.

Lots have happened since my last post. I finally made the decision to transition into a better/quieter lifestyle. I stepped out of management, and took a part time job as a cake decorator. In less than 1 month I lowered the bottom number of my BP by 10 points. And have sustained a 15 pound weight loss. Who says stress wont kill you is lying.

I was also able to become a working student and Weekend Manager with my trainer/instructor/friend at Steel Prize Stables. This enables me to spend quality time, spend my energy the way I want to, and increase my horse time, riding, watching, reading and learning. Being able to spend this much time riding has definitely enhanced the connection between Hawk and I. Our partnership has become closer, the hiccup's almost non-existent.

So by starting this time last year at focusing at a "5" I realized that I couldn't do both. Publix is a great company, and Publix managers are required to do a lot. I realized that I wasn't willing to give that much time and mental space to accomplish what needed to be done. After putting my career first for way to many years, I decided to put myself first. My personal goals ahead of my work goals. I sat back and revised them, I honed them into goals that would increase my knowledge of the Equine field.

Starting this January I began putting together my application to become a Dressage Technical Delegate for the USEF. Its going to take some time, and a lot of travel. But the end result will be more than worth it. I am enjoying being back in the learners seat.