Keep Your Head Up

That day is right around the corner. The day I dread every year and try to avoid. Yes, my birthday. With my birthday the bad memories out weigh the good ones. Two years ago I lost my best friend and the one who really understood what I was all about. Last year I received a phone call at 1230 in the morning from someone telling me how horrible of a person I was and threatening messages throughout the weekend.

Every year I hope for something better. This will be it. This will be the birthday I've always wanted. But it always fails. Finally I stopped even really caring that it was my birthday. No more parties, no more special day or week long fiesta. Friends ask, "What are we doing for your birthday?!" and my response lately has been "nothing" because it's not an excuse to throw a huge party anymore like it was in middle school and somewhat high school. I would always use my birthday as a reason to throw a huge summer bash in my backyard at my mom's house. Tried it one year at my place but of course, bad things happen when you date a drama queen. I've kind of just given up.

This year, things are finally coming together. I have my horse, I have a whole group of new friends (K, L, girls from work) along with the old ones that I still love so dearly. So my big plan for this year? Tattoos, Texas Roadhouse, Mechanical Bull. That's all I want to do. But like every year, I'm not setting my heart on anything (but the tattoo). I'll be happy with anything, or nothing. Just knowing that I can go spend the day at the barn is fine with me... Well, the weekend, not my birthday (working 12-8). I'm honestly content with just that... Birthday with Brantley and Chevy.

Chevy and I haven't started training yet. We start horse-sitting on Tuesday though. A job he can actually stay with me at. Very excited about this. Tomorrow we'll hopefully get out on the trail again. Went to the dog park with him and the beagle today. Made some new friends and they were all impressed with his recall abilities. First time I got to introduce him as an SAR dog in training and as "K9 Chevy". Looking to order him a vest, must say "in training" on it though.

This week has been filled with a lot of trail rides and even a wanna-be-hunter ride. My friend Emma's (who will hopefully be able to ride B a couple of times a week) saddle fits him pretty well with the help of a lami-cell pad. I sold my english saddle earlier in the year to help pay for training. Tacked him up, jumped on, and hoped for the best. We're still going bitless but I can't really complain about that. He was great, slow, low, easy going, even with a horse loading on the trailer. Then yesterday, after getting hay, K and I finally got to go out on a trail ride together.

I can't tell you how awesome it was to go out and ride with her again. I miss it a lot (I know she knows and will probably read this). I'm confident, calm, and I don't worry about anything when I go out with her because I know she understands what I have to do with B. She rode Rowdy and I knew it would be a good breather for her. She could really relax. We took Cairo out and went on our way. He was really nervous going over the first bridge, shaking, looking, listening, but lead the way for the first time over it. The second bridge Rowdy had to go first. I think it was because it was wet and probably smelt different. Highly sensitive ponies! We walked down the road towards the other pond before turning around. I was unsure about going past the softball fields because there was a game but B seemed pretty confident. It went really well (I'll add pictures when I'm home). He stood and stared stallion like watching them play then dropped his head and we went down to the ramp. It was a good ride, I was happy... Deserved the day off.