I am currently sitting in my bed, cup of coffee in hand (not literally, since I'm typing with two hands, the coffee is nestled in my blankets in front of my lap), with the morning sun shining through my East window. My nose is stuffed up, because my allergies are giving me quite a hard time.
Since my last post - when was my last post? Let me check... Ah, Kansas City, Missouri. On the 31st, which is just over a week ago. The following day, Ray and I drove through Kansas like crazy. It was a beautiful day out - all the storms had gone East, so we slipped right by them. The speed limit was 75, and I drove about 90 the whole way through Kansas. Not a single cop was seen, but anyways. We switched drivers in Colorado, and Ray drove us to Denver, where we stayed the night.
The following day was quite miserable for me, due to lack of sleep, serious back pain, and nicotine withdrawals. That was the day that Ray learned of my smoking habit (which, btw, I have done fabulously!!), and he also dealt with my complete mental breakdown. We stayed in Salt Lake City that night, and by the end of the night I was in a far better mood. Ray got a speeding ticket in Green River Utah, by the only cop we had seen all day - 79 in a 65. In his defense, it had been 75 the whole time in Utah so far, and the speed limit had just changed. Ray had just said to me, "I know it's 65, but Ted feels a whole lot better going 80". The ticket was $90, because the cop put it down as 69 instead of 79 - what I nice man, right? Good thing I'm cute, right? ;) Anyways, we stayed in Salt Lake City, saw some CrossFit competitors that were there for 2013 regionals (So says their shirt and their truck), watched a large group of cyclists dressed in dresses and suits block off the road briefly while they rode to their bike prom, which happened to be directly across the street from the restaurant we ate at.
The next day, we decided to do it. Salt Lake City, Utah, to Ferndale, Washington, in one day? Over 900 miles, about 14-15 hours in a car. We did it!!!!! We were both glad to be rid of Utah, and driving through Idaho was really not fun (Really, Idaho, you've got some issues, and I really don't even want to talk about it.), Oregon was beautiful even just driving through the NorthEast bit, and once we were back in Washington I just about cried.
One moment to just say, we really do have the most beautiful state in the country. Washington is beautiful, but NorthWest Washington? That is an area that is unlike any in the world, and while I could go on for pages about the love and beauty that surrounds us up here in our little corner of heaven (So to speak), let's move on to returning home.
We got home just before midnight, and were met by my mom, the dogs, my Nico, and my sister Kayla. My heart felt lighter, being in my room again. Being in my bed again! I wasn't tired when I got back, though, and wanted to get started unpacking. Of course, my parents went to bed right away and I didn't want to disturb them, so I did the little bit of unpacking that I could that evening, before finally retiring to my bed and immediately passing out.
The following day, I met Peter. Let us just say... We are a good match. We went to Boulevard, walked from there to the Rustic where he bought me a London Fog. We went back to his house and talked more... Yes he is immature at times, but when he is being serious he is actually quite lovely.
I rode Boo the following day, and the day after that I rode Skyy. Skyy is completely lesson horse. Dead to all pressure, fat, lazy, a bit spooky just to add some excitement to her life. I have my work cut out for me, when I get her back in August. As for Boo.... His ground manners leave much to be desired at this point, and in the saddle he was pretty much exactly where I left off. Only difference now is that I have some new equipment and I'm a far better rider than I was... Now I ride him with his usual saddle and bridle, only adding a noseband and flash to keep his mouth shut. Just this has does wonders to his riding. I have ridden him every day since I got back aside from my very first day back and the day I rode Skyy. I am very happy.
Robin has been absolutely wonderful to me. She helped me pick up 15 bales of hay, move it to Blue Note Stables, and stack it there. She also hauled Boo over to Blue Note, on Saturday (Yesterday was his first full day at Blue Note).
So far, Boo is doing beautifully at his new home. He sees a lot of horses coming around, different people coming in and out (many of them stopping to say hello to him when he cries out in greeting). He isn't seeming too nervous at all, he is eating all his food and drinking a good about of water. I am very pleased with all this. I also took him for a ride yesterday, and he did wonderfully in the new arena. I am very excited to head out today and see how he does today. Maybe tomorrow he will get a day off... Or just an easy day, and we will just do walk work.
I work at Blue Note in exchange for Boo's board, but I start training this weekend. It's about time for me to start making phone calls... I don't really want to do that yet, as I don't quite feel like I'm totally back in the swing of things yet, but the best way to get back into the swing of things is to just do it. So, tomorrow I will make my calls, and see where we are at for work.
It's a quarter to 8, now, and I want to go shower and get ready to go to the stable now...
Ta~!
