still here. . .

I haven't had a moment to slow down since my last post, and I only have about 5 minutes before we are headed out of town again. I have so many thoughts I need to put down, but for now I'll just say it's been a wonderful week. Busy, busy, but worth all the trouble. My husband is big into triathlons, he completed an Olympic distant tri in Chattanooga. It was tough. He said it was as difficult as the Ironman he did last year. I'm so proud of him and his commitment. I admire him so much! He is such a great inspiration to lots of folks.

Next, my daughter & I spent the past 4 days at the barn, in the hot, hot, hot, sunny, humid weather- preparing for a big show. She shows in Hunter-Jumper, and this was our first BIG show. The first day she did OK, there was a storm the night before, so a number of the horses were spiked. During the warm up, one horse threw the rider and ran wild in the ring for about 5 minutes, then charged the fence and broke through. That kind of added to the stress of the first day, but she still did OK. Then the 2nd day-- she 'rocked' as my oldest son said. She won 4 places, from 1st to 4th, and then won Grand Champion for Hunter-Jumper!!! I am still in awe. She was competing with much older girl- in fact she was one of the 3 youngest, these other girls are so good, and so my daughter and I kept practicing the phase- "It's not the ribbon- it's the fun". I thought I'd try to prepare her in case she didn't win a ribbon. As we drove home, she said she thought she has a great life. I asked her what she meant, she said "mom, how many girls get to spend 4 full days sitting on a horse? Plus I got that big slushie when the show was over!" I think she really did have fun, more than focusing on winning a ribbon. The picture above is my little girl jumping a cross rail fence- she's so little, I still can't believe she loves it like she does.

The next wonderful thing- my dear friend has finally decided to get her own long arm machine!! Could this week be any better?! I'm so excited, because we work so well together, and I get to "help". I haven't ever done long arm, but I've been dying to try.

Well, everything else is in good order- I'll be back in a few days and then I'll have my life back- I love routine, and summer is hard for me, so next week is back to some sort of routine and I'm excited. But like I said, this week was worth all the work.

Last thought, I can't tell you how much it meant to read your e-mails & messages checking on me. I couldn't stop smiling thinking about my blog friends who noticed I wasn't "here" for a while. It was the nicest feeling to know you thought about me. I am so glad to have you as friends. Thanks for the e-mails, and posts.

Thought of the day
"Actions may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action."
---Benjamin Disraeli

Gratitudes
1. Shade trees
2. Sunscreen
3. Ice coolers
4. Snow cones
5. Horses & happy little girls