Two Beautiful Babies!

Two of Marie's mares have had their babies this month. Lil Irish gave birth to a beautiful black colt on May 5. Last night, Lacie had a bay colt. They're so cute! The black colt is being called "Ike". I don't know what they're calling the little bay colt yet. This is the "barn name." Both will have official registered names before too long. I have to thank God for being able to be out at the stables with the horses and see the miracle of new life! Wow!

Got to RIDE Today!

Hi, Everyone! Well, it's Jan 12 and it was actually decent weather so I got to ride Rusty for the first time this year! He enjoyed it as much as I did. He had a lot of energy and felt fantastic! I was surprised that there weren't that many riders out today. This has been the first decent day in quite a while. Wonderful! Thank You, God!

Rode Today Hooray!

Today was the first day in over a week where the weather was good enough to ride horses! I was so happy to be back riding Rusty again! He was very good and we did a lot to work off some of that pent-up energy. With the weather so "iffy" we have to take our rides when we can! Great day today!

Happy Horsey New Year!

Well, it's finally the end of 2009. This has been a rough year BUT God has seen us through like He promised He would IF we would trust in Him! I was reading in Revelation today and 21:1 jumped out at me. Here, John is shown the New Heaven and a New Earth! In this new creation there is no more curse! Praise God! I feel we get a very small glimpse of this newness when we start a new year. Clean calendars, a fresh start. This is why so many people make resolutions at this time -- it's a time for change and growth. To be better than we were in the old year. In Christ, we don't have to do this under our own power. The Spirit living in us helps us be more Christ-like each day (minute or hour) as we listen to Him and obey His Voice. Happy New Year to all my family and friends! Start the New Year fresh and don't let past failures and shortcomings keep you from being the best YOU you can be!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I'm truly thankful for the many blessings we've received this year. My husband and family, good health, and Rusty, of course! The blessings of being able to ride and work with horses are wonderful.

Thank You, God, for all You've done.

I'm Back Lots of News

Sorry, Sorry, Sorry! It's been far too long and there is really no excuse. Too busy to blog just doesn't cut it.

So, I'm back. Lots of things happening. I've been busy at work and also at the stables. Rusty is well and feeling great. We had a terrific ride today. We rode part of the time outside but it did get a little too cold, so we went indoors. Lots of people riding today!

My dear friend Dave M. and his children, Marcus and Brandie, came out today to see Rusty. I wish it could have been warmer but we still had a fun afternoon. When I get copies of the pics they took, I'll post them. There's a really funny picture Marcus took of me with his Nintendo Dsi. The Dsi takes pictures now and hooks to the Internet. Cool! Anyway, in this pic I'm done up to look like Mario! It's cute!

So far, the weather has been nicer for November than the entire month of October! I have been on 3 trail rides this past summer and fall. I'm hoping to get in one more before the snow flies. Pam B. wanted to ride yesterday. I would have LOVED to have gone but it was my Sat. to work. Rats! It was a beautiful day for a trail ride.

Found a new place to trail ride. Hampshire doesn't charge a fee to ride and they have wonderful wide grassy trails. Very little mud or rocks! Denise H. and I went there a few weeks ago and had a wonderful ride. I'd like to go back there again. There is a stretch of trail that goes along a rather busy road. Rusty spooked a bit when a couple of semi's passed us, but he was good. I'd not ridden him near traffic before.

Bought Rusty a new blanket for the winter. It'll only be used when it's really cold and wet outside or if Marie sees he needs it. So far, he's been really good with it. His last blanket got ripped to shreds beyond the point of repair. Rusty is getting a nice coat of winter hair, so he should be fine except in freezing rainy conditions.

Well, it's fun to be back. I'll keep this more updated and will post some pictures when I can. Thanks to all my loyal readers -- the one of you Ha Ha -- for your patience.

Happy Independence Day!

Wow! It's July 4th! Time for friends, food, fun and fireworks!

If this rain will oblige us by moving on out of the area, we'll have some great fireworks tonight. Some of my neighbors started last night with bangs, pops, and sizzles being heard all over the neighborhood.

I love the 4th of July and I'm proud to be an American. I know we're having some problems as a nation right now. Our country is facing tough times at home and abroad. Please PRAY for our nation, our leaders, our troops and our veterans who gave so much that we can be free. It's said so much but it's true -- Freedom isn't free! Alot of men and women gave up so much so we can be free. Thank you is not enough but I say "Thank you!" anyway.

Enjoy the day! Love your family and friends and be thankful. We have so much!

God bless!

Sandy's New Baby

Here she is! This is Sandy's black filly. She looks so much like her daddy! All of Stiltz's babies have "the look." You can still count her ribs. She hasn't gained the weight her older half-sisters and half-brother have. I had a hard time getting this picture. She was very interested in me and my camera. Every time I would move to get a better shot, she'd come along the fence too close to get a good pic! It's so great that these little ones are so curious and friendly. It makes them easier to train, too. Curiosity is a good sign of intelligence.

So now all 4 of the babies due at the farm are here and healthy! Praise God!

New Babies

Here is Arizen's little colt. He was born May 19 (the day before my birthday) and is black like his daddy. All of the babies are so beautiful! We now have 4 new foals. 3 are fillies and one colt. 3 are black and one is bay. They are going to be tall. You can tell by looking at their long legs! I'll try to have a pic of baby #4 soon. I haven't gotten a picture of her yet.

It's so fun to watch them out in the pen with their mothers. They run around and leap in the air! Such show-offs! I remember how they first struggled just to stand! They learn fast because they have to. They are curious about everything! I'm so grateful to God that I can watch these little ones grow. What a blessing!

New 'Star Trek' is Great!

Alan and I just returned from watching the new Star Trek movie. It was much better than I had imagined it was. The reviews are generally positive, but I was blown away by the characterization, action, visual effects and drama. Leonard Nimoy makes an appearance as Ambassador Spock from the future and it wasn't at all hokey. The movie was well-thought-out and put together.

The crew of the Enterprise are all played by cast members that do the characters justice. I found myself chuckling many times when I heard old tried and true lines coming from the new character like they were born to it! "Bones" spins Spock around by the shoulder and asks,"Are you out of your Vulcan mind??" How many times on the original series did we hear that? And Scotty! Wonderful! He does amazing things with the transporter and the engines!

You see, I grew up on the original Star Trek. I watched it every week. When rumors of it's cancellation flew around, I was one of those who wrote letters to save the show (for one more season, tho). So, I really enjoyed this movie and I'm looking forward to making it part of my DVD collecion when available. If any of my readers are Trek fans, do yourself a favor and don't miss this one! First Rate!

Shannon's Baby

She was born about 5am this morning! A beautiful bay filly! She's our second baby born this spring. She's still wobbly but gaining strength. I was finally able to get this pic after a couple of visits. Most of the afternoon, she slept near the front of the stall and I couldn't get a good picture. Just before I went home, I tried again and she was up! What a cutie!

II Kings 24:4

Today in my Bible study I finished reading II Kings. Israel has already been exiled to Assyria. Now it's time for Judah's last days. While I was reading, a passage hit me between the eyes! II Kings 24:4 says "For he (Manasseh) had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive." (NIV, emphasis mine) Doesn't that almost sound blasphemous? Our Lord not willing to forgive?

Then I remembered that this happened before the Crucifixion of Jesus. The sins of the people of Judah were so bad God wouldn't put up with any more. There was no atonement through Christ.

How blessed we are because of Jesus! He took my place so I can have forgiveness. He took your place so you can have forgiveness, too. Isn't it wonderful to know that God will never be unwilling to forgive those who call on the Name of His Son? This means that there is nothing I can do to EARN forgiveness. I can never be good enough or righteous enough to rate forgiveness on my own merits.

When we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father. We can ask for forgiveness and receive it because of what Jesus has done! Jesus stands before the Father for me and says, "Father, forgive her. She is Mine." Thank You, Jesus.

The Maze

Here is The Maze! This tricky configuration of poles can be as easy or as challenging as you want. By entering and exiting through the gaps in the outer ring and changing direction, both you and your horse can get a real workout! Rusty and I worked the Maze at the trot and the canter today. Wow! Rusty was soaked when we were through! He wanted to run too fast and I had quite a time getting him to slow down and balance himself through the Maze. There is not a lot of room around that triangle so he has to be balanced and collected. At the canter, it almost feels like a canter pirouette! We worked both directions at the trot and then at the canter. This little exercise keeps you on your toes! Use your outside aids in the center circle so you are "pushing" your horse from behind not "pulling" him around the Maze. When asking your horse to exit the center, use your inside aids and move him outward.

I do not have the dimensions for the spacing of the poles at this time. I will try to get that from Marie. As you can see from the picture, our poles are knocked a little off-center in places. Don't be afraid to give it a try! It's a real experience!

What a Workout!

Today Rusty and I had our first lesson with Marie in several months! I feel it's important to take lessons when I can because bad riding habits can crop up without an instructor watching me and catching them. I'd like to take lessons more often, but finances are tight.

Today Rusty and I worked on "The Maze". The Maze is a triangle of jumping poles or PVC pipes surrounded by six poles set at angles to bracket the triangle. This is hard to describe without being able to draw it. I'll try to post a pic of The Maze so you can see what it's like.

Anyway, starting at the trot, you enter the inner circle around the triangle at one of the gaps in the outer brackets. You can go in and out of the gaps and around the triangle in many different patterns. You can change directions, too. This exercise really helps the horse work his hindquarters and be better balanced. There can be no speed demons here! The turns are tight and can be tricky!

After we trotted the maze, we cantered it! We didn't change direction mid-maze, but I was able to canter around the center triangle full circle and then exit through the gap! It was quite a workout for both of us! I'm looking forward to working on The Maze more with Rusty. Wow!

Here She Is!

Here's Velvet's new Baby! I took these when she was just over 2 days old. She was still wobbly on her legs. Mom was nervous about people around her little one so I got these two pics and left them in peace. She's black like Daddy and she was an unexpected early arrival!

We're still expecting several more little ones. Got to keep my camera handy!

New Arrival!

Very early Tues morning -- 4/7 -- the first baby for 2009 was born at the stables! She's a black filly and her mom is Velvet. As soon as I can, I'll try to get pics of her! Wow!

Happy Birthday, Rusty!

Today Rusty is 17 years old! Happy Birthday, Rusty!

Here's to many more years together!

My Wonderful Cats (Part 2)

Here is Skipper, my shy guy. When we first brought him home, Skipper hid in the corner behind some record albums for several hours. I had to feed him downstairs in the bathroom because he was too frightened to eat in the kitchen with the rest of us. After several days, he ventured out of his hideaway and began to explore the house.

It's taken several years but he is has become an affectionate pet. He will demand to be petted! He's very vocal about it. As he's become more comfortable with us, we've been able to see his playful antics and enjoy his company. He loves to mess up our area rug in the living room. Dibbuns will wait for Skipper to come by, jump out at him and the chase is on!

Skipper loves to be petted but he does NOT like to be picked up! He's very nervous about being held. When Doug and I had to treat his ears, Skipper would be very stiff in our arms. He took to hiding under the bed when he knew treatment was coming! He has a very good memory. He hid under the bed for over a week even after the treatments for his ears were done!

Skipper will sometimes pay me a visit in the evenings when I'm reading in bed. Dibbuns is there every night. It's very nice when Skipper joins us, too.

Dibbuns and Skipper have such different personalities but they get along very well. They have their little tiffs but most of the time they're good buddies. A visit from a neighborhood cat will make them angry, but it doesn't last long. Once I had to throw a pillow at them to break up a nasty fight. When the "intruder" leaves, all goes back to normal.

I'm very blessed to have these two furry companions! I wouldn't be without them.

My Wonderful Cats (Part 1)

This kooky Birman is our cat Dibbuns. He's a true character and he knows he's cute! He gets into a lot of mischief and keeps us laughing with his antics.

He acts like a puppy when he follows us around the house and always has to see what we're doing. If Doug is doing a project of any kind, Dibbuns will be right there watching. He's great at stealing chairs from you as soon as you stand up for any reason. I've sat back down on him on more than one occasion! He'll hide under the blanket on the couch downstairs and I won't know he's there until I try to sit down!

He's very friendly and likes to curl up in bed with me while I read at night. He's my "Guitar Hero" critic, sitting in on every session.

Doug and I adopted Dibbuns and his pal Skipper from HELP here in St. Charles. What wonderful additions to our household! More on Skipper coming soon....

Great Ride Today!

What a great day to ride today! Worked without stirrups during my ride. I'm finding that after I pick up my stirrups again, my legs are like they're glued to Rusty's side. I'm trying to keep my lower legs from moving so much as I ride. This is helping!

Rusty was really good today and we rode outside.

I'm thankful for the wonderful days I can spend with Rusty. Thank You, God!