More time to become a ninja warrior

The other day, my mother and I were watching the Denver qualifications for the program "Ninja Warrior." As I saw the women warriors compete, I realized that I want to be just like them, or as like them as I can be at my young age! So...I am embarking on a program! 50 situps and pushups, 50 leg raises each leg, (I have to hold on to something), stretching with the rack every day. Hard to get out of a stretch position when I'm a gumby! Anyway, I have many months to get ready, as my martial arts instructor told me last night that the grandmaster wants to sit in on the testing. It was originally scheduled for October, but has to be postponed until the first of the year. I am not overly nervous about performing in front of the black belts. I get in the zone, with enough butterflies to make me careful, but not so many nerves, that I flub the entire program. And I will be ready or I will not attempt to test, as I don't want to pay a testing fee and fail! Carpe Diem!

Labeling

So yesterday, my martial arts master said, "I am not saying this to be mean, but you are uncoordinatd, so you have to work harder." Well, with all the negativity from my husband, boss and martial arts instructor, I'm surprised I'm not a man hater! My mother said frequently, "You are so clumsy!" Not a good thing, tossing around labels. After a while, I believed it...thought I was a non athlete, that I was not graceful, that I was clumsy. I'm careful when I practice to not let a small error become a huge mountain.

Enjoying the Day

The sun shone as I drove to the stable. When I arrived, my instructor was finishing a lesson. It took a minute for me to recognize my horse, Tamara. I groomed her and then put on the saddle blanket, riser and saddle. Once astride, I worked on tear drops and ten meter cirles. My instructor decided that I would learn to trot. She gave me some directions. Hold on to the bridle and the saddle. lean backward. I told her that I had never trotted before. I was a bit apprehensive, but when Tamara turned her walk into a trot, I could feel it! It was like the first time that the horse moved into a walk and I felt the riding excitement! All too soon, it was time to unsaddle and groom Tamara, and lead her to the pasture. I then drove into the small village and walked to the post office to mail some postcards to Canada and Italy. A woman had come into the flower shop. She was on a tour bus, and could no find stamps. She asked me if I would mail the postcards for her. The stamps were colorful circles. I then walked back to the park and sat in the shade and ate my lunch. After, I drove to my friend's house to get a haircut. It was a perfect summer day!

Days of Rest and Relaxation

I do not have to work until Thursday. I have just finished working 12 days straight. The manager of the branch store took some time off and I covered for her. My dad and brother went to the lake for some much needed respite. I would work til 6 and then hurry scurry to my parent's house to care for my mother. And on Monday, I attended the Memorial Service of my cousin who died of lung cancer. On Tuesday, my uncle called to let us know that my aunt's biopsy showed inoperable stomach cancer. My plans for tomorrow are to spend some time with my horse, Tamara, and to get my hair cut and dyed. I had to reschedule as I forgot that I worked all day last week. Been busy cleaning at home too...vacuuming, scrubbing bathrooms, doing laundry, cooking and cleaning up after. The dogs and I walk around the field for exercise. One of the cats has a 3rd eyelid issue. It seems to be improving, so only time will tell if he needs to see a vet.

Tamara bucks

Yesterday when I left for my riding lesson, it was pouring rain. I dreaded the spray from the trucks on the expressway, but was pleasantly surprised as the drive wasn't bad. I got to my lesson a couple minutes late. I was up early, tossing loads of clothes into the washer and dryer, vacuuming. I wouldn't have been late but I got a last minute phone call that took up my time. My instructor said that since Tamara was in a stall all night that we should address lunging one more time. Tamara kept breaking and when the horse recognized that my instructor was coming toward her, she bucked and pulled the lunge rope right out of my hand! She galloped around the ring, rope dragging. Thankfully, she did not get her feet tangled in it. Once she stopped, my instructor put her through her paces and eventually I tried using the left hand to motion her to change from a walk to a trot or canter. I didn't have time to ride her, which was disappointing. I have to miss a lesson next week as beginning tomorrow, I have to work til a week from Tuesday. A positive. As I was walking through the barn, I heard a horse nicker. My instructor asked me to get Tamara from the barn and I realized that the horse I heard was Tamara. She recognized me! And as I approached her to bring her into the arena, she nickered again! I am establishing rapport with her! Probably from all the chopped apples and carrots and peppermints that I give her!