susuwatari

The folks came up from Alabama to be with us during this fine holiday. I am in charge of cooking the “main” meal but am thankful that my sister and her mother-in-law have also volunteered to make many of the sides. My Dad will be spoiled this year since Jean is actually making sides with…wait for it….wait for it…..VEGETABLES in it. The poor man has to suffer much for his picky wife and children, but at least now he appreciates seafood and vegetables more than most. So far so good, I have the turkey in. I’m cooking it in a bag which I’ve never done before. It is supposed to keep the turkey moister than just foil and according to the directions it cooks quicker. If all goes well the turkey should be done well in advance of dinner time and I’ll have plenty of time to cook all the other things I need to in the oven. Now I just need to actually clean my house which my dogs have liberally painted in mud. :/

Tonight I actually got to jump again for the first time in a very long time. It wasn’t just a couple times over one little crossbar, which is the most I’ve had since being in High School, I actually did lines going from a double to a single and vise-versa. Granted they were all little crossbars but as I stated previously I have not really jumped much since High School so basically in about 10 years or so. I was riding Yeller this time who as you probably are not shocked to find out is a yellow-ish palomino. He also could be called Speedy Gonzalas. I like that I don’t have to wear myself out trying to get him to go but by the end of the lesson I was no longer amused by his antics. The guy wouldn’t even chill at the end to just cool off. The good thing is that I was so busy concentrating on actually controlling his speed that I didn’t have time to over-think the whole jumping process and actually did ok. It was no smooth and rhythmic hunter pace, more of a frantic jump-off, but I did actually have a couple jumps where I did get him set up correctly for the jump and it felt nice and relaxed. All in all this was a good lesson. I had fun and regained some confidence in myself.

Sorry family and friends for the long absence. Elliott and I caught a nasty cold. We’re both getting better but it’s been keeping us busy. Elliott has been a super grump for the past three days. I don’t know if it’s teething or gas pain but she’ll start crying inconsolably a couple times a day and I have to go rock her to sleep to calm her down. I’m hoping this is a temporary thing!
She also is showing signs of possible separation anxiety. (Is this even possible for a 5 month old?!) Yesterday I dropped her off at her Grandma’s house to go get a hair cut and every time she looked at her Grandma she started crying. No good!! She cried for 45 minutes after I left and then fell asleep until I got back. When she woke up she was cheerful and happy again but then when we went out to dinner and I passed her to Jean so that I could eat she started crying again. When Jean passed her back to me she stopped. UGH!!! I am not ready for this!! At least last night she let Wes rock her to sleep. I had to do it on Monday and Tuesday because she wouldn’t stop crying for him. I love her to pieces but I am getting exhausted. Hopefully this too will be a temporary issue. I need my free time!!
Okay, I just wanted to make my excuses. I better get back to taking care of the grump!
love, Christina