New "FOR REALS" Photography Blog

As Haley-O always says CHECK IT!



http://www.dcurriephotography.smugmug.com/



It's got galleries, the ability for people to order prints, unlimited space...I love it!

Where the Blacktop Ends

What do you think of that title? Where the Blacktop Ends? It's the title to a song that I like and while I was thinking about a new name last night on my way home it just popped into my head. I like it and it fits me. I live off the pavement on a dirt road, am a private (well, expect for this blog and my twitter account of course) country girl.

I was really looking for somethat that was short and to the point to that when typing the link it wouldn't a handful, but if I have the url be http://wtbte.blogspot.com that is a lot shorter than typing out http://thedailydoseoffabulous.blogspot.com and I like it better. It fits where I am right now in my life: off the beaten path.

What do you think? Comments?

Changing - A Dose of Fabulous needs a new name

I want to change the name and URL of this blog. I think the reason I have not been posting is because it just doesn't fit anymore. I've been writing here for over a year. When I first started I had something totally different in mind which you'll see if you go to the first dozen or so entries. It was to be the daily dose of fabulous where I would post something each day: shoes, a quote, photo, etc., then it just became about me. I suppose I really wanted a blog that was about me, and Andrew of course so I could document our lives and look back when neither of us can remember what we did last weekend. As you can see I just haven't been posting. I just haven't been feeling it. Sure, I do have things in my mind I want to write about, but this just doesn't seem right now. It needs a new name, a new look, a face lift. I did the new look a few months ago, but didn't know I could change the name then. Had I actually clicked on the settings tab I would have known that, but alas. So, this is where you may come in, help me come up with a new name. Something that fits this place. If you've read more than 5 posts here you'll know what I'm about and a bit of who I am. This blog needs a new name. Help me come up with one.

Passing it on

I'm passing on my horse knowledge and you know what? It's kind of fun. We have lived where we do for 21 years and our neighbors moved in two years later. They had two girls, Leah and Courtney, who were 7 and 4 years older than me. We have always been close, Leah and I more so though. They had horses before we did and when I was 4 Leah took me to ride on Courtney's horse Coke. Something spooked her in the field, we fell off and I landed right on top of her. That was our first "bonding moment" if you will. I used to love to go to their jumping lessons and always wanted to be there to play with the horses.

A few years later when I was 8 I got my first horse. We didn't have any of our fences up yet so she stayed across the dirt road for a few months. Of course, I was always there and Leah, Court and I would be out with our horses. I learned a lot from both of them.

Now, years have passed and they both have kids and have grown out of horses. I, as you can see, have not and don't intend to. Leah lived in her mom's house with her husband and kids for two years while their's was being built and her mom was living part time back east for work. During that time her kids became like my and Andrew's niece and nephew. We adore them. They were always interested in the horses and Koleden said he wanted to ride but by them time we went out to see them he'd changed his mind.

He just turned 6 last month and man, all he wanted was cowboy stuff. Leah and Dave moved into their new house a few months ago so I don't get to see the kids as often but all he wants to do now is come over and ride the horse. She brought them over Sunday and he rode all by himself. He had to wait a little while for me to get out of the shower and ready and he still wanted to ride which was amazing. He did great for his first time alone. I am so proud of him. And his sister, Addison, will be learning soon as well. For now she has to live with Leah or I leading her around. I told her when she is 3 we'll teach her to ride by herself. Luckily, that is in November so by the time the weather is good enough to be consistant she'll be closer to 3.5.

The roles really have changed, that is for sure. From Leah teaching me to me teaching her kids. Granny as the kids call her, Leah's mom, is going to get the kids a POA next spring so for hte meantime Boston is my kids horse. Luckily for me he has a lot of patience. Courtney's daughter will be next, but she just turned two so we have a little time there. Her other grandma and grandpa have horses too, so she's in love with them also. Just thought I'd share. I'm really excited about Kole being excited about something. And Andrew is happy that he will still play baseball with him so all our bases are covered! We both love those kids, they are a big part of our lives.

Hawaii Day 1 (Thursday) - Sea Life Park

Our first full day on the island was my absolute favorite. We did something I'd been wanting to do for a very long time: swim with the dolphins. It was incredible. We did this at Sea Life park on the eastern coast of the island. The setting is quite lovely as part of the park looks out over the ocean as you can see from the photos. They offer a few different ways you can interact with the dolphins and last time I was there, 5 years ago for high school graduation, my Aunt Lisa and I just did the option where we touched them, did a quick photo and that was about it. Not this time around! We actually got to get in the water with them, touch and swim with them. We both got to do a dorsal fin tow and a foot push. If I could figure out how to upload the video we bought here I would, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

We were the first couple to go, I think there were 6 couples, which was a bit scary as we didn't have any demonstration of what we were to do. So Andrew went to one side and I went to the other. I was told to stand like a T, arms out and feet down. The trainer gave the dolphins their command and here they came, one on each side. Next thing I knew I could feel their bodies running under my hands until their fins hooked and off we went. It was incredible! Andrew was next and what he was told to do was lay in the water, arms and legs out in front and behind him. Then they were off and one was pushing on either of his feet propelling him up and out of the water for a distance. Then we switched. Incredible.

After our swims and everyone went we got to have our photos taken with them. Two are above. I haven't scanned them yet so you are seeing a picture of a picture, but they are still pretty cool I think. I have a frame with two side by side 5x7s that I think I'm going to put them in.

I am so glad we did that package. It was possibly the most memorable experience of my life thus far. I'm telling you, if I could have afforded it and it wasn't so far from Waikiki I would have gone back to do it again everyday we were there.

Oh, there were also sea turtles, seals and that sort of thing, but I'm thinking you can probably guess where my camera was aimed most of the time! Andrew also had his surfing lesson that day, but I don't have the photos for that on my computer yet. I'll be doing a Day 1, Part 2 continuation sometime later this week.

So...

Here I am. A few weeks later. Sorry about that. Things have been a little busy lately as you may have guessed. Let's see... I started a new job, we went to Hawaii, got a massive sumburn, came home, resumed new job, rode Star for the very first time with Andrew's help, had Andrew's graduation party, camped for 2 nights at above mentioned party, got eaten alive on legs and feet from above mentioned camping by mosquitoes, have continued to check my reader at work occasionally although have not commented, clearly have not posted to my own blog, have left you all high and dry as I promised I wouldn't.

Besides that, not a whole heck of a lot. I am posting a teaser of one of my favorite photos from our vacation. Taken on Waikiki Beach 13 days ago on our last full day on Oahu. This was the same day my massive sumburn arrived. See that umbrella? I was under it 95% of the time. How in the world did I get burned?!

I do plan to start you know, actually taking some iniative around here and post a day by day post, with photos of course!, of what we did. It's funny now that we're home, I find myself telling Andrew as the weeks progress"____ weeks ago we were doing ________." I wonder how long that will take to get out of my system.

Also, I'm pretty sure I'm getting close to my blogiversary. One year. I'd like to do something different around here for that, but am not quite sure what yet. Any thoughts?

Hope you all have been well and haven't totally lost interest in my little blog. I'm talking to you Sarah and Rachel!

A few things - Bullets Edition

• I haven't posted lately
• Andrew graduated college
• I got a job
• I am not really liking the new job
• I keep telling myself "It's x-amount of dollars per day."
• We leave for Hawaii Wednesday
• This Wednesday
• That's about 36 hours
• Um, really?
• It seems like we were just starting to plan
• And tonight we were packing
• I have still been skimming blogs, just not commenting
• New job doesn't want me on internet
• How dare them
• Still check email and reader
• Am hoping I'm not forgetting anything that needs to be packed
• Underwear? Check. Bathing suits? Check. Beach towels? Check. 7 days worth of clothes? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Camera? Check. Flip video camera? Check. Toilettries and all that? Check. A few snacks for the plane? Check. Bit of a cold that I'm hoping packs it's bags within 36 hours? Check. Andrew's laptop (in his bag) to post some photos while we're there? Check (well, after he packs it up tomorrow night).
• I think that's about it
• Hope you all have been well and don't think I've left you totally high and dry

4 Years Ago

4 years ago today we brought Boston home. The first photo was that day at his previous home and the second was taken by Andrew in April. He doesn't look to me like he's aged much, but I on the other hand. Hmmm. Maybe a little more use of moisturizer is an order.

When I first saw the ad for him on dreamhorse.com he was out of my price range by about $400. I kept looking at him though, he seemed to be just perfect. A week or two went by and I'd put him in the back of my mind knowing I couldn't afford him but I searched to see if he was still there. He was. And, his price had been reduced. I could suddenly afford him. I printed out the add, folded it up and put it in my back pocket. Later, I finally called on him. Someone else was coming to look at him the next day, but I really wanted him. We went that day. He was lovely. Friendly, easy to handle and easy to ride. I took him for a test ride where he was perfect. The topper? His mane. It was like silk. I was sold. He was sold. The next day Andrew's aunt and uncle came with me to get him since they were going to the livestock sale a few miles from where he was at and we brought him home. He was mine.

We don't know a whole lot about him except that he was a ranch horse in Montana and most likely was not treated well. It has taken him a long time to warm up to all of us, me included, but he truly is a love. He is my old faithful. He is my nephew's favorite and my all around kids or beginners horse. He loves to run. He loves people and attention. He, finally, loves me.

Happy four years of your new life Boston, there are many more to come.

10 days later...

Well, hello.

Seems like I've forgotten that I have a blog doesn't it.

I haven't, really. It's just that I have nothing exciting going on. Not that what I usually write about is exciting, but at least it's something.

For the most part I am just job hunting, applying and waiting for answers. Oh, and trying to lose some inches for Hawaii which is coming up quick and clearly not working. I'm kind of to the point where when I try I get so incredibly discouraged when nothing changes that I just stop trying. I still have two weeks so I should be able to do something in that time frame.

Andrew is graduating next Sunday so that is exciting. It's strange though because he has two finals after graduation. I know he will pass and do great as always, but for me when I graduated that was it. No more! Oh well, it's soon at least.

Besides that, we are getting our 5th wheel ready to live in while we save for a down payment. It's coming along nicely and should be just about done this weekend. We are enjoying the sunshine while it's here and working on our base tans for Hawaii! Other than that there's not a whole lot to talk about.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Our Puppy Weekend

So, if you read any of my tweets you will know that Andrew and I puppy sat for my aunt and uncle this weekend. They got a new puppy, Spinner, on Easter and he is now 3 months.

Here are a few photos of our excursion starting at the top left. I went to work Saturday morning and while we were there he was in that position which I thought was super cute. Then, back at his house playing fetch. I think you can tell which is the after shot. Later, lounging with auntie and uncle. Then, cooking with Uncle Andrew. And lastly the shot of sheer depression after he'd been kicked off the couch. Don't you feel sorry for him? We didn't.

Anyways, it was a nice weekend, we wish we would have had more time to "play house" as I called it, but are scheduled again to puppy sit the end of July! Let's hope the potty training is all the way done and the biting/scratching is all finished up too!