My OTHER, OTHER favorite thing...

awards. Yes, yes, I realize that although fun they don't really mean a whole lot. This blog isn't going to win any Pulitzer anytime soon.... awards don't mean $$ (my favorite thing) and in reality I'm the least stylish person you've EVER met. I hung out with Pia's mom last night (most stylish person I've ever met) and I'm pretty sure I looked like a homeless person that she felt pity on.

 I use to be skinny (see Little Black Breeches) and then gained weight, and more weight.... to the point I stopped shopping for cute clothes and picked comfort over cute. Then the Ponykins came into my life and all my $$$ went to her. But if my blog is Stylish, then that's great.

Done rambling....

Regardless! We got an award! Thanks to Erica and Sebastian over at Sew Doggy Style (Cute name by the way.)

Stylish Blogger Award

There are 4 duties to perform to receive this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

7 Things about me....

1. I love to organize, as long as it isn't my house or my office at work.
2. I have a huge pet peeve against people who don't call or e-mail back in a timely manner.
3. I obsess over things (WHAT? I know, shocking right?) to the point that I make myself sick.
4. I still dream about what I want to be when I grow up (I'm 30 mind you.)
5. When someone does something nice for me I file it (literally, I have a box) away and try to make a point to repay the favor somehow, someday.
6. I met my husband at a bar. I was tanked and he drove me home. I knew the moment I saw him walk in the door that I was going to marry him, and I don't even think that it had anything to do with the 3 prior Malibu and Diet Coke.
7. I use to be so shy I didn't talk to anyone. In college I got a little more outgoing, and if you know me in real life I know you'll find it shocking that I could have ever been shy.

Okay. #1, check, #2, check, #3, naming 15 bloggers.
This part will be hard because I have a huge problem with making it fair and not hurting anyone's feelings.
I will try my best!

In no particular order.....drum roll please......

Pia's Parade

Sweet Horse's Breath

Miles on Miles

A Fearsome Beauty

Dapple of My Eye

My Farmer's Life

A Collection of Madcap Escapades

Barn Door Tagz

R Lil Bit of Cash

A Good Horse

Eventing-a-Gogo

Sprinklerbandit

Mustang Cheyenne

A Process of Learning

and #15. You! I realize that isn't fair, but I can't pick JUST 15. Consider yourself Stylish!!

As for #4, let them know they won... that part will have to wait, I'm late for my date with Pete!

Intrepid Riders Faction Blog award!

Aww! We got an award from Kristen and Laz over at Sweet Horse's Breath.

She said:

Denali's Mom (I know her name but she goes by this on her blog, so I'm respecting her wishes) is a TOP horse Mom. Her beautiful mare, Denali, has gone through some rough times since she was rescued and her Mom has been there at her side, treating her (and us) with humor the whole way.

I, personally, hold a dear spot for DM (and countless others (Frizzle u too)) for the push-push-push to try barefoot with my boy when I was desperate for solutions. DM reached out to me personally and actually set me up with her barn's barefoot trimmer who lead me on my path to finding Cliff.

DM's own battle to rehab her mare continues but they are making great progress and I just know that soon, she'll be able to show dressage on her own wild pony beast!! We love you guys! :)

You made my day! Thank you so much for thinking of us! I can still remember sitting at work looking at the calendar, and thinking that March 9th was coming up quickly, and how sad I WAS, I couldn't imagine how you were feeling! So glad you still have your boy, and Denali is still glad she has her boyfriend (one of many, but don't tell Laz!) Maybe some day in the future we can get our "kids" together and go for a trail ride! It could be possible, at some point we plan to move East, and Ms. Slew is coming with us!

~INTREPID RIDERS FACTION ~We strive to go where others only dare to go with our horse loves...healing,being respectful of the horse, riding, playing, camping, jumping, swimming and traveling down the trails of life. . . . with the horse in Heart ~ Overcoming many obstacles and sometimes weather, to ride!

This Award is dedicated to those Horse lovers and riders that inspire others to go deeper in ability, knowledge and understanding of the Equine(s) they have been entrusted to.The good of the horse is the ultimate goal apart from pressures to achieve ribbons and fit into lesson schedules.

~Some of These riders are fearless, when it comes to weather conditions and the forecasting of them...being with their horses, fills these folks' soul and takes the cares out of daily routines.

~They are unconditionally loving to the horse and may have rescued it from known ailment or living condition.

~Others have researched and purchased/ acquired their horse, to find a difficulty in temperament or a physical burden within the animal. Yet, Being dedicated , they have persevered to proudly be in partnership with their horse, lovingly striving for deeper awareness's between them.

~Some horse lovers may have been riding for years and suddenly, had an accident that takes them away from the great joy and freedom they have, being aboard such a magnificent animal. ~They have allowed the healing horse to rise in their hearts once again, and beckon them back!

~Fear is not my normal response to things ... just a desire to achieve higher understanding of what may lay ahead of me with my mare, that truly is a gift to my heart and soul. I always seek out knowledgeable and caring individuals to assist me, in any quest I may look into.

I am taking with me the good I have leaned from caring individuals that have shown great single minded LOVE to the horse, and am leaving the dust of the bad behind me, not allowing it to fetter my supreme desire to be all I can be : as a rider to my mare or gelding and also - to allow- her to be the Equine athlete she truly is!

There are not many rules with this award...JUST :

1)that you give it to only one person

2)link back to this post, so they may have an understanding to it's true nature.
3) You may use any or all of the written descriptions, with the award picture.

When I saw that I got this award there was one person that I knew deserved it. She just FINALLY bought a horse (who is BEAUTIFUL by the way) who started giving her troubles going to the right. She, being the good horse mom, found out through lots of $$$ that she was a "Wobbler." She did her research, found out everything she needed to know, and planned for surgery. She had JUST bought this horse. What a good mom. LUCKILY, it was decided that she didn't need surgery, and Miss Pia, being the princess that she is, is starting back to work. I fell like Miss Denali and Miss Pia come from the same Mare Finishing School. They both have VERY particular opinions on thing, and like to make sure that those opinions are heard. Ms. Denali and I are looking forward to seeing Gingham and Pia at the shows sometime soon!! Ms. Pia and Ms. Denali live about 20 miles from one another as the crow flies. Could you imagine these two princesses at the same barn? Not sure anyone could handle that.

So, this award goes to Gingham and Pia over at Pia's Parade!

It's a Major Award!

I love a Christmas Story. This most likely the only award that I ever get with Denali. Thank you to Kristen at Sweet Horses Breath, Frizzle at From Wingman to Witching Hour and Rachel at Dapple of My Eye for the honor! It made me smile. If I'm missing someone, sorry!

So I guess how this award works is I tell you 7 things about me and then nominate 15 other blogs. That part will be hard since I love them all! I'll try my best.

Telling you things about me that I haven't already babbled will be hard, but I'll try. Maybe if I keep it to non-horsey things it will be easier.

1. I met my husband at a bar. I was drunk and he drove me home. When we have children I'll change that story to not involve the bar part of the drunk part. On our first date my mother informed him that I'd dump him in two weeks so don't get too attached. Thanks mom.

2. While living in Denmark I worked for a bicycle shop. I did their translations and made their website. Funny thing is that I knew nothing about websites at the time, and didn't speak Danish. I somehow figured it all out. (They knew that I knew nothing when they hired me.)

3. I once buried a snowmobile in 7 feet of snow. My husband (boyfriend at the time) was working in Wyoming at a lodge and I went out to visit him. We went out into the wilderness on some sleds and the snow got really, really deep. I was on a trail sled, even though we were off groomed trails. I sank it twice (I took my finger off the throttle and it sank.) The owner of the lodge told me to floor it and keep my finger on the gas no mater what. It worked for a little bit, but when I sunk it again the owner gave me his sled. Difference? His was a 800 cc Skidoo Rev. I followed his directions and "floored it" and I came flying off the back and the sled went flying forward. Opps.

4. I've been in prison. Well, technically I worked there tutoring inmates to get their GEDs. I loved doing it even though they'd offer to "take care of"my slimy boyfriend at the time.

5. I consider myself to be fairly artistic. I like painting and making things with my hands. I owned a business called "Animal MAGNETism" I'd make magnets and sell them at local fairs. I had a lot of fun making them (and making money) but I just don't have the energy to drag everything out of my closet to do it now.

6. I played Rugby in college. I joined because my boyfriend at the time cheated on my with a girl who was trying out for the team. I knew that I couldn't actually hurt her without getting into trouble (she knew.) SO I asked to join try outs, made the team and ended up playing all four years. I was the 8 man/second row and the jumper/lifter if you're familiar with the sport.

7. I swear like a sailor. I try to NOT, but it's hard. I have a horrible potty mouth.


Now for the blogs. This will be very, very hard since I love them all! I'd like to re-nominate Rachel, Frizzle, and Kristen. I love yours!

1. Little Big Red - This is a great blog about an OTTB and his mom and dad. He and Denali share some of the same bloodlines and they are very close in age. I always read theirs and think to myself "Damn it Denali!"

2. Sprinkler Bandit A great, great blog with a lot of insightful thoughts. I love her mare, she's beautiful!

3. From Racehorse to Showhorse A great blog that give me a lot of "I hope to do this someday"

4. Memoirs of a White Trash Mom- I went to high school with her. Seriously, I laugh my butt of every time I read it!

5. Discovering Epona - Fun read!

6. Bailey Slew Bambi Crash- Another person that I know from "the real world" and the winner of "the only person from the first barn that I'll still talk to" award I offered her. :)

7. Santana's Diary - I love reading about her beautiful boy

8. NorCal Equine Rescue - I really admire their rescue, and love reading about all of their adventures.

9. Life and Horses - I enjoy her stories! Great blog!

10. Grey Brook Eventing - Great writing and BEAUTIFUL GREY HORSE!! I want him! Plus my name is part of the title :)

11. My Spots Undetectable- I love this little guy. He's super cute and I think he's going to be a real beauty!

12. Hunt Seat Cruizer - Is it okay that I am jealous that she gets to ride through the years that I couldn't?

13. AML Appaloosas - Enjoyable reads!

14. Oh Horse Feathers - Another enjoyable read!

15. You!! Consider yourself tagged! I want to hear all about you! :)