I received beautiful flowers "from" the kids last Wednesday. Handy Man has finally learned that not only do women like flowers, but they like getting flowers at work. Flowers at work is somehow even more glorious because everyone can see them, smell them, and know your hubby buys you flowers.
Shallow...
Maybe.
But I don't care. I love it!
Beautiful pink tulips.
And deep blue irises.
I was in heaven.
Saturday night we loaded up the kids and Handy Man took me out to dinner. This is HUGE for Handy Man. He hates to go out for dinner. We went to this quaint little seafood place. I was told to get whatever I wanted. So I indulged on some stuffed shrimp, king crab legs, two glasses of wine. I am definitely a two-glass-limit kind of girl.
The best part of the whole night, my kids were excellent! Our Brown Eyed Girl started getting a little antsy towards the end and I could see fear rising in Handy Mans eyes as he visually started calculating the best possible exit rout if need be. He was just mentioning that he thought we were starting to lose them as the waiter dropped off the check. Perfect timing.
Unfortunately, there was no sleeping in for this mom. Our Brown Eyed Girl has an internal alarm clock set at 5:30 am. Still, I couldn't have chosen a better way to be woken up. A little tap on my forehead, "Happy Mother's Day Mommy! Wake-ee eggs-n-bake-ee!"
How could you not wake with a smile - even at 5:45 am.
Handy Man had coffee waiting. As we watched a some Mickey Mouse, he let me know that he had my whole day planned for me. Oh really?!?!
He said after I had some breakfast, I was to go outside and play with my horses until it was time for lunch. That was an order.
Well you didn't have to tell me twice!
My Brown Eyed Girl and I bundled up on this foggy, chilly morning and we headed outside to see Skip-py.
It was a fabulous morning. My helpful assistant watched from her bucket as we tossed Skip into the round pen for Day One of it's-time-to-get-these-darn-geldings-broke day.
Skip is 6. Technically an adult, fully matured horse. He is big and
physically mature. Mentally, this horse is like working with a
two-year-old colt. He fumbles around, doesn't know where to put his
feet, acts like it's his first day out of the stall. He is so
immature in so many ways. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise?
All I can do is laugh at this big, clueless, red horse.
Wearing a bridle was like day one of taking off a set of training wheels, a little wobbly here and there. How much he has forgotten in 3 years.
Jack had a fabulous day! No major meltdowns. I didn't push him too hard, but he gave me everything I asked for. He is such a good mover. I can't wait to sit that jog some day soon.
To wrap up my wonderful horsey/mommy time, I pulled out the old girl, PC. I wanted to just get back in the saddle and take a little stroll. I sent her around in the round pen for about 5 minutes and then took her into the barn to saddle her. On my way out, I decided to maybe let her go around the pen a couple laps saddled before hopping on.
Oh. My. Gosh.
omg, Omg, OMG!
That nearly 20 year old mare BUCKED like she was two. As soon as I asked her to lope off, she vapor locked and started bucking. I could not believe my eyes!
Thank goodness for subtle intuitions.
After kicking up her heals a couple times, she was done. That was it. All the cobwebs had been swept from the attic. Like it or not, she was ready to accept the fact that she really had not entered into her retirement. It was in fact just maternity leave - mine, not hers, for two years. Worse, I did actually have a girth that would still accommodated her full figure.
Up I swung and off we went - from the safety of the round pen.
I have a new found perception on life now that I am a mother. It's this little thing called self preservation. Better safe than sorry.
I sure did miss this view!
She did great and after about ten minutes, we ventured out of the round pen and went into the arena. We moseyed, we strolled, we talked about the weather, we almost had a baby bird fly into us. A few minutes later, we almost had a fox run up to us - 7 years on the prairie and I have never seen a fox out here. What was happening today. It's a jungle out here.
We walked and talked about life.
We talked about being moms. How our youthful, girlish figures have been replaced by saggy boobs and poochy tummies. I advised her to lay off the sweet spring grass, maybe jog a little during the day. She said right back at ya sister with the jogging and maybe I should lay off that stash of Easter candy I have been hording in the pantry.
We made a pact. More jogging, less snacking, no more kids.
Before we called it a day, my Brown Eyed Girl came out to ride before lunch and her nap. It was her first time riding PC with a saddle and reins. So I taught her how to drive.
She was beaming from ear to ear. The concept of being able to make PC stop and go by pulling back or kissing to her was amazing. So never wanted to stop.
My little Cowgirl!
The perfect Mother's Day weekend.
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