A rainy day

This morning was full of busy, and then the rain came and everything calmed down - a beautiful relaxing evening was revealed.

Woke up and attempted yoga - ended up just making fun of the narrator and the guy demonstrating the poses.  I'm sorry - but I need a bit more peppy of a video if I'm going to get back into it - I need another video before this process can begin.  I'm excited about the possible balance benefits I will reap from yoga though.

The rain has been on and off all day.  Ran some morning errands hoping it would stop - but it didn't.  So we went out to visit Orion anyway.  I'd visited and brushed him out yesterday - no riding.  And no riding again today due to the weather.  He hadn't rolled or anything - miraculously - so there wasn't all that much to brush.  Took Carly's measuring tape to him to see what his height really is.  The people we'd gotten him from had said 15 hands, but I wanted to see for myself.  He's like a half inch under 15 - but I'll call him 15 for all intents and purposes haha.  He's shorter than Stan by at least three inches.  (You measure a horse from the bottom of his fore-hoof to the top of his withers (top of shoulder area before mane begins).)  I swept out the barn and rearranged it a bit.  Tried to clean up some.  Its kind of a mess in there.  No room for my saddle or anything - I leave my halter and bridle there and live out of my car for the rest of it.  Speaking of BRIDLE!...the new one came.  I will put it on him tomorrow and post pictures.  I can't wait to see how it looks on him.  He's gonna be completely decked out in red accessories in no time at all.

Upon arrival home Chris decked himself out in climbing gear and grabbed a handsaw from the garage and scaled our big red oak in the front yard to down some branches for us.  As he was finishing the weather started moving in and ruined any other outdoors plans I had for myself for the day.  Meh.

So we settled inside with the dogs and an FX rerun of Iron Man - love that movie.

As the storm moved in I went out to take some pictures - before, during, after and the like.  I absolutely love thunderstorms so, so much.  Huge lightning strikes hovered in the air a few times this evening.  The rain and gusting wind pounded against the skylight.  There is a chain of thunderstorms set to fly overhead tonight - in fact I just heard another boom of thunder outside!!  I love thunder!!

Fresh steak - and yes, I say fresh because the butcher is just a few miles down the road and butchers daily, yum, yum, yum! - for dinner complemented with sweet and red potatoes.  I love meat.

Its been  pretty relaxing day over all.  Barefeet and skirts were broken out of my wardrobe for the first time in 2011.  Felt good.  I can't wait for more warm weather and spring happiness. 

From the yard to brighten your day - we must have several thousand of these

Awesome comes in 3's

Rain is in the forecast.  Not too thrilled about it.  But I am thrilled about my evening consisting of:

Dogfish 60 minute IPA

Homemade spinach/feta/mushroom pizza

Wes Anderson rules.  Hope your evening is just as enjoyable!

The start of relaxation

Ah, spring break.  I feel lighter and care free after only one day.  The realization that I don't have to go to class next week makes one Saturday all the more amazing.

I had an easy morning watching a lot of Netflix documentaries - my newest obsession on there.  Secret Yellowstone, Secret Yosemite and the Babies movie that hit theaters were all on my hit list this morning - I don't really plan out what I'm watching, that's just what happened to interest me this morning.

Once afternoon rolled around Chris and I headed up to Point Marion to swap out a bad case of beer my dad got for a good one - some how the distributor gave us a 2009 case of beer, yucko.  Also picked up a case of Dogfish 60 IPA - I'm pretty eager to see what its packin' since I've recently decided I don't mind IPA's too much.

After the Pt. Marion trip we ran a couple errands and I picked up the dog I'm babysitting for today and tomorrow.  We then headed up to Dorsey's Knob to meet up w/ some friends for an afternoon cookout.  They brought their dog too - it was kind of crazy.  Overall a good time though.  I'd never been up to Dorsey's in all my years living in Morgantown which is kind of surprising considering how close it is to everything - and by "all my years" I mean four, haha.  It was kinda cool up there.  I much prefer the rock outcroppings with a more scenic vista than one of the city of Morgantown though.

Grabbed some Coldstone after walking Sunny home and packed my bags for my spring break exodus.  Four days of horses and baby bears followed by three of climbing and DC await me - along with some pesky scientific articles to read...  I'm super eager to have time off to relax though.

Baby bears, horses & a waterfall

Ah, the wonders of warm weather.  I can't believe how warm it's been the past few days.  I love it!  I've really missed it.  Being able to take Kenai out to potty in the morning and not seizing up at the chill weather is so nice.  I actually just stood around and didn't urge him on this morning - he will go on command pretty much, no dallying.  Warm breezes blowing - gotta love it.

Yesterday was full of baby bears and horses, and today I enjoyed some pretty water and watching a crazy person (Chris) huck himself off an 18ft. waterfall.

So now, I shall narrate my adventures with pictures - because I think anyone would agree that's more fun than actually having to read about stuff. 

My yesterday began with farm fresh eggs - yes, some are green.

Frosty leaves.  The temperature will fluctuate 30 - 50 degrees in one day at this time of year.

There were four cubs - a little atypical - but food was plentiful last year.

Wonderin' whats going on.  Such a cutie.

*Yawn* Such a rough life.  You can see three of the four in this shot.

Finally putting on some weight - his ribs and hips aren't so noticeable.

Kit lookin' good in my hat.

I love, love, love Tonka's face in this - I laughed for a long time when I realized I got this shot.

Why the long face?  Sorry, couldn't resist that joke. 

This is Orion's "Wazzup?" head toss.  You know, the way people on the streets do.

And this is his, "Hey, are we going anywhere or what?"  Such a pretty boy.
Can't wait for him to lose that damn winter coat.  I don't like my horses fluffy.

Wonder falls at 5.5ft - Chris huckin' himself off. (**This picture and the next three look much
crisper if you click and bring them up in the separate window.)

So much water. 

Splish splash.

Just hangin' out.  Lovin' that I can get pictures of me for once.  Yay for remotes.

Its the start of spring break for me and 28,000 other WVU students.  I'm pretty excited about all this warmer weather and all the activities to partake in outside.  I've missed the sun and warmth dearly.  It was so nice to get outside today and play around the river.  Kenai even got to test out his lifejacket - yes, he has an NRS doggie lifejacket - it works.  My car smells distinctly of wet dog and river funk now (river funk is this awful smell that accumulates around kayakers and their soaked gear - if you don't know what it smells like, consider yourself lucky).

Tonight promises rib-eye steaks, sauteed red potatoes & onions & garlic, macaroni salad, and good beer.  Ringin' in this break the right way.  Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Smoothie Song

Instrumental by Nickel Creek feat. Robert Trujillo of Metallica

It gets me super pumped for my day since its so peppy - yay newgrass/bluegrass

Ready for anything - or trying anyway

I started this blog because new doors in my life were beginning to present themselves, to open and beckon me forth.  I was excited about all these new possible opportunities.  I was a little scared - but not really.  I had a plan.  I knew which door I was going through - and that confidence spurred me onward and made everything ok.

But I don't know what door I'm going through anymore - and it scares the shit out of me.

The doors to grad school - my plan - have been closed.  Temporarily, yes, but closed all the same.  I've been thrust into the real-world without warning.  It crept up on me and attacked when I was least ready - the real-world is a sit-and-wait, ambush predator.  And its big and evil and I don't like it.  I've applied for some jobs.  I'm kind of receiving positive feedback from one - but I have more hoops to jump through before that will work out for me.  Not knowing is driving me mad.

I've always been a person-with-a-plan.  I'm super organized and detail-oriented - great traits for most real-world opportunities, I'm learning.  I'm a bit of a control-freak who is learning to let things go.  I'm learning to relax more than I did, to let things go that I absolutely, 100% cannot change.  I was never super-crazy-control-freak-y, but I've never been as go-with-the-flow-y as I'd like to be.  Now I've got to be to be sane and sleep at night!

I'm all over the place since January 1st.  Absolutely, 100% all over the place.  I'm not the me I've known for years.  (Knowing who I am and who I'm not is an accomplishment of some-sort, I feel.)  I recognize that I'm growing, learning, and changing all the time - but since January 1st so many things have been thrust upon me that I never expected.  I'm being thrown hither and thither having to make big decisions and move through things.  I've reintroduced things back into my life to help with the stress - horses, climbing, yoga, etc. - but it still doesn't calm my sleep at night.  I sleep, sure, but I dream constantly, vividly, about a million and one tiny little things.  I'm never fully rested.  I've started napping too - and those are full of dreams as well.  I'm constantly on-edge.  Its all got to stop sometime - right?

This week up-coming is spring break for WVU.  I plan to spend it horseback riding, climbing, yogaing, eating yummy food, and relaxing with the pup.  I need to do a little bit of homework too - but that will be voluntary, to try and ease my load for when I return.  I want to try to "get ahead" with my schoolwork like I used to do all the time.  Lately I'm always behind and barely on-time - not very Liz.  Liz is prepared and early about things, this new me isn't.  This new me is fed up with classes and inept professors and - as a result of inept professors - frustrated about things and un-caring about my grade as long as its passing.  I just want out.  I know I'm going to miss college dearly when I'm done, but right now, I just want to be done.  Besidessssss, I'm gonna go back and get my MS eventually....

So pretty much - I'm scared.  I don't know where I'm going or what I'm doing any more.  It scares the absolute shit out of me.  I imagine I should be thankful for the blank slate in front of my and all the awesome achievements I've laid out behind me - and I am - but boy am I scared about the unknown.  I'm going to do my best to take this all one-day-at-a-time for now - try to concentrate on the positive things, the known-every-day things.  And right now, on this morning that promises a beautiful day, I know this -- I missed these foggy, West Virginia mountain kind of mornings.  Foggy mornings that always promise a day of blue skies, sunshine, and calm breezes.  Foggy mornings with birds singing, encouraging the sun to come up and break away the fog - and threatening that other bird in the tree-by-the-driveway to stay the hell out of his territory =).  So, here's to today.

Sunny with a high of 66

Look at the weather for tomorrow!!  Yeehaw!

My day will be full of a bear den visit, horseback ride with Orion, WVU vs. Clemson in the NCAA tournament, and a St. Patrick's day of chaos.


Hurrah for warm weather!!!

Sportin' the red

I just bought this for Orion (in red).

Super excited.  Halter with a bridle clip in.  (Bit and reins not included)  The reins I have already have red in them so it'll match well.  It'll be sweet though, clipping the bit in and out when I need to.  Perfect for transitions during the race.  We set out for 15 miles then have an hour break when we come back into camp, then back out for the final 15.  Have to a vet check during the break - maybe two - I can't remember.  But the halter/bridle combo will be great for that.  Vet check trot, cool down walk, eating (because eating with a bit in is hard), then back out!  Why red?  Because we're also getting these:

Getting shoes put on a horse costs $65-$85 each time.  And shoes can get pulled off in deep mud, or thrown off if a horse's hooves just aren't super compatible for shoeing.  So getting boots like this that you can put on each time you go out is a lot better.  They're $85 each, but I should hopefully only have to get fronts - and they will last for years.  So instead of getting 4 pairs of shoes (just the fronts four times a year) over the year I can just have these boots to put on.  Gonna be worth it in the end.  And there is a local lady who will measure and trim his feet accordingly and size him for the boots.  She can also order them for me and cut me a deal.  ANNNDD she's going to teach me how to trim his hooves myself.  That's a life-skill right there.

So yeah, me and my horse - decked in red.  I always wear mine, haha.  Kenai looks good in red too, but is currently decked in blue mostly because Ruff Wear dog gear didn't have a red collar in the style I liked.  Oh well.

So here's to red accessories and lots of riding!

My boy havin' a roll after a 12.6 mile ride.

Longing for Summer

Its rained all day here.  All day.  And its supposed to snow a few inches tomorrow.  Ugh.  We have seen nothing but gray skies for days.  Its really starting to get to me.  Usually I end up miserable due to winter gray skies far before now.  That whole seasonal depression thing or something.  I just miss the sun - or maybe my shadow - either way.  Meh on all the drab, dreary weather.

It's caused me to just long for summer all day.  Even those super muggy days we seem to get around here.  At least there is an escape into an air conditioned house.  And the sun is plentiful.  I'm so tired of wearing "winter" clothes.  I'm ready to wear light fabrics.  Flowing dresses, short sun dresses, skirts, shorts, tanks, tees, bathing suits.  I'm ready to wear sandals - to run around barefoot - to feel the grass and mud between my toes.  I want to go camping and sleep out under the stars - with no blanket.  I want to hear the birds - and see them flitting about - all the neotropical migrants that return to these mountains each summer.  Its happening some already, but I'm ready to hear more of the robins and their angry chortles and calls when they get mad at one another or other intruders.

I'm excited to see Orion lose his fluffy winter coat.  I'm excited to see his lighter summer color and the dapples that I've been told he has.  Summer means he will have gained weight and I'll be able to ride him bareback (poor guy is too bony currently).  I can't wait to just ride in shorts and barefeet.  Completely hippie, but whatever, it makes me happy.

I can't wait for all the trees to flush out their lush, green leaves.  To walk under their canopies.  Oh!, and I cannot wait for the cicadas and crickets and katydids and all the other night bugs.  I love, love, love falling asleep to the sounds they make.

Summer, where are you?!  Warm nights, hammocks, camp fires, s'mores, tall grass, lush leaves, warm breezes, singing birds and bugs, swimming in the river...so many things.

Falling into place

I think things are finally starting to fall into place - big decisions need to be made still, but things are really looking up.

I went home yesterday for an interview with the Fish & Wildlife Service.  It was my first REAL interview.  You always hear about the possible questions you could be drilled with, but some how, some way I've never been in an "official" interview like that.  I wasn't prepared - so I had to just be myself and move on.  I hope it was worth it.  Questions like, "Describe yourself in so many words...", "Describe a situation when you...", "Explain a time when...".  The only one they asked that I was all hey, I got this, booya was, "List computer programs you are familiar with and explain your proficiency with them."  Score.  I know I excelled in that department.

Overall, it was a great experience - whether I get the interview or not.  So bravo for that.

All these big life-decisions lately - so overwhelming.  Where is Never-never-land when you need it?  Wendy?  Peter?  You out there?  Goodness grief.  I believe in fairies *claps hands*.  Can I please fly now?

After the interview I went to see Orion.  That little horse is after my heart - seriously.  He was ridden with burs - his forelock was a horn, his tail was a mess too.  I picked them all out and braided his tail.

Not because it "looks pretty" but because its a practical means of keeping burs to a minimum.  He's got a pretty nice ass for a paint horse too!  (Sorry, bit of horse-talk-jargon-stuff there.  Not trying to be crude.  A horse's hindquarters are just kinda a big deal.)

Typically horses as green-broke (unstarted, inexperienced) will freak out over every new thing - especially anything having to do with their legs.  A horse's legs are his life.  They are flight animals, they need them to escape.  But yesterday, when I put gallop boots (velcro'd leg wraps) on his forelegs he was completely okay with it.  In fact, he was completely okay with everything!  We went on a four or five mile ride on our own and he was completely cool with it.  Didn't want to go back to the barn and the other horses at all.  Completely willing.  Tried to kick the dogs a few times....but whatever.  Such a good boy.  It was a really great day.

Black boots on his forelegs; his head looks huge for some reason in this picture...

Silly dogs

Amusing anecdote from today:  Woke up this morning really early to do some last minute studying - Kenai decided to help.

Spring snow

I feel so awful!  I forgot to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND BESTEST DOG EVER yesterday!  He is 1 year old!

It snowed a lot all of a sudden today...

That is all.

*Orion

Gideon Orion was moved home today.  I decided to call him Orion instead since its one of two names I've always wanted to give a horse - the other name, Darwin, I'm saving for a big dapple-gray horse one day.

This little horse is so super chill.  I'm so hesitant to "count my chickens before they hatch" with him still - but seriously, he's awesome.  Nothing startled him today.  Nothing.  He was cool with everything.  We even went on our first trail ride - his first anyway - and he was great.  No jumpiness due to dogs running through the woods or leaves blowing around or anything.  That's practically unheard of in a horse with as little experience doing anything like Orion - freaking awesome.  His only problem?  He's a little skinny - but that's an easy fix.

It may or may not rain tomorrow - we'll see.  I'd like to go ride him again though.  Guess we'll find out in the morning.

Motivation

Motivation - where did mine go?  I plugged through - what is it now? 16? - years of school.  Perfect grades in high school.  Second in my class.  College has been a bit more difficult, but a GPA of 3.72 is definitely respectable.  I've never had problems finding motivation to do my work - ever.  It was just this thing I had to do.  It has been my job for as long as I can remember.

But not now.  Now I'm struggling to get everything done.  I know it needs to be done.  I write daily to-do lists and reminders to myself.  But I just don't care as much anymore.  In fact, while trying to push through a particularly dry article for my Animal Behavior class this morning - this article has nothing to do with animal behavior, its all about pompous butt-heads trying to be better than everyone else at scientific writing...boring - a thought crossed through my head, "What if I just drop out?  I mean...why not?"  And that scared me, floored me that I would even think such a thing!  I have TWO MONTHS left before I become a college graduate. TWO MONTHS.  This is no time to stop!  I want time off, its coming.  62 days.  62 days until I take my final final exam.  62 days until I no longer have to wake up for classes.  62 days until I don't have to worry about grades, or due dates, or exams - none of it.  62 days.

I think I might have found my motivation to do this...finish everything up.  Run that last 100 meters as strong as I can.  But I still have so much to do!  And I'm scared about it because I know how much there is to be done.  But...but...but I KNOW I am capable.  I can do it.  That thesis?  I'll get it done.  I'll excel.  It may not be worthy of publishing in a scientific peer-reviewed journal, but it will be good.  It will be - I hope and pray - the best piece of scientific literature I've ever written.  I just have to take a little time each day to do a little work on it - or at least take a moment or two to think about what I need to do so I can do it all at once in a week or so...

I got this.

---

In more exciting news, my friend Ty set off this morning on the Appalachian Trail.  Over the next five months he plans to do the entire 2,181 miles from Springer Mtn., Georgia to Mt. Kathahdin, Maine.  That's a long-ass walk!

I hope to meet up with him, - buy the poor ragged hiker a real meal - job and schedule permitting, later this summer.  It would be cool to hike a little of it with him, but the whole park my car at point A and hike to point B thing isn't exactly going to work for me unless I hitch a ride back to point A.

I told my mom about getting Gideon last night.  I was trying to hold off until he was in Elkins and until I had a job.  I just wanted to keep her from worrying more than she needed - guess that's a mom-thing.  She tends to freak out about things and then calls me to discuss and then I freak out more than is necessary.  So to avoid that completely I had wanted to wait...buuuttttt I gave in.  She's super excited about him.  She wants to go riding with me, too.  So does my brother when he arrives back from London in June.

So, Saturday will consist of getting Gideon moved successfully home.  73 miles south of here - I hope he travels well and doesn't spazz out.  Unfortunately it looks like rain all weekend - so I won't get to ride like I'd wanted.  BUT, I'm going back home on Tuesday again because...

--drum roll please--

I have an interview!  Goodness, oh goodness, do I hope it goes well!  Its a STEP position with Fish & Wildlife.  I really want this job.  Oh-so-badly.  It would be a great first job for me.  A great resume builder.  A great chance for me to get my foot-in-the-door with the real world.  I still definitely plan to go back to get my Master's - just not now, I need a freaking break. 

This week up-coming is gonna be a big one for me.  I'm super excited about the prospect of a job, pumped-beyond-pumped about moving my new horse home - a dream come true -, and excited that I have found a little bit of my lost motivation to help power me through the upcoming 62 days. 

I'll leave you with this -- the sun shining on my beautiful, noble dog as he shamelessly begs for a treat.  Gotta love him.

It's Happening!

Extenuating circumstances (i.e. the awful animal cruelty-worthy conditions at the other barn) have led to me moving Gideon to my hometown this weekend!  I'm so excited its happening!  Great weather this week - the rain is dissipating and the sun is high in the sky.  Lovin' it.

More pictures and excitement to share after the weekend!  I really can't express my excitement!  Now if only I can get all my school work done before he comes so I can play with him every weekend!