long time, no post...

People who find time to blog amaze me. I feel like if you have time to do anything that is worth blogging about, how do you have time to actually DO the blogging?? I pretty much forgot I even HAD a blog, haha.

I can't believe it's September already...honestly, where did the summer go? I look back at my last post before this and cannot believe how fast the past two months have flown by...not to mention how much has changed.

Two of my Assistant Managers at work transferred up to Portland stores, bringing me a wonderful new AM from San Diego who is revitalizing our whole team.

Nathan and I re-signed a year lease on our apartment - we've decided to stay in one place for more than a year at a time! I new concept for me down here in Eugene - and a welcome one!

We've decided to move Rapper to Triple Rise at the beginning of next month. It's such a great environment there and he really needs to be in a place filled with enthusiastic and competent horse people.

Nortwest Spectacular was our last show of the season and it was wonderful! The highlights: Mike giving us a lesson the night before Day 1 and calling out "that's EXCELLENT!" the next day as I cantered around the course; placing 2nd (ahead of the eventual division champion) in our last hunter round; getting 4th in our first Medal round - and watching Anna get 2nd!

The sad news of this month is that I will no longer be leasing my Juliet. Her "real" owner has decided to take her away from Triple Rise and we don't know why or where she's being moved to. I am devastated by this news, but am so incredibly grateful for the chance I've had to ride and learn from this wonderful mare. She's amazing and I know that I will never forget her. I'm sure there will be a tearful tribute to her at the end of this month, when she leaves me, but for now I am just enjoying my last few weeks with my beautiful jumper girl.

Early Summer Classic pictures

We (and by that I mean Juliet and I, haha) spent the weekend in Wilsonville at Hunter Creek Farm's Early Summer Classic horse show. My trainer Sarah originally wanted us to get another show in the Long Stirrup (2') division under our belt but after our first few classes on Friday, she smiled and told me to go add the Pre-Adult (2'6") division classes as well. We wound up doing really well all weekend, even earned a co-Reserve Champion award in the Pre-Adult equitation. I'm so excited to be moving up - I feel like I'm progressing at a really good pace and Juliet and I are having the time of our lives!

Not to be outdone, Rapper is doing great as well. Today he walked right into the wash stall without hesitation (twice!) which is a huge deal for him as it's his number one "scary place." He's also doing great on the lunge line, not cross-cantering at all, and we're even working on flying lead changes and working without a martingale. I'm really pleased with how well he's doing and I know it's because I'm learning so much and becoming such a confident and strong rider. I'm just so head over heels in love with riding and training...now if only I could figure out a way to do it for a living...still working on that one!

I am so blessed

I just had to take a moment to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father, who has blessed me so greatly (and so unexpectedly). With a new DM who is a breath of fresh air for me, a Rapper who is improving and finally feeling confident and a summer of horse shows ahead, I'm feeling pretty great about life. I hope I can keep this good momentum going and make every day a great day!

first show report of the season

This season is off to a great start! Juliet and I tried our hands and hooves at this showing stuff and I must say, we're pretty good! On a schooling show level, that is. Triple Rise put on a schooling show at Northwest Equestrian and Event Center last weekend and I thought it would be a great way to see what Jules and I were made of. Sarah entered us in six classes:

• walk, trot, canter on the flat


• trot a course, 12"


• canter a course, 12"


• trot a course, 18"


• canter a course, 18"


• amateur hunter, 2'

We won blue ribbons in four of our classes and got second in the other two! My favorite part was that Juliet just got better and better as the day went on - our last class was one of the best rides that mare's ever given me. I think it must have been something about being in a show ring again, but the two of us together just felt so solid - we got our lead changes 100%, her pacing was almost perfect and even when I lost a stirrup in one of my classes, she was totally there for me and we ended up winning anyway! She's just so awesome and I can't wait for next weekend - Mother's Day Classic here in Eugene!!!

Juliet

I'll have a more detailed post later - complete with pictures - but I just wanted to mention real quick...
I'M LEASING MY DREAM HORSE!
I''ve been riding at Triple Rise for three months now and I've done most of my jumping on Bijou and some of my flat work on Juliet. Last week, Sarah told me she'd probably keep me on Juliet, since the poor mare was the only school horse not being leased. I asked if Juliet was even available for lease and I will never forget the look on Sarah's face. Long story short, I signed a lease agreement yesterday and Juliet is my girl for the show season!!

Life Lessons

I learned a lot today. Important things I'd never known before. Among them:

• There's a reason most hunters are bay - no frantic scrubbing with water and bluing, last ditch shaving of stained socks or wrapping lower legs in cornstarched polos.
• No matter how convenient debit cards are, concessions stands at out-of-season fairgrounds only take cash.
• On a related note, know where the closest ATM is.
• Don't even THINK about wearing white around horses when you're part of the help - even squeaky clean show hunters will slime you if they can get away with it.
• Chuck Taylors are never appropriate horsey footwear.
• Aspiring hunter riders repeat after me: LEARN. HOW. TO. BRAID. You will save money for things like rent.
• Burgers, fries and hot dogs are not diet violations at a horse show - they do not count.
• Additionally, it is a-okay to eat the aforementioned at any point in the day, even if it's 9:00 in the morning.
• As an aside, when you're awake and running before Starbucks employees, you are one dedicated individual.
• Just because YOU know that tractor is not a monster doesn't mean your horse does.
• Jack Russel Terriers don't know they're small and they believe they are invincible.
• And finally, don't say "Do you guys need help with anything?" if you don't really mean it - your trainer's face will light up like a Christmas tree and you will find yourself grooming Phoenix (and holding him at arm's length outside the ring as he tries to use you as a scratching post), holding Patches to be hosed off and running a chair around the entry gate so that everyone in the class can get on their enormous hunter jumpers. FORTUNATELY, I meant it.

Horse shows can teach you all kinds of things.

awesome day!

Yeah, the title says it all! Awesome WEEK really - lesson yesterday, Blake visit and another lesson today. It's all been golden! We didn't have a lesson last week because Sarah and the Triple Rise crew were down in Sacramento for a show so I was really afraid I would be super out of it come this week. But as it turns out, the little rest did me good! I guess I needed a little refresher or something because this week I have felt great. I've also been staying after to clean my tack next to the arena so I can watch the lesson after mine. Those girls ride jumpers and have been riding and competing for years, I figured watching them could only help me. Sarah and I joke that riding well is all about copying others and faking it when you ride - and eventually, you won't be faking it anymore. It's silly, but this week, I've really felt like it's true. Watching some of the amazing people I ride with has really inspired me and strengthened me as a rider. And I'm actually reconnecting with Bijou. I really like riding Paris but I'm not sure I'm strong ENOUGH for him yet. Today she was so supple and quiet - she did everything just right! Well...maybe I had a little to do with it :)

Season of Love

So Valentine's Day was Saturday, I know, but the way I see it, it's never the wrong time to talk about how much you love someone.
Everyone knows how much I love my husband - I say it often enough! - but I want everyone to know how much I love my in-laws. Yes that's right, IN-LAWS. I realized tonight, not for the first time, mind you, how blessed I am to have married into such a wonderful family. Doug and Sue are so patient and with such a tremendous sense of devotion to their children (not to mention a sense of humor). Tyler and Amanda are a fantastic couple - Tyler is hilarious and so much fun to joke with and Amanda is the perfect older sister-in-law (we compare notes on what it's like to be married to Shaw men). Mandy is so kind and strong, so reliant on her testimony...I find myself striving to be more like her. Jeremy is so funny and surprisingly profound for a 17 year-old...I feel like we clicked right away. Jenell is the sweetest thing, so tender and fiery at the same time...she reminds me of me at 14. Levi is the Animal Whisperer and the one who can never sit still...but he has these quiet moments when he wows you with how sweet he is. And of course Zachary, who can already beat me at chess and loves to read...he wants to be a farmer when he grows up and never wants to move away from mom and dad's house.
What an amazing family! I am so blessed!

making it happen

Well, I had my riding lesson this afternoon as usual and it was AWESOME! My instructor, Sarah, had had me riding a Thoroughbred mare named Bijou for the past three weeks and I had gotten used to her quirks and little "isms" - she's slow to warm up, needs a lot of leg to get her to move forward and loves to jump.
I got to the stable today and Sarah told me she wanted me on Paris, this huge dark bay Seattle Slew lookalike. I was excited, because I figured that meant Sarah thinks I'm improving because I've heard only good things about Paris around the barn. I had a good feeling walking into his stall. When I called Paris' name, he swung his head around with these bright and cheerful eyes that just melted my heart. Come to find out, he loves candy, attention and to zip and unzip things - he took my zipper pull between his teeth and just blissed himself out zipping and unzipping my fleece jacket. He's a much more forward-going horse and I felt more confident on him than on Bijou.
Long story short, our lesson was great; I jumped a greater series of jumps (4) and apparently I did it really well - in fact, Sarah wants me to go to a schooling show in April! She gave me a schedule of shows for the whole year and told me that I could probably do well at any of them. Yay me! The dream is coming true!

gratitude

I realized tonight just how much I have to be grateful for. This past week has been a tough one, and I have found myself pretty frustrated at times with work and my progress in life...but sitting here tonight in my wonderful home with my kittens beside me, aching from an hour in the saddle and making plans with friends, I realize that I am very blessed to have what I have at this time in my life. There's nothing wrong with having goals for the future and looking forward to things to come, but there is no reason for me not to be satisfied and happy with what I have right now.

Top 20

In 2006 I started this thing of coming up with a list of my favorite songs of the year and I've decided I really like doing that - I get some good tunes that way! Here's my list for 2008!

20. The Parting Glass - Shaun Davey...I liked this song a lot last year, too - it's from the movie Waking Ned Devine and if you haven't seen it, it's well-worth the trip to the video store!

19. Jessica's Theme - Bruce Rowland...this one's from a movie, too - The Man from Snowy River. Yes, it's a "horse movie" but that's not why I like the song - this is the tune I walked down the aisle to on August 23rd!

18. Paper Planes - MIA...haha Nathan hates this song, but it's pretty beloved by the store 733 crew - nothing better than watching Spencer mime out the sound effects and, inexplicably, understanding the lyrics.

17. You Promised Me - In-Grid...another one from the Abercrombie den, but this one I actually heard for the first time on a snorkeling trip in Cabo, so it brings back good memories - that, and the visual of Jon Nelson dancing around the salesfloor every 2 hours when it would come on

16. If You're Gonna Play in Texas - Alabama...not really a new song to me, but it just popped into my head one day and set up shop!

15. Boston - Augustana...again, not new to me, but it took on a whole new meaning when Joely left us for the east coast...I still cry and miss him when I hear it..."I think I'll go to Boston..."

14. Whole Wide World - Wreckless Eric...from Stranger Than Fiction - I can't explain it, I just love it!

13. Fast Car - Tracey Chapman...again, reminds me of my friend Joel - he hated the bastardized techno version at work, but I think that makes me appreciate the original even more.

12. When I Say Go - The 1900's...I will never EVER admit from whom I first heard this song, but I will say, I'm glad I gave it a listen - it sounds retro but relevant at the same time (listen to me, talking like I think I know what I'm talking about...)

11. Teardrops on My Guitar - Taylor Swift...go on, laugh all you want, but I like the song! I also like Nick Larkin imitating any Taylor Swift song, so...there it is.

10. Free Fallin' (live) - John Mayer...my favorite song + my favorite artist = listening heaven...I think I cried when I discovered this! I like the Heart-of-Life-isms he throws in.

9. Society - Eddie Veder...okay, the whole Into the Wild soundtrack could probably take up most of this list, but I managed to whittle it down to my favorite three...this one makes me feel guilty for working where I do...it makes me dream of the future

8. Hard Sun - Eddie Veder...this is the BEST driving song I've heard in a good long while - it even makes going to work a little more pleasant - and it lends itself well to my "music video moments!"

7. Guaranteed - Eddie Veder...one phrase sums it up: "they think of me and my wandering but I'm never what they thought..." I think everyone my age has felt this song before...

6. Summer of '69 (live acoustic) - Bryan Adams...the little piano ditty right between "standing on your mama's porch" and "you told me that you'd wait forever" is such a moving little moment...Bubba, you were right! This version is better!

5. Little Wonders - Rob Thomas...Brittany got me into this song, and it definitely deserves to be on this year's soundtrack! I've had so many of these small hours this year and it's true, they are what make life worth living. Something has to support the big hours!

4. Stolen - Dashboard...again, a repeat from last year, but it has to be one of my favorites of all time! I really came to like the fast version this year, but Nathan and I had our first dance to the slower one. What a great night that was!

3. Everything - Michael Buble...easily the title track for the Wedding Weekend - and the song Nathan and I made our first entrace to as husband and wife! It will always take me back to that moment and all the photos and laughs surrounding it.

2. Angel from Montgomery - Susan Tedeschi...Kristen Stewart sang this song in Into the Wild but I found this wonderful, soulful version and haven't stopped trying to belt it since...come to find out Nikos has like 20 versions of it - and we will forever debate which is the best.

..............drumroll.....................

1. Viva la Vida - Coldplay...this song is undeniable. Its beat, its theme, the way it swells with emotion and touches on a turbulant and bloody time in history...it's just the best song I've heard in a long time and I don't think my car's speakers will ever be the same...it just...fills you somehow, it overwhelms you...I still can't get enough of it!

ouch

Well this past week has been one for the record books! I don't think I've been in a greater, and more continuous, variety of pain in my life. First, there was the 5-hour stint in the Emergency Room (thanks, ruptured ovarian cyst), then a riding lesson that I was physically ill-equipped for and finally, over an hour in the saddle today. Eek! Of course, except for the cyst thing, it was all worth it!

My lesson went better than I could have imagined! I didn't get to ride the horse I had wanted to, but I DID get another Thoroughbred named Bijou. She was WONDERFUL! It was something else to be on a horse who was so settled and steady that I could totally concentrate on my position. My instructor said that whatever my riding background has been it's made me a "pretty strong" rider. I told her if she met my horse, she'd understand, haha.

That being said, I took Rapper on a trail ride today and I have to say, no fancy Thoroughbred hunter can compete with my boy! He's so comfy and so spirited - I wouldn't trade him for anything!

PS: I'm having a model horse renaissance! Check out the new ones!

awesome news!

So there is one awesome thing that is going to come out of me working the day after Thanksgiving (BLACK FRIDAY, bwahaha). I get 3 days off the following week instead of 2 and on one of those, I get to go have a riding lesson!
I found this great stable here in Eugene that trains both hunters and jumpers and their prices are really reasonable. I've always wanted to learn how to jump and now is my chance! It's going to be so great! I went to look at the place (Triple Rise) last week and was very impressed. The people were really nice, the horses were beautiful and it still has that quaint, small-stable atmosphere. All their lesson horses are former show horses and I already have my eye on a Thoroughbred mare named Juliet (I've never ridden a Thoroughbred before and that would be something to check off my life goals list) and I'm wondering how I can finagle my way to riding her.
I won't lie though, I'm nervous...I'm pretty good with Rapper and I'm confident that I'm a fast learner, but a 16 hand-high jumper is an entirely different kind of ride. Still, it's going to be something! If only I didn't have to wait a week and a half!

wow

Listening to John Mayer. Reading Bill Bryson. Driving through the Gorge. Watching my old 1996 Breeder's Cup video.

It's always like visiting an old friend. I can never remember why I stopped listening-reading-driving-watching. It's like emotional comfort food - and every once in a while, you find something you never heard-read-saw before and it feels brand new and totally familiar at the same time.

I discovered a new live version of an old Mayer favorite "In Your Atmosphere" and at the end there is the purest, most beautiful little song blurb I've ever heard...

wherever I go, whatever I do
I wonder where I am in my relationship to you
wherever you go, wherever you are
I watch your life play out in pictures from afar
wherever I go, whatever I do
I wonder where I am to my relationship to you
wherever you go, whatever you are
I watch that pretty life play out in pictures from afar

(and then he sings "oooooooooooooooo" a few times in a softer-than-Eddie-Veder-in-the-Into-the-Wild-soundtrack-but-just-as-moving kinda way)

PS: there's a cover of "Free Fallin'" that literally made my morning.

note to self:

download these songs tomorrow...just don't forget!

The Blower's Daughter
Cannonball
Brass Bed

there were more, I'm almost positive...

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

25th Anniversary

About 24 years ago, in the fall of 1984, two things happened - well, two things that were of any importance. First, on November 4th, I was born. Then, on November 18th, the inaugural Breeder's Cup day took place. Almost a quarter of a decade later, the Breeder's Cup is going strong and I am still hanging on every detail.
BreedersCup.com has been celebrating the 25 year anniversary of Racing's Greatest Day by counting down the top 25 moments in its history, most of which I agree with. But, I have my own ideas about what constitutes a "greatest moment," and I can't let this weekend go by without mentioning my allegience to one of horse racing's greats, the "inconquerable, invincible, the unbeatable Cigar."
I won't bore you with the details of Cigar's life, racing career and serendipitous sterility that led he and I to share a few quiet moments one sweltering morning at the Kentucky Horse Park - I will just say that after all the horse races I have seen, the 1995 Classic is the only one that still moves me to tears. Beating knee surgery, an ulcer and hives, a bad track, an outside post and a controversy over his shoes, Cigar exploded at the half-mile pole, dragging Jerry Bailey to the lead and putting three lengths between him and the rest of the field. In the soft dirt of the Belmont gloom, he set a track record, capped off a perfect season, would go on to tie a generations-old winning streak record, win the very first Dubai World Cup and set an earnings record that would not be broken for twelve years. Watch it and tell me he's not something special.

http://www.breederscup.com/greatestmoments.aspx?year=1995&divisionname=classic

new kitty pics!

I just wanted to post some pictures of my 6 month-old monster babies! They've gotten so big - at the vet last week, they both weighed in at almost 9 pounds! Simon is discovering the joys of playing fetch and peek-a-boo while Fisher is obsessed with hunting the beam from the laser pointer I bought them. They are both super people-oriented and friendly and just about demand attention. I can't believe 6 months ago, someone just tossed them in a dumpster. They're the best kitties ever!

still loving the newlywed life

So the last time I blogged, I talked about Nathan getting a job at Hollister and me looking to move on from A&F. Well, things didn't exactly work out the way we thought they would. Nathan didn't get the job, and I'm actually very happy that it worked out that way - he needs to be focused on getting through school and I don't think he'd have the time to study, work, sleep AND be a husband. At first, I was bummed out, but the more I thought about it, we'd been praying fervently that things would happen as they needed to happen and that we'd receive revelation as far as what we should do for our jobs. And things are definitely working out in an interesting, yet totally fulfilling way.

Not long after Nathan didn't get the Hco. job, he registered for three classes at Lane Community College and arranged to work on the days he doesn't go to school. Around the same time, my store manager, Brenda, gave her two weeks at work, meaning the SM position was open. I figured they'd transfer someone in to take her place - I never dreamed that our district manager would be calling me and telling me there was a possibility I could get the job. But sure enough, at a conference in Seattle, I found out that I was being promoted to store manager at Valley River Center's A&F. I'm really excited to have the opportunity - it's a huge responsibility and I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like all I have learned these past 6 months and all the hard work I've put in have paid off. It's nice to have a solid job and be the breadwinner while Nathan finishes school...there will be a time, I know, when I will want to spend time at home with our kids when they're young, but now, it feels good to be able to provide for my husband!

PS: here are a couple of my favorite candids from the wedding day - the professional pics can be seen at AdamsandFaith.com.

it's 9 days later...

I've been Mrs. Shaw for over a week and I am LOVING it! It's such a wonderful feeling to know that when I get home from work, my husband will be there. When I wake up in the morning, my husband will be beside me. At the end of the night, he doesn't have to leave me. And everything is OURS. To be honest, not much has really changed since we were already such an old married couple :) - just him living with me and, you know, the sex ;). I think I'll feel much more like we're married after next week when we've moved into our new apartment. We did end up deciding on Parkside after all and I just can't WAIT to be in a newer, nicer place with an extra room and a washer and dryer.
In other news, Nathan is interviewing with Hollister's District Manager on Wednesday for a position as their Stock Lead. Full-time, flexible with school and comes with benefits. It's pretty much a done deal that he'll get it and I am so excited for him. Bottom line, it means I can start looking for another job - with a photography studio - that has comparable pay but no necessarily benefits. Not that I'm leaving A&F right this second but I'll want to move on eventually.
Well, I have today off and so I'll be at home, packing and doing chores. Hooray.