A Big Thank You And Updates!

First, I'd like to thank each and every one of you for leaving your comments on my OH's food dislikes! We laughed so hard while reading them, and it is also great to know more about all of your food likes and dislikes! I know we all have our favorites and least favorites, and it sure is interesting to see what they are! One of these days I will have to share what some of mine are. For now I am going to just fill you all in on what has been going on around these parts.

I came down with a head cold a week ago, and on New Years Eve it went into my chest. So I didn't do anything for New Years. Actually, my OH went to bed around 9:00 and I just cuddled on the couch with Bailey and Dakota, and watched t.v. Fun, huh? Since I was off on New Years day, and I also opted to take Saturday off, which gave me a 4 day weekend, probably the last 4 days off in a row until next year, I was hoping to get some quality Chance time in. But that wasn't in the cards for me. This chest cold had me down all weekend, so I spent most of my days on the couch. I did happen to get our Christmas tree taken down, but really, that is about it. I feel so bad, I really wanted to get some Chance time! Plus the weather was perfect, no rain, or freezing temps, it was cloudy but around the low 40's, perfect! But on Christmas weekend I did get to do some training with Chance, so I will just use the pictures from then. My parents were up for Christmas, so the day after Christmas, I brought out Chance to show my family. This was the first time my parents were going to see Chance in person and I was really excited. I took her up to the arena, and she did so well. But on the way back to her pasture, she had to act up, she wanted to trot off and not listen to me. Then when I try to get her to mind, she overreacts by rearing, so we had to have a leading lesson.

She kept trying to rush past me and the gate, so I would turn her around and walk her back the other way, we would do this until she calmed down and walked calmly.



She would get frustrated and rear up. It didn't help any that the ground was frozen solid, covered in frost, and very slippery! I thought I was going to end up on my butt!



When I tried to correct her behavior, she would just throw her head around and rear, I had my OH get my dressage whip out. I have had enough of the rearing. She is going to learn that rearing is NOT okay. She is getting much bigger and stronger, so I need to get this under control, NOW!



Of course the minute she does what she is supposed to do, she gets lots of praise. We would continue walking, once she started trotting or not listening, we would turn back around and start over. My goal was to get her to walk calmly to the gate and to not overreact with rearing.



Chance is such a smart little whippersnapper, that she was walking calmly pretty quickly. This is when I put her away. Although 2 days later, I brought her out to work on the same thing, she again overreacted by rearing, she got the whip on her front legs, before you know it, she was done rearing and walking pretty nicely. This is what I was hoping to work on this weekend, until I got sick. So my next goal with Chance is to get her leading in "other" places, she needs to get out and explore the world more! But I have to make sure I can control her, and that she gets over the rearing.



My sister made us family members some Christmas presents. She is so creative, and I just love it when she makes us things! This is a sign that I can hang somewhere in my house. I love the phrase, because I believe that we all should take a chance at something, doesn't matter what it may be. I just chose to take a chance at adopting a Mustang!



My sister also framed a picture of me and Chance, when she gave me her first kiss! I have always loved this picture, and was so excited that she did this for me!



I also received 4 calendars for Christmas, 3 from my OH. There is a funny story about the calendars. He bought me 2 for Christmas, but while we were out shopping at the pet store, I found an Australian Shepherd calendar that I just had to have. So I bought it. But my OH had already bought 2 for me, so I told him that he could pick one of the ones that he bought me and we would give it to my mom. Well, as I was wrapping my own presents (my OH already had them in boxes and sealed with duck tape, so I couldn't peek, he says), he had the one calendar out that we were going to give to my mom, and I loved it! So I told him I wanted it and we could get another one for my mom, and the place just happened to have one left of the one I really liked, so my mom got the same calendar. Oh, and that Australian Shepherd calendar that I bought? Yep, he put it in a box and had me wrap it! I was wondering where that calendar went!



Other than that, I have been staying toasty warm, with a fire in the wood stove.



We have been letting the crazy Aussie's come in to hang out. Unfortunately, Sadie had a relapse, and went after Bailey. She really wanted a chew toy he had, and started stalking him. I could tell by the look in her eye that she might try something, so I was trying to keep her mind off of Bailey. But she ended up attacking him. My OH was able to break it up and put Sadie back in the garage for her time out. I was very disappointed. She had been so good for 7 months! But I will not let this setback get me down. We will persevere. I know in my heart and soul that she can live with Bailey. She is over the garage issue and me coming home issue, so I know she can overcome the being in the house issue. That seems to be the last problem we have. One step at a time.......



She looks so sad outside, and it breaks my heart.



And look who is a big girl now!!



Do you see what I see? Yep, Chance has finally become a halter-less Mustang!! Yippee!! It was kind of funny, because the first day I had to go catch her was the day my parents were here, and she did so well. She moved her nose around a bit, but she allowed me to put the halter on and buckle it. I am sure one of these days she might not let me catch her, but I am just so happy to see that face without a halter!



And it is a cute face, isn't it?