I went to Busch Gardens many years ago, and now I get to go again!!!

Hubby and I are going to FL to visit his father for Father's Day next week. I didn't really want to go visit, but I made him promise to take me to Busch Gardens Friday. It's kinda weird being around my hubby's family (or people in general, really). I have nothing in common with them really, so I never have anything interesting to share. My life revolves around my hubby, teaching, and animals. They are so into tennis (and his wife's cheerleader daughters), and I can't even work up enough enthusiasm to feign interest. So Busch Gardens will be the only high point. I will get some pics to post.

Other news:

Angel is still pregnant. She is resuming her training and still doesn't want to pick up her right lead. She is also heavy on the forehand, and still a bit stubborn. The trainer says she would be a good horse for hunter pleasure, but I have no idea how to ride that. I never had much training when it comes to riding horses. I know how to hang on, how to fall off, and get the horse to run the pattern. I have a lot to learn if I want to show in these classes. Ugh! I wish I could have stuck with the lessons, I will look like such an idiot, an adult taking riding lessons after riding one way for nearly 20 years. This is going to be so difficult for me. If you are reading this, look forward to some really ridiculous pics of me pretty soon. (Me, in jodhpurs and a helment! LOL)

Ok, so I have been stressing about the state test my students had to take a few weeks ago. But good news, about 98% of them passed it. Yay! Summer is almost here, hehe... Can't wait!!!

Also, I am planning on going to NY and FL this summer, so I will get some good pics to post. Beaches, concerts, theme parks, water parks, exotic animals... So much fun!!!

More good news--> We had taken Angel to get bred to HG Esquire (gorgeous Arabian stallion at Willow Hill Equestrian) at the end of April/beginning of May, and we went and picked her up last week after she had been confirmed 14 days in foal. We took her yesterday to make sure she was still pregnant, and she was confirmed 30 days in foal. I am so thrilled with this news. I hope the foal takes after its mom in all ways except height. Even the breeder/trainer said the only thing keeping Angel back is her height, "nice movement, she can move just like the big horses." He also said she was very well behaved and calm. I knew she would be. Most things don't bother her much.

Anyway, hoping to get some more pics up soon, I don't ever seem to have the camera with me when I need it...

Ok, so even though the horse show didn't have a lot of people there (nothing compared to the MWHSA shows in MS), I still had fun, and Prince had fun too. Prince placed 1st in barrels and poles (against some NBHA horses), and 2nd in modified keyhole and modified flag race. Those were the only 4 classes I entered him in. I have been a little miffed at the lack of speed event shows here, and I know Prince enjoyed the opportunity to stretch his legs. He hasn't been shown competitively in several years, except the Boydton horse show, but I don't count that because even though he placed 1st, he was out of shape and running the events in a grassy baseball field. At this show, Prince was the epitome of what a speed event horse should be. He was calm and relaxed before and after each run, only getting hyped as he entered the gate at a run. He let all the kids play with him and pet him, and of course, let me sit on him however I wanted without moving away from his "safe spot." The NBHA horses that were there, however, acted a little bit more typically, spinning and rearing as they were directed to the gate, running wildly in the arena, and only calming down once their riders were off. The riders themselves seemed a little inexperienced, since they could barely get the horses to stop once they ran out of the arena. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself a little at this. I really enjoy kicking butt on my "underdog." Everyone always underestimates him because he doesn't look or act like a typical speed event horse. He is skin and bones, but he just loves to run. Anyway, I have some pics of Prince at the show to go along with this journal. They should be up as soon as I get this posted.

There is a horse show this weekend in South Boston, about 30 mins from me. I know Prince isn't in the best shape, but still, I think we will do well. Not many people up here run speed events, most of it is jumping and other English "stuff." Prince usually does well because he looks like the underdog, skin & bones, and laid back as long as no one is on him. When people first see him run, they are taken aback by his speed.

One of my mares, Angel, is in Gordonsville right now getting bred to HG Esquire, I really hope she takes. HG Esquire is a really gorgeous, fabulous Arabian. She has also been going through training. She has had 6 lessons and is learning very fast. Her trainer is very pleased. Angel is learning sidepasses, how to collect properly, going over poles, low jumps, responding to pressure, lead changes, and how to move forward. It seems like a lot to learn, but she is doing very well, and hasn't once offered to buck or rear (not that she ever has). She has only had 6 lessons and already knows more than Prince, lol. But, as my trainer said, speed event horses have their own mind, and most of them are out of it, lol. Anyway, we may be able to go pick Angel back up Sunday, if the vet clears her as taking.

As far as Avatar & Twilight go, I am still reading several fanfics, and trying to keep all the stories straight, but it is really hard to. If you are interested in Twilight fanfics, PoweredByStarlight at ff.net has 3 really good stories up. I think they rival the original, if not better. And these are updated about once a week, so not too long of a wait between chapters. I haven't looked for Twilight fics here yet, so if you know of any good ones, let me know. I just finished reading Capture of the Maiden, an Avatar fanfic, and I must say I was thoroughly delighted by the writing and plot of that fic.

I will probably not be on here too much during May, as SOL testing starts in our school next week, and doesn't end until the end of May. I don't really get too stressed about it, but the students and principals do, as well as some of the other teachers. It just gets really hard to talk to anyone about anything because most everyone is on edge. Ugh, it is really annoying! I hate standardized testing. It is really a waste of time.

I will be so happy when May is over. I will know for sure whether Angel is preggos or not, how my students did on their test, and hopefully Prince will have a few more ribbons to hang by his papers.

It has been a long time since I have added a journal entry. I guess I could say nothing extremely important has happened, at least, nothing that anyone else would think of as important. Well, I guess I should have kept this thing up to date, as well as communicated better with my friends here.

Sad News Follows...

This morning, hubby went to take dogs out for their morning bathroom break as he always does. One of our dogs, Manhattan, who is always very happy and hoppy ran across the street to smell the neighbor's snowman. As she was headed back, a small red pickup that was speeding down the road hit her. We drove her to the vet as quickly as possible, but she didn't make it. Hubby is real upset, and is crying and swearing vengeance on the driver of that truck. He saw the whole thing happen. I was still in bed, half-asleep. My parents are outside now digging a hole to bury her in. I am really upset and crying myself. I know we should have had her on a leash. I know I should have been out there to help. I shouldn't have been so lazy. There is nothing I can do about it now, she is gone.