HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Heres to an awesome year, with awesome people!

Mary Mack

Silly baby....

New years isn't until 12:00!

My day started with a trip to urgent care.
A z-pack and some other kind of medicine later we continued on with family festivities.
Fortunately my michigan family is supportive of my "angry birds" addiction.
The saga to kill the queen angry bird continues.

Mary Mack

Road trip

I have successfully played "angry birds" for 11 hours.
Seriously.
The sad part is we have only been driving for 8.
My man flu has not prevented me from smashing wood and glass with pudgy, explosive,  animated angry birds.
It also has not affected my appetite unless it has increased it.
Yesterday I ate miso soup, lipton soup, cheese, grilled cheese, ice cream, an eclair (thanks Katherine), and a fruit tart. I dont even know what tarts are, but I'm pretty sure I ate one.
I watched Real House Wives of New York for like 8 hours.

I'm an over achiever.

I have no voice still. I text Dave when I want something.

I probably should be ashamed of myself.
Poor Dave.
At least my catastrophe thinking went away.

Beast and I still have a future.
My eventing accomplishments have not been tainted or revoked. I may still make it to Rolex.
......
Just not if I have a head cold.
.......
I was thinking I could start a new blog called "confessions of a catastrophe thinker".

Back to todays road trip......
In between moments of full devotion to "angry birds" and distractions of Dave and Maggie talking (the man flu prevents all communication amongst the afflicted), I listened to the words of various songs.

"I want to play in an octopus's garden"?
I assume this is from the 60's.
Why were the Beetles allowed as role models?

Then Katy Perry was singing about "the one that got away."
Poor Russell. It sounded based on a true story.

I think we are in Toledo now. The past 24 hours is such a blur.
I can't wait to get to Nicky's house (Daves sister) and see everybody.

Maggie is being lazy and sleeping. She is full of chex mix. She didn't like the part where she rubbed the salt in her eye.
Silly baby.

I'm going to be full of night time Alka seltzer soon.
Ok, back to Angry Birds for me.

Then starting next week we will be back to the strictly professional blog that this should be.

Mary Mack

come together...

I had an AWESOME lesson with Sharon yesterday!

If by AWESOME you mean flopping around like a fish, and crying the last 15 minutes and not only feeling like your drunk, but also expressing it to your instructor. All though I believe my words were "I feel like I am hammered."

I have been sick. Not real bad, just like a head cold. Then it turned into a chest cold.

Then it turned into taking a lot of medicine and going to a lesson with Sharon White.

The lesson started out really well. Beast was happy and a rock star. I had to take off my spurs!

Then I started to come undone. Literally. I just flopped all over, all while hanging on my poor horses mouth for balance. The bad news (for me) is, she just jumped higher to try to do her job despite my disastrous riding. The worse news is, I just kept thinking I sucked and started to cry like a two year old that just got its toy taken away (bad....very bad).

So Sharon being wonderful as she is put the jumps down to see if I could balance better. Not so much.

Well then, she pointed out my balance was a mess.

I paid for my two lessons but loaded Callie and Beasty and drove out of there. At that point, I would have fallen off if I had tried to ride Callie.

I guess I am not one of those people , that can carry on no matter how they feel.

I am more one of those people who shuts down, pulls the blanket over my head and wakes up drooling to Lifetime movies in the background.

I definitely am not good at acting like a stable individual when sick. (Normally I am pretty good at pretending to be a stable individual :)

The funny part (although I am not to the funny stage yet) is Beast had the time of her life last night. Poor thing.

The good part was that Kelley, and Kim were there to soften the blow to my ego.

Kim assured me that I looked like a mess and I don't normally. I especially liked the "I don't normally" part.

Well we are suppose to be leaving for Michigan now and my arms are feeling like jello from typing this.

I should go nurse my man flu.

And...

Beast got her hur did.
She was a good girl!. Big shout out to katherine for doing it!
Also thank god for" A Bit Better Farm" for their hot water and awesomeness!
Maggie was a good girl all day. She hung out with Courtney while I had a lesson with Vanessa and rode Beasty. Then she helped me bathe Beast and Katherine clip.
She is out like a light now. She missed her nap today.
I'm sad my lessons at Darenth were canceled due to weather.... They won't be soon though, CAUSE WE ARE GETTING AN INDOOR!!!!!

The mares jump with Sharon tomorrow, teaching some amazing girls, then off to Michigan!

Mary Mack

Mary Mack

Mary Mack

Mary Mack

Hilarious.

Mary Mack

I have the best students ever!

All my students got together and got me a rain sheet for the girls.

It is Royal blue with yellow trim and white piping, and has "Red Hawke Eventing" on it. Beast wants to wear it at Fair Hill in the three day (cause you KNOW it will be raining) and Callie will do it when she does the one star at Plantation! (Another solid chance at rain!)

They also got me two new sets of boots for the horses.

Thanks you guys, you are the best! (Thank you to Rae for being such a great model)

In other horse news.....

Callie had the most amazing lesson ever yesterday. I am not kidding. She is moving like a different horse. I think this spring she will finally start getting the scores she deserves! Vanessa is the best, and I hope to get with Mara on the flat when we are in Aiken.

Beast jumped for the first time yesterday in FOREVER. That was quite the experience.

The first time she jumped, I almost fell off. Her rear end rocketed up in the air so high neither of us knew what happened. So I think the she realized her mechanics were working on a whole new level and got really excited. REALLY, REALLY excited. We zoomed around that ring like we were at games practice (much to my dismay).

I tried to jump a small 3'3'' oxer at the canter, which turned into a "I am not sure what just happened" but we were on landing side. I had to trot it so I could maintain some control. How funny is this? She felt so smooth over the jumps, gone was that pause and push she used to have.

The best part is I had no spurs on.

My mares are on fire. I will enjoy it while it is and expect it to be.

Wishing Little Ossi and Alison the happiest of birthdays!

Mags and I have a day of teaching, being tortured by Kari, walk hacks, and last minute preps for the big weekend!!!!

Mary Mack

It is

So I went to lunch with two old friends yesterday.

One of them was my partner in crime against anything serious back in the old days.

We participated in activities such as covering our bosses yard and porch with little paper doll trolls. 100's, we made them ourselves. We also documented the whole thing in night vision on the camera, so watching it was equally as funny as the act itself.

We both do art. Sometimes "odd to other people" art.

The other one is equally as interested in all things acupuncture and working out as I am.

It was fun. Imagine that!

I have found myself increasingly anti social with age.

It may be because I live with the two coolest people on the planet so I don't need many others. It may be because I am one of those people that just really like to be alone. It may be because I need to act like a 5 year old more.

So much to my dismay, my social calender is very full this week. I would really like to ride my mares at 5am and focus on hot yoga in a quiet room.

Fortunately for me it is with people I actually enjoy.

My solution is that I plan to act like a 5 year old at every function.

Or maybe a two year old.

I could do what Maggie does.

When i want a drink, I could just walk up to the waiter and shake my glass in her face and say more, MORE, MORE!!!!

If she tries to bring me something I do not like, I will throw myself on the ground and cry "NO, WATTTTTTER!"

Then I will order my dinner.

Once all the dinners arrive, I will stare at my plate, stare at Daves plate and then start pulling everything from him and shoving it in my mouth. I will not discriminate if it is already on route to his mouth.

If someone wants me to come with them somewhere, I will just stare at them. I will not actually move towards them. I will just stare. Then when they start to get really pissed, I will shift my weight like I am going to take a step and then when a smile of relief takes over their face.....I will actually take a step backwards.

I will wear diapers.

I will know enough to go get the diaper, the wipes, undo and put on my diaper, sit on the potty, wipe and flush......but I will reserve all waste for the diaper its self.

I will target all potty times for once the car is running, waiting for me to be put into my seat with my favorite toy.

IN FACT, I will demand a diaper change, then as someone goes to start the car, I will run and hide in my favorite spot and do a number 2 in my freshly changed diaper. Then I will look smug.

I will smear my fingers on all surfaces shiny.

I will put most focus on my sliding door and stainless steel refrigerator.

I will stand as close as possible to the tv.

I will unwrap Christmas presents.

I will torture the dogs.

I will cry.

I will scream with hilarity.

I will be responsible for nothing.

I will put whatever I want in my mouth.

I will roll around on the floor of every store I go into.

I will hide in clothes racks. I will wait until I hear true panic in my caretakers voice, then I will waltz out like they are acting weird. I was there the whole time?

I will take my clothes off whenever I feel like it.

I will chase cats and squeal in delight in my loudest voice possible.

I will kiss at will. Whether the receiver likes it or not. Whether the receiver is backed in a corner with their face scrunched in the "oh god no, I am only 12 months old, can barely walk and want you to go away" position.

I will make crafts then destroy them.

When I am tired I will not go to sleep. I will actually get more hyper and run from everyone I am with. With sheer abandon, with not a care in the world.

I will ask you 7,592 times if it is raining.

Better watch out Kari and Alison. I believe we are on for a date tomorrow night.

I will reserve diaper changing for Dave, but the rest is fair game.

If you don't get this blog post, I am so sorry for you.

I think it is time for my new tattoo.

Hannah on buckshot

This ones for Hannah....good job!

My little girl.

What you can not see is Elizabeth on the other side "helping" lead Happy.

Maggie is doing so well! (She is in the pink jacket)

Everyone at Darenth is rockin out in their lessons!

I had a really great lesson on Callie today at Vanessa's. All these lessons sure are paying off. I think Callie is really going to be sad to give up her spot to Beast. It will be bittersweet.

Callie is really starting to come over her back well. She tried hard for me, and she sure looks amazing when she goes well.

Beasty got traded in.

I now have Beasty the upgrade.

The newer version can sit and use her hind end so much it startles her.

I am in love.

Summer has ended her vacation. She is such a special horse.

I can't wait for this weekend!!!!

This weekend

Dave got homemade cake.
Bobby got to nap a lot.
We finished all christmas shopping.
Maggie made some people she loves something special.
Scruffy didn't run away.
Car was fixed.
It cost as much as Beasts hocks.
Thats cool.
Katie had the best lesson shes ever had.
Julia was pretty close also.
Kari made me cry. First when she worked me out (shes a trainer at the gym) then when she rode in a lesson (she looked so good and is giving her horse such confidence).
The Sharons rocked their lesson.
Hannah and Ameriah made me proud.
My mares are well.
Callie continues to have nap time at noon.

Its night two of Daves birthday weekend. Indian food, a movie, and more cake it is!

Mary Mack

Why Sharon White is awesome.

So yesterday is over.

I stuffed my face with Vietnamese food to make myself feel better.

It worked.

I am lucky to have a husband and people that listen to me whine on the phone when I am having a bad day.

Other then the motivation to get Beasts hocks done yesterday, I had one other shinning light to get me through.

MY AMAZING LESSON WITH SHARON WHITE.

I owe such a huge thanks to my friend Kim for pushing me to ride with her. Also watching local upper level rider Kelley Williams give the big names a run for their money helped persuade me to ride with Sharon. (She rides with Sharon)

Taking a lesson with her is like a quiet ass kicking.

I don't really know any way else to describe it.

She really is a person that has a little extra light to her, and she carries it and she shares it.

You can tell she loves this sport, and is genuinely interested and passionate about what she does.

Callie still struggles with a right drift. We have determined it's not as much a weakness as a habit. Sharon found a way to keep her straight, going through a grid, and we did it over and over and over!

My horse just went from level 2 of amazing to level 5.

Sharon used a couple different terms to work on my position and I got it!

I feel like I found the piece that has been missing!

Callie jumped some big girl fences and I saw a glimpse of her at the upper levels.

I like what I saw.

So here is a thanks to Sharon White.

I will try to tell her directly by riding my ass off and being the best I can. I will try to be as good of an instructor to my students as my instructors are to me. I will bring all the different explanations and and word choices to my students. I will try to bring a little piece of the light that Sharon gives me, to you!

I truly recommend her to anyone who rides and reads this blog.

She will tell you like it is, so if you are ready to try to be great, ride with her.

We can all be great.

PS. Beasty got her hocks done!!!!

So I ended up picking up Beast at Darenth to take to the clinic to get her hocks done.
Walked up the drive way, out to the field with grain in a goldfish bag (much safer then a bucket of grain....makes the same noise, but you can hide out from the aggressive fatty's).
Got Beast, thank god she let me catch her.
Walked down the driveway, loaded her and here I am.
At the clinic with a Dave and a sleeping baby.
Mary Mack

Today

Today started well. Maggie got up at 6 so we wrapped gifts upstairs.I told her to put them under the tree one by one and when I came down, the picture below is what I saw....the presents in the tree.
Then scruffy ran away out of our newly  fenced yard, for the fifth time.
Then while I was trying to see where scruffy was, maggie drew on
The kitchen island.
Then I found scruffy, covered in mud and burs, put her in the bathroom with bobby (also covered in mud) and some blankets and went upstairs. Maggie wa in time out  downstairs.
Maggie decided time out was over and took off her pants and diaper and went to go potty, letting the dogs out.
The vet says they will be early today.
Oh and I was already late for teaching.
Now I have taught Taylor (she had a great lesson) and my car is dead.
Maggie wants a ba ba.
I want to cry myself to sleep.
Thank god Daves job is only 40 min away.

It's only 1123 am.
Must get Beasts hocks done.

Mary Mack

Mary Mack

Callie is loved at Vanessa's

Callie got her very own stocking!!!!

Callie has been a rock star.

I started her on Ulcergaurd and I must say she responds better to that then any of the generic things.

Of course.....It's just like me, I am always drawn to the expensive stuff.

I have enjoyed my time focusing on her. I asked her if she was ready to be a big time horse. She looked at me with her eyes half way closed and said "I already am".

Beasty is happy happy happy!

I will be jumping Callie with Sharon White today! I am looking forward to it! I can not wait until I can take both girls again, but this vacation is doing a Beasty body good.

Summer will be returning to work again this week.

I am so excited about our driveway at Darenth. It is not only BEAUTIFUL, but they are even making it wider, and creating more space to turn trailers around.

Nick said that the guys who are doing the driveway said that they heard one of the ladies at the barn had a big rear and needed more space on the driveway. That would be me.

I am happy to have a big rear.

I am also tired of going to the dentist. One more visit and then I wont have a lisp every week on Wednesdays. Take it from me, don't keep pushing it off....no matter how scared or busy you are.

I am so excited for Christmas!!!!I have gotten the little bear (Maggie) so many cool presents! I also have gotten my family really rocking gifts.

Dave's birthday is this Saturday and we will have a family day on Sunday also! Enjoy the beautiful day!

Mary Mack

I have had two dressage lessons on Callie this week.

This is Vanessa

This is me

I am not sure in this particular image if I am going to cry out in pain, or vomit from my abs burning.

Either way, Callie is amazing and it's time to turn the fitness up a notch.

This is funny.
OK, enough procrastinating, yoga time.

Since I have been back....

I have missed the weather in San Diego.
Tuesday I was fortunate enough to ride the amazing Fiesta in a lesson with the amazing Jimmy Wofford.
It was a great lesson.
Placing rail oxer, oxer, oxer, placing rail.
We really worked on my position.
It was really all clicking in.
After my lesson, I took my sweet Callie over to Vanessa's to get settled in for the month.
I am excited because Callie will be getting three meals a day and extra hay. I love Vanessa.
Grocery store, cook, vacuum, and laundry.


Yesterday was such beautiful weather (I kid).
I spent the morning in the dentist's office, then went to Home Depot drooling on myself with a paralyzed face to buy some tile. (We are tiling the front entry way)

Then I rode my skinny minnie Callie. She was wonderful!
I wanted to swing by Darenth on my way to get Mags. Beasty looked very cheerful and showed no signs of skin sensitivity.
I am super excited.
.......Then I realized I had no car seat, so poor Dave got a phone call to pick up the little Boo Boo Bear.

Today Mags and I are dusting, mopping, watching Cinderella, and reading a little Harlan Coben. Then this afternoon it's a lesson on Callie, teaching, and the vet for Beasts final Tetracycline shot and hocks!!!!!
Yayyyyyy, my vet bill means no Christmas presents this year!

The Harpy Eagle is on display at the San Diego zoo.


I am in love with the Harpy Eagle.

The harpy eagle's legs can be as thick as a small child's wrist and their curved talonsare larger than grizzly bear claws: 5 inches (13 centimeters) long!

Goodbye beautiful San Diego....

See you at 430 am

Mary Mack

Mary Mack

Mary Mack

I'm to sexy....oops I'm TOO Sexy

Mary Mack

Thats you

Mary Mack

Mary Mack mn

Mary Mack

Mary Mack

Relaxed

So it's my last full day in california.
I'm ready to see Dave and my horses.....even my dogs.
I'm going to miss Joce, and Maggie will for sure miss Aiden. Today we are going to the San Diego Zoo. I'm so excited!
Tomorrow we wake up around 3 to go to the airport.Maggie will have her new dinosaurs with her. That is her new obsession.....dinosaurs. She likes to make them roar at each other, although as I type she is making them kiss. 
We have had some awesome bonding time. I remembered who I am without the constant stalking and obsession of my horses.
Thats what December is for right?
I am relaxed, happy, spending quality time with Maggie, and a good five pounds heavier.

The one downside of all this time off is my sister introducing me to Athleta. It's a store that has high end athletic clothes. If my sister in law Nicky hasn't been to one yet, I will introduce the poison to her. I have a feeling she knows just what it is.
Anyway, there is a store in La. The stuff is even more awesome in person. Too bad it's 9000000$. I kept chanting "vet bill", "vet bill".
Speaking of vet bills, Beast is doing well. I will start hacking her next week. I'm going to do her hocks this week also.
Stephen and I planed my mares events for the spring.
I am so happy to have the opportunity to go work with Stephen for the "kick off the season month".

I couldn't do any of this with out Dave. I can't wait to see him...but first, the ZOO!!!!!!
Mary Mack

Gizmo is in the car seat

And.....
I miss Mr. Macklin

Mary Mack

Galaway

Mary Mack

The lane right past Hawley Bennets farm.
Mary Mack

Galaway

The evil jump the horses hated!

Mary Mack

Why are the trees square?

Mary Mack

Mary and jocelyn the meerkat

Mary Mack

Mary Mack

La!

Mary Mack

Hollywood sign!

Mary Mack

Where am I

On six hours of sleep in two days and a slap happy two year old, I find myself deliriously shopping and watching mario lopez walk by.

Mary Mack

Mary Mack

Sharon and Harmony looking sharp!

Mary Mack

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Mary Macklin" <mary.macklin1@gmail.com>
Date: Nov 28, 2011 6:56 PM
Subject: Fwd: Pic $3
To: "Sharon L" <sharon@ridgeequipment.com>

Mary Mack

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "katherine.rizzo@equiery.com" <katherine.rizzo@equiery.com>
Date: Nov 28, 2011 7:55 AM
Subject: Pic $3
To: <mary.macklin1@gmail.com>, <editor@equiery.com>



Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

Dumb and dumber

Mary Mack

Maggie & Aiden in San Diego

Mary Mack

Rafferty and I at the hunter pace!!!!

I enjoyed riding him!

Mary Mack

air port 5 am!

Mary Mack