Happy Outfit day everyone! You already know I rode on Saturday, so I have a riding outfit to share! And a work outfit of course, but that's the norm. So let's start with pony clothes!
Yep, BLUE!!! I finally got to ride in all my new blue stuff. So exciting!
Helmet: Charles Owen JR8
I loved that the sparkles are also blue tones. Slightly more subtle (just slightly) than the silver sparkly version.
Jacket: Uniqlo
Sweater: Eddie Bauer
Layers cause Spring won't show itself.
Belt: Mane Jane
I think I'm almost to the point of having a Mane Jane belt strap for every outfit. Shut up, I know I have a problem.
Breeches: Smart Pak Pipers
So fun fact, these are the mid rise pipers. They run a bit smaller than the low rise. I like where they sit, but I should have sized up (or should cut down on the snacks...)
Half Chaps and Paddock Boots: Caballo
You guys. I loved these when I first saw them, and I love them even more after riding in them. They have ZERO break in time. None. I got on and felt like I've ridden in them forever. Seriously, go order some. DO IT!
Spurs: Color Tack
Spur straps: Stacie Originals
Did I neglect to mention that I also got a bronze pair of spurs from Color Tack when I was in Wellington last? I couldn't wait for mine to get back so I might have also bought a pair... If in fact I did do that, these are them up there in the photo. The spur straps I made. I used on glue on buckles though, so time will tell if that's going to work or not.
Ok, time for today's work outfit:
Rio's getting a visit from the vet at some point today, so I needed something that could also function in the barn. This outfit should serve both purposes just fine!
Sweater: Asos
Why, yes, those ARE Pug elbow patches. Thanks for noticing! The sweater itself is just a plain heather gray pull over, but it's those elbows that make it awesome.
Jeans: Wallflower
I love these pants. Definitely need to find more from this brand.
Belt: C4
You know those photos of dogs getting balls under water? C4 put those images on a belt. AND THERE'S A PUG! Obviously I had to have that. And it works quite well with my Pug elbows!
Shoes: Bob's by Skechers
PUG SHOES! I was very anti Bob's for awhile because I felt they were just knock off Tom's and it's not nice to steal. But then I discovered that Bob's made Pug shoes and Tom didn't, and I changed my opinion. Clearly, I can be bought. My price is Pug shoes. Also, since it's not actually warm out...
Pug socks too! Duh. Come on, this can't surprise you.
Arm Party:
Lefty:
Lefty is wearing two bracelets I won in the Pug Rescue of New England fund raiser auction. They are adorable with my trusty apple watch.
Righty:
Righty also kept up with the theme. First is a bracelet I got from Etsy for an ungodly amount of money. (Totally worth it by the way.) The other three are bracelets I made. The middle one has my name on it. The ones with the Pug's names on them have the following beads spaced around them: dog bones, fire hydrants, paw prints, and obviously, little Pugs! Pretty cute if you ask me. But you shouldn't since I'm biased.
And that's what I'm wearing today (and last Saturday). What do you have on? Any favorites from today? Have you ever tried Caballo boots or half chaps?
Well... It's Wednesday. The day I was going to fly down to see Badger. But I decided to stick around to keep an eye on Rio. He's still about the same. Chewing on the hay and spitting it out, but he is eating some of it at least. Otherwise he's in good spirits and he looks great. Very strange. My vet is in the area tomorrow so he's going to stop by and see what he thinks. Keep your fingers crossed he thinks good things.
The past week was pretty quiet other than all the Rio drama. But in a strange turn of events, I actually got to ride Jamp! Saturday it was kind of misting out and not a very nice day, but it was fairly warm. So I threw Jamp on the lunge line and then got on him. I have zero media, sorry... But he was pretty good for the first ride in quite awhile. Obviously we didn't do much, just walk. trot, canter each way. It sure was nice to be back in the saddle. Rio had a lunge too, but you saw that yesterday. I'm saving Romey's big return to work until hopefully this weekend, but I'm not sure the weather will cooperate. We shall see.
They all got shoes on Saturday.
Rio and Jamp weren't in bad shape. Romey however was kind of a mess. We had pulled his shoes when he popped a quarter crack at the beginning of winter. It grew right out which was great. The problem is that his left front grows very flat, sort of out instead of down. So his heel was too low and was getting sore. Now he has shoes back on and seems much happier. All of that is part of why I held off on starting him over the weekend. The other part is because I just didn't really want to. He's not going to be easy to get back to work.
I went out to the ring after their pedicures were done to pick up all the jumps that had blown over. And discovered my termite problem:
And by termite problem, I'm referring to his royal perfectness, Mr. Rio. It's a good thing he's the best horse on the planet or I'd be upset with him. Seriously though, he ate through the whole thing!
I was scheduled to complete week 5 day 2 of Couch to 5K on Saturday and I spent most of the day talking myself into putting it off until Sunday. But finally I made myself get on the treadmill. I found the perfect way to stay entertained for the duration though:
The last WEF grand prix obviously! It was an exciting grand prix and made the time on the treadmill nearly fly by. Too bad I can't watch horse shows when I run outdoors.
I spent all day (pretty literally) Sunday trying to pack for my trip. I think I had so much trouble because deep down I knew I wasn't going.
Monday I had gotten myself all worked up over Rio once again. But the mail gods must have known I could use a little pick me up because my orphan boots from La Mundial had finally arrived! The one blue pair had needed some alterations, and they took a bit longer than planned. No worries though, it's not like I needed them! The first two photos are the navy boots, and the bottom pair are the black ones with the navy patent tops. Please excuse my running tights...
So neither fits me like customs, but they are great for what I paid for them. The navy pair is a bit too short, but the legs fit perfectly! The black pair is a little wide at the top and the foot might be like a quarter size too big, but they fit my wide calves perfectly! Both pairs are really comfy. I wore them around the barn while I was feeding and cleaning up, and the ankles were already dropping and getting nice and soft.
The pugs are with me in waiting impatiently for some nice weather.
They've decided to just hibernate until it actually gets nice out. I may join them.
How was your week? Did you get to do anything fun? Go to a horse show? Run a race? Tell me all about it in the comments!
I generally like to share something silly or light hearted for Truthful Tuesday, but today I have to share some feels. I'll start with a confession to keep with Truthful Tuesday traditions. Today's confession is that I cried in public yesterday. Not really my m.o. I have a tiny, little, cold, black heart. NO EMOTIONS IN PUBLIC. Except maybe disdain or disgust. Those are allowed. So what could possibly cause my eyes to start leaking in public you ask?
Well... This guy:
It's always this guy. This one just has my heart. Most of it belongs to him. There's a small part that keeps me alive, but all the rest is his. Before you really panic, I will give a spoiler alert. He is OK. For now at least. But I wasn't so sure. Let's back up so this rambling can make some sense.
About a week ago, Rio started being really picky with his hay and just wasn't finishing it. I wasn't terribly worried because I was at the tail end of my last hay delivery (which came in the rain) and I was finding moldy bales. Obviously I didn't feed those, but if they're all hanging out together, even the good bales were probably a bit musty. And SOMEONE can be picky. Also he was due for his dental. So I was hopeful those two things were the cause of his being offended by the meal offerings.
Obviously he hasn't lost any weight despite his not finishing his salads. I was pretty close to running out of hay before my delivery would arrive, so I bought some stupid expensive bales from the feed store. They were actually really nice quality, second cut timothy/alfalfa mix. But he wouldn't eat that either.
For those of you who don't know the whole story about Rio's EPM, it started with a hay eating problem. He was spitting out hay for a bit before not eating it at all and then he quickly deteriorated landing him at Cornell for a two and a half week visit. I wasn't sure he'd come back from it. But he did.
He has chronic EPM though, and has to stay on Ponazuril for the rest of his life. And now maybe you're starting to understand the aforementioned public water works.... Since Rio is on Ponazuril already, there isn't a whole lot more we can do for him should he relapse. We can try him on Oroquin, but historically that hasn't worked for him.
My vet gets the Ponazuril compounded for him. I have always felt like Marquis is a bit more effective for him than the compound, but the small difference in him between the two didn't justify the price difference. (Marquis is about $900 per month, the compound is around $300.) I keep a tube of Marquis in the barn though in case we run out of the other so I decided to switch him and see if it helped. Next Spoiler: It didn't seem to be making a difference.
I threw him on the lunge line Saturday and he looked pretty impressive despite his refusal to eat hay.
Saturday he started eating hay again. Or so it seemed. But actually he was just chewing it up and spitting out. Not actually eating any of it. He was having no trouble eating his grain, or cookies, or carrots. But hay was a real problem. I keep a tub full of chopped hay in front of him all the time (just in case this sort of thing should arise) and he's been able to eat that. But I know he prefers actual hay. So he's getting nutrition and he's definitely not starving, but he's definitely frustrated about the hay. And I was fearing this was The Thing.
When you have an elderly horse with a chronic degenerative illness, you live in somewhat constant fear of The Thing. The Thing that leads to the end. You don't know what The Thing might be, but you know it's looming. And by Sunday I was sure this was it. I'd worked myself up so badly I really wasn't fit for public display. But even a worked up amateur needs to eat, so I ventured out for a sandwich, hoping not to run into anyone I knew. Of course that pretty much never happens when you need it to, and one of my book club friends happened to be at the deli too. I was happy to see her, of course, just, you know, I wasn't fit for socialization. Things started normally enough with us both complaining about the weather. Naturally this conversation led to my mentioning I was supposed to leave for Florida on Wednesday to visit Badger. I should have just stopped there, but then I went on to say that I might not go. And then why. And well, there I was blubbering like a baby. Thankfully I got that under control, we bitched about the weather some more, talked about our book, and we both made it out of there alive. (Touch and go there for a minute.)
I was waiting until Monday to check in with the vet, since despite my emotions running amok, it really wasn't an emergency. I try not to be THAT client when I can help it. To be honest, I was dreading the conversation. By Sunday night I was certain this was The Thing, and that this was the week it would all come to an end. I stayed up really late on Sunday night trying to delay the inevitable conversation.
Monday morning arrived despite my best efforts. I figured I should wait until I got to work to call, because you know, not wanting to be THAT CLIENT. And then I realized I couldn't have that conversation out loud. I had already cried in public once this week, that COULD NOT happen at work. Nope. Not happening. So I took the super mature approach and texted instead. A pit forming in my stomach and the lump already in my throat as I hit send.
But you know what I love most about my vet? He loves my horse almost as much as I do. He never gives up on Rio. Not ever. Not when I thought we had to when he first got sick and definitely not now. He texted back with some other things to try. And that his office would get the meds to me tomorrow. And you know what happened later in the day? Rio started eating hay again. And drinking more water again (he also wasn't drinking as much as normal. He wasn't dehydrated, but it was a noticeable difference in fluid intake). So I will check in again tomorrow to see if I should keep him on the marquis a bit longer and see how that goes, or if I should make the switch.
I'm starting to feel a little better about things, and that maybe this isn't actually The Thing. I'm so incredibly grateful for my vet and his unwavering support of and HOPE for Rio. It warms my little cold heart. Almost as much as this guy does. Whenever The Thing finally happens, it's not going to be pretty my friends.
Outfit Day! And it's a repeat... I had a really cute new sweater planned for today, but when I put it on, I wasn't feeling it all. So I went with an old stand by. I'm pretty sure you've seen this entire outfit already. Whatevs... it's still one of my favorites!
I think I see where all those cookies went to... Anyway, you might notice that this is not at all a spring time look. Well, there's good reason for that. It's still freezing here. Quite literally- it was 28 degrees when I left the house this morning. Supposed to start warming up tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
Sweater: The Collection
I found this one on Zulily, I think last year. It's really soft and cozy. I wear it all the time!
Jeans: Early Jeans
My sweater fuzzed all over them, but these are actually black jeans. Very comfy, and obviously have a decent amount of stretch to them.
Boots: Tommy Hilfiger
I have absolutely gotten my money's worth from these boots. I wear them ALL winter and they still look great.
Arm Party! Left:
Lefty is donning some hand painted bangles from Deux Chevaux. I think they look great with the apple watch!
Righty:
Righty is wearing this adorable Coach bracelet my mom gave me for Chanukah, a vintage leather and gold plated bangle I found on Ebay, and the black leather snap bangle from my sister in law. Lots of pretty presents on this arm today!
And that's all I have for you today. I slept past run time again, but I'm going to do it tonight after the ponies are tended to and the errands are run. Hopefully next week I'll have a riding outfit for you since I'll be hanging with the Badge!
What are you wearing today? How's the weather where you are? Any favorites from today?
Well... This will be short. We had a warm day here on Tuesday. It almost reached 60! Almost. But today (a mere day later) the high was 30. Tomorrow doesn't look any better. I don't think I'll ever get these horses back to work. But just in case I do, the tall kids got their vaccinations and dentals done.
Jampy was so good for his dental I didn't get a chance to get a picture of him. But he had his teeth done too.
It's supposed to rain all weekend, so I guess the ponies can milk winter vacation a little bit longer. I'm heading back down to see Badger on Wednesday, so I guess it doesn't make much sense to put the horses back into a program for like 3 days and then leave. But when I get back, they best be ready to work!
Nothing really exciting to report from the last week other than the vet appointment. Everyone's been getting lots of groomies to get them looking shiny and short haired for spring. They're a little annoyed about that since it's currently 25 degrees out. Sorry guys...
What's up with you this Wednesday? Have anything exciting coming up?
Um.... I might have dove off the diet bandwagon today.... The day started off on the right note. I got up almost on time, completed week 4 day 3 of Couch to 5K, and headed off to work. I had one of those single serve boxes of fruit loops for breakfast. That probably wasn't the healthiest choice, but could be worse right? I mean, it's not a donut!
I took an early and extended lunch break at 11:30 to meet the vet for spring vaccinations and tooth floating. And this is when things took a turn. My convenient lunch place closes at 2, so I didn't get done with the vet in time to stop there. Instead, I had to settle for the highway rest stop. Options are limited there: Dunkin Donuts (long line), Subway (holy crap, they ROB you there on the hightway. NOPE!), and McDonalds. If you know me at all, you know it was an easy choice. I got a filet o'fish, a medium fries, and medium coke. Yep. That right there is when the diving off the diet wagon started. But it gets worse.
Once inhaling enjoying my fried lunch was completed, I moved on to the wall of girl scout cookies I've been keeping in my office. I ate a row and a half of tagalongs. That's like 600 calories. Totally worth it.
I had big plans of eating healthy for dinner. I was going to groom the ponies and then head to the grocery store to restock the fridge with healthy food. Except I didn't do step 2. I imagine you can see where this is going....
For dinner I wound up eating a microwave pizza followed by binge eating chocolate. Someone please remind me of today when I complain about nothing fitting me and my being excessively... fluffy.
Can you commiserate with me on this? Please share your story below if so. Have anything else you need to confess today?
Happy Outfit Day everyone! It's still wintering here in the northeast, so I have no riding outfit to share. I was going to have a running outfit instead, but I overslept, so you don't get that either. But I do have a work outfit! And some fab boots to go with it...
As you can see, due to the freezing cold weather, I've basically given up on looking good. But the boots you guys!
Sweater: H&M
I love the variegated greens in this one. I saw it at H&M in Florida SUPER on sale, and I got grabby hands for it.
Jeans: Twentyone Black
These jeans are stupid comfy. They have lots of stretchy to them, and I think the zipper pocket is really cute.
Belt: Mane Jane
I know, you're probably getting tired of it already. Or are not so patiently waiting to see the flip side. Sorry guys, we'll get there soon, I promise!
Boots: Donald Pliner
Ahhhhh! Aren't they pretty?! They're hunter green with a bronze undertone, making them slightly metallic. I have an awesome hunter green leather jacket that goes really well, but it was too cold for it today. I have a confession about these boots... They're not exactly my size... By the time I discovered these, they were already closeouts. While I did find a pair in my size, it was a really expensive pair. I figured I could make the bigger pair work since they were $125 cheaper. So far so good. I may go get a nice thick inner sole for them, but I haven't fallen over my feet yet, so I don't think they're too bad.
Arm Party!
Lefty:
Lefty is sporting my most favorite Gucci bit bracelet along with a really cute beaded bracelet with a pewter pug on it. I bid on that little guy at the Pug Rescue of New England charity auction. I was so happy to win him!
Righty:
Are you tired of my home made bracelets yet? I hope not. There are a lot more to come. I LOVED this metallic faux leather when I saw it online. I was pretty confident it would be cute with a pony clasp. Not to brag... but I was right. This one is a little more kelly green than hunter, but I have some hunter that just arrived that's very similar, so expect to see that soon!
And that's what I'm wearing today! What do you have on? Any favorites from today?
