My First Post

I guess I'm jumping on the bandwagon. My Dad had one of these and now my brother does as well. So I thought....what the heck, I'll do one too. So here we are. The beginning of November already and it feels like the year just started. As most people who know me know...it has been a year full of ups and downs. 2007 started off fairly well for myself and my new husband. We took our honeymoon in January. It was decided that we would trek to Florida and hit the Disney Parks, visiting friends and family on the way down and back. It was a long two weeks but well worth the trip. Dad was having one of his many hospital treatments at the time but was home on our return trip. We also had the opportunity to visit Lou's brother in Gainesville, FL. After hitting Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM and Animal Kingdom we are completely amusement parked out. The last day we visited Gater World and did some go cart racing. On our way back we stopped at my horsey friend's house in Washington, GA. Margaret let me ride a few of her beautious horses and then we headed to Lou's aint's house near Aiken, SC. This horsey girl couldn't get her fill of the area. It was so beautiful and so rich in horsey history.

Next we headed to Donna and Tony's house for a visit. Donna is one of my Mother-in-Law's best friends. She suffered from Lou Gehrigs Disease. This was the last time we saw her as she just passed away on Oct. 30.

Oddly enough that was also the two month mark since my father passed away.

We had some really great luck racing and winning at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately by the late spring we had to disasters on the racetrack. First a gelding we bought broke his sesmoid bones in the left front ankle and had to be put down on the track. It was only the second time we had run him, the first being a win. Next we lost the cutest little mare. A freak bad step turning for home in her race and she snapped her left front leg and also had to be put down. These two accidents were only three weeks apart.

This summer was filled with trips back and forth to VA to visit my parents. It all seems like a blur to me now. I wouldn't trade that time I had with my Dad for anything though.

We told my parents in May that they would be new grandparents come January. My Mom was incredibly excited and I'm sure Dad was too. But if any of you knew my Dad well, he wasn't one to jump up and down and yell "horray!!" with good news. I know he was happy though because even when he was really sick he would ask me about how I felt and how things were going.

One afternoon we were all sitting in their living room discussing names for the baby. Dad said his great grandmother's name was "Hannah" and how much he liked that name. So I asked him for a boy's name and he said, "You don't need one...." I asked him if he was sure and he said, "yep!"

A month later we found out we were having a GIRL. Her name will be "Hannah Elizabeth."

I think things are finally starting to settle down and get back to normal. We are really busy racing now. The horses are ready to run and all feeling well.

I sent my personal riding horse to a friend in MD to try out for a while. She might buy him for her own show horse so we'll cross our fingers that he behaves himself.

My filly is enjoying her break this year and is living outside with her buddies. She's as fat as a tick! I did buy another young gelding to resell but found he's much nicer than I had anticipated and I want to keep him for myself! If I hadn't bought him we was destined for the haul to Sugarcreek Auction. Notorius for selling to the killers. We will see what happens with him in the spring when I am capable to riding again.

I'm gearing up for my baby shower on the 17th of this month. Also some close friends have arranged an overnighter girl's night in for me on the 10th. I'm really looking forward to it.

Mom will be here on the 16th and will be staying through Thanksgiving. I'm excited to have her here.

OH!! And how could I forget. We finally ordered one of those adjustable number beds. I can't wait to finally get a good night's sleep. They say it should be here in two weeks. Other than that, the carpet cleaners are coming tuesday and my next doctor appointment is on the 13th!

Whew! I wrote a novel!

OKay, tonight's race is the 7th at Mountaineer. The horse's name is " A Good Day To Run."

Let's hope he runs well and comes home safe!