10 week horseback riding challenge

Used a new bit on Quincy. He did perfect! He responded beautifully to direction without gaping mouth or head tossing. He even stopped as requested without having to get in his mouth. So happy! He was like a brand new horse. Excited to take him outside the pasture this weekend. Think I might actually take him somewhere. Gonna ride tonight and Thursday in the pasture, then Saturday, we will try the cattle lease. If he does good, I will take him with us to Eufala for the weekend. So proud of him.

My best friend died unexpectedly yesterday morning in the lobby of my place of work. She was 39. Her 40th birthday is next Friday. Mine is March 24th. For the last 5 years, every year we have a big bash to celebrate both out birthdays and St Patrick's Day. This year we were all going to get tattoos. Now she is gone. When I left the hospital, I had just enough day light to get a 20 minute ride in on Quincy. He was a perfect gentleman again, and was a very kind listener. I feel closest to God while on horseback, and I needed to pray real hard. I spoke to God, and I spoke to my friend Laurel. As hard as this is now, I know it will only get worse with the passing of time. So many plans we had made that are just gone. I was going to plan her wedding, she was going to plan my baby shower. We were going to terrorize the nursing home folks. We were going to have a huge retirement bash. I have to walk past the place she died every day now when I come to work. I dont know if I can do it. I miss her so much, and its only been 24hrs. I am so glad I have my horses to help get me through this. They listen, carry me closer to God. I only got to share horseback riding with Laurel one time. I hope she heard me.

I had a dream that put me at peace Saturday night. I have accepted that she is gone and am focusing on comforting her mom and out closest friends. I did not have time or weather conducive to riding over the weekend, but I got a lot of reflecting done and can finally talk about her without crying. I have a strong support system, even though she was the strongest one I ever had. Normally, she would be the one comforting me through turmoil like this. I miss her terribly, but I know she is happy. The medical examiner said it was blood clots.

I managed to get off work tomorrow. The funeral is at 2, so we are getting up early to go ride at Prague Lake for an hour or so. Then the weather is nice for Friday and Sunday at Lake Eufala. Might stay an extra night since Saturday is supposed to be thunder storms all day. We will be fishing Sunday morning instead of Saturday.

I took my horses to Lake Eufala. Rode the trail a little while, but it is all rocks. Ended up riding back along the road. I will not be going back there to ride. Kind of a bummer, but I was very sick anyhow and should not have been riding at all. But I did not haul my horses over 100 miles for 4 days to sit in stalls. LOL If I am better this weekend, we will be going to Prague Lake. They have perfect trails. And much closer and cheaper!