Yup, I think maybe it's time I update my poor outdated journal.

I can't believe I'm saying this but.....I'm going to have Breez bred again this summer. I want that foal so bad. I'm going with the same stallion. Clearly, it wasn't his problem with nearly perfect semen. I don't know whose problem it was, frankly. The vet should be coming out soon to check her. The stallion has a show the first week of June, which of course, means she's going to ovulate right about then.

Last weekend was Lovefeast. It was fun, cuz I stayed over at my friend, Laura's house. Friday was actually council meeting, and then in the afternoon we rode the ponies, Comanche and Mistyanna. And I took Mistyanna into the neighbors house.......with permission. The neighbor is Laura's cousin. She and her husband are renting a house that Laura's parents own, and it's right across the road from Laura's. Mistyanna wasn't sure what to think about being inside, but stood still long enough for Jewel to snap a picture and then we got out of there before there was a mess on the floor. Actually, we made it the whole ride (around 5 miles) without any "potty breaks" so I think we were pretty safe.

Here we are on our steeds.


Friday night was volleyball. It was actually kind of boring (as boring as volleyball can get, that is, which isn't very) because my teams were just.....boring. Everything was done methodically and quietly and not very well done. I didn't win very many games. And for some reason it seemed like I was running for loose balls all over the place. Normally the guys are quick to do it, but I guess they weren't feeling very gentlemanly. Sometimes they do take a little encouragement. Like, I'll start to go after a ball, and they run over and say "I'll get it."

Saturday morning we had services, and then Saturday evening was communion. Have you ever sat for 3 1/4 hours on a hard wooden bench? It's agony. It was a backless bench up against a wall. It was pulled out a little ways from the wall which is WAY better than if it was right up against the wall, but still not exactly comfortable. Plus, my rear was already sore from riding. I didn't think I was going to be able to get up when it was over with!

For Saturday lunch, Sunday breakfast and Sunday lunch we have the same food. It's bread with butter and apple butter and roast beef, pickles, red beets, applesauce and pie. Some people (and this just about makes me sick) make sandwiches with the bread, apple butter and beef. *gags* I've never tried it, but it's gotta be GROSS. Oh, I forgot, the worst thing they have there. They call it soup. I call it slop. It's french bread in beef broth. I don't mind the taste too bad. It's the feel. *shudders* It's way slimy and sick. And they actually like it. This is only my second Lovefeast here, so I'm not totally accustomed to it.

After the meal then the girls and women take all the plates and silverware and stuff to the end of each table and then have a pan of wash water and a pan of rinse water and we wash the dishes. After that the other girls set the tables again (or put the dishes if it's after Sunday lunch) while I stand around looking dumb because I haven't a clue what to do.

The guys don't just lallygag around, either. While everybody else is eating, they go around and serve coffee and tea. I suppose they do other things to (they help out a bunch with the communion, like setting the table for the supper, and bringing up the feet washing water), but I haven't been that observant.

Last night was volleyball again. It was way better. My teams were actually more fun, and I was playing way better than I played last time. Maybe it was because I remembered my knee pads this time and didn't worry so much about hitting the floor. I don't know, but it was fun.

Ariel