Okay I think I broke out of the little down spell of last week and some before. It's kinda like I was full of air and someone poked a hole in me. I'm kind of de-stressed and deflated (in a good way), and I feel like I can think clearly again

I'm pretty caught up in school...if teachers would enter the grades I'd know for sure. Ah well. They're all very busy I know.

My birthday is coming up on Thursday. Mimi and Papa said they've sent me a present, and it will come in the mail! I asked for some winter riding clothes. I don't know if my parents are getting me anything, but some breeches might be nice. Most of the things I need are too expensive to ask for. I'll just have to wait until my bank account recovers from the saddle I had to buy for Andre Sigh. Oh well, he needs it, and since it's got a changeable *sp?* gullet system, I can keep this saddle for a long, long time So that way, I don't have to worry while saving up for my really nice one I will have SOME day Of course then I realize my jumping saddle doesn't fit. Blast! First I get told mine is too big for me, and then my femurs grow! Sigh. Ah well. I guess the bright side is that I have long legs Lmao.

Dante's been really good lately. Today I felt something I totally hadn't felt before in him...at least not like a clear, 100%. He was truly, completely relaxed. He was just going along at a nice trot, head down, and he simply goes over the cross rail. No speeding, no landing in the canter, he barely even locked on. I was happy with him! I guess I always ride better when I'm in a good mood. I was today because I got to sleep, for once!

Andre? Well he's getting worse He was doing so well, but I lost my cool with him and we backtracked a bit. Well it's my fault, and we'll figure it out. We just have to step back aways before proceeding. His new thing is that whenever I apply any direct rein pressure, like when I'm asking him to slow down, he puts his head up in the air and runs faster. I need to poke more holes in the side reins...he's still not working on the bit in the canter, even though he's a million percent better at his trot

Feliche is Feliche. Always the good boy he's always been. I love him so much, and Liz went over her first crossrail with him yesterday! I was proud of her, and was right when I thought that day with Roger was a MAJOR breakthrough with her confidence. She SAID she was ready to try...I didn't ask her to. It was great! Roger...poor Roger hurt his withers REALLY bad. I went to get Dante one morning and I saw his withers were all dirty, then I realized it was all blood! I traced the cot with my eyes...it started at one pont and tapered off and shallowed into a scrape, like he'd been snagged on something. It was BAD....worst cut I've ever seen. It was so deep and dark red and big. Poor baby. It was awful. I gently touched him near his wound, but not very close, and he shrank away from me, almost shuddering. This is a tough old quarter horse, btw...so man...if he's in that much pain, I don't want to know. A girl taking lessons with Padma and the gang took Roger to her house so he could eat grass in a nice big pasture until he feels better. It's funny that Liz keeps asking about him...she really liked him. He's a good guy. I'd safely call Liz a D1 on the pony-club scale. Not a solid, finished D1, but we're getting there fast!

I still haven't found my wallet It makes me so sad. I have to get new things. Funny, but the things I'm saddest about are my money and the wallet itself. It was a present from my Auntie Gina. It was like, pink. Not quite my thing usually, but it was cute and so handy. STUPID me kept both copies of my driver's license in there. Also my USEA card, and my school ID...and a lot of change in the zipper part sigh. I guess it's gone for good, but hey, maybe I'll find it someday a long time from now. You never know. I just hope that if it was stolen, the person really needed the money. My dad got a tool stolen this week...and I think I was the one who left the garage door open people are just so nasty. You can't trust them, especially here. I'm not racist, but it's because we're so close to the border. It's not that they are Mexican, it's that they are poor and have been taught that stealing is okay. They're reasoning is "well they're rich--they can just buy another one". Well it means quite a bit more than that to steal something. Peoples' things mean something to them, even if they CAN afford another. We can't. It's going to be awhile until Dad can get another Jack. oh well...

So I WAS feeling good, but whatever. It's okay. I'll ride Feliche tomorrow, maybe a little sandy conditioning. I'd like to figure out something to do with my friends on my birthday, but I can't think of anything yet.

Have a good night pals
-Megs