Notes to me

I'm riding three times a week in an effort to maintain skills, strength, etc. that may be lost when I'm out of state for two weeks later this month and then when instructor will be gone for two weeks in December. This will probably continue until end of year. If possible, I'd like to continue with three a week if I can find a way to work off the third lesson. Yesterday we worked on modified dressage pattern. I need to memorize where all the letters in the ring are so I'm not constantly searching for M, B, etc. So far I'm confident that X is in the middle of the ring. I also had four or five attempts at cantering. Have a ways to go before the horse understands what I want. My husband, who had a horse as a kid, is disdainful when I tell him I need to learn the right cues. He maintains I should just kick the horse until it canters. He's not a fan of English riding in case you can't tell. I am feeling so much more confident and sometimes actually feel like I'm "getting it" and doing everything right.

Have gone back to wearing contacts just for riding because my glasses fogged up so much. Have daily disposables which are easy to maintain - wear once and toss. No maintenance. Tried them out for the first time yesterday and they worked great. My vision had changed quite a bit since my last exam two years ago (for the better) so I'm getting a new pair of glasses. Doctor said he could tell I was compensating by the way I unconsciously held my head to incorporate the bifocal with the distance vision.

We're looking at used cars. Have narrowed it down to an '06 Dodge Dakota to replace the '84 Ramcharger. The Dakota will be checked out by our mechanic before the deal is sealed. We may also replace the '91 Probe with a newer Ford Fusion. Hopefully we can get both vehicles for about $25k, which is less than what one new vehicle costs nowadays.

All the flowerpots have been emptied and stashed for the winter. We've been raking leaves every weekend. Hopefully this coming weekend will be the last.

I get to babysit a one year old on Thursday. I haven't seen her in quite a while so hopefully she remembers me and we have as much fun as we have in the past. She's walking now so I'll have to stay on my toes to keep her in my sight.