Cute Rear End!

Look at his charming little face and, of course, his very cute rear end! This photo is from June 27th.

We Miss You, Aunt Ruth!

Here are the Sanchez', waving at the camera in greeting to my Aunt Ruth, who could not be with us. We love that girl!

My Darlings

Here's my handsome fella, on June 27th, eating hay with his mama and relaxing. Just seeing him makes me happy.

We Visit the Wynn!

On our last day, Anita, Conchita, mom and me took a really fun Monorail ride. Among our stops, we went to the Wynn and BAM did we see luxury! We gambled, we enjoyed ourselves! I really enjoyed that morning with my favorite ladies, especially since I was rooming with another of my favorite ladies, Vicki!

Baby's Stall

Here is a photo and video of Renny's stall at Showgate Stables taken on June 27th. To his left, outside the frame, is his mother's food bin and a big bucket of water for baby.

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Me at the Bellagio, photo by mom

On our last day in Vegas, Anita took me, Conchita and my mom down to the Bellagio to watch the fountains over some coffee and treats. Here is a photo mom took of me, as we were waiting.

My Second Garden Kicks into Gear!

So, it is July 28th and I'm busy making my garden and yard beautiful. I had painted my shutters and door bright red and then put down red mulch around my front beds. And I was in the back yard today, checking out my herb garden, compost bin and garden. And guess what! I grew a melon! There it is, looking all big and juicy! And there are a dozens of little melons growing on the vine, getting ready to serve as my breakfast and lunch! I also grew cucumbers, but they are sort of freaking me out. I don't know how big they are supposed to get, so I have several monster ones and now I have a fleet of little ones, getting bigger by the minute!

Anyway, tomorrow I am bringing some of my canned products from last year to the Fair. I am going to exhibit a photo of Renny and Ruthie and then my Corn Relish and Chow-Chow Relish! I am a Fair Exhibitor as well as published author this month!!!

Grandma's Favorite Little Face!

What can I say? You can just see the intelligence radiating from this darling creature! I took this photo on June 27th!

Angie and Timmy!

Here are my cousins, Angie and Timmy, in Las Vegas at the Sonoma Cellar at Sunset Station. Timmy was getting ready to go to Coldplay and Angie was just kicking up her heels because her beautiful babies, Drew and Hannah, were at home, so she could play with her husband and have some fun! I will always, always, always think of Timmy as the young wild boy who had to have two teddy bears which were exactly the same, so he could sleep with each one gripped in his arms by each cheek when we went on a big family vacation to California one year. Love that boy, love that girl!

Mom and Baby!

Here they both are, shortly after moving to Showgate. Baby loves his grandma and his mom, so he hangs out by the fence next to mama, waiting for grandma to come and give him some love. He's just so painfully cute. He makes me so happy, such a cutie!

I am writing this post on Sunday, June 29th. It's a gorgeaus day and I'm getting ready to go see my equine family. We've had nothing but rain for a week, so yesterday while I was at the barn, we saw this beautiful dark blue and grey storm come over the barn with lightning. I spent the day at the stable with my two mares and my little guy. Anyway, here's the punchline! Yesterday was exactly 8 weeks since baby joined our planet. His farrier arrived yesterday to trim his hooves for the third time since his birth! Renny was fantastic, just fantastic. He let us move him around very politely. He stood quietly. He was friendly and sweet and obedient. He stayed out of trouble. And while his mom's feet were done, he stood quietly by his grandma! After he was done with his trim, he stood close to Ricky, his farrier, and the farrier leaned over and gave him a big hug and rub on his shoulder. I could tell that my little guy was tuckered out, but happy to have been hugged and loved.

The Whole Sanchez Shebang!

Here the Sanchez family is at the Sonoma Cellar for Anita's retirement -- Rick, Mary Lou, Anita, Grandpa, Vicki, my dad, and Grandma! What a handsome beautiful krewe.

Tipperary Liadhnan and Kim Severson

The Olympics are coming up and here's a photo taken in June of Kim Severson and her mount, Tipperary Liadhnan, as they have an early morning workout. In this photo, they made the short list and are working out with the other competitors to earn a spot on our Olympic team. Though the final team isn't selected yet, as of my writing on this June 29th, I suspect that as this blog is posted, these two top athletes will be on the team!

The Retirement Party!

The retirement dinner itself was held at the Sonoma Cellar and it was fantastic. It was wonderful to sit at tables filled with family and friends and be with my Aunt Anita. She told some beautiful stories about working for Douglas, her travels, her plans. She asked us all to give her advice. The food was yummy! I will always remember being at that dinner with my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins!

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Proud Boy!

I love this photo! Here's a distance shot of my little guy at the bottom of the pasture with his mom. Ruthie and Miss Lee Lee are up on the hill where he's facing, and he's practicing being a little stud. He's putting his nose in the air, smelling for his herd, and enjoying his life! Can you just see his big plump butt! He's going to be a great little hunter pony!

Bette Midler in Las Vegas

One of the cool things we did while we were in Las Vegas was go see Bette Midler. Her show was wonderful. It was called "The Showgirl Must Go On!" She sang with the Cesear Salad girls and the Harlettes and she had a great band. She was terrific at telling blue jokes. Some songs she sang brought tears to your eyes, they were so sweet. But mainly, she was a hoot, especially when she related her Soph days! Here is a photo of a group of us who went gambling afterwards -- mom, Conchita, Anita, Mary Lou and Deanna.

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Cutie Pie Walking!

Here's a photo taken on June 21st of Renny and Hailee, taking a stroll on a Saturday morning. Look how relaxed mama is and look at the cute boy with his tan belly! He's really filling out lately. He has a little burst in height, but it's mainly that he just seems to be getting more filled out and stronger. He's a good one!

Las Vegas and My Mom and Me!

Here is a photo of my mom and me in Las Vegas. I have the loveliest and kindest mom on earth. They proved it.

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Macho Goofball!

Here's a photo of my little guy, standing on the hill in his pasture. He is a happy sweet boy and loves his mom. Hailee is lucky to have such a healthy smart boy! Sometimes I can just see on her face that she's pleased as punch to have her red little guy. She's very patient with him. For example, yesterday, June 28th, he was grabbing the loose end of her halter and hauling her around the ring. She just was so patient and followed him around, letting him boss her about!

Las Vegas with the Hopkins!

This past week, I went to Las Vegas to celebrate the retirement of my Aunt Anita, my godmother. She has served many years as a lawyer for the city of Douglas, and among her last activities was setting up a business deal which would result in 600 jobs for her city! She is also a U.N. delegate and will soon travel the world on fact-finding missions to places such as Myanmar. It's understandable that she's my idol!

Anyway, here we are enjoying our time in Las Vegas. On one day, mom, Terry, Jackie and I went down to the strip and spent the whole day walking among the casinos, gambling, dining, and shopping! A wonderful break after a week of inspections, cleaning my house, painting, wallpapering, etc.





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Chelsea and Violet

Here's an informal photo of Chelsea riding Violet on a dusty quiet day on June 23rd. Chelsea is a young horsewoman who is helping out at Showgate Stables when the Lees travel for shows. I've known her since she was a very young girl. She's a real quiet rider and Violet likes trying her best for her. It was lots of fun to see her just let the reins draw out when she was walking out, and my Miss V just was so mellow and relaxed! Chelsea rides huntseat, but she's also a contester!

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My Kind Violet

Here's a photo and some footage of my unbelievably good mare, Violet. We've been having nothing but rain, so she and I were trying to figure out where and how to ride on this day. The ground out in the outdoor ring was too hard because it was freshly rained on. And so here we are in the footage, taking a quick walking spin around. We later rode in the indoor ring. My life is so good with Violet. She's the best sort of company. Yesterday, I graded exams out at the barn and set up my chair by her stall door. She just set her face close to my knees and chatted and goofed and played with me. And then later, I stood by her window as she was watching the wind chase over the grain field, cars pass by, and birds play in the pasture, and she just put her muzzle on my head and we just hung out. She's the best of girlfriends!

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Mom and Baby Saying Hi to Grandma!

Here are my sweet babies, standing at the fence, and saying hello to me. Look at that little guy! Less than 2 months old and already able to put his little face over a fence to say a big baby hi to his grandma!

Showgate Stables Foal Pasture!

Here's a long shot of my little guy, relaxing in a green slice of heaven, with his mom and the other fine mare! You can't see his friend, Ruthie, because she's up on the hill to the left in this photo! What happy horses!

Mares and Foals!

These photos were taken on that Saturday, June 22nd again. These are some quick shots of the four horse krewe. The two mares with their two foals. Renny is happy to be hanging out in a herd and learning from the social scene! I was so excited when I drove up and saw them in the pasture. I usually come at the end of the day, after they've had their morning and afternoon out, and my little guy is resting in his luxurious stall! Anyway, it was great to see the blue sky, feel the cool breeze, look out over their truly beautiful pasture and see my perfectly beautiful bay mare and her bright red foal with their two friends! Plus my little guy came up to the fence to say hello to me! He loves his grandma!

Cool Girls! Sedona and Violet

Here's a shot from that beautiful Saturday in June, but from a slightly different angle. Here you see the same sweet Sedona and Violet, but they are showing just a little bit more attitude! They know they're cool! They know that we're all slightly jealous because we're not thoroughbreds related to champions!!

Sweet Girls! Sedona and Violet

Here is a photo I took on June 21st, Saturday, on a perfect lovely day at Showgate Stables. I had just returned from going to the Farmers Market with Jorge and Christine where we bought lots of beautiful plump sweet-smelling strawberries, and I was bringing carrots out to my krewe. Violet is very happy with her new young friend. Sedona is a sweetheart too, so they are a pair of kind-hearted, grass-loving girls! I am just thrilled that Violet's had a chance to unwind, relax, and converse with a horsey pal. She's a lovely, patient, intelligent and obliging girl!

Searching for a Stable!

So, over the course of May and June, I got a new realtor, Sulphur Springs, to help me find a farm. I found a 7 1/2 acre farm out in Cygnet which has a Cape Cod home, pond, and very large nice stable. I've visited this farm 4 separate times, but today, Sunday, June 22nd, I'm going to visit another farm with barn out on Bishop Road, close to where I live.

I've been so tired lately with work and the foal that I've wondered whether I really even wanted horses anymore. But seeing the new listing yesterday made me realize that, yes, of course, I want to live with my horses and cats and dog on a cute little place named Laurel Wreath Farm. And I realize that I've been working slowly on this dream for the past 2-3 years now. I've researched stable makers, run-in shed and chicken coop kits, stall systems, flooring, Ramm fences. I've been looking at country property and even tried to sell my house and buy a house and land. So, it's official. I am slowly moving toward my dream of having my own lovely farm with my vegetables, herb garden, perennials, goats, chickens, horses, cats, dog! Please bless this dream!

Now, here is a little additional information written on Monday, July 14, 2008. I ended up making an offer which was accepted on that Bishop Road property. Doug and Pat Valentine visited the location and gave me advice. It was so nice to get Mr. Valentine's advice about the barn and about how to manage the pasture. We visited on an evening when it rained and rained earlier, so it was nice to see whether the property had any flooding. Mr. Valentine and I walked the pasture and didn't find any squishy spots. But in the evening light, we saw a deer running across the bean field at the end of the pasture. The farm even has a windmill.

Anyway, what I am doing now is getting my Reed Street house ready to sell. Let me tell you. I've wallpapered, caulked, painted, sanded, had the plumber, will have the carpet cleaners, and cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. I am the Queen of Clean! The house looks amazing, if a little spooky because I put away so much of my belongings. I hope I get an offer. If I can get an offer by October 1st and it makes my hit mark, well then I will be moving toward waking up each day with the chore of having to walk to the barn to feed my girls and Renny.

Speaking of which, when I visited Showgate Stables this morning for my coffee with horses, Derek and I watched the mares and foals as they were out in the main pasture. Annie was running around like a nut and my Renny was the ringleader. He just tore around the pasture and zoomed on his cute legs with Ruthie taking a few turns too. And where was Hailee? Right in the middle of this zooming circle with her muzzle down in the green grass, enjoying the circus and the early morning sun! My Violet and Sedona and Cruiser were also happy to have a morning on the grass. Derek gave me advice about buying hay in advance, preparing my pasture, tending to the holding pen, etc.

And get this! I was freaked out last night because today (Monday, July 14), I would have to sign the forms to put this all in motion. So, while I was having coffee at Showgate, I got an email and phone call from Rutgers, saying that the book was being mailed to me and congratulations! I talked with Martha who told me all was well with the financing! My sister and I chatted on the phone while Emma and Clara were busy with their morning routine. So, it was such an amazing, once in a lifetime kind of morning!





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Back at Showgate!

These photos were taken on June 18th, but I am writing this entry on Sunday, June 21st. After two wonderful years at Breezy Acres with the Hintz family, I moved my horses back to Showgate Stables, so that baby could have a chance to make friends with another foal owned by Darla Lee. The foal's name is Happy Hunting, but her barn name is Ruthie.

So, you can imagine my happiness when I go out to the stable, and see the two mares in the front pasture with their beautiful babies, Ruthie and Renny. Renny is such a good, sweet boy! And then in the side pasture, my lovely Violet gets to hang out with her new friend, an appendix filly named Sedona who is the daughter of Chippy. Barbie and Tom, and Doug and Pat moved my horses last Sunday and Chelsea and Dorene were there to greet them. It was hard to say goodbye to the Hintz'. I had some of the nicest times in my life at their stable! Anyway, that Sunday was a whirl! We visited a stable, I moved my horses, and then I jumped on an airplane to go to my very last NIH PSC panel!! Whoo! I was tired when I got home!
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Mom and Violet!

Sunday is ladies' day. And so here is a photo of two of my very favorite ladies -- my mom and Violet. Look at Violet being an angel and posing nice for the photo and greeting my mother. She's such a wonderful horse! And my mom, my mom is a terrific woman.

I'm a Big Boy!

Here he is, as a little young boy, eating hay with his mom like a big boy!

Zelia and the Roses!

Here is a photo of my fine girl, Zelia. She is such a good, sweet dog. She's a wonderful companion. I love her.

My Darling Boy on May 16th!

Here's my little guy, playing around in the indoor arena. These are from May 16th, but I am writing this on June 15th, almost a month later! In these photos he's under 2 weeks old, but now he's 6 weeks. And today, he is moving over to Showgate Stables. They have a mare and foal over there, so I am hoping that my little guy gets the opportunity to run and wrestle and misbehave with a little guy his own age!

A Weekend of Accomplishments!

Okay, I wrote this in early June when Renny was just 5 weeks old. It was a weekend of accomplishments! I let them outside by myself and Renny was a well-behaved boy. And the farrier came for baby's second visit. And he was such a good boy! He did a great job! He did a little bit of a tiny rear at one point, but mostly he just stood quietly because he and I had been practicing foottappers as part of friendly game every day of his life morning and evening! I love this little guy!

Dancing, Dancing, Dancing with Matt

Renny dancing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

My Tired Baby!

Here are some photos of my little guy taking a nap. He's very young in this photo because we hadn't even switched over to sawdust yet. What a sweet little brown boy he is. What a darling creature!

Martha Comes to Visit!

My friend, Martha, came to visit little baby Renny. We had a nice afternoon. She made me laugh because she said that watching little Renny run around and nurse and play was just like watching a documentary! Only better! Violet was a gracious hostess, as per usual!! And Martha treated us to a bottle of champagne. Namaste!

Mom and Me!

Here is little Renny, standing next to his big, brave mother, on a lovely May day!

Such a Lovely Family Outing!

Here's some more footage from June 1st!

Another Beautiful Summer Day!

Here's a photo of Aunt Violet on that beautiful June 1st day!

Baby Eating like a Big Boy!

Towards the end of May, Renny got his own little feed tub. He likes to eat dinner like a big boy with his mama. But his mama likes to steal, so my smart little guy likes to turn with his butt facing her, so that he can push her away and also check to see if she's coming to take a bite -- of his food or him!

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