Thursday, May 31, 2012

I'll Have Another...I think he will!

I'll Have Another...I think he will!

I am a horse person. I do NOT consider myself an expert by any stretch, but have spent the last 26 years involved with horses. I started riding hunters at age 9 and continued to ride competitively through college. To gain experience, I would hop on anything that needed to be worked, from a polo pony to a hunt horse. I love them all. I rode for the University of Kentucky's Equestrian Team and had a ball. All through school at UK, I worked for Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital (www.roodandriddle.com) as a tech and supervisor and had the luxury of taking care of some horses that I could NEVER imagine I would have even been able to touch! I did everything from help with foaling to nursing dummy foals to surgery help to assisting in a fetonomy. After college, I worked as a copywriter for Saybrook Advertising in Lexington. Saybrook mostly does advertising for the racing industry, so my ads mostly ran in The Thoroughbred Times and Bloodhorse. I learned alot about bloodlines and confirmation. It was a great job! But...it does qualify me to have a slightly informed opinion about racing. And...if I am right, I'll Have Another will win the Belmont Stakes and take the Triple Crown next weekend! I can just feel it...! And if not, well, he is still a great horse and deserves many kudos for a fantastic year! Pray for a safe trip first, and a TRIPLE CROWN winner second! GO I'LL HAVE ANOTHER...I think you will!

(Photo courtesy of www.horseracingnation.com)

Friday, May 18, 2012

New Shoes

This morning I was thinking about how I could use a new pair of running shoes. I have been logging some miles, and my old ones are getting a little worn. Something like this was what I was imagining...

 Until God put this picture in front of my face later today, and I realized that I truly don't need anything...but Him. God Bless.

**Photos courtesy of Nike and Pinterest

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Job Well Done Nora, Job Well Done.

May 13, 2012: Mother's Day
I do not believe that it is by coincidence that God called my Grandma, Nora Deutschmann, home today on Mother's Day. I believe that it was his way of saying to her, "Job well done Nora, job well done!" She is and always be a shining example of what a mother is to me and to many that know her. All the fruits of the spirit she not only held but showed everyday: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness and Self-Control. It must have taken these nine characteristics to carry 14 babies and raise them all to not only know Christ but to be loving and good people.


 She brought joy to anyone that came in contact with her and she would light up when children were around...especially any of the almost 74 grandchildren (including the great-grands).
 Just look at the famous baby pictures of the 14 kids that have always hung on their wall! I cannot imagine cooking for and cleaning after them all!

 73 years of marriage! My prayers go out to my grandpa who will be undoubtably lost without his best friend. They are an inspiration in a generation where this kind of commitment to "believing in forever" is not the norm.
 Just a glimpse of the legacy that Grandma leaves behind....
And a beautiful reminder of the great love that is the foundation for it all.

I love you Grandma! I am a better person and mother because of your example! You will be greatly missed, but I know that your eyes are fixed on your Maker today, and you could not be happier! Happy Mother's Day!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Kentucky Derby Weekend Fun 2012

Kentucky Derby 2012
Hey ya'll! Remember me? I haven't written a post in FOREVER, so I thought Derby weekend would be a fun re-entry into the blogging world! I have been knee-deep in boxes and contractors running in and out, not to mention real estate is CRAZY again! All good and busy things that have kept me from updating my blog! (And the fact that in the country the internet isn't the greatest, so posting while Todd is doing his patient notes isn't possible due the fact that it is slower than molasses with two users! But...not a bad tradeoff for peace and quiet and roosters in the morning.)

Derby weekend consisted of 9 house guests...friends new and old. It was great fun and I truly enjoyed getting to know some new people. Friday we held an Oaks Party for about 50 friends and family, and then Saturday we had 3 boxes together at Churchill where 18 of us gathered to lose money and enjoy each other's company! I'll Have Another brought home the victory to a record crowd! Fantastic Day! Here are some pics...


Julie and I getting ready for Derby

                                                          Jeff and Katie Norris
                                                       Todd's parents Joann and Danny
                                                       My friend Jeff Buchek and I
                                                        Catey and Julie
                                                         Todd and I (top and bottom)



                                                   (don't know how I posted this pic twice...sorry)
                                                 At the track...
                                               Hats Hats Hats!!!!
                                                Doesn't my hubby look cute in his hat?

                                               The pretzel was short lived after I found a hair on it. Gulp.
                                            OAKS SHINDIG at the house!
                                              Steve and Allison...new friends! So sweet!
                        Hey! Steve and Allison again...still sweet...(I am notorious for double posting pics)
                                           Katie and Jeff....love them!
                                                Bob and Shawn...aren't they cute?
                                                Joann Jessie and Erin Hogan (my sis!)
                                     Stephanie Hilner, Nicole Burke and I (the short one)
                                                     Michelle and Jonathan Ray (they are darling)
                                     The most adorable picture of Joanie and Mount
                                                 My oldest daughter and my sis!
                                                        Sisters!
                                                My cute parents! Marilyn and Richard Hogan
                                       Jessica and Jesse Hedden...great pictre of this sweet couple
                                           Michelle, Catey and Julie (aren't they beautiful!?)