horse-related

I somehow forgot to mention in my last entry that I was having a sleepover with Bonnie starting at 3 30. Or, at least, it was supposed to - my mom was running late getting dressed, so we arrived at the barn 7 minutes late (we were picking her up, then going back to her house to be dropped off). Thus, I didn't get to see the filly. It was Ayla's birthday - Ayla being Bonnie's friend at the barn. She loves Bonnie - she tends to kind of hate me when I'm around, since I direct some of Bonnie's attention away from her. But she's really nice! <3

Anyway, so no-go on the filly. But I did have an exciting lesson (Got back to her house, did barn chores - shoveling manure! - have lesson, watch movie, be hyper/bloated, go to bed). I jumped 2' 9". The highest I've ever jumped before was 2' 3"! It's technically only 6" difference, but since Tonka is a Welsh Pony, it feels the same as if you're jumping 5 feet. I was really freaked out, but according to Bonnie, I did well for such an extreme scale compared to what I'm used to!

Poor Tonka was exhausted, so we gave him a flake and a half of hay, rather than his usual 1/2 flake, and a handful of grain. He needed it, though - Bonnie vowed to get him in better shape (she used to jump him all the time, but now she doesn't anymore).
We took extra good care of Tonkers, then had macaroni and cheese and biscuits (home-style, Bonnie's mom's specialty, and my favorite) and watched Shrek 2. After that we were hyper and couldn't get to bed until around 1 45.

We slept in until 10 30, though, so that was good - especially since Bonnie is kind of sleep-deprived. Then we went to the barn, arriving at 12 on the dot. (Laura/Bonnie's mom is a lot better at getting to the barn on time!) I hung out with the barn girls - Bridgett, Ayla, Lindsey, and Katie that day - and had a blast with them, then checked out the filly once they were busy with their horses.

Oh my gosh! I was so happy to see her, and so relieved she remembered me. I went over to her and let her sniff me; blew into her nostrils to give her my scent, etc. She let me scratch her head and hug her, and croon, and just feel all around blissful. She still only lets me do that with her, as far as I know. I'm so vain; so proud of it. I can't even begin to put it into words.

And guess what? Her cut! It's been there for around 2 years now, and, to quote Bonnie, "It just randomly decided to heal itself." No longer huge, bleeding, and raw, it was completely healed over except for two hairless patches, which weren't even raw skin anymore. I was so happy! It was still swollen, but not nearly so bad as it has been. She didn't even flinch when I accidentally scratched it - before, that would have sent her backing away with her head way up high.

I really am excited. I was reminded again of why I'm quitting my gymnastics - in hopes that I can see her every Thursday morning. I'm totally at peace around her. I can just finally let all of my nagging worries and doubts fall behind. It's a very relaxing feeling.

We left the barn at 1 45 and got back at 2 00, and I had a quick 20 minute show practice. I did well! I was proud of myself. Tonka was a very good boy.
After that, Bonnie and I showered and got ready for an "Ala-Teen" meeting our moms were forcing us to go to. It's like AA/Alcoholics Anonymous/Al-Anon, only, well, for teens. IT WAS TORTURE. In fact, I'm in a good mood after writing about the filly, so I'm not even going to discuss it. Nope.

...And then we went out for pizza. It was nice - if you're ever hunkering for some awesome, unique pizzas (Apple pie pizza, macaroni and cheese pizza, alfredo pizza - or even just veggie, pepperoni, and cheese pizza!) look up "CiCi's" on Google. It's the way to go, believe me.

That's all to report for now. That's life at the barn!
written from my laptop, finished 12 15 AM [Sun/Mon, Jan. 4/5, 2009]