Riding Between the Worlds

I must say, this was the best July 4th weekend we've had in a very long time. Here's a recap:

-Friday, July 3rd: Went to Gunpowder Mill State Park in MD with BFF, her son, her partner and Paul and spent the day going swimming in the lake. It was nice to swim in a natural water source for a change. It was also nice to observe parents with their kids dumping buckets of water over their heads, playing in the sand.
When we got back to BFF's house, I changed clothes and realized I have my first significant sunburn of the season. At least that is over with. BFF made a sumptuous feast that consisted of: pickled cucumbers & radishes, jicama slaw (shredded jicama, jalepeno peppers, cilantro, lime juice, orange juice and some rice vinegar), steamed greens & carrots, squash quiche and the main course...grilled RED SNAPPER!! (very tasty!!!) My BFF's cooking skills are made of awesome - srsly. For dessert - we were charged with bringing banana cream pie. Yum.

-Saturday, July 4th: Danielle and her friend Kelly were coming over. It was Kelly's birthday and her bf had just recently broken up with her (yeah - he's a douchebag..anyway..). Once everything was all set and in place, they arrived and we chatted for a bit - discussing going to do a wine tasting. Paul having a strong google-fu, looked up the two closest wineries and discovered they were open for another hour. Since Kelly had never been to a wine tasting before, it was our moral imperative to get her to one immediately.
We drove to Lost Creek and Hidden Brook Wineries. The woman that was at Lost Creek had all of the personality of a wet rag. The guy at Hidden Brook gave Kelly her wine tasting for free, he was fun. We bought a bottle of wine from them (a Red reserve that tastes like it *wants* to be a port...).
Came back home, Paul grilled up some burgers and dogs and we all ate out on the deck (first time this year we've had company over to use it in this capacity.). When we finished - we decided that dessert would be FUNNEL CAKE. So off to the Ida Lee Rec Center we went for the music, festivities, funnel cake and fireworks..

We stood in line for funnel cake from the moment we got there (8:00PM or so) until the fireworks show had ended. We stood in line for 2.5 hours. When we got in line - it was still light out. We stood and watched the fireworks while now being able to smell the funnel cake - teasing us. The fireworks ended and we still hadn't gotten our bloody funnel cake (it was now a matter of principal). Paul finally slung all four chairs over his shoulder and walked over to meet us. At around 10:15PM - we FINALLY had our funnel cake (it was worth it).

There were a couple of problems that caused such an epic line to be. 1) There was only ONE Funnel Cake vendor. 2) People were in line getting multiple funnel cakes for their groups (3-6 cakes at a time). One guy was trying to cut in line by walking up to someone at the funnel cake cart and asking to give them money to buy him the half dozen funnel cakes.. No way dude..

Upon returning home, we watched the video that Kelly had taken - and much laughter ensued.

Kelly said this was the best birthday ever for her and she had a great time. We had a great time too. Hope everyone's weekend was spectacular.

Cheers!

Current Mood: sore

It's all well and good if you want to shoot off fireworks that make all sorts of loud noises and colors. We would have preferred it if you hadn't have done it at 3:15AM this morning.

I hope you burnt your fingers....

No love,
Me

Current Mood: pissed off

My girl thoroughly amazes me with her brilliance, her tenacity, and her boldness. I am speaking of course of our pup - Joy.

Allow me to paint a picture for you...

Over the weekend, hubby decides to mow the lawn. He discovered we have a rabbit hole with babies in it. Deciding that he doesn't want rabbits running amok in the yard - he takes the hose and floods it (I was mad...). The following day, Joy decides she REALLY needs to go back outside (after being out for a time in the morning). I watch her outside, and see that her mouth is chewing something. I call for her to get in the house. She has yet to drop what is in her mouth. I yell "Drop it!" Obediently, she does. I wasn't expecting what I saw next..

From her mouth dropped a dead, infant rabbit. It couldn't have been more then a couple of weeks old.

My heart dropped and grew sick all at once. My first thought was to flush it. As I grabbed a dishwashing glove and some toilet paper - Joy picked it up again and began to run about the house with it. I yell at her to go outside. She waits for me to step outside - then she comes back in and drops the carcass on the floor yet again.

My squick and gross factor have gone to plaid at this point. I decide to toss the poor thing over our fence (since that's the way we disposed of mice and birds at the barn). I pick up the wet, warm deceased infant, say a small prayer for it and drop it over the side of our fence.

That was a couple of days ago.

Today, I noticed Joy giving her low, muffled growl at something under the couch. I didn't see what she was growling at, so I didn't think anything of it. Then she reaches under the couch and slowly pulls something out. I look at her and say "Whatcha got there girlie?" She picks up her head and there is a grey sock I've been missing. She successfully hunted down my missing sock. I took it from her and called her a good girl.

She truly is an amazing creature. She follows me everywhere, always wants to know what I'm up too, and she loves to chase squirrels, birds and rabbits. She fears nothing (except when hubby and I yell - then she wonders what she did.).

So - there's some grossness and cuteness all in one.

Cheers my loves!

Current Mood: sick

We have gone and updated all of my camping equipment, including the tent. So - I now have a second tent that I'd like to either give to a loving home, or sell it for something. Here are a few details:

-1 Hillary cabin tent, 10X8, sleeps 4, purchased circa 1995/1996. It's been to two Pennsics, multiple Baronial Birthdays, and a few Mayfests. It does not have a rainfly, so I needed to throw a large tarp over the top and tie it to the stakes. It's in very good condition (hubby says there is a small tear on the floor of the tent).

The tent poles are springloaded, so it's easy to put together and set up.

If anyone is interested - let me know and I can take pictures of it.

Cheers!

Current Mood: hopeful

So - since I'm helping out the woman who makes Toats, here is the website for more info: www.toatsorganic.com.

If anyone wants a sample, let me know and I'll send one on to you. Basically, we have a snack that is wheat, egg and dairy free. It's made of Organic Oat flour, almond meal, flax meal, rolled oats, canola oil, honey, cane sugar, xanthan gum and salt.

I eat them all the time, and they taste like a sweeter granola bar. You can also feed these things to dogs and horses.

/unplug

Current Mood: optimistic

Ever notice how the Universe At Large will give you what you need, not necessarily what you want? It's happening in spades over here.

Last week on Thursday afternoon, I met a woman who manufactures a healthy snack cookie called "toats". I visited her facility and I helped to introduce her over the phone to a few people I knew who I thought would be a good connection for her. She paid me for my time, and has hired me to help her with marketing the product, making phone calls, googling other places, handling her Twitter tweets, and "being myself". So I get to do that once a week or so.

That Thursday night, I got an e-mail from Mary. She has had it with my telling anecdotes that involve her to students. So she's told me good bye. I knew that I would leave Equissage at some point, but I never thought it would go down like this. When I spoke to my BFF about it, she asked "How long have you been there?" "3 years" "3 years doing the same job with no growth?" "Yeah" "It's time to move on". When I asked why it had to go down like this - my BFF stated that I do get comfortable in places, and when I am comfortable - I don't move. In a way, I'm relived. In another way - I feel weird knowing that I won't be going back. I have always said that I wanted to get Pony & Pooch off the ground - then either make an exit from Equissage, or stay on and fit teaching into my schedule.

Pony & Pooch has been EXPLODING. I've been networking, I'm getting more clients, going to more events, and implementing all of the things my business coach is telling me to do. I guess if I really want Pony & Pooch to grow exponentially, then my time at Equissage truly is done. I'll wait a couple of weeks, then reach out to Mary and see if we can at least have a cordial relationship.

We are well into the growing season folks. Strap yourselves in - it's going to be one hell of a ride.

Current Mood: shocked

I would have the exact same reaction. Had to post it and share with everyone....

http://www.weregeek.com/2009/06/01/

Current Mood: geeky

For those of you out there who use Twitter, why do you Twitter? What are the benefits of Twittering? What are the downfalls of Twittering?

I ask because I was at a business meeting last night and discovered that my pet sitter Twitters, and she has gotten new business from Twitter. So, I thought I would take this to the populace here and get your opinions.

Do you think I should Twitter for the Greater Gode of the business? Or will it simply be another distraction?

'Tis to ponder..hmmmmm.....

Current Mood: curious

Oh yes - one more thing...

If you would like to join my brand, spanking new mailing list - the opt in box on the Pony & Pooch Website is now operational! When you sign up, you get a link to a downloadable .pdf file entitled "5 Things Every Pet Owner Must Know."

www.ponyandpooch.us

We now return you to your regularly scheduled routine.....

Current Mood: excited

Our weekend was productive. We got in some grilling, went for a drive and found yet ANOTHER winery in the beautiful Northern VA countryside that we call home.

We even bit the bullet and procured a 52 inch LCD TV. This meant that the behemoth of an entertainment unit that we have housing our 36 inch, 250 pound TV had to be emptied, dusted off and disassembled. The house looks like a cyclone hit it - and it has been a long time since I've stared at the blank wall that was behind the unit.

During the course of the cleaning, hubby and I chatted about actually HAVING a cleaning schedule. We worked on things that we could do daily, weekly, and monthly. The daily practice will be keeping the kitchen tidy, and decluttering when we can (in case y'all didn't know this about me....I'm a clutterbug. Yeah, it's true.) The weekly routine will be vacuuming and dusting. The monthly routine will consist of a Deep Dusting (the kind where you move everything off of a surface and dust the items that were on said surface.), Mop da Floor, wash blankets and towels and clean the shower. We even went out and got a new mop (yes, I get excited about new cleaning products..it's the little things that count.).

So...does anyone in the DC/Metro area want to buy our old entertainment unit and/or the TV? They are both large and heavy. I can send a photo if anyone is interested...

Current Mood: accomplished

Your result for The Social Persona Test (What kind of man/woman are you?)...

The Renaissance Faire Wench (QLAF)

Quirky Liberal Alpha Female

Take The Social Persona Test (What kind of man/woman are you?) at HelloQuizzy

Current Mood: amused

Let me 'splain - no there is too much - let me sum up..

I need help completing the title for my informative talk on the benefits of pet massage. The word should have impact, be memorable and should be applicable to younger and older animals.

Fill in the blank: "Keeping your pet_________, the benefits of massage for your horses and dogs."

I'll be giving this talk on Saturday June 20th, at 1:00PM at Red Dog Spa & Boutique in Fairfax.

The afterburners are on....

WOO!!!!

Current Mood: accomplished

Good Idea: Throwing away a bag of assorted sugary sweets so that we can eat more healthy things (doing a cleanse/detox dontcha know..).

Bad Idea: Thinking I could walk into a Fractured Prune and get one donut...nope. I caved. I bought 6. Willpower - Epic Fail.

Woe to the Republic..

Current Mood: embarrassed

Your results:
You are Deanna Troi

Deanna Troi 75% James T. Kirk (Captain) 70% Chekov 70% Uhura 60% Will Riker 60% Geordi LaForge 45% An Expendable Character (Redshirt) 40% Mr. Scott 35% Worf 35% Jean-Luc Picard 30% Mr. Sulu 25% Beverly Crusher 25% Data 17% Spock 14% Leonard McCoy (Bones) 0%

You are a caring and loving individual. You understand people's emotions and you are able to comfort and counsel them.

Current Mood: silly

So, my business coach tells me that I need to create a "freebie" that I can give to people when they sign up for my newsletter. This can be in the form of a top ten list, a "report" or some kind of article. The purpose of the freebie is to entice people to want to be on my mailing list, to get my newsletter (which at this stage of the game will be quarterly) and ultimately, want to use my services.

I have no Earthly idea WHAT to do. I have an editorial that I wrote last year for a local newspaper, which is fine - except that it is also a more glorified ad.

So - my dear and precious FList, what would you do? What sort of thing would entice you to want to be on my mailing list to receive my newsletter?

HELP!!!

Current Mood: distressed

Ok - first the incoherent babbling...

WOW! OMGWTFBBQ!!! I SEE PONEHS!!!! **head, hair follicles and eyeballs go SPLODEY** Um... Did I say WOW!!!

Ok. To my physics/astronomy/deep Trek Geeks - I commend you and bow down to your prowess to pick those nits. I looked at those things throughout the movie and said "Um, yeeah - okaaay.."

Aside from that - I felt it the movie was a beautiful spectacle (oh, and we did see it at an IMAX theater). And was quite well done. I agree that Karl Urban - a flawless McCoy, and Zachary Quinto - nice Spock. Everyone else I felt was well played. I also think that Chris Pine did a great job of playing Kirk. He *grew* into the chair.

My only questions:

Since when is Chekov THAT brilliant?
Isn't there a space/time continuum law that states two versions of someone from different times CANNOT be in the same place at the same time???
Did anyone else notice the Goddess symbol on Spocks' belt?

Just sayin'.....

Current Mood: geeky

I just saw this...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/05/AR2009050503864.html

Basically, the woman who got in trouble for massaging horses - won her case. I knew that governing board had no authority over massaging animals. SO THERE!!!!

In other news, I have partnered up with an amazing business coach - Pamela Bruner. She's a great musician and an amazing person. She has clips of her seminars up on You Tube. My first appointment with her is at 1:00 today. She's going to help me with focus and just give me some insights and ideas that I haven't even thought of. This will help me really get P&P skyrocketed.

Also on the Pony & Pooch front, I've also partnered with my veterinarian. My vets office is also a resort and spa. I will now be their massage therapist on the Spa side when dogs come to stay with them and their owners want them to have a massage.

*begins to sing* "My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades."

Current Mood: optimistic

Hey, Hey, Hey! It's the first of May! OUTDOOR SCHTUPPING STARTS TODAY!!!!!!

Wishing everyone a Blessed Beltane!

Current Mood: horny

Ok, folks - here's the deal. I was chatting with a lovely lady today who runs her own dog grooming business and jewelry appraisal business. We were chatting about what we do and she asked me how much I charge for massaging a horse. My normal rate is $75.00 per horse. She feels that I should raise it to $85.00 per horse. My Equine clientele is on an "as needed" basis right now. I have one client who sees me regularly, but even now she has a hiatus. So it's not like I would be asking an established set of people to pay me more.

The poll today: Should I raise my rate, or keep it the same? Feel free to elaborate in the Comments.


Poll #1390721 Raise the rate?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Should I raise my rate to $85.00/session per horse?

Current Mood: curious

see more Lol Celebs

Current Mood: mischievous