Jumping again

I had my evaluation at a new barn on Monday. After talking the schedule over with my manager I called today and secured my place in the class. First lesson started today, and boy was it amazing. I remembered that I HATED giving up jumping and every time I watched a class I got a little pang of jealousy in my stomach, but I forgot that feeling of getting it right.

The first three times around were a little rough and I forgot to count about half the times but I got the strides right all but once. About the fourth time around (it was set up with two small X's on a line, then coming around the arena and taking a square corner to a small vertical. X's were probably 12" and 4 strides, and vertical probably 18", and after about 3 rounds I figured her out and it was like being a rock star. I would say definitely far from perfection but I felt something coming back. It was confidence. And it felt GOOD.

I clicked really well with Stella, the mare I rode. It was a little shaky at times but I am certain after another ride or two I'll be in much better tune with her. She jumps really up and round so I snatched her face twice on accident and got thrown forward a couple times as well, but both of the last times around were great and really smooth.

Texas hunter/jumpers, here I come.

Life

I haven't updated in a long time (for me anyway). I've been busy and I've had a lot more energy (probably from eating better and exercising more, followed in my other blog with Mashley) so I've been getting out more. I'm already getting a little tan (in March!) and Oscar is learning "stay," "spin," and we're working on sitting from a down. He can sit, then lay down, or sit from standing, but lying down and THEN sitting is pretty tough for the little guy to comprehend.
He also decided to chew on my laptop cord, and shorted that thing out. Which was probably about time anyway, the thing is constantly losing connection to the internet (where my netbook won't), and randomly turns itself off (even if it's not hot) and also freezes unnecessarily. The laptop IS about 5 years old, though, so it's probably about time. I'm just glad I have a backup and do not need to buy another one right away. I need to get my spending (aka eating out) down and make sure my car is going to be okay before I buy another computer.

Speaking of car, my A/C isn't exactly working. Which down here is a must. I'm going to have to get that fixed ASAP before it starts getting into the 100*.

I also got some MUCH needed cleaning today. My apartment was starting to look like a crazy person's house with clothes everywhere and dishes piled up. I also cleaned the fridge and got my bathroom looking good again. I like having a clean apartment, I just need to get better about having the time.

I have an evaluation tomorrow at a somewhat fancy jumping barn tomorrow. I met the woman who runs it and I think I'm really going to like it. I got the impression she knows how to run a business, and also really enjoys it. She was honest, asked frank questions and genuinely listened.

More on that later, right now it's time to go to bed. I am exhausted.