What Saying Goodbye Looks Like

I didn't even have time to brush him clean...

He made me smile like the sun...

He was afraid of the wind and blowing tall grass.

He loved carrots and apples, of course, but he also had a taste for Doritos...

It wasn't his back end you had to stay clear of, it was his mouth - Jess was a biter...

He did not make a good first impression on my family - he tried to bite Bran's face off...

I financed him...did you know you could do that...

He and a buddy escaped from the farm one day and took a joy run through the neighborhood, with Brandi and I running after them (picture that - it's good for a laugh)...

He never had to befriend another horse or dog, they always came to him...

If I could've bottled his smell, I would have done it a long time ago...

Everything he wore was black and/or red...even my truck and his trailer...

In the summer, he never went out until the sun went down...

When we first started riding together, I spent more time on the ground than I did on his back - which made me often question the investment I'd made...

In our younger days, we were excellent jumpers - I have ribbons to prove it...

His barn name was "Jesse" as in James; he was a registered Appaloosa with the name "High Hat Blue"...

Jess, Bran and I grew up together...I had Jess for 21 years...21 years

He brought me complete joy...complete happiness...

He would literally and gladly open his mouth to accept his bit...

He had a custom made tack box and storage trunk - because Jess and I were both loved that much...

He hated having his face washed and broke countless cross ties whenever I attempted to do it...

He loved having his belly brushed...

He was my buddy and I loved him dearly and today I don't know what to do to fill this life-sized whole in my heart...

And What A Beautiful Day It Was

It had been way too long since the Gal Pals had been together. Boy, did we hit pay dirt today when we met for lunch at Fearrington Village.

Here's some of how we spent the afternoon...

Ain't that the truth!

Cathy and me :)

There was no choice but to model the $198 Chapeau!


Linda and me :)

Everyone can use a little David Yurman, huh?

Can you believe his naturally curly hair?!

And how sweet is this little fella?

A lovely gift shop in Fearrington, "The Dovecote"

"The Granery", where we had lunch - al fresco!

Where Cathy had shrimp & grits, a southern "delicacy" (I'll pass, thank you)!

Linda had a delicious omelet and I dined on the ice berg lettuce wedge - YUMMO!

The view from The Granery.

McIntyre's Books (one of my favorite places in Chatham County) where us girls met today.

More shops, including Vietri, the overpriced custom pottery maker.

I couldn't think of a better way to spend the first day of Spring!!!

Thanks girls!!! See you in May!!

My Butt Jiggles When I Run

And if you've ever had the misfortune of driving behind me, you're already aware of this little known fact. But I'm okay with it (usually and most of the time).

I'm sharing this because recently, I worked with a nurse whom I'd never met before. In making general chit-chat and exchanging pleasantries, the subject of children came up. I knew what was coming when I shared with her that I had one daughter. "How old", she asks. I pause in order to put on my "Go ahead...I know what's coming next" face and softly and proudly say "27". She, in turn, gives me the perfunctory pause as I can see her attempting the math in her head. "How old ARE you?!". "What, were you twelve when you had her?!". I share my age with my new co-worker and suddenly our conversation shifts.

Apparently, "Monica" will be turning 40 in a few short weeks and is stressing terribly over it. She asked me my opinion on being in my 40's. Wanted to know if I suffered any deep depression when I hit the big 4-0. As I thought carefully about my response, I looked her squarely in the face and said, "I am finally happy with being me. I'm a little like some others. But mostly I'm just me".

I'm okay with my crooked smile and slightly too-large nose. I mean, when I look in the mirror I see the female version of my father and what could be better than that? And while my hips are a little larger than I'd like, I'm not willing to take on an eating disorder or hope for a terminal illness in order to slim myself down.

And as I set off 3 days a week for a rejuvenating run, yeah, I feel my butt jiggle. But only in the beginning. After a few hundred yards, I picture myself long, lean and sculpted and press on and never give my cellulite another thought.

...until I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I'm getting ready for bed...

Will 50 bring absolute certainty?

I Had No Idea!

A few months ago (January, I think), Mom, Brandi and I went to see "Lovely Bones". 

How did I miss it???  I am a HUGE fan of his after witnessing his performance in "Julie & Julia".

I can't remember if I heard on the radio, read it on the Internet or saw it on Good Morning America but early last week I learned the weird neighbor and murderer in "Lovely Bones" was, in fact, played by Stanley Tucci!

I must pay closer attention.

Back to the Oscars!