Stay Tuned For Giveaway

This is a big teaser. By the end of the month I am going to set up a give way for my bonnets. I actually started selling them and set up a little Facebook page. I started out adding borders onto pre made bonnets but would get so annoyed at the asymmetry that I came up with my own pattern. My learning curve has been steep. I never picked up a crochet needle before September but my various injuries mean I have way too much time on my hands. I have always been against learning how to sew but made an exception for pony bonnet ears. Making the full bonnet increased my cost a bit but the difference in quality is worth it. I have more color options and can customize fit. The yarn I found is much better than what you find in the average store bought bonnet. I took the month of January off from new orders to catch up on my local orders and plan give a way on my blog for you guys and one over on my FB page.

Here is my business page if you have anyone in need of pony hats:
www.facebook.com/Bresbonnets

The top royal bonnet is one of my first. This color combo is striking in person. The royal I am using now is brighter so the colors pop even more. 

Between the royal and this one you can see where I started making more of the bonnet so everthing was neat and tidy. 

The brown ended up with pretty pink and turquoise crystals. I hope the owner sends me photos!!

This is when I started make the bonnets from top to bottom. It is for my friend who loves turquoise and bling. 

 I wish the black photographed better. I love this yarn. It is polished so the colors are really deep. I don't think they will fade either like many of the affordable bonnets do. Sometimes I wish I wasn't selling them and could keep all the bonnets for Dickie. 

This is for my friend's gelding. I wish the burgundy didn't look so bright. It the same color as the black and silver one above. I need to make Dickie one because he has a matching pad.

Riding Guilt

I had an MRI on the "good hip" on new years eve. I have been limping around and it feels almost as bad as the other on did pre surgery. The results are what I expected. I have a tear of the labrum (rim of the socket) and breakdown of the acetabular cartilage (the part lining the socket). That means the second I can have more FMLA (July) I will be back under the knife. That leaves me wondering what to do in the meantime. 

I feel like crap 90% of the day but far as just riding goes so far I feel pretty damned good. I have major limitations but I am so grateful to be in the saddle that I am happy with anything. My neck is sore and I have numbness in hands and right leg from the accident. However, of all the things I do in a day (including sitting on my arse) being on a horse is the least painful. Getting on is tricky but there is a tall mounting block and Dickie tolerates the flailing required to keep my hips lined up correctly during the process. 

Once I am on I feel great. Dickie doesn't have much rib cage and my saddle has a really narrow twist so he isn't a strain on the old lady hips. I won't be ready to canter on him for a long time, maybe not until after surgery #2. I am reallllly careful about my surgical hip I know what kind of pain is ok and I avoid that pain. We walk a bit, trot a bit, then leave the arena for the trail. I actually feel better after a ride for a few hours. 

Here's where my guilt comes in........ I am cutting back on work due to pain, seeing multiple people to treat the car accident injuries, limping around, and planning for yet another surgery. Non-horse people have to wonder how all of that compatible with getting on a giant animal. It's impossible to explain that not all riding is created equally. And for an experienced rider what I have been doing is easier than walking to the mailbox. It just feels like people are thinking I am reckless for riding right now. Or that I am being dramatic, if I am well enough to ride a horse I am well do other things.  

I don't know what I am looking for by saying it aloud. I guess I just needed to tell someone I am being smart about my riding. That I am not one of those people who says they are injured then spends all weekend at a tennis tournament. There's my useless worry for the day. My brain always has more where that came from. 

Grateful for 2014

**Pictures of the Spotted Princelet are chronological from 2014.

2014 definitely had it's rough patches. From the crazy barn owner who decided to lock up every one's tack unless we wanted to hand over some as collateral (she decided everyone was leaving without giving notice, we weren't BTW), to the nagging back/hip issues that culminated in surgery, family illnesses, and a car accident.

 I would be lying if I didn't admit I have been in a bit of a melodramatic pity party. However, the majority of the time I just keep thinking about how lucky I am. I am lucky to have a great job that pays well. I had disability benefits to cover the first surgery and a boss who took it easy on me when I came back. 

Being unable to work let me spend time with my step dad. He's such an amazing guy and I wouldn't be what I am today without him. I am so fortunate that both my parents married amazing people. 

I have a girlfriend who took time off and waited on me after surgery. I would have gone stir crazy without her. She watched hours of really stupid tv, put my pants on for me, and brought me snacks. My step momma hauled me to PT appointments and friends checked in on my horses. 

I found a wonderful trainer who is also a friend with a heart of gold. I had months where I couldn't do much more than sit around and she put up with drive buys to watch her ride and let me tag along on horsey adventures. 

I have friends who checked on my ponies, sat around on the couch with me, and kept calling even though I am not up to doing much beyond seeing the horses and resting. 

My barn situation started out rough but I landed at paradise just before surgery sidelined me. We have been at Sherwood for seven months now and I still can't find anyone wrong. He has a giant stall (14x12+), it's bedded so deep it looks clean even in after a night, he has daily turnout (real turnout, not the "oh we turnout" then as soon as winter hits they are in everyday), he has HUGE turnout. He's so happy there I don't think he has noticed my absence. 

I am soooo thankful for Dickie. He hasn't always been easy but he's turning out to be a fine young citizen. I can hop on him after weeks of not being ridden. The most excitement I get is the occasional scoot when he spots a horse coming towards the arena. I don't need to lunge him first. He will take my crippled self on the trail in the pouring rain and wind. I might get a snort or a prance here or there but nothing that requires any skill to stay with. 

I am pretty damned lucky the way I look at it.