Today I went out to the property with my future neighbor Steve, to dig trenches that the electrical wiring will go into. All the
electric will be underground. We rented a trencher and hired a couple of helpers, Xavier and Marco. Digging with the
tractor was a piece of cake, until we got to the last 100 feet that went through the woods. There were roots and stumps to
have to deal with. We hit one stump and kept trying to cut through it and got the tractor stuck. Bob and Ed (other new
neighbors) came over to help us out. Bob brought his bobcat. We got it out and finished the trench except for about a 20
foot section around the stump that we had to dig by hand. The ground was too soft to send trencher back. I think digging
that 20ft long 3-4ft deep trench was about the hardest thing I've done in 20 years. And I think that I got dirtier doing it than
I have ever been in my life. At least Steve and I will have the satisfaction of knowing we dug the trenches for our own
electric. That's not much of a consolation to my aching back right now though.
electric will be underground. We rented a trencher and hired a couple of helpers, Xavier and Marco. Digging with the
tractor was a piece of cake, until we got to the last 100 feet that went through the woods. There were roots and stumps to
have to deal with. We hit one stump and kept trying to cut through it and got the tractor stuck. Bob and Ed (other new
neighbors) came over to help us out. Bob brought his bobcat. We got it out and finished the trench except for about a 20
foot section around the stump that we had to dig by hand. The ground was too soft to send trencher back. I think digging
that 20ft long 3-4ft deep trench was about the hardest thing I've done in 20 years. And I think that I got dirtier doing it than
I have ever been in my life. At least Steve and I will have the satisfaction of knowing we dug the trenches for our own
electric. That's not much of a consolation to my aching back right now though.
Ever since the girls have started being around and riding horses, Alaila has been in love with a horse named Cookie at
the barn where they ride. When she was only 3, Alaila would brush and wash and love on Cookie. She would always tell
me how she loved Cookie and wanted her for her own. Cookie was on Alaila's 4th Birthday Gift list and last years
Christmas list. I tried to explain to her that it was just not possible for her to own Cookie. Cookie's owners were not
interested in selling and besides, there was no way we could take care of another horse. We already had a pony named
Spirit. It didn't matter what I said. Cookie's name kept coming in bedtime prayers that Alaila would pray and I would find
her picture drawn all over Alaila's little journals. Well, God must love to indulge the prayers of children because Alaila is
now the very proud owner of Cookie. I have convinced Alaila to start praying for a John Deere tractor next.
the barn where they ride. When she was only 3, Alaila would brush and wash and love on Cookie. She would always tell
me how she loved Cookie and wanted her for her own. Cookie was on Alaila's 4th Birthday Gift list and last years
Christmas list. I tried to explain to her that it was just not possible for her to own Cookie. Cookie's owners were not
interested in selling and besides, there was no way we could take care of another horse. We already had a pony named
Spirit. It didn't matter what I said. Cookie's name kept coming in bedtime prayers that Alaila would pray and I would find
her picture drawn all over Alaila's little journals. Well, God must love to indulge the prayers of children because Alaila is
now the very proud owner of Cookie. I have convinced Alaila to start praying for a John Deere tractor next.
Today was the first GOHJA (Greater Orlando Hunter Jumper Association) show of the new annual series. Aviles
competed for the first time in the Walk/Trot division on Cookie who has had a lot of experience in that division. She did
very well and tied for the Reserve Grand Champion, which is second place overall. She was up against some pretty stiff
and experienced competition but held her own extremely well. As the horse owner, Alaila was right by her side every step
of the way making sure that Cookie was groomed properly and tacked up. It is amazing to see how seriously Alaila takes
her new ownership of Cookie. She is fiercely independent which worries me a bit because she has no fear and I am
concerned that might get her into a dangerous situation. But, Melanie is there every step of the way. I can't wait until we
are in a position for the girls to kiss their horses before bedtime. They are so in love with them. Amarige can wait to start
competing herself. They are all truly Horse Girls.
competed for the first time in the Walk/Trot division on Cookie who has had a lot of experience in that division. She did
very well and tied for the Reserve Grand Champion, which is second place overall. She was up against some pretty stiff
and experienced competition but held her own extremely well. As the horse owner, Alaila was right by her side every step
of the way making sure that Cookie was groomed properly and tacked up. It is amazing to see how seriously Alaila takes
her new ownership of Cookie. She is fiercely independent which worries me a bit because she has no fear and I am
concerned that might get her into a dangerous situation. But, Melanie is there every step of the way. I can't wait until we
are in a position for the girls to kiss their horses before bedtime. They are so in love with them. Amarige can wait to start
competing herself. They are all truly Horse Girls.
Last night the girls and I went to the Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art, thanks to an invitation from our friend
Steve Hamblin. We have wanted to attend the event for many years but this was our first time actually going. However,
Melanie was obligated to help at the girls school for a fund raising event. But we have to bring her next year. It was a
great way to get a jump start to being in the holiday mood. There were beautiful Christmas trees everywhere along with
custom gingerbread houses. All the trees and gingerbread houses were auctioned off for charities. The event was
catered and the food was delicious. It was fun kicking off the Holiday season by taking the girls to a fun dress up event.
They are really a blast on a date. After we left the OMA we visited mom at the school gymnasium and help her finish up
passing out the cookie dough for her fund raising event. I am almost in the mood for the Holidays. The temperature just
needs to drop about 30 degree and I'll be there.
Steve Hamblin. We have wanted to attend the event for many years but this was our first time actually going. However,
Melanie was obligated to help at the girls school for a fund raising event. But we have to bring her next year. It was a
great way to get a jump start to being in the holiday mood. There were beautiful Christmas trees everywhere along with
custom gingerbread houses. All the trees and gingerbread houses were auctioned off for charities. The event was
catered and the food was delicious. It was fun kicking off the Holiday season by taking the girls to a fun dress up event.
They are really a blast on a date. After we left the OMA we visited mom at the school gymnasium and help her finish up
passing out the cookie dough for her fund raising event. I am almost in the mood for the Holidays. The temperature just
needs to drop about 30 degree and I'll be there.
Quote OTM: Faithless is he
that says farewell when the
road darkens. - J.R.R. Tolkien
Movie OTM: Pride & Prejudice
Song OTM: Middle Of
Nowhere - Hot Hot Heat /
Elevator
that says farewell when the
road darkens. - J.R.R. Tolkien
Movie OTM: Pride & Prejudice
Song OTM: Middle Of
Nowhere - Hot Hot Heat /
Elevator
