1/4 herdmate

Brrr! So I've had Laz's blanket off (actually all the horses are running around naked) and he's fairing quite well.  The temps rose up to around 30 so we figured allowing their fur to breathe is always a good thing.

Laz is happy to go sans blanket while he can.

He has his feet done yesterday and I reviewed/asked Cliff my billion questions and he told me his plans of why he does this, etc, etc.  We put Laz back on a 5 week trim, instead of stretching it out again.  He is still pleased with what he sees.  Laz, the past couple of weeks, has been trotting and cantering around better than he ever has. Crazy but I'll take it!  

 Speaking of crazy..as in crazy cute. Here's Chief.  The BO asked for me to check on him while she was gone for a few hours to make sure he didn't escape out of his pen.  I guess this little cutie pie, likes to jump fences and scoot under our electric fence.

I checked on the littlest, upon arrival and he was good

"Harrro...Iz realz cuut. Feedz mez"

 "mmnom nom, I haz purty hairz an vury thiks furz so snowz dont hurtz me!"

 Look at these littlest feet!

 After I worked Laz and we had our trim, the BO called me from her house and laughed noticing that Chief snuck out and was running with the Gelding herd.  Unfortunately, it wasn't going well.  The one Arab was chasing him, biting at him and Chief was screaming!  It was heartbreaking!!!!

We raced out and Chief went running right for the BO to be rescued. He is hilarious!

So, we chatted and thought, since he's been sleeping in the stall next to Laz for the past few nights, and they seem to get along over the rails, let's introduce them.  If they got along, Chief can stay with Laz and then won't run away again, and Laz has been wanting a herdmate, so how about a 1/4 size?

Sniff sniff

 "Sniff sniff...oh ya..you is the minimini that snores next to me at nights"

 "Minimini do you give kisses?"

 "Here Minimini, you eats my hays...I likes you"

 "can you reach minimini?"

 Be still my heart...

A happy "ooops"

Sunday morning...cool picture my BO took of the frosty morning air resting on Laz's mane

By the time I got there, it was sunny and cold, but oddly still out so tolerable.  I thought I was just going to do some Parelli games, but I did end up riding! Yea!

One of our best rides yet. Laz was very brave and free lunging in arena without pacing fence line or freaking out at deep end so I thought, "I'm riding this horse today-freezing or not!"

We rode for about 45 minutes and I was literally sweating when I was done.  He was warm too but we cooled down nicely.  

Oh, did I forget to mention....we cantered. 

OOOooops!

Here's how it happened...swear.to.god.

We were walking towards the arena gate, about half way down the arena.  I thought to myself, "oh I miss the canter" and low and behold, I swear, I swear, I didn't lean forward or squeeze or kiss....he gave me the most soft canter for about 10 seconds and then I pulled him up (guilt) and praised the shit out of him! 

It.Was.Awesome!!!!

Love being able to yank off his winter blanket for a couple hours to groom him and let his skin breathe!

I spy sweet horse's breath!

Conformation shot 1

and 2

Here's a current video of him playing that I put on my FB

Doesn't he look good! 

He gets trimmed on Thurs too so hopefully, he'll keep getting better, and better!

and from Today...cold, grey but pink tongues always make me smile 

And truthfully not too cold. In fact the BO yanked her herd's blankets off so I was happy to do the same for Laz. She'll keep an eye out on him and re-blanket if necessary.  He's SO furry, I'm sure he'll be happy sans blanket for a few days now that it's 'warm' and 25-30 out. 

 ...and meet a new member of our barn family..."CHIEF" or Little Chief!

The BO is making a mini family and he's the first of her mini herd.

 Isn't he the pony of all childhood dreams?! 

He's sooooo damn cute and tinytinytiny and she was told he's 8 yr old.

What a dollface! 

He's a little ear shy but his temperament is very sweet.  He slept in the stall next to Laz's run-in. I would have paid money to see that reaction when they first met. 

 Elfkin ears and a Keebler face!

He's adorable!

Award!

Wow thanks!

And to think, we are considered "stylish" when long johns, and five layers of clothing puff us out, and knit hats with runny noses is our daily look.  

We'll take it! 

There are 4 duties to perform to receive this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

The thank you:

Denali's Mom was the first to give us this award, so thanks girls!!! :)  

D's Mom and I have grown to be friends through the blogging community, or as I can it, our virtual barn.  She's given me such great advice and support and that midnight email almost a year ago that basically saved Laz's life.  No joke.  Are we indebted...most certainly.   She rocks. Her Pony rocks.  And somehow our beasts keep testing our heart's strength and humor...and sanity.  It's always nice to know that someone knows EXACTLY how you feel. 

So 7 things about myself that you don’t already know…

1.  I love food. I'm a self proclaimed foodie! I try to eat 98% Vegan but will occasionally cheat for the right meal.  I would eat anything/everything and could totally win any eating contest on Survivor or Amazing Race.

2. I want to do, be on the Amazing Race.  The thing that stops me is the bungee jumping, or bridge walking or jumping out of planes craziness. **barf**

3.  I'm Greek.  100% and I love it and am proud of my heritage and my family (also links to my #1)

4.  I can have a sharp tongue.  My parents think it stems from me getting sent to a private all girls high school.  I think it's inherited. lol!  Mostly it comes out when I feel the need to defend someone or myself. 

5.  I have crazy spacial planning gifts.  I can look at leftovers and know what size container to put it in...perfectly.  It's odd.  It helps with my work of being a kitchen designer so I can create space for clients things

6.  I hate Bullies.  Not the animal Bulls, or Bully sticks that dogs chew (what are those anyway??) but mean people.  That is where #4 comes into play.  I like to speak up for those that dont/wont/cant and get myself in trouble defending them against a Bully.

7.  I'm a lipgloss junkie.  I have about 7 all in the same rose-ish, pinkish shade in my purse right now and about 12 more strewn around my house.  Laz likes my peppermint flavored ones!

15 blogs who are deserving: 

(some b/c of style, some because of knowledge and some both!)

1.  http://milesonmiles.blogspot.com/

2. http://honeysucklefaire.blogspot.com/

3.  http://jumping-percheron.blogspot.com/

4.  http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/

5.  http://www.copycatchic.com/

6.  http://iamthesprinklerbandit.blogspot.com/

7.  http://quartersforme.blogspot.com

8.  http://ohhorsefeathers.blogspot.com

9.  http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/thin-sole-thick-sole.html

10.  http://onthebit.wordpress.com/

11.  http://latokarla.blogspot.com/

12.  http://tuckerthewunderkind.blogspot.com/

13.  http://lucysquest.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-love-my-horse-part-3.html

14. http://jessandprinceofthieves.blogspot.com

15.  http://www.bitlesshorseblog.com/

(sorry, some of you may have already gotten this)

Readers..I highly recommend above blogs if you don't already read them! (so many more too....ugh!)

Some pics from Sunday

Angel baby Mason

 Angel baby Laz

 My Husband said he looks like a Donkey here, lol..I love Donkeys!

 Sunday was Parelli/ground work b/c I am fighting a cold..ugh...so I didn't feel like half ass riding.

Laz was awesome and kept stopping and sneaking up behind me to nuzzle.

Ok...I gave in.

Wouldn't you?!

Somewhere between fun, worry, patience and questioning

I find it crazy that snowflakes are so beautiful especially when they land on our equines furried winter bear fur

 Laz, after our awesome ride, noshing on his slurpee

Can I pull out the cavaletti's and work on those in snow?

He's not fat, I promise, but needs help in the belly area.......who doesn't, its January?!

 Pigfest!

Ok, so here's where it gets to be that I constantly worry but also have to balance that with enjoying where we are TODAY. 

Today, I had a great ride on my horse.  

My horse was happily trotting around, wanting to play and we pushed our 'safety' zone a little today with great results (aka riding in closer, closer to areas he always spooks at)

We also worked on w/t, silent whoa's, transitions, figure 8's, backing up and just standing patiently until I ask him to move. This proved to be interesting. I would ask him to "Whoa" and he would but after a few seconds he wanted to go again. I would back him up a few steps and repeat the "whoa" request.  I noticed, he goes through a mental routine.  He stopped, and when he thought we should walk again, he remained standing but starting his nervous chewing. I would just pat him and sit quiet on his back and waited.  Laz would then shake his head, lick his lips and it was the sign, thinking process, of "oh, you want me to stand here...ok" that I was waiting for to say "Gooood boy!" and we would start walking again.  We did that several times and each time the release of understanding came faster. :)

It was a great ride.

But then, the reality of it is, I worry about his feet CONSTANTLY

They just look so horrible

I'm not knocking my trimmer's work-it's just the truth of the time frame of where we are

I know, I know, they look better than what they did...for sure! 

But I just want to make sure I'm not missing a HUGE RED FLAG and being a bad horse mommy who is blissfully riding her hurting boy.  I mean, his physical, and mental body language is: He's happy.  I know that. I also know that Laz has a high pain tolerance and for that, I don't want to wait for any "OUCH-I'm seriously hurting" signs.  Also I want to make sure that we don't digress with his growth of barefoot feet and make sure I'm doing all I can to keep him healing.

So, that being said-Today's photos of feet-up for thoughts!!

Front Left

This hoof always looks the best to me, out of all 4

I know-major major hoof wall separation STILL...ugh, why won't they go away?! What can I do to get ride of it? Seems that if he's been barefoot since March 2010, shouldn't this have healed by now? Is it thrushy? It doesn't smell but I know that isn't the only indication.

Right Rear 

(you know..the devil foot..worse laminitic one)

 Doesn't that hoof wall scare the shit out of you?! It does me. I assume it could have been the damage from his wedge shoes that he wore for months..but can this come back healthy? 

His sole is so odd, like it's callusing to protect him.

Right Front

This is concerning to me for a few reasons

1. Ice stays packed in this foot like crazy

2. Why is his sole BLACK?! Bruised? Or natural pigmentation?

3.  Again, wall separation...jesus

4. I don't like the toe shape or the sole at the toe

5.  Are the bars too high, it may be hard to tell from pictures

 Same Right Front, diff angle so you can see the bars and the toe a bit better

So, yes I will know more when I do xrays in Spring...and Cliff comes in a couple of weeks so I'll ask him his thoughts, etc on above too

Video clips of him trotting before our ride today.

I think he's still looking great and strong and even had some nice strides and movement today

Also, you can see I need to work on our "Ho" as in stop, a lot more.

I think he looks great (considering) here. 

I can definitely see him dragging his left rear toe more than other feet 

Anything else that you see that sticks out? Good or Bad?

This is our "Shhhhhhht" game

I'm sure you've play this, Laz really loves it

And just a funny one for the dog loving readers out there

Billy shoveling our driveway and Mason helping him

I appreciate your thoughts on his feet, etc!

I know so many of you have years of experience of barefoot trimming success

Childhood delights

Don't you remember, as horse obsessed kids, when ANYTHING horse made you giddy?! 

(has that changed? lol) 

Anyway, I personally remember that in between my 3 day a week riding lessons, I would bury myself into books of horses and would sketch horses for endless hours.

Once in fact, in High School, I was yelled at in the front of the class by my 'teaching' Nun (blah) who held up my journal of notes with doodles of horses all around it.  Little did she know that her class of religion would do nothing for me as an adult, but my doodling horses brought me all the joy in the world.  Ha!

So, have any of you ever read this book below?

I remember it being one of my faves as a child and just recently found a copy for my home...can't wait to re-read as I've forgotten the story quite a bit other than Sky Rocket was a small Bay that loved to jump...I think?!

AND..it's illustrated by Sam Savitt who I basically drool over his illustrations.

Hmmm, quite interesting that this little Bay Horse...

Looks JUST like another Bay Horse I know...

Perhaps that came into play in my subconscious when we met in the field, that random Fall day in September of 2008, lol!

Isn't it great that our Childhood loves have grown into our Adult loves and we get to have a special port back into time of fun, innocence and love of horses!

***

And here is something that I wanted to share, that was emailed to me by a sweet Parent of my Husband's Bball team:

4. Horse Sense : Tips for Working with Horses

By Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller

Children are different from horses. Parents are different from horse handlers. Sleeping in a barn is different from sleeping in a bed. Horses are bought and sold. Children are not. Horses pee and poop in a field. Children are potty trained to use a toilet. Raising horses is a lot different from raising kids. All that being the case, you might not expect to find any useful parenting strategies employed by horse trainers and their owners. But, then again, you might.

Consider the following:

1. Communication takes many forms. Most important is that horses understand what we are trying to say and that we understand what they are trying to say.
2. Horses push. They test boundaries. If the boundaries move, they figure the boundaries will probably move again.
3. If what a horse pushes on moves, you can bet he will push some more.
4. Horses don't particularly care where our boundaries are, but they are more comfortable when we have some and are consistent with them.
5. If a horse can move us without a consequence, he has learned an important lesson.
6. Many adults blame the horse for learning that lesson and forget to look at the person who taught him that behavior.
7. How we react to a testing of boundaries will influence how the horse looks at us from that point on.
8. Many adults label a horse as pushy, disrespectful or bad, even when he has learned the behavior from his handler. They often want the horse to be fixed.
9. Catching a behavior early is easier to deal with than if it is allowed to continue for a longer period of time. It takes less energy on the part of the horse and the owner.
10. Sometimes the cure for a horse problem is to allow the horse to go for a good run without being chased.
11. Some horse handlers look at an unwanted behavior and label it bad. Most often that behavior is just the horse letting you know how he is feeling in the present moment. He is providing us with information.
12. What we do with that information flows out of how we decide to see that information.
13. Patience is important.
14. A horse's body and behavior is telling us what is happening internally.
15. Most miscommunication between a horse and a rider results from the rider not giving enough direction. This often occurs when the rider is indifferent.
16. You have to stay connected with yourself if you are going to connect effectively with your horse.
17. The more upset a horse gets, the quieter you need to become.
18. If your horse increases his emotion, it is helpful to decrease yours.
19. Very few new horse-training techniques exist. There are only those that are new to us.
20. Horses thrive on consistency.

Obviously, not all horse owners treat their horses with the respect these ideas reflect. Some people beat their horses, blaming them for inappropriate behaviors. Others let them starve physically or emotionally. Some ignore them and their health needs. Others frighten them with whips and shouting.

Our hope is that more people learn to respect horses and build trust without wounding their spirit. Perhaps these ideas will help more parents—we mean horse owners—raise more responsible, caring, conscious children . . . we mean horses.

Winter Play

I started a new label called "I (heart) Michigan"

Reason being, I was born and raised outside of Chicago on the North Shore. It's one the my favorite places and I miss it although my family still lives there so I get to visit (not as often as I would like) and we are only a 5 hour car ride away.  I've lived in Michigan since I came here for College and ended up staying on accident. It's taken me a bit of time but as of lately, I've grown to love and appreciate it.  Especially in the last couple of years when we've been so trashed on and people out of state make horrid comments of living in Detroit.  Granted, I don't live in DETROIT, but in Metro Detroit. I want to show you readers that actually, it's a beautiful place to live.

One-we have amazing public parks in my town of Royal Oak.

Friday evening, I took Mason there for some Mommy-Puppy time.

You see, before my Husband, Pudgie or Laz..it was just Mason and I 

So our alone time is important for me to give to him...or so I think :)

 Frozen solid water from melt a week ago

 And since I can't jump my horse, I have a hunter/jumper Lab...

 Such determination and bravery...  ;)

 Look at this scopey Pup!? 

7 yrs old and what form! He even flipped his velvet ears just so, held a frisbee and managed to jump in perfect form.  If Mason was a horse.....oh boy.

(I can't imagine what neighboring people were thinking if they saw me, lol)

 Cool down

On Saturday afternoon, the skies cleared up, the snow stopped falling and Laz and I had a great 45 minute ride!

Nothing beats riding the fresh pillowy snow!

I

 winter time rides!!!

They are so peaceful.  Laz, Mason and I enjoyed a quiet ride all together.  Mason finally decided that walk around the arena with us for almost the entire time.  It was funny. I could tell Laz liked following him and felt calmer with him there.  At one point, Laz gave a tiny hump of a buck and threw out his front legs along with a head toss at Mason.  He literally wanted to play with Mason.  Mason was thankfully clueless and just trotted along but I circled Laz and backed him up.  Although the baby buck was funny and cute that he wanted to play, he needs to remember manners during a ride and none of that is appreciated.  But it was cute!

 Is there anything better that when your rehabbing horse has happy perked ears?!

I'm so happy that Laz enjoys his work

After our ride, we did some Parelli games.  

I needed to work again on the Porcupine game which is encouraging your horse to come into your allotted space, and out of.  Laz has a tendency to crowd and it's part of his wanting to dominate.  He did great and was awarded with his slurpee.  Which when I bring him his bucket of soaked beet pulp with Aloe juice, he knickers so loudly, his whole belly shakes.  This is when the Porcupine game comes in handy too as he started to get really rude and pushy wanting his slurpee.  I now make him back up, stay out of my circle and wait with unpinned ears for it.

He learns so lightning fast that I have to keep working on manners so he doesn't develop bad ones.

And because this post isn't long enough ;)  a couple of funny dog videos 

Pudge and Mason with one of their new disgusting Xmas toys..a skinny possum that they adore

Life's passions

The snow is back after our melt.

Makes for better footing and I do like the brightness of snow white coloring everywhere.

While designing from my home office (ahh best job ever!) I was thinking about life's passions.

Like most (if not all of my readers) of you, one of our passions is our horses

For my Husband, it's basketball.  

I think I've mentioned before, he went back to school this year to get his teaching certification after years of being a Pharmaceutical Rep.  It's been a great decision for he and I.  During this, it's his 3rd season of being the Head Coach for Boy's Varsity Basketball in our neighboring city of Clawson.  He loves it.  In turn, I have quickly grown to LOVE it.  My Dad used to take us kids to watch the Chicago Bulls play (I <3 Pippen!) so I grew up loving basketball, but this is a new spurt of love.  I love the kids, their families, the support, the goals, the screaming, the popcorn, the squeaking shoes, the wins and even the losses when they play their guts out anyway.

What makes it great, is we support each other's passions.  Instead of it being something that tears our time away from each other, we take time to support and encourage it.  I try to go to every game and it's so fun and makes the winter go by so quickly! In turn, he comes to the barn every so often and never EVER grumbles when I head out the door for my 4-5 hour visit to Laz.

The other bonus of him being a coach, is I get to know the parents and the players very well.  Last year, the support we got when I was going through facing a tough decision with Laz, was incredible.  I can only assume that they aren't 'horse people' although a few are, but they could certainly see the pain in my face and still to this day ask "How is Laz doing?" and genuinely care to know.  To me, that says a lot about community and the care people still have in this world.  It's awesome.  

All from supporting someone's passion.  

Their child's passion to play basketball.  Their passion to watch and support it.  Supporting my Husband's passion to coach.  Supporting his wife's passion of horses. It's all full circle.

Being I know some of you out there, are Bball nuts too...enjoy this little video from Thursday night.

Go Trojans! 

(we are the team in dark blue/yellow) at an away game and are 4-1 so far!

And look who else is a Bball fan aside from being a Daddy's boy...

 "Working on my free throws Dad!"

2011 Goals

November 2008

July 2010

our xc course ;)

In just looking at those pictures, there were many unwritten goals that I met with Laz.
(being able to handle ground work with him, bath him, pick his feet, groom successfully, ride without a saddle and live to talk about it, etc.  Seems small? It's not, it's HUGE for us)

I'm very proud of us and our growth as we learn together

Being both green (he being my first horse and he being HOT off the track) we have survived and are still building a strong foundation.  We have exceptional days and days where I want to cry with frustration

But overall, I'd say, I'm very proud of our team building and trust with one another.

We have a ways to go as partnerships do, but we are making great forward steps.

So, that being said, I do want to list some goals and strive for them for this upcoming year.

2011 Goals:

1.  I want to take him trail riding and have both he and I enjoy it.  

Our one and only trail ride, see that post here, in September 2009 was a little wonky so I hope for at least 3 trail rides this coming summer.  I want to make sure Laz is strong enough to handle a 20-30 minute trailer ride,  an hour trail ride (probably at walk, with little trot only), and trailer back to be comfortable and not make him feel weak, so I'll be working on his endurance for that.

2.  I want to take him swimming.  

It may be on a trail ride, or just a destination, but I think he will love it!!!

3.  I want to continue on our great path of hoof health and learn more about it so I feel more confident in what I see and what to look for.  As much as I pay attention now, it still evades me and is such a mystery and really, it shouldn't be.

4. I want to work on Laz's body health-muscular and skeletal to make sure he feels as strong as he can while his feet heal.  

5.  I want to continue to ride confidently and work with some more Parelli techniques for when we need a place of training, I'll have some knowledge of what to ask for from Laz.  I want to continue our relationship so Laz feels more confident in me as well. He shows me signs of trust but also times where he isn't looking to me for help and his strong flight kicks in.

6.  Be able to casually road ride on Laz alone with confidence.
Meaning hop on his back and ride down the dirt road and not fear that he'll freak out and loose his mind every time something rustles in the weeds.  We have a ways to go with this and it will start with hand walking him down the road :) Confidence, Confidence. See a pattern here?

7.  Continue to speak for my horse and follow my gut.
That pertains to so much but overall, I am his voice and I need to continue to research, learn, and do what I feel is best for my horse's life, health and happiness.  It can be so easy to only rely on others, but sometimes that is clearly not enough.  Determination, scrambling and clawing at the last second, fighting for what you feel is right, can sometimes be the best goal to meet.

**Note-these are dream goals and would only be considered if Vet/Trimmer/Laz says it's OK**

1. Canter again and work on correct leads and while I'm dreaming...flying lead changes!

2. Do a local show of showing in hand or a trail class!!! MAYBE!! This is more for me than Laz but I think we would both benefit from it. I used to show a lot in High School, where I took lessons on lease horses and never did very well and would get so nervous that it took all the fun away.  I would like to replace some of those memories with fun ones with Laz and I and maybe even get a ribbon?!  This sounds like a goal for a 9 year old but this 33 yr old wants it! Also, I'm curious to see how Laz would do. I'm thinking he could be A. anxious because he would equate it to his past racing career which when there are triggers of that, he freaks. or B. He would enjoy it if I can keep calm and give him ample exposure and time to adjust.

3.  Have an xray that screams "This horse had laminitis???? Are you sure? He looks perfect now!"  I'm debating about taking him into Dr. Bowker with Cliff and my BO to view what is going on and what our future holds.  I'm always so nervous about xrays because basically in my eyes, I pay a lot of money to just cry over them....so we'll see.  I also want to know what is going on though.  Spring is my timing on this one.

4.  Jump a X rail or a small cavalleti...please note, I would ONLY do this once I get ok from trimmer/vet/myself/Laz. It may never happen and that is just fine too.  I just wanted to put as a dream goal!!! Perhaps for year 2015 but if you think it, sometimes great things come true so I'm putting it out there :)

Us a month before laminitis...this is a great visual to keep for when Laz is ready again

And if not...that is A OK too

The start of 2011

Happy 2011 Readers!!!

I hope this year has gotten off to a great start

For us, how can the start of a year be bad, when I still have my sweet WonderPony Laz! 

Again, glorious pictures from my hobby photographer sister...who as of Dec 27th, got ENGAGED!!!

So, let the wedding planning begin.........wedding in South Africa may be coming in the next year!

The newly engaged cutie pies! xo

Over the weekend, we had some crazy warm weather

I loved it. It was a balmy 45 (and maybe even higher) and all the snow melted.  It got wet and sloppy and rainy for a few days but it has mostly hardened up a bit and is now back to regularly normal scheduled cold.  Not bitter cold, just cold.  Still do-able being outside.

Laz continues to be a sweet boy and for the past couple weeks, I haven't ridden him but just done ground work/Parelli with him in the round pen or large arena (if footing is ok).  My goal is to keep him moving and exercising all winter to head into Spring with better muscle tone.

He is definitely sore and stiff.  He loosens up after about 10-15 minutes but his trot his less than desirable. I may have to seek out another massage treatment for him as what I'm doing for him, isn't doing much seemingly....we'll see.  When trotting, his right rear (the most laminitic) just looks odd.  I'm not sure if it's the shape that makes it look like way, but he seems to bobble on it as it it's not connected correctly. I'll try to get a video of what I'm talking about.  His walk is sound though and that is still a big achievement

Here he is with the BO's herd.  In a month or so, we are going to do some rearranging and home schooled Laz will finally have friends to play with..he will be so happy, I'm sure!

 Eeyuck...rain sucks.  Also driving an hour to work out your horse and within two minutes of arrival...RAIN.  Boo.  Grooming session, beet pulp slurpee and love.

My next post....I would like to list goals for us this year to strive for!

Lots of thinking to do!