February 2010

February 2, 2010

Surprise, surprise. The groundhog saw his shadow.  I guess we knew that was going to happen didn't we?  Even though we have had the nastiest weather, we are so fortunate to have so many wonderful helpers at Amazing Grace Stable.  Thank you all sooooo much.

Aren't we blessed with our WONDERFUL lives?  We have so much to be grateful and thankful for.

Love you,

Nardeen       

February 4, 2010

Nooooooooooo - please tell me it isn't true that more bad weather is coming our way !!!  We are sick of this.

My main focus these days is James River Horse show.  The prize list is just about done, and it will be posted on the website at www.jamesriverhorseshow.com. Mindy Minetto and George Wallace are the judges.  We are "AA" rated USEF and this year we are adding the MHSA, the NCHJA, the NAL and WIHS to the show.  The MHSA offers all sorts of classes that we are going to try this year.  We will be adding Pre-Children's Hunter; Pre-Adult Hunter; Short Stirrup; Lead Line; Thoroughbred Hunter; Pleasure; Young Entry; Maiden and Limit Equitation Flat and over fences, the NAL/WIHS Children's and Adult Classics, and all the Maryland Equitation classes.  Whew - I'm exhausted just typing all these new classes.  Anyway - there will be classes for everyone and every horse and pony.  And we are also offering the Breeding classes again this year.  So, we hope you will be joining us this year on May 12 - 16 at the Garnett's beautiful Rose Mount Farm.  

Go to http://www.lindseysway.com and click order DVD to see the picture of "Piper" and Celeste Kellogg. The series should be coming out sometime this spring. Celeste is from right her in Smithfield. "Piper" was in the picture because the director wanted a picture of Celeste with a chestnut horse for the DVD cover.  He was such a good boy and Celeste is precious, and very talented.

Tonight we went to an amazing movie with the Youth Group from Healing Waters church.  "A Saved Life" is about what today's young people deal with.  WOW - it was something.  It showed it all - peer pressure, drinking, drugs,  gambling, cutting, sex, pregnancy, parental infidelity, divorce, suicide of a friend, popularity, sports stars, the cool kids, the misfits, mental cruelty, and of course GOD !!!  It is a very powerful, emotional movie.  If you are a parent of teens or young adults you should definitely have them see it.  It could change or even save their life. 

Take care and God bless,

Nardeen

February 5, 2010

Bible Study, a delicious dinner and friendship - tonight at Ryann and Hunter's house.  Hope you can come !

The horses got ridden today !  Hooray !!!!!!   And right when they finished riding the last one it started raining and snowing. As I'm typing this - I'm looking out the window and it's snowing like crazy.  I can never remember a winter like this, never. 

But - even with this horrible weather - we are so blessed. I brought some groceries to Ryann's house for dinner tonight, then I walked out to watch the girls ride. Then in between horses I'd come back in and do a little cookin'.  I'm so grateful for our wonderful life, our wonderful horses, our wonderful friends, our wonderful Bible studies, and our wonderful God. 

God bless,

Nardeen

February 6, 2010

Tonight it's dinner, movies and friendship at my house.  Come on over.  Brittany and Agita are cooking Pork Chops, Potato Cakes and Green Beans .  Yummmm.  I haven't had pork chops in years.  Mother Dear made them sooooo good, and she never even ate them.  She wasn't a big lover of pork.  Ryann, Becky and Josh are on their way over. We're gonna have fun.  Last night after the Bible Study we watched "This Is It" - Michael Jackson's movie.  I saw it when I was in Florida with Alex and Caroline.  It's a really good documentary of the making of his last tour - that he never was able to do.  So sad. He was such a talent and had such a sad ending.

So if you have four wheel drive come on over.  The roads are suppose to get treacherous so don't go out if you don't have it.

Lots of love,

Nardeen

February 7, 2010

I did something today I haven't done in a really long time. I cleaned a few stalls.  And - I thoroughly enjoyed it.  We were trying to finish up the barn so we could come in and have a "Super Bowl" party - which I can't believe I am even interested in.  But, you know how it is.  Whatever your kids enjoy you enjoy.  Ryann, Hunter and Brittany all love football .   I don't understand one thing about what's going on, and I can hardly even tell when they've made a touchdown.  But I'm learning and I enjoy being with the kids and seeing how excited they get.  So - we're in the house, watching it on their fabulous HDTV , and getting ready to eat delicious Mamma Mia Pizza !  Oh - and the commercials.  I forgot about the commercials.  We just watched the Dorito one where the Laborador put the bark collar on his owner, barked, then stole his bag of Doritos !  That should have been a Jack Russell not a sweet Lab !  Oh no -  the Budweiser commercial - no Clydesdales. So sad.  Okay - so it's 10 to 0 Colts !  And another Bud Light commercial with no Clydesdales.  Not nearly as good !!! 

So most of the snow is melted at the barn and actually it's not too bad. Sam even rode Ashleigh and Sly today.  It was a beautiful day - so sunny and pretty, just a little cold.  So - hopefully we'll get some riding and lessons in this week.

Oh my - The Who !  So sad.  I was never a big fan of them - even back in my hippie days.  I felt so sorry for them tonight.  It was painful!  I think they should have had the guy from American Idol who sang "Pants on the Ground."

Here are some of the past performers.  Wow - some hard acts to follow I must say. But still - The Who were weak, very weak.  What about Bon Jovi !!!  They should be next year. 

1993 Michael Jackson - wow I'd love to see that again !

2004 Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake (Wardrobe Malfunction)

2005 Paul McCartney

2006 The Rolling Stones

2007 Prince

2008 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

2009 Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

HOORAY - finally a good Super Bowl commercial.  The Clydesdales were back !  It was sooooooo cute. Brought tears to my eyes. 

Wow - even though I don't know anything about football, I do know enough to know that Peyton Manning  and the Colts are incredible.  I was so worried that the poor Saints were going to get slaughtered. And then I was so happy for them that they were holding their own. Then, then, they got another touchdown !!! 

31 to 17. Go Saints Go !  

February 8, 2010

Here is a beautiful email I received today.  WOW - it is amazing, and is so true how our God works.  He so often gives you that "little" nudge, that "little" confirmation that He's there.  We just have to look for Him.

The SPARROW at STARBUCKS

It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square .
For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing.

It was a fun, low-pressure gig. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in. During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of them lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along.

After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked. "No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?" To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose," I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?"

"Well. ... do you know any hymns?" Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one."

"Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one." "Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"
My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one."
She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing:

"Why should I be discouraged? Why should the shadows come? I sing because I'm happy; I sing because I'm free. For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."

When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!" But the ovation continued. I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!"

"Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said. "Why is that?"  "Well . .." she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song." "Really!" I exclaimed. "Yes," she said, and then grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual.. "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week."

She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing His songs, and everything's gonna be just fine." She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.

Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it. God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay.

The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, just remember...
   Noah was a drunk
   Abraham was too old
   Isaac was a daydreamer
   Jacob was a liar
   Joseph was abused
   Moses had a stuttering problem
   Gideon was afraid
   Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
   Rahab was a prostitute
   Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
   David had an affair and was a murderer
   Elijah was suicidal
   Isaiah preached naked
   Jonah ran from God
   Naomi was a widow
   Job went bankrupt
   Peter denied Christ
   The Disciples fell asleep while praying
   Martha worried about everything
   The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
   Zaccheus was too small
   Paul was too religious
   Timothy had an ulcer
   Lazarus was dead!

No more excuses now!! God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger. God bless.

Isn't that amazing.  That was no coincidence.

God bless you,

Nardeen

February 9, 2010

It's snowing !!!  We have been able to ride the past few days and surprisingly enough the ring has been in good shape.  I really don't understand that because we've had soooooooo much rain and snow.  But - I'm sure happy that it is rideable.

I feel so sorry for everyone in northern Virginia, Maryland and D.C.  They are getting blasted.  Hunter's poor mother is snowed in - and was without heat and power for several days.  One of my best friends lives in Maryland and has more than two feet of snow and more some places on her farm.  She had to tunnel through three foot high snow in order to make a place to dump the manure.  Awful, just awful.

With that said - I'm not going to worry about or complain about the little "dusting" we're getting !!!

God bless,

Nardeen

February 11, 2010

This week's Smithfield Times had several interesting things in it. 

First - congratulations to Baron Goodman - Shelby and Tiffanie's brother for signing the letter of intent to play football for the College of William and Mary.  I know the Goodman family are very proud of him.

Next - there was a wonderful Letter to the Editor about Ryann's best friend Katie Batten.  We knew when Katie was going into EMT work that she would be so comforting to the people she would take care of .  She is such a sweet and wonderful young woman. 

Here's the Letter from Sonja Pruitt:

I am writing to publicly thank the members of the Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad who responded to my call for help after I fell down the steps last Tuesday evening and needed to be transported to an emergency room. I was truly blown away by their compassion and professionalism. All of them did everything they could to make me as comfortable as possible.

I want to especially thank Kira and Katie. Both of them were extremely kind and gentle. Katie even wiped the tears from my eyes while I was being transported, and kept me engaged in conversation, which really did help keep my mind off the pain. That kind of compassion for others is a gift and I for one am thankful they are willing to share that gift while helping the citizens of Isle of Wight County.

That's our Katie !!!  We love her.

God bless,

Nardeen

February 15, 2010

Halo is getting spayed tomorrow.  Poor Halo.  I sure hope she does better than Faith did when she got spayed.  It was a very traumatic experience for Faith.  She was suppose to spend the night and she was so upset that the vet called and told me to come  and take her home.  She felt she would be more relaxed and happier. My poor Faith was so upset.  So please keep Halo in your prayers.

Also - please keep Charlie Weaver in your prayers.  He was badly hurt in Florida while schooling a horse.

On a lighter note - we've been able to ride these past few days AND the rest of the week is suppose to be without any precipitation.  Can you believe that.  No rain, no snow - PRAISE GOD !!!

I just spoke with Ellen Shevella and she has some wonderful things planned for the Old Dominion Horse Show this year.  Mark your calendar for July 20 - 24 at the Deep Run Show Grounds. 

Take care and God bless,

Nardeen

February 18, 2010

Halo did wonderful with her surgery.  She was a "little" drowsy, but that's about it.  Ryann dropped her off at the "Snip Van" which is sponsored by PETA, at 8:30 a.m. and picked her up at noon.   The surgery cost $80 plus $10 for a rabies shot.  She did great.  What a wonderful program that is.  It makes getting dogs spayed affordable.  So thank you if you prayed for Halo and her surgery.

It is a heat wave out here. 49 degrees !!!  Hooray. Lots of riding coming up.  The CNU Team are heading to Fredericksburg for the weekend. There are two shows back to back at Hazelwild Farm for Mary Washington College. I'm going to stay home so I can teach makeup lessons on Saturday.  So if you are interested in a lesson let us know.  Then I'm going to head up to Fredericksburg and spend the night and watch the show on Sunday.

Check out the Tidewater Horse Shows Association dates for this year.  The website is www.tidewaterhorseshowsassociation.com .  If you are interested in hosting a show let us know. We are looking forward to a fun filled season.

We are hopefully going to a show at Stonehouse Stables on March 6.  We are looking forward to that.  It will be so nice to see all our friends again. 

I'm just about ready to post James River's prize list on the website.  Just a few more things I'm waiting on.  Check it out in a few days at www.jamesriverhorseshow.com.

Okie Dokie - I'm off to the barn.

Many blessings,

Nardeen

February 20, 2010

We had such a nice day today at the barn.  It was beautiful out - the first nice Saturday in a month.   I think the horses even had a nice time.  Most of them were laying down sun bathing in their paddocks. It was so cute.

I'm telling you what - you'd be hard pressed to find two kids who work harder or love the horses more than Sam and Britt.  They are precious.  They are at the barn every day and they love, love, love it.  We have never had two kids who were more devoted, caring, and responsible than these two.  They amaze me every single day.   And Lucy is a good helper too.  She always pitches right in and helps them with their chores.  What a great group of kids.  I love them !!!   And Sam - he is something else.  Everyone at the barn LOVES him and he gets to ride all their horses.  There's nothing like getting to ride a lot of horses and to be able to ride everyday.  Practice makes perfect.  I'm proud of him, and you know what - he deserves it. 

Hunter just got home this morning after being gone for two weeks. He's been in Arkansas at a special Honor Guard school for  the National Guard.  He decided to surprise Ryann by going to Fredericksburg.  She was soooooo excited and soooooooo surprised to see him.  She said she and the CNU Team were out at dinner and she saw someone walk in the restaurant that looked like Hunter. Then she realized it was Hunter. She was so cute.  She said she has never been so surprised in her life and it was so wonderful to see him.  Awwwww - young love.  Adorable. 

At the IHSA show today, CNU won third place.  Ryann said the course was really hard.  It had four roll backs and a skinny that was very difficult to get to.  She was proud of the team and said they all rode great. They started out with Marie winning her over fences class.  She was the point rider - so that was good.  I'm not sure who won what in the other classes but I'll get it posted here when they get home.  Ryann gave God the credit for helping her pick the right riders. She said she even changed one of the point riders after feeling like God was telling her to.  Go girl !!!   Goucher College was high point, Mary Washington (the host school) was second and CNU third.  EXCELLENT !!!  I'm so proud of them and Ryann. 

I'm going to post the James River prize list here before I put it on the James River web site.  Please look it over and if you see anything you would like changed, or anything you would like added, please let me know.  I am waiting on a few things before it goes to the printer - but hopefully that will be this week.  We are only mailing prize lists on request, so if you would like to receive one be sure to email us at jamesrivershow@aol.com .  Otherwise, everything you need - ie: timetable, division info, entry blank will be available for you to print.  The prize list posted here is "tentative" so until it goes on the James River web site changes may still be made.  So be sure to check there in a few days.

Click here for the James River prize list.  This is tentative and the final copy will be posted in a few days.

I'm going to go now and try and figure out what "Twitter" is all about.  I don't really understand it.  And I can't stand to be out of the technology loop - so I've got to figure it out.  I've had a "Twitter" account since it started a few years ago but I've never used it.  But - it looks like "Twitter" is here to stay, so I've got to get on board.  If I figure it out I'll "tweet" you something.

Okie dokie - have a blessed night.

Nardeen

February 22, 2010

CHARLIE WEAVER INFO

February 24, 2010

With great sadness our condolences go out to Dr. King and his family on the loss of Pepe, the cutest, smallest, miniature horse I've ever seen.  Pepe wasn't just a miniature horse he was a dwarf, which made him even smaller. I'll never forget the first time I saw Pepe.  Peg had seen him before me and that's all she could talk about.  She kept comparing his size to her dog Holly.  So, when we went over to Dr. King's to see him he was standing by a tree in the paddock.  I couldn't see him at first because I was looking for something "bigger."  Peg kept saying, "there he is, there he is" and oh my goodness, when my eyes finally saw him I couldn't believe it.  I have never seen anything so adorable and so small.  So sorry Dr. King and family.

God bless,

Nardeen

February 25, 2010

Click here for the March 20, 2010 Prize List.

  Rex cleaning his stall !   Britt calls him "Rex-a-potamus."   All the animals have special Britt names. 

February 26, 2010

Brrrrr - it is cold and windy out there - but sunny and beautiful. 

   Faith wishes she was a small lap dog !

Snuggles (sometimes called Kujo).  She's having no parts of sharing Britt with Faith !

February 27, 2010

CHARLIE WEAVER UPDATE

Fri. Feb. 26 UPDATE by Jenny Dunion & Brian Simonson

Today has been 2 weeks since the accident. Charlie has started to come off the ventilator for short periods of time starting last night. He is holding his own but the change from one to the other isn't always the easiest and can cause some anxiety. The doctor said these are normal feelings that most people experience. It is a totally different sensation for him when he is hooked up to the ventilator vs not and it will take time to get used to. Charlie successfully passed his first swallow test yesterday which isn't the easiest feat considering he is still almost completely horizontal in a Roto Rest bed (that is the name of the constantly rotating bed that he is in). After passing the test he was finally able to enjoy 5 ice chips. Even though he is receiving all the nutrition and fluids that he needs via a feeding tube and an I.V it's not quite the same thing..... We spent the afternoon catching him up on his facebook wall and reading and showing him all of his current postings and pictures. Thank you Don and Nancy for the virtual flowers! He really liked them a lot. Thank you so much for continuing to take the time to post and let Charlie know that everyone is thinking and praying for him. We love the trips down memory lane too!

Love, Brian and Jenny

Please keep Charlie in your prayers.  I think the entire horse show world is praying for him. He is a wonderful, kind, and very special person.  I KNOW that God will turn this situation into good.  I KNOW God will give Charlie, Brian and Jenny the strength, peace and courage they need to get through this.  God never forces Himself on us, but when we ask Him He is ALWAYS there for us.

On a lighter note - tonight is Brittany's birthday party sleepover.  She's excited.  We are going to have two days of horses and riding - what else !!! 

Have a blessed day,

Nardeen

February 27, 2010

The best kids in the world are celebrating Brittany's 15th and Logan's 10th birthday at a sleepover tonight ! They are having a great time playing "Taboo." Brittany's big surprise for the night was Lindsay coming to the party ! First time I've ever seen Britt speechless. We were all sad that Courtney had to babysit and couldn't make it. Miss you Court.

"Ask of God, who is able to do exceedingly far more abundantly above and beyond all that we could ask or think."  Ephesians 3:20