Something for Everyone

New windchime I got for the barn... once again, the perfect symbol for Hope was hanging right there in front of me... a peacock!

In no particular order, as I guess life sometimes seems, here's a recap of the last month or two or so...

Somewhere around the reunion and Bell's wedding, I can't remember if I mentioned, that we attended the Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners first annual conference. It was a momentus thing because I was a founding member of the original version of PHCP... well, to backtrack, I was a part of the AANHCP. It was a natural hoofcare training organization, the first of its kind in many ways. It had an implosion of sorts, and a mass exodus. Out of that fairly painful experience was formed the PHCP. And that then imploded, even more painful than before... and a new PHCP was born. And THAT, despite many challenges, managed to not only survive but somewhat to thrive - as in, over the course of 2 years we grew to about 150 members -- enough even to warrant having an annual conference...


That's me standing in the front of the room


We had a clinician come from Australia giving a fascinating talk on his research on their version of the US mustang (the brumby), social events, board meetings, and mini clinics... one of which was given by me. ;-) It was my first time talking to a group of people that large, and certainly about something close to my heart such as horse feet. But I had managed to make up a kind of cute PowerPoint to lead me through, and I think the event went off really well. And I found I had a new sense of confidence afterwards, which was a really nice side effect!! :)


Bailey and Bogey crammed into the cabbage which is sitting on top of another dog bed. Both beds really made for only one fat pug at a time, but they make do...

We went to NJ for cousin Chris & Erin's wedding. We flew in on a red eye (aptly named of course) and took that first day to drive around some old stomping grounds. I found myself a little lost on the old freeways I used to zip around without a thought --- but after a few segueways into areas of NJ I had never actually stomped on... we ended up at the good old Whippany Diner for breakfast. Ahhh...entirely too much food... coffee, juice, rye toast, pancakes... served by a NJ friendly, perfectly accented waitress.

I then escorted (tortured?) Mario by taking him everywhere I could remember in the immediate area. We went to my high school, a couple grade schools, several old houses, grandparents house, cousin's old houses, places to eat, places I worked. We went to Fairleigh Dickinson where Mario was going to school when we first met. I took him to a park or two where I had hiked as a kid or layed in the sun as a teenager. We walked around Foxwood, the condo development in Morris Plains, NJ, where I lived when we first met. It was a gorgeous sunny day and it was a lovely way to spend the morning. Before heading south to Club Pesce I (and II!) we hit up a Kings grocery store for wine, cheese and chocolate to bring with us.

New (to me) statue in Morristown's Green

Park Avenue, the Civil War era Victorian we lived in when I was pre-school until 3rd grade, when it burned "down"

Troy Hills Road, the house my mom and aunts grew up in, my Nana & Grandpa's House

Grove Place, triply famous... The Pesce's lived there when they first got married, then my mom and I loved there with the Pesce's when our 2nd house burned down (no picture of that because it's a parking lot now), and then my mom and I lived there with roommates after the Pesce's had moved out

Foxwood - the condo we lived in when I was in high school until I left NJ at age 22.

It was a tudor when I left!

Me sitting on the bench at Foxwood that Mario and I used to walk to... when we first met!

The first night there, Elaine & Vinnie treated Mario, my mom and I to dinner at one of their favorite taco spots.

Aunt Laineesha & Mario

The next day Mario helped Chris set up stuff for his wedding, hauled items to the dump with Vinnie and helped paint an outdoor bar. That night we got to meet the adorable and charming Stoshua, Rebecca & Richard's baby boy. I got a face ache from smiling at him and laughing with him. He totally charmed me!!!!

And then to make my laugh lines that much deeper, Jeromy & Stephanie arrived with their precious baby girl! Seeing the two baby cousins meet for the first time was priceless...

Cousins Sophia and Stoshua

Since Sophia was only 2 lbs when she was born, it was wonderful to see how healthy and strong she was ~ smiling and round with baby chub. :-)

Aunt Lois, my mom, neighbor friend Diane, Momma Rebecca, Aunt Elaine (grandma - aka Nanny Lain), dogs Cubby and Linus, and baby Stosh in the stroller, out for a walk

The boys went sailing in Uncle Vinney's boat! Captain Vinney, with Mario Richard and Jess's boyfriend playing first (and 2nd and 3rd?) mates


Mario says it was a perfect day for sailing...

We had a really nice rehearsal dinner evening out with all of the family and even got to celebrate Dave's birthday at the restaurant.

Happy Birthday Dave!


Me on the beach, the day of the wedding

The day of the wedding was ideal... despite the recent rains it was sunny, breezy and warm. Chris' good friend was the minister and he did a beautiful job. Erin looked gorgeous, Chris looked handsome, the teal blue ocean in the background and even fluffy white clouds going by all seemed to be as if on cue. A rousing backyard reception at their new house closed up the evening, complete with a tear jerking speech by brother Dave, the bride playing beer pong with her nieces and nephews, scream singing and dancing cousins Becka, Sossity, Jess and Alison, and Mario doing a backwards kickworm on the beer soaked dance floor. Good times!

Precious family time - aunts and cousins looking at photos while sharing many bottles of wine. In this case Alison is showing photos of a favorite place in Milwaukee, Barnacle Buds, where, just a few weeks later - she got engaged!!!!!!! Congratulations Alison & Jeremy!!! :-)

Now at this point you might be wondering about the suspicious lack of photos of the BRIDE or GROOM or many of the things I mentioned in my paragraphs above, many of the things I would typically share photos of. To that, of course, I have a story. Chris & Erin had a post-wedding BBQ type event -- everyone comes over, eats/drinks leftovers and pizza, watch football, play Dingleballs, ya know... your normal fall weekend with the family kind of stuff. I had my camera with me, my little Olympus digital camera that I bring with me to work and everywhere else, and Mario and I were snapping away as usual. On the post wedding day, the battery was dying and I put the camera in my back pocket, where it was never to be seen again. I truly searched the house and yard (and the neighbors yard) high and low. Everyone, it seemed, joined in on the search. It was just... gone. But, or shall I say, butt, at the same time, Chris's downstairs toilet became clogged. Ha ha ha, wouldn't it be funny if it was my camera? ha. ha. hah.

Well, yeah, it actually WAS my camera that clogged the downstairs toilet of Club Pesce II. This is a fact that I can hardly accept but was told by the proprietor of Club Pesce II himself, Mr. Christaphah Pesce, that it was indeed the case.

Rumor has it that the memory card was working, but the camera is not. To be honest, I am not sure I want that camera back!!

Sooo, anywayyyy, the photos in the blog post here were what we had on our iPhones - basically as quick backup to the Olympus. Maybe if I get those images back some day, I will post them here -- because I am sure everyone is curious what toilet camera pictures look like.

Going through Mario's iPhone for photos to load on the blog, I came across this cool golf shot and wanted to share it. :)


Pinot noir grapes freshly picked by a client who owns a winery.

It's crush time!

Mario's horse Buck was at Aliso for a week while his owner was away, so Mar and I got to go on a couple of rides together. Unfortunately the first part of the week was insanely hot and we were not able to ride. Now let me say that this past summer has just been really cool overall, not that I am complaining... but it was generally only in the 80s in places that would typically be in the 90s and 100s, and some places were in the 70s or cooler, foggy/overcast, etc. But a week ago Monday it was record breaking heat in many parts of Southern and Central CA, reaching up to 110, 113, 115 degrees!! A week later, it was in the 60s and it RAINED. Then it got warmer again, and now we are looking at the typical sunny and 70s and 80s for the next week or so.

Anyway we had a few nice rides on the horses, and even though it was a short one - the first night we head out was my favorite. It was after work, late afternoon, and it was just Mario/Bucky and me/Jordan -- and 2 of the ranch dogs Toby and Spike accompanied us. Riding along chatting side by side, through the lemon orchards, it just felt like we had gone back in time or something. I was also feeling extremely grateful - not just for the wonderful luxury of having wonderful horses to ride, the great weather, the dogs with us, etc., but the fact that Mario is willing to wear a helmet for me, even though it's not the 'cowboy' thing to do. Wearing a helmet is a personal decision (it is not the law), but one I take pretty seriously personally.

I just appreciate it so much that Mario loves me enough to wear his helmet! :)

Amanda on Cowboy, Mario on Bucky (note the new dark green helmet!) and Jordan's ears. We had just gotten to a ridgetop - you can see how dry it's become.

My friends Stephanie and Nick had their baby girl - Melina Leann Branca. She was born healthy and happy and we got to see her at her 1 week birthday... She was a total lady for the visit, sleeping in my arms in a most entertaining way (arm stretches, hand gestures, smiles, and leg stretches as well). I'm so happy for Stephanie and Nick!

1 week old birthday cupcakes and candles for Melina!

Nick & Stephanie ... and Melina of course, doing one of her funny sleep poses!

Stephanie and Melina, and Daddy Nick holding their giant, FAT cat Cali!

(no, it is not all hair! LOL)

Randall & Rhonda at The Cave

We met Randall & Rhonda for a lovely evening at The Cave in Ventura for wine and small plates. It was a great evening with friends! Rhonda has been running mini marathons and looks fantastic! It was inspiring...

Luna today, walking the path to the fountain

Indian Summer

My wrists and back are starting to bother me, so I am going to end this post, but I'm glad I got in a little catch-up... Hope everyone is doing well!!