hard filly to halter break

Musings and adventures including horses, coffee and fabulous people! equine sports therapist. coffee drinker. 30 something. lover of laughing. dog owner. horse hugger. book reader. perfume wearer. pants hater.

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Cruel jokes of weight loss & dating

A little church of Gary Vaynerchuk with my morning detox tea.   

This morning I was still reading through and laughing at the results of my Facebook poll for this weekends date(s). 

The question was: 

Poll: Should I wash the barn smell out of my hair for tonights first date? Or just dry shampoo the hell out of it & curl it?

I'm so uplifted by the people I know and for those who take the time to interact. You literally made my day with the smiles! For the record, on Facebook 17 were against washing my hair and 11 were for washing my hair so I feel like I made the right choice?

Over on Twitter we also had some good results:

I dry shampoo'd and curled because lets face it, washing & drying your hair is a commitment and a 1st date isn't! Haha (For the record, I showered, I just didn't wash my hair) Also don't worry Mom, this is a SnapChat filter, I didn't become a ridiculously hot goth girl in the last 20 minutes. ;) (but I could be!)

After my 2016 Man Sabbatical I decided to jump back in to dating, and then had a horrible experience and wanted NOTHING to do with dating. And then I did, and then I didn’t and then I did and then...you get the picture. 

I’m a really public person on my Facebook and social media shares but when it comes to my private life I prefer to be uber private. Like the world can know I hate wearing pants but I would just plainly prefer that no one knew who was in my pants. Get it? 

It does create a bit of hilarity though, since I never share about it, a large population doesn’t think I date or get jiggy with it or even look. The occasional time I post about date night I get a few private messages or text like “I’m so happy you’re dating, you deserve to be happy” and it just makes me giggle.  Oh gurrrrl you have no idea. 

In the wise words of my girl Amy Schumer, she sums up how I feel: 

Modern dating is a jungle. 

Our society is so wrapped up in fast information, fast food and fast fashion that dating has fallen into that circle. In the same afternoon you can Amazon Prime and Tinder a hookup if you so please. 

A few of my thoughts on Modern Dating:

- I praise every day for Bumble. Founder Whitney Wolfe co-founded Tinder and then had a few breakups and left. Bumble is like Tinder with the swipe shop but it gives all the power to the lady to make the first move and forces them to do it within 24 hrs or the match is gone. 

I jokingly say that men who speak in complete sentences are on Bumble. Also the hottest, smartest women live there. 

Some reads on Bumble here and here 

- Dick pics have ruined my life. Gone are the days when the term ‘leave something to the imagination’ lives comfortably. Why do we live in a time where I have to say this out loud? 

I’m so tired of receiving photos of penis’s. 

Guess what fellas? You’ve created this world where there is nothing exciting or shocking about your man hood any longer. I got a unsolicited dick pic ON VALENTINES DAY...yes...you read that correctly! lol It was from a guy I hadn’t talked to in over a year or even been with. Like wtf? Was he just gifting his dink to every girl in his phone? 

We live in such a sexually aggressive age that I’m literally now turned on by kindness and effort. Like seriously, shock me by being slightly non-sexual and I will probably want to jump your bones. Crazy world...crazy world. 

But then Cassie and I watched Jane Austens ‘Sense & Sensibility’ today at the Metro Cinema and we realized, dudes have always been difficult and that was before cell phones, dating apps and dick pics. 

For the record, I don’t send nude photos, I tell any guy that requests them that I plan to be in politics or famous one day...which is a lie. And I’m pretty sure somewhere Derek Bisbing has a bunch of photos of my nudity we did for a breast cancer calendar in my early 20′s which might be nice to have one day in case these ones fall* And if there is a semi-scandalous photo of me out there, I just know that before I send something to the person I trust, I ask myself “If this was posted on Facebook tomorrow as part of a revenge post or anything, would I be embarrassed or would I be like ‘yah gurl heyyyyyy’” I would highly recommend if you are a woman that you consider the same. Just tell them you plan to be famous one day and not because of a nude photo ;)

*more on that below

- Date reports: I went on 2 different first dates in 2 days. Both were refreshingly fabulous. One will see a second date and one I made a cool friend zone friend. Neither have sent dick pics. Neither noticed that my hair was unwashed. 

I can’t tell you any other details because it will all be in my memoir one day a lady never tells, unless your my friend Jacquie Yaniw in which case, you know every detail of my dating life.  

^^^^^Me, talking about my clean hair commitment, not dating. ^^^^^

The cruel jokes of weight loss remain that women lose weight from every place EXCEPT the places we would like. If you recall, my goals were “2 chins & a muffin top” and so far I’m only losing cleavage and my Butkovic. 

#RaceTrackBootCamp has DEFINITELY accelerated some inches and pounds lost. 

This is what 26.4 lbs down & 31 inches lost looks like using dedication, but not perfection to our Arbonne 30 Days to Healthy Living Program & the addition of #RaceTrackBootCamp

As I mentioned, it's mostly out of my chest and butt but I am enroute to slaying my 28 lb goal by the end of March.

If you are on the program, don't give up! If you did it previously and didn't lose, were you dedicated? If you're wondering...if not now, when? I'm living proof that anyone can do it! 

Yours in Adventure, 

#HardFillyToHalterBreak 

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Cardio? Howbow dah

If you read my last blog post here then you know I was starting to add fitness into my healthy living journey. 

Well, my plan to work out with this smoke show, who looks both HAWT & terrifying when you can’t seem to work out, a workout date. lol 

But we couldn’t exactly get our schedules matched up. Stacy & her partner Dan Koren are uber busy with their new cool venture that you *have* to check out and support ‘Eat Clean Healthy Grill & Juice Bar’ St.Albert, Alberta. Not only is it going to offer clean eating options but they will be available with A DRIVE THRU and also offering meal prep services. WHAT?!? That’s an incredible opportunity and think tank. I can’t wait to see it come to fruition in the space they chose. 

In the mean time, my friend & EquiSportsTherapy client Jerri Robertson asked me to come help her at her barn while she was Spring Training her Thoroughbred race horses. I laughed her off a couple times only because race trackers are the hardest working people I know and I’m too old, fat and out of shape to work that hard. 

Then she sold me on this ‘Racetrack Boot Camp’ idea, well that coupled with the fact that I could choose my work days, she pays well and I wouldn’t have to start until between 8-8:30am which is good because this is me:

Besides all those things listed, it was actually because she is a friend and she asked for my help, and I knew she was in need. Finding hard working, horse savvy people can be a challenge across the industry. Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker programs here in Canada have greatly affected the ability to find, and retain, skilled workers within the horse industry. Quite frankly the job requires hard work, a fast pace and long hours which most people don’t want to do. And I get it, by Day 2 of #RaceTrackBootCamp I was hoping Jerri would fire me or replace me quickly lol 

So a little more on what I have dubbed #RaceTrackBootCamp on my social media avenues.

My February Health Living goal remained to add in fitness to my lifestyle and have my total pounds lost read 28lbs by February 28th.  

I also did a little research on calorie burning while at the barn and found this chart which would come in handy for the past few days when every muscle in my body has ached:

^^^^^ Just keep thinking of the calories burned Kathy. Calories burned. 

I worked at A TON of barns in my life but it was all in my teens & 20′s where again I was younger, slimmer, more fit and had more energy. When you’re 36 years old, have done mediocre physical fitness besides walking your dogs and trying to get your skinny jeans on after applying lotion to your body...this was going to be a challenge. 

Team Jerri Robertson Racing is currently out at Enoch Park on the Enoch Cree Nation spring training for the Thoroughbred race meet at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta. There are 20 horses, 17 of racing age and 3 - 2yr olds just learning the ropes about what it will look like to be a race horse. 

At 55 years old Jerri Robertson has spent more than half her life at the Thoroughbred race track making horses her passion for as long as she can remember. Though there are a few women in this male-dominated industry, Jerri can be considered a trail blazer here in Edmonton, making her home in Beverly Heights and dedicating her life to her business "Jerri Robertson Racing”. 

Jerri is quite frankly one of the hardest working women I know. She’s a public race horse trainer who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and work alongside her staff. She knows every horse in her barn, knows what’s going on with their legs, diet, health and conditioning. When I bring new friends to the race track, I usually bring them to Jerri’s barn to meet her horses, where most everyone is welcome ‘as long as they bring snacks and can brush a horse’. haha I’m really honoured to call Jerri a client because she’s an incredible horsewoman but more importantly, to call her a friend. 

Doing #RaceTrackBootCamp at Jerri’s barn means I also get to kiss this face every day. Which is awesome except he’s shedding right now so if I have lip balm on, I also get a Grat hair moustache on my lips, free of charge. 

#RaceTrackBootCamp tasks:

Cleaning stalls

Bedding stalls

Grooming horses

Saddling horses

Getting horses out for gallop rider & legging up gallop rider

Filling water buckets by bucket

Receiving horse post workout, blanketing 

Hand walking horse post workout to cool down

Filling haynets

Feeding hay

Raking barn isle

Breathing

Jerri has an incredible barn foreman in Jose Raul Sanchez. Raul can literally clean half the barn in the time I do 3 stalls...or anyone does for that matter. He’s been with Jerri for many years so he knows how the barn ticks and he keeps it ticking. I doubt there isn’t anything Raul can’t do, include keeping my amateur hour self, on the right task. 

Lots of my clients have no idea if I can even ride a horse or clean a barn. The answer is yes to both of those questions, quite handily. It really is like riding a bike, once you get back into the groove of something you remember quite easily about the tasks at hand. 

The difference is I’m now older, out of shape, forgetful and OH MY GOD IS THIS HARD WORK! lol The first couple days I could barely get out of bed, I have muscles that are sore that I’m not sure I even knew EXISTED! 

Honest to goodness if you think going to the gym is hard, you should come try #RaceTrackBootCamp for a couple days for a change of pace. Leg day exists, so does cardio, lifting and stretching. Believe me, you’ll find gains here somewhere. 

March 1st came and I didn’t even want to step on the scale because I have PMS and no good weight loss goals should be weighed on that kind of day. #canigetanamen 

But I knew I hadn’t hit my goal, and I didn’t. But I’m not disappointed because I still made active steps towards it and I’m ALMOST THERE. 

Just like in January when I didn’t meet my weight goal, a funny thing happened when I measured...in the month of February I lost 7 3/4 INCHES just from adding fitness to the menu. (Disclaimer, I also added our Arbonne Metabolism Booster in February as well) 

SEVEN INCHES IN ONE MONTH. What in the holy hail?!

So while I missed my goal of being down 28lbs total by the end of February, I’m actually down 29 1/2 inches TOTAL as I type this. 

#RaceTrackBootCamp has done crazy things for the inches lost in my waist and muffin top. 2 inches off my natural waist and 2.5 inches off my muffin top. Another inch and a half off my bust, I’m basically going to have no boobs by the time this healthy living stuff is done. I’ll have to visit Scottsdale for implants! 

So here we are March 2017! And we got GOOOOAAAAALLLLLSSSS

March looks like:

- Continue to keep doing what I’ve been doing which includes fitness in the form of #RaceTrackBootCamp for as long as needed and the addition of the Arbonne Metabolism Booster

- Document more of the journey and lift up anyone who wants to come along

- In the words of Gary Vee, Do #moremoremore 

Remember friends, when you don’t reach your goals, you don’t give up. It’s about dedication, not perfection. 

Yours in Adventure, 

#hardfillytohalterbreak 

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Watch out Instagram, here comes my bikini pics*!

I've had lots of people ask about what I've *really* been doing like it's a secret society or something. :)

*Also this is a joke. Only Tinder gets my bikini pics! Wait...also a joke. 

When I used the day calculator I was kind of like 'meh 103 days and only -21lbs?' But I acknowledge that that's the part of me, and our society, that wants something quick and easy with instant results. It's why we have drive thrus, keurigs and diet pills. We want it and we want it now! In life, in relationships, in business and in our health. 

I'm here to be the bringer of bad news..........it doesn't happen that way. Like...it *can* happen that way but for the majority, for us real schmucks, it just won’t.

So what changed for this gal? 

Growth.

If you watched my #BellLetsTalk Day Snap Chat story on my journey with PTSD (of which I still can’t AirDrop to my Mac for some reason) I spoke about how I told the world 2016 was about ‘Being Brave’ but on the inside it was more ‘continually scare the shit out of yourself until your fight or flight response is sacked out just like you would sack out a colt and then maybe your panic attack triggers won’t be as terrifying and unsuspecting’. That’s the Coles Notes version of my lonnnnngggg Snap story. 

But yes. 2016 RULED FOR ME in the area of growth and scaring the shit out of myself (safely) and then keep on growing. 

I read this the other day in “Daring Greatly by Brene Brown” and since you probably won’t go out and buy a book on vulnerability and I’m a fast typer, I’m going to type this shite out for you right meow:

****************************************************************************************************The Shield: Numbing

If you’re wondering if this section is about addiction and you’re thinking, This isn’t about me, please read on. This is about all of us. First, one of the most universal numbing strategies is what I call crazy-busy. I often say that when they start having twelve-step meetings for busy-aholics, they’ll need to rent out football stadiums. We are a culture of people who’ve bought into the idea that if we stay busy enough, the truth of our lives won’t catch up with us. 

Second, statistics dictate that there are very few people who haven’t been affected by addiction. I believe we all numb our feelings. We may not do it compulsively and chronically, which is addiction, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t numb our sense of vulnerability. And numbing vulnerability is especially debilitating because it doesn’t just deaden the pain of our difficult experiences; number vulnerability also dulls our experiences of love, joy, belonging, creativity, and empathy. We can’t selectively numb emotion. Numb the dark and you numb the light. 

If you’re also wondering if numbing refers to doing illegal drugs or having a few glasses of wine after work - the answer is yes. I’m going to argue that we need to examine the idea of “taking the edge off,” and that means considering the glasses we drink while we’re cooking dinner, eating dinner, and cleaning up after dinner, our sixty-hour workweeks, the sugar, the fantasy football, the prescription pills, and the four shots of espresso that we drink in order to clear the fog from the wine and Advil PM. I’m talking about you and me and the stuff we do every day. 

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DAYUM BRENE BROWN WHY YOU GOTS TO ALWAYS BRING THE TRUTH BOMBS?!?

Anyways, this explains perfectly how I have been living my life for the last 6 years. 

And then something happens when you take steps to gain control of your life.

For me personally, that looked like taking a very long Man Sabbatical to fall out of love with an unhealthy person in my life, setting goals, taking ridiculous active steps to gain control of my nervous system and the shit that scares me. 

To sum it up: I got woke

No longer would whiskey, wine and men provide me with this hold over, numbing, or coping. (They still bring me pleasure but in this way of much more moderation and healthfulness. lol)

Here’s the tricky part about getting woke...you can’t really get un-woke unless you numb again. 

So it was a decision based on alllll that good Tony Robbins teaching I got at Date With Destiny so many years ago. Tony says “If you do what you’ve always done, you get what you’ve always got.” But now we woke soooo...

I have an incredible business with an incredible company, Arbonne. It’s not a dirty little secret like some people think Network Marketing companies are. Side Note: Look at your Facebook feed. People everywhere are choosing to consider different options in their lives. I’m so inspired by the badass babes & fellas I know that are like ‘yah, I’m the new face of this’ 

Since Arbonne already has a program and I already have the product I just did this weird thing where...I listened to what they said and used what I had. 

I also just ‘Let go’ so I created mini goals but no goals like “If I’m not a size 4 by June I’m not perfect”. Nahhhhhh I’m all like ‘Let’s knock a chin or two down a notch and live a better life.” 

So this is how I start my day for most of the past 103 days:

From Left to Right:

Step 1) Wake up, pee, start the kettle and take the dogs outside. 

Cup of Arbonne Herbal Tea - Contains all sorts of goodness like: Milk Thistle, Couch Grass, Sarsaparilla, Peppermint, Dandelion, Lemon Grass, Uva Ursi, Burdock and Fennel. 

2) Arbonne Protein Shake - Vegan Certified, no soy, no whey, 20 grams of vegan protein from peas, cranberries and brown rice. No shitty aftertaste. I prefer to make my blended with almond milk. The colour and flavour (comes in Vanilla & Chocolate) of my morning shake change but having one rarely does! 

3) Arbonne Fizz Stick - Besides caffeine derived from natural sources like guarana, Arbonne Energy Fizz Sticks have a blend of B vitamns, chromium, sodium, potassium, taurine, green tea extract panax ginseng,  and rhodiola rosea extract. 13 calories & less than 1 gram of sugar. This replaces my coffee most days (my personal choice) and encourages me to drink more water as I mix it with 32 oz of water. 

Then we have a meal program and recipe list but if I’m not shopping & creating out of that, the biggest plain change was learning how to cook and not feeling guilty that I’m not a big meat eater and that I do like weird things like lentils. 

Things I've wondered since I started this deal:

- Why is the only way that cauliflower tastes good is with Indian spices? 

- Why do healthy people fart more? I can promise you the prettiest people on Instagram probably smell f'ing horrible! 

- Why as a plus sized woman when you start losing weight does your phone blow up even more? Listen fucker, you didn’t love me when I’m fluffy you don’t get to love me now or anytime soon. Go love yourself! 

So now that it’s Day 103 and I’m 21 lbs down I have decided I want to KICK IT UP A KNOTCH! 

The thing I haven’t done (like at all, walking my dogs is it) is kick my activity level up...or at all. I want February to look a little different because my February goal is to be down 27-30lbs by February 28th. (Because GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLSSSSSS) 

And to do this, I need an expert. And I just happen to have one. She’s one of my EquiSportsTherapy clients and she’s a total bad ass and best person with the biggest heart and oh...she looks like this blonde on the left hand side of your screen. 

Yah...you want the girl that’s in ‘Hot & Fit’ to help you when there is a possibility you can’t do even one sit up. (I must be craycray) But...like my ol’friend TRob says, “If you do what you’ve always done, you get what you’ve always got” and what I’ve got is a muffin top! 

Seriously though. 

You need to follow Stacy on Instagram because she’s the coolest of all cools! (Don’t be a creep to her though because a) I will break your knee caps and b) she’s already seriously happy with this babe of a dude.) 

Edmonton, Alberta you are full of all sorts of hotness! DM those babes if you want to get ahold of them. 

So February goals look like:

- Continue doing what I’m doing.

- Add in Arbonne Metabolism Booster

- Add in a bit of fitness...like actual sweating that isn’t from trying to fitness pizza in mah mouth. 

- Master cooking healthy popcorn on the stove 

^^^ Goals though! lol 

Yours in adventure, 

#hardfillytohalterbreak

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The Bachelor Canada is missing out!

I know A TON of single awesome women. Like seriously. 

And I’m not sure why? Maybe because I work with horses and the majority of horse owners are women? But when I think of awesome single men I know...I don’t know many. Not that they’re not awesome, it’s just that I don’t know many single men, they are all dating, married or otherwise interested in other men. 

They continually talk about our Millennial generation, defined as those who are 19 to 35 years old in 2016. (I’m on the highest end of the millennial lol)  

Things like: 

Millennials are having less sex than any generation in 60 years 

Why Millennials are putting off marriage. 

Recently circulating on Facebook was a post with the application for The Bachelor Canada. I instantly thought of so many rad women who would make excellent TV. Legit some of the most beautiful, hilarious and entertaining women I have ever met. 

We also noticed a friend share a post that a guy had made about his guy friend who is looking for love. We have mad respect & give him a solid A for effort on the helping with Match Maker which gave me an idea......

There is no guarantee that my girlfriends will apply for The Bachelor Canada (a few have) or that they will get chosen (we can only hope) so I decided to help write a few of their bios. All with humour and the most love extended to them. 

Note: When they told me I would also have to apply for The Bachelor Canada my only response was when they come out with “Middle Aged Plus Sized Bachelor Canada” I would definitely apply. It’s a whole spin off series they are missing out on, older demographic and incredibly beautiful curvy women and the men who love them. 

I now present to you, Women I Know Who Are Serious Contenders For The Bachelor Canada:

BECKY, 26, 5′5 

Becky 26, 5'5 is a wild woman who likes the finer things in life. You won't meet another lady with a better sense of humour and giant heart toward animals. Work ethic is important in her potential mate, if she works harder than you, you're out the door. 

When she's not working as a paralegal, Becky competes in the equestrian sport of 3 Day Eventing. The sport includes piloting a 1,200lb animal over solid fences upwards of 4 feet tall for miles at a time. Soooo it's safe to say Becky is looking for a Man's Man. 

I'm not sure if she can cook but she did serve me Kraft Dinner while camping in her horse trailer during a competition so I'm sure you will survive. 

Three words that best describe Becky are: Funny, Adventurous and Confident

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Barb, 32, 5′10

Barbara 32, 5'10 is a Flight Attendant and one of the funniest women you will ever meet. 

Family and friends are important to Barb and she worked hard to raise a fabulous grown daughter whose eyeliner game is better than Adeles. 

Barb has a huge heart and is incredibly smart, her potential mate should be very well read and have his wits about him.

 I'm sure Barb can cook, as a matter of fact she's some sort of hot domestic goddess. 

Three words that best describe Barb are: Hot, Funny & Crazy (the fun kind) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cassie, 27, 5′5

Cassie 27, 5'5 is an Executive Assistant by day and social media influencer every other waking moment.

 Travel, fashion & the art of sharing a story are important in Cassie's world. Her potential mate should ensure he's a good communicator with a great sense of humour. She usually is attracted to cowboys but I'm sure she wouldn't be against dating a man with a steady job either. 

When Cassie isn't putting time into her blog 'Lipstick & Cowboy Boots' she's competing in the equestrian sport of barrel racing with her horse 'Stella Rey'. 

I'm not sure if she can cook but she is obsessed with tacos so at least she can make a dinner recommendation when needed. Three words that best describe 

Cassie are: Stylish, Creative and Funny. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Final notes on our The Bachelor Canada impromptu unofficial pre-casting are below. 

Quote from our group chat:

“I'm a solid 10 and I only deserve the best which is falling in love with some guy in 25 days while he dates 20 other women. Only the best for this dime piece.”

Amen sister! 

But in all honesty if you know a great guy or gal that would make for exceptional TV and wants to be a part of The Bachelor Canada then apply 

HERE 

Also a welcome side note to single women, if you haven’t tried the dating app ‘Bumble’ then give it a go. I recently downloaded it and am in shock & awe and the amount of men who write bios, use complete sentences and don’t look like they may murder me. It’s an app that totally gives the woman control. Once you match you have 24 hours to make the first outreach in communication and if you don’t, it goes away. 

It’s something to look in anyways. #Tinderhangover  

Yours in Adventure, 

#Hardfillytohalterbreak 

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I guess KathyBoobs.com will have to wait...

^^^ This can’t happen apparently. 

28 days ago I joined a little Facebook group with 19 other people interested in healthy living. It didn’t matter which program or products we wanted to use and no one was going to make us do boot camp or videos unless you wanted to. It was the brain child of my client Karla. I’m super thankful for her initiative! And thankful to the ladies for their honesty, safe space and lack of judgement. We’re still kicking it in the ‘cool club’ as we call it. We fall off, we eat pizza, we gain weight, we lose weight, we drink, we cry...it’s real shit show called ‘Real Life’. 

I bought a scale at the start of this which is quite possibly the most horrifying thing that a 35 year old woman who is more into popcorn/wine/men than her health can do. It was all very Bridget Jones Diary the day I stepped on and started. British voice over, crying, bingeing and wobbly bits. Ugh. 

I usually get on a healthy kick once a year, in January...like the rest of the majority of the population. I’m always conscious that I ensure my pants fit and I don’t have to buy a bigger size but it’s usually my face & boobs that get out of control when I gain weight. I have a joke about my 4 chins and my quest for only 2. 

That was the goal of joining this group & journey...2 chins & when I put on my jeans that I didn’t instantly crave muffins. Being home for the winter I thought this would be the perfect time to get committed and dedicated to Tinder something that I know works for me. 

Basically what I’ve been doing:

- I have a cup of Arbonne Herbal Detox Tea the very first thing when I wake up in the morning and the last thing before I go to bed. I usually use the same tea bag for morning & night. I sometimes brew some and create cold tea so I can keep some in the fridge. 

- I already have a Arbonne Protein Meal Replacement Shake for breakfast every day. I’m not too into eating in the morning unless it’s brunch and there is drinking so when I discovered protein powder, it just works for me. I’m also not that fancy with this whole protein shake thing...I keep things simple with 2 scoops of Protein Meal Replacement Powder (either chocolate or vanilla), 1/2 scoop fibre boost, almond milk to fill. I usually spice it a few different ways depending on what I feel like. 

- Meal prep. This has been one of the biggest game changers and I realize the very big upside to not travelling for a living. I meal prep Sunday or Monday for 3 days of evening meals and freeze extra. That usually looks like a protein & veggie & healthy carb. I’m super lucky that I only have to feed myself and that I’m not against eating leftovers or the same thing days in a row, for a fat kid I actually don’t even really like food that much. (See: Popcorn, booze, men)

- I replace 2 of my meals with shakes and on busy days I might only do the breakfast one. I’ve learned that Breakfast is so important and so is fibre dammit! 

- Back in June I replaced most of my morning cup of coffee with Arbonne Fizz Sticks. Low in calories, this effervescent drink contains select botanicals of green tea, guarana and ginseng, as well as B vitamins and chromium. AKA a healthier version of coffee or Red Bull with only 15 calories and the ability to help the body metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. I still have at least 1 black coffee a week. 

- I personally weigh myself every day, I write it down daily on a white board which I hid from house guests under sneaky photos and pieces of paper. I find it keeps me more accountable. Also I have never laughed harder at people praying to poop! “It’s weigh in day, I’m drinking 3 cups of coffee to clean me out.” You laugh at the very thought of this until you have weigh in day and start praying to be the lightest in all the land! 

- I fall off the wagon, I get back up. In the last 28 days I’ve included in my meals: 

Popcorn

Wine 

Lots of wine

Pasta

Pizza

ALL THE HALLOWEEN CANDY! 

A whole small tub of Ben & Jerry’s 

Chicken wings

7-11 drunk food

Chips & dip. 

It goes on and on and on. I fall off for sure but I just get back up and back on the wagon and focus less on beating myself up about ‘failing’. 

Note: I personally use Arbonne nutritional products because I have an Arbonne business that I love & adore and I feel the same way about the products. 

TODAY, the 28th day was a HUGE win for me. I officially crossed over 10lbs down...10.8lbs down actually. 10.8 lbs in 28 days with dedication but trip ups. 

I decided that it was time to measure again as well. I have this tailors measuring tape from when I took sewing lessons in grade school, who knew it would come in handy this late in life? I was also curious beyond belief because I had breakfast with my ex-boyfriend a couple days ago and we had a weird exchange that went kind of like this:

 Him “Please don’t lose too much weight.”

Me: “What? Why? What do you mean?”

Him: “I can tell you’re losing weight and your boobs look smaller, please don’t lose your boobs”

I loved this man so all I could really do at the time is laugh! Figuring that someone I’ve known intimately for a long while might notice that much of a difference I needed to measure now for both science and humour.  

28 days...10.8lbs 

Loss in inches:

Neck - down 1 inch (That’s like 1 full chin down)

Natural waist - down 2.5 inches

Pooch aka muffin top aka chubbiest part of belly - down 2 inches

Thigh - down 1.5 inches

Oprah arm - down .5 inch (rude)

Butt - down 3 inches (Sir Mix-a-Lot is also going to be sad)

Bust - down FOUR AND A HALF INCHES. 

It’s this cruel lady trick that the first place you lose weight is your boobs and the last place is your muffin top. 

Like why can’t we just reverse that?

Anyways, I’m not saying that what I’m doing is the right way or the wrong way but it’s working for ME and I’m really looking forward to the next 28 days. This is an “ALL WINTER EXCURSION” for miou aka “I’m staying in Canada this winter to try being Canadian and this thing I’ve heard about called ‘adulting’ so what better time than now to take better care of my health”. It seems like a long title but it’s a work in progress, just like me. 

Yours in Adventure, 

#HardFillytoHalterBreak 

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Horse Racing in the City I love

This is really exciting news both for our Alberta Horse Racing Industry and for the City of Edmonton. I'm so encouraged by all the great news coming within our industry including this announcement and the announcement of the future home of horse racing in the Capital Region, Century Mile starting 2018. 

I personally was tickled Century Casinos got the bid. A company who is already in the casino business and horse racing business melding to what can be considered a successful Racino model. Though relatively small & mighty, the existing Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Balzac, Alberta has show exemplary understanding of the importance of the new age of horse racing involving fan involvement, horse player respect and social media presence. I'm especially encouraged by their quest to build and become a National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Safety and Integrity Alliance accredited race track which is designed for excellence in racing safety and integrity. This is huge news for our sport and our region and will only help further modernize the industry. Currently Woodbine Racetrack is the only NTRA accredited horse racing track in Canada. 

For every upside there is a downside to consider. I know it seems over the last year that my advocacy for horse racing in Edmonton seemed to be anti-Northlands but quite the opposite is true. I'm truly saddened for the loss of horse racing at Northlands Park even if it means something new and shiny going forward. Northlands Park has so much rich history and honestly could not be in a better location and while it's an incredible win for the County of Leduc, I consider it a large loss for the City of Edmonton.

Currently the City of Edmonton is running a huge campaign on 'Urban Isolation and Mental Health' which is an obvious concern for growing cities and urban centres. It just so happened that Northlands Park is a huge open air, social event that provides interaction between all ages and all walks of life. As well as offers free parking & free admission and city transit within walking distance. Most large cities would pine for such a huge asset within minutes from their downtown core. 

Northlands, also rich in tradition *but* seemingly poor in management. In my letter to the Mayor and Edmonton City Council members I expanded on the topic and the feedback and the experiences. There is absolutely no denying that when Northlands said they were getting out of horse racing and Horse Racing Alberta put out a call to bid that 3 different places said "Hey, we want to put our money towards this, we see opportunity" which largely counters Northlands tale of woe of how the sport is dying and they can't make a buck and how their facility is in shambles. 

I thought I would share a bit more of my letter to Mayor & Council that I sent ahead of the September meeting. While decisions have all been made, I guess this serves as what was maybe possible?

“From the City of Edmonton Municipal Development plan: 

"By the year 2040, Edmonton will be home to more than 1 million people.To accommodate our growth and to aid in Edmonton's evolution to a sustainable, healthy and compact city, this plan takes a holistic city building approach to managing growth and development. Success will give Edmonton a greater range of housing, living and workplace choice, greater financial sustainability, a resilient food and agriculture system, an ecological system throughout the city and a fully functioning integrated transit and land use system." 

Well served communities is a big part of that. 

Horse Racing & Agriculture as an Asset to the City of Edmonton:

* Currently in the 'Kitchen Barn' is the 50 seats 'Hot Tip Cafe' it is approximately 1/4 of a block away from & on the same street as the Northlands Urban Garden. Not many of the staff or backstretch workers use the Hot Tip Cafe because of the quality of food offered by the current people who run it. I'm not sure why Northlands, who has been hot on AgriFood expansion, hasn't used the commercial kitchen they already own to offer the food from their 'Truck 1879' in a more permanent location that already exists. Or why that can't run some programming out of that kitchen as well and offer it to the public.

* Currently Olds College, also with roots deep in agriculture, runs 2 highly successful programs part-time out of Northlands Park. The Racetrack Groom Program & the Racetrack Exercise Rider and Jockey Program. This partnership has produced many award winning jockeys in Canada and across North America. It is literally one of the best programs in the world for producing quality athletes. It would be an incredible shame to lose this facility & this program. In 2012 a short documentary on Racetrack Groom Program Graduate, Amanda Gregory was made. Now in 2016 her barn has grown from a small barn to one with about 15 horses, has multiple employees, as well she & her fiancé live in Cromdale and just welcomed the arrival of their first child. 

Because the groom school is subsidized through Horse Racing Alberta making the tuition cost to the student about $1,000 and their being guaranteed work upon completion, I'm not sure why City of Edmonton hasn't looked closer for partnerships with local inner city programs or low income programs who have people willing to work hard and get a better path started. The HBPA of Alberta (Horsemens Benevolent & Protective Association of Alberta) also provides horse racing employees an Dental, Eye & Hearing program. This aligns with the greater range of workplace choice and financial stability of the Municipal Development Plan. 

Trainer Amanda Gregory also opens her barn to the Edmonton Oilers ICE School which was a partnership between the Edmonton Oilers & Northlands. Regularly the highlight for the kids was to come down and meet the horses and learn more about horse racing.

* Northlands Expo Centre biggest challenge for hosting agriculture events is the fact that they've outpriced themselves from the market as they looked toward corporate events. Northlands Sportex used to host 2 Dog Shows a year. One of my earliest memories of Northlands Park includes attending the dog show and while walking our show dogs watching the horses work in the morning. There was always tons of spectators from the city and opportunity to learn about responsible pet ownership, other activities to do with your dogs and breed club booths. Dog Associations seek matted facilities for both confirmation dog shows and dog agility trials. 

* I recently returned from the Canadian National Arabian & Half Arabian Horse Show in Brandon, Manitoba. Held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, August 14-20, Canadian Nationals boasted 719 horses and 2,244 entries. Exhibitors hailed from five Canadian provinces and 41 different states. Over 200 classes and 18 different disciplines were represented at the show, including Purebred and HalfArabian/Anglo-Arabian classes. The economic impact estimated to the city of Brandon is around $6 million. At one time Edmonton Northlands hosted this horse show. I know this because as a child our west lawn of our house was sodded using the sod left over from the horse shows extravagant set ups. https://www.arabianhorses.org/.content/aha-press-releases/AHA_CanadianNationals_WrapUp_08252016.pdf

If you read the last line of this media release you will notice this line: "Earlier this year, AHA (Arabian Horse Association) and Canadian Nationals extended their contract with the Keystone Centre in Brandon to hold the 2017 event." The one year extension and not multi-year implies they are looking for other opportunities. Brandon, Manitoba is a city of 46,000 people and the horse show brings in $6 million in economic impact, the horse show also bred the need for WestJet to consider flights to the city which spurred the airport redevelopment for that city, of which they are currently in the middle of. 

As someone who has volunteered in the Canadian National Arabian & Half Arabian Horse Show Office for over 20 years I can tell you that the exhibitors will say "We miss Regina", that's right...Regina, Saskatchewan is missable and the former host city of the horse show. The businesses & hotels of Regina will tell you they miss the horse show and the economic impact just like Calgary will tell you it misses horse racing in it's downtown core. The horse show exhibitors miss Regina because there was an International airport available for them to fly into (Brandon only from Calgary), a wide range of top end hotels to stay in & fine dining establishments to visit. This is something that maybe Northlands doesn't see interest in but the progressive folks at Edmonton Economic Development does?

* Partnership. Not in the form of commercial partnership but grass roots partnership. Agri & Agri food partnership. 

Beyond the Hot Tip cafe, Colours Restaurant in the Northlands Park grandstand has 149 tables with 679 seats...why can I not buy an Alberta brewed beer there? A micro brew? Why are we not featuring the best of Edmonton AgriFood? Why should table owners be served waxed frozen vegetables and raspberry vinaigrette on the salads? 

The Olds College partnership is already proof of what success can look like with secondary institutions.One of Northlands Parks neighbours to the east, NAIT, has a Landscape Architectural Technology program. Maybe there is a possibility for partnership there if Northlands Park could exist for further value adding to the city. The infield could definitely use a student redesign and if concerts in the infield is something they would like to further do ALONGSIDE horse racing, I think it's brilliant! Lots of top race tracks in the country have concerts in the infield of their race tracks. Speaking from the point of welfare of the horses, infield concerts are far less invasive for them than the K-Days fireworks which are torture for them. Possibly NAIT Landscape Architectural Design students could also redesign the tarmac to add some greenery and make it more inviting. In previous years I had to BEG Northlands Park uppers to put flower baskets up. 

Saratoga Race Track in New York, which is 53 years older than Northlands Park, looked like this last Wednesday: https://twitter.com/KennyMcPeek/status/768500235249344515

Community, culture, tradition & marketing can combine for beautiful things. Even if changes in management or operators could bring Northlands Park from a D- grade to a B there would be success.”

Okay...I guess that last sentence was a little harsh but my cup runneth over with frustration at that moment. lol 

I guess what I’m saying is, I really do love the Northlands & Northlands Park property. I see nothing but potential which is likely why, at times, I get so frustrated by the organization. It’s clear they want out of horse racing so we can do nothing but respect their wishes. 

I also wish nothing but the best, most successful race season in 2017 & 2018 at Northlands Park and look forward to continuing to share this sport and venue I love, with the city I love. 

Yours in Adventure, 

#Hardfillytohalterbreak

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I’m obsessed...

I’ve been waiting for this documentary to come out on Netflix for MONTHS and now that it’s out, I’m on my 3rd go around watching it and you could say I’m obsessed. 

Why? 

Because quite frankly, not only did Tony Robbins change my life but this program the documentary is about, ‘Date with Destiny’ may be the most important thing I’ve done IN my life, FOR my life. 

I’m on Round 3 of watching it because the first time I watched it I just cried and cried. I was so emotional reliving how difficult that 6 days was but how free’ing that 6 days was and how I WOULD NOT BE 1/8TH OF THE PERSON I AM TODAY WITHOUT IT.

In 2017 in will be my TEN year anniversary of attending Date With Destiny. I would love to share with you the serendipitous grace that brought me to a place where I was 26 years old and paid almost $5,000 US to get my mind & life right. And I will at the end of the this week, but first, I want to encourage you, every person I know who has Netflix, to watch this documentary. 

But I want to tell you some things...and give you some warnings. 

You’re going to judge.

You’re going to want to turn it off. 

You’re going to think it’s ridiculous. 

You’re going to think it’s hokey. 

Why do I know this? Because I thought the *exact* same things when I met Tony Robbins the first time and when I attended this conference the first 2 hours. 

BUT I CHALLENGE YOU! 

Friends, I challenge you from the bottom of my heart & soul...if you’ve ever taken *any* thing I’ve said to you or advice or listened to any words I’ve told you...watch this with an open heart and mind. 

I can not make this shit up. 

It changed my life. 

It made me the person I am today. 

Do me one more favour, if you watch it, send me me a private message so that when I write my next blog I can be sure to share with you. 

Yours in Adventure, 

HardfillytoHalterBreak

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You never quite realize how single you are until...

I couldn’t decide whether to call this blog post ‘I haven’t worn a real bra in over a month’ or ‘You never quite realize how single you are until’. I went with the later because I hate click bait and I know tons of creepers would be expecting boobs. Too bad! 

Anyways. Do you know that scene in Bridesmaids where Rebel Wilson is showing her free tattoo of a “Mexican Drinking Worm” that she got in a back of a van to Kristen Wig? And Kristen wig says, I think it’s infected?

That’s slightly what I’ve been feeling like lately. Over a month ago I got an abnormal mole chopped out of my back...you know the ones, the one that says ‘It’s probably not cancerous but what an idiot I would be if I ignored it and it was”. I had been putting this off for a good 2 years now and I finally told my Doctor that when I got back from the Arbonne Conference in Las Vegas, he could chop me up. 

I made a ridiculous Facebook post about getting your back cut into. It was a biggesh freckle spot but then I didn’t realize they needed to take additional space from all around it and underneath it. He sutured it with dissolving stitches inside and removable stitches on the outside. About 7 days after the appointment, I did what any horse/dog girl would do and had professional take out my removable stitches. She was a professional handler and dog breeder...believe me, she knows stitches, I was in good hands. 

The problem with where my surgery was is...I can’t really see it and I can’t really reach it. My Mom doctored it the first 2 days, I made my Dad doctor it another day, the dog handler remove the stitches...you see where I’m going. I can reach up and behind and put some polysporin on but other than that, I don’t really know what’s up visually. 

I do know what it feels like though...and it felt like TINY HELL. A couple weeks in, I wasn’t getting any pain relief from the dissolvable stitches so I made the mistake of Googling how long it should take for them to be gone....Dr. Interweb said anywhere from 7 days to 6 months. 

Obviously I wasn’t going to trust a DOCTOR from the internet since I don’t even trust MEN from the internet so I then texted a Doctor friend I know who said it would probably be a couple weeks. I took that information into account and kept doing my best with it. 

But...it started to get to the point where it was SO SORE. When I looked at my calendar I realized that they had been in for a month and I probably shouldn’t be in this much pain. Since I had to go to the hospital for some routine blood work and testing I decided to stop into the Emergency Department. 

When the intake nurse was about to take my vitals I said to her “Actually could you just take a look at my back for me before you write me up because I don’t want to waste your time and money, it’s just that I’m single and I can’t really see where my stitches are and it hurts and I feel like I have shingles but I don’t” 

The nurse jetted me into an exam room and says “Oh my God, that looks infected, we need to take those out!” She leaves the room and comes back, has me bending over the counter because the pain of removing supposed ‘internal stitches’ that are infected, has me so nauseous I’m feeling faint. She says to me “Okay, you’re going to have to keep this bandaged for the next 4 days and change the bandage every day and flush out the wound” Gotcha. Basically I need to Tinder for a male nurse. I remember that I have to drive by my Moms the next day so solve one day. 

Before I leave the nurse says “Do you have a phone?” I look at her bewildered, dig my phone out of my handbag and hand it to her. She says, “I’ll take a photo of it now so you know what to look for if it gets worse.” lol Perfect! 

I haven’t really worn a ‘real’ bra in a month because of were the surgery was. A ‘real’ bra to me means one that makes sure I’m strapped in and if I needed to take a slight jog or pick up the pace in the walk, no one, including myself, would get hurt. 

Day 1, I had my Mom change my bandage. Day 2, 3, & 4 I wasn’t really near anyone I knew or felt comfortable saying “Hey! I have 3 gapping, infected holes on my back fat, do you mind flushing those out and doctoring them up?” So I decided I’M A SINGLE INDEPENDENT WOMAN I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF! 

Step One: Remove old bandage 

Step Two: Flush saline down your back and hope it makes it in the wound Flush wound

Step 3: Apply antibiotic which was quite seriously the easiest part because I can back bend my hand sort of that way and reach it with my finger tip. 

Step 4 was the trickiest in my book. That being, ‘apply new bandage’. I can really only reach that part of my back with a tip of my finger so making sure the bandage is square and sterile and in place is not exactly easy. 

It was about the time that I had one corner pressed on my back and looked around for something to help affix the bandage...sterile, toilet plunger no, I don’t own a shoe horn...

...yes... it was about the time that I was leaning my back against the corner of the door frame in my bathroom and rubbing from side to side to make sure the bandage was sticking that I thought to myself, You never quite realize how single you are until.....

 Yours in Adventure,

#HardFillytoHalterBreak 

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Life without Facebook: Day 1

This social science experiment was NOT done by choice. 

Would I *choose* to live in a Facebook free world? Likely not, because then I wouldn’t see cat videos, peoples changing relationship status’s, and puppies. And let’s face it, a world WITHOUT puppies isn’t one I’m interested in. 

It would appear that Facebook doesn’t like my choice of name:

 “Kathy EquiSportsTherapy” 

Which is kind of funny when you think of it because more people know me as ‘EquiSportsTherapy’ then they do even as ‘Kathy’. Ask Brook Robertson, the first time we met it was in the basement of the Canadian Finals Rodeo near a bar and this beautiful bombshell of a woman yells “EQUISPORTSTHERAPY” and comes at me arms open for a hug. I don’t know this supermodel, but she knows my business name and I would like to be her friend. 

You see, it’s hard for a pimp Butkovic out here. No one really knows how to say my name or spell it and most days I don’t even know how to say it or spell it. 

I personally pronounce my name “BUTT-CO-VICK”

It’s a great name though. It’s Croatian, it comes from my Father who was an immigrant in this country. This is one of the many reasons why I’m an advocate for immigrants, because I come from one. And without immigrants in Canada, not only would YOU not be here, but I wouldn’t either. But back to my name...

Having the last name ‘Butkovic’ means I have an legit excuse for having a huge ass most days...genetically, it’s in my name. I put this in the win column. Ever since big butts came back in style I’ve been having a crisis that maybe my butt isn’t big enough? After spending the first part of my life thinking & being told it was far too big. Life is full of confusion. 

So originally I didn’t want to be a “Kathy Butkovic” on Facebook because there are creeps on the interweb. I know...more than a few have sent me dick pics messages. But here is Facebook, forcing me to own up to my own self. Fine! I’m a real lady, I get it! 

Why today though? Why all of a sudden?

I can’t help it has something to do with the fact that I was lucky enough to be included in my friend Christina Walkinshaw’s blog and she’s probably on a watch list or something? Jokes! 

My friend Christina is a beautiful person who shares my love of nachos, men and the Double Down Saloon in Las Vegas. We met in Las Vegas at one of the funnest weddings I’ve ever been to, there we became fast friends and in the years since we’ve exchanged dirty jokes, stories and vacationed together like Thelma & Louise or two fabulous gay men, whichever. 

DISCLAIMER: My friend Christina is an amazing comedian & writer from Toronto who is living in Los Angeles. Her blog is titled “My Week on Tinder (Tales of a Commitment-Phobe)”. I love the hilarious, badass women I know but it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Which is why I always put a NSFW (Not Safe For Work for those who need translation) disclaimer on certain posts. 

The truth is, lots of us aren’t safe for work...that’s why I’m self employed. One of my biggest struggles as a self employed professional is being a professional. It’s a really human problem. What you say vs. what you would really like to say. That’s why I have the UTMOST respect for my friends like Christina, she’s badass, it’s her job! She writes, she’s human and she shares those very human experiences. Read: There is going to be sex in this blog. 

I was originally to arrive to Las Vegas last week on the day that Christina was leaving. It was a sad story friends. Then, something awful happened to Christina which changed her plan and allowed for my inclusion into the adventure. I will let the title of her blog post explain: Christina, Vegas, and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Haircut

I landed in Las Vegas on a Tuesday. If you didn’t hear the story already, I got a killer deal on Gibsons Finest Whiskey at Duty Free on the way down, which happens to be MY FAVOURITE! My introduction to Las Vegas on a Tuesday went like this:

*gets into cab*

Cabbie: Where are you going?

Me: Flamingo please.

Cabbie: Okay.

Me: OH! Do you think on the way to the hotel we can stop somewhere to buy some Coke?

Cabbie: *stares blankly and intently in the rearview mirror at me* Uhhh...

Me: COCA COLA! I mean Coca Cola for my whiskey! 

Oh. man. Hour one. 

I found out that Christina was still in Vegas, so excited! I went down and met her at the Margaritaville bar in the Flamingo where we took this photo hiding her emotional haircut and planned our attack. 

The rest is blog post history. If you’re into sass, lady problems and sex...read it, and if you’re not, just keep reading on right here. 

For the record:

- I’ve been on a man sabbatical for months now with no Tinder* or dating**. I needed to clear some men from my life & focus on me for a while. I love when I tell people that and they say ‘I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone’ and that is because the button I don’t use on Facebook is my Relationship Status because those kinds of things are private to me. 

*I added Tinder for 5 hours in Las Vegas while with Christina and was reminded why I don’t miss having Tinder at this moment

**Well a little dating but no online dating. I’m not dead jeez. 

- I’m 35 years old with a killer rack blessed my boobs haven’t fallen yet so yes, there is men and stuff....generally those who hear my hijinx are: Courtney. My best friend Courtney knows everything about me, too much. That’s why we can never not be friends, we know each others secrets. 

My hierarchy of sharing goes:

1) No one. There are things no one must know.

2) Courtney. She knows all except for things reserved for the number one spot.

3) My close circle of friends

4) Twitter

5) Select stories I might share with clients I’m close with

6) All of the interweb, forever, like in this blog post. 

- I’m an expert at detecting wedding rings because I’m not interested in married men who are interested in single women. Keep your husbands, we don’t want them. 

- Thank-you to Christina for shouting out how Arbonne is making me a babe, you can look at my Arbonne babe face & business here.

- I will ALWAYS be willing to be the story or excuse that a grown woman tells her parents so she can get lucky in Las Vegas. 

Anyways, I miss you guys! I don’t know how long I’ll be over here in civilization without Facebook and let’s face it, we don’t even have each others numbers! 

I sent in my name request with my photo ID to Facebook and now...I wait patiently and blog. 

Yours in Adventure, 

Kathy 

ps. Please call or text. Send me cat stuff and relationship statuses and puppy photos. 

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Huge news! Pecha Kucha 24

The kitten is out of the bag and I'm very proud to be a presenter at Edmonton's NextGen Pecha Kucha 24 at the Garneau Theatre! 

Well HOLY MOLY! That’s my name guys ^^^

Firstly...what is Pecha Kucha? Well Pecha Kucha is Japanese for 'chit chat'. All presenters are limited to 20 slides, each of which can be shown for no more than 20 seconds. This is strictly adhered to using a combination of slide-show and automated timer functions on your computer, and limiting the entire presentation to 6 minutes, 40 seconds! (before I pass out). 

I had attended a few Pecha Kucha nights in our city of Edmonton and thoroughly enjoyed them. It’s a really entertaining form presenting, more along the lines of story telling or sharing information. It promptly went on my Bucket List. 

I’m not really too sure why, but the last couple months I’ve been a little more obsessed with my Bucket List. I can assure you, to the best of my knowledge, I’m not dying any day soon. Plus 2016 is all about being ‘Smart.Brave.Beautiful’ and as I told my Mom last night, for some reason that includes continually doing things that scare the shit out of me get me out of my comfort zone. So to me, just submitting to their call for submissions was brave. Then, the process on my side wasn’t that seamless because oh...for the many things I’m good at, things computer related is not one of them. 

Put together some words? Yes. 

Help your horse? Yes. 

Make a mean whiskey & coke? Yes. 

Power Point? Photo resolutions?...What is this jibberish you speak to me? 

It has been a strong learning process but I’m sure before March 3rd I will get my act together. Friends are so important and I couldn’t have done this without my friend Crystal and Jacquie, who both talked me off of numerous ledges. As well a special thanks to my friend Jaclyne Kunz because without her forcing asking me to do Arbonne trainings or sharing with her Nation, I probably wouldn’t have been brave enough to even consider something like this. 

I mean what are we, if we aren’t scared shitless by important things? Too often we are fear mediocre things. I’m choosing the bigger hairy ones like public speaking, sharing my story and doing something totally out of my comfort zone. The good news is, talking about horses and my favourite people and my city are totally in my wheel house so here it goes! 

You’ll likely see this guy:

One of my favourite horses...obviously. 

I hope you can join me on March 3rd. It would be amazing to see some familiar faces in the crowd. Tickets are under $20 so skip happy hour and come join me instead.

Tickets generally sell out but they are available: HERE

Yours in Adventure, 

~Kathy~ 

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2016: Smart.Brave.Beautiful

I found this awesome article from Chatelaine Magazine. 

^^ Link right there silly. 

From the article: 

“I don’t really like not being able to say anything,” she explains. “After a while you get tired of being quiet. You’re quiet for years. So why not speak out?” - Mrs. Universe Ashley Callingbull

This past week has been about searching, growing and being self aware. I personally believe that December gets tricky for people, like all those things you haven't been learning or you've been ignoring will poke you or bitch slap you in the face all in hopes for acknowledging a lesson or two and then being given this glorious opportunity to start fresh in the New Year. I'm all about new chapters. 

January 1st starts a new chapter. My bff Courtney and I were talking today. She said, "Compared to a lot of people I know, you've had a great year. 2015 hasn't been great for a lot of people."

I kind of laughed, it has been a good year and I worked hard to make it that way. But it's been tricky too. I've been friends off with my only sister for over a year now, not even parent mediation has helped. I got dumped for being too driven, learned some tricky lessons about love both new and old. I was ghosted by a few people I called friends, laid on a few floors in tears after panic attacks & fired by a few great clients, and sweet jeebus I turned 35 years old....but all those less than ideal moments were made smaller by the positive changes in my life.

If you follow me on Snapchat (EquiSportsThrpy) you are sometimes subject to my morning ritual of 20 minutes of personal growth. I thank Jaclyne Kunz for this. I've always believed that when you "know better, do better" but there is a difference between believing something and actually WORKING at it. Like taking the 20 minutes to do it. Every morning I either read some of a book (I’m reading this right now) or listen to a training or a TED Talk or something that's going to educate me, inspire me or make me grow in a multi-facet of ways.

I've decided that 2016 is about being: "SMART, BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL" and I want the young girls, young adults & women in my life to feel that way too.

There are those Memes going around that say "In a world full of Kardashians be a Diana" or "In a world full of Kardashians be a Audrey". But listen. In a world full of fast fashion, fast judgement, fast relationships and media...just consider working hard at 2016 by being smart. Maybe by learning new things & about different like-minded people you can call mentors? By being brave. December makes me sassy, January makes me horny...it's best you don't ask or know really. lmao But be brave! Be an Ashley Callingbull and speak out, take a risk that benefits you and your family, stand up for what is kind and right. By being beautiful. You're just plain fucking perfect as you are. Okay? Yes. I swear sometimes.I dye my hair. I contour. MAC & Arbonne help my Casper the Ghost eye lashes. But you know what? A while back I decided life would be alot easier if I stopped hating myself and my body. So I'm getting older and so I gained weight, I don't really care about that. Jeezus it's not like I'm sitting on my couch eating a bucket of KFC, crushing a 12 pack of Bud Light and watching Honey Boo Boo. Let me live my plus-sized life! lol 

What is more important to me than fitting in society's idea of beauty? Being a KIND person and contributing to this world is a POSITIVE way.

This life is soooo short and nothing is given, why would you spend one more moment hating yourself?

Ladies, I'm talking to you like eye to eye right meow! Do you think a Groupon for fake boobs will change your life? Do it. Need to get your nails done before your car insurance is paid. Do you boo boo. But just let go of the rest okay? It's not easy, but keep working at it.

Ladies & gents you have a couple more days to close this chapter. In 2016, start fresh. This is going to be a great year! 

Yours in Adventure,

~Kathy~

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This is 35...

Bahahah I love this horrific photo. This isn’t really what 35 years old looks like, but it’s what I felt like. And it’s also what happens when Cassie teaches you about Snapchat. 

It’s also likely what *would* happen if I didn’t use my Arbonne RE9 Advanced Anti Aging, didn’t wear sunscreen and I smoked 2 packs a day. So there’s that. 

As my friend Jaclyne says, there’s nothing worse than preventable wrinkles and a shitty attitude. And your shitty attitude is going to make your wrinkles worse...just as an FYI. 

Back to 35. On Friday, I turned 35 years old...and it was a wee bit awful. Now I’m not saying if you are older than 35 than life must be awful, I’m just saying that for me, personally, I didn’t want to see 35. And as my Dad likes to remind me “Katherine, if this was survival of the fittest, you wouldn’t have made it very far”. I didn’t win the genetic lottery for ‘healthiest human around’ but I keep kicking that ass along the way. 

I’ve never been down about a birthday, and I remember many birthdays where my sister would be in tears because she didn’t want to get older. I used to kind of giggle about it...until 35. 

35 to me just seemed that I would likely require to be an adult...like a real one...with a savings account and health care. It’s not even like I always dreamed I would be married with kids at 35 because I didn’t. Really, I always dreamed about “Freedom 35″ where I would just be retired and living the good life. hahaha It really seemed like it was a world away, until it wasn’t. And I was super bummed about it. 

“Adulting” is not my thing. 

Being born a week before Jesus Christ means that in general, my birthday doesn’t get really wild but this year especially I wanted to just stay in bed and forgettaaboutit. Then on the morning of December 17th, while I was doing my daily 20 minutes of personal development I decided that my friend Jaclyne is right...there is nothing worse than wrinkles and a shitty attitude. So I set out to design my best 35th year of life, day. 

This is the list I came up with:

I’m so happy to say that I achieved everything on my list except for:

“Ogle a bearded man”

& 

“Get a car wash” 

My day started out with no pants and ALL THE COFFEE! 

Then I was lucky enough to have the beautiful Megan Dehaan make me a blond bombshell again.

Then I had more Starbucks:

And drank my lunch. (No witnesses) 

Then a fabulous group of women met me for dinner. If you know me well, then you know I don’t eat alot of meat. I don’t really digest it that well so it’s just not high on my list of items to consume since I’m selfish and single. I also can barely cook it, red meat especially, seriously...steak cooking is a blue job. 

There is this chuckle that every year at Calgary Stampede when I work for friend & client Sherry Cervi, that we eat at The Keg Steakhouse almost every night. I tell Sherry that I eat more red meat in that week then I do throughout the WHOLE YEAR. That’s likely not an exaggeration as my bff Courtney can attest too. 

So when I was looking for restaurants in Phoenix that were close to where we were going and that was on the south side since Sherry was coming from that direction, imagine my surprise when I found a KEG STEAKHOUSE! lol Done...reservations made, it turned out I had been strangely craving red meat since a dinner we had in Las Vegas, plus they have this out of this world garlic cheese toast and a great wine list. 

Sherry & her assistant Brittany came up from Marana, my friend Kate Ferrigan by way of Canada but at Turf Paradise came and Julie & Kasey who are my great horse trainers & friends from the Arabian horse world came as well. 

Bunch of babes!! We shared some great laughs and it was fun getting horse women from all different disciplines together. 

One of my favourite parts of Scottsdale during the holidays is ZOO LIGHTS and I’m so thankful my friend Abby Cosenza had this idea for my birthday. 

So we all met Marc & Abby and our favourite neighbours Patty & Julie at Zoo Lights. 

What a great group of friends! And the lights were amazing too! 

While there we were able to do another fun thing which I was so excited to tell Sherry about! There is a “Stingray” tank where you can pet the stingrays, which is awesome because that’s the same name as Sherry’s great horse. 

Stingray petting:

Sherry, Brittany & I at the Stingray tank. We’ve all petted the palomino Stingray a time or two as well! lol 

All & all the celebration day to kick off my 35th year was AWESOME! I’m so thankful and touched by everyone who took the time to call, text, write on my Facebook wall or come out and join the festivities. And it was a pretty great lesson in what can happen when you change your attitude towards something. 

I’m reading this book right now as part of a group for my Arbonne business and I CANNOT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH! If you want to kick 2016 in to high drive, consider picking up this book or ordering it online. It’s a game changer! 

P.S. My cleavage looked amazing all day. lol

Yours in Adventure, 

Hardfillytohalterbreak

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Welcome to Edmonton - The Canadian Finals Rodeo Edition

In May of this year I moved to Edmonton, Alberta. I *lurve* this city! When most people think of Edmonton they think it’s cold, gross and there are an over abundance of pickup trucks with plastic testicles. And while there may be a slight truth to trucks with nuts and the drivers without, Edmonton as a city is sooooo much more. 

I present to you, “Cool Things I Love About Edmonton And You Should Too”

////TACOS////

Oh gawd I love tacos! And who knew that you could find some fabulous street tacos in Edmonton? Well, my friend Cassie of the great blog ‘Lipstick and Cowboy Boots’ and I both know, because we are regulars at Tres Carnales. Tres Carnales is located at 10119 100A Street in Edmonton. Parking isn’t all that convenient but if you’re at the Westin Hotel, you can just walk down the street. 

My personal favourite is the “El Pastor” which is slow roasted, marinated pork, which says a lot, because I don’t really eat pork anywhere else but at Tres Carnales. Cassie’s go to is the “Pescado” which is lightly battered and fried fresh Pacific red snapper fish. We both safely recommend the guacamole and the sangria...watch out for that sangria man. woo! 

Tres Carnales also has daily specials like the photo above which is “Barbacoa de Borrego”, Alberta lamb braised with onions, garlic & a blend of Mexican chiles. #yum

////G & E Pharmacy////

If you have an animal of any kind and you like a good deal then G & E Pharmacy is for you! When I lived in Calgary, I used to wait until an Edmonton trip to head to G & E and pick up all my horse wormer, feed, dog food etc at a sweet discount. 

G & E is a family owned & operated pet supply business and is located at 7326 82 Ave NW in Edmonton. Hours are from 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and is about 6kms south of Rexall Place where the Canadian Finals Rodeo is. If you need feed, halters, buckets, potions, polos etc. Go check it out, it’s like a fun maze of good deals! 

////Chai Chai Chai////

The Remedy Cafe is an Edmonton staple. There are four locations throughout the city but I use the downtown location the most aka10279 Jasper Avenue. 

Others are: 

* 8631 109 Street, Whyte Ave, 

* 10310 124 Street 

* Remedy in Terwillger

Do you like chai lattes? Well then this is your place! The chai is so smooth yet spicy in the best possible way. I’ve never met a better chai! I personally get a soy chai latte because milk makes me snotty, and no one likes snotty people. Oh this bag up here ^^ that contains two samosas which is the perfect add on for a November day. #deelish 

////Poppy Barley////

Honestly cowgirl fashionistas, I’m a little surprised your behind the times on Poppy Barley Boots. Not only are they a bad ass Edmonton based company but they make incredibly stylish custom fit boots from sizes 5-12. I know how much you spend on your boxed cowboy boots and these bad mamma mammas are so reasonable for custom fit. Tall, short, heeled, flat...whatever your poison is, you’ll find it here. 

I’m MOST obsessed with this new 2.5 inch block heel tall boot, and I’m pretty sure you will be too! Check out these bad boys in black & brown:

Yasss

Yasss! 

And how about this Military boot??

Yah, I thought so. 

Check out PoppyBarley.com for more styles and ordering information. 

So go on cowboys & cowgirls! Check out the city of Edmonton and don’t forget that you’re representing your sport this week so be fabulous human beings when dealing with all folks. And Edmonton, if you’re reading this...don’t forget to be a fabulous host! 

Yours in Adventure, 

#HardFillyToHalterBreak

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International Day of the Girl Child 2015

Today is International Day of the Girl Child, an initiative started by the United Nations. The theme this year is: 

“The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030.” The idea is that girls going through adolescence now can start to help make a change, and plan for a better world for girls born now who will be adolescents in 15 years. 

I love this ^^^ 

I completely agree with this statement: Strong Girls Strong World. 

In my horse community I’m really lucky to have worked with some really fabulous women who are seen as inspirations to other young girls & women. So I thought today was a PERFECT day to ask them for a little feedback on this topic. 

Thank-you to Professional Barrel Racers and all around awesome women Lee Ann Rust, Fallon Taylor & Trula Churchill for taking the time to answer my text and make this little blog post a reality. 

I asked them all the same question: 

“In your position of being seen as a role model for many young girls, what empowering message do you wish adolescent girls & young women could hear now, that will help them both now & later in life?” 

First up Trula Churchill. Trula is a Women’s Professional Rodeo Association barrel racer. Trula has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo THREE TIMES and the Canadian Finals Rodeo THREE TIMES. She calls Valentine, Nebraska home. 

“Vision used as a verb is defined as the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be. 

As young women we tend to spend time visualizing about our future and what we want out of life as adults. It is important to have dreams and goals and work toward them, but it is also just as important to enjoy life everyday.

Look to the future but live today”  ~ Trula Churchill 

I love this, don’t you?? I think often we get in such a hurry to grow up we forget to enjoy the moment, the day and our youth. 

Next up Lee Ann Rust from Stephenville, Texas. Lee Ann not only inspires the young but she inspires women of all ages. She was the WPRA Rookie of the Year at age 53, the following year she qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, showing all things are possible! I absolutely LOVED working for her and Harley and I’m so proud to call her a friend and an inspiration to me as well. 

“Place mirrors strategically throughout your environment. Each time you see your image in the mirror say out loud or to yourself ‘I am good enuf & I love ME just as I am’! 

Be ur own best friend!” ~ Lee Ann Rust 

My third quick texter was none other than the reigning World Champion Barrel Racer, Fallon Taylor! Fallon calls Collinsville, Texas home but really she’s always on the road so you might want to find her @FallonTaylor3 on Twitter or be one of the 96,000 people who follow her on Instagram @FallonTaylor2. Besides being the reigning Champion, she has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo SIX TIMES! 

Fallon is really engaging to her young fans, actively speaks out against bullying and of course started the #WhatTheHelmet craze that is AWESOME SAUCE! 

“My parents are the reason I’m able to inspire young girls today! They told me I could be the President, a rocket scientist, or even tell me I could be the best in the world at something if I tried hard enough...I believed them and they were so right!!

Let me be the person to tell you that you can achieve absolutely all of your dreams now...it isn’t struggle-proof but it’s worth it!! #girlsrising” ~ Fallon Taylor

HELLER BIG HEROS!! 

Thank-you so much to these special ladies for taking the time to share this wisdom with us. 

*****EDIT****

I’m so excited to add one more brave and fabulous woman to the mix! 6 time NFR qualifier & 2009 Calgary Stampede $100,000 Champion, Tammy Fischer of Ledbetter, Texas is one of my favourite clients I’ve ever had the pleasure to work for. When people ask me who my favourite horse is, that I’ve ever worked on, I always reply “They are all my favourites, I have more than a few.” but then add, “But if you held a gun to my head I would answer ‘Roundpen’ every time”. lol 

“Mainly- that there is nothing more powerful than God, family and positive role models. Have strong beliefs. Live by them. Don't ever sell yourself short. Things you do today last a lifetime, so work harder than anyone else. When you are tired, just remember- someone who wants to beat you is practice while you are playing. 

Negativity is a drain. It will take you down-  find someone who can teach you and push you and be positive about it. Always find the good in what you do- even on your worst day. Pray- for peace, for love, for forgiveness and for strength. 

And always remember that someday- some little girl will watch you and look up to you- be sure you are worth watching!” - Tammy Fischer 

Also Tammy gets two photos because she’s such a frickin Wonder Woman that pouring rain couldn’t slow her down at the Calgary Stampede:

***END EDIT***

Me? What would I tell young girls? 

“I want to tell you that learning how to take a killer selfie in todays society is likely important as important as you feel it is, but that’s definitely not the only thing. Don’t worry about having the ‘coolest clothes’, worry more about being the best you. 

Life sometimes seems tough & overwhelming, but it will ALWAYS get better, I promise. It’s really important to be kind, and be around people who are kind to you. 

Sometimes you’ll feel alone and as if the world problems are only happening to you, you’re not alone.” 

Funny story. When I started Jr. High band in Grade 7 and we were picking our instruments, I really wanted to play the drums. I personally thought that being a drummer would be the coolest thing ever. But back then, there was only one girl in the whole percussion group and all my very best girlfriends were either playing the clarinet or the flute. Inside I really wanted to play the drums but it just wasn’t “cool” and all my friends were in the wind section playing clarinet, so it would make me seem cooler if I played the clarinet with them...so I did. 

I laugh about this all the time, from High School on, because here’s the deal now that I’m an adult...WHAT IS SO COOL ABOUT THE CLARINET??? Playing the drums would be soooo much more BAD AS! hahahaha oh man. I wish I would have chose the drums. 

Anyways, Happy International Day of the Girl Child. I love love love all of these encouraging words for the young girls & women we know. Feel free to share this post as many times as you’d like! 

Yours in Adventure,

#hardfillytohalterbreak

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What to get your Horse Trainer for Christmas...

I haven't blogged in FOREVER but the good news is as long as my friend Alisha Kinney keeps encouraging me then there is a good possibility I would give in.

  Time to answer the age old question of what to get your Horse Trainer for Christmas.

Is it age-old? Well maybe not. And should you get your horse trainer a Christmas (or Seasons Greetings or Holiday or whatever religion or non-religion you identify with) present?

  My personal opinion?

HECK YES!

  Here's the thing about horse trainers. There are no paid vacations (unless you pay for them, which is something I've learnt recently), there is no overtime, there is barely any health insurance and the pension plan? Well it's the shits (Read: Nil). Further from those sparkling realities of horse training, most of them put their life at risk, on a daily basis when they crawl on top of your horse or even go throw it some feed. And I know, I know...it's their choice and this is your hobby that you spend your hard earned money at and sometimes you don't even get a Christmas bonus. The best parts about fence sitting is you can just turn your head and see the green grass on both sides of it.

But for a moment we are going back to Horse Trainers. They are a passionate bunch. Horses *have* to be your passion in the horse business because of all the sparkling reasons I listed previously. Horse Trainers still feed your horse when your check is late, they still feed your horse when your check bounces (because of identity theft or because your kids need to eat too), they've put you up on your horse when you are shamelessly hung over (even after they told you not to go out the night before), they do their best by your $5,000 Claimer when you want to enter it in a Stakes race, they put up with your wives, your girlfriends, your husbands, your boyfriends, your girlfriends your wives don't about and oh my gentle Jeebus, your children.  

The thing I love about horse trainers is they come in all shapes and sizes and opinions and sexes. So what do you get your horse trainer for Christmas? Well, I'm hoping this is about to help you slightly in your decision and maybe share at free will to help other fellow horse owners?

I had approximately 30 different horse trainers from various disciplines respond to my email, Facebook message or text. Being an Equine Sports Therapist for high end competition horses with a really diverse practice helps with accessing this recluse bunch known as "Horse Trainers". I sent them a simple form question and I was crying with laughter with the responses that came in. Literal World Champions, National Champions, Hall of Famers and even newbies just starting out.

I promised their identities and input would be anonymous and they will be. But let us start with first, the simple questions I asked.

  The message sort of appeared like this:

"I'm doing an equine Christmas blog post and I want anynomous input from trainers."

4 questions:

1) What is the best Christmas gift you ever got from a client?

2) What did you wish you would NEVER get again from clients?

3) What would you joyfully accept from clients and friends?

4) What would you prefer: Gift Card or Cash?"

I had an overwhelming response so a big shout out to all the equine professionals I know that took the time to answer.

  Firstly. What is the best Christmas gift you ever got from a client?

These were awesome! And it's always best to start on a high note so I would have to say the most extravagant answers came in the form of:

- "A paid trip to Hawaii"

- "A trip to Mexico"

- "A trip to Australia"

- "A trip to Phoenix"

- "A trip to Kentucky"

- "A trip to Fiji"

- "A trip to Scottsdale"

- "A years worth of Starbucks" - literally a high weekly budget for the whole year. (I have to agree this is brilliant.)

  My sentimental favourites were:  

"The best gift was a movie of video clips of the show season made by an 8 yr old. She worked for months to make it and did a fabulous job."

"Scrapbook of memories from the show season"

"A calendar from the year with all my clients pictures from Nationals and a nice message from all of them"

"A plaque signalling my first win as a trainer

"A stylized team photo printed on canvas"

"An album made of pictures documenting the year at the barn"

  Lots of Trainers expressed that the best gift they get from clients is GRATITUDE, help around the barn or a pampering night away from the horses:

"A pampering day"

"A night out, nice dinner, good company, a hotel and no horse chores the next day"

"Their trust"

"Gratitude"

"The very best gift I have ever gotten from a client is when they offer to help me out on their day off and make my day much quicker"

"Taking us for lunch"

Purchased or homemade gifts that were considered the best ever:

"Cookies"

"New pop up barrels"

"Coach purse with a lovely note saying how wonderful I am and how much they love riding with me only to leave me at New Years" (Editors note: Ouch. Come on people! lol)

"A beautiful piece of artwork"

"Brand new towels for my house"

"A painting of a big win"

"Every year for the last 20 years I get a canister of baked goods from the same client"

"A Native Costume"

"$1,000 - way extravagant & completely unnecessary" 

"Ty Murray biography called "King of the Cowboys and a custom engraved knife were my best gifts."

"A breeding to a nice stallion"

"A pair of chinks"

 "A leather halter with stable name on it and matching chain shank which are beautiful and greatly appreciated."

"Tim Hortons gift baskets"

"Booze"

"Travel mugs, but the cool part was that they were packed full of instant hand and foot warmers"

And finally file under "Awkward":

"A pair of hobbles so their horse wouldn't paw me in the head"

"Usually don't get Christmas gifts from my clients."

After going through the answers after the first question I learned something...err...race horse owners? You need to step up your gifting game to 2.0!!! Canadian race horse trainers especially were either a part of the extravagant end or more often frequented the "I don't get Christmas gifts from my clients" or "I rarely get Christmas gifts from my clients". Listen, just because we are forced because of North Pole weather conditions to take the winter off from Thoroughbred Horse Racing, doesn't mean you shouldn't remember the people who were a part of making your summer awesome! :) So maybe dig through those bills to find the address you would to send the cheques to and send off a gift of Holiday cheer, even if it's just a message of gratitude and thanks.

Okay...this is where you really want to take note. The next question I asked was "2) What did you wish you would NEVER get again from clients?"

  And most responses of course came in looking a lot like this:

"I appreciate everything"

"I've never gotten anything I don't like"

"I've never gotten a bad gift"

"I really appreciate that they thought to give me something"

And while trainers are fighting the holiday bulge they have some choice words for grazing gifts:

"Those huge tins of popcorn. I have no self control"

"Chocolate, because I eat it all"

"Chocolate. I can't resist it"

"Baileys"

"Food and nick nacks"

"Popcorn"

"Summer sausage, cheese and crackers"

"The "just add eggs and oil" brownie or cake mix type of presents"

"Booze, I don't drink that much and my cabinet is full!"

And if you haven't already guessed, horse trainers aren't really into "dusting" unless it's the barn or tack room. The house, not always.

"Tiny little things to collect dust and hokey jewelry with horses on it"

"The worst gifts are little knick knack horsy things as I hate clutter"

And jewellery problems:

"Cheap horse jewellery I'm allergic to"

"Jewellery"

  Tough crowd!

  And file under "Awkward":

"Bad homemade wine"

"Angry phone calls"

"Being ungrateful and attitude"

"Screwed"

"a horse lying upside down with a wine bottle in his belly that looked very perverted"

"A drum set for my 4 yr old"

Seriously people? A drum set for a 4 year old child?!??!? How much do you dislike your trainer?

  This whole blog post and all the interviews were so much fun! (Did I already thank-you for participating because I want to thank you again.)  One of my favourite findings showed up in the answers to the question, "What would you joyfully accept from clients and friends?"

  This is where the good time boozers out shone the more dry trainers and I couldn't stop laughing!

"Vodka"

"Vodka"

"Alcohol and food"

"Booze"

"Booze"

"Single Malt Scotch"

"Gift baskets or alcohol"

"A lot of customers give me wine and I definitely don't want to discourage that"

When I would point out that it's a near 50/50 split on trainers wanting more alcohol as gifts and trainers wanting less alcohol as gifts one trainer responded "The ones that don't want alcohol probably don't have a giant barn of clients"  Haha

What I did learn is your Horse Trainers are always open and willing to spend "non-horse" time with you too. Some of you they just like hanging out with! It's true that when you work in the horse business most of your clients become your friends, even your family. This is why we celebrate each other, love spending time and supporting each other and it's always why it BURNS an equine professional even more when a client fires you, leaves you or jumps ship.

  So fabulous answers representing their love, gratitude, loyalty and good times, good laughs.:

"Their love"

"Respect and love"

"Loyalty. Gifts are unnecessary"

"A sincere thank you or something useful I'd have forever"

"A verbal 'Thank-you' goes a long way"

"As I've gotten older, I'm realizing that time spent with people is the best gift."

"Dinner out with clients and friends"

"I would gladly accept anything as it's the thought that counts"

"Lunch with clients. Logo wear for the stable. A new truck? lol"

"Pretty much anything but most enjoy a shared bottle of wine"

"Would love to go for lunch away from barn as a great gift and have a girl session"

"Dinner, wine and a Thank-you"

"I love pictures!! Especially of people with their horses."

  Specific requests for Gift Certificates or pampering. (Note: When considering pampering gifts try and make sure that it is a salon/spa close by to your trainers home so they can actually take advantage of a getaway. Also maybe offer between clients or kids to clean the barn that morning, help with chores or help with child care so your trainer can get away.)

"Gift certificates for massages!! Or wine, or dinner gift certificates"

"Spa gift card or Tim Hortons gift card"

"Gift cards to Chapters"

"I would accept anything except a fish"

"I love receiving momento's from clients, like a wrap up of the year, or a pic of us together, or something like that. Christmas ornaments from shows we went to, or things like that."

"Coffee shop gift cards. You can NEVER have enough Starbucks or Tim Hortons"

"Gift Cards to The Keg"

File under 'Wishful Thinking':

"Two weeks of day care on all my clients with no kids . Just so they get it...all the good and all the non-sleep"

"Maybe they could all pool together and send me away on a trip for all my hard work haha (dreaming)"

"New clients, new horses, money"

"New truck & trailer. ha"

  File under 'Possibly Awkward':

"Worst gift to receive is nothing at all, not even a thank-you"

"I don't really like receiving gifts but I would say clothes. I'm a bad shopper" (Male trainer obvs! lol)

  Number 4 was one of my favourites because no one really wanted to answer and others were eager to answer. But I thought it was important because I hear the "Behind the Scenes" and sometimes a cash bonus is a nice gesture and NO ONE is going to imply or ask...so I asked them in confidentiality for their honest answers. Mwahahaha

You'll notice it's a pretty great 50/50 split on if 'Cash is King' or 'Gift Cards are less awkward'.

How do you really know if your trainer sits on the cash or gift card side of the fence? Well, I can't tell you because it's confidential but I will suggest to take in consideration the ages and lifestyle of your trainers.

- If they are young, just starting out and building their business I definitely heard "Cash" more often.

- Trainers of any age, if they were parents of young kids & young adults, would come back with "Cash"

and SINGLE horse trainers also predominately responded welcome to a cash Christmas bonus.

  Team Cash:

"Cash"

"Cash is King"

"Cash"

"Cash unless it's gift cards to Schneiders"

"Definitely Cash. I lose or forget about gift cards"

"Cash"

"Cash"

"If I HAD to choose, it would be cash"

"Cash is King"

"Cash"

"Cash"

"Cash"

"Cash"

  Team Gift Card:

"Gift card."

"Gift card"

"Gift Card"

"Gift Card"

"Gift Card"

"Gift Card"

"Gift Card"

"Gift Cards"

"Gift Card"

"Gift card"

"Prefer a gift card as cash is too awkward"

"Gift cards and I always tell them what treat I bought myself."

"Either"

"Either"

  Of course there were a few Saints who couldn't answer with either and I loved their responses.:

File under: You really are wonderful people:

"Volunteer work for the needy"

"Really prefer nothing as it's my job and don't feel the need to be tipped or gifted-I really do feel appreciated all year long"

  I give a really huge high five (and I hate high fiving so this is a big deal) to the clients that make their trainer feel appreciated all year long! I'm not sure this helped you at all but if it did or you have more suggestions then comment below or come over and find me on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/EquiSportsTherapy/59955494468

  PS. Don't forget that it takes a team and consider recognizing the hard working Assistant Trainers & Grooms as well.

Yours in Adventure,

  #hardfillytohalterbreak

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Preferring planes to trains.

If you know me then you know my distaste for public transportation. I know that's not very environmentally friendly of me but when I drive my own Goldie Jeep I know where I'm going, when I'm getting there and how on time I'm going to be or not be. Trains mean there are people and public places and underground areas…well…you know how the Parisian Metro went already. ha. 

When my stay came sadly came to an end in Pau, France it was decided that my sister, her husband and I would travel to Toulouse for the night and then go our separate ways. Them to Scotland for Christmas and I to St. Foy La Grande for Christmas. My sister had long told me that taking a First Class Cabin on the train is the way to go. I'm excited that she felt that way once I got on to the train but getting on to a train in France when you don't speak the language and you have a 50lb suitcase with a bum wheel can be a bit of a challenge. They don't post the platform number for your arriving train until minutes before it arrives. Then you have to find your appropriate car and your appropriate seat. It all sounds quite simple when I type it out…it's not that simple. I began to worry what I was going to do when I didn't have my translating Sister with me any longer and was left in the holds of French transportation by myself! 

The train ride to Toulouse was lovely (My Sisters husband drove the vehicle and their suitcases since we weren't going to all fit lol) with scenic views of Lourdes and beyond. Once we settled into our hotel it was time for ADVENTURES!  First we found a Christmas market for what else but Vin Chaud. 

The lights of Toulouse were absolutely amazing! 

One of my favourite parts of travelling France was all the different art installations and general appreciation for art. 

In Toulouse there was a multi media art installation that was projected on to the wall of a government building with music playing through the scenes. It was absolutely fabulous and there was such a crowd. The photos don't really do it justice. 

We only had a short stay in Toulouse but it's the kind of place I'd like to visit during the day light when I have a little time. Have you been? What did you enjoy?

The next morning in preparation for nervousness catching the train I showed up an hour and a half early. Ugh. You just stand and watch the board waiting for your platform to show up…it's kinda like waiting for a green light that never changes on the longest red around. The train finally rolled in and I was enroute to Bordeaux! 

(It was decided on the train ride to Toulouse that I would fly back to Paris instead of taking a train…it was only a 20 Euro difference in price and a lot less stress for this chica haha)

Yours in Adventure,

#hardfillytohalterbreak

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Visiting San Sebastian Spain - Part 2

After Tylenol was administered for a slight headache the morning after I woke up with Robert De Niro we decided to head down stairs for some breakfast and a day of exploring San Sebastian. We also met this guy downstairs:

*I'm smiling because the Tylenol and coffee has kicked in*

My Sister then took me down a different street to show me "something really cool" 

Ps. ^^^ This is my Sister....she's really cool. I love her. We fight like sisters do but she's cool beans and I'm happy to have her.

Back to the cool stuff...

Um. It's at times like this that you forget how old shit is.  

First a little bit from Wikipedia:

"The Hotel Maria Christina in San Sebastian, Spain  opened on July 9, 1912, the first guest through its doors was Spanish Regent Maria Cristina. The outbreak of the Civil War in 1936 put an end to the city’s golden era. Throughout the fighting, the hotel was assaulted by the Civil Guard loyal to the government of the republic. It is still possible to spot authentic artillery holes in its façade."

Website: http://www.hotel-mariacristina.com/en

That's right people. ARTILLERY HOLES!! WHAT! 

Sometimes when I saw the walls I would think "Wow...these artillery people were horrible shots!" lol But regardless...how cool and terrifying is that? 

(Side Note: The Hotel Maria Christina is a Starwood Property so if you are an avid collector of points like myself, use it as a consideration!) 

  The next thing we did was some shopping. Where if I had enough Euros I would have taken home each one of these distressed Italian Leather purses.

Also...I love carousels! 

This beach. This view. This bay. Ohhh I love San Sebastian!

Another incredibly cool place! Constitution Square!

  Constitution Square in the heart of Old Town. Constructed in 1817. The numbers above the rooms still feature the that of the bullring boxes that were rented during bull fights. Once the new bullfighting arena was built in another part of the city it rendered the current square useless in that capacity. It now holds the roll of a gathering place for parties and celebrations. 

Are you kidding me? How rad is this! (Also...who uses rad still? Me apparently) 

As I share these photos with you I realize I need to return to San Sebastian one day for a couple days longer. LOVE IT! 

There is MORE Spain to share. Until next time. 

Yours in Adventure, 

#hardfillytohalterbreak