Back at school

For most of us the school year has begun. The relative calm that was summer has evaporated, unlike the moisture still thick in air, into the hustle and bustle of learning and trying to fit everything you want to do into a shorter period of time. Brianna started her new school and was really funny. She carried a map the first couple of days and then proudly told Michelle and me that she knew her schedule. She also made sure to tell us that even though she wasn’t tickled with her schedule that she is thoroughly enjoying her robotics class and she will not be changing it. Michelle is like a giddy little school girl these days. She has drug herself out of bed for 12 years and busted her butt as an elementary school teacher but decided it was time for a change. Starting this August she did not return to her teaching role but instead she began her new career as a real estate agent. She had quietly been doing her training and once it was complete she started helping at the office. The best part is she doesn’t have to get up at the crack of dark to head off to another day of trying to change behaviors that are engrained stronger than concrete. She is so excited that for the first time in six years she can be an active part of Brianna’s school life. She actually took Brianna to her first day of school for the first time since she was in pre-school. That moment was great for both parties. Me, I’m doing new things as well. I am teaching a new class called the Principles of Effective Coaching. This class was taught by our legendary softball coach until this year. My thoughts are she is very effective and there are others who are far more effective than me but oh well, let’s get to it. Brianna just turned eleven and that’s really starting to make me feel a little older. Her birthday was interrupted by FSC move-in-day so we decided to have a birthday week which concluded today with a competitive game of bowling and dinner. She isn’t perfect but I wouldn’t trade her for anything. I don’t have much more but give me time. We start preseason training this week, I race in two weeks, and Brianna gets back on the horse in just a few weeks. Those events always bring me to much thought so I will let the brain diarrhea flow once the mood hits. One last thing, one of Brianna’s events was a murder mystery theater held at the Ritz in Winter Haven last night. They are a blast and get quite comical. If you are ever looking for a fun way to spend some quality time with your family think about attending one of these detective events. That’s it. Have a great week and try to be 1% better than you were yesterday.

I took a little break

Well, I said I was going to take a little break from writing due to some changes so I did. I didn’t realize that it would be almost one year before I put my thoughts back down on paper. Last July Michelle and I became partners in a stable that we named H&W Stables. It has been one year and the stable is full, one of the pastures is irrigated, and Brianna has a home to ride every day her heart desires. I am not going to lie and say that it is easy. Actually it is exhausting. Many 12 hour days and a lot of poop; I mean lots of poop. None of us knew that it would have such an effect on our daily lives. We strive continually to make sure we are improving the facility and with that come the frustration that things just don’t happen quickly. H&W is doing great and after a year we have learned how to make the daily grind a little more bearable. With the responsibility of the barn came the letting go of other things. Home cooked meals went the way of which restaurant we could go to, fitness was put out to pasture and workouts were what I did daily at the barn, and life just kind of stopped. One year later things changed again and more adjustments are being made. My wife decided that after 12 years of teaching it was time to face some new challenges. She has decided to go into real estate with her parents. She spent last winter getting her license and in June joined Century 21 At Your Service Realty and Full Service Property Management. She was to be a co-agent in the property management division but things are never static. Her partner decided to go a different career path so now Michelle is managing the entire property management department. These changes have been exciting, frustrating, revealing, and necessary. School has begun and Brianna has started at a new school for the first time in 5 years. Michelle is now entrenched in her new career and I am beginning my 7th year at FSC. I have decided that I too will make some changes this year just so that I can be included in all the fun. Mine revolve around tennis and sport, so Mom don’t fret, but nothing is concrete at this time. Oh yeah, Brianna qualified for the 4H State Horse Show this year, Michelle and I completed a Tough Mudder in December, and I finished 9th in my FTR series. Somehow we managed to get those things accomplished. I guess when something is really important you find the time to get it done. That’s all for now but I am going to make a concerted effort to improve my performance on these blogs.