graduation's done , summer is here!

We had a wonderful time at William's Washington and Lee graduation . Could not believe it had been four years already but it was a joyous day. Annie and Will were very successful graduates, Annie was summa cum laude and Will was cum laude. I am so proud of my son. He worked very hard to get that accolade and it was a teary moment watching the walk across the podium. Then it was on to Charlotte, NC with Sarah in tow to look for apartments. Which we found. A modern apartment complex close enough to walk to work. Charlotte was hopping that night with a Nascar celebration and we sat on the street corner, eating guacamole and people watched. I think Charlotte will be just fine for Will.  My graduation present to him was a Brooks Bros. wardrobe!! He looks terrific in his tailored Brooks Bros and ready to conquer the financial world. We are now furniture shopping and he is breaking in those new fancy shoes.

 They are off to their well-earned European vacation 

later this month, but before that I have the pleasure of 

Will's company for a short time this summer. Sarah is 

back in LA and house buying as we speak. It was 

great to hang with Sam in Lexington too. Both Sam

 and Sarah gave Will thoughtful and funny toasts at 

his fraternity dinner  and we all learned why it is

 called a "toast". I have the best kids. 

The horses are all OK, foals bumping and jumping, the mares are pregnant and lazy. Life is good.

Preakness, birthdays, may days....

This year's Preakness was awesome. I'll Have Another has a good shot at the Triple Crown, a tough scrappy chestnut colt, he seems a little like his trainer, a cowboy who has worked his way up to the big times. I hope he does it - would be so wonderful for racing. We had a really fun day at the Preakness and my hat was a big hit. I have never received so many compliments about anything ever! And my friends could find me by looking for the butterfly floating above the crowd. Our fifth anniversary was lovely, just hanging out with each other and  watching superheroes save the world! The Avengers was good too! Now we are moving onto Will's graduation this week. Fingers crossed all the mares are pregnant, they are all home right now. Foals well and looking good.

I had a lovely Mother's Day....

I am showing off my new "ShoeDazzle " accessories from Sarah for Mother's Day. The kind of shoes I would never buy, but surprisingly comfortable even if 6!!! inch heels. I have big bling earrings and not sure what the ring is called , other than big. It was a wonderful day. Started with breakfast with Sam and Stephanie and ended with dinner with hubby at O'Leary's ( the best shortcake!). Got to see "The Avengers" in the middle and talk to Will and Sarah. Couldn't have a better day. Thanks guys.

May 12-Birthday month, end of hunter paces and breeding (hopefully) !

Happy Birthday Annie, Sarah, & Will ! Today is a beautiful, sunny, low humidity, perfect day! I am off to the last hunter pace of the season, at Carrollton Hounds. Then the last of the hunters gets turned out to relax for 4 months. The babies are well, fingers crossed; mares bred, fingers crossed. One broodmare limped in this morning- hoping it is only a twist, not an access. Never a dull moment.  Two fillies I will try to keep going, some little shows or trail rides. One is for sale, very nice three year old, off the track who is very sane and a nice jumper. I am pleasantly surprised. The other I have bred for a friend to a warmblood- I know nothing about warmbloods -but I hope she is pregnant.
William's graduation from Washington and Lee is almost here. I cannot believe it has been 4 years since we took him down, but he is certainly ready to move on to the next chapter. From Lexington we are going apartment hunting in Charlotte, before he leaves for a European vacation! Sarah is in Las Vegas with hubby for a birthday, anniversary, last blow-out before buying a house, weekend away. Michael is very happy about a promotion that he has received and had very much earned. Mother's Day is tomorrow and I think the best part is, it is a holiday I do not have to do anything for!  Life is good!

settling into familiar routine with babies...

The foals are all doing well and thriving. I am settling into my routine of walking babies in, walking babies out, taking daily temperatures, checking everything twice, remembering who is on what medication and did they get it. Who is supposed to be in heat, was in a foal heat or is that the 30 day heat? Is that mare coming in or just being a bitch..? Has she ovulated ? Will the vet ever get here?   It is endless but that is a springtime foaling /breeding day. I didn't ride all week as I am too tired/confused by noon to want to ride a fox hunter. They can now get fat and lazy for a couple of months. We did the Green Spring Valley hunter pace and I would be happy to end on that very high note- as in very high fences. It was awesome and we did well. Got a third which there is an accomplishment.
I miss the weddings from last year, but going to a movie with one son tonight and get to see Sarah and Will in a few weeks.  Life is good.

Baby No.4 not meant to be...a little rain did fall...

Our last foal was stillborn last night. Everything was proceeding fine at first. I was delighted the mare started to go into labor as she was very, very big and had been 3 weeks late last year. But the foal never took a breath however. The vet says sometimes there is a premature separation of the umbilical cord and then they almost always do not make it. :( So I have a sad mom and a sad me. The first time I have not gone back to bed very tired but exhilarated after a foaling. This one was just sad.

Clever Buddha's baby...

Baby no. 3 came at 4AM this morning. All my mares have been 12 days late-go figure! Lovely, big colt by Into Mischief and I think he may be a gray like his mom. Dark brown now, but the grey undercoat is there with a star that looks like a dandelion in full "fluff" mode!  Mike helped me help the little guy into the world and I turned and said, "Isn't that a nice way to start the day." He looked like staying in bed was more like his idea of a good way to start! Thank you dear! One more to go - fingers crossed all is well with them all.