Countdown to Racing Stripes I: T-minus ONE DAY!

Ahhhhh!! We leave TOMORROW afternoon for Racing Stripes. Naturally, I am sitting here on the computer instead of packing.... not sure that my bag is going to get packed this way, but there you go.

I feel slightly more prepared than last time, but definitely not actually prepared, because oh god how on earth can I possibly be ready? Did I under condition? Am I going to kill us? I'm sure other endurance folks go through exactly the same thing that I am feeling right now, and have definitely heard it echoed before, so I know I'm not alone there. The mare is *definitely* a lot more fit than I am, which is probably where some of my nerves are.... maybe less worry that she can do it, and more worry about can *I* do it. She makes it easy - you just get up in half seat and go, forever! - but at some point your muscles start to protest that if you're not in shape. Just like last time, I scheduled a bunch of appointments for Sunday, because I know I am not going to want to get out of bed Sunday and moving around and using my muscles is the best thing I can do for myself.

I feel *slightly* more prepared only because I know more or less what I am in store for, and what to do when I get there, and I even made a few friends last time, one of which is going to let me try some saddles on O and see if any of them look like they'd be something to invest in in the future. Let's face it, that barrel saddle is awesome, but all of my gear weighs upwards of 40lbs, and that's an AWFUL lot of extra weight to be carrying around.

We did some Very Serious prep work today... does this count as "heavy petting"?

She's a serious cuddlebug and would. not. leave. me. alone. as I picked their pen. She just sort of squeezes her way into whatever I am doing, puts her face right into the middle of it, and insists that I stop everything to pet her. She then closes her eyes in total bliss. 

Dunno what she did to get that little scrape on her face... with her, you never know!

On a different note, check out these TOTALLY ADORABLE pictures of Tiny Baby O:

Showing off her Big Booty and Very Large Head early on! Looks like she got mom's booty! I love love love love wee babies... I just want to squeeze her!

I guess I better go pack..... wish us luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!