Don't have it in me..

So last night I was up late going through horse rescue websites. I came across one my my favorite sites, Alex Brown Racing: http://forums.prospero.com/alexbrown/messages and read some postings about how the local kill pen/horse auction is a resting stop for horses illegally transported from California en route to Mexico for slaughter. It is illegal to sell or transport a horse in California to slaughter, but it still happens and great people are out there trying to expose the truth, and stop it from happening. I have been to the auction before, I thought maybe this is my calling to start documenting what I see. I was going to head up there yesterday ( its only 10 miles from my house ) and take pictures but I don't have it in me to do so.. Going to that auction that day in December in 2006 was one of the most emotional days for me. Knowing that so many of the horses there would end up being slaughtered. Seeing so many shady people who are in the horse trade business for the money including the white trash lady who has a "rescue" next door and buys the horses and resells for big profits.

My life is finally getting on track. Getting out of debt, and trying to stay focused on my weight loss journey. Getting involved with documenting SW Livestock Auctions doing would do nothing but bring me heartache as I haven't found any good horse rescue people near by, and miss my good horse rescue friends in Arizona.. I would be my own one person army and I just don't have it in me.. Anyway that is my thoughts for tonight.. It depresses me to think about the way we treat animals and the horror of horse slaughter. The picture above is of Sand, my first rescued Thoroughbred who is a big dog. He has a great personality and to think that other horses, hundreds go to slaughter every week, which is a dirty secret that a small percentage of the US knows about makes me sad-

I am off to bed and going to dream happy thoughts now :)

Using a Debit Card

So the last few weeks, except for gas ( rebate through discovercard ) I have been using my debit card instead of a credit card and using money to actually pay down credit cards versus watching the balances stay the same or go up. I feel really good about it and thought I would check in. I am totally focused on getting my credit cards payed off and I am looking for 2 years totally out of credit card debt and by the time I hit 44 I would love to have my student loan paid off.... Like Dave Ramsey says I want to live like no one else and how nice would it be to be paid and only owe my mortgage and basic living expenses? I would have 1k left over each month to save towards retirement and spend and save.. Anyway thought I would check in for motivation and post this darling picture of my doggies.. Off to bed!

Roadtrip to Mountainair, NM

So today I was having a typical Sunday doing nothing. I was just about to take a nap when a voice said " Get your lazy ass out of the house and see the state you haven't even explored". So I got ready and went to Mountainair, about 40 miles from my house. I was hoping to find a cute little biker bar there were I could enjoy a beer and the people but there was nothing in that town. Pictures of the town and my 2 hour road trip are in my Flickr Page under the set Mountainair Trip.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lunasgal1 . It was nice getting out of the house even though I didn't meet anyone. I stopped to use the bathroom and have a green chile burger at the Ancient Cities Restaurant, that was the highlight of my day.

I then got home and spent some time with the horses, watched Stop Loss and now I am here, soon to be heading to bed. Its nice having today off, then I work 2 more days and have 2 days off..

Anyway that is about it- I am going to try to go on more miniroad trips, I need to meet people and see this beautiful state I call home now..

Working 4-10's

So my birthday was so fun- Loved the fact that the hotel we stayed at had a shuttle to take us to and from the bar! I start my new class tomorrow- Only got 3 days rest from the old one, but I will be working 10-9pm with Sun, Wed and Thur off. I am looking forward to staying home 3 days a week but the days will be so long..

Still doing great using my debit card versus my credit cards. Went shopping today and only bought the bare minimums as I am planning to eat out more then eat at home due to the fact that I will only be eating at home 3 days a week..

Anyway that is about it! Off to bed as I have to get up early tomorrow. Looking forward to getting up early and getting home before 10pm..

Birthday Party Take Two

So tonight back at Grahams in Albuquerque I am having my 40th birthday celebration. After ending another successful training class tonight, I am in the mood to celebrate. The last two months have been crazy and I need to celebrate as my last party was canceled due to my good buddy Rachael getting hurt. Anyway I am super excited. I have a 3 day weekend and am even renting a hotel with my buddy Trish tonight so we don't have to drive home.. Fun Stuff and kinda feel like I am 21 again! Will post back the details of my exciting weekend- Start a new training class Tuesday and I need to celebrate this weekend :):)

Successes and Failures of bringing my lunch

So for the last two weeks I have been diligently bringing my lunch and dinner to work with me Tues-Friday in the hopes of helping my weight loss and saving money. What I discovered is that I think I actually spent more money grocery shopping that I would have spent eating out. Week one grocery bill was approx $80 and week two the same. So in a two week time period I spent $160.00... My average lunch out is a Sonic Salad $4.99 and a large tea $1.99. So $7 x 5 is $35 spent on nice yummy lunches I look forward too.. For dinner I have no problem eating a microwave dinner as I have found some good ones ( Healthy Choice Asian Steamers Orange Chicken YUM, and south beach pizzas YUM ) .

I also bought things to supplement my lunches like cheese, chips and I have ended up binging on those off hours which I think has been killing my diet.. So lets face it. I work 2-11:30pm and the only meal I eat at home is breakfast which is cereal and coffee. When I come home from work at midnight I like to have a small glass of wine before heading out to feed the horses, and this is really all I need at home for food.. Other food will sabotage me..

Starting next week I will have 3 days off a week. I am working 4-10's with Sun, Wed and Thur off. I am going to do what my mom does and shop a couple times a week only for what I need the next following days. I think this will help my budget, as well as my out of control eating..

I will report my findings the following weeks and I am also going do budget $50 a week on eating out. Cash of course!

Back in the Saddle

So after a successful week of bringing my lunch, and only spending $50 on coffee, powerball ( for 5 weeks worth of play ) and only eating out Saturday I was extremely proud of myself. Living off a budget is kinda fun! So tonight a friend from work brought her granddaughter over, she rode Cowboy and then after they left I rode Cowboy, and then I rode Beauty. It was scary for me as I haven't ridden since my friend Rachel fell off Beauty. I had to get back on, and tonight was the night. She did great, and my confidence was back to normal. I only have 2 more weeks of my late schedule then will be working 4 -10's in which I will have 3 days off a week. More time to spend with the horses, and work on myself. Anyway I am proud of what a successfull week I have had! I have a friend from work coming over tommorrow to hook up my dad's stereo system so I should be rocking out soon, in surround sound and will probably break a window as his system is so awesome- Will post more pictures soon as well! Big Thunderstorm coming, signing off !