Training A Horse With Proper Equipment

Training A Horse With Proper Equipment
By Jodi M Wilson

Nothing about training or riding a horse is natural. We need help teaching our horses our language much like a school teacher needs books, chalkboards, and sometimes rulers to teach their students. I constantly tell people, yes, some equipment is severe enough to never be used, but in the right hands even the mildest halter can become torture to a horse. On the flip side, properly used equipment can help the horse learn a lesson faster and easier thereby putting less strain on the horse's body and humor. When looking at training equipment, I look at these aspects to determine if the equipment I use is right for me and the horse. Surface area covered or skin contact made, the surface design of the equipment that touches the skin and the motivation needed for a particular lesson. So, let's look at what makes bits, spurs, and whips different.

When looking for a bit, the best place to start is by imagining what it would feel like on the soft corners of your mouth and tongue. You can also hold the bit in your hand as it would be in the horse's mouth and feel what happens when you apply pressure. Test out both when the horse's face is in proper position, vertical to the ground as well as when the horse may raise his head and take his mouth more parallel with the ground. In general, a milder bit has a smooth, thick mouthpiece; large rings or cheek pieces on snaffle bits; short shanks and low ports on curb bits; wide nose piece and short shanks on a mechanical hackamore; thick nose piece and large knots on a bosal.

Knowledge of how each type of bit works and what motivation it uses is important as well. The snaffle is designed to be used with a direct or leading rein pull and is to encourage lateral flexion in the horses' neck and is known by a broken mouth piece and rings that allow the reins to attach directly to the side of the mouth piece. There is a direct ratio of pressure which is applied directly to the mouth. If you pull on the rein with five pounds of pressure, the horse feels five pounds of pressure. The smaller the rings the more severe as the pressure from that pull on the reins becomes more concentrated on a smaller spot on the opposite side of the horse's mouth. This is what makes the full cheek snaffle least severe.

The curb, bosal, and hackamore work off the horse being straight and encourage the horse to carry his head 'on the vertical' by relying on leverage with varying ratios of pressure which is applied to the bars, chin and poll of the horse. The longer the shank and the shorter the purchase the greater the ratio. For example, a bit with a one inch long bridle ring and a six-inch shank has a one to six ratio. When you apply five pounds of pressure to the reins, 30 pounds of pressure is being applied to the chin, bars, and poll. For the curb you also have a chin strap. The thinner the strap the less severe as it spreads the pressure over a greater area. Rusty chain chin straps are illegal in the show ring as they can cut the horse's chin. The port or center rise of the bit increases in severity the larger it is. When you apply the reins, the port activates by driving up into the roof of the horse's mouth. While a Mullen mouthpiece looks less severe, depending on the horse it can be more severe as the bit applies full pressure to the tongue while low port may keep the bit off the tongue.

The bit-less bridle includes the bosal, hackamore, and halter type headstalls. The thinner the bosal, the greater the severity as once again the pressure is being applied to a smaller area on the face and under the chin and thus is more concentrated. The knots of the bosal can cause injury to the sides of the horses face if they rub too much. Not many will choose the bosal as a bridle as it does not have the bite to be used without good training on a horse. One of my least favorite of bit-less headstalls is the mechanical hackamore. Naively, many think this is the least severe. However, these come in varying styles including cable wire and bicycle chains for the nose piece. When combined with a commonly used 9 inch shank they can easily apply 90 plus pounds of pressure to the horse's nose, chin and poll. A young rider can unknowingly and easily break a horse's jaw. And while it seems so 'natural' to ride the horse without a bit, consider how long you have to work a lesson with the horse to gain control. Yes, a bit-less bridle may be something you consider working up into, but not as a teaching tool or a starting place. Also consider your cues and how a bit-less bridle will communicate with your horse. Will it cause your cues to be vague and therefore confusing to the horse or will it deliver clear communication allowing your horse to full understand your requests.

You may now have a better understanding of what I will say regarding spurs. Try them out on your own leg. Take the spur and roll it over your own skin and feel for yourself how harsh it will or will not be to your horse. Spurs, like the shank bit, when used correctly were designed to give cues that are more precise and clear and thus could be lighter. We have found them to be great motivators to move a lesson along and as with bits, once a piece of equipment uses pain as a motivator we cease communicating with our horse. The horse begins to protect himself and react instead of respond to our requests. If the horse can feel a fly walking on its side, it does not need a sharp point on your heel to feel your leg. Horses don't become dead mouthed or dead sided, they simply have raised their pain threshold to meet the amount of pain used for training.

But back to spurs, it seems obvious to say that the bigger the area the spur touches and the smoother the surface of the spur, the less severe it is. Now here's the kicker. When looking at a selection of spurs we would naturally shy away from the big rowel covered in 20 points, when in reality that spur is less severe than a smaller rowel with only six points. Why? For the simple reason mentioned above. The large rowel with many points actually covers a greater area of skin and does not poke the horse like the small 6 point rowel. Some other aspects to consider with spurs are the sides of the rowels, have they been beveled smooth so as not to scrap the horse and do they roll freely enough that if you get sand into them it can fall through without locking up your rowel.

The 'humane' spurs at first glance, bumper or barrel, look kind until you remember that the surface area is the key. These spurs don't have a rowel, but are thin so the 'bump' is concentrated to a small area. The bubble gum spurs seems the least severe when it is used to clarify a cue and not a substitute for good training. Yet, a good blunt rowel could actually be argued as a less severe because when used correctly the rowel allows the spur to roll up the horse's side where as the bumper, bubble gum spur and even the English spur will pull up on the horse's sides. The important thing to remember about spurs is they are a supplemental aid just like a crop. A horse will stop listening to any and all spurs when it becomes the first and main cue.

Whips should be used as an extension of your hand and not as a stick to beat your horse. The whip should only be used to reach the horse in a manner that will keep you in a safe position while training. There are horses that require strong motivation, but a horse should not become afraid of the whip anymore than it should become afraid or your hand. Again, size does matter. The thicker the whip or bat end the less severe the whip. When working on the ground a whip should have a solid shaft that does not wave when you tap the horse. Reason being is that if you need to stop tapping or increase pressure, the floppy whip will respond poorly. It will tend to sting the horse too much and hit the horse when you don't want to. Use a whip size that meets the situation. If you need to tap the hip you will need a longer whip than normally what is used in the saddle. And just like the spur, the whip should not become the primary cue. It is designed to be used as a secondary cue. This means you use the whip when the horse is not responding to a better primary physical cue and the whip should be abandoned as soon as the horse gives the proper response.

My point, you need the best equipment for the job. While you could put in a flower garden with literally you bare hands, I think we all would agree the job would be done a lot sooner with less pain to our arms, back, legs and mind if we used a shovel. In the same way, we have to consider how much strain is being put on the horse's body through needless repetition. Sometimes a mild snaffle is the better choice to get the lesson taught more clearly, accurately and promptly than a halter. And while bit, spur, and whip use can and will be argued till the end of time, it helps to be educated on their design, proper use and benefits so you can make the right choices. Most were designed with the full intention that the cues would be made more clear and the horse could learn to work off lighter aids. It is human laziness that has made them into inhumane training devices. And while most would agree that it would be great to ride at complete liberty on our horses and have them respond without fail, it is a goal not a starting point and when used correctly these tools can help us on that journey.

Jodi Wilson is a recognized authority on the subject of horse training and has spent almost 30 years developing training techniques and solutions for horse owners no matter the discipline or breed.

Jodi is an Accredited Josh Lyons trainer, and is Certified in John Lyons training techniques. Her website, http://Jodi-Wilson.com, provides a wealth of information to improve the relationship between horse and rider. Jodi is also available for clinics and demonstrations as well as lessons, apprenticeships, and horse training.

Jodi has trained and competed in Reining, Sorting, Jumping, Dressage, English and Western Pleasure, Trail and Problem Solving.

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Various Types of Horse Training Aids

Various Types of Horse Training Aids
By Sheryll Walker

Horse training aids provide you with a useful trade to help you have success when training your horse. When it comes to training a horse, you don't want to pass over your investment in training aids. Horse training is a serious issue and training aids can make sure a trainer stays safe. It is best to make sure you have the following necessary horse training aids before you start training your horse.

Every trainer is going to need a halter and lead rope combination. The rope halter allows you to tie and lead which is often better than a flat halter, which is uncomfortable for the horse and prevents leaning. When you are working with a horse, it is important to have a rope halter as a part of your equipment.

Next, you need a lead rope to attach to your halter. This lead rope is used to steer and direct your horse. This is a very important training aid since it acts like a leash and allows you to tell your horse what you want them to do.

Another valuable horse training aid is the longe line. Longeing is a term for a set of training skills that teach a horse direction, posture and yielding or moving because of pressure. The longe line will allow you to accomplish these goals.

A popular training tool among many trainers is a progress string. This thin, braided rope has an eye splice at one end and a leather popper on the other. You can use it in a variety of ways. They can be a visual aid for horses to know when they are in your space. It can also be a physical tool for you to have contact while in the saddle. The progress strain isn't heavy to cause pain, but the popper end has a distinct noise and can be used in place of a crop.

For a less traditional horse training method, you should consider getting a large rubber ball. This type of rubber ball can be bought at a toy store and can be used to successfully condition horse's nerves. Simply roll the ball around them and gently bump it into their legs so they won't become startled.

The horse can also be directed from the saddle in order to have them gently move the ball with their legs. This way your horse can become desensitized to unexpected movements or objects. Thereby, reducing a horse from becoming spooked.

The last less traditional horse training aid you can use is a simple plastic tarp. The tarp can be used to develop a horse's courage while providing you with a cheap training aid. All you have to do is place the tarp in the training area and lead your horse over it so they walk across it by themselves.

As the horse walks across the tarp, it will make a noise and provide them with a strange footing environment. This will develop the trust between a trainer and horse while providing them with desensitizing to noisy situations for when you take them out on a trail ride.

This is by no means a complete list of all the horse training aids available on the market, but it can provide you with something to work with. This list provides you with the basic and necessary training aids for your horse so you can get started with your training program. Once you progress in your horse training you can start using advanced horse training aids and tactics so that you have continued progress.

Sheryll Walker is a horse training enthusiast, helping numbers of people to learn secrets of training horses.

To discover more helpful horse training aids and learn about natural horse training, visit HorseTrainingHelp.com.

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What is Natural Horse Training?

What is Natural Horse Training?
By Sheryll Walker
The impression most people have is that you need to control a horses' head in order to control them properly. This is why many trainers show a horse how to stop and start through the use of a lead rope or bridle. But what can you do if you don't have these supplies? What method can you use to control the horse? If you have spent time chasing a horse around a pasture then you have likely asked yourself these questions.

People can learn to control the horse's mind through the process of natural horse training. If you control a horses mind you won't lose control, no matter what situation you are faced with. Natural horse training is a unique method that needs to be done properly in order to ensure success.

The process of training doesn't use any form of punishment or obedience, but uses calm compliance. As a trainer, you need self-control and discipline to get your horse to willing follow your lead all the time. To achieve this, natural horse training focuses on developing a pattern and establishing a feeling of safety and comfort for the horse. By this description, natural horse training seems easy when in reality it is a very difficult program to learn.

Before you can start this training method, you need to get your horse to pay attention to you. To do this you also need to provide your horse with your full attention. Focus on what your horse is doing and don't allow distractions during the training session.

Both you and the horse need to be in a position to concentrate and focus. If this is impossible to do for long periods of time, then you should start training in small increments and work up to longer periods. Ideally, you should start with at least ten minutes of training time.

In addition to paying attention to your horse, you also want to consider the feedback they are providing. Are the eyes and ears signaling anything? What is the horse's breathing pattern? Are their reactions similar to the last time you worked with them? By paying attention to these things you will be able to help the horse pay attention to you. Find a trigger that gets your horse to do what you want them to do willingly and then use this continually.

Rhythm and relaxation are key when it comes to natural horse training. Your movements as you approach the horse should be rhythmic. Be relaxed when approaching the horse or stall. Your breathing plays a vital role and should be carefully monitored. Horses are keen to your actions and they will sense if you are tense. If something unusual or unplanned happens this relaxation and rhythm is very important.

After mastering these two simple key features then you can advance in natural horse training. Although don't be disappointed if things are perfect in the first day or week. Often times it can take several months before horses learn a non-predatory system through natural horse training. While it is known as natural horse training this doesn't mean that it will come naturally for all people.

In order to naturally control your horse you will need to have the appropriate mental self-control. This is where you will need a lot of hard work. Many successful natural horse trainers have years of experience. So if your first try doesn't result in success then don't get discouraged. Simply remember to take your time and be patient, this way your horse will be patient with you. When you do this, you can soon see the benefits that natural horse training has to offer.

Sheryll Walker is a horse enthusiast, helping numbers of people to learn secrets of Natural Horse Training.

To discover more helpful tips on Young Horse Training and learn more about Natural Horse Training, visit http://www.HorseTrainingHelp.com.

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Should I Send An Anonymous Valentine's Day Card?

Should I Send An Anonymous Valentine's Day Card?
By Angela Selfridge

Valentine's Day is one of the biggest holidays of the year, romantically speaking. However, whether you're in a new relationship, you think you're falling in love or you're just looking for romance, the question of whether or not to send out a Valentine to that special person is a tough one to answer, especially if you're thinking about sending out an anonymous Valentine's Day card.

Expectations

The purpose behind an anonymous Valentine's Day card is a big part of the reasoning as to whether or not someone should send it. For instance, if someone is sending an anonymous Valentine to someone they've just started dating, or to someone they're already in a relationship with, that should be just fine. However, if someone wants to declare his or her undying love to that person they've never spoken up to before, then that could backfire. The more pressure someone puts on a Valentine, anonymous or otherwise, the better they should know the person it's being sent to.

Romantic or Creepy?

It's very easy to cross a line when sending out an anonymous Valentine's Day card or gift. For instance, some people like the mystery of a secret admirer. It provides a pleasant distraction and a fun question about who it is that has such strong feelings for them. On the other hand, not everyone likes that kind of situation. It could be that it makes them nervous, or that they've had a bad reaction with anonymous callers in the past. Generally speaking, someone has to have an idea of how the recipient is going to act before they decide to drop off the Valentine's Day present or card in question. When in doubt though, it never hurts to sign your name, romance be damned.

Can an Anonymous Valentine Lead to More?

Valentine cards or gifts are a great way to express your feelings to someone you're dating, or for whom you're already in a relationship with. However, they also provide great opportunity for people to ask out that special someone for the first time. Others may even pop the question through a Valentine's Day gift or card. However, it takes a truly poetic gift to do these things, or others, anonymously.

If all you want to do is brighten someone's day, or let them know that someone out there cares enough to want them as a Valentine, then an anonymous card or message will get the job done just fine. However, if you want to ask someone out on a first date, or express really deep and heartfelt emotions, then it's probably best to have a name attached to the card. Otherwise it could lead to some very awkward situations, romantically speaking.

Visit http://www.lovestruck.com, who offer online dating services in Asia. Have a look at the opportunities on http://www.lovestruck.com/hongkong/ and possibly find love. Search for singles who live, work or are simply close by, so sign up and be on a date tonight.

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How To Ask Someone On a Valentine's Day Date

How To Ask Someone On a Valentine's Day Date
By Angela Selfridge

Valentine's Day can be a great way to celebrate any relationship. But not everyone has to celebrate their Valentine's Day by giving their special someone flowers and a box of chocolates. There are so many creative and special ways to ask someone out on a Valentine's Day date.

A creative way to ask that special someone out on a Valentine's Day date is to create a puzzle. There are various sites that sell puzzles online that can be custom made for your crush. You can add hearts, flowers, or even activities they enjoy into the puzzle with the words, "will you be my Valentine?" on the puzzle. This is a romantic and fun way to show the person you care about how much thought you put into it.

Another unique way to ask the one you are dating out on a date is to make a cute and funny home movie of yourself. You can let them know how you feel about them, why you like them, and even tell them your plans if they say yes. It's best to let your crush watch the video alone so they can really appreciate the heart you put into making the video.

To go with a more romantic route, you can cut out paper in the shapes of hearts and list 14 reasons (14 for Valentine's Day) of why you like him/her. The best way to do this would be to decorate their front door (make sure they aren't home) with the hearts. Then you can have an additional heart that is larger than the others, asking them to be your Valentine. If you do not know where they live then try their office desk, locker at work or maybe on the windscreen of their car.

For a more traditional way to ask out your Valentine, cover their house (or yours) in rose petals. This may be pricey but will be well worth it. Roses symbolize romance and that's what Valentine's Day is all about. To find the cheapest roses, try visiting a few florists and compare prices to get the most for your money. Once you've decorated the house, or a path leading to you, it would also be a plus to light a few candles. At the end of the path, stand with a sign or piece of paper asking your love to go out on a Valentine's date. Obviously this can depend on weather, this is not suitable to a windy or wet day but you might be able to find laminated printed hearts and weigh them down with stones or glass bottles full of petals.

Treasure hunts have been around forever, so why not apply your adventurous side to asking out your date? You can make the clues into riddles (don't make it too hard to figure out) or the next location they need to go to. Make the clues into paper hearts and at the final destination wait for your crush with his/her favourite flowers or favourite chocolates.

Asking out your love on a Valentine's date even if you've been dating for a while doesn't have to be a hassle, it's a better experience for you both if you turn it into a fun adventure and an experience full of romance so it can be both special and memorable in the relationship.

Visit http://www.lovestruck.com, who offer online dating services and events in Singapore. Check out the professional dating opportunities on http://www.lovestruck.com/singapore/professionaldatingagency.html and see the possibilities available. Why not sign up and find love tonight?

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Top 10 Romantic Date Ideas For Your First Valentine's Day Together

Top 10 Romantic Date Ideas For Your First Valentine's Day Together
By Angela Selfridge

Valentine's Day is coming up and many of us are getting ready to celebrate it for the first time as an official couple. Both men and women will see this as a milestone in their relationship and they want to make it special for the person they love. Maybe some of us are not sure what would be the most romantic date idea and could do with some good ideas to suggest to our mate. Look no further. Here we have compiled a list of top ten date ideas that will add the right element of romance to anyone's Valentine's Day.

1. Go out to dinner at an upscale restaurant that requires a reservation. Nothing will set the mood right like good conversation and first rate food.

2. Go get a couple's massage. This is sure to relax both of you after a long work week. Nothing says "I love you" like a spa day together.

3. Take a dance class together. Learning something new and having fun will bring the relationship to a new level. It gives couples a chance to show off their corny and romantic side.

4. Go to an ice skating or roller rink together. We all loved this as a child. This will bring back those great childhood memories which can lead to great laughs and beautiful conversations.

5. Go Bowling. Seriously, who does not love this old pastime? It's a great way to have fun and get to know one another more deeply while also showing off their competitive side.

6. Be a city tourist. No matter where we live history surrounds us. Find some really unique tourist spots locally and sightsee together.

7. Go on an outdoor picnic at night. Pack some favourite food and beverages and then spend the evening relaxing and chatting under the stars at a local park for the ultimate in intimacy and romance.

8. Take a cooking class together or cook something for each other and share it later. You can theme the meal around how you feel about each other or base it on a shared joke or the first meal you had together and then give it a corny name. The laughter and fun is sure to abound.

9. Get tickets to a major event, stadium tour, sporting event or once in a lifetime that will excite each other. This is the ultimate in exciting romantic fun.

10. Paint a masterpiece for each other at a paint-your-own pottery place. This will bring out the sensitive and artsy side of one another. Use each other for inspiration and encouragement. Tell each other why you were inspired by him/her in the artwork. This is a great way to show your partner how you really feel about him/her.

Explore each other's feelings for one another, have fun, and make memories to last a lifetime.

Visit www.lovestruck.com, who offer online dating services and events in Singapore. Check out the Singapore dating ideas on www.lovestruck.com/singapore/ and see what is possible. Why not sign up and find love tonight?

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How Can Singles Celebrate Valentine's Day?

How Can Singles Celebrate Valentine's Day?
By Angela Selfridge

Valentine's Day is not just a celebration for couples. This is a perfect day to celebrate with families, friends, and colleagues. Of course, it is a day of love, romance, and romantic activities. That doesn't mean people not in a relationship can not enjoy this day. In fact, this day is the perfect time to celebrate and cherish your affection and care for yourself. Here are a few ways to celebrate Valentine's Day if you are not in a relationship.

Indulge in yourself: Valentine's Day is all about making something special. That implies you should feel good about yourself as well. Give yourself something nice and indulge yourself in an enjoyable setting. If you love spa and pampering massages, go for it. Similarly, you can enjoy an array of other activities that interests you. Watching a show with your friends or visiting your favourite clubhouse is also a great option. After all, your job is to please yourself if you have no partner to spoil you.

Treat yourself: Relish some sweet treats or delicious dinners on this day. Take some time from your busy routine and enjoy some scrumptious meals, desserts, and drinks. Call up your family or friends and ask them to join you. Buy a box of your favourite chocolates while heading back home. If you like some specific wines, this is the best time to buy a bottle. Try choosing something unique to enjoy yourself. It can be a bottle of perfume, a music DVD, or a book of your favourite author. Your aim should be keeping yourself happy and motivated on this particular day.

Send gifts someone else's way: Feeling good about yourself starts when you spread love. Show your kindness and affection for your friends and family by sending them a gift. Try gifting something surprising and nice. You can send some sweet treats, fruit baskets, flowers, and even show tickets. You can also send a card with a gift certificate. These small gestures can bring a smile on the face of your dearer ones. If you are unable to send a gift, don't worry. You can always call up and speak with your nearest and dearest ones.

Go after what you want: feel good about yourself as you are still single. Enjoy those activities that you can not do while dating. List those things you would like to do, before dating someone. It can be a trip of a lifetime or something really fun and adventurous. Indulging in such activities will make you feel happier and confident.

Try something new: start something new on this Valentine's Day. Join a swimming lesson, dance class, or something similar that you have always dreamt about. Challenge yourself to do something new and exciting on this special day.

Visit Lovestruck.com, who offer online dating services and events in Hong Kong. Have a look at their online dating tips on http://www.lovestruck.com/hongkong/tips.html and search for singles who live, work or simply are close by. Why not sign up and find love tonight?

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Should I Propose On Valentine's Day?

Should I Propose On Valentine's Day?
By Angela Selfridge
Valentine's Day always seems like the perfect time to propose, but is it for you? There are pluses and minuses to popping the question on this day and knowing what you should consider before making your decision will help you make the right choice.
For many people, Valentine's Day is a special day of romance. It is almost as if the whole world is focused on love and that can put you and your partner into the right mood to commit to each other. You have to know how your partner feels about the day before considering proposing. Just because you may think that the day comes with a built in blast of romance that would make a perfect time to declare your un-ending love and take your relationship to the next level; if your partner isn't of the same mind you could have a problem.
Part of growing from dating into a relationship that leads to commitment is learning about your partner's likes and dislikes. For some, Valentine's Day may not be viewed as romantic at all. Your partner may feel like there is too much pressure demanded on that day, or maybe they have not had good experiences on Valentine's Day in the past. Before you decide to propose, casually talk about the day and get a real idea of what meaning it has for your intended.
Another thing to consider is just how public you want your proposal to be. If you and your partner enjoy being the centre of attention, then by all means go for the splashy announcements on sports boards, skywriters or rings tucked in desserts at your local fancy restaurant. If one of you is a quieter sort of person then something more private is called for, love is an intimate and personal thing and declaring it might be better done this way. Valentine's Day can be a wonderful time to go someplace together and do something special just for the two of you and ask.
The main thing to consider is that if it is appropriate to declare your love and intentions on Valentine's Day that you do so in a way that shows how much you respect your partner and how much you honour and value the proposal itself. All strong relationships grow from mutual respect. If your partner is of a traditional bent, you may want to ask for her hand from her father or guardian first. This type of old-fashioned gesture shows respect and honour for your partner and her family. Making sure that you "set the mood" by making arrangements for the two of you to be someplace romantic and special is also important. A beautiful idea is to return to one of the first places you visited when you began dating. In the end, it is the care and consideration you show that will make your proposal special no matter what day it is asked.
Visit www.Lovestruck.com, who offer online dating services in the UK. Check out the online dating possibilities on www.lovestruck.com/london/datingagency.html for more information on finding love. Why not sign up and find love with single, like-minded professionals?
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About Me

Hi, my name is Rae and this blog is about me and my life.

I was born in Miami Florida in 1961. This makes me 51 years old right now. I have a sister and one surviving parent, my Mom. My Mom is 73 years old lives and she lives with my Sister and her husband. My Mom used to live with me in another apartment. She really loved the pool there. Everyone loved her. Everyday she would walk down to the pool and sun bathe and drink her Margaritas. Our apartment was a 2 bedroom. We had 3 cats and 1 very large German Shepherd by the name of Maggie. We also had another room mate named Andrew. Andrew had the master bedroom with a full bath and my Mom had the other bedroom. I made the dining room into my bedroom. I separated my bedroom with a curtain. It worked out well enough. It was tight for all of us, 3 adults, 3 cats and 1 dog, but we made the best of it.

Then, one day, Andrew and I were standing on the balcony. It was a beautiful summer day. A man walked by, looked up and smiled and said hello as he was walking past on his way to the pool. I immediately grabbed Andrews arm and told him that I was going to marry that man. He had the most beautiful smile. It was love at first sight.