The Horse Show

I want to thank the following for all their help at the pleasure show. Without them - we couldn't have got it done - and we had many compliments on how well the show was run and organized. So hat's off to all of you!

Carol - our awesome announcer!
Cindy - "announcing assitant"
Tracy - Ring"woman"
Kathy - announcing & entry stand
Dee - awards presentation
Darcy & Mark - Gate handlers
Shyla - Gate handler
Tom - announcing assistant and clean up.
Jackie - my mom - entry stand
Shelley - entry stand & trail class
Paul - trail class
Chuck - trail class

We ended with 347 entries. Our cost to put on the show was $1,255.00 We made $987.00 - so the farm is in the hole $268.00 to put on the show.

It was alot of fun to do, and I glad of the experience - but until BHSA will let the clubs/individuals raise the entry fees - we will not do it again.

We're Parents!

Aren't they cute! Thanks to Kathy for gettina great shot!

Bo made the improvement honor roll for the 4th quarter. YEAH!
His reward is to get up at 4 am and go fishing with Grandpa this weekend.

Randy was high point at Red Ridge last weekend with Gus - there is improvement there and he's starting to ride a little more during the week. I usually groom, and saddle Gus and hand him the reins!

Charisma received a 2nd place at Red Ridge in her 1st ever 3 Gait class. Even though she'd had a "learning" set-back this past couple of weeks, we seem to have gotten over the hump, and made it through the show. She doesn't go out again until July 1 - at Portage.

We got a swimming pool for Kara last week - she seems to be enjoying that! Myself, I need it to be warmer water and hotter days!

Waiting to work

Charisma & Sammy - waiting their turns today.

And Griffin - catching some shade!

Tack Room Pictures

Here are some pics of the new tack room - it has a full sized door so I can keep the kitties OUT!

And here is the bridle rack Randy built - it's cool and probably so much better than the one in the catalog!

I think I FORGOT I had one of these!!! Oooops!

Ok - so I've pretty much ignored blogging/writing anything of late. Shame Shame Shame!

Newsworthy items:

Charisma won her 1st class Memorial Weekend - class size of 12, and though only a walk/jog - it was impressive to me - as it was only her 2nd time in the show arena. Lots of buzz about her after her win - so as I've "matured", the decision to take her and hide at the trailer until next time - was a wise one... it's best to go slowly with these young horses, and have LOW expectations! So when something really GREAT happens - don't try to do it again in the same day YET!

At the same show, Gus & Randy won their showmanship class, and he took 3rd with Gus behind "me"...(evil laugh he he....) in one class, and then things fell apart rapidly, and I ended up "schooling" Gus in a few classes, then competing again to win 1st in a class (I also won the trail class), and we put Gus away after all that too.

Gus is very upset to have Charisma leave him at any time during our stay at the show. This has perplexed me on his attitude until I realized that this is the first year that we have had TWO horses to take to shows....so will have to work through this, just like anything else.

Though Gus has also come up lame since before the show - with a tentative diagnosis of a hoof bruise of some type. It's not gushing Blood - so who the hell knows! That's my take... ANYWAY - he's been resting after having a series of 5 days of bute and foot soaking. He seems better these last couple of days - but will give him the remainder of this week on vacation and bring him out to see if he's going to stay sound to show on the 17th.

Sammy has been running barrels fairly decent this year - this past weekend we won $85 at the NBHA District show - and have even picked up a few points at the BHSA shows we've went to. This might seem funny - but I took him all last year, and never placed at a show.... So we've made improvements - and hope to continue.

Kara won her 1st leadline class of the year - and also took Gus in showmanship - it was very cute, and Mom & Dad were proud. The next show, I think she spent too much time talking to daddy and not being serious enough, but she still received 4th - and Mom really has to chill about these things- as she is only 6.....I will expect more out of my 7 yr old next year...ha ha...

Bo has managed to at least get a C or above in all his classes this quarter! This is a VERY big accomplishment and helpful heading into high school next year. Bo has also been helping do barn chores everynight - and has been a HUGE help to me every night. Why didn't I think of this sooner???? Bo leaves this weekend for his dad's for the summer, and will be missed (and not just cuz of chores).

Randy got his newer and bigger skid steer this past weekend. He's happy with his new toy. So I figure, that frees up about a $4,000 spending allowance for me next year....so I can be happy too!

Unlike my photographer friend, Kathy, I have no pictures to share at this time - I will work on that - and promise to post more often!

Also - remember our show on June 24 at the fairgrounds in Portage - your volunteer help will be MUCH appreciated!

Until next time!

Life Lessons......

Bo was to turn in the money for the school fundraiser on Monday. Well, apparantly he is short $8.25 Bo states to me that "I" must have underpaid, and would I give him the money. I had wrote a check, and I knew that I had paid the correct total. Apparently he can not have his award or pizza party with being short on funds.

Well, I told him the fundraiser money was his responsibility and that if he was short, that HE would have to dig in his own pockets for it. I told him that I was sorry that he must have made an adding error or didn't collect from someone, and did he double check his math and keep track of who paid what. Of course not.....

So, again, I am not winning the "mother of the year" award, but is there a better way to learn how to be responsible than paying out of your own pocket for mistakes??

T.

The Clinic was Great!

The clinic was great and I learned alot of different ways to actually USE the crap floating around in my head. Taking the sidepass and pivot and making lots of different manuevers and excercises out of them to get more out of the performance of our horses. It was definitely worth going to.

Even with the weather crap, and nothing is dry - except the riding arena (thank god), we've been busy riding as much as possible. Charisma came home from Jessica Cole's on Saturday. She's very fit and ready to go. I'm very happy with the work that was done with her, and she's in a great place to continue her education.

Gus is riding awesome. His lope has improved at least 25% since the clinic. I'm very excited about this year with him. Randy will keep some serious "butt", including mine I'm sure.

Kara had her first "official" riding lesson at Jessica Coles on Saturday. Within 10 minutes she was posting on the lunge line. What a hoot! The plan is to continue having her go to Jessica's to ride at least 1x per week until our schedules get too crazy. She only rode for about 15 mins on Saturday, but she is only 6! Kara is already starting to practice for Showmanship fo rthis year, and was leading Gus around yesterday. Nervous Nelly Mom was right alongside her to watch out for her feet - which look alot smaller than Gus's shod hooves. I had been working with Gus all winter to teach him to lead with his head "low" to accomodate Kara's height, and it really worked, and I my heart flutters to watch.

Randy has been busy building the new tackroom in the barn. And getting estimates from excavators for doing the site for the indoor arena. The stump (ha ha) in the plan is all the trees that will have to be removed....sigh.... Even though I KNOW my dad planted all those when he was young, there isn't much options. We can't exactly leave one in the middle....

News

Hi All!

Been fairly quiet around here, well, except for the slopping noises of marching thru spring mud & guck! All the horses have started to shed, and that's such a beautiful thing!

We have a new addition to our horse family. A yearling paint gelding named Ace joined us last Sunday. He was a freebie, and supposedly has a sore rear foot, but we really haven't seen much signs of it. The owner stated that she, her vet, and her farrier all felt that he would come out of it. He's a nice boy, but right now he is a little "shy" around us humans. Randy has been working with him almost daily since Sunday to bring him around.

I brought Gus home from Kari's yesterday. I do believe that he's happy to be home....or it could just be me...ha ha....

I'm off to the clinic tomorrow - 2 full days of many hours of instruction....I'm so looking forward to it. Though Gus & I probably aren't in as good as shape as we could be, I think we are as ready as we were going to get for only the end of March. I really wish I could video tape most of it.

I'll post after the clinic, and hopefully have some cool stuff to talk about, otherwise, why did I pay that $400????

I Didn't Ride.....

Sunday was beautiful - and though hard to swallow, I spent most of it at CHURCH...lol... My niece, Heather was baptized at the River of Life Church in Portage on Sunday. If I was to be a firm believer and go to Church regularly, I think it was fun and "modern" service....though as the hours drug on, I couldn't quite control my restlessness, and fidget....I think alot of the kids were probably more contained than I was.

We got home around 2ish, and I told Kara that we had to go over and visit Gus, and Kara said she wanted to ride (wow)....so packed up her little saddle and helmut and off we went. So, I was in the rare position with my child, where I was the observer and not the participant.....it feels strange, but I was very pleased to be there. Gus was very well behaved and packed her around like a trooper...in fact she had a hard time getting him to move! There was a neighbor shooting "guns", and though I was a little nervous, Gus handled it all well.

As by looking at the pictures, it's time to move her stirrups DOWN...she hasn't ridden since last fall in her saddle, and her legs have grown considerably!

Kara even jogged Gus. This is really the first time that she's been on the length of the lungeline. And steering mostly on her own. Kara will start riding lessons at Jessica Cole's soon. Where she will learn how to ride English style first. I firmly believe that learning to post and ride in that discipline - teaches more balance and leg position and strength, than in a western saddle. Too many kids just grab the saddle horn when things are not going "right", instead of learning to use their legs and bodies, and THINK!

So, I was the proud mama, snapping pictures... ha ha....

Warm Warm Warm

Its supposed to be in the 40's this weekend - what more is there to talk about?????

The Animal Auction

On Saturday I was lucky enough to go to Leudlow's animal auction. Cindy, a current boarder, had heard that there was going to be a paint horse for sale there and wanted to go check it out. Carol who owns Griffin from the barn, and Tanya (Cindy's friend and a past client of mine) also came along.

Too say we had a lot of fun is an understatement, as Cindy was carrying baby goats around and I myself was bidding on Wilbur the pig, and 2 mary "lambs". Of course, I wouldn't go over $5.00 so I did not buy any critters. Though, I was really tempted to buy that darn pig....I could smell the bacon....

On the sad subject of the horses attending the auction....they were a stellar example of why some people should not be able to breed their horses....sigh.....there were 2 registered quarter horse fillies, both coming 3 years old this summer. Neither could lead or tie or were friendly, as they were frightened by the environment they were shuffled in and were more than positive that the human beings staring at them were envisioning the evening meal. They were not horribly thin - they obviously had food, but their hooves showed that it had been some time, if any, that they had been trimmed, and they were definitely showing signs of some serious worms. One filly had serious clouding in one eye, and when I finally could get closer to it - I'm sure there was sight loss. When they came through the auction ring, they didn't even bring a bid of $25.00 And sad to say, they were not worth the $60.00 that the auctioneer bought them for.

Cindy was really eyeing the one filly and when the bidding started, I told her that her hospital bill or deductibles were going to be much higher than $60.00

So the paint gelding that was there was in about the same shape as the 2 fillies (as they came from the same place) - however someone in his short life had spent the time to teach him to lead and tie. And that human's might still be predators - that we were NOT going to really eat him. This gelding is also registered and very colorful. Cindy had named him and kissed him well before the bidding started. Cindy had never been to a "horse" auction (and we'll just call it that loosely"), and I bid on the horse for her. Cindy now owns a 2 yr old registered paint gelding for a mere $95.00 I will have to post some pictures of him here. She has a bit of project for herself, but I think there is some promise here.

We picked up the paint horse on Sunday afternoon and he loaded fine and came off the trailer pretty good. Unfortunately after he got off the trailer, he dragged Cindy to the nearest snow pile and promptly started devouring snow....Cindy took him to the water tank and he submerged his face and didn't come back up for air for some time. It appears that they didn't even bother to give this animal a drink of water, for who knows how long.... We took him a bunch of hay, and I'd have to say the horse hasn't moved from the hay or water tank. There is no other tracks in the snow.....sigh....

On other farm news - it is terribly icy around the barn - so all be careful!

Gus & Charisma are both riding well. Randy came over with me and rode Gus for a little bit too.

Until later!

T.

Yearning for....

I know that I have more than most and less than some....but.....I'm really hoping to get the indoor arena up this summer. We've had business "requests" for boarding that have went elsewhere due to not having an indoor to offer. But most of all, is the fact that I have one horse at a trainer, and now Gus is at Kari's boarded only because of the lack of our own indoor arena. I moved Gus over on Saturday, and went and rode Sunday and today. Though a bit nippy, it was still about 20 degrees inside and it was soooo nice to ride. Even though Gus was more than a bit NAUGHTY...lol.....

So, I'm in the dilemma of having to borrow around $60,000 to make it happen. This would make the mortgage on the farm around $225,000. A hefty sum it feels to me, but darn it, people all over the freaking country are buying $350,000-400,000 homes.....how do they do it? I've explored the business aspect, as in what I would have to have for total number of outside horses to pay for it, the raise of current rates to account for more amenities, and the limitations of only 13 acres....sigh..... My overwhelming fear is A: I dont get the horses/clients here and B: people dont pay their friggin bills....

So, I'm still waffling.... Randy of course says to pull the trigger and just build it....but then he rarely concerns himself with if the bills are paid or paid on time or credit card balances....so he's not much help....sigh..... though, I'm sure if I said I wanted to go buy a $15,000 reining horse, he'd having something to say about THAT!

I know that no one can help me make this decision......I just want my Mom to tell me YES or NO...lol....

Worry Wart....

So, I haul Gus over to Jessica Cole to meet with Dean J - farrier to investigate his cracks in his heels of his front feet. Dean J is an awesome farrier - whom I used for 4 years when I lived at the barn on Military Rd. I haven't used him since (almost 7 years) as we moved and Dean J became the resident farrier at UW Madison Vet Hospital. Jessica Cole has been fortunate to be one of the few barns that Dean J still does "house" calls to.

Dean had wonderful things to say about Roman Miller, our current farrier, and stated that he was doing an excellent job with Gus's shoeing and feet conditions.

A little background on Gus, is that he has had contracted heels for about 2 years. When Roman came to our barn a year and 1/2 ago, he suggested going with a Natural Balance shoe. In about 6 months we saw marked improvement on Gus and his contracted heels. This last year, I have been battling re-curring Thrush in Gus's front feet. This is a common problem with a horse with contracted heels, as there is a deep crevice for the bacteria to thrive. Its seems once the Thrush goes away, it comes back in about 3-4 weeks and we go thru it all over again.

This past July, Gus was having some right sided issues, mostly evident at the lope. When Roman came out mid-August - Gus was unlevel on his right foot - it was lower than the left. Roman put a very small wedge pad under his shoe to balance him back out. In time, the hoof should catch up and we can take it off. That did solve his problem and Gus was back riding like a million bucks. The wedge also seemed to be improving some of the contraction in that heel, and after another re-set we saw some positive growth. The decision was made to leave the Natural Balance shoes on for the winter.

In the last couple of months, Gus has had small cracks or "fissures" running up from this frog area into his heel. These have gradually gotten bigger and more of a "concern" to me. This is what prompted me to haul to Dean J - and get that all important "Dr's second opinion".....Sigh..... I'm happy to report that this is "cosmetic", and is a result of the on-going battle with Thrush. Dean J states that the cracks is where the infection "broke", and that there is positive live tissue and it will go away in time.

So the most important thing that I learned yesterday is in regard to treating Gus's chronic thrush is to basically throw away the "over-the-counter" thrush medicines. Dean J states that most are too caustic and drying - causing additonal problems (aka cracked heels)...and to buy some plain ole iodine at the drug store....His remedy for Gus is to soak small cotton balls in iodine, and pack them in the crevice areas of Gus's hooves. Sure sounds simple to me....can't wait to try it! And lesson here is "if its not broke, dont fix it".....

I also got to see Charisma work yesterday. I'm very happy to report that after being there for only a little over a week, she is very content and quiet, and is learning to learn.... can't ask for more than that!

Kara & Horses

Last night as we were in the driveway alongside the new pasture - Gus was running alongside the car...I hollered to Kara - and said " look at Gus loping along side of us!"...Kara laughed and then asked me if Gus was "HER" horse.....hard question to answer, as it feels like forever that I've wanted to hear her say something like that. Alas, I answered her that "No, Gus was not her horse, he was the whole family's horse". Kara made a big sigh and looked disappointed at that. I then told Kara that if she really spent time with Gus and learned to ride and liked it, then I would give Gus to her then.

I hope that was the right answer......

Machinery Dependence.....

To my stall boarders: I'm sorry the stalls are not very clean right now... The manure spreader was full - and Randy went to take spreader out Wednesday night. HOWEVER - the main component necessary to running the tractor was missing....your right - it was the KEY!.....Sooooo, no starting of the tractor..... I didn't clean stalls yesterday .

Randy did come home yesterday after work with a torch and a propane tank and proceeded to melt the snow under the tractor in search of the KEY.... He started up the torch when I had 3 horses left to bring inside....you can imagine the the funky noise and lights as the tractor is parked right along side the barn, fairly near the back door. I asked Randy to cease & desist until I could finish bringing in the horses. After I had everybody in, he started the torch back up....wow - what a way to light up the night and get EVERYONE in the barn stirred up....I went thru and shut up the stall drop-downs to ensure no one could escape...lol...

Now, Randy was SUCCESSFUL in finding the small key (which has prompted him to want to install a toggle switch on the tractor), and took out the spreader of manure. So now the spreader is empty for use. BUT the stalls have went 2 days, and it is now Friday. The plan is to let them go today - and Saturday morning have a strip it party....and I will have lots of clothes on....ha ha... Most people know I'm picky about the stalls and being clean....but its been a bit of vacation to just let them go!

Charisma leaves tomorrow to go to Jessica Cole's for training. I'm praying that she's not a freak about being moved to another strange place, but I have full confidence that Jessica will handle her fine. I did call her past owner, as I still had not received her registration papers and its been almost 3 weeks since they cashed the check. I left a message to her about that, and she called back this week and told me she was sorry to have "forgotten" them, and was wondering if she had settled down yet. I have not returned the call at this point, as I have a feeling that she knew Charisma was like this and didn't disclose that to me (even though I specifically asked if she had any "vices"). Well, too late now, and hopefully she is a complete star under saddle, and we can "deal" with her stall weaving when she is upset. Luckily she doesn't seem to do it ALL the time.

Well, if anyone wants to come to the "strip-it" party tomorrow.......

Have a good weekend!

Brrrr.......

It was very cold doing chores this morning....I bundled up and headed out at 6:30 to feed all 20 horses - which is quite a few when its only 2 degrees... As I was doing the chores, in my over-alls, boots, gloves, hat etc...marching thru the bit of snow with wheelbarrow filled with hay - and broke out into a sweat....who needs Curves??? I just need to spend about 20 minutes a day pushing the wheelbarrow thru the snow...ha ha....

All the horses were happy to see me, which is always nice...there are 8 horses in the barn, and even with the low temps - the 2 buckets that are not heated only had only a little bit of ice...I have 6 heated water buckets - which I love even if they give me just a little bit more work in the AM's - as I go thru and empty and unplug them for the day. It just doesn't seem to make much sense to have them plugged in all day when no one is in the barn. But it does add another 5 minutes to my crazy mornings.

The outside horses were in good spirits this morning too, so they were more than prepared for the cold snap this week than us humans.

I am anxiously awaiting time to ride. Gus leaves in 2 weeks to go to Kari's - and I will start riding him every day to get ready for the "clinic".. I dont want to spend $400 to go with a fat horse and a fat me.... Lee Barthel, who just brought her show horse before Christmas, is going to attend the clinic with me, so we can split gas costs. We decided to haul in each day vs staying overnight, as Germantown isn't that far away.

I spent some time looking at show schedules last night...and its hard to see which way the summer is going yet in January. I have about 6 NBHA shows that I want to attend for sure, and a barrel bash in the end of October. I want to go to more NBHA & 4-D format shows this year vs going to BHSA or open shows. With Sammy already running at the top of the 4-D division with little seasoning and exposure, I'm hoping to see some 2-D times by the end of summer. Shelley & I are going to ride share when we can, and Amanda Coyle has also expressed interest at ride sharing to some shows with me too. So hopefully can save on the gas bill when I can.

This is Kara's last year to ride as a "leadline" rider - as the ages is 6 & under. So will probably get her to as many of the BHSA pleasure shows for her to ride in that class. She will be riding Gus again. And I hope that Randy will be showing Gus mostly this year, and I will be riding Charisma. I'm hoping that Kara will be showing more interest in riding by the end of summer. I've been anxiously awaiting that to happen...I've done my best to tone it down and not push for her to ride....

Charisma

I actually made time to work with Charisma this weekend. This is the first time since we brought her home after Thanksgiving that I have done anything with her besides lead her outside and brush her on occasion.

I started with some basic round pen work and she did very well. She was extremely sensitive to the whip - to the point that all I had to do was pick it up and she'd take off at a run. I wouldn't say she was frightened of it, but she certainly understood that whip=go.. so I spent considerable amount of time desensitizing her with the whip. I've been a fan of Clinton Anderson for quite a few years and really believe and understand most of his concepts. BUT some of its easier said than done! lol... Charisma really hated having me move the whip over her head...she would take off running. Ok - Clinton says to NOT take "it" away, until the horse stands, then remove the scary object at that point. Soooooo, picture me holding the line, the whip swirling over her head, and her running away....the difficulty here was trying to hold crazy said horse and keep whip moving, which was just at that point making her go faster...ha ha.... it eventually worked, and I think I only tied myself up 3 times, and only whacked myself in the head once.... This was Saturday. She was much much better on Sunday. Her ears were flat back on her head, but she stood for it.

My boarder, Cindy, was there riding and her fiancee stood on the fence and watched Sunday's session with what I felt was a great deal of interest. He asked some very good questions and really seemed to understand why I would want to desensitize her to the whip (which even I know sounds a little backward). No mind you, that HE is a beginner, and only has ridden a few time.

By my end session with Charisma on Sunday - she was flexing on both sides really good, grasped the idea of yielding her hind quarters, was reversing by me switching hands on the line, and would stand for the whip being moved all over and swung over her head. She never got sweaty, crazy or silly. I am pretty impressed with her at this point. Plus what an athletic little thing she is. She could slide to a stop and roll back faster than a lick. Plus she can lope a circle around me on a 6' length of rope....COOL....

Truck Whoas ( oh Woes)

After several weeks of silence from Hill Ford - we got a call today that we can pick up our truck tomorrow... complete with a newly rebuilt engine....they replaced, gears, pistons, rings, bearings, and other more complicated pieces that I can't recall off the top of my head.. Anyway, lets hope that we no longer use a quart of oil to go to the friggin gas station...haha..... After all, we just spent $17,995 on the damn thing...and that is of course considered a cheap truck....but not to me!

Thankfully, the whole engine deal only costs us $100.00 - lets bless that warranty thing! And the fact that I said lets drive the damn truck every day of that 3 months....he he....

Though previous dealings with Hill Ford had always left a bad taste in my mouth - I have to give kudos to the Service Dept there - they were excellent and very willing to do what it took to make it right. So heres to hoping its right....I think we've got about 2 days left of that warranty!

Who invited the FLU for New Years?

For several years now, we have gotten together with Shelley and the Bandt's for New Years, and have rotated houses every year. This year was hosted by the Bandt's. We needed to pick up Bo from his Dad's in the Dells and had him by 6:30. On the way to Bo, Kara said her stomach felt sick. Well, she was watching her new DVD player and I didn't know if that might make her feel queasy. She said that maybe she was hungry....I told Kara that we would eat when we got to the Bandt's. Let me just say she was NOT hungry... we got into the Bandt's house, where Kara promptly threw up all over the living room....and I mean ALL OVER! It's bad enough when they get sick on your OWN carpet, much less anyone else! YUCK....course a bucket or bowl never came until it was too late....and my ownself happened to already be parked on the toilet anyway.... so we get everything cleaned up, and lay her down. We did manage to eat dinner, but Kara was sick again, so we went home. We were home before 9 pm. Kara was sick all night and pretty much slept all day New Years Day.

Of course, I had to catch this silly bug, and was sick all day Tuesday - HOWEVER - due to year end closing and payroll, I had to go to work anyway....now that was nasty.....I left early, and got home about 4:30 and went to sleep, and didn't get back up until 6 this morning. I feel much better today....thankfully!

So much fun ringing in the new year!

Christmas is DONE!

Well, we survived christmas...the weekend was long and too short at the same time.

My thoughts were with the Cummings family as Kelzon has joined horse heaven. Shyla impressed me with her maturity in the difficult situation that it was. And I was glad I was there to offer what little support I was able to.

As far as Christmas joy at our house - it's hard not to have any with a six year old present! When I got back from my now 11th trip to Wisconsin Dells to pick up Bo on early Christmas morning (only 5 more to go!) - Kara was anxiously awaiting us to open gifts. Though Santa was generous - there were not as many gifts under the tree as in some years. Santa has tightened his belt and refuses to charge Christmas any more to the credit card!

Kara stated last night before bed that she had a great Christmas and Bo seems very pleased with his gifts - so what more is needed?! Bo was happy to get an MP3 player, and once I figured the damn thing out, pretty much had that stuck in his ear the rest of the day. Also most of the family has figured out that he loves golf - so Bo has lots and lots of golf balls for Shadow to fetch.

Randy & I had agreed to not exchange presents....though he really didn't keep his end of the deal, taking the kids shopping on Saturday and getting me a few things...which was sweet, but now decidedly lop sided on the gift exchange meter. So, I have a gift card to TSC - so he might have a few new jeans and socks! So romantic....lol...