Hi everyone! Remember me? Laurie? Maryland Equestrian? Lol – didn’t think so!
I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I last blogged. For those of you who visited last summer, you may remember my page taking forever and a day to load. I was having all kinds of technical issues I couldn’t figure out. I ended up having to shut everything down and call in some experts! Looks like we’re good to go again, but I’m so sorry for my absence.
www.horseandstylemag.com
I am going to try and blog regularly, (or as much as I possibly can). 2018 has been full of so many changes which has made life even busier than before! Here’s a quick rundown…
– I left my corporate 9-5 job back in January to join my husband in growing our travel company, Be All Inclusive. He started the business about 6 years ago and things have just grown to the point where he needed additional full-time help. I was looking to step away from corporate America, so the timing was absolutely right. We’ve been plugging away together for 9 months now and haven’t divorced or foreclosed, so we’re calling it a win – ha!
– I’m still writing articles and selling ads for Horse & Style Magazine! My work with them has taken me to Lexington, Kentucky, (this summer), and to Saratoga Springs, NY, (two weeks ago). I’ve loved every minute of it!
– In addition to H&S, I am now also a regular contributor for Sidelines Magazine! They are a monthly publication, so I will have 1 to 2 articles in each issue. I have also grown my freelance writing and editing business by contributing articles to Equestrian Living and Covertside. I have also copy-edited multiple full-length novels including Carly Kade’s Cowboy Away and Hollie Ann Marsh’s Sweetbriars: Leaving the City. Contact me if you need some editing work!
– My house. Omg I don’t know where to start. We tackled our kitchen renovation in the late winter, which actually went pretty well. Since then, we had major roof damage from a wind storm, (got a new roof thanks to our insurance), had a water line break, (had to cart water from the house to the horses – not fun), had MAJOR septic and drainage issues, (slow process but everything is finally fixed), and had a plethora of other smaller, yet still costly, issues arise. All this is to be expected with an older house, but the fact that it’s ALL hit in one year has been tough. Especially since this is the year I transitioned from corporate employee to small business owner. Yikes!
My beloved Martin – Grand Champion!
– Animals! I lost my beloved pony, Takoma Star, in December of 2017 due to complications with Cushings. She was 36 years old. I miss her so much. Every day. Misty and Bailey are doing well, but I know Misty still misses her BFF. We have not added any other animals to the herd, but Julep, Gemma, Penelope (indoor cat), and Garfield and Mr. Snickers (the most amazing barn cats ever) are great!
– Riding! I’ve been riding and taking lessons regularly on my trainer’s horses. Specifically, I ride an Oldenburg-cross named Martin, and he is my love. We’ve shown a handful of times this year and have come home with 2 reserve champions and 1 grand champion. I’m SO happy to be back in the show ring again. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed it.
So – that’s been my life in a nutshell. Not very exciting, I’ll give you that. I really want to get this blog going again, especially now that all the tech issues have been solved. Check back regularly for more of the best of the equestrian lifestyle!
