Karen

"So Small"

- The Other Side Of The Scale -

A story about feeling underweight, in a world where obesity is a main concern. Being called "anorexic", "bolemic", all while struggling to just gain a few pounds.

Karol is 5 foot, 3 inches tall, 18 years old, and weighs a measly 88 pounds ... And that's on a good day, when she's actually managed to remember to eat something, and hasn't worked it off yet. Though it doesn't seem to matter - The girl can scarf down 3 cheeseburgers, a few mozzarella sticks, some fries, and a shake ... All while remaining under-weight. Her mother tries to convince her that she's the perfect size, but even her closest friends ask "Karol, why are you so skinny?" Comments like "Ew, I can see your collar bones!" and "Don't wear that swim-suit, it shows your stomach, and you don't have one to show." make her feel even more insecure about her weight - or lack thereof.

....

Do you guys think this would make a good story? It's kind of based on real-life.

Would you read it?

I'm 18 (as of August 7th, 2014) and I ride a 13.2hh pony mare. This is our 3rd year of showing. Out of the below classes, what am I allowed to compete in? I have a show Saturday, and these are the classes. I need to know what classes I can do.

- Open W/T Eq.

- Open Eq.

- Cross-Rail Eq.

- Cross-Rail - W/T O/F

- Cross-Rail - Hunter O/F

- Hunter O/F 18"

- Beginner Rider Hunter O/F 2'

- Baby Green Hunter O/F 2'3"

- Low Hunter O/F 2'3"

- Limit Rider Hunter O/F 2'6"

- Open Hunter O/F 2'9"

- Beginner Jumper 2'-2'3"

- Intro/Novice Jumper 2'6"-2'9"

Just recently asked this question, but asking again. Going to a Hunter show soon, wondering if this attire would be acceptable. It's a schooling show. Very low-level.

- White Breeches (they have black knee patches)

- Black Polo Shirt

- Black Field Boots

- Hair in bun, in hair net

- Pink helmet, with Black Velvet cover

- White Square Pad (has black piping)

- White Half-Pad

- Standing Martingale (over-fence only)

- Braided Tail

- Mane either braided, or left down at "show length"

Okay. So I am 17 years old (18 in 2 months), and I am 5'3" tall. I weigh only 90 lbs. I am female by the way. Lately I've been able to stay around 88-90lbs, but I usually bounce around between 85-90lbs. I am not anorexic, I know I am too thin, I need to gain weight!! But I don't know what to do!!

I ride horses about twice a week, and I try to eat healthy. Though I do find myself not eating on some days. Not because I don't want to but because sometimes I'm just not hungry or we really have no food.

What can I do to gain weight?? I'd like to at least be at 105lbs, is that a good weight? I'd like to get to that weigh by my birthday which is August 7, does that sound reasonable??

What things can I eat to help me gain weight? Protein right? Peanut butter?

Any kind suggestions welcome

Thank you

For the past week or so, I've sometimes been feeling this weird pain that starts in my stomach, below my belly button, and it goes down, and seems to shoot all the way down to my urethra. Last week, for a couple days, I had been peeing a lot so I figured it was maybe a UTI and would go away like they do when I get one. I figured that the pain was part of the UTI. However I am not peeing so much anymore, I am just going normally now but the pain still comes every now and then.

Yesterday and the day before, I had horrible, sharp stomach pains. Like someone was dragging a knife through my intestines. A little while after (both days) I did have a bowel movement. It wasn't really hard or really runny. Fairly normal.

This morning around 7am I woke up with HORRIBLE back pain. So bad I could not go back to sleep. My stomach was in a bit of pain too, along with feeling a tad nauseous. I got out of bed and took a hot bath, and that seemed to help. After a little while, I got out. I put a towel around myself and then the nausea hit me again. I sat down by the toilette and I kind of dry heaved a few times but nothing came up. I felt a bit better so I got dressed then just layed around most of the day, slept a bit and haven't eaten much. My back has been hurting still throughout the day but no where near as bad as this morning.

I am otherwise health.

I'm 17y/o female. 5'3" and about 90lbs. Please don't tell me I need to gain weight, I know that and I am trying to. I'm not anorexic.

"Arrow Point Whiskey"

I have a new horse. He's just a foal right now. His name is Aro (like Arrow). I want to make his show name "Arrow Point Whiskey" because of his name and my other mare who's show name is "Whiskey Lullaby".

What do you guys think?

I am getting a new horse. He is a foal right now, so i wont be showing hom for a few years, but i want to come up with a show name for him. His name is Arrow. He is a bay Quarter Horse.

My other horses name is Mustang (Mustang Sally), and her show name is Whiskey Lullaby. My best friends horses name is Bud / Budro, his registered name is This Buds For You. I'd like to tie in these names for Arrow's show name.

So some combo of ARROW and

Whiskey

Whiskey Lullaby

Mustang

Mustang Sally

Bud

Budro

This Buds For You

And show name ideas for Arrow??

Thanks.

I'm trying to find a bit that's harder than a regular snaffle (full cheek, egg butt, d-ring, loose ring, rubber), but softer than a kimberwicke.

My mare doesn't listen in a regular snaffle. I've had a rubber snaffle on her dr a while now, at first she did ok, but she really does not listen in it. I have tried many bits on her. Mostly snaffles and kimberwickes. She does not like kimberwickes, they're too harsh on her mouth. Especially the ported kimberwickes. I ride her western too, and she goes very well in a Tom Thumb. And English bits similar to an Tom Thumb?

I don't want to hear a bunch of stuff about "any horse can be trained to go in a snaffle" or "go back to basics" or whatever. I just want some advice on a bit that's stronger than a regular snaffle, not as strong as a kimberwicke. And possibly any English bits that are similar to Tom Thumbs.

How is her jumping?

Her form, etc?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcy8voVChPE

I have a BLM Mustang that I purchased 2 years ago from a lady who rescues, rehabs, and re-homes horses. I did research when I first got her, and found out how to read her brand mark. I found out she was born in 1992 (that makes her 22 now), and she is from Nevada. Other than that, I can't find out anything! So, could anyone help me out? I e-mailed the BLM people several times over the past 2 years, with no response (tried more than one e-mail on the website as well). I'd just like to know as much about her past as I can.

Again, her registration number is 542009

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks, and please include a link if you find anything!

I wear a womens size 7 in shoes.

My foot is 9 1/3 - 9 1/2 inches long.

I'd say I have narrow feet.

What size pointe shoe would I wear?

BY THE WAY - I'm not asking this because I'm buying Pointe Shoes. I don't even dance. I'm just curious. Thanks.

How's my jumping? Be specific! Thanks.

http://instagram.com/p/iw9av-GWLM/

Also, yes I know I have a Western bridle and bit on her. We'd been riding bareback and I'd put that bridle on her, but then I wanted to do some jumping, so I put her English saddle on but didn't switch bridles. Please don't give me crap about this. I don't normally jump with this bridle. And it is not a curb bit, it's a tom thumb, so it's a snaffle mouth piece.

What do you think of this story so far?

Any good title ideas?

Any changes I should make?

Anything else?

Thanks...

In what seemed like an hour, only three minutes had passed. I looked at my clock again, it read 2:03 a.m. I’d woken up at 2:00, after only two hours of sleep. I sighed, pushing my think, white, down comforter and purple sheets to the side. I sat up, with my legs hanging off the side of my bed. I pulled the hair elastic out of my messy brown hair and pulled it over the left side of my shoulder. I stood and walked to my large cherry-wood dresser, grabbing my soft pink robe out of my top drawer. I put the robe on over my gray tank top and black shorts, but left it open. I walked to bedroom door and opened it. I looked around, all the bedroom doors were shut and lights were off. I tip-toed out of my room and down the carpeted stair-case, not bothering to close my door. I walked to the kitchen and flipped on the light. I jumped when I heard the soft “mew” of our small cat.

“Hey Chess,” I said, picking up the black and white cat, “you scared me girl.” I scratched behind her ear then set her down. She landed with a soft “thud”. Chess shock, the bell on her collar ringing, and she walked off. Something caught my eye and made me turn towards the door that led outside. I stared for a few seconds, then saw the motion-detected light come on. I got goose-bumps and started to get scared. I almost screamed as someone walked into the light, but I stopped. I looked at the person who stood just feet away from me. Three inches of glass was the only thing that separated us. In the dim light, I could see his dark hair and his face fairly well. I walked to the glass door, unlocked it, and slid it open. Cool summer air hit my face.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I had to see you,” he said.

“Usually people are asleep right now,” I said, “and my parents will kill you if the see you here.”

“Not my Emmaline,” he said, “and I know, but they won’t see me.” His green eyes sparkled from the light hitting them. He stepped inside and I closed the door. He hugged me, and I breathed in his scent. He smelled like a fresh shower and cologne. He released the hug, then touched my stomach lightly with his hand.

“How are you?” he asked.

“We’re good,” I said, smiling.

“Have you told anyone?”

“No,” I said. My smile faded. “But I’m starting to show. Someone’s going to notice soon.”

“Well,” he said, “you can tell them or let them figure it out on their own.”

“I know Austin,” I said, “but I can’t just tell my mom that I’m 12 weeks pregnant!” At that moment, I heard a door upstairs open. Austin and I both froze.

“Emma?” I heard, “is that you?” I breathed a sigh of relief, it was only Cara, my little sister.

“Yes, Cara,” I said. I heard her run down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“I thought so,” she said, “hi Austin.” Cara loved Austin. He was like a big brother to her.

“Hey, Runt,” he teased. Cara stuck out her tongue. At eight years old, she was half my age. She was not only my little sister, but my best friend. She was also my secret keeper.

“Cara,” I said, “want to know a secret?”

“Yes!” she said, “What? Tell me! Tell me!”

“Okay, shh,” I said, “Austin and I are going to have a baby.” A huge smile crossed Cara’s face, and her big blue eyes lit up like sapphires. She jumped, her light brown curls bouncing. “Excited much?” I asked, smiling.

“Yes!” Cara said, almost a yell.

“Shh,” Austin and I both said. My hand covered Cara’s mouth.

“Go on upstairs now,” I said. “Before Mom hears you.” I removed my hand.

“Fine,” Cara huffed unhappily. She turned and went upstairs. I looked at Austin.

“She better keep quiet,” he warned.

“She will,” I said. I hugged him again, and he left. I locked the door, and went back upstairs, pausing at my mother’s bedroom door. I listened - no sound, she was asleep. I walked down the hall to a door that almost always remained closed. I opened it quietly. The room was almost identical to my own. Only whatever was purple in my room was pink here. This room belonged to my twin sister, Annabelle. We were not identical twins, but we looked alike. We were built the same. Slender, average height. Her eyes were green, mine were blue. She had beautiful auburn hair that she’d refused to cut since we were 12. It hung past her waist now. My dark brown hair hung to the middle of my back. Anna had been gone for about four months. She’d left when she found out Mom had cheated on Dad, and Cara wasn’t his. Legally, Cara belonged to our father, but biologically, she was another man’s. Anna and I had over heard Mom and Dad arguing one night about finances. Dad said something about not having to provide for Cara because she wasn’t his. They went into detail about how Mom had cheated with Dad’s friend. It upset Anna so much that she stormed out of the house right then. I’d heard from her a few times since. Texts that would say, “I’m good, how are you and Cara?” were all I’d get. I sighed, and

How is my singing?

What other songs could I sing?

What's my voice range? (Alto, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, etc).

Please be specific!

Here's a video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBfdlU5oU_I

How's my riding? How's my horses movement?

Let me know what you think.

Here's a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6nsApajaU4

We do some jumping. Cantering, with some flying lead changes. Some trotting.

Be specific!

Thanks!

Critique welcome, as long as it's constructive criticism, and not rude or mean comments!

Please judge my jumping position!

Here's some pictures...

1-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

2-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

3-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

4-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

5-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

6-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

7-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

8-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

9-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

10-) http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh587/KareBear...

Please judge each picture individually, and then give me and overall judging.

Ex. -

1-) __________

2-) __________

etc.

Overall-) __________

Thanks everybody! :)