A great "staycation"

I was on vacation from work all last week and it was great. I actually did a "staycation" and just enjoyed my family, friends and horses.

I started my vacation off with some Friday night sorting at Roys. It was awesome! My draw partner, Justin, and I got all 20 head and fastest time as another team also got all 20 head. Now, I understand that the cows aren't that difficult most of the time, but it was still pretty cool. So with the money won, Shelby got her a new pair of SMB's as I noticed some interference marks on her leg.

The rest of my week off included riding both my girls in the morning hours and doing some much needed trail work. On Tuesday, I spent most of the day with Amanda shopping and just having a nice mother/daughter day. But the coolest part of that day was when I actually got to buy a blouse off the same rack as Amanda. Now granted, she bought a small and I bought a large, but it felt great getting to buy apparel that wasn't in the plus sized section.

Thursday I spent with my mom. Another mother/daughter day, just in reverse. : ) We went to an antique store that takes about 5 hours to go through. They also have a tea room and I bought us lunch. It was a very nice day.

Friday I hung out with Liz. We went to Weatherford and she treated for lunch. Went to Horseman's Supply and then back home. Waited for it to cool down so we could hit the trails at my barn. Summer was very good for Liz. Another very nice day.

No sorting that Friday night as I had a lesson very early Saturday morning. Shelby was very good, but I was very sloppy. I wasn't feeling well as my iron was low (that's all I'm going to say about that "wink, wink"). But we didn't do too bad.

I have to say, my staycation seemed like a long one. It didn't flash by like I thought it might and for that, I grateful.

Awesome 3 day weekend...of course it, was full of horses!

I took off work Friday to get Shelby's pen ready for her to come home on Saturday. Well, I decided to give the new pen to Summer as it is much larger than her old pen and she would be right next to her BFF Amira. Summer's new pen has a huge oak tree in it for plenty of shade. I was also happy I made this decision as there are all kinds of wild flowers and small weeds in Summer's new pen and none in her old one as Shelby poops everywhere! Summer is a lady and only poops in 2 places making clean up a breeze for me. If Shelby had been in that pen, it would have been hard to clean up in the middle of the weeds and flowers. Anywho...

I got a bunch of work done and that evening went to JB's and rode Shelby for a bit.

Saturday morning, I went to my barn and got all my Saturday morning chores done. Clean pens and automatic waterers. I think Summer is liking her new pen as she can really run, buck and fart in it. Just still need to get the rest of that old round bale out of her stall so she will have more room.

Around 11am, I loaded Summer up and we headed to JB's to pick up Shelby. When I was half way there, my truck started missing. : ( While there, James came over and talked to me a bit. I gave him a thank you card as he has been so patient and kind to me.

That being said, let me tell you a quick story on the card I gave him. If I can find it online, I'll post a pic of it. **found it, see above pic** In August of 1991, is when my beloved Fawtal came into our lives. The folks I bought him from were so sweet. I even remember their names, Paula and Dan. Due to having to wait on my vet of choice to come out for a vet check, Paula and Dan did a barbaque and gave us brand new swim suits for some fun time in their pool. We did this for 4 hours while we waited on the vet to arrive. It was awesome. Anyway, the card I got them was a little black and white paint foal with a red indian blanket in it's mouth. In the card it says, "Thank you for the red carpet treatment'. The card is produced by Leaning Tree. Now back to James. A few months ago, I found this card again. I had to buy it for sentimental reasons. About a week ago I knew I wanted to get James a card for all his kindness to me. I remembered having that card in my possession and I knew I must use this same card again almost 20 years later for the same reason, a horse. After he read it, I told him the story of Fawtal. I think that meant a lot to him. And it was even cooler that I got a black and white paint from him. Okay, back to my other story...

I got Shelby ready with her helmet and pointed her to the trailer. She saw Summer and hopped right in.

When I got her home, mom and dad came out to meet the new grand-horse as my mom calls all of them. They really liked her. And yes, they gave Summer as much of attention as they did Shelby. While there, I gave mom her mother's day gift and card. She didn't think I was coming over on mother's day. (grin) But I was....

That evening I had a little lesson with her at JB's. So I had to load her and Summer back up to go over there. I had a thought though. What if I just took her? Would she load without Summer now since she has hopped right in with Summer being in there. So I put her helmet on and pointed her to the open door and she hopped right in. However, I did have a fleeting thought, should I take Summer just in case she decides not to get back in at James' since that is her "home". Naw, we'll be fine. (rolling eyes) hehe

Well, I got there and did a nice quiet ride in his pasture. Robin got there and she and James saddled up and we headed for the arena. I had told him that morning that I wanted him to ride her so I could see how he pushes her buttons and makes her do what I know she is capable of. He did and it was AWESOME! I wish I had videoed it. I had stated on my FB that it was like watching Dale Earnhardt Jr. drive his car, but when I got on her it was like watching Fred Flintstone drive Dale's car. LOL But we did have a good lesson. We just worked on heading cows and that was really fun. It was even more fun when I could feel her cut a cow without me even touching her reins. It was just the neatest feeling.

Well, back to the trailer loading when it was time to go home. Let's just say, I wish I had listen to that fleeting feeling of bringing Summer. Shelby WAS home and it WAS dinner time. "I ain't getting in that blasted trailer." Well, I am glad I bought her a helmet. She did pop her head on the roof, but no damage to her. After a few minutes, James came over and in about 5 minutes we had her in. I have a lot of work, but I honestly see a light at the end of the tunnel. Because she has showed me that she will get in without Summer. Silly horse shouldn't have showed me that! LOL

Sunday came and I went to the barn. I put Shelby out in our turnout for the first time and she had a ball. Not much grass in there so I wasn 't worried about her gorging. After I got those chores done, I was happily surprised when Shelby came straight to me so I could halter her and put her back in her pen.

I left the barn and headed to mom's house with a big bouqet of flowers. She teared up a little as she didn't expect me to come over. Hey...you have to see your mom on mother's day if you can. I stayed there for a bit then headed back to the barn to wait on Tracey to arrive as we were to go to sorting practice.

When I got back I visited with June while waiting on Tracey to arrive. Amanda showed up to the barn unexpected to give me my mothers day gifts. Or should I say more mothers day gifts, as she had already surprised me with some beautiful hay the day before. It was very sweet of her. I have the best daughter! Or at least in my opinion! :o)

Tracey arrived at about 1pm. She loaded her saddle and such and then loaded Amira. Well, when Shelby stepped half way into the trailer, she sniffed Amira's back before finishing loaded. Amira let out a huge bellowing scream and lifted her tail and peed everywhere. She is in high heat. It scared the snot out of Shelby and she flew out of the trailer. I then went in and spanked Amira's butt. Yes, I said spanked. Opened, flat handed her but about 5 or 6 times and yelled at her. But she wouldn't stop peeing and squeeling. So Tracey got her out and decided to take her own trailer. But Amira was still being a turd. She blew out of Tracey's trailer and smacked her head on the roof and took off, lead rope trailing behind. Well, the lead rope would be the reason she didn't go sorting. It wrapped around her legs and tripped her. She tried several times getting up but couldn't. June was the one that got to her first and Amira got up. She had several marks on her, some blood and already some swelling. No sorting for her. Tracey was very upset and I didn't blame her. But, Amira will be fine, she will just be sore for a few days. Silly, extreme hormonal mare.

Well, Summer had to go anyway. But was a trooper about it. Sorting went well for me. I ran with Robin twice, Trevor once and Toni P. once. Robin and I got 8 and Trevor and I got 8. Robin and I's second run (James was there by this time) could have been better but we did learn what our mistakes were from James. Toni was only really concerned with how her horse was going to behave and she was very happy with his performance. I was not happy with mine, but that is okay. I rode with her to help her boy's confidence. I don't mind helping someone now that I have a horse that is push button as I remember when I needed help and there were folks there to help me when I first started. Pay it forward!

Amanda's senior pictures and a productively fun Sunday at Toni's

Friday night was a nice evening. David, Amanda, Andy and I went out to eat then dress shopping. Yes, you read it right, David and Andy went dress shopping with us. David had to be forced (of course), but Andy wanted to go. (You think the boy is a little smitten with my daughter?) LOL

Anyway, the first place we go, we find the dress for her senior pictures. It is gorgeous. So we head home and put the guys in front of the TV and head to the kitchen so she can dye my hair. YEAH, all my grey is gone, once again!

Saturday morning, one of Amanda's friends comes over and sets her hair and does her makeup for her senior pictures. She did a wonderful job. We get her clothes and props in the car and head on over to Glamourcraft studios. She had 3 different outfits plus the 2 school shots. Her first was the formal dress, second was her cosmetology set with all kinds of props and the third was casual outside shots. I get to see the proofs January 5th, and I can't wait. They looked so beautiful.

Saturday night was supposed to be my first night driving for this larger carriage company, but that fell through. Long story. But my thoughts, if you call me and need me, and I ask 2 days in advance of the event "where is the location?" and I ask you twice, then you call me 53 minutes before the event to give me an address to a town I have never even been to, well, thanks, but no thanks. Apparently, you really didn't need me. Don't waste my time.

Okay, off my soap box.

Sunday, Summer and I went to my friend Toni's house. Toni is a horse trainer and does Cowboy Mounted Shooting (and after watching the videos of her doing it, "Guess what Summer? Momma wants to play that game too!" LOL) Anyway, I have been having bad issues with Summer blowing out of the trailer. She just started this a few months ago and it has steadily gotten worse. So bad that she is almost always hitting her head on the roof and just the last week, she actually refused to get out of the trailer. So, Toni told me to bring her to her place and we would work on it. Well, maybe 30 minutes or so of work, and Summer was coming out, but it was still kind of blowing out. However, Kelly (Toni's beau), noticed that Summer was slipping on the mat when she came out. So, he flipped the mat over as is has a more course side to it. And guess what? When she came out again, it wasn't quite as bad and actually improved each time she came out. I was overjoyed! The slipping on the mat must have been what triggered it all and it just took someone else's eye to see it. There is still work and exercises that need to be done before she is 100% back to "normal", but we are on the road to recovery.

After our first session, Toni put Summer in one of her turn outs and we loaded up in Kelly's truck and headed to lunch. We ate then went to Tractor Supply as they need dog and cat food. TSC had stall mats out front (as usual), and they were on sale for $30.99. They have a grippy side, so I bought one. When we got back to their place, we went in and watched vids of Toni's shooting events. All I kept telling myself was, "I WANT TO DO THAT!" LOL Toni got her guns out and I played with them for a minutes and she said I could come out some time during a practice and use her guns! WOOHOO... They are single action .45s. Which means, you have to cock the hammer before every shot. No just pulling the trigger like my double action .357. I can't wait! I plan on going out to her next event next Saturday. I may take Summer and just tie her to the trailer so she can hear the gun fire. Once we got done watching vids and playing with guns, it was time for Summer and I to go home. Kelly was very sweet and put my new mat in the trailer for me. We did a couple more load and unloads. She was still a little too fast with the front feet, but she is much better than when we got to Toni's.

I feel very blessed that I have met Toni and Kelly. I honestly don't know what I would have done if she hadn't helped me with Summer. Her approach on the issue was of calm and gentleness with Summer. Summer never got upset and only tried a few times to avoid the training, but never in a mean or dangerous way. I can pretty much fix issues I have with Summer, but when they become a danger to themselves, I strongly suggest a trainer to anyone out there. Thank you so much Toni.

Oh, and I don't want to forget Toni's critters. She has a bunch. She is where I want to be. A large piece of land and a bunch of critters. David has been warned! LOL A couple of critters she had in particular were a pygmy goat named Louise. Once I gave her some horse cookies, she was my bestest buddy. I literally believe that she would have gotten in my SUV had I asked her to. And she also had an Angus steer named Baxter, which I did get pictures of. Matter of fact, that is his pic at the top. That is me peeking over Baxter. He is a really sweet boy.

Thanks for reading...

GiGi decided she wanted a vacation day...silly car.

My car decided for me yesterday that it was just to cold to go to work. So, she (GiGi) decided to have engine problems.

Called David and let him listen, via cell phone, to the horrible noise coming from under her hood. And the engine wasn't even on, not to mention I had the keys in my hand while holding the phone to the engine. David came home to fix her. Once again, thank God I am married to a mechanic.

Once he was done, he said the cost of what he did at home, would have been between $500 and $700 at a garage. His cost was $127.00. My cost, a warm lunch and good dinner. I could handle that! He finished about 3:30pm. Since it was too late for me to go to work, we just went to WalMart and I bought oil and a filter and he did that for me yesterday too.

Have a busy weekend this weekend. Taking Amanda shopping tonight for a new dress for her senior photo shoot tomorrow. After that, she is dying my hair. Tomorrow is her shoot, then she, Taylor and I go to Roenoak tomorrow night to work for a carriage company. I will be a driver and Amanda and Tay will be hostesses. They will help folks get on and off the carriages. I think they will get $75 for 4 hours of work. Pretty good $ for teenagers. Then on Sunday, Summer and I are going to Toni's house. Going to work with her obstacle course and work on Summer's trailer issues. David may go. I told him he would get along well with Kelly, Toni's beau. I think they have 4 wheelers, so he could go play with those. Plus, I am taking a pet carrier. Toni has several cats that she is trying to home. I have a feeling David will find something that he may want. He loves cats and I just hope we find something remotely close to the personality that Mia had.

Andy came over last night. And Libby was not fond of him last night. She snapped at him and barked at him. After I scolded her, she sat by me the rest of the evening and just glared at him. It was kind of funny. She was fine with him last week, but I did keep her locked out during Thanksgiving because I didn't want her jumping on my dad's bad knee. So maybe, she really didn't get to know him like I thought she did. Anyway, not sure if I want her to like him or not. LOL

My baby is 18...

On the weekend of March 14th, Amanda, Mom and I took a 4 day trip to Altus. Amanda's birthday is March 16th and that is what she wanted to do for her birthday. Her birthday falls on her Spring break and every year she went and spent spring break with Granny. I had a bad feeling that this was going to be a sad four days as Granny will be gone for a year on March 26th. But I also knew, Granny wouldn't want us dwelling on her not being with us. Because, I guess in a way, she was. We stayed at Aunt Doris' house, she is Granny's baby sister. Her daughter, Sandy, stayed the first night with us as Aunt Doris had to go be with her other daughter, Pat, who's husband is very ill from cancer and they live near Killeen, TX. We were heart broke that we wouldn't get to see her, but totally understood.

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Anyway...we ended up having a great time. Only a few tears shed on the trip to there. Once in Altus, we headed to Sandy's house. Sandy now lives in Granny's house and as of this weekend, will be buying it. We are very glad, as I know that none of us want to see some stranger living there, it would be too hard.

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Saturday, we just hung out and visited with all kinds of cousins. Sunday, David's parents picked up Amanda for church, took her out to eat and then shopping. While they were gone, Sandy, mom and I, planned a little surprise party for Amanda. We got her the really pretty cake with gorgeous blue roses on it. (a little story) When Amanda was a little toot, mom and she would go grocery shopping, Amanda would see birthday cakes and tell mom, "Nanny, get me a Happy Birthday to me, birthday cake." Well, this weekend, we got her just that. The lady at Walmart did a fabulous job of putting those words on that cake.

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And here is a picture of the cake, to bad we cut into it before we thought to take a picture:

Of course, with Amanda and the gross factor, had to show us her blue tongue. Of course, the rest of us had to follow suit: *****************************************Sandy

****************************************Amanda

************************************Me and mom

Granny would be so proud. Come to think of it, I am sure she is. (smile)

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Some other family came over to for cake, but no pictures of them. Cousin Susan and her daughter Tanya with her two boys, Mason and Aaron.

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On Monday, Amanda, Mom and I went to the cemetary and put new artifical flowers on Granny's grave and I put a little angel on her head stone. Mom placed Tracey's collar around the angel. Tracey was Granny's poodle. She lived with mom and dad for the past year and a week before this trip, they had to put her down. It was very hard on everyone. I think because it was one of the last connections to Granny before she died. Anyway, it was somewhat a hard day. But still not as bad as I thought it would be, for that I am grateful.

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Aunt Doris had to come home on this day as well. Her back was hurting real bad and she had to come home and go see her doctor. I hated that she was not feeling well, but glad that we got to see her.

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All in all, we had a wonderful trip. It went smoothly and we got so much visiting of family in that it was more happy than it was sad. Thank you Lord.

Just stuff...

Mia is still the same. She keeps on keeping on. I am glad. She is still eating well, playful and loving. That hole is still under her ear. She keeps that open by scratching. It is still kind of ooky, but I do my best to keep the drainage clean. She decided it was time for David and I to wake up at 5am this morning instead of 6am. She walked all over us and next thing I know, she is sitting on David's head. LOL When we did finally get up, she was done with us. Little fart.

Libby the Bulldog is so spoiled. She is now allowed to lay on the love seat if the blanket is on it. I think she knows this because if the blanket is not there, she doesn't get on it. What is funny is if Amanda is laying on the love seat with a blanket, Libby will try to climb up there with her and push her off. It is pretty funny to watch.

David worked on my horse trailer this weekend and I am so happy this work got done. The trailer is not near new and isn't pretty. But it is functional. Got the edge of the step up where the horses go in fixed up with new angle iron. Now I don't have to worry about when horses step in or out of the trailer and getting cut by that crappy, rusted and tore up edge that was there. He also fixed the center divider, and put some seam sealer on some areas that was leaking into the tack compartment. He wants to buy all new wood and replace everything this summer and paint it. I am excited about that.

Amanda is going to a cosmetologist event this weekend. She fixed up her manikins head hair, makeup and a scarf. It is a competition. I hope she places well. The hair do looks like it is fit for a bridesmaid. Very pretty.

Summer and I are still getting ready for our first CTR of the year. If you remember, she and Barb Cooper rode the Christmas ride, which is actually the first ride of the 2009 season. They did very well. I was proud of them both. And it was Dr. Carter who gave Summer the second place ribbon. Now I hope I do just as well with and for her at the Scamper.

TTFN

What a beautiful weekend!

Saturday, Tracey and I loaded up the girls about 11am and headed to the Six-O ranch in Cleburne. What a beautiful day. The girls were good, the temps were just right and the calf fries were crunchy! Yes, you heard me. Kim, the co-ranch foreman, had made some calf fries for her son that is home from college. This is a working cattle ranch, so I guess they let nothing go to waste here. And to my surprise, they were quite tasty. I am a fan of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern on one of the travel/learning channels, so I have been getting brave on new foods. I tried Raccoon last year and it tasted just like Roast Beef. The smell, texture and taste were exactly like roast beef. No joke. The calf fries, at least Kim's, tasted a lot like chicken fried steak. Again, no joke.

Anyway, back to my original story. I wanted to try a saddle that Tracey has for sale. Needless to say, it didn't work. Summer wears a SQH bar saddle, but this SQH seemed extra narrow. I could tell by her stride and her mannerisms, that she was uncomfortable and probably a little sore. So we took a short cut and headed back to the trailer and I put my saddle back on her and used one of Tracey's Toklat woolback pads. As of Saturday, I am getting one. We did a good little conditioning ride with some gaiting, cantering, hauling it through the deer plots, going up the twisty, windy side then down the steep side of the big hill, and just having a good ole' time. We got back to the trailer and Summer had a perfect sweat pattern on her back. Plus, no sore loins. I have a pad that is great for her saddle, but have never been able to find another one. It is a gel pad that, thank you Lord, my barn owner gave me. I am affraid that I am going to wear it down and then be without. So, I have been on the search for another pad that will work. I have not been able to find a pad that works on Summer with that saddle without causing some sort of soreness issues. But thanks to Tracey and her owning more than one of these pads so that I may try one while she rides in her other, I have found another pad that is going to work. So, yeah for me and Summer. WooHoo!

Sunday, mom and Amanda came out to the barn. I harnessed Summer and put her on the "Dub" cart. She had a bit of an attitude at first but quickly quieted down. It has been a while since she has been driven. Barb harnessed up one of her mini's named Jon-Jon and June harnessed one of her mini's named Jerret. Mom got in with me and Amanda hopped in with June and off we went down into the pasture. Of course with Summer's "full sized horse strides" we lead the way, stopping ever so often to let the other catch up with their little "mini-legs". It was too cute watching those ponies take the trails we normally ride. But I knew which trails the cart would fit through and we all had a great time. Amanda even drove Jerret for a little while.

Once we got back to the barn, mom hopped on June's cart for a "mini-spin". Next thing I know, June handed the reins to mom. It was too cool seeing my mom drive her first horse and it only being the second time in a cart. A couple of minutes later, I turned back around to look at mom and June, and I watch June hop out of the moving cart! Course it was going pretty slow, but there was my mom, driving the cart by herself. Amanda was walking next to them with mom's camera and was taking pictures. It was so cool! June and I are trying to talk mom into going out there on Tuesdays and learning to drive a cart and that would give her some girl time as it is only ladies on Tuesdays. I really hope we can talk her into it.

I just had a blessed and beautiful weekend, and I am very thankful for it.

Oh, will post pics when I get them...

Christmas 2008

Well, it is gone. Yet another Christmas that we can't wait to be here, is over.

I am on vacation this week, so spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, shopping and cleaning the house as my parents were coming over for Christmas dinner. I do this every year. Spend most of my vacation cleaning the house. But I don't mind as it has become a tradition. (smile)

We had a good Christmas. Amanda got what she wanted. She is almost 18 years old, so it is hard to buy for her. Her job of choice is to be a beautician so she received a stylist roll around cart with all the accessories, Tinker Bell floor mats, the third book in the Twilight series and much more. David and I weren't going to do much for each other as he has spent a ton of money on vet bills for our cat Mia. I will tell later what is wrong with her. Anyway, he bought me a TomTom GPS. I was totally not expecting that. I got him some odd and ends but nothing that nice. As I said, my parents came over and brought us all gifts and cash. I can always due with money. (smile) We ate a lot, as usual for a Christmas day. The movie A Christmas Story was on all day and surprisingly enough, that is where it stayed. You could hear my dad laughing or chuckling most of the day in the living room. His favorite part is where Ralphie beats the snot out of the red headed bully. I love the deranged Easter bunny part. It is all funny though.

It really was a nice holiday. I feel very blessed to have a good daughter, a wonderful husband and loving parents. It was sad though as this was the first Christmas without Granny. So yes, there was crying. We went through her cedar trunk. That was the first time it had been opened since her funeral. That was the one item I wanted most out of her house and mom gave it to me. So of course, there was crying during that too. Mom didn't want anything out of it, she wanted it to stay in the trunk where everything would be safe. And it will be.

I am going to try to go to the barn later and go riding with Tracey, but that wind is horrible. I don't mind riding in it, but is seems more of a job than a pleasure when you ride in not perfect weather. And God knows, I had better take my allergy meds, if not, a horrid migraine will set in.

Took Mia to the vet this morning to clean her face up. It is hard to describe, but where the cancer is, she is constantly scratching and we have to wrap her foot so she can't use her nails to scratch with. But she is still rubbing her face raw and the skin is starting to pull away from her cheek. The fur is all matted with blood and pus. It is all very gross. Maybe I shouldn't be posting this on the Christmas blog but that is part of my Christmas week. We left her there because we have an appt with her vet at 3:15 to see what we can do to ease her itching and try to help her leave her cheek alone. David and I have even talked about, if she has even 6 months to a year to live, having that one back foot declawed so that it doesn't have to be wrapped (as she really hates that) and she can rub her cheek all she wants but not cause any damage. We have done all our bank account will allow. Plus there isn't a good prognosis even if we were millionaires and could afford it. She is still eating good, playing, and VERY loving. So we are going to spend money on making her as comfortable as possible until it is time to let her go be with Sheba.

Anyway, enough sadness now.

Better go, hope all who reads these had a blessed Christmas. And if you didn't think it was blessed, try to find the blessing even in a sadness. God has a reason for everything He does.

Happy New Year,
Tammy, David, Amanda, Summer, Libby, Tigger and Mia.

Update on stuff...

On Summer:

Well, this weekend, Summer and I will be on our way to Robber's Cave State Park in Wilburton, Oklahoma. This is for the NATRC CTR Robber's Route. Once again I am nervous and excited and the same time. Summer has learned some new "tricks" over our break, but I am sure we will both forget everything if we are asked to do it. She is getting "side pass to the right", "back thru L shape", "the SCARY, horse eating , plastic bag" (she still gets tense, but will let me touch it and crinkle it and even rub her with it, she will never like them, but trusts me enough that I won't let it eat her.) Also, open and close gates from left and right. She has always done left handed gates well, but now does right handed ones too.

On the RR RMS sign up, it has two Horsemanship judges. One I have ridden under and one I haven't, so not sure what to expect. The one I haven't ridden under, is rumored to be tough. So once again, my objective is just to finish with a nice ride and a sound horse.

On Amanda:

Well, the day I dreaded for her happened yesterday. Eric broke up with her. She was a mess. Her first serious heart break. Dad and I took her out to eat last night. We tried to get her to see the positive side of this break up. I don't know if it helped, but he didn't like Six Flags, she loves Six Flags, he doesn't like scary movies, or anything to do with scary stuff, she does, he didn't even want to go to the track and watch the race cars when David took his car out, she loves to go to the track and watch her daddy and his friends race. To look at it now, they were pretty different, so maybe this break up was a good thing for her. I did tell her that my friend June, her grandson broke up with his girl friend. Amanda smiled at that this morning cause she really thinks Keenan is a cutie pie, and he is.

Well, that it is for now.
Ta-Ta

Summer's vacation is over...and other stuff

My buggy is finished!!!! Whoopy! I will take pictures soon. I definitely want pictures of Summer and her first time between the shafts. It turned out real nice. It is not perfect by any means, but it's good for my first time. Now I have to do my big roadcart. It has one of those folding tops on it. (like a docter's buggy) The top is stored at home, I don't want mice making a home of it. I am definitely taking before and after pictures of that cart. That will be my fancy show cart. I want to use that one for the Pleasure driving classes. I believe that is what they are called. You have to dress in period clothing for the time of your cart. Every thing has to look historical. I can't use a beta-bi harness, it has to be leather. If you have carriage lamps on your cart, they have to look like they were used. If they hold a candle, the wick has to be burned. No electrical lamps. That is my goal in showing with a carriage and Summer.

Well, poor Summer's vacation is over. I brought her out of the pasture last night. Gave her a water only bath to get the crusted salt off of her from all her sweat. While I was doing that, Tracey picked all the little stickers out of her forelock. I know she was enjoying that. Tracey said Summer looked to relaxed.

Tracey and I plan to ride Saturday. Not sure if Six-O, Benbrook or Grasslands. Six-O if Kim doesn't go to her endurance ride, probably Benbrook if she does. It is close and doesn't require as much fuel to get there.

I plan to ride all three days of this long weekend, even if I hit Benbrook all three days. As I have said before, glad they have 3 different trails to use.

Well, Amanda has been driving by herself for over a week now. It was nerve racking turning her loose. I know it was more me than her being nervous. I felt like a momma bird watching her fledgling use her wings for the first time without my help.

She still has the same boyfriend, Eric. She told me that for their 6 month anniversary, he is going to get her a promise ring. I just reminder her that a promise ring doesn't promise him sex! I am trying so hard to make sure she stays a good girl. I don't shove it down her throat, well, okay, I do. But she sees enough young girls at her school pregnant, I think that alone scares her enough for me. And it was her idea to get she and Eric those abstinence rings for his birthday, and they both wear them. I never see either one without them. I constantly have to remind myself, I raised a good girl, now it's up to her.

Well, TTFN

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.
And whose hope is the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:7

Been awhile since I posted...

What can I say but "same stuff, different day", at least for the most part.

Been riding at the barn a lot. Went to the LBJ Grasslands last Sunday (July 6th) with Barb, June, Denis, and Deborah. We had a WONDERFUL time. I haven't had a day so nice in a long time. We rode the 10 mile red loop as Barb's mare "C" is a greeny, but you wouldn't know it by riding with her, she was as solid if not more so than the other horses she was with, she just got a little more tuckered out than the others.

June brought her miniature horse "Little Bit" and stayed in camp to drive (cart and harness) and just walk around. She said that next time she is bringing her riding mount and going out with us. She didn't know it was going to be that nice out there.

Once we all got back from riding, Denis and Deborah brought hot dogs, links, and a little bar-b-que pit to cook them in. June brought all kinds of snacks and drinks. Before we ate tho, Barb, June and I took our horses into the pond. Summer actually drug me into the pond and headed straight to the middle and took me for a swim. She loves to swim and I just hang on to her lead rope and let her take me "skiing" of sorts. It is real fun. Then she decided to stick her nose in the water and blow for as long as she could making bubbles, Barb and June laughed so hard.

David and I were on vacation this past week to spend time with Amanda. She is 17 now and it won't be long before she is grown and gone. I actually cried about that the other day. I told David I was going to be a horrible "empty nester"! He told me I wouldn't, I would probably just buy another horse to take up my time and $$. (smile)

Tuesday (July 8th), we took Amanda and her beau Eric to Fossil Rim wildlife park, then on to the wax museum and Ripley's Believe it or Not. Eric had never been to any of that and has lived here all his life. His family is very much into their church and so every thing they do is church involved, which I really like. He is a good kid, David and I really like him. Amanda told me today that Eric really likes us too and wants to meet more of her family. Hmmmm...??? Never know, he could be my son-in-law some day.

Yesterday, Tracey and I went to the Six-O ranch to ride. We only got to ride about 14 miles, but spent to whole day out there. Not sure we will do that again any time soon. It was about 103 degrees and no pond to get in. I guess that is why I REALLY like the grasslands, I love that pond. We had planned to ride this morning out at Benbrook, but her hubby was home and I wanted to spend my last day of vacation with my family, so we decided not to go.

Got my barn chores done this morning. Got Summer's pen, trough, feed bucket, etc...cleaned and ready for her. Bought fed and got that dumped. David and I bought hay and picked up a few bales for Tracey and got that stacked this evening with Tracey's help. (Thanks girl!) BTW...GORGEOUS hay and HUGE bales.

Well, it has taken me all day off and on to write this and I think I will say ta-ta for now.

Is it fate or did Granny hand pick the boy?

My daughter had her first car date this past Saturday. He is a little red headed cutie pie. He and she have been going "steady" (if they still use that word) for a month now. They went on their first date this weekend.

For a couple of weeks I have been asking Amanda questions about the boy. One question, when is his birthday? She knew it was in June but kept forgetting to ask what day. So, Saturday night he came over a 6pm to pick her up. He looked sooo scared, it was like de-ja-vue. It kinda took me back to when my beau's came to meet my parents and pick me up for a date. I talked to him for a bit and then asked him what day his birthday was on. I told him Amanda had told us June but forgot to ask him what day.

Now go back, my mom's birthday is June 20th, her mom (Granny) is June 20th, (yea, I know, weird), plus a good family friend, Janie, who knew my Granny before she knew my mom, and is only 1 hour older than my mom is, yes, June 20th. Janie knew my Granny for 41 years, yes, before I was born. Anyway.

Now what date do you think this boy told me? Yes, I got tears, I hope I didn't scare him off, but he said the 20th. OM goodness, was he hand picked by my Granny? He asked Amanda on March 31st (the Monday after Granny's funeral) to "go steady" (I am sure, not the words he used). But he seems like a real sweet kid. His dad is an engineer and mom is a children's minister.

I am really happy for Amanda. I know that having a beau has really boosted her self esteem. She is really hitting her homework hard. If this is what it takes to get her grades up, I hope he sticks around for awhile. I think she is cleaning her face better too, the acne seems to be clearing up better.

Well, gotta go to work.
TTFN

Amanda finally rode last night!

Well, we (Amanda and I) got to the barn a little late last night. I had a dentist appt at 4pm and finally got my tooth done and have a gold inlay.

Anyway, Tracey was there already saddled. I asked Amanda if she wouldn't mind cleaning my pens and let me and Tracey go riding in the pasture. She said sure. When we got back, Kelsee was riding her mare in the dressage arena and Tracey and I rode over to chat with her. Well, Amanda walked over and was looking kinda coy. I asked her (yet again) if she would like to ride. I was shocked when she said yes. So I gave her my helmet and she got on Summer. Tracey let me ride Amira and Amanda and I rode in the outdoor arena. Amanda started complaining that Summer was so wide. Amira is an Arab and not near as wide as Summer. So I asked her if she wanted to ride Amira. Once again, I was shocked when she said yes. I couldn't believe she was willing to ride a horse she didn't really know. So she got on and was much happier with a more narrow horse. I think with other girls her age out there, riding their horses, maybe, just maybe, that will spark her interest. She is 17 now and has only had a little interest in riding about 3 years ago. I pray that this spark starts a blazing fire. I would be more than happy to buy her a horse of her own.

Good news on my truck. It is not the differensial (sp?)! It is the PCV or something like that and is not a problem, more of an annoyance. But David said I really needed brakes before this weekend, so he is hopefully going to get that done tonight.

Well,
TTYL