Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

We have had snow for the past week and it is great. The girls are enjoying the weather and love to roll in the fresh powder. They also love it when I put a whole bale of straw out for them to dig through.

We have added a new family member. Her name is River(Sweet Waters Muddy River) and she is Kayvon's 4-H project. Will hopefully be with us to finish Kayvon's 4-H career in four years. She is eight weeks old. And the cutiest Lop-Ear rabbit I have had the pleasure to love on...

May the new year bring many blessing to all.

May Health, Happiness and Love be Abundant.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

So we had snow this weekend. Not a whole bunch, but some. As Kayvon says "Wow, enough to make a....foot print." He is goofy that way. Jacob is just counting to make sure there is enough to get his snowboard out and I am just grateful for the Internet that has the ski resorts listed. They have updates on snow and webcams of the slopes. Otherwise Jacob would be on the phone everyday calling to see if they are open....

The girls seem to take in in stride. Both sport cute snow blankets, while the snow is falling. As I guess the barn is only for pooping in....The chickens are doing well and the little hen that hatched me three chicks for Thanksgiving is also doing well. Very cute little things, but I worry that it will get to cold for them.

Weatherman states we are to hit below freezing this week. I have my tank heaters in and a light on the chicks. Kayvon's rabbit(River, the lop-ear) has been moved indoors(she is just seven weeks old) and I have been keeping the cat in at night. (I think she thinks she can catch one of our jackrabbits). Many rabbit prints through the yard. Last year I had to put out a bit of grass hay as the rabbits ate my little trees...

I really want lots of snow. I enjoy it and love the look of it all. The boys, including Wally, want lots so that they can 4x4 and ski/snowboard.

Life is good.
Till next time,
Me

The Fat Pony Update

Last July I had a post on The Fat Pony(Mare). I said that I would update you in November and I see that it is December...

So here it is, I myself have gone down a pant size. I still would like to be slimmer in the thigh/hip area. My treadmill does not look as scary as it did and I can jog/walk a 18 minute mile. That is with still talking with the kids, in July I would have been keeled over after 9 minutes.

Mare is down about 100 pounds. Her neck is not as thick, and her bag looks to be at weaning time....I am hoping she will tone up once I get a chance to get back in the saddle... Jewel my other mare has grown a bit and I think she is a bit taller than Mare. I am excited that she is over 14 hands. Both are doing well with extra ground work(getting ready to drive the girls) and I am hoping that we will be able to hitch this summer. Both are also going to be use to work cattle. Mare knows what they are and has pushed them in her younger years, but Jewel has no idea what is in store for her.

In other news:
I found a Spanish tutor for Kayvon. He starts this Tuesday. I am excited and hope to see good improvement. Jacob is still in denial that it is his fault. Where did I go wrong???

Wally is feeling tons better. Chest is feeling good and hopes to see the Chiropractor this week.

Planning of the Holidays. December is the busy month. Both Wally and my birthday are in December and then the normal holidays with family(Also a b-day for one niece and Wally's parent's anniversary). With leads to more confusion and stress than I like. I swear that once the boys are off with there own families I am just going to vacation in Mexico for the whole month of December..LOL

Life is good, weather is beautiful.

Till next time,
Me

Catching up...

Well, it has been a while since I last posted and lots has happen. The week after my friend's daughter was killed, my own husband Wally was in a roll-over. It was not a full size rig, just one of those side-by-side atv. However the damage was still pretty ugly. He was putting the rig away and thus no helmet or seat belt. He drove down the driveway past the other parked vehicles and then made a right turn it the gravel. That is when the whole rig rolled onto its side. Wally walked away with road rash on his forehead, seven stitches in the side of his left eye, bruising on his left arm from elbow to shoulder, cuts and scrape on the inside of his right arm, bruising on his right leg and a cracked chest(the kind of cracked that CPR victim's have). That was November 14th and his chest is still sore. The eye healed up well but has a scar, the forehead is a nice healthy pink(not his normal tan color) and all the bruising is gone. I was waiting for him to get off work so was there when it happened. It could have been much worst. He could have died himself and top speed was maybe 10 miles an hour. Very scary and I have never thought those atv were safe. Now I am positive it will take quite a bit to get me to ride in one...

On other news, both the boys are failing classes(not all). I am at my wits end on how to help them. They just do not turn in homework. I have removed all electronics from their rooms. I make them sit down every night for one hour(or better) to work on work(at 8pm to make sure I am there to watch) and they are still failing. Kayvon I think is just bored with the classes and the other class he just hates. Jacob I just think he feels I will correct it somehow. I took away Jacob's wrestling, I hated to do it but am not sure how to get through to him on getting the work done and turned in. If anyone has suggestions, feel free to email me....

Which leads to chores. Both my boys have had chores since they were little. Clean rooms, and pick up and then as they got older to household chores. Kayvon does a pretty good job and thus just has the kitchen(daily, unless he is gone and then I do it) and bathroom(weekly), while Jacob has dusting(weekly) , vacuuming (weekly), kitty litter and dog poop patrol(daily, and with only one cat that spends her days out side and only the dog poop for two dogs in the driveway or yard, there is not much). They no longer have a horse of their own so I do the feeding and such with the horses and I also do the chickens(feed and eggs). I also ask Jacob to fill the water troughs and tanks for the horse and chickens, but that is around once every third week. Both must maintain their rooms. As for laundry, I will put it through the washing and drying if it is in the laundry area, I will not look for it nor fold it. In the end Kayvon has the bigger job. He does a great job. Jacob has what I think are the easiest chores, however he can not get them done and when he does it is a half-baked job...I have tried assigning extra chores, grounded him from going places and from TV and we still can not get them done on a regular basis. He does chores like he does school work. I am just frustrated and am at the end of my ideas to help. Thank goodness they are good at school and are no in any kind of trouble...

Horses are doing good. I have not had time to ride in the last month. The weather has been beautiful, but with the holidays and Wally wreck I just have not had the time to get out and ride. I miss it terribly.

I will try to keep things here more up-to-date, but life has a way of taking it own course...

Till then,
Me

Tragic Accident

Last week I found out that my girlfriend's daughter, Dotsie, was tragically killed in a car accident on November 4. I had watched this little girl grow into an independent young women, full of life and starting a family(3 months along). Then she was just gone.

I visited with my girlfriend, Denene, for four hours on Thursday and all she could say was she was numb. I called to check on her on Saturday and she was doing better. The funeral is this Saturday with a benefit concert afterwards. The whole accident is still under investigation and so no one's insurance is paying yet and Denene is just lost.

Denene is strong though, she does not blame God. She understands that her daughter was a blessing that God gave her and now he has called Dotsie back for his purpose. I hope that I would be that strong if he called my boys back early.

Where are we??

So where am I today?

I am at work right now. What do I do? I work with High School Students in Study Hall. My job is to make sure that they are keeping on track with school work. I enjoy my work, although I find it hard at times to explain to the students that it does matter whether they pass their algebra class. That in ten years it will matter if they go to college or not and that their grades from high school can and will affect them. Did I think that way in high school, yes and no. I did think about what I wanted to do and some choices where for ten years down the road. But many were for the here and now. I was a 4.0 student up till my Freshman year, then I made a choice. I still finished high school, six months late, and I did go to college and get an associates degree. Today I talk with my advisor at OSU. I am, after six years, going to complete my BA and then get a teaching certificate. I will do all this while getting my two teenage boys thru high school, work and take care of family. I also hope to be more stable financially in two years. That is where I am today..

Wally, my husband, is at a different spot. He graduated in 2006 with a BA in Operations Management. One might ask what does one do with that kind of degree. Well, he managements people, quality control on manufactured products, six sigma, lean production and other high end brain power stuff. Or as I like to say, goes in and makes it all work good with less waste and money saved. His goal was to work for a large corporation and make enough money to let me stay home with my horses. He worked very hard to get the degree, as he was one who did not think of the future in high school, nor in his first year of college. So he had to work harder to bring up those failing grades of college, got only one scholarship and several loans to pay for it all. In the end he got his degree, works for a small company and we live paycheck to paycheck. But he come home happy most evenings, has time for family and is not stressed. That is where Wally is..

Where are you? Are you happy with where you ended up at, or is this just a stepping stone in the path of life for you?

In my journey I have learned a few things. Some were huge and others small. So I will post a small list of the ones I think are the most important.

Family is everything. Now you do not need to be blood related to be family. Family is the ones you live with day in day out. The ones who raised you and were raised with you. The ones that are there no mater what. They are not long time friends, they are the ones who disciplined you or stood by your side as you received the punishment, they are the ones who took you hunting, camping, fishing or on vacation or enjoyed it with you. The ones who taught you about life, love and happiness.

Truth above all else. Do not make excuses. When asked, be truthful. Be honest in all dealings. And remember that silence can be better at times.

Say I love you. With the busy world today, life can be short. Make sure to say "I love you" to those that matter most.

Take a quiet moment. In anything you do, take a quiet moment to yourself. Reflect, admire, breathe deep, calm down. A simple quiet moment can change the whole course of your actions.

Take responsibility. You are the only one that causes your course of life. You are the leader of your journey. Take responsibility for it. You make it happy, sad, fun, loved or boring. I wake up and say "I am happy today and today will be a good day."

Yes, things I can not change happen around me. I take a quiet moment, be truthful with myself and move on. Somethings stay with me longer and I let myself be upset by them, but in the end I know I am the one with the issue. Let it go, and once I do, the stress goes with it.

I am there...Sometimes it is just a stone in the creek to keep my feet dry, sometimes it is the other side, sometimes it is middle and I am all wet, but in the end it is my life and I am enjoying every aspect...

Till next time,
Me

Canning

So something click in me and I got the urge to can stuff. However, somewhere in my childhood I either missed that lesson or it was never offered. Might have been just to busy with other things to remember. Anyways....

My trail riding buddy cans jams all the time. So she agreed to teach me how. She even gave me a water bathing canner pot. My first lesson was Chokecherry and Wild plum jam. I had a blast and they turned out great.

So I decide to do Zucchini Relish, on my own. I got all the stuff together. Followed the recipe(well I followed it like I follow all my recipes, "they're more like guidelines") Well I did half a batch. Wanted to make sure it came out okay. IT DID... I am so proud of myself. I knew that I could do it but was a bit timid about it turning out okay.

So I am off to do Applesauce.....I have three kinds of apples and a old peeler/corer...I am giddy with excitement. Which is odd at times.

Will post pictures of my canning creations.
Till next time,
Me

Winter

So I think winter is going to be cold for us here. My two girls have had winter coats for over a month now. Mornings are frosty and cold. My few non-fruit trees lost all their leaves in a matter of days and only the fruit trees have any left.

I am hoping that it will hold off a bit before it snows. However I am excited to get lots of snow. My hope this winter is to learn how to snowboard..LOL

Wally and Kayvon know how to ski and Jacob does the snowboarding thing. I took their gear down to get the yearly tune-ups and was told I could use Wally's board(which he got to learn on). So I am hoping to learn..Have a friend who use to teach lessons and he has agreed to give us lessons if we cover the life ticket. So will fill you all in on how that goes.....

Till next time,
Me

Catching up...Life some how gets in the way..LOL

So it has been a little while since I last posted. I was very happy to be getting the summer done, so that I would have more time on the weekends to do other things. Wow...was I not thinking clearly.

So summer is done and I do not have to go places, but because I was gone, all the little things around the place have been left un-done. Soooooo, now I am into fall and I have to get the little things done before winter. And in Klamath Falls, winter is not far away.

Point being: In May I agreed to lease our back twenty to the neighbor(VH). He has worked to clear it of sage brush, till it under and have it ready to plant. Plan was to plant in late September and pray for rain in October. So the standing joke around the family was to pray for rain in October. Well late September was hot, hot, hot and with all the news about global warming, one gets to thinking that fall might just be a hot dry affair. So VH, works and works and the land is beautiful. I know I may sound weird, but good, clean, dark dirt in nice neat form is a beautiful sight. So he decides to plant last week in September and someone was listening for on October 1st the heavens opened and it has rained everyday since the 1st. (Now, if I could just win the lottery.)

Well back to winter chore pondering. With the rain has come cold temperatures, my chickens have been hanging around the barn and the horses have winter coats. The deer we got this year had a nice layer of fat and the chipmunks are fat little things. I am thinking that it is going to be cold, cold, cold. So I really need to get the new coop done and more mats in the stall.

So since last time:
I have placed my roses and flower plants up for the winter with cover. The porch is cleared for easy snow removal. New latches on the stall door(last one would freeze and then not open). Have made room in the storage shed to house the lawn mower, jump standards and lawn chairs. Clear the tack room. Stored the camping gear.

What I have left:
Check the trucks to make sure they are ready for winter. Get the last of the lawn hoses up and stored. Get the gravel pile spread out. Finish a door on the new coop. Finish the nesting box for the new coop. Get lights in the new coop. Get the lawn mowed one last time and winterize the mower. Get the jumps and trail course put up. Paint the bridge. And that is just the outside items.

In general, the last three weeks have had their ups and down. I lost 13 chickens to the swather next door. My good seabright hen and her chicks. All gone at once. Very upsetting, but with free range, things happen. Last year it was skunks. I guess it comes with having animals, but I hate losing them like that. Dogs have been skunked again, this time full in the face. I love the Skunk odor remove by Nature's Miracle.
Boys have been good. Seem to spend more time with friends, then us parents. Jacob is starting wrestling again this evening and Kayvon just hangs out with buddies(they mainly do youth group, bike riding and movies). I think they would bowl if they had more money...
Wally's shop moved to a new location and had a big grand opening. The new shop is much bigger and allowed them to hire on two more techs...
Bow Hunting was good this year, we got one deer and have two tags left to fill. Saw lots of deer, both buck and doe, just could not get good shots. However I did shot at a cougar, missed it and thank goodness it ran the other way. I was shaking pretty bad when I got back to the rig. Next time I will have my carry gun and not just my bow...

So till next time,
Me

Jewel at her first horse show....

OHHA Western State Horse Show

So I have decided to brave the horse show world again. However I am going at it will a different mind set. Not one of to "win" but to make it thru the show with no issues and having fun, both my horse and myself.

Back when I was younger, I would go to a show with the sole goal of winning. Of course something would have been forgotten (show clothing, show supplies or some such thing) and I would have to school my horse at least once in the day. What was I thinking? Why was I so mean to my poor horses. They would be so gooped up with show shine, hair gel, baby oil, totally hairless from their ears to their white socks. Some would be set with fake hair, which I think looks as comfortable as wearing a tampon and the string is riding wrong. I am sure that my saddle did not fit well and I was concerned with if there was enough silver on it to compete. And that was just a pleasure show.

I only rode once at a "Games" competition, but did announce for two years. Wow, am I glad I did not get into that. All the horses with all sorts of gag bits to help stop them when their owners are whippin' or spurrin' them to run faster. Oh also the tie-downs so that the rider does not get popped in the face as the horse jumps out the gate (if they can get the horse thru the gate at all). More welts on horses sides than I care to remember. But there is money to be won and that is all the really matters.

Now do not get me wrong, there are thousands of good horse owners out there that love their horses and would never subject their animals to that, and then there are those who just do not know any better and believe what the "trainer" says is the in thing. And last there are those who turn a blind eye to win and those who do not care what it take to win as long as they win.

So that brings me to this weekend. I do not own a expensive horse, heck both are BLM mustangs, one cost me 125.00 and the other was free. Both are just bay with a few white markings. A ton of hair, which is beautiful, but takes some care. I own an old saddle that was given to me and just some plain halters I purchased from the local Co-op. I sold my expensive horses a couple of years ago and all my show gear. So why would I show??

I enjoy the company of people with horses, that have horses to enjoy horses. So my trail riding friend, said lets show the young'ens. What the heck, I have rode Jewel twice this summer and um, that's it. Why not?

My goal was, not to have her drag me anywhere, or to run me over in the ring.

So Friday, she gets her first 'show' bath. Have I washed this horse before? Ummmm, nope. She stands in the sprinkler, should be okay to wash her. What a dream, however I do not think she likes to be clean...Saturday morning, I needed to bring her back in and wash a second time. Heck while I am at it, lets see if I can clipped her bridle path and nose....Nose check, no big deal. Bridle path, I think the lawn mower could have done a better job with less toe pain. Oh well, I just wanted it to look like I somewhat planned to show her...

We arrive at the Fairgrounds and what a joy. She is 14 hands(okay maybe 13.2) and built like a little quarter horse. I think she is cute. However we do not compare to the turned out Paints and Quarter horses(all about 15.2 hands) We stand around well, like any four year old. Can I see this, how about this, is your show number edible, does your shirt need to be clean in the back? All the normal things. So we only showed the halter classes. We do not trot on line well and oh we do not know what setting up is either, let alone to stand quietly for 10 minutes. But she did not drag me anywhere, nor did she run me over in the ring. No bucking, no biting, no issues.

Was just a blast to be there, we both enjoyed the day. Got to look around, smell the sights and just be us. No gel and all our winter hair in its glory. No silver and no drama. We got two ribbons, both the last place in our classes, but I would not trade then for anything.

Till next time,
Me

(Will post a picture later)

Around Round Lake...

So all summer my friend has wanted to ride around Round Lake. So Sunday we decide to ride part of the trail. We started on the south side of the golf course.

What an amazing area. The shrubs are staring to turn yellow and red. The berries have all ripen and the birds are abundant. A few loose cow, made for some excitement, too.

Mica and Lila were ready to go. We had bells on, so that we were not mistaken for deer as it is Bow season. Also so that the bears knew were we coming and could politely leave. Luckily we did not meet any bears, so it must work..LOL

A little before the halfway point, we decide to just keep going. What a way to motivate. We ended up riding the whole trail. It took us about three hours (eight miles) and we ended at the house (on the north side of the golf course).

I had a blast. It was so awesome to set out and just enjoy the ride, the horses, the company and the surroundings. It was quiet, beautiful and peaceful.

Afterwards, we enjoyed some good-old homemade beef vegetable soup. A pleasure in and of itself. I can't wait till next year. We plan to ride all the way around Aspen Lake..

What has happen to people??

Saturday, we went to the fair in Tulelake. I am not sure what has happen to people in general. I was amazed at the rudeness and down right meanness. I try to avoid people like that, but we got stuck there for an additional three hours as not one but four people blocked our rig in parking. No way to get out, just had to sit and wait. Also the pushing in lines, rude comments as people pass you by, trash dropped on the ground, outhouse/bathrooms a disgrace. What happen to pride, to doing the right thing, not the easy thing??

And then Monday night, I found out that people have been spreading rumors and other means thing about a friend. Just because they are either unhappy with themselves, their work, or their life in general. She works hard and loyally at her job, is dedicated to her family, has a passion for horses and is a great friend.

I understand that not everyone will like everyone, but why must we attack each other.

I had a similar conversation on the trail ride Sunday. A local club is doing a clinic, however you must be one of "them" to attend. If you do not agree with all of "their" views, then you are not welcome, at all. The group "promotes" everyone welcome, but will spread rumors and untruths till the ones that are not welcome move on. And if you going the club and they do not like you, well forget being treated with any respect, you are just dirt in their path of life.

It is truly sad to know that our world, really just our home town, has people who can not play nice. Who find it more worthwhile to destroy than to build up.

I believe that all have the right to practice what they believe, and in everything is truth. Just because I do not take what someone says/practices/believes as whole truth, I do believe that there is truth there.

Take a silent moment today, do a kind act, try to improve, respect all no matter how small, mean, unkind or undeserving, love a little extra, give thanks and count the blessing you have, not the ones you want or are missing.

As my friend said "Life's too short to spend so much time complaining, gossiping, and spreading negativity."
Till next time,
Me

Crazy Croc in Dundee, Oregon

Wow, what a match. The Crazy Croc is a blast to attend. All stages have over 50+rounds per stage. Which makes for lots of reloads. Thank goodness it is only pistol. Jacob was fifth Junior this year, but first D class and Wally was first C class Limited. Would have been nice to have all the classifier in to have him in B class. Hopefully next year.

The weather was great on Saturday. Warm but nice cloud cover. However, it poured on Sunday. Was not too bad as the range has cover, but on our second stage of the day the squad behind us catch up (we were on the Standards stage) and decide they wanted the cover and thus moved our gear carts out into the rain. In the end all our ammo, pistols and bags were soaked and I am sure the camera will not recover. Was the only sad part, as most time the shooters have a lot of respect for each other. To come to a match and have that happen is a sad thing.

Drove home Sunday night. Tired and ready to be done for the year. Only have two more matches this year and one more outing. Also we are Bow hunting this year. We will be ready to just crash once October gets here.

Started back to work on Tuesday. I am glad to be back and I really enjoy the work. Kayvon also started school on Tuesday. He is a Freshman is High School. Wow, seems like last year we were buying crayons and pencil boxes. Now it is binders and gym shoes. Jacob being an 8th grader got to start school on Wednesday, this gives the incoming 7th grader a chance to get to know the school and how class schedules work. I think it is an awesome set-up to have the 7th and 9th graders that opportunity to see the school, classes and teachers without the pressure of upper-class man bugging them.

With is being Thursday, I feel that life has made it back to a normal schedule. School for the boys and I, work for Wally and just a few more hectic weekends. WooHoo...

Till next time,
Me

WOW...am I behind...

I have been busy. After the convention, I think we kicked into overdrive..

Lets see:

The weekend after convention, the whole family went to Sierra Trek. This is a 4x4 event on the Fordyce Trail, between Lake Tahoe and Truckee, CA. The trail was beautiful, the challenges awesome(a bit scary for me, as I only rode through winchhill 2, 4 and 5. Winchhill 1 and 3 was to much of a tilt).
The picture is of a non-winch hill. As you can see the passenger side tire is off the ground. And yes I am hanging off the side to add a bit more weight to that side. That is to keep us from flipping on to the driver's side. We had to have another person get on the front fender to gets us all the way up(I should be happy that I did not weight enough..LOL). Over all an awesome trail.

On Friday(August 15). The boys and I and my friend Gale went to Lily Glen. I took the girls. Kayvon took his Kayak(the yak as I call it) and Jacob took a fishing pole. Gale brought Echo and drove her new trailer. The drive was uneventful, which is always good when hauling horses. They day was cool as we started at 8am. We wanted to miss the heat of the day. The boys off loaded their gear and headed to Howard Praire and Gale and I got Mare and Echo saddled and headed to the first trial of the day, the creek. Both girls approached the creek well, but Echo decided she wanted to keep her feet dry. Was a good girl, just did not want to get wet that early in the morning. Mare did good, after a little extra asking, we plunged in. Got mud all the way up my back... The ride was excellent. Both the horses cruised through the woods, over rocks and through two gates. The trip back, both the girls just jumped into the creek and crossed. After unsaddling, I decide to take Jewel to the creek, while Gale took Echo back. Jewel loved it and even tried to roll, except where she decide to lay down was a big hole and a bit to much water for her.. Afterwards we loaded up and headed home. Got home at 1pm and had time to pack for the weekend and pick up my neice Kelsi.

That weekend, was the annual trip to the Jet Boats in Grants Pass. Always a blast and it was over a hundred degrees in GP that weekend. So all the water was great. Afterwards we drove over to the Natural Bridge and Gorge on the Rogue River. I had never been there. Had my neice for the day and it was nice to take her to all these cool sites. Sunday we got to just sit for a bit and work on the yard. I also agree to watch Kayvon's friend for the week, while his parent's were in Hawii..

So that brings me to this weekend.
It was the Area 1 3-Gun Championship. Have it every year and I always enjoy myself. Except this time I did not go on Saturday. Instead I drove to Sweet Home to visit my Great Aunt Matha. My grandmother(her sister) died in December and Martha's husband of 61 years passed away in Feburary. For being 90, she looked wonderful and was up and moving really well. Spent four hours with her and had lunch. I hated to leave, but I had to get back for Wally and Jacob.

Sunday was the last day and the group moved through the last three stages fast. I even got to shoot the last two. I love the rifle and shotgun stages the best. I did pretty well for a girl, who does not practice. I got all my hits and a decent time to boot...

Jacob got First Junior and Wally and his dad placed okay. All came home with about $200 each worth of prizes. Covers the entry fee. Also up at Albany that weekend was the Art & Air fair. So I got to watch 55 hot air ballons. Very cool to watch them fill up and then take off. Made Wally get up at 6:30 to watch them..LOL

So that brings me to Monday. I had to go back to work. I am happy to be back. I had today off and I have tomorrow and Friday off. I have an in-service on Thursday for half a day and then back full time on Tuesday. This weekend is the Crazy Croc shoot in Dundee, OR. So will fill you in on that when we get back Monday night. Till then thanks for reading.

Lots of Love,
Me

LYA 2008 Part 2

Saturday:

7:45 am-Cell phone rings. I had slept on my right arm and my hand was numb, I had a heck of a time getting the cell phone open to answer.

"Hello"

"Adeena? You going to come to breakfast? We only have about 10 minutes left."

"Yes, I will be there shortly"

Jumped out of bed, did the flight of the bumble bee to get dressed, hair brushed and off to the mess hall. I did get s biscuit and some gravy...

8:30 am- Morning Chapel. We had a new vicar this morning and although you could see his hands shaking, he did an awesome job.

From 9am to noon it was two more Bible study groups and then some free time before lunch. My co-counselor let me head back to my room and catch up on some sleep. Which I did..

Noon-Lunch, was pasta. Very tasty.

1:30 pm-We boarded the buses for River Walk/Alamo.

We arrived around 2:30. What a beautiful place. We when to Ripley's Believe it or Not, the Wax Museum, a Haunted House and 3D Tomb Raider ride. Afterwards we when to the Alamo and walked around. Got to listen to the History lesson there. What a very neat experience.

We had to be back on the buses by 8 pm and I felt we just did not have enough time. We only got to eat down on the River Walk and did not get to look around. Oh well, a trip for the whole family next time.

8 pm- Load back on the buses and head back to TLU.

9:30 pm- Evening Chapel

After wards we sang a few songs and listened to a couple of jokes. Was funny and lots of fun.

10 pm-Rec time. Kayvon and I played Volley Ball until 12:30 am. What a blast. I had forgot how much fun volleyball was.

2 am- Finally got to bed after a shower and a talk with Wally.

Sunday:

7:30 am- Breakfast. We got to sleep in a bit..

8:30 am- Pack and clean our rooms. This went very well with the girls. Most were already pack before breakfast. As far as I know all turned in their room keys. Which was amazing that none were lost on the girls side.

10 am- Divine Worship. The chapel was beautiful. Had a pipe organ and Kayvon sang in the choir. Was very refreshing.

11 am- We were done. All that was left was a group photo, the final touches on packing and a Texas BBQ. which was chili and burgers.

Afterwards Kayvon and I caught a ride back to the airport with the group from the PNW. Once there we got a curtsy shuttle to Holiday Inn Express. Once settle in(around 5pm), we got the shuttle to take us to a mall. I do not remember the name but there was a huge pair of Cowboy boots in the parking lot(about 5 stories high). We wondered a bit and then ate dinner. Called for the shuttle and went back to the hotel. We swam a bit(was bath water warm) and then I headed to bed. I did talk with Wally a bit that night and Kayvon and I watched a couple of shows on National Geographic.

Monday:

Was flights all day again. All went well and we arrived in Klamath at 5 pm. I was very happy to see my two boys(Wally and Jacob). I sure missed them and wished they had been able to gone with Kayvon and I.

Overall, was a great experience. I really enjoyed myself and was grateful to my church for their help on getting Kayvon and I there.

LYA 2008 in San Antonio, Texas

So this year Kayvon and I decide to go to the LYA convention in Texas. This was to be his first plane trip and my first adventure away from my normal home states(OR, CA, NV, WA). This would mean two full days of flying and six days away from home and family(other than Kayvon). Could I do it and enjoy myself?? As the day to leave got closer, I just kept thinking "what have I got myself into?"
Wednesday:
4am-We got up so that we could get the critters feed and the last of our packing done(I needed my pillow).
5:45 am-Said our last goodbye and boarded the first plane. Klamath to Portland. Kayvon was awesome and not an issue with flying. He got the window seat. Amazing I did okay to, not a bit travel sick. Did have a few tears, as I was leaving Wally and Jacob behind.
I am not sure on the rest of the times, but we had enough time in Portland to find our next flight gate, go potty, get a drink and then board for Ft.Worth/Dallas. It was a 4+ hour flight. Got pictures of Salt Lake, but the Grand Canyon was covered with clouds. Was very pretty. Kayvon has been to Salt Lake City, so was nothing new to him and he slept for most of the flight. We landed with ease into Texas.

We had enough time to find our gate for the flight to San Antonio, go potty, and this time to grab something to eat and eat it before we needed to board. Air time was 41 minutes. Enough time to get to cruising altitude and then descend into San Antonio...
6 pm-We met up with the Youth groups from Washington and get on the bus for Texas Lutheran University. Total from the Pacific Northwest was 33.
8 pm- We arrive at TLU and get checked into the dorms. I was lucky and got my own dorm room and only had to share my bathroom with Connie(another counselor, the only other woman from the PNW group). She was a blast to hang out with.
2:30 am- Finally get to bed.

Thursday:
6 am- Get up so that we can get the youth up and to breakfast.
8 am- Breakfast done and ready to load on to the bus. Since we were the only group that came in early, we decide to go to Schlitterbahn water parks in New Braunfels. My goodness is that park huge. I would say at least a mile long. Four separate sections. You do not walk from the first section to the last, you ride a tram..We arrived at 9:30 or so and need to leave at 5pm. In that time we had two big rain storms.
Oh, did I mention that Hurricane Dolly made land fall that morning in Texas. Since we were about five hours from the coast we only got the front edge or maybe the tail end of it. Still brought a great amount of rain and lighting. It also triggered two Category 2 tornadoes in San Antonio.
So at the water park on the slides, we enjoyed rain. Being from the PNW, one does not go to the lake to swim, the pool to play or the water slides to slide in the rain. It is just to darn cold, but here we were riding the slides and swimming in the rain.(I have a picture of us there, but have to get it scanned.) I only got to two sections of the park. I could have spent all weekend there.
5 pm- Load back on the bus and head to dinner. Which was our choice from Taco Bell, McD's or a place called Chick-something and we only had 1/2 an hour to get it and eat it. Kayvon and I had Taco Bell.
6:30 pm- Back at TLU to check in with the LYA convention.
7:30 pm- I had a counselor's meeting.
Mean while Kayvon was getting to know 200+ youth. We had kids from all over the US and ranging from 12-22. Was a great thing to see so many youth together with the same thoughts and ideas.
9 pm- This was a youth mixer(get to know ya) and pizza.
10:45 pm- Evening Chapel (I skipped this one because my body decide to catch up on itself from the flights the day before and the water park today, nice bathrooms there at TLU)
11:30 am- The rules for the weekend
1:30 am- I finally got to bed for the night after chatting with Wally for an hour.

Friday:
6 am- Up and at them. Had to get the girls up and moving to get them to breakfast(which was only from 7-8). Man, girls are hard to get up in the morning.
7-8 am- Breakfast. Was eggs, sausage, fruit, biscuits and gravy, cold cereal and toast. Very good, also we shared our breakfast with 140+ refugees from the coast. They were staying in the parking lot with travel trailers and tents. Looked okay, more annoyed then worried.
8:30 am- Morning Chapel. Really neat to hear other pastors.
9-10 am- Group Study. The theme this year was "Friends Forever". This was about your relationships, both friends and later spouses. How our relationships(and God/Jesus's relationship with us) affects our daily lives and actions. How to grow them, accept them and be a better friend.
10:30 am- Board the buses for SEA WORLD. Also eat a box lunch, as that was what we got for the day unless you bought food from Sea World.
12 pm- Arrived at SW. The parking lot was bigger than my property and the park was monster sized.
I did not have enough time(we only had till 9 pm). I rode the two huge roller coasters(one twice), two water rides, watch Shamu(Believe Show), watched the Skiing shows, looked at the Budweiser's Clydesdales(of course I would get there, LOL), Alligator Alley and walked, walked, walked. I must have walked ten miles. I was done at 8pm and I did not get to 3/4 of the park. Also I only saw Kayvon three times that day. He hung out with some girls from Michigan. (The Steel Eel at right)

9 pm- Load on the bus. It is an hour and a half back to TLU.
11 pm- Evening Chapel
11:30-1:30 am- Rec time. We had Volley Ball, Basket Ball, movies, ping pong tables and the such at the gym. And with a day like we had I did not expect many to show up. Boy was I wrong. I think we finally got every one back to their dorms at 2:00.

On the Campus the dorms have outer door locks, so only the counselors had keys. So the kids had to be either in their dorms or at the gym and could not go back and forth. It was my night to make sure that kids were not in the Student center on the computers that night, so I sat there on the phone with Wally and play scrabble via the internet.
2:30 am- Finally got to wash off the Shamu water and get to bed.

I am going to do Saturday-Monday in another post, so till the next episode.
Me

The Phone Call

Yet the call that every parents does not want to get.

Wednesday night my oldest boy Kayvon went over to stay with friends. They asked if they could ride bikes and I did not see an issue with that.

At 8:30 I get a call:

"Mom?"

"Yes"

"Justin has been hit by a car, nothing looks broke. We can not reach his parents or Michael's, can you come and get us?"
(Heart hits the floor, kids and cars do not mix)

" I am on my way, where are you?"

"Umm(male voices in the background) Highway 140 and Reeder road, next to a red house"


So Hubby and I jumped in our bronco and did about 70 to get there(About 15 miles away).

Firetrucks, State Police, a very big Flat bed farm truck, three bikes, two boys standing and Justin sitting in the gravel on the side of the road.

From the reports, Justin had been in the middle of the east bound lane(both Michael and Kayvon had told him to get off the road). Justin turned to look behind him(and moved farther over), that is when the Farm Truck(heading east) hit Justin in the back with the side mirror. The poor driver said he was as far over as possible(avoiding on coming traffic) and tried to miss the boy. He was quite pale looking, and I can only hope he does not have nightmares.

The impact tore Justin off the bike, on impact with the highway surface, his shoe was torn off. Lots of road rash on the leg with missing shoe and a twisted ankle.

Kayvon and Michael, got the bike out of the road and Kayvon who had the only working phone called help and home.

We managed to get ahold of Justin's parents and hauled all the boys to Justin's house.

Minor damage to the mirror, and the driver said not to worry about it, he was just glad that every one was okay. Bike managed to come out undamaged. Justin ended up with a bruised back, twisted ankle and several spots of road rash..

Boy, it could have been much worse. Scared the bejesus out of me. I hope that I never get a call like that or one that has a more tragic out come.

The Course

Boy am I late in this post. I will catch up on the rest of the week in other post.

For now here are the pictures of the trail course I have been working on.

Here is the 'L'.

One of the Jump Standards.

Now I just have to get the bridge painted. Also need to get the arena tilled, but for now it is fun to work the girls through.

The Fat Pony

So with the extra riding, my poor girl is getting tired. I am too and it is because we have taken the last four years off and have put a few pounds on. So I am going to post a picture of Mare as of today. She is a very fat pony.

"I am in shape. Round is a shape"

(She has not had a foal since 2004)

I would post pictures of me in a Swimsuit or Spandex, but I am sure that one would have nightmares...LOL

So you will just have to trust me on my looks. I am about 30lbs over what I want to be. I want to walk into a store and buy a size 9/10 jean (32 inch waist). Currently I am a size 12(36 inch). I carry my weight well and one would never guess that I am currently at 190. Two years ago I was topped out at 235(Size 18/20). With just watching what I ate and only eating what I truly wanted, I lost 45 lbs. Now I want to lose that last 30....

So the Mare and I are going to do it together...So in November I will post after pictures.

Good Day!!!

So I have gotten a lot accomplished in the last two weeks and boy do I feel great.

I have painted a ton of items. Built several jump standards. Cleaned all the windows, floors and laundry. And best of all, worked with my girls. Jewel is getting extra groundwork and Mare is getting lots of riding.

My arms hurt, but back is sore and my legs are tender. Man am I out of shape. Hopefully I will slim down a bit and look good in the swimsuit I just got.

So where am I overall:

The kids are back from camp and Jacob has one last camp to attend this year(wrestling camp, and it is local). Kayvon is taking kayak lessons on Tuesday evening and since they are at the pool it gives me a chance to do lap swims.

We canceled one shooting competition so far this year(time and gas money). The youth shoot was cancel due to lack of participants. So that leaves us just three competitions this summer.

We are also going to Sierra Trek(http://www.cal4wheel.com/). Both the boys are looking forward to it with excitement. Which is rare to have both boys excited about the same thing.....

Still no summer work, but I am okay with that and the bill collectors will just have to deal with it to...LOL

Otherwise, all is good and moving along.

Till the next edition...

An updated picture...

Of me and Mare...

What a week!!!!

Man it has been a heck of a week.

Tuesday: I started to make jump standards and anything else I could think of. Now I have a bridge, an L, three jump standards, rope gate and I painted them all. I have a few ground poles left to paint, but I am very proud. I will post pictures of the arena set-up in a few days.

Also the kids and I have been cleaning up. All the loose lumber is gone(see above, lol) and what was not usable is now neatly stacked in a burn pile.

Wednesday: Worked with Jewel again, she is such a sweet mare. Once the wolf teeth were gone bridling has been a breeze. She also likes to take a bath, as I am filling the water trough mainly. The rest of the day I took a break, as I burned my lower back pretty bad(darn shirt gaped).

Thursday: Another lesson. Rode Mare with a different bit. Oh what a change. She is also an awesome mare. Had a great time and not nearly as sore in the legs. Now if they would just trim down a bit..LOL

Friday: Kayvon had some friends over. They set-up the tent in the lawn and then played air-soft till only they know when....All good boys. Very courteous.

Saturday: Got the Jeep fixed. Boys cleaned up and put the tent away(without me asking). Did some more painting. Brought the bridge up to also paint.

Sunday. Mainly just hung around the house. Did go over and help Wally's sister with a wall they needed to set for their addition. Is looking great. (http://www.wagons-ho.blogspot.com/)

So now it is Monday again and this week looks just as full. I am hoping to get lots done this summer and ride, ride, ride.

I am happy, I am sad...

So I have waited a bit before I wrote this post. Simply for the fact that I wanted to make sure it was happening.

I have made two lessons now and I worked my own fat pony....Wow, what a blast.
My first lesson went really well. Did learn that my legs are so very weak and thus the issues I am having. Otherwise the trainer says I look great and really just need to work on my legs.

This makes me very happy. As I still know what I am doing. After the lesson, we went for a trail ride. After the 1hr ride, I most definitely knew my legs were weak.

Boy was I in a bit of a panic when I saw my truck 100 yards from the tack room....LOL

Last week I took my second ride/lesson. Yep is all in the legs. Not quite as sore, but a bit stiff.

SO I am excited that I am back in the saddle and riding 2+ times a week.

Till next time, enjoy the ride.
Me

Is it meant to be...

I believe that somethings are meant to be and others are not...

But when do you give up and know that is was not meant to be, verses, I need to keep trying.

Lately, after years or struggle, I have decided that I was meant to be they way I am. I am not famous, popular(nor do I have lots of friends) or rich.

I am okay with the famous part, as I do enjoy my silence time.

As for the popular(I have very few real friends) I do wish I was a bit more, as I always liked to help others and have fun. I enjoy getting together at the lake, or camping, wheeling or just a fun BBQ.

And don't we all want to be rich. 8^)

So that brings me to the "do I keep trying" part.

I have not really ridden/shown in years(I mean more than a trail ride at a walk, or plunking bareback), so I decide to take lessons. Well the first lesson, it rained and now the second lesson just frizzed (DR appointment not scheduled well).

Am I not meant to show....

Last show I went to my horse ran me over and then drug me through the dirt. Needless to say, I was a bit scared to go back. So I decided a clinic would do the trick. Same horse walked over me and bit me. I thought it was a personality issue with the horse and me. My kids and hubby had not a problem with the horse. And the very nice gentleman that purchased the horse, loves him.

But now with the weather, scheduling issues and what, Am I meant to do this?? Do I just keep trying?

For now I look forward to next week and hope all goes well and that in the end it was meant to be...

Lessons...Again...

So with just myself at home and no one there who enjoys riding, I have decide to take some riding lessons. (at least to see how bad I have become)

My first lesson was last friday, but the weather decided I must not have been ready as it rained the whole day. Heck, it rained on and off all weekend. So I spent that time going over what I want to accomplish, what I "think" are my weak points and what my goal for the year is.

I am really excited. I have a younger mare and I am hoping with the extra lessons for myself, her and I will be able to meet my horsey goals...

Just thinking about riding has lifted my spirits. Has given me an extra boost in energy. I remember all the fun and enjoyment I got from my horses years ago and I look forward to that.

Will try to keep up with the week to week sucess of my riding.

As for the rest of me, I have been good this week. Dug deep and shared some fears with my husband. It is amazing that all these years, one keeps such odd things tucked away in memory(or the closet). Why did I let these things bother me so long???

Till then, let it rain and enjoy the washing,
Me

Courage

What is courage?

According to Webster's New Expolorer Dictionary:
Courage(n), the ability to conquer fear or despair.

Do I have that? I am not so sure on some days. Is it the ability to face them or to truly conquer them...But what does conquer exactly mean?

Conquer(n), defeat or overcome.

So have I done that?? In some aspects I have. In others not so much.

I have a fear of failure, do I want to overcome that. Well not really, failure helps us to learn. To become better with one's self or with one's ability.

I do despair, and with time and support I will conquer that. All takes time.

Courage, I feel is more about facing those fears and despair and saying "this to will pass".

Wow, what one notices when one thinks...LOL

So lately with gas prices they way they are, I have been heading home after work, rather than doing little things here and there in town.
So at home I am by myself(well the only one that talks). So I have been thinking, scary business at times. I try not to let it get me down as that is a major trigger for my "down" days.
Well, I realized that I am scared to ride by myself(great imagination, broken legs, no phone, death and the such). Mind you I have two very calm horses that are just great. But they are still horses.
I also realized that what people think of me, is really important. Why I ask myself. Do their thoughts make me who I am, do their opinions change they way I act towards my family and my self. No and NO. So why do I let it bother me???? Why should I care what others think??? Last month, I make a comment about ones business(website spelling). It was just to help(as I really enjoy helping others). Well I was attacked, by one the the gals friends. I let it bother me for weeks. I even emailed the owner and apologized if I had offended her and that I was only trying to help..This gave me down days, for days...And I did not sleep well either. Why did I let it bother me?????

In the end I think I am over it. I do not know them personally, although we live in the same area, I will more than likely never met this person either. I guess in some respects I just never got the hard outer shell that I was to learn in School...Oh well.

Thanks for listening,
Me

A sunny weekend...

So this weekend, we went wheeling in Willow Valley. Is always a pretty run, but I think this year was the best. We had fewer rigs, the temp was awesome and only a few break downs. We kept moving most of the time with no major stucks. After the run we had plenty of sunlight to get a fews things done at home.

Sunday was just as pretty. We got a lot of little things done, which by the way feels like you have done a ton. And it was relaxing to just get them done and out of the way.

I had a good weekend. I slept well and no "bad" days. Made the weekend good and has started my week out well...

~ Great words by a Great Man ~

" It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood: who strives valiantly: who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming: but who does actually strive to do deeds: who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." President Theodore Roosevelt

So a week gone by....

So I have let a week slide by..Where have I been.
Lost in some ways. Not sure what I was doing.

Lately I have been sitting in trucks. At confirmation class, the baseball practices and then at games and shoots. Why, to save gas. But does it save me??

Gives me time to read, but mainly time to think. I want to spend my time more wisely, but when I have the time to do something with, I make an excuse on why not to do it, to cold to walk, just to tired, not in the mood or some other silly reason.....

So my thinking gets me to that point. What DO I WANT?
I knew when I was younger, before that first nightmare...

I wanted to do something with horses. I wanted to ride, to have fun. I wanted a family that does lots of things together. To enjoy each other.

Now I have two horses in the field that I only look at, and a family that only sees each other first thing in the morning and after practice is complete at 8 every day. Weekends are spent in the truck for hours on end and then at the game or such. One child enjoys wheeling with us, but the other does not.

Summer weekends are all booked for games, competitions, camps and fair. I feel like I am going a hundred different directions.

How do I get back to myself, my wants. I don't know yet. I hate to cut my boys activites down and I know they will only be home for another five years. As for the horses, one needs work and I just do not want to spend my little time in training her. Should I sell her?? Should I knuckle down and spend the money to send her to a trainer??? I just don't know and a part of me just does not want to decide....

So where did my week go??? Time in the truck, dreams thought and lost. Time to never get back...

Alturas Wheeling

So this weekend we went wheeling in Alturas.

Beautiful desert country. Being early in the year we had great spring creeks and some snow. Weather was hot and I got a little burn...Drove home Saturday night.

So got to work on things on Sunday. I was having a great day so mess with my chickens and cleaned Mare's mane and tail. I think she is happy to have the braids out.

The weekend was good people, good food and good times.

Depression

So what am I doing??
I really have no idea, but thought maybe this will help.

I have really good days and then really bad days. And I find it hard at times to be myself.

I have had to keep this hidden for so long. Only my husband knows what I have.

Is it a diesease??? I am not sure.. Do I think drugs will help?? Heck no.

I do know that it is emotional and that you are not born with it. You get it!!!!

So thru this blog I hope to work pass this shadow....I know that there is a light at the end...

Introduction

So I have decide to try to see if blogging will help. Here I will just add my thoughts and feelings. Enjoy and feel free to email me...

Me