Texas, of ALLLL places

UrbanSpoon Review

2012-01-26T10:25:00.000-08:00

If you are in Edna, Texas check out Courtney's Diner & Bakery on Main Street.
Courtney's has delicious burgers & sandwiches, and are open every morning for breakfast. The food is yummy and the atmosphere is fun!! You won't be dissapointed!

Birthday recap Part 2

2012-01-23T08:13:00.000-08:00

We left the Galleria and JenJ and I were alllll happy!

I got Godiva for my Birthday, and JenJ got all the things she set out to get, plus a new tea pot! Score!
As I drove, JenJ navigated.

She had a plan for lunch. With her trusty phone in hand we made minimal turns and ran into less traffic than we thought we would. It was Houston after all!
We ended up at Benihana.
JenJ had told me about this place that she went with her boyfriend a few weeks back when they were in Houston for work. She said they put on a show while cooking your meal. She was very excited about taking me there, and I was equally as excited to go!

We walked in, and after a few moments we were seated at a rectangular table, with a grill in the middle. There was seating on 3 sides, and a space in the back of the table for our chef to stand and cook for us. Our drink orders were taken, and JenJ ordere an appetizer.

The decor was not what I expected. I expected authentic Japanese decor. What I found was a bright, bold more urban design style. The walls we painted in Blues, reds, greens, and orange. each wall a different color, and different design. The lighting was minimal, offering each table a slightly secluded feel. It did not feel like we were in a huge restaurant with other people around. It felt as though were we almost sectioned off from the other tables by walls of glass, allowing us to see the others enjoying their meal and it's preparation as well. It is a unique dining experience, that is for sure.
We munched on our appetizer, and waited for the show to begin. I thought JenJ had ordered peas in the pod. They were yummy! But, what I was really eating was an authentic Japanese dish called Edamame. Edamame is a preparation of immature soybeans in the pod. The pods are boiled in water together with condiments such as salt, and served whole. I've never eaten soybeans prepared in the fashion before, but they were very good!

We ordered, and while we were waiting for our chef to arrive we were served out salad. JenJ went right for her chopsticks while I grabbed my fork!
"Hummmm," I thought......wonder if I can figure out how to use those things?
Why not? It's my Birthday lunch, after all!!

I opened my package of chopsticks, and with some trouble, broke them apart. I was afraid to pull too hard for fear I'd break them. JenJ urged me to keep pulling, and pull harder! Finally the chopsticks gave up, and I glanced at JenJ for further instruction.
I watched her use them. I tried to position my fingers like she had hers. I put them in my bowl and grabbed some lettuce with ginger dressing.

FAIL! I came back up with nada! It was like the claw game most department stores have in the foyer. You know the one I'm talking about. You out your quarters in the try to grab a stuffed toy that has been strategically stuffed between other toys to minimize your chances of being able to pluck one from it's spot.

Our chef came out, and introduced himself as Henry. Henry ended up being a very neat character! Henry started off our meal by making fried rice. It was so neat to watch him prepare our food right in front of us!
He started by making fried rice. He flipped and flopped his spatula around and around, working his majic! He tossed the rice into bowls, flipped mine over and slid it onto my plate without spilling one grain of rice. WOW! Henry is talented now!
Then he whipped up some mixed veggies and shrimp. He cut the tails off the shrimp and flipped them up into the air, catching them in his hat! Next, he made a choo-choo train our of sliced onion. Good show Henry, good show!
JenJ must have told the host that it was my Birthday, because after we were done stuffing ourselves on yummy Japanese cuisine three waitresses came over with a Birthday treat! They made me put on a silly bright red hat before singing "Happy Birthday" in English and Japanese. I just knew my face was as red as the hat. The photo they gave me about 5 minutes after the Birthday song confirmed this.
I must say that the ice cream was over the top delicious! It had a cinnamon flavor, and was topped with whipped cream, a cookie stick covered in chocolate, and a cherry. JenJ and I devoured it in a hurry!
We joked, enjoyed wonderful food, and laughed till we almost cried! We left with our bellies full and our spirits high.

Next stop, tack shop! Most girls like shopping in malls for clothes, shoes, make-up and purses. JenJ and I love tack shops like a fat kid likes cake!
As we opened the door we were smacked in the face by the smell of leather. It is an unmistakable aroma that makes my heart and my nose happy. We shopped for about an hour and a half. JenJ had me pick out my own Birthday gifts. So, I can now cross girth and headstall of my list of necessities for Casper, yes!!

Upon leaving the tack store we realized we had about an hour before we had to head home so I could help with the catering job. JenJ called her boyfriend and rattled his brain for ideas. He reminded her about a book she was looking for, and off we went to the Piano Store. Or so we thought!
Our piano store trip was cut short by my dear husband. We had to scour the area and try to find a bank so that I could fix an error in judgement he had made. BOYS!

Upset and put out we headed back to Edna. I felt bad that JenJ didn't get her piano book. We arrived at The Diner and much to my surprise I didn't have to help cook. It was a fib to get me back to town for a surprise Birthday Party.
The Diner was decorated with Birthday signs and brightly colored balloons. My husband had gathered a few of our closest friends to help in the celebration. We "partied" fairly late, enjoying some snacks and an amazing homemade Tiramisu that was to die for!

What a day!

Birthday Weekend Re-cap part 1

2012-01-23T07:50:00.000-08:00

1/21/2012

I woke very early and met JenJ in Edna. We had a fun day of activities planned.
Down side? Those fun plans were going to be cut short because at the last minute a friend needed help with a catering job. More on that later.

We met in Edna around 7:30 and raced off to Houston.
We had a mission!
Galleria Mall for Godiva, Tea, and make-up.
Charlotte's Saddlery for window shopping, and hopefully some real shopping too!
JenJ had a lunch surprise planned, after which we would spend our remaining time in Houston in a few more places as time allowed.

Off we went!
Ritual pit-stop at Buc-ee's in Wharton. Can't drive by without stopping there we have found. It's a great place to get gas, as it is usually the cheapest on hwy 59 between Victoria and Houston. They have great bathrooms. Super spacious and always neat and tidy! And, they have a variety of food that is second to none!

We arrived at the Galleria and allowed the car to get eaten by the underground parking monster. If you've never been to the Galleria, you should go. When you go, you should enjoy the fun and games of the underground parking 'garage'. The ceilings are so low, I didn't even feel like my small crossover was going to fit.
The first time JenJ and I went....we took my truck. BIG mistake! It's a F150, 4x4 and sits higher off the ground than the average bear. We both literally held our breath and closed our eyes as we went down the ramp and into the garage. It was very scary, as it seemed the roof of the truck would get ripped off the truck like a lid on a sardine can any moment. But, we realized after we got out that there was plenty of clearance above the roof. It just didn't seem like it at time time.

Having an amazing sense of direction and knowing where the main places we wanted to stop were located, JenJ led us straight to Godiva. Well, with one wrong turn. Almost straight there!
The scent that greets you when you walk into that store is truly a gift for your senses. The sweet chocolaty goodness inside is almost too much. I mean, I know I felt like I gained 10 lbs when I walked in the door!
JenJ and I perused the pristine displays until we found the chocolate confections that we just could not live without. As always, our purchases were tucked into Godiva's signature gold bags with the chocolate colored logo and lettering.
We had Godiva. We could now take on the rest of our day!!

JenJ needed some make-up from Bare Escentuals. I nearly had a melt down when I walked in that store. It was girlie to the max!! Bright pink walls, black and white striped wallpaper. A crystal chandelier hung from the middle of the store.
Small containers of various make-up in an array of styles and colors adorned the numerous glass top tables that the were used by the girls working there to assist customers with the correct choices for their skin.
JenJ made her purchases and we hightailed it out of there! Thanks JenJ for not torturing me any longer in that store!

JenJ has fallen in LOVE with a Tea store in the Mall. Teavana is a unique tea store that carries loose leaf teas for those that appreciate a fresh, high quality tea. It's for those who can afford it, too!
There are people that sit home in the morning and drink Folgers, and then there are those who leave the house 5-10 minutes early so that they can enjoy a cup of coffee perfection, or liquid sunshine as we like to refer to it, from Starbucks. Teavana is to the Tea World what Starbucks is to the coffee world.
JenJ had me try their sample tea, as it was something I'd smelled her make at her house a few weeks back. It was ok. Too much cinnamon for me, but it tasted very fresh and pure.
We perused the small store and stumbled upon a 50% off sale!! The clerk was quick to point out it would be the last week of the sale, and that we should take advantage before it was too late.
We found a gorgeous tea pot with cups for about $25.00. It is a gorgeous sky blue and paler almost white with a hint of blue. It has a quirky wicker handle and two small traditional tea cups. It was precious and JenJ couldn't resist the sale. Who could blame her? Not I!

We strolled through the gargantuan mall, not really seeing anything else that we couldn't live without. We did venture into Charming Charlie, which was an adventure in itself!!
Table after table of color coordinated fashion accessories and purses greeted us in the aforementioned store.
A co-worker of mine talks about this place all the time, and the great purses you can find there. I'm not really the kind of person who goes purse shopping on a whim, it must be out of necessity. Still, I felt the need to satisfy my curiosity and check the place out.
We gave it our best shot. We did walk every inch of that monster of a store. I'd pick up something and tell JenJ she just couldn't live without this. To which I would get a reply snort, or raised eyebrow, or both!
We could have done without the very well endowed woman wearing a tank top that barely covered the unmentionable area of her upper body that is illegal to show in public. She obviously had NOT looked in the mirror before walking out of the house that morning. Or, she just flat out didn't care!

Wuwwied!

2012-01-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

So, it should not come as a shock to most people to learn I have a morning routine.
Yep, same thing......every morning!

THIS morning, my schedule got interrupted, and I got worried!

Get up, let the dogs out. - CHECK!
Let the dogs in, feed them. - CHECK!
Check Facebook and text messages, respond appropriately. - CHECK!
Get ready for work. - CHECK
Let the dogs out. - CHECK!
Let the dogs in before I leave. - CHECK!
Kiss the hubby and head to work. - CHECK!
Txt with my friend Jen on the way to work. - well...i tried..... And this is where my morning went awry.

Yes, I must admit that I txt while I drive. Moving right along.....

Jen and I chat most of my way to work. She's already at work as she has a crazy job that requires her to be at work insanely early.

I sent her a txt. No reply.
Hummmmm. Wonder what's up with that.
I wait a bit, and send her an email. Again, NO reply.
Hummmm, this isn't like Jen.
I double check Facebook.....no am FB post from Jen..... OK, SUPER STRANGE!
I then turn up the radio as the daily "whats going on in the news" from the local Newspaper comes on.
No mention of an am accident.
I decide to check the website and see if there is a 'breaking news' story about an accident that might have been on Jen's way to work.
Nada.
OK.....PANIC mode!
I txt her BF. "Hay, have you talked to Jen this am?"
as he replies with "yeah, she's got a busy am at work, meetings I think" then replies with an "I'm OK, I'm at work".

WHEW!!
I had to concentrate on my breathing for a few minutes to get my heart rate back down to semi-normal.

I then relay to Jen all the crazy crap I'd done to try and find out why she wasn't replying and if she were hurt or not.
There was a minute or two there, I seriously thought about turning the car around and heading to her house to make sure she hadn't gotten hurt with her am feeding of the horses.
I then rationalized that the thing to do would be txt the BF, and if he hadn't talked to her, then I'd go into full panic mode and head to her place.

Well, fortunately for me the BF had talked to my friend, and saved the day by replying to my message.

So, folks, think twice about breaking your AM routines......you might just throw someone into a panic!!!
And what did Jen learn today? She's Lubbed, lots! :)

it's here! yay!

2012-01-17T13:16:00.001-08:00

Well, I can now cross off 1/2 of my first goal for 2012!

Very exciting!

My 'new' Tucker saddle arrived yesterday. It's going to be so nice to ride in, I can just tell.

Now, I just need all the extras to go with it.

A girth, I like this one and this one, will be a good place to start. I also really like this saddle pad, in creme/chocolate.

I am in need of a new bridle and reins, but do have a bit.

It's heck re-purchasing all the stuff you get rid of when you think you aren't going to ride anymore.

I am fortunate that my birthday is coming up, and my great friend Jen has already hit me up for some gift ideas. Thanks Jen, love ya! :)

Next on the 'to tackle' list before I can ride.....a PLACE to ride.

I'm not going to ride in a 'random' spot in the 'yard'. I don't feel that is safe for Casper, or myself. I want a designated area in which to ride, and in which I hope to keep the footing worked up on a regular basis.

So, stay tuned for "tales of arena building".......i hope to start......soon?

Welcome, 2012!!!!!

2012-01-10T09:13:00.001-08:00

Wow, 2012 huh?
January 10th already, to be honest!

A lot has happened this year. Good, and bad.

Lots of changes are coming in 2012 too!
For example....one of my pasture ornaments will be put to work this year! Yes, yes he will be.
I have a saddle on the way.
I will have to purchase a few items to go with it, and finish the riding area at the house, but in the not too distant future, Casper will have a JOB!!!!

I'm going to do something I haven't done before. I'm going to post goals on the left hand side of my blog!!!
They won't be crazy, or over the top out of reach. They will be (I hope) attainable for 2012!

So, those of you still reading...stay tuned.
There should be some ground work posts in the near future, and some butt in the saddle ones after that!

I hope everyone has a great 2012! Can't wait to see the rest of your 2012 goals!

Alduca Update

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Well, a while back Alduca and a friend from NY and I went for a second opinion at Texas A and M University Large Animal Hospital for another opinion on Alduca's eye.

The outcome was both good and bad news.

Good news? He should have partial vision.
Bad news? He will only have partial vision.

I won't go into details.....because, honest, I don't remember most of them.
I could drag them out, but the bottom line is still the same.
He cause serious damage by rubbing the heck out of his eye, and will only have partial vision.

So......he will be my pasture pony!
He must have heard the other Jennifer and I plotting about his being ridden in 2012!

Check up says.......

2011-10-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

Dr. Sam still swears that Alduca will be able to see.
I'm oh so skepticle, but he is the Vet, not I!!

Wanna be freaked out?
The 'white stuff' i mentioned over his eye, it's still here. There was one section that looked like it was trying to come off, and had formed a little flap. So, Dr. Sam takes some tweezers, and a small pair of siscors and CUTS IT OFF HIS EYEBALL! Yes, CUTS 'on' his eyeball! Oh my gosh!
Alduca didn't seem to mind.
He had already deadened the nerves around the eye, and we had the 'rope chain' on..... He stood perfectly still, unles the horse in the outside pen got too far from his view, then he would turn a bit. But, other than that, stood like an angel.

New attack plan?
Oh yeah, a new one.

Continue with;
Chloramphenicol (might have the name wrong I will have to double check) .1mL 4x day
eye drops with hyaluronic acid .1mL 4x day

Change;
Prednisone to .1mL 3x day
Bute to 1gram 1x day for 3 days and see if he is ok going without after that

Start
Atropine .1mL 2xday
anti-microbial 1 drop 1x day

So....that's the new game plan......

re-check in a week.
I told Dr. Sam that my weekly visits there are becoming a habit!

It's alright. Whatever makes Alduca all better is fine by me!

Still Chugging along

2011-10-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

So far, things are going......where, I'm not sure, but they are going!

We have a check up tonight, so cross your fingers.

His eye is still draining, which he finds irritating. He is rubbing it some. I can tell by the pieces of hay stuck in his fly mask, or, the dirt I find when I take off his fly mask.

He still has the white 'film' over his eye. Dr. Sam says it is a bi-product of the eye healing.
I still find it very bothersome. It's the reason he can't see......and that doesn't make me a happy camper!

ugh.

Wild Weekend!

2011-10-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well, did we ever have a weekend!

SATURDAY 10/22/2011

Thursday Dr. Sam did some cortisone injections and told me to stop the Prednisone drops, and I could probably stop the bute as well.

So, I follow the Dr's directions to the T. Of course!

All looked pretty good Friday. Saturday am there was some more drainage. By Saturday PM, the pink insides of his eyelids (top and bottom) were seriously swollen and a bright screaming pink color. They are usually a baby/light pink. So, we make an 8:30 pm phone call to the vet's office.
I talk to Dr. Sam who is surprised that the injection didn't last longer. Usually the injection takes the place of the drops no problem. We start him back on Bute, 2 grams, and I'm to call in the am with an update.
I was nice enough to verify if he wanted me to call at 5am when I do my first Alduca meds/eye check, or wait till my second one at 7. He for SURE opted for 7!!!

Sunday 10/23/2011

5am report - no better. Still swollen, still screaming pink!

7am report - no change, swollen, still hot pink!
Called Dr. Sam. Left a message and he called back.....

New plan of attack. Continue with the bute, and race to the office to get a new bottle of Prednisone and a tube of Bute from the techs that were there feeding/cleaning kennels. Take him in for a check-up when Dr. Sam gets in to the office later Sunday afternoon.
No problem!
Fly to Victoria for meds and fly home to administer them. I flew, of course, on my broom :)

First Pred application was at about 10am. By the 2nd one at around Noon on Sunday there was already some improvement.
Dr. Sam called a bit later to let me know he was at the clinic and I could bring him if I was ready.
I shared the news with Sam about the improvement. He said that was great, and we decided a trip into the vet wasn't needed at that time. He has a check-up scheduled for Thursday anyway.

By the final med dose on Sunday evening he was almost back to 'normal', almost.

Side -note. Adding the Prednisone back to the regimen meant that for 2 of his 4 doses he'd be getting .4mL of liquid in his eye. The 'max' dose for an eye to keep it effective is .3. So, we had to take his Atropine and make it it's own dose. So, Sunday, poor Alduca got 'attacked' with meds 6 times, instead of 4. Monday will be the same, as it is the last day of the 5 day Atropine administration.

Monday AM

Still some drainage, but looking better.
Alduca is still being a champ!
Even with the 6 doses instead of 4, he still whinnies cheerfully and comes right up to me in the pasture.
What a good boy!!

Decisions, Decisions!

2011-10-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

Trying to decide to make a post a day for all the days I missed, or sum it up in one.....
hummmm....... I just don't know!

I guess I will make a post a day! Enjoy!

Survey Says?

2011-10-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

It's a good sign when the vet looks happy, right? Unhappy vet, bad sign!

Dr. Sam said it looks much improved from when Alduca went home.
Sigh of relief!
He was actually very pleased with how his eye looked.
I explained that I'd been following his suggested medication schedule to the letter, and he seemed impressed by my dedication to his treatment.

Upon staining the eye, the ulcer was almost non existent. YAY!

His main concern? It looks like the eye has "shrunk" itself, so he added Atropine (sp) to his eye med arsenal to dilate the pupal and hopefully prevent any damage.
He also did some cortisone injections too!

The big white 'mass' that I was worried about?
Apparently it's a byproduct of the eye healing process. Strange, right? Dr. Sam said it would slough off when the eye didn't need it anymore. Cool beans!!! Learn something new every day!

Speaking of learning something new, I apparently taught Dr. Sam a new (old) trick.
Remember the 'stud chain rope' from a few posts back?? Dr. Sam was astounded by how well it worked with Alduca. He said he hadn't seen one used since the late 90's, that the long wooden stick with the rope on the end of it (twitch) had become the norm in Veterinary Medicine, and he totally forgot about the rope.
He was so impressed in fact, that he said he may start using one at the office.
Good job, Do-do! You did something good!

Oh, and he thought that me calling Alduca do-do was just hilarious!

So, we are continuing the eye meds for the next week. Atropine 2x a day for 5 days, other meds 4x a day until his recheck next Thursday.

Vet Checkup day

2011-10-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Alduca has been great about his MEDS all week. He's really being a trooper. Then again, the cookies help :)

Well, I'm leaving work in a little bit for Alduca's checkup.

I wish I felt better about it.

I'm nervous. And anxious. Worried, and optimistic.
Just when I think it might be OK, the tidal wave of pessimism crashes back around me and I'm consumed by it.

I understand. It could be worse. He is still alive after all. There are worse things than losing sight in one eye. But still. He's been through enough. He shouldn't have to live like that.

People and horses see differently. Horses can not see directly in front of them, or directly behind them. Check out this link for more information on how horses see.

So, I will post the results of the checkup tomorrow.
I hope I get to share good news only.........

the MAGIC continues

2011-10-17T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well, we went all weekend with the lip rope and we have NOT had any issues getting his eye meds in his eye.

The eye is looking great, and DH and I don't have to fight with him and worry about poking his eye with the end of the syringe.

We are getting up at 4:45 in the am, to give meds by 5 am, and again by 7 am so we can go to work. He gets them again at 6ish pm and then again around 10 pm or 11ish pm.

His eye is looking really great!

We have a follow up appointment with the vet on Thursday at 3:30.

I'm a bit concerned about the amount of sight he will have left when this is all over. The vet assures me that he will be able to see, but he will probably have a spot on his eye for the rest of his life.

I hope he can see. We have one horse who is already blind in one eye, and I hate that for him. I hope Alduca gets his sight back.

Magic string and stuff!

2011-10-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

Ok people, last night's med sessions and this mornings went great!

Huh? Did I read that right?
I know that is what you are saying. How did this happen? What could have changed in less than 24 hours to make Duca the monster horse go from Satan's Spawn to Angelic Alduca?
A magic string.

Before you read any further, I don't want to hear anything about being mean to this horse. Pestering him for 30 mins to get 1/2 his meds in his eye is mean. Grabbing an ear would not be so kind, and would make him hate his ears being touched. A twitch? Yeah, you grab his nose and see if you can hang on while the Alduca elevator takes you to the top floor!

What I used is a lip rope. A simple piece of soft, white cotton rope. Similar to what you might have on your clothes line out back, and a metal snap.
Tie the rope to the snap and make a good knot. I also put a knot at the other end. I think the rope is about 4 feet long.
I snap the rope to the right side of his halter, and bring the tail around the other side and pull it through the brass buckle. The rope then slips inside his mouth and sets on his upper gum-line. Like a mouth chain, but much less severe. I'm not sure how it will work with every horse, but with Alduca, just a little pressure and he is putty in your hand.
Less than 5 minutes and the lip rope was on, his the meds were IN his eye, 100% of the meds, the lip rope was off and he had a whole bag of treats!
Simple!!! Easy. Less stress on the horse, and we in no way, shape, or form ABUSE the power of the lip rope.

I hope it works this easy tonight! If so, we are in business!!!

And maybe I can't!

2011-10-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

OK, scratch that last line of that last post.

Last night? He was ok...again, about a 30 minute fuss 2x. At about 6:15 when I got home, and just before dark at about 8.

He is just so dang tall that it's impossible! If he doesn't want to keep his head down so you can reach, that isn't much changing his mind!.

This morning? A whole NOTHER ball game!
While the eye looked better, less swollen, and less irritated, it still wasn't great.
Now, he is on 1gram of bute 1x a day to help with pain and swelling.
This morning it was evident that the bute from yesterday am was long gone and he was in pain. He didn't want you to touch his eye.
The 'elevator' treatment that the tech got? Well, DH got it this morning too!
I didn't believe it until I saw it.
There was DH, dangling in the air from Alduca's halter. I have no idea how tall his head is when it's straight up. Maybe 8 or 9 feet? I'm almost 6 feet tall, and when it's all the way up...I can't reach it.

Monster, ugh!

The vet tech called this morning to check on him and I filled her in.
She gave the good news about the eye looking better to Dr. Sam, along with the info that Robert got taken for a ride. She must have explained that I thought that the bute had worn off because about 10 mins later she called back and said that Dr. Sam said to give 1gram 2x a day and see if that helped.

I got to work this morning and told my co-workers that I'd need to leave early so that I could get in two good PM med doses as this morning did not go well at all.....

I'm dreading 5 o'clock when I get home to do this all over again.

Alduca is home!!!

2011-10-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm writing this post in the PM because on the way home last night I found out that ALDUCA could come home tomorrow (aka, today).
So, DH took the AM off work, as did I to go get him. One of my co-worker's may be out in the afternoons, so I opted to be pro-active and take the AM off to go get him.

I was a nervous wreck.
They had already given his eye meds before I got there.
Dr. Sam had to race out on an emergency farm call, so his head tech was left to give me the meds and instructions.
She was nice about it. Very thorough. She said that this morning when the guys have him his meds he was agitated, and lifted one of them off the ground.
It was the poor soul that had the job of attempting to hang onto Alduca's head while the other poor guy attempted to get the meds in his eye.
I wish I knew someone who drew cartoon caricatures, because this one would be an awesome scene to have done. I can soooo picture it in my head.
For those that don't know...Alduca is almost 17h tall. While he is not wide, he is VERY strong, and when he makes his mind up, well, there isn't much changing it!

So, out we went to the stall to look at the eye. I hadn't seen it in a while.
I'd been by there, and dropped off food, and fed him bags of cookies, but I didn't want to take the fly mask off and look at it without the Vet present.

It looked terrible. I was devastated. All this time and money spent at the clinic and it looked that bad?
The tech assured me most of the swelling was due to the fact that he would not quit rubbing it! Their hope? That he got home, to normal surroundings and his normal people (notice I said HIS normal people, not normal people! I would not want to imply in any way, shape or form that I'm normal. I'm just normal to him!) that he would chill a bit and relax and leave the dang thing alone!

My concern? Getting the meds in that eye! Ugh! Do-do is tall, and his head straight in the air, no telling how tall that is!
Ugh!

We made the trip home, after paying the 'almost' reasonable bill..ALMOST! :) He was there a long time and they did a LOT to him.
I got him home and cleaned his fly mask and his eye. He wasn't 100% compliant, but hey, he just got home! All in all he was pretty good!

I turned him out, and let him be a horse for about 2 hours.
I pulled up his meds in the syringe, grabbed halter/lead/large amounts of cookies and DH and I took off to the pasture.

Haltered, fly mask off, here we go.
It wasn't.....bad? It took about 30 mins and wasn't that bad.
Hummm....maybe I can do this?

No go :(

2011-10-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

Well, Do-do won't be coming home today.

Dr. Sam wants to keep an eye on him for the day and make sure that they guys there can get the meds in.
I guess if they can do it, that means there migth be a snowballs chance in hell that I can pull it off as well.
Here's hoping!

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear....

2011-10-12T06:21:00.000-07:00

But the blaze faced sorrel gelding from our neighbors next door!

Nope, no joke.

We have dogs. Inside dogs, and outside dogs. We have deer that come to visit, making the outside dogs bark, bark, bark with excitement. They love to warn us when the 'killer deer' are in the horse pasture.

They started their ruckus at 5am. I elbowed DH and asked him to see what all the fuss was about. They were barking with more enthusiasm than usual. This was a "hay idiots there is something out here" bark. Not just a "I'm barking at the deer to drive you crazy" bark.

DH and I both looked out the window.

NADA.

I got up and let Tucker and Peetie out while he went to the back door for a look see.

"HORSE" he hollered.

"Ours?" I hollered back.

"Nope, neighbors" he replied.

GREAT!

We got dressed and proceeded to walk the little red critter back home.

DH held the critter while I proceeded to bang on the door.

I knocked. I huffed. I puffed. I was banging. I was pounding. Wood, glass, wood frame next to the door.
I even went around and tried the back door, which was 'plastic' with a metal frame. That thing made enough racket to wake the dead, I swear. But did the people inside wake up?
Heck no! I continued to bang.

I knocked with my knuckles. I knocked with my fist. I even smacked the door with an open palm. NADA!

I began to bang harder. I swear, I could have heard me knocking on my neighbors door from my bed inside my house. Did they wake? Heck no!

So, I put a little more elbow grease behind it and let it rip! I was smokin' now! Bang bang, bang bag, bangbangbangbangBANG!

What was that? Did I hear a bark from inside? I did! I started banging again! More barking!
"YES!!" I though, surely the barking dog will get someones attention.
And it did!

The little girl who owns the horse came to the door. Groggy eyed with wild hair going every direction she answered the door.
I explained that I was sorry to bother her but her horse got out and was at our back door.
She apologized many time and went inside to get a flashlight.
We walked the critter to his pen (keep in mind it's like pitch black out still) and found his pasture gate WIDE open.
Girlie insists it was closed and he must have figured out a way to open it.
Who am I to argue? I've been around horses long enough to know that if it is even remotely possible, it will happen if there is a horse involved.
We put the critter back in his pen and walked back home.

DH, back to bed.
Me? Not so much. It was 5:45 already and I had to be up in a few minutes anyway. If I went back to bed I'd still be sleeping right now instead of downing a Carmel Mocha Java Latte Caffeine Cup o' Joe and typing this mornings events.

I do hope that the rest of you had a more peaceful morning than I.

Update #5

2011-10-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

Well, the lavage came out this morning.
Crossing my fingers that all goes well today with his meds, and he doesn't start rubbing again.

If all goes well, he may get to come home tomorrow.
Again, happy and nervous/anxious all at the same time.

I hate waiting.....and wondering.

I hate him not being home.

I hate that someone else is taking care of him because it should be me, but at the same time I'm so relieved that it is someone else taking care of him because they are pro's and should be able to do it better than I can.

Update #4

2011-10-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

Well....we are in a holding pattern.

Not much progress, but no regression either.

So, both good, and bad.

Lavage system may come out tomorrow.
He may come home Wednesday.

He will still need meds multiple times a day. I'm gone from home for many hours, between an hour drive to work, work, and an hour drive home.

I'm doubting my ability to get this done. DH really doesn't like Alduca. It really takes a special kind of person to LIKE Alduca. I"m sure DH will help...but will it be that willing, good mood help, or will it be angry doing it because I have to not because I want to type help? Alduca is sensitive, he will know.

So, I'm excited that he might be coming home. But, I'm also nervous and scared at the same time.......
Oh do-do!

Update #3, or, two steps forward and one step back

2011-10-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

According to the vet, the system is working much better.

Problem??

he is STILL rubbing his eye like crazy! They already took everything out of the stall that they could. The hard plastic hanging feeders are gone and replaced by plastic black tubs for him to eat out of. There is nothing in there for him to rub on except the stall itself.
He seems to be doing a great job!

That silly horse. What the heck?
I so wish he was home already. I hate him not being at the house.

Alduca update # 2

2011-10-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

OK, so much for possitive update number one!

Oh Do-Do, what am I going to do with you?!?!?!??!

Apparenlty my boy has turned into a monster! Surprise, surprise! Go figure. He IS a monster, all the time! But I love him.

According to the vet he has been rubbing his eye a great deal and has caused some serious swelling and more injury to his eye.

Great! Good job, Duca!

Ugh!

Friday evening he got the lavage system put in his eye. There is a small plastic 'contact lense' like piece that pulls itself up to the top of his upper eye lid. When they push meds through the plastic tube the contact lense opens just enough to let the liquid wash over his eye. The tube is 'stitched' to his skin in about 3 places.
The vet said they will be putting different meds in through the tube then the ointment was. I sure hope this works!!

The update I got today was that this medicine seemed to be working much better, and Alduca apreciates the fact that they don't have to 'come at him' 4x a day with ointment for his eye!
Cross your fingers people, cross your fingers!

Alduca Update #1

2011-10-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

Well, according to the vet clinic, things are going well.

Alduca is a bit of a pill, but they are able to give him his meds and he isn't being too much of a butt about it.

This news I was glad to hear. Anyone that knows Alduca knows that he is a child that only his momma could love. Many people that used to work with him say that I am the only person that would ever put up with him.
I think he's sweet.

Hoping he can come home on Monday, 10/10. Cross your fingers!

Again, REALLY?

2011-10-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Alduca injured himself, again!

I woke up early on 10/2 to go feed the critters for the still vacationing Jen. I asked DH, who had gotten in from a late night/early morning hunt a few hours before, to please get up and feed the kiddos before I got back.

FFWD 2 1/2 hours and I'm home. Home to a house of unhappy critters! DH had not gotten up to feed, ugh.

Let the dogs out, feed the dogs. Check!
Assemble horse buckets/bags with grain and distribute. Chec.....WAIT!

What the heck? Alduca has some eye drainage and is squeezing his right eye shut with every eye muscle he can muster.
Really? Another owie? This kid is accident prone!
Grab a cloth and some warm water and clean it up.
Best I could tell, he'd poked it with something. Since eyeballs aren't something you can replace, I immediately called the vet.
Dr. Sam was out of town for a little bit, but said he'd be back later that afternoon, and I could bring him by. We decided it would be around 4-5. I had some plans a bit after that, so I called and canceled those.
I put a fly mask on him after the eye was cleaned and gave him some banamine.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.

And WAITED some more!
It felt like it took days, weeks even, for the vet to call.
Finally, he called and out the door we went.

Arrived and after an examination Dr. Sam said yes, he had definitely gotten something in his eye and scratched it, causing a surface ulcer.
He suggested ointment type meds numerous times a day, and if that didn't work, a lavage system that would run from just under his upper eyelid with a tube stitched to his neck, and liquid meds. Since we don't have a barn/stall at our place, I knew he was going to have to stay.
Dr. Sam said that wouldn't be a problem, and that he should be good to go in about a week.

The plan was made to start with the ointment style meds and move onto the next option if needed.

Alduca is pretty high maintenance, so I let them know I would stop by in the morning with his grain, supplements, feed bag and treats. Yeah, treats too!
So, away we went, empty trailer, but sure that we'd left Alduca in the most competent and capable hands possible.

I'm sorry!

2011-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

I must apologize. I will be giving you about 3 weeks of posts and updates today.

I will be back-dating them to the correct days in time when they should have been posted, so it's just like I posted them correctly, right?

Alduca, the super skinny guy from last year, injured himself.
The above posts are about his trials and tribulations getting better!

Enjoy, and please, have a laugh or two. I know I have!

"progress" i guess?

2011-08-25T13:55:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to throw this up there.

More red, more orange, much more yellow

than my prior post in June

Spaghetti and Meatballs

2011-08-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

i LOVE Italian food. No if, ands or buts about it. I do. Any noodle, any sauce, garlic bread, some vino and I'm there! Yumm, yummm, YUMMY!!!
Preferably a nice, sweet vino! :)

My husband? Not so much. He's not really a fan of Italian food. Wait, to say he's not a fan is an understatement!
I can, in rare instances get him to agree to Italian for dinner. His choice? Chicken Alfredo. Hates red sauce. Hate it!
How can a person hate red sauce? Red sauce IS Italian food. You can't HAVE Italian food withOUT red sauce. It's un-Itialian. Right?

When I make red sauce for myself, I usually make something else for him. Once in a while, I will not make something else for him. This means, he either has to suffer through the red sauce, or cook for himself.

And, let me add, that when I make Italian...it's not normally "from a can". I don't buy pre-made meatballs. I use ground beef and add my own spices and seasonings and make them fresh. I don't buy a 99¢ can of "Spaghetti sauce" and call it good. No ma'am! I either start from scratch with tomato sauce or diced tomatoes if I'm in the mood for a chunky sauce; or a high end jar of Spaghetti sauce, and add additional seasonings/spices.
So, keep in mind this is not a thrown together out of the can/pre-made meal.

Sunday.......his mom and grandmother come over to the house. Hubby was in a fishing tournament with his dad and a few other guys Saturday. Granny didn't know that we would be there all day, and that there was a meal at the end.
Granny calls us about 6pm or so....."When are you guys going to be back, I cooked dinner".
Mom informs Granny that we wouldn't be back for a while, and that the people that put on the tournament would be feeding us......
So....Sunday Mom and Granny come over. Granny brings the dinner she made the night before. What was that dinner you ask?
Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Does hubby complain?
NOPE!
Does he eat Granny's Spaghetti and Meatballs?
Yep!
Is it the pre-made/out of the can type of dish?
Yep!
UGH!

Tragic Death of 13 to 14 horses in Magnolia, Tx

2011-08-10T06:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning, early, a fire broke out at Magnolia's Goslin/Nix Arabian training center. A passerby notice the barn in flames, called 911 and woke up the owners.

14 horses were saved, but 13 were killed and one is reportedly still missing.

Follow the links below, and help out if you can. Freddy and Jennifer are good people. I know them from working on the Arab show circuit a few years back.

Article one Arab Horsemens distress fund link

Every "Horse-Person" should read......

2011-06-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

From Julie Thorson's Horse Talk Blog....... Please take the time to read it.

Report On Horse Processing Released to Congress

Busy bee!

2011-06-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

Can you say busy? LIFE has been on FFWD since January 1, I think. Yikes.

Last weekend I took photos at a friends' wedding, and had a photo session with my niece, Shelby.
This weekend I'm off to AuStIn for a weekend photography class with Kevin Gourley .
Next weekend (friday through Tuesday) I will be in FlOrIdA visiting my friend Holly and her family.
The weekend after that? Back to trimming hooves with my husband...... and that is just the last few weeks. I could go on, or go backwards....but I think that shows you how busy I've been.

Alduca is with his Auntie Jen for the weekend, while the rest of the critters will be watched by my M.I.L (mom-in-law) and Shelby. I hope they have fun, because they will have their hands full with all those critters!

I hope everyone has a good weekend! I Hope to come back with lots of new ideas for my photography. Oh, and I hope to have time to update my photo blog and my FB page for my photography as well!

I had to post this

2011-06-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

Just so everyone has an idea of where we are at....really.

I'm NOT kidding people, WE need RAIN!!!

What a night! Errr, I mean Morning!

2011-05-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned that my Big, 80lb lap dog of a dog Tucker is a BIG baby when it comes to Thunderstorms? Well, if I haven't, he is. He hates them. He's torn up some things in the house, whines, pants, and just in general gets very worried and concerned.

Unbenounced to me, there were storms brewing when we went to bed last night. I, being wide awake was up for about 2 hours after my DH went to sleep. I woke up about 1:30 to heavy breathing, and a great deal of commotion in the bed. Keeping it 'G' rated people, get your minds outta the gutter. It was Tucker. He was upset.
I took a minute and listened and watched.......lightning, thunder, check. That's why Tucker is upset.
He settled down next to me and I commenced to rubbing his ears. Peetie was also upset, which was odd. To me, that was a dead give away that this was to be a pretty bad storm.
Grabbed the trusty phone and went to the radar on weather.com.
It. Was. nasty. Orange and Red all over the place. Thunderstorm Watch till 9am, Thunderstorm warning till 2:30am. That quickly changed to 3am, and then 3:30am.

There were various loud bangs and booms outside. And, at one point, I was pretty sure we lost a good size limb on the back side of the house. One more thing to pick up later, right?

Tucker would calm down, and then get upset again. About 2:30 Peetie decided he wanted to go out. And he was serious. When I got close to the door, I heard a scratching noise. The dogs in the back? Nope.....it was coming from the front door.
What to my sleep deprived eyes did appear, but the little mouthy terrier that we were watching for our M.I.A. neighbor.
I hollered to DH. "Hannah is at the door, soaking we. Do you want me to let her in?"
"Yeah" he rasped....."just grab a towel and dry her off".
And that is what I did. She was sitting on the porch (uncovered, by the way) soaking wet, shivering, looking up at me.......poor doggie.

So, enter new doggie. She was super hyper. Running through the house at mach 9, banking off the furniture and if we'd had a rug it would have been in a heap from her using it as traction to get another running go.

I went to let Peetie in, and took the time to peek outside and see what was going on. Rain, lots of puddles, dark....very dark. Except when the lightning illuminated the sky.
The limb that fell? Nope, not in the back, it was in the front. And, just for fun, it was laying over the fence. Or....was it?
Ummmmmm fence? Where is the fence? Where is the horse??? Ohhhh lordy!
3AM and I've got to search for a horse and fix a fence? UGH!
"DH, GET UP! We need to find a horse and fix a fence!"
DH - mumble grumble......grrrrrr
Dressed, grabbed flashlight and out we went in to the dark, rainy night to locate the horse and fix the fence.
We found the horse. Still in his pasture, thank goodness. What a good boy, respectful of the fence even when it's down!
Fixed the front half of the fence. And walked the rest of the fence. AT 3AM!
Drudged through the puddles, the muck, the sink holes I found while walking the fence line.
Had another horse MIA.......Walked his pasture and found him. Thank goodness. :)

It's now about 3:45 and I get back inside. DH? Back in BED! What?? I was out walking fence checking critters and he went back inside after fence fixing. Yay. At least he helped move the limb and fix the fence, right?

Now, I'm not the type of person who does well going back to bed after I've woken up when I won't get a full nights sleep. So...at about 4am when I needed up at 6? I got about an hours worth of sleep and was back at it.

It. Is. Going. To. Be. A. Long. LOng. LONG DAY!

Thumbs Up Blogger Award

2011-05-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

For Bloggers doing an A+ job of Blogging!

All awards have to start somewhere, right? Here is my contribution to the world of Blogging Awards.

The "rules" are pretty simple.

Take the picture that appears on this post, and post it in the awards section of your blog.

IN a post, name 5 bloggers who you think are doing an A+ job on their blog, and tell them why you think so. Then leave them a comment on their most recent post to let them know they have been given this award.

In that post also tell why you blog, what got you into blogging, and why you keep doing it.

Also, post a link to this post so that everyone who receives this award can leave a comment on this post. I'd love to see how many bloggers this award reaches. So please leave a comment here, with a link to your Thumbs Up Award post!

Happy Blogging!

I'm giving this award to: Steph/The Aspiring Equestrian, eventer79/weareflyingsolo, Jen/HunterInTraining, sydney/Bitless Horse, and Julie/RidingAside

It has been a long time since I did a Friday Fill In

2011-05-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

1. I see clearly now, the rain won't come.
2. I love things made from scratch.
3. They begin with the letter "A".
4. I was so much younger so many years earlier.
5. This I know: Texas weather is unpredictable.
6. I have no idea what's for dinner.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed EARLY, tomorrow my plans include OutDoor Expo @ BRC and Sunday, I want to Relax, but have to work!

Photos of the Owies

2011-05-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

Left Hind Cannon Bone

Left Front inside between coronet/pastern

Part II - Guys, we don't ask questions to be a PAIN in the Butt, really!

2011-05-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

Sunday PM I go to feed Alduca. Now, we all know Alduca hasn't had the easiest time of it for the last few years. Bounced around from home to home, starved to near death.....to be saved by a lady who found my "Missing Horse" ads all over the Internet...... Just a quick re-cap for ya in case you forgot.

What do I find? Blood. Left Front pastern. Bleeding. Nasty cut. Run into the house, get gloves, antibiotic ointment, warm water, scrubby, and any other needed items to clean an owie...

The patient was none too happy during the scrubbing/cleaning process. He would jerk his leg every time I touched it with something. He got scolded a few times, and after about 10 mins, it was cleaned up, with meds applied. Go me!
Or so I thought.
I was gathering up my 'goodies' when he turned his hind end my direction. This is when I noticed the OTHER OWIE! Left hind cannon bone, just above his ankle. OK, so yeah....I started yelling at DH.
Another cleaning/scrubbing of this wound and a much less happy Duca. This one was a scrape with 2 little puncture wounds. EEK. I cleaned and medicated and gave the poor guy two grams of bute.

So, post 'operation' I walk my 'happy' self over to the fence that is near the new horse. What do I find? Damaged wire. HUmmmmmmm..imagine that. Looks like a horse got his leg through it....once, maybe twice. Hummmm, two Duca owies, damaged fence? Coincidence? I think not!

Now, I peer at the neighbors fence. OR LACK THERE OF! No fence on their side. Just ours.

DIDn'T I just ASK DH about that?

Fellas - lemme give you a bit of advice. When your OH/GF/SO (which ever cutesie term you use) asks you questions, she is not always trying to be a BiT#H. She has a VALID reason for the interrogation. Trust me. You may NOT always see the logic behind it, but trust me, IT'S THERE!
Example?
Take my questions to DH about the fence. Had his answer been "I don't know babe, let's go look" then look is what we would have done.
Had he said "they said they are putting up another fence line, but using ours for now" we would have immediately gone and put up hot wire on our side to help prevent 'friendly gestures' through/over the fence.
Had he said "I don't know" I WOULD HAVE FOUND OUT MYSELF.

Guys, next time your gal asks a question, and you don't know the answer. FESS up! It might save you some aggravation later!

Guys, we don't ask questions to be a PAIN in the Butt, really!

2011-05-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Part 1

Friday evening my DH (who wasn't very D at that moment, if ya know what I mean) was asked by the neighbors to help drive a few T-posts in the ground for their fence for their new horse. Ok, no biggie. They didn't have a T-post driver and DH didn't mind helping..........

When DH got back, I asked him where he'd been. He told me. Not too long after that, here comes said neighbor riding a small sorrel gelding down the road. Enter new horse.

So, using the "Thinking side of my brain" I ask DH, "Are they using our fence line for one of theirs, or did they put up a new fence?"

DH replies "No, they put up a new fence".

Me "So our horses can't get to theirs?"

DH "Nope"

Satisfied that DH knew what he was talking about (he was over there helping, after all) the conversation ended and we headed out to dinner.

I'm sure he thought I was being a butt head with the questions......but I was worried about my horses. Our horses are nosey, imagine that. They get excited every time a trailer pulls into the driveway, horse trailer or otherwise. My filly even gets excited about flatbed trailers. She's odd, right?
And, not to mention potential owie's from playing over/through/under the fence....I have no idea if NEW HORSE is current on shots/negative coggins etc.....don't' want them playing over the fence.

PSA - Organizational Advice

2011-05-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

For those that need a little help in the organization department......here is what I did to get my bills in 'order'.

I'm the bill payer in the house. If I left it up to my husband we'd be living in darkness every other month and getting collection phone calls out the wazooooh! So, I'd taken it upon my self to handle our bills.
I was good at it.
Everything was paid on time.
Then, "life" got busy.......My brain went on "life overload".....I thought I had it together but it didn't...... Let me explain.

We bought our house via OWNER FINANCE. We rented it for about a year before buying it. Our "mortgage company" is a very nice older couple who live about 9 miles from us, so most of the time I just run the payment over and drop it in their mailbox. Our mortgage is due on the 15th of the month. January 15th, 2011 came and went. I thought I paid it. We went out of town for my DH's grandpa's funeral.
While out of town our "mortgage company" calls, it was January 24th. They just wanted to check and make sure everything was alright. I told them well, not really, and explained where we were and why. They were understanding, and sympathetic, and said they just wanted to remind us about our payment.
MY JAW DROPPED. Payment? I put it in the mail. Right? I swear I did? Maybe?
I let them know that I was pretty sure I'd mailed it and would double check when I got home and apologized a million times before we hung up.
Wow.....what was happening? I forgot to pay a bill. That was SO not me.

I did, in a brief moment of....well.....during a brief lapse in judgement as DH to be responsible for the bills. I did a lot, it was the least he could do, right?
WRONG! I spent the entire month so worried about the bills getting paid I drove myself and him nutso! So, I took back over the following month.

I knew I needed a new system. but what? I googled different bill organization options......most seemed a bit more $$ than I was willing to part with for something I could almost make myself....
I found myself wandering around Wal-Mart (eeks!) the other other day, and came across a clearance section.
What did I find there?
One of those SMALL pocket calenders.....on sale...for a BUCK! YEP, $1.00. or, .100 cents!
The wheels and gears began spinning in my brain. Slowly at first, then the speed increased. I swore for a moment I smelled smoke!
This could work! This may be the solution to my bill organization conundrum!
I had, in the past, brushed these small, sorry excuses for 'planners' aside like yesterday's trash. They were too small, slight in stature.....the minute boxes in which they expected you to write each days activities were quite comical! But one item? One bill? genius!
I happily made my way to the register with my new found treasure, smile on my face, eyes a twinkle like Santa Clause on Christmas Eve. I purchased my prize, feeling like a cat who'd just eaten the Canary.
I could hardly wait until I got home to write down and organize my bills for the month.
And organize I did! This was last week........So Far, SO GOOD! I love it! No late bills, thus far, and it's so small I can just tuck it in the bag or purse and don't even notice it's there.

So, for those of you who are looking for a neat way to keep up with your bills, try it! Go find a mini calender/organizer and keep track of your bills!

B-U-S-T-E-D!!!

2011-03-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

When your husband calls you at work at 11:30 AM and says "Happy Anniversary, Dear" and you go "OH Crap, I Forgot" you know you are in trouble!

Yes folks, I forgot our Anniversary. Busted, I did it. ME who is normally REALLY good with dates and remembering things. ME!

In my defense, I have so much going on right now it's crazy. This year has been total chaos. Also, it's been wacko at the office today. Both my co-workers were late so I was flying solo this am at the Funny Farm. And, well, after all, I am ONLY human!

Contrary to popular belief I can't remember EVERYTHING!

SO......I wonder how the rest of the day is going to go?

HELP ME!

March already?

2011-03-09T13:07:00.000-08:00

Where in the heck does the time go?

I mean, just yesterday it was New Years....now we are in March.

This have been more downhill than up this year, I'm afraid. 3 people I was very close to have passed away already......1 in January, 2 in February.
My grandpa in law in January, and February it was my great grandmother, and then my step dad.

I've not known grandpa in law long, almost 4 years.....but I did know him long enough to know what a sweet, kind hearted man he was. He would tell you the same stories over and over again, every time he saw you. He always asked me about the 2 pennies he'd given me..... "you still got that money I gave ya" he'd ask, every time he came by the office or I talked to him on the phone.

My great-grandma and I weren't real close......it's hard to be close to someone when you live almost 2 THOUSAND miles away. BUT, my dh and I did get to see her when we went to NY for Thanksgiving. I'm so glad I did. She was bright, and alert....still living by herself at.....96 ( I think). She lived in an apartment complex for seniors. It was all self care, there was no one there taking care of her day in and day out. I'm so happy she could go that way......the alternative seems not so good.

My step dad. Oh boy, he was a character. He and my mom were not married too long.....7 years this year I think... (I'm bad with dates ) He had a great sense of humor, and fought cancer many times before it finally won in February. The Dr's have given him 30 days....he didn't even make it a week. My mom was devastated....still is. Just a month before that they had to put down their old dog, Max. Max was a Dalmatian/beagle mix. He was toooo cute for words. He had big beagle ears, but was about the size of a Dalmatian with small Dalmatian spots. I'm glad we got to meet Max too, when we went home for Thanksgiving. So now mom finds herself with out her canine companion, and without her partner.
I know it won't fix things.......only time will heal those wounds. BUT, on Saturday we are sending her a puppy. Yep, a puppy. She was talking about getting a puppy from a friend of hers, but wasn't really sure the breed was right for her. I mentioned that we had some lab puppies in the pound down here. She asked for pictures.....and then she fell in love with a chocolate lab mix with white markings on her chest and hind toes. Hershey is a pretty big puppy, and she is ALLLL PUPPY. She's been at our house since last week. We are trying to teach her some manners before she goes home to be mom's best friend. I told her the other day that she had a really big job to do when she got there. I told her she had to look after mom, and protect her, and keep her busy too. That's a tough job, but someones gotta do it. I think Hershey can handle it. She will love mom, and mom already loves her........

So....what will March bring? I'm hoping it brings better, happier things than January and February. If you are the praying kind, say a prayer from Mom and Hershey....that Hershey makes the journey well Saturday, and that the ache in Mom's heart will be eased by her new friend.

Hope all of you out there in blogger land are well......let's turn 2011 around, ok?

Divine Appointments Review

2011-02-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

Charlene Ann Baumbich did a wonderful job creating characters that I think people can relate to in her novel "Divine Appointments".

Approaching 50, Josie Brooks thinks she has it all. As a consultant for some big time corporations, she thinks she has the bull by the horns. She takes pride in the fact that she has grown into an “almost feminine” version of her father. But when her life takes some unexpected twists and turns, Josie starts to question herself. Is she where she wants to be? Does she want more from life? And what is the deal with that snow globe?

Although I am not quite as old as Josie (just turned the big 3-0!) I felt myself relating to Josie's 'what the heck am I doing with my life' struggle. I found myself reassessing my life, and questioning past and future decisions.

Personally, I could have done without the 'book in progress' ranting of one of the 'author in training' characters. I feel that the issues facing this character distracted from struggle going on within the main character of the novel, almost making Josie seem like the secondary story line instead of the primary character.

Still, I would recommend this title to anyone looking a novel that you can lounge around with on a Sunday afternoon in your PJ's. So grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite chair, and see what happens when Josie, Lyle, Marsh, and Barb (and a few others) deal with life, family and each other.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Where have you been all of my life?

2010-12-22T14:18:00.001-08:00

Well, if that's not a blogging hiatus I don't know what is!

All I can say at this point it...well....it's been a rough/busy/tough last few months. Lots going on, both bad and "OK".

I do want to say this however.......

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

My New Year's Resolution?

Well, one of many.......

GET BACK TO BLOGGIN!

2010-10-29T07:13:00.000-07:00

2010-10-22T08:17:00.001-07:00

It's Been A ROUGH week, but I MADE IT!!!!

HOW about YOU????

Video Clips for a friend

2010-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I hope this works!!!

Another Funeral

2010-09-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

DAN RAY WISHERT Visit Guest Book

DAN RAY WISHERT-LOLITA - Dan Ray Wishert, 42 of Lolita and formerly of El Campo, passed away on Sept. 8, 2010. He was born on Oct. 25, 1967 in El Campo. He was a ranch hand for Wolf Point Ranch.He is survived by his parents, Oliver and Bernice Popp Wishert of El Campo; sisters, Becky Wishert of El Campo, Brenda Tompkins and husband Scooter of El Campo; brothers, Chris Wishert and wife Sandra of Nada, Doug Wishert and wife Kim of El Campo; nieces and nephews, Clint, Kylie Wishert, Kayla and John Novak, Linda, Marla and Jr. Tompkins, Rhys, Spencer and Tate Wishert; and great-nieces, Kenna and Kendal Novak.He was preceded in death by his sister, Lynda Kaye Wishert; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. August Popp; and paternal grandparents, Mary Wishert and Oliver G. Wishert Sr.Visitation began at 3 p.m. on Thursday, with a parish rosary recited at 7 p.m., at Triska Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today, Sept. 10, 2010, at St. John's Catholic Church in New Taiton with Rev. Gabriel Oduro Tawiah officiating. Burial will follow in the St. John's Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jr. Tompkins, Clint Wishert, Rhys Kennedy, Spencer Wishert, Tate Wishert, Donald Priesmeyer, Travis Clark, Dustin Popp, Philip Leopold, Brandon Crittendon, Bobby Smith, Laval Simons, and Will Evans.Honorary pallbearers will be John Wishert, Mike Daugherty, Jeff Pfiel, Kurt Yackel, Bryan Popp, Servando Chapa, Adam Pfiel, and Wolf Point Ranch employees.Memorial donations in memory of Dan Ray Wishert may be made to the St. Philip's School Library, to the American Cancer Society , or St. John's Altar Society. Triska Funeral Home, El Campo, 979-543-3681.

Song for the Day

2010-09-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

He looks up from second base dad’s up in the stands
He saw the hit, the run, the slide there ain’t no bigger fan
In the parking lot after the game he said
“Dad I thought you had a plane to catch”
He smiled and said “Yeah son I did”

Life’s not the breaths you take
The breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain’t what it’s all about
Ya just might miss the point
Try’n to win the raceLife’s not the breaths you take
But the moments that take your breath away

Fast forward fifteen years
And a thousand miles away
Boy’s built a life he’s got a wife
And a baby due today
He hears a voice saying “I made it son
He said “I told you dad you didn’t have to come”
He smiles and says ”Yeah I know you did”

Life’s not the breaths you take
The breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain’t what it’s all about
Ya just might miss the point
Try’n to win the raceLife’s not the breaths you take
But the moments that take your breath away

Just like it took my breath when she was born
Just like it took my breath away when dad took his last that morn

Life’s not the breaths you take
The breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain’t what it’s all about
Ya just might miss the point
If ya don’t slow down the pace
Life’s not the breaths you take
But the moments that take your breath away

~ George Strait

If you need to smile today....watch this!!

2010-08-30T07:27:00.000-07:00

http://thebubble.msn.com/#/video/?id=16a666a5-853e-446d-932a-786fedab2456

Past Due Duca Update~

2010-08-20T09:25:00.001-07:00

Sorry folks, this is a little late! These photos are from 8/11/2010
The progress is SLOW!! I was hoping to see a bigger difference....but, then again, i see him every day too!

71st Anniversary of......The Wizard of Oz

2010-08-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

Read....and leave your thoughts ......

2010-08-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

As the clouds turn
Goldenrod, orange, and pink
I wrap a ribbon around
My Copper Penny.
We sail to the
Emerald Ocean
And drink in the melody of nature
Until the
Florescent orb glows bright
Under a blanket of midnight blue
And then I know it is time to return
My Copper Penny.

that HURTS!

2010-07-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

Well, i sure did it! I messed up my back on Tuesday night while I was feeding Alduca.
I bent over to pick up 2 flakes of hay (note, 2 flakes, NOT 2 BALES) and I didn't think I was going to be able to stand up. I pressed through the pain and stood up and fed the Duke and took some pictures.
I then went in the house, took some Tylenol, and had DH rub some liniment on my back and took it easy for the evening.
Woke up this morning and was in PAIN!!!!!! It was TERRIBLE! I couldn't move without a sharp, shooting pain in my lower back. There was a constant dull pain...which was tolerable. But that sharp pain was unbearable...and I can tolerate pain!

Got on the Internet and looked for Chiro numbers in my town.....found 2. Called at 8am on my way to work.
The nice lady that answered the phone said "yes, I can get you in at 8:45" Ohhhh yes! Thank goodness!!! Maybe I won't be in pain all day!

Ran to the office to start my computer and do a couple things then off to the CHiro!
Paperwork.....wait......paperwork......
Initial exam....OUCH doc, it hurts there..... (GOT BROWNIE POINTS for coming in the morning after injury....not waiting weeks like a lot of people do. The quicker you can fix this type of thing the better apparently)
ok...yep, you hurt yourself! (NO KIDDING)
Ok, have have injured your sacral-iliac joint...or your SI joint. Very common in woman, very painful. We are going to hook you up to a tens unit to fatigue your muscles, then we are going to turn you into a pretzel and get your back back into shape.
That didn't sound like an enjoyable process to me....but the pain was terrible and I was game for anything at this point.

The electro-muscle-fatiguing stuff was.....interesting. It felt like little fingers on my back where the patches were placed......interesting. It was good, and bad.....but some of the pain was gone when I stood up from this treatment.
Back into the Doc's 'room' I went. I will not refer to this room as 'the room of torture'.
Having never been to the chiro except for a neck issue (long story about a fall from a horse that led to me walking around with my head/neck cocked to the right, but that' s a whole nother story) I had NO IDEA what was in store for me.
I stood in front of a table that laid me down....it was sooo cool! Stood on this 'platform' and the table was then tilted forward and viola, I was laying down. Doc says "you can I thought that was a good thing......until.....snap crackle pop rice crispies went my upper back! What the heck? That part doesn't hurt! 'Have to get everything back in proper alignment'
OK DOC, if you say so! The pain was short lived. Just while it all went snap crackle pop...then it was over and I felt good.....
onto the lower back....
moved to another table where I had to lay down on my side....first I laid on my right side, so he could fix the left joint which is where the PAIN was......had to keep right leg straight.....bend left at hip and knee......and i SWEAR he jumped up and down on my leg HOLLY PAIN! OUCH!!!
Repeat on the other side......

At the end of the session i can say I did feel better! The shooting pain was gone. Ye haw Doc! Way to go!
Follow up appointment on Friday.....will see how that goes!

Alduca update.......

2010-07-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

Well folks, I don't know about you but I think he looks better!

His backbone is 'beefing up', and his rump is as well.

His hair is coming back after only about 1 1/2 weeks of Shapley's M-T-G. LOVE that stuff! It's great!!!

He is a spoiled rotten brat, who gets a carrot in the am and 2 carrots with dinner in the pm. He nudges and sniffs around until he gets them too. He's one smart cookie! I made him 'work' for one last night, and he is still as flexible and agile as he was when we left Maryland in 2001. He can bring his nose to his hip, if not a bit further! Flexible guy! Can't wait to start getting him in shape so he can be ridden next year! :)

And the flood gates open.....AGAIN!

2010-07-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

OK folks.....we've had serious rain on and off for the last month and a half! We got our land cleared and have been trying to build fence. NOT easy when your place is FLOODED!
We got the front poles in, and it rained. Rained more before we got the next line of posts in. Rained some more while we were clearing the back fence line. Rained some more while we were putting in the left side posts.......this is over the course of a few weeks, as we are doing ourselves, with the help of 2 friends.
Well, it rained Wednesday, and ALL DAY yesterday I think a little cell camped out over our house because when I got home it was FLOODED!!! Standing water over about 3/4 of our property. So much for finishing the fence on Saturday :(
It continued to rain off and on last night, and was still sprinkling this morning.
UGH, is it ever going to stop?
Last summer we were in a huge drought. This year....not so much.
Danged if we do, danged if we don't!

Evil Feed Bag!

2010-07-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

SO, since his Saturday PM arrival I've noticed that Mr. Butthead can't keep his lips closed long enough to aviod dropping half his grain.
His teeth were checked by the vet that saw him and Florida and were deemed ok. I'm starting to question that!! He literally drops like 1/2 his grain.
He was almost out of his supplement when he got here, not leaving me enough time to order some. SO, I combed the area to see if any local feed store carried it. Viola! One in Victoria did! They closed at 5:30. I screamed outta the office 15 mins early and headed to town. Arrived just in time! I noticed they had some feed bags hanging on a display...BONUS! Supplement and feed bag in one place! YAY!

Ran a few other errands and played catch up with a friend for about 30 mins before heading home.
I'd phoned and told DH not to feed Duckie because I'd found a feed bag and would take care of him when I got there.

When I arrived home I found him standing in the front corner of his pen sulking! Poor boy! Everyone got dinner but him!
I raced inside and changed my footwear. Threw grain and supplement in the bag and headed his direction. As I rounded the corner of the shed I was greeted with nickers and whinnies of a hungry monster!
"oh yeah" I thought...just you wait! You won't be happy with me in a few minutes!
*duckie used to get fed in a feed bag when we were in Maryland* I stepped into his pen, and he started to walk to his bucket. "wrong answer, buddy!" He walked back to me and put his head in the bag. I adjusted it and put the strap over his ears.
After about 2.2 seconds he went to flipping and flopping and shaking his head around trying to get the bag off! Funny stuff! Didn't spill a drop though!!
He ate a bit....and shook a bit. Ate a bit...and shook some more.
I stood there with him, laughing at his antics and waited till he was done. I took it off his head and he began hunting for more!
"sorry bud, it's all gone".
He finally realized that it was gone and he settled in on hay munching!
Poor boy!!

I got up around 3 am this morning to let the dogs out and snuck a peek at his pen...he was laying down, sleeping!

Got up this morning and filled the feed bag and took it to him. Much less head shaking and attitude this am!!! Good boy! He catches on QUICK!
As soon as we can arrange it, we will get his teeth looked at. Coggins is due in October.....

Alduca is here.....skinny, but here

2010-07-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

Alduca arrived Saturday around 4pm. He was tired, spent. It's a long trip from Hastings, Florida to Edna, Texas! Poor boy! 1,020 miles, plus a little for door to door pick up/delivery!

I think he lost most of the weight on the trip that Aimee had managed to get on him. Not surprising! That's a tough, stressful trip for any horse. Let alone a horse that's about 700 lbs underweight!

Here are some photos that I took Monday AM.

excuse the terrible photos! My camera would not adjust from the cold house to the hot and muggy outside temps quick enough! I had to leave for work!

Not the most flattering photo, I know....but it shows his total lack of muscle tone and weight on his hind end.

He's ON HIS WAY!

2010-07-15T09:34:00.001-07:00

Alduca left Florida about 20 mins ago....here are some pics!

LOST?

2010-07-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

Am I lost? Heck no! Just busy, and not much bloggable info happening....until tomorrow!!

Alduca, the TB that I blogged about a few posts back......will be leaving Florida at approx 2pm TOMORROW afternoon (7/15/2010) and will be headed for MY HOUSE! Isn't that just the most exciting news? my DQ, back at my house!
He still needs more weight, but looks much better then when Aimee found him. He will get the rest of summer and most of fall to gain weight and put on some muscle with starting him back in light work. THEN, come spring I'd like to take him to some schooling shows and see what he's got! POOR FELLA, he's quite old now. 19! BUT, no reason a SR can't still be a usable mount.

In other news, Casper has turned into a crocodile. YES, sad but true. Cas is too use to being in his stall, and has terrorized the other horses in his pasture. He doesn't act studly, just very 'alpha' in the pasture with his two gelding 'buddies'. So, we are looking at keeping him at the trainer's for her to use with the Local College Eq team girls/guys. This will be good. We get discount board and he gets ridden and can teach other people lots. Downside, I don't get him at home to ride....BUT, I'll have Duckie (Alduca).

I hope everyone out there in blogger land is well. I will post pics if possible tomorrow. Aimee said she'd send some of Duckie getting on the trailer. :)

A Step......

2010-06-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

in the right direction??

I know it's not NATIONAL news or anything, but I have an update on Chewie's feets.
He got a trim on Sunday night and.......drum roll please........when I got home last night he was walking around 95% normal! This is great improvement over the last 2 trims which left him pretty owie for a few days. :)
SO......I'm hoping that he's headed in the right direction, and work and riding are just around the corner! When he's fit and in shape you'd mistake him for an Appendix...so, I hope to get him there ASAP!

Cas is doing well at Mary's. Figuring out what gelded life is all about. He's back into light work, I think Amie took him on a trail ride yesterday :) yay!
Can't wait to get my big monster home!

Oh where oh where does the time go?

2010-06-11T09:14:00.000-07:00

Middle of June? WHAT? What happened to January and February? Crazy stuff!

What's happened since my last post?
Not a whole lot. Things are still chugging along here. DH is searching for police employment, and I am continuing my 'equine struggle'. What to do, what to do?

Casper has been at the trainer for a year now, and has learned a lot. He's not going to be the stellar show horse we'd hoped, but he's a good, BIG, PRETTY boy with a great attitude. We do plan on keeping him around. OH, and as of YESTERDAY, Cas is a gelding. Yep, we bit the bullet and gelding him. He has a GREAT attitude, BUT, there are so many amazing Stallions out there that can be 'had' for cheap right now...so.....Cas has no amazing show record and none of his offspring have done anything amazing. We love him, and it will be great to have him home at the end of the month. :)

Still in search of a nice, older horse to start my dressage 'career' with. Have a friend that is doing Dressage, and we will be able to haul to shows and lessons together to cut down on the cost of both of us. SO, that's the plan Stan.....or at least it is for now. Who knows what will happen to change my mind!

Hope everyone out there in blogger land is well!

DH graduated.......FINALLY!!!

2010-05-28T09:21:00.001-07:00

Alduca

2010-05-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

IN 2002 I left my horse in Florida, with a friend, at her barn. The plan was for me to get to Texas, get settled, and get my horse shipped/pick him up.

That never happened. He was 'given' to a 'great home' after about a month and with me being 1000 plus miles away there wasn't much I could do about it.

I put ads online, searching for him. I'd renew them, and post new ones in other places. I'd do a google search for him, under his name, sometimes and never really found much. Until a little over a month ago. I found links to an old add for him.....they were giving him away. I got in touch with the place where the ad was placed, and they got me the add info, as the ad had expired it was no longer online.

I called the number off and on all day, and finally got a hold of someone around 6pm. She informed me she'd given him away about a month before, but he went to a "Great Home" and said she was going to go over and check on him. I asked her to PLEASE pass along my information to this new person, in case anything were to ever happen and his new owner couldn't take care of him. She said she would.

Phone rings on the way home last night, strange number, so I didn't answer. They left a voicemail.

It was a nice lady named Aimee, asking about the ads I had online for a TB gelding named Alduca. She left her number. I immediately pulled over and caller her back.

She had just rescued him from a lady who wasn't and hadn't been feeding him for a while now. She said he was 300lbs under weight.

If you are feint of heart, please do not look at the photos below......I'd say more like 500 lbs under weight.

This horse raced, and won money on the track. He was a seasoned fox hunter, eventer, and was trained through 2nd level dressage and was started on lower 3rd.....he was a sweetheart of a horse, didn't have a mean bone in his body.

This is how he got repaid for his kindness........it makes me sick. His new owner has promised updated photos on a regular biases, and we've already exchanged numerous emails this morning. Her vet is headed out for an exam and possible teeth float.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to Alduca's vet care can to so by calling 904-692-3935 and having the money put on account number 991198 and say it's for Alduca. I don't' usually ask for stuff like this.....but this once great, majestic horse needs some help.

Friday Fill Ins

2010-05-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

1. Happy tails never fails to make me smile.

2. I'm looking forward to my Dear Husband graduating from The Victoria College Police Academy and getting his TCLEOSE certification.

3. My co-worker talking on the phone and the whine of the ac unit is what I'm listening to right now.

4. Potato salad must have potato chunks and some mustard and relish in it!

5. My breakfast muffin was the best (ONLY) thing I ate today.

6. Today was supposed to be Friday, but it feels more like a Monday.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to picking Peetie up from Adopt-a-Pet , tomorrow my plans include helping my husband find a suit and Sunday, I want to chill at Connie's house while the 'boys' study for their TCLEOSE test!!

Friday Fill Ins

2010-05-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

1. I just had to do it, I had to!

2. That's just the way it is.

3. The third sentence on the 7th page of the book I'm reading: book, what book? I'm at work! I do have Twilight with me...so here goes...... "Mom's fine. It's good to see you, too, Dad."

4. An amazing horse, a great class, and a fancy ribbon tickles my fancy.

5. I was walking Duke last night, and he's doing sooooo well!

6. Watching Duke, my 80 lb lab, and Missy, my DH's bugle.....i mean Beagle play together makes me laugh!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to not knowing what the plans are, tomorrow my plans include a Victoria photo shoot with a cute couple and Sunday, I want to play with Peetie at the pound!

Greensburg, Ks - Tornado rescue!

2010-05-13T07:25:00.001-07:00

I don't know what group/person this is....but they are doing a wonderful thing here. I couldn't help but pass this along!

The story begins with the rescuers finding this poor little guy they named Ralphie. Someone had already taken him under their wing but they weren't equipped to adopt.

Ralphie, scared and starved, joined his rescuers.

I wouldn't think anything could live thru this.... but we were wrong.

This little lady also survived that wreckage.

Here she is just placed in the car - scared, but safe.

and then..they are no longer alone!

Add two more beagles found after that .. the more, the merrier!

Oh boy, a new traveler to add to the mix.. (Note: the cat coming over the seat needing shelter...) Now just how is this going to work? (and remember they are all strange to one another)

It's going to work just fine, thank you very much!

Wow! The things we learn from our animal friends... If only all of mankind could learn such valuable lessons as this. Lessons of instant friendship. Of peace and harmony by way of respect for one another -- no matter one's color or creed. These animals tell you... "It's just good to be alive and with others." Yes, it surely is.

A bit off regular topic here......

2010-05-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

I know, for the MOST part I blog about horses.
Today, however I'm going to blog about 2 things that often go along with horses.......boys, and dogs.

I'm going to start on a positive note! Let me tell you about my dog Duke.
What? You didn't really think I'd use the word positive when talking about boys did you? Please!

Duke is a yellow lab. He's a rescue. We rescued him off of main Highway about 45 miles from our home. He had an injured leg. A trip to adopt a pet to get fixed and few vet bills later and Duke is a very happy, bouncing, playful lab.
Did I mention Duke has NO MANNERS? Yeah. Being a dog we just 'picked up' off the street....we have no idea what he was taught, or not taught.
I've been wanting to take him to some classes for a while now. BUT, the only thing I knew of local was Pet Smart. I took Cheyenne, one of my Catahoula's there last year. We had a great time, and enjoyed it. BUT, you have to go to a class a week for x amount of weeks.....and I'm so busy right now I can't commit to that....so, I've been hunting other alternatives!
I found one! While in TSC two weeks ago I saw an ad for a local dog trainer. How awesome! Then, about 2 days later I heard an ad for that same trainer on one of the local radio stations! OK, I thought, this person is SERIOUS about this...serious enough to put an ad on radio! So, I got on the website and checked it out! Check out Biscuit Eaters K9!!! Rayna is awesome! We set up an appointment after a few emails.
I met Rayna at designated area Sunday Morning. I was a bit apprehensive. What if I didn't like her? What if she didn't like me? What if she didn't like Duke? What if she told me Duke was stupid and would never learn anything? ohhhhh gosh!
Well, none of that happened! Duke was Great! Rayna was AWESOME!
Since Sunday AM I've been working with Duke for at LEAST 5 mins in the evening and 5 mins in the morning. He's soooo smart! He's catching on very quickly! I'm very impressed!
Rayna has also agreed to help out our local animal shelter too! Thanks Rayna!

Now....onto the 'other' part of this post.
* Disclaimer * If you are having a good day, and the above paragraphs made you happy and you wish to stay that way DO NOT continue to read! There will be complaining and complaining and complaining ahead!

OK, now that we have THAT out of the way.....
What in the HECK is up with guys? I mean what? Why are we wired soooooo differently?
We are organized, THEY ARE NOT.
We are considerate of others, THEY ARE NOT.
We remember that on the 2nd Tuesday of the month they have a meeting with x group and therefore go out of our way to make sure that happens for THEM, THEY DO NOT!
When is it our turn? When is it our turn to be on the receiving end of all that STUFF we do for them?
Do we do tooooo much?
Do we need to let them fall on their faces a few times? Would that make them realize just how much we do?
How do we get them to do more?
I'm about it my wits end here people....and I know there are others of you out there that are too! I'm usually a positive happy go lucky kinda gal.....but lately...I find myself slipping!
Help! There's a pond full of alligators below!

Mot Much.......

2010-05-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

Not much going on over here......

Still waiting on income tax (come ON UNCLE SAM, it's MY MONEY!) so that I can get Casper gelded......then I can bring him home after 2 more weeks at Mary's and start riding!

I have come to a not so great revelation though.....Cas has been at Mary's getting WESTERN PLEASURE training......DRESSAGE is about the polar opposite! I can't bring him home and "mess" him all up like that can I? Would that even be fair? So....I'm thinking Cas will just HAVE to be an open show horse. There is a show at Sienna Stables....nice facility, nice horses, nice people....that I wouldn't mind taking him to....so....maybe that is where Cas and I will play! Any thoughts?

4-H Article!

2010-04-26T06:16:00.000-07:00

Wooohoooo! Go Kelli!

Kelli's article in the local paper!

Lola B's Paris Giveaway!

2010-04-22T14:49:00.001-07:00

Lola B is giving away some GREAT items from her recent trip to PARIS!
Check out her blog, check out her trip.....and SIGN UP by tomorrow at midnight!!

Lola B's BLog!

ThankfuLLLL Thursday???

2010-04-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

Everyone take min to check out these photos....and be thankful it's not US over here dealing with this terrible act of mother nature!!!

Volcano Pictures

Holly

2010-04-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

Friday Fill Ins

2010-04-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

1. I'd like to think they are strong enough to handle it, but I know they aren't.

2. One of my most favorite romantic memories is drawing hearts on fogged up windows.

3. Last night, I had pineapple chicken, rice, and corn for dinner.

4. Sorry for the way my dog behaves, it's our fault he has no manners!!

5. Can we please have our income tax refund now?

6. One of my worst temptations is ....... one? I can only list one? ; there are so many that are too hard to resist!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to to, to, to.....I dunno, tomorrow my plans include getting hay, getting truck tire fixed, picking up blanket, 'visit' Megan, and maybe market days, and Sunday, I want to go to a horse show with Connie!

..............

2010-04-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

4/10/10 - Multi District Judging Contest

2010-04-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

5:30 comes a BIT to early when you go to bed at 11 or 11:30, huh? YEAH, it does!

Got the kiddos up so we could be dressed and out the hotel door by 6:30 for breakfast.
6:35 we walked out of the hotel room, truck re 'packed' with all our 'stuff'. Good deal!

Breakfast....hummmmm...yeah..........should have been described as 'small town' instead of continental!!

Headed out to the judging contest about 7.......found it easy enough with good directions and the GPS.

Arrived at 7:25 and got the kiddos checked in, sat down to go over patters, wrote patterns in our judging sheets and wished them well. The weather was bit chilly....kiddos we lucky enough to be wearing blazers! As this was the MULTIDISTRICT contest there were a LOT of kiddos there. Parents/Coaches usually get the last set of bleachers, but only got 1/2 of the bleachers this time as we had to move down to make room for the kids. THE NERVE!

(we interrupt this post for a special news bulletin - co-worker brings her scanner to work....we get to hear local county calls.....guy got pulled over....has 2 warrants....cop taking him in. Guy wants to cop to call 'friend' to come get his car so it's not towed. Guy gives dispatcher a number.......dispatcher calls...no answer....... Guy gives another number......no answer..... guy gives ANOTHER number.......dispatcher gets someone on the like....we'll call her Veronica.....dispatcher advises officer SHE DOESN'T HAVE A LICENSE!!!! OMG, how STUPID is the 'guy' in question?? Gives one final number, and if I were cop/dispatcher I'd be tellin 'guy' he ran outta phone calls, gets someone who says they will try to come. Is that stuff crazy or what??)

We now return to our regularly scheduled blog post

So, we sit through 3.5 hours of judging. MOST of the horses we nice. There were some obvious show horses, and some back yard ponies. The halter classes we performance halter, not 'halter halter' and the kiddos, believe it or not had a tough time with that. Out of 8 classes I got 4 100% correct. The other 4 were a mix of one off.....and a lot off! Jr and Intermediate kiddos were supposed to be dismissed while Sr kiddos had to stay and prepare reasons. OR SO WE THOUGHT! They then announce that DISTRICT 11 INTERMEDIATE kiddos have to give reasons! WHAT? no one told me anything! Only 1 of my 3 intermediate kiddos had even practiced reasons!! OK, whatever. They all stayed up there and toughed it out. Good Job Girls! And, believe it or not....the 2 that had no idea what they were doing placed WELL in reasons! WOW! :)
1:30 rolls around and the younger kiddos are done. I'm still waiting on my Sr. The 2 parents that were there decide to take the younger ones off to get lunch and bring back something for Sr member and me.
So I wait......
and I didn't have to wait long and my Sr came strolling out of the arena. She felt confident she did well....not great....but well. That, was good!
I started checking http://www.judgingcard.com/ for results.....nothing......nothing...nothing....and still nothing!
FINALLY........the FFA results were up (they don't do reasons). If nothing else I could get official placings off there to compare against my kiddos.
Got 'em. Sr did well. 4 classes perfect. Others just a bit off........
So...we wait....and we wait......and lunch gets back.....and we eat....and we wait....and we wait.....
3:30 rolls around. I look at one of the parents (my co-coach on the Victoria Team) and tell her that I hate to do it...but I'm going to have to leave soon. DH left early that morning for class and I have critters who have been penned up for hours.....need to leave by 4 at latest....probably should have left already....
so we wait a bit more......
4pm rolls around......other parent and her kiddo head out.....I decided to do the same. I felt bad that the kiddos wouldn't get ribbons right there......but I'd given a lot of my time for this event and had to head home to take care of critters.
I'd 'lent' my tailgate to some folks looking for a place to sit. I walked up and told them 'sorry but we need to head out'.....they moaned and groaned in good humor and hopped off the tailgate so I could shut it.
I had opened the truck door, and had my right foot up in the cab....I was about to hoist myself inside when our District 11 Truck pulled back in. DRAT! I should have tried leaving sooner! Frantic call to the mom who'd just left got her turned around and headed our way...she was only about 5 mins out. She got back just in time for the awards to start.
Team awards first.....neither of my groups were a full team.....although we'd signed the Victoria kiddos up as a team....so....they placed as a team! They got 3rd!
Neither of the JR or Intermediate kiddos got individual awards. They placed JUST out of the ribbons.....
My ONE AND ONLY Senior on the other hand.......she won the District 11 High Point Individual Senior award. She was SHOCKED, I was proud! And she didn't just win by a point or two...her score was 467 (out of 500)!!!! The 2nd place Sr....score of 418.......my kiddo won by like 49 points!!! It was a great end to a long day! There are 2 other counties that usually beat my kids. They have been doing it much longer than we have. It was nice for her to win for a change. I know it's not all about winning, but it sure feels good when you do! Glad they got to get their awards in person, it's soooo much nicer like that!

Congrats to all my kiddos!
We headed home, and made it back to Victoria around 7, putting me home at 8.
What a day!

Not Much Going On here.........

2010-04-12T14:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy weekend.....with some blog-worthy stuff going on.

Some stuff going on with my in-laws....but nothing that I can blog about....it's a bit tooooo personal. SO, that stuff took up Wednesday and Thursday.

Friday was a pretty normal day at work.....but I left early to take 2 judging teams to a horse judging contest.

Left P.L. about 4:30 and got to C.S. around 8. I LOVE driving......NOT!

Contest was Saturday, so we all had to get up early and throw some food down our bellies and head to the arena. - I will blog in detail tomorrow.

Sunday I threw all the furniture out of my living room and steam cleaned the carpet there and in the hall.
It looks better!!!!
Cleaned the kitchen too!

What a weekend! Nothing horse related though!!

Houston, we have a........change

2010-04-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

a BIG change.

I'm NOT talking about a Political Change, or a change in Religion, or even a change of under garments (which I promise happens every day).

I'm talking about a Change in Equestrian Discipline.

It has been my dream since I was a young child to ride at the AQHA or APHA world show and win the garland of flowers, and the trophy, and the medal and all the hoopla that goes along with it.

However. I've learned some HARD lessons as I've gotten older, and wiser. Horse showing at the 'majors' is A - Political and B - Expensive and C - up to individual opinion!

I have a problem and A and C. I can understand B. All hobbies are expensive! So, since I don't see winning the lottery in sight so that I can go drop 20k PLUS on a fancy horse, 5k on a show saddle, another K plus on outfit, hat, boots, bridle and all that other 'stuff' that is required......I'm going to take a different route.

My Options?

Speed Queen. This is comical! Speed Queen I am not. Maybe if I were 12 again, and fearless. BUT, riding all out and a 1/2 crazed horse around 3 cans or around 6 or 7 poles is NOT my idea of a good time. Count ME OUT

Cattle Barron - ok....so.... There are a couple options here.

Roping - Swing a rope WHILE the horse comes BUSTING out of the box and try to catch heels or horns. NO thanks! I don't think I'll enjoy giving a little bitty ole calf whip lash! And, again, the SPEED factor......no thanks!

Cutting/Working cow - Chase the cow, Chase the cow, Chase the cow......turn the cow, turn the cow, turn the cow.....circle the cow, turn the cow, circle the cow....DONE! Ummm yeah....I don't think I'll take the chance of the horse TRIPPING over the cow! No thanks, AGAIN.

Open Shows - For sure an option. Spend lots of time/money running around to 'local' open stuff for........what? A tiny ribbon? A cheaply made year end saddle if you pay dues, work for the group, and spend all day (8 am to 10pm) showing in every class imaginable so you can 'chase the saddle'. No thanks. I know some nice people who show at open shows....but I also know there are soooo many very NOVICE horse owners who don't know the first thing about showing or proper show turn out at those shows. They THINK they are doing the right thing and won't listen if you try to offer help. The 'back yard' type, if you will. I know that sounds mean, but I'm NOT going to put myself or my horse in an arena with a novice rider who can't control their mount. NOPE. Sorry. Nothing doing!

Jumpers - Did I mention I'm afraid of heights? Yeah, I am! a 16h horse is tall ENOUGH without going over a 5 foot Oxer with a 6 foot spread! NOPE

Eventing - 3 phases - Dressage, Stadium, and Cross Country - I like dressage, and once I get back in the saddle, get in shape, lose some LBS stadium and cross country might be a possibility. I'm going to keep this on the back burner.

I know I'm leaving out things like endurance racing, extreme cowboy race, reining, polo, and some others.....I just can't write about them all!

So......what have I decided to throw my equine energy?

Dressage! Yep, it's true. I feel ANY horse can do your basic Dressage. No reason I can't get through Green as Grass, Into, and Training with one of the horses I have now. Now, when I am ready to move on to 1st level plus.....I may need to move on to a different mount. BUT, until then.....I'm Dressage arena bound. I'd better brush up on my alphabet too!

With Dressage, you are judged on your ride, ALONE. You aren't in the arena with a horse that may move better than you, or a rider who may have a more glam outfit. You are judged on how well you ride your test, period. YES, there are maneuvers you are supposed to perform, and as long as you perform them well, your score will reflect that. There are judges that are tougher than others.....but that just takes showing to then a time or two, or asking around and finding out who those tough judges are......and then not taking a lower score to heart!

And YES, when I get my bootie back in shape, I full intend on getting in a hunt saddle and starting to hop over fences. That may require a new horse....as Casper doesn't JUMP.

My GOAL? Get in 2 or 3 schooling shows this year. It's only April....should be do-able! Get in the arena, get a few shows under my belt......and then....

Next year? Go for a schooling show championship :) at Green as Grass/Intro level.

So.......anyone else contemplating a change in the equine adventures? If so....I'd love to hear about it! What's making you change? What are you changing to?

I hope no one is mad for the use of their photos! Thanks!

Friday Fill Ins

2010-04-02T01:57:00.000-07:00

Since I didn't do mine LAST Friday....here are LAST FRIDAY's fill ins!

1. The right word is not always the first one that comes to mind.

2. OPEN and shut the door quietly, please.

3. Up up and away says my pony as we clear the fence!

4. Enjoying my long weekend is where you'll find me.

5. Ooh! What is that on the clock, a 5? Time to go! (I wish)

6. Swapping the Work Week and the WEEEKEND is a good idea.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to My HUBBY not having school, tomorrow my plans include work and Sunday, I want to Chillax!!!

Cooking 101, 202, and 303!

2010-04-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

Soooooo....I've found myself feeling very "domestic" this week. I know, how funny is that!
I use to love to cook! I'd cook for all 3 working students at the Barn I managed in MD as long as they'd clean up! Hated clean up!

I've gotten OUT of the cooking habit lately. I'd stop and grab something on the way home...or throw a pizza in oven when I got home....mac and cheese with hamburger meat (dh loves that one)......but NO real COOKING!

Let me see if I can recreate my menu this week for you all to try....

MONDAY - Homemade Chicken 'helper'
4 med ckn breasts
1/2 bag no yolks egg noodles (yum)
1 can cream of mushroom soup w/ 1/2 can water
Seasonings you enjoy
I use - Krazy Jane and Mrs Dash

Cook ckn in pan with olive oil and set aside when cooked fully!
boil noodles
drain noodles
Put noodles in deep frying type pan with a bit of butter and add soup/water and blend well
add chicken when well blended
season to tast....and viola! YUMMY!
I also warmed up some veggies.....corn I think!
It was good!

TUESDAY - Pork Loin, Green Bean Casserole, Brown Rice
Oh My Gosh...i didn't know this was going to be SOOOOO yummy!
Sunday night I took out a Pork Loin I'd gotten on sale from the freezer. Wasn't quite thawed out Monday...so I left it in the fridge and made Ckn stuff above! Tuesday however....Pork time!

Green Bean Casserole
2 cans green beans
1 can cream mushroom
those funky 'onion' things
Mix soup with 1 can water in glass baking dish - then add beans and mix well - add in about 1/2 c onion things - bake at 350 (i think) for about 25-30 mins - then top with about another 1/2 to 1 c of onion things and bake about 15 mins
I hated, HATED this when I was little....now I LOVE IT!

While that's baking take

1 Pork Loin
Seasonings (again, Krazy Jane and Mrs Dash's sun dried tomato and basil this time)
1 skillet on low/med heat (4 on my electric range I think) and some olive oil and the seasonings
I covered the up side of the loin with seasonings
I cooked it on low in the skillet turning every few minutes so it didn't get burnt
about 35-40 mins into cooking i cut 3 slits in the bottom and cooked 'bottom side' up for about 15 more mins
It smelled soooo good that I couldn't wait for DH to get home at 11pm to eat dinner...I had to have some!
It was sooooo moist and juicy...WOW!

Rice
ok......I'm going to tell you.....
I CHEAT when it comes to Rice!
I use the uncles Ben's microwave bag......tastes GREAT ready in about 2 mins in my small takes forever to warm anything up microwave....

What a good meal....super YUMMY!

Wednesday - how in the heck do I top Tuesday?
MEXICAN FOOD!

Meat
1 lb 93% lean ground beef
1/4 c chopped onion
1 garlic clove
krazy jane and mrs dash (can you tell i LOVE them?)
brown in skillet and leave on low to keep warm

Rice
UNCLE BEN'S SPANISH STYLE
MICRO when ready to eat

Re fried Beans
1 can - warm - add seasoning to taste

I also made home made PICO
1 tomato
1/4 c onion
1 clove garlic
and some Basil
salt/pepper to taste
crushed red pepper

DH loves PICO...I do not....he ate it....said VERY good :)

and.....drum roll please.....
Avocado Dip - I loves this stuffs!
2 ripe avocados pealed and pitted and put in food processor
I added some garlic - salt/pepper - and some mrs dash to season
topped with a little bit of diced tomato

Don't forget to warm up those tortilla before you eat....
FOLKS......SUPER YUMMY!

What on the menu for tonight? I have NO IDEA!
Let me know if you try those....or have any awesome recipe's you'd love to share!

This is SOOOO CooL

2010-03-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Don't tell me your age; you'd probably lie anyway-but the Hershey Man will know!

This is pretty neat.DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST! It takes less than a minute ... Work this out as you read ... Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out! This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5

4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1760 .. If you haven't, add 1759..

6... Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number

The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).

The next two numbers are.........

YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2010) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS. Chocolate Calculator

Please send good vibes!

2010-03-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Jen over at Hunter In Training is a BIT (exscuse the pun) under the weather! I'm sure she's love some good vibes being sent her direction!

Speedy Recovery, Jen.......Ransom's calling!

Sometimes.........

2010-03-26T14:45:00.001-07:00

MORE FUGLY!

2010-03-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

Her comment back to me

"I posted the link to the whole article – it’s there for people to read. I can’t republish the whole thing or I’d be infringing upon her copyright. I can only bring out quotes for the purpose of reviewing it which is what I did." - Direct from Fugly Blog -

She then added "And sometimes it is the tool. For example, would you say a cattle prod is OK to use on a horse in the right hands?"

My Reply -

OK, I understand about not being able to post the whole article for copyright reasons. BUT, when people DO read what you do post on here, they seem to have 'blinders' on and just go off on a rant without reading the entire article. Maybe if you post a bit of the rest of the article, without posting the WHOLE thing it could give people a better feel of the entire story, not just the blurb that sounds bad. I know, people should take time to read the WHOLE article, like I did. BUT, horse/animal welfare in general is a 'hot button' issue and sometimes people just jump the gun when they hear something bad. AND to ALL of the people that read FUGLY, PLEASE CLICK ON HER LINK TO THE ENTIRE STORY and process it before 'jumping the gun'

You could have come to my house last year and taken a photo of a horse who was in such bad shape that most of your followers here would have called me all sorts of bad names, called animal control and tried to get me arrested or something. HOWEVER, when people would have gotten THE WHOLE story, straight from the horses' mouth so to speak they would have learned that the horse was a horse that I was 'responsible' for bringing into this world, and felt that I had to help because I was the 'reason' he was in the shape he was in. Let me explain. I owned the momma and daddy, and when my ex and I split the foal was left with my ex. My ex then sold him to a friend, who sold him to a friend of his who starved him to NEAR DEATH and sold him to some people my DH and I know. Those people gave him to us because they didnt know what to do with him. It took almost a year to get him back in good looking condition. BUT, had a photo gotten out.....see how that could have been a mess?

You could drive by a dressage rider using a dressage whip correctly and whipped out your cell phone taken a video clip and posted it on youtube and said that the rider was beating her horse. People would jump all over her! It's crazy! Totally nuts.

AND yes, I believe you can use a cattle prod in a way that doesn't cause 'harm'. You don't HAVE to hit the button that causes the spark, do you? You don't HAVE To put a battery in it to make that electric shock possible! Use it as you would a 'carrot stick' or lunge whip....just an extension of your arm. You don't have to use the shock part of the 'tool'.

Wasn't saying YOU, Cathy have ever rope burned a horse using your 'trailer method', but, give that 'tool' to SOME PEOPLE and that horse would be in a world of hurt!!
It's all about HOW you use it, not WHAT you are using.

More FUGLY!

2010-03-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

I can't help it.....this woman KILLS me! Check out HER post...... Check out the ENTIRE post she references a snippit of....and here is my post on FUGLY's BLOG.

- I see lots of people saying "that's too harsh" or "that's too mean". There are MANY 'tools' suggested here that can be JUST as mean. To me, it's NOT the tool itself, but how you use it.

You can take a Stud Chain and in the wrong hands it can leave perm. scars on a horses face, or better yet, my poor stallion (who is the sweetest on the planet) bumps on the bones in their faces that DO NOT go away.

A spur can be used the proper way, or it can be dug into the horses side until it's raw and bleeding. That goes for ENGLISH as well as WESTERN spurs.

A whip can be used in a mild manner, or it can be used to whip a horse into a bloody mess.

That BUTT ROPE suggested by FUGYL in a prior comment......ummm ROPE burn anyone? I wouldn't call that HUMANE either!

And let's NOT even get started on some of those bits out there!!! You can take the nicest bit, and make a horses mouth bloody and sore. OR, you can take a more harsh bit, and when ridden with soft hands and a good seat have little ill effect on your horse.

And for that matter, something with OUT a bit!!! A bosal! Ever seen a horses face bloody from it's misuse?

People, it's not so much the TOOL it's how it's USED.

I went to Julie's site and read the WHOLE article, not just the little snippit that was mentioned in this post.

She also says - Many people are initially turned off by this approach—I suppose thinking it is cruel or too harsh. But in my opinion, in certain circumstances, it is the most humane approach. I know of a horse who has now kicked and killed two horses by kicking them and breaking their legs. Then, take the case of a stall kicker—whose behavior can cause him serious injury and is destructive to property (and may result in him being evicted from a boarding barn). The most common training technique for this vice is to hang “kicking chains” on the horse’s hind legs which wrap him in the legs every time he kicks (and bumps his legs every time he moves). It will discourage him from kicking but you have to leave the chains on forever—not a very nice thing for the horse. Whereas one or two sessions with the shock collar would permanently cure him of stall kicking and prevent him from injury.

She's NOT telling the people to go out and buy a shock collar and shock the crap out of their horse. She's suggesting it as an 'end of the line' option if you will. Please, FUGLY, post the WHOLE story for people to read, not JUSt that part when taken by itself looks like she's telling them to go out and shock the crap out of their equine!

Day 3, PM

2010-03-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

Arrived back at the RANCH and quickly changed into my 'ranch clothes' and ran outside, letting the dogs out with me.

I hauled butt (on the 4-wheeler) over to the goat pen to check on the goats.
There was a 'white mucus like substance' on the pygmy's backside. HUMMMMM? Are you thinking baby goat?? I am! Penned her up and fed her.....
GREAT! Another "kid" issue.
And, I was a bit bummed because they are H's babies, not mine and I know she wants to be there when they are born. O' Natural, or otherwise!

Went back to the house, talked to H. Told her update. She said 'don't be afraid to take her to the vet if need be'. I assured her I would, but was going to keep an eye on her for a bit first.

Called the vet, just to be on the safe side and give him a heads up.

Went about normal chores.....fed dogs, horses, and the rest of the goat.
Made dinner....
Went out about every hour to check on the goat till about 10:30.
She hadn't changed. Nothing else coming out the 'back end'. No laying down, no contractions.

I settled for a quick shower and hit the hay about 11:30ish.....
Still LOVE the bed...and the shower!

Day 3, AM

2010-03-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

What is this? The doggies let me sleep in till my alarm? HOW NICE! Thanks Maxie and Bella!

Very uneventful morning.
ALL the animals are fine.

Got some neat photos of the peacock again. He's gorgeous! His tail is about as long as I am tall....almost 6 feet! He's amazing to watch!

Really, nothing to report this morning. No goat drama, no Dusty drama. All is well at the Ranch!
:)

I really don't know if I can leave this bed and shower! It's amazing!

2nd Day at Ka (razy) Ranch, PM

2010-03-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

Pretty stressful day at work, was looking forward to getting back to the Ranch.

Called and checked on Starskey and the Kid mid morning and was told they were doing well :)

Maxie and Bella were HAPPY to see me to say the LEAST! They are not use to being home all day alone. They are use to people at the house! Maxie got her bone before I left, and I turned the TV to a radio station.

Bella and Maxie ran outside. I ran inside and changed out of my work clothes.
I hopped on the 4-Wheeler and took off to the barn. It's so nice at the ranch. I'll have to post some photos. It's big and open and 'fresh' if you know what I mean.
Fed the horses, birds, and goats. I checked the pygmy goat that was pregnant and ready to pop and all looked well, THANK GOODNESS! :)
Raced back to the house to feed the dogs. Bella was more than ready to eat after missing breakfast.
Went back out to the 'barn' and too my camera this time.....eager for some good photo ops. I hope to have some nice photos for H and her hubby when they get back from vacation.

I made something for dinner real quick, soup and sandwich. Munched on that while I watched some TV! They have a BIG Flat screen and satellite TV. Something we don't have at our house!
Yes, people you read that right. We don't have satellite, or cable. No local stuff either. If we watch TV, it's a movie. We are NOT HOME much, and if we are, we are outside or busy inside and turn the radio on.

By this time it was getting dark, and I had to go pen up the goat (Pygmy most prego) and close up the bird pen for the night.
Mission Accomplished! A good night! Better than the first nice! I went to bed EARLY just to sleep in the bed! It is sooooo comfy! I have to find out what type of bed it is because I do NOT need one! Otherwise, I'd be in bed all day!!

2nd day at Ka (razy) Ranch, AM

2010-03-22T18:54:00.000-07:00

Maxie and Bella woke me up at 5:45.....they wanted OUT!
Must be potty time. I happily obliged, I know they are big full grown adult dogs and shouldn't potty in the house, but when you've gotta go, you've gatto go!
Out they went.

About 10 mins later, after I'd used the facilities myself and stumbled around the house they were back at the door, ready to come in.
Took them to the back to feed them......Maxie woofed down her food....Bella on the other hand, not so much. She pushed her food around in the bowl, then pushed the bowl around. Not interested.......hummmmm what do I do about that? I figured I'd leave the food down for a while...even though that meant that Maxie might get double breakfast!

I made some coffee, the sky was JUST starting the get lighter on the horizon. Sunrise wasn't for another hour almost......goodness!
Sat in the living room, enjoying the big flat screen TV. The dogs were happy for some AWAKE company!
I'd walked to the kitchen to wash my coffee cup and the dogs started going crazy! They were standing at the front door barking their heads off!
OH lordy, I was thinking, what in the hell could be out there?
I cautiously walked to the door......
and what did I find?
DUSTY, the MINI had walked the cattle guard and was standing on the front porch.
CRUD! She wasn't supposed to be in there!!! The 'house' area is fenced off so the only critters that are supposed to be in there are the cats and dogs.
They is a huge circle drive, and 3 houses.
The main house, where H's mom lives......the 2nd house where H and her hubby live, and a 3rd guest type house. The driveway leading to the 'circle' is about a mile long, if not a bit longer.
That'll give you some idea.
They put metal grating over the cattle guard for the dogs to work over, and, DUSTY the mini figured out how to walk them. GREAT.
I throw my boots on, and out the door I go to try and figure out HOW to get her back in her 'area'.
I don't know the ranch well, yet. It's still pretty dark....about 7am now. I search the immediate fence line for a gate. No luck.
I run to the barn and grab a bucket with some grain. I can COAX her back across, yes?
Picture if you will ME trying to coax a BI*CH of a mini across a place she doesn't want to go. I make piles of food her for to follow.....nothing doing!
I get close enough to entice her and put the bucket in her face and try to coax her, keeping the bucket just in front of her. NO GO.
I squat down and hand feed her a bit, then scooch back a bit....feed her....scooch back. She's about 1/2 way across when she decides to BACK UP and haul butt!
By now, it's about 7:30 and it's light. I go on the hunt for a gate......found one to the right of the barn. Opened it, she followed me right in.
BI*CH! I don't like her, and she doesn't like me. See, Dusty is my husband's mini. She's at the ranch because H wanted a mini donkey baby. So, she turned Dusty out with her Jack, who's a bit on the small side anyway. So...she's big and prego now......yay! But, she's still a BI*CH!

OK....mini problem taken care of! Now, to feed the rest of the critters! I'm in HURRY mode because I SHOULD be leaving for work at 7:45!!!
Feed the MINI and Boo the Arab mare...no problem!
The 'birds' are another story! I'm NOT a fan of BIRDS.......especially Hissing Geese and BIG Tom the Turkey. Tom is sitting on the bucket I need to get to in order to get grain out for the birds! Shoo Tom, Shooo! Tom fluffs his feathers and glares at me. SHoooo tom, SHOOOOO! I nudge him with the end of my mag light! He hops of the barrel and struts outside. Whew!
I feed the birds, and quickly scrape the bird house.....shoveling the poop outside. Leave the big door open, but put the wire back so the horses don't get inside the pen.
Onto the goats!
AMBUSH! They all run to the gate as I go in their pen.
I let the very prego pygmy out, and dump feed in the bowls/buckets. They are happy!

I head to the 4-wheeler, and haul butt back to the house. it's 7:45 when I get back inside. I should be leaving!
I hurry to get cleaned up and dressed and rush out the door at 8am and get into my car that smells like goat!
What a morning!

First Night at the Ka (razy) Ranch

2010-03-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Got back from Port A a bit later than planned. Got there about 5 instead of 4 as I'd hoped.

DH and I went around and checked on Everyone.
Bella and Maxie - Boxer and Mastiff
Boo and Dusty - older Arab mare and mini
Chickens/Peacocks/Ducks/Turkey/ birds etc
Goats - Fainting and Pygmy

Everyone was fine.

Played with dogs for a bit and decided to go feed really quick before DH headed to our place to tend to our critters.
Dogs - what good dogs!

"Horses' - check......they are so well behaved
"BIRDS" - only get fed once a day...CHECK!

Goats -

Pygmy Goat

Fainting Goat

Oh my God. Goats EVERYWHERE! The attack you! Attack you when you try to feed. Them. now, the are SMALL goats ......Fainting and Pygmy.....See photos. So, they aren't knocking me DOWN.......but pointy hooves mid calf will make you step back a step or two.

SO....put down the food bowls....pour some food mixture into each....they start munching. OH, there are 2 spotted Donkey's too. They aren't tame...pretty skittish, really.

One goat (Fainting Goat) will not come out from behind the 'pen' that was built for having the babies. Most of the female goats are in-kid. (LOL - horses are in-foal....goats are in-kid).

Moving right along.....I stare at said goat behind pen......looks kinda.....worried maybe? If a goat can look worried that is!!

Finally, goat turns around and shows me....

Nasty, jelly like almost clear with a slight tint of yellow/green (hard to tell, it was almost 100% clear) 'string' hanging from her backside.

DANG IT!! H (ranch owner) isn't going to be here for this. She REALLY wanted babies on the ground before she left, and now this goat (Starsky, I believe) is going to have this baby the DAY she leaves. BUMMER.

Starsky isn't 100% tame. Are goats EVER really tame? Who knows!

SO....we 'corner her'. DH takes a heavy metal rake (the one with a solid end, not the flimsy end) and kind of 'holds her' (gently) in the corner so I can go in and grab her.

I put her in her 'baby cave'. Give her some hay, and some 'bedding' and fresh water and re-hung the water bucket up off the ground a bit so the KID doesn't decide to go for a swim.

NO pushing, no contractions that I could see, YET. So, Starsky is under the heat lamps to 'chill' LOL and relax. We hang out and watch a bit......slight contraction, with a bit of pushing, about 5 mins apart..... ok, cool.

DH needs to go, so our critters aren't holding their legs crossed to avoid making messes.

Couldn't find the "MULE", 4 wheel variety that is....so I jump on the 4-wheeler under the shed.

DH assists in getting it started, and I'm headed to the house!

Drive back in about an hour (7ish) and check......more pushing, much more strenuous pushing, heavier contractions, more contractions, about less than 4 mins apart.......

The sun is setting......I'm sure we'll have a baby by dark!
Drive back to the house.
Drive back to the barn about 8ish....
Much more pushing.....stressed out goat.....heavier contractions.....YIKES!
The vet's name and number is posted on the side of the feed can......

Now....let me backtrack a bit....my cell phone battery SUCKS! I mean, SUCKS! I can be on it for less than a 2 minute phone call and it will turn off.
LUCKILY, when H put up the heat lamps, she also put in a couple extra plug in ends! YEEHAW! I'd taken my cell charger out there, as I'd noticed the plug ins the first time I was out there :) Observant, huh? :)

SO....plug IN the phone before I call.
I start to DIAL and DH calls. WHAT!
"Whatcha need?"
"Hows the goat" - DH
"Not so good....she's pushing...no feet or nose yet....I'm calling the vet" - Me
"ok, I just talked to H and " - DH
Interrupt "Why did you call H? She's on VACATION! Once I knew something I was going to call her and let her know. No need to WORRY her!" - ME
"I know, but I wanted to let her know all was well and that she should have a baby tonight. She said to call her sister and her sister can have one of the vets call, she's very good friends with one of them." - DH
"I'm calling the vet who's information H left for me....I'll call you back, bye" - Me
Dial vet number......
"Hi, _________ answering service can I help you"
"Hi, this is _______________________ I'm calling on H's fainting goat. She's been in active labor for a while and I don't know much about goats...can you have Dr.W call me please?"
Dr.W called me back.
I relayed the information on the goat to him.

He said "ok, is sounds like she's having trouble and we need to see her. She may need a C-Section. Can you bring her in?"
A GOAT, bring her in? WHAT? NO WAY! I don't have the truck! I have my car! No room for a Goat. Well, ok, it's a hatchback. there is room....and we have carpet down in the back....ok...
"OK, I'm not 100% sure what H wants to do, let me call her QUICKLY and I'll call you right back"
Called H, got the ok to do WHATEVER needed...ok!
Called answering service back...... Tell Dr. W I'm going to bring in the goat. I will call when she's loaded and on my way.

HOW in the HECK to I get the goat from it's PEN to my Car?
It rained, so I can't drive my CAR through the pasture. If I had out 4x4 truck....SURE. But not the Mazda!!
OK, think.....think.....
It's a good...couple 100 yards from the goat pen to the closest place I can get the car in.....
H suggested a dog kennel that's in the barn.....
I checked it....too bit to fit in the back of my car....drat!
ok.....don't wanna pick her up and squish that baby in there.....
SO....right or wrong...the 'best' option I could see was to walk/pull/drag her to the car.

Haul butt on the 4-wheeler to the house.....park.....turn off....get the car!!
Haul butt in the car to the fence. park. throw open the hatch.....run to the goat pen.....
grab the goat..... bleating.....pull the goat (fainting goats faint...their legs lock up and they fall over). So, when she gets 'scared' her legs 'lock up'.

Just picture me.......pulling a small but very pregnant goat with unmoving legs a couple hundred yards, through 2 gates.

Then comes the task of GETTING her in the CAR! Hummm....now what?? Grabbed goat around the middle, behind both front legs and kinda swung the hind end up into the back of my car.
QUICK, slam the door before she runs away!
Hop in the car....drive cautiously but quickly down drive way......
STUPID automatic gate opener! Soooo slow.......dang it.....HURRY! Pull through, finally....stop...wait....press button, nada, press button, nada, press button, success! Gate closing! Wait till almost closed and take of. Called Vet's answering service on way out....letting them know I was on the way/
Now, the 'end' of the driveway is on a steep hill...so take off had to be slow and careful.
Once out on the highway however......look out!! I was NOT about to lose a goat! I was about 20 miles from the vets office....I left the Ranch at 8:30.....pulled INTO the parking lot at 8:45. There are many stops, turns, and twists between the Ranch and the Clinic..... :) Thank goodness the route was trooper/sheriff free!! I'm sure I looked very much like Cruella Deville from 101 Dalmatians while she was driving away!!

I kept looking back and as long as I could see horns....I knew she was still alive! :)

Dr. W met me at the door, and we walked to the back of the car.....he picked up the goat and set her down quickly, she wouldn't comply, so he picked her up and carried her to the exam room. I met vet number 2! So, I got 2 vets! Not a vet and an assistant...both vets were there waiting on Starsky.
Dr. W donned his exam gloves and went "hunting". Found feet, yay! Found nose...yay! All seemed well....but that was a BIG head on that kid, he said.
About 15 mins or so ( I wasn't looking at my watch) of trying to help her have it the natural way, with the other DR and myself keeping her on the table...and he said, I don't think this going happen naturally, H is ok with us doing a C-Section??

A C-SECTION? A C-Section on a goat? GET OUT!
"YES", I informed him, "she said do what ever you needed".
OK, then let me get somethings ready and we'll do that.

I stayed with Starskey while the Dr's got thing ready.

Dr. W came back in, and said everything was ready and I was welcome to come back and watch. AWESOME! One, it just sounded SOOOO neat, and 2...I had to make sure H's goats were ok!
Dr. W laid Starskey on an angled table.....2 pieces of metal table angled at about 90 degrees. it was like 'stuffing her into a taco shell' if you will.
He gave her a sedative.......and went to shaving her belly.
they put a cone on her face, which would provide 'meds' to keep her 'under' during the surgery. HOLLY COW! This was a better set up than some PEOPLE hospitals!
He then injected some lidocaine under the skin in a line from mid belly to just before her udders.
AND THEN......he draped a 'sheet' over her with a square cut out of it. The 'square' went over the area where he was to make the cut. Just like you see them do in the Dr. shows on tv! It was neat!

He made a cut in the first layer of skin....first layer? How many are there? This was the layer the hair was attached to....
Then he cut through the 2nd layer......much thinner layer
AND THEN......the 3rd fatty layer......and he was in!
WOW!
He felt around a bit.....made an incision in her uterus....and pulled out a black ball of ears and hair! What a cutie! SHE had 'salt and pepper' colored ears, and muzzle, a white 'star' on her forehead, and a white marking on her right leg.....i believe, other than that, she's black.

Dr. W than went about the difficult task of putting all the 'placenta and stuff' back inside the uterus while Dr. B went about taking care of the new KID in town!
WHY, i asked?
I was told that you put the placenta and such back inside the uterus so she could pass the 'after birth' naturally. As much as we've messed with her already it's best to let the rest happen as naturally as possible.
WOW, learn something new every day.

Dr. B kept a good eye on the kid, and assisted Dr. W too! Tag team effort!

There were some other 'things' that should be on the INSIDE of her body that were on the OUTSIDE of her body..... I asked...... "and everything else will just go back where it should?" as they moved her from laying on her side, to straight up in the air on her back.
Dr. W said 'YES'. He said amazingly, a goats body will just put itself back to where things should be.
I said "that's amazing. I've had much more experience with horses, and know that if you don't put things back together just right...you are in trouble".
Both vets were in agreement....horses are much more difficult than other animals.

Dr. W Sewed up the uterus......and the skin layers......cleaned up the incision area....and put momma goat down on a towel, while Dr. B grabbed the baby and laid her down next to her. Both of them were VERY groggy from the sedative.
I noticed how 'mellow' the kid was while Dr. W was finishing putting momma back together. Dr. B told me that it was from the sedative. She got some of what went into the mamma's body. WOW, I hadn't even THOUGHT of that! Amazing!!

"Nothing like the first conversation between momma and baby being a drunken one!"

What an evening! Momma and baby were put in the back, in a pen. Dr W. gave them some shots....assured me all was well...and I was out the door.

It's now 11pm.
WOW. What a night!!

Ranch Sitting

2010-03-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

It's pretty bad when you have to go take care of another person's stuff to get a "Vacation", right??

A few months back a very good friend of ours asked us about Ranch Sitting for them while they take a short Vacation of their own. They don't get to do that often, as they have a big place, full of Critters. It's hard to get someone knowledgeable to watch your critters for a couple days. So, of course, I said I would. DH has to stay home and watch our critters. I mean, they have to be taken care of too!

My "Vacation" Starts Sunday afternoon around 4. After we get back in town from trimming horses in Port A.

Chewie Feets

2010-03-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

ok....came home to an owie Chewie last night, again.

after careful digging by the Farrier (who happens to be my DH) we found.......drum roll please...... I mean it, drum rolllllllll please...... Co-operate people! DRUM ROLLLLLLL..... (ah, much better) abscess.
Yes, abscess. Chewie, abscess? NEVER! More like always on that darn Right Front!

on the plus side, his heels are spreading some....bonus!

After talking with fellow blogger/farrier Friend we are thinking deep tissue thrush.....treatment..... penicillin packed cotton balls in frog/abscess area and 1 roll vet wrap and 1/2 roll duck tape. Well, 1/4 roll duck tape maybe!!!

After popping the abscess.....lots of licking and chewing. He always does that.....be it abscess, or Chiro, or a release during a ride....he's a champ!

Set down foot and........immediately takes weight off left front and gives it a break. Houston we FOUND the problem!

Will keep you posted on hoof re-hab!

Friday Fill Ins

2010-03-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

1. Today I will be BORED OUT OF MY MIND!!

2. She's not sure about jumping tomorrow, and I say why not?

3. What do you think of being an OPEN SHOW RIBBON stealer??

4. At that donut shop down on the it's free Pastry Day til 1030 Friday!

5. People say that what we're all seeking is a little bitty piece of the pie!

6. The image I cherish most is one of my friend Megan I took of her and her horse, Opie and her Reserve Championship Ribbon, and another I can't find and Jen and Megan walking away from me at a show which I WILL FIND!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to helping a friend, tomorrow my plans include horse show and Sunday, I want to get done in Port A so I can start my 'mini vacation'!

Monday night w/ Skelly!

2010-03-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

Skeletor had, somehow, gotten free from his halter.
We'd been leaving a halter on his head as he's not been the easiest to catch as he didn't REMEMBER anything from when he was little!

My 4-H meeting got canceled due to equipment not working at the extension office...so home I went.

He got it off a couple days ago, but with it getting PITCH black by the time I get home I hadn't had a chance to work his little butt and catch him!
I knew it was going to be a 'fight'. I mean, I knew Skelly was going to have work quite a bit before he came into me. It had been a while (damn weather) since he'd been worked.

Changed clothes.......and away to the round pen I went. New halter in hand.
Something at our neighbor's was making him run laps....so he'd already had a warm up by the time I got there!
One lap......two lap......step away from him.... what a good boy he turned to the inside.....
Switch Directions...
One lap.....two lap.....step away...turned to the inside..... GOOD BOY!
Switch direction......
Switch direction.....
step away......
Skelly stopped.
I walked to him......he stood still while I approached...licking and chewing...
GOOD BOY!
Halter on and good to go!

Spent the next 5 or 10 mins doing some desensitizing.
Swung end of rope around and around...... in front of him....right side...left side.....lather, rinse, repeat about 4 times......
ended on a good note!
Good boy!
Halter came back off.....
He won't be wearing one 24/7 anymore.

When Fugly goes too far, AGAIN

2010-03-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

Alright people. I'm all for being opinionated! I'm very opinionated myself! But, I don't go dragging people names and reputations through the MUD before knowing the whole story. AND, I dang sure wouldn't be complaining about something I could have put a STOP to and DIDN'T!

Check out Fugly's Blog post here.....Scroll down to 2nd March 15th post titled Are you illiterate, or just asshats? What are YOUR thoughts?
Fuly blog just became un-suspended. Was suspended all day. Links to posts and comments don't work, just main blog page.....hummm....

Jen went to the trouble of email trainer bashed in this post. She posted on her blog, and shared exchange between her and trainer with me.

Some of you may or may not know that FUGLY has a spot in Horse Illustrated (BOOOOO!) Here is the letter I wrote today to Horse Illustrated. I will blog about any reply from Horse Illustrated.

3/16/2010
Dear Horse Illustrated,

I am writing to inform you about the recent activity of one of your contributors. You may already be aware of the situation, but I feel it my ‘duty’ if you will to bring the situation to your attention. You should know what kind of people you have writing for your magazine.

I have a blog. Feel free to check it out at http://texasofallplaces.blogspot.com/. One of your new contributors also has a blog, the “Fugly Horse of the Day” blog . It can be found here http://www.fuglyblog.com/. The subject of this blog is “Snarky commentary on the breeding of poor quality horses, silly or abusive training techniques, and pretty much anything else that annoys me!” That is taken direct from the cached view of the blog on Google. Why am I quoting the cached version? Because the real time version is suspended. Yes, suspended.
Yesterday while searching the blog world I came across a post on “Fugly” titled “Are you illiterate, or just asshats?” In this post “Fugly” ranted and raved about a “a girl entering the ring that I myself had just seen win classes at the last show just a few weeks ago, a girl on a beautiful Appaloosa who was clearly broke to death and then some, sideways lope, wringing tail and all.” “Fugly” flat out accuses said rider and trainer of “taking a chance for a ribbon away from the kids in nylon bridles, the genuinely green horses and the adult riders who were in there for the very first time.” She continues to rant and rave about the horse, rider and trainer and then her “followers” get in on the ranting and raving as well. I will enclose the original post, but I’m unable to print out the comments due to the blog being suspended.

I am the first to admit that I have an opinion and I do voice it. However, I believe that there are some legal issues at hand here, defamation of character perhaps? Dragging numerous persons’ names and reputations through the mud without getting the whole story first? She starts out her rant without ever speaking to the rider or the trainer. Her “followers” start emailing the trainer from fake email addresses and harassing her. A good friend of mine took it upon herself to get the real story. She sent and email from her working email address and had quite a nice exchange with the trainer. What your “Fugly” failed to find out was that, according to the trainer, the exhibitor had permission from the show staff to exhibition the show for practice. Did she fail to use proper show etiquette and flip her number upside down, yes she did.
Had “Fugly” bothered to bring this problem to the attention of the staff before she went on a rant on her blog maybe she would have actually helped those “kids in nylon bridles, the genuinely green horses and the adult riders who were in there for the very first time” that she claimed this rider was hindering, and pointed out to the rider/trainer/show manager that the exhibitor should have her number turned upside down.

This is not the first incident with “Fugly”. A while back she again posted some misinformed information on her blog, got people up in arms and ranting and raving to a horse owner who was down on her luck. Said owner had made arrangements for someone to pick up the horses, but by the time said person could get there so many “Fugly Followers” had called and harassed her that she wouldn't hand over the poor horses because she thought the person picking them up was one of them! So, a handful of horses went un-helped because “Fugly” posts incorrect information on her blog because she acts before she thinks.

I hope that you will take into consideration the kind of people you put on your magazine staff. I also hope that you will check into them, how they act and what they do because that is a direct representation of your magazine.

Bitless Horse

2010-03-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

Check out the contest going on at the Bitless Horse!!

Wordless MONDAY

2010-03-15T12:45:00.001-07:00

Anyone know who this is????

FRiday Fill Ins

2010-03-12T07:54:00.000-08:00

1. I am so looking forward to District Horse Judging April 10th!

2. If I don't do it now, it will still be there to do later.

3. When you get out of the car don't slam the door.

4. Volunteering with 4-H is a big part of my life.

5. If you need anything you know where to find me.

6. If it didn't' cost so dang much, I'd love to go on a trip.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to not having to rush home after 4-h meeting cuz DH will be home a bit after 5 to let the dogs out and feed, tomorrow my plans include helping out with HAPPY TAILS adoptions at Pet Smart in Victoria (stop by if you are in the area) and Sunday, I want to enjoy a good lunch with friends!

For EVERYONE out there

2010-03-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

Who's having a bit of a rough time of things....for WHATEVER reason! Take this, put it on your blog....and look at it when you NEED IT!

Helmet Head

2010-03-10T14:30:00.001-08:00

Working with Kiddos.....I've seen some crazy things. I can't stress Helmets enough. I wish trainers and equine professionals would set a great example and wear them!!!

Check out this 'article' at a Pro's website.....kinda of a 'call to action' if you will.

Heather Blitz Dressage

It's Finally Up

2010-03-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

The marker for Megan's grave has been put in.....