~Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My~

Yesterday I decided to brave the still somewhat chilly Wind of spring in Texas. Lately it has been warm and sunny; but yesterday the wind began to pick up bringing a cold front that has sent the air into the thirty's. I thought to myself the wind isn't that bad and Elvis, my trusty steed will be brave. (mistake) Steph was on the phone with me while I was tacking up giving my encouragement. The plan was to ride while on the phone. My blue tooth was not charged however, so this left the old fashioned way(phone crooked between shoulder and ear). Steph was the first to get on and try it out. Sheba did not seem to think the idea of talking on the phone while riding was so grand. So after a minute of waiting on the toolbox of Steph's truck while she mounted (me aka the phone), then listening to Sheba's arguing to play with her Friends instead of work Steph had to get off. We agreed to ride then call afterwards. I got on my less than patient steed and headed off into a "walk, trot, easy walk, trot, I said walk darn it!" We managed to calm down and settle into a walk then off we went into the trot (this time on my cue). We made a few circles that looked like, well, sloppy actually, then finally found our stride and made circles that looked like circles. He was doing so much better so I though a canter would be ok. The first direction was fine a bit quick at the start then eased out after a lap or so. The second way however was where Elvis caught sight of the lion in the trees. (as you know lions are very predominant in Texas as the open prairies remind them of the Serengeti) With the speed and agility of his ancestors he changed direction and bolted toward the barn, this propelled me out of the saddle at least a foot causing me to loose my stirrup. Every muscle in his body was tense changing his gate to being tight and rough, tossing me around like a rag doll. His head was high and I was bouncing with every stride. As I managed to pull him to a halt I looked around for what had startled him but the lion had vanished in it's stead was a mere leaf, a simple reminder that lions are everywhere and we should always be on guard.

Morning Chores

There's nothing like opening the barn door to two faces that are suposto be in stalls. (thanks Chris)

The last few days...

Not too much has been happening around here. I had a meltdown on Saturday. that's not exactly uncommon, I can get a little emotional. I'm really learning a deeper understanding and dependence on the Lord. It's hard and sometimes I don't understand. (OK most of the time I don't understand) As I sit here and watch the sunrise I am reminded of the verse in Psalms "Be still and know that I am God". Sometimes that's just what I need, to be still and not try to do everything on my own. So with that in mind I took a breath and decided to work on the things I can do. I rode. It was fantastic!! I plan to do it again today, it's Midknight's turn.
We recently drove the thirty something miles to Lawton, OK just to go to Chick-Fil-A. Yes, we need help, we have no life. But it was worth it! I got some new shoes too and Chris got some wranglers. So all in all good day. For Valentine's day we drove to Decatur to the NRS center and bought Chris some cowboy boots they were expensive, and picking them out was.....interesting. See Chris has a narrow foot and he doesn't know exactly what he wants. He would put a boot on and say, " what do you think?" I'm like "I don't know it's not on my foot! What do you think?" I had to check his foot and make him walk around like a little kid. It was funny! I love him!
My children (the dogs) have a death wish (mainly Jesse and Roper)they have been on a destructive bend lately. I've threatened them that if they chew up anything else I'm going to kill them. Jesse even ripped off Cheda's ear, Chris had to stop me from killing him on the spot. (If you've known me for awhile, chances are you've met Cheda, he's my lifelong companion, he's been all over the world with me.) Anyway that's my life as of right now.

~New Beginnings~

This morning I am in my usual routine and it feel great. I still have no job and I'm beginning to wonder if I will or if I really want one. My house is clean and my animals are happy that I'm home. I don't know if I want to leave. I'm beginning to reconsider getting back into selling Mary Kay. The last few mornings have gotten me out of sync. Sunday we slept in and went back to Messiah Baptist, I really love it there. I feel like that is were God has called us to be, I keep praying for His guidance. Monday, Chris had the day off because he graduated from BIC (basic instructor course) on Friday. We invited the Pastor and his family over for dinner. It was a blast! The kids are great and we talked like old friends. We showed them our farm complete with dogs and horses, the kids loved that. Chris even gave us a roping demonstration. I cooked a ham for the first time (no, I didn't kill anyone) with a few sides and brownies with ice cream for dessert. We are still working on the leftovers. We cleaned the whole house too, it wasn't that bad to begin with but it was nice having Chris' help. Yesterday I slept in, then did the chores, and ran some errands. We had a pretty good size storm last night with lots of wind, lightning, and some hale. I of course was terrified that there might be a tornado (thanks mom).

As for the humor of our weekend, Roper got sprayed by a skunk on Sunday night. He had to sleep in the kennel all night then get a bath (lemon juice, peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap). He was really soft afterward though. I say was because he stayed that way up until this morning around 5:30 when of all things he got sprayed again. I had let the other two back inside but he was late as usual. When he came to the door I let him in, got a whiff of him and kicked him back out. He managed to get some of the smell in the house though. I fabreezed the furniture and had candles burning all morning. The smell is gone now, thank goodness. He is now in the kennel awaiting his bath or execution, I haven't decided yet, but if he keeps barking it may be the later.

~Married Dating~

Some people tend to thing that once you're married you are somehow trapped, no more fun and adventure. Let me just say spending Saturday with the one you love is always an adventure. We started our morning reading our Bibles and drinking coffee. Then had a nice long talk while curled up comfortably on the bed where we fell asleep. That's one of the most wonderful things about Saturdays, just being able to lay around doing nothing in particular, watching the horses run in the field(and they were!). Our evening plans included picking up a few groceries at the local supermarket and exchanging some curtains at Walmart. (ok, ok I know not the biggest adventure) Chris went to pick up some shavings for the barn while I took a shower. I still take my time and get dressed up just for him even if we're only going to Walmart. (I think that helps a relationship no one should just let themselves go) We got our groceries and headed to "wally world" where we got new curtains (He even helps pick them out),two five dollar movies(Robin Hood Men in Tights and High Crimes), a race car game for PlayStation2(I know seems childish but he wanted it a I told him that I'd beat him), some Valentine's candy, frozen pizza, and cheesecake. This may sound like much, but for me this has the makings of a great evening at home. It may even beat an evening out ;)

I'd better go I've got to keep my promise and beat Chris. Plus the pizza's done

~Clumsy Me~

Thursday in all my efforts to clean the kitchen I managed to get a little sloppy. I was washing dishes when I remembered a dish containing leftover roast, potatoes, and carrots. I pulled it out of the refrigerator removed the lid and poured it in the trash. Easy enough task for apparently anyone other than me. My trash can has one of those convenient foot petals I put my foot on it to open the lid. When I poured the food into the trash some of it missed the can and splattered down the front, onto my pants, then on my foot. It was cold, had bits of coagulated fat in it, and looked something like vomit. The instant the cold "vomit" hit my foot I screamed, kicked off my flip flop and dashed to the sink to drop the dish in so I could change and clean up. In my panic I tore off my rubber gloves getting the mixture on my hands (further grossing me out) then yanked my pants off and ran for the bedroom to change. I had to run, the blinds were open,a fact I forgot until my pants were already off, and there was no way I was putting them back on. This has made me even more grateful I live in the country, hopefully no one saw me. otherwise my neighbors have gotten to know me a little too well.

Friday I had one of those days were I did nothing but sit around and read all day. I love those days! It's so nice to just do nothing occasionally. I read Confessions of a Shopaholic. really a good read, light and funny.

Early Mornings

I just love early mornings! I didn't always. I was just itching to get out of bed this morning, it surprised me. I use to be the one begging for five more minutes. I've really come to enjoy them now though. The day is perfect, unblemished, and ready to be written. It's a peaceful time to be alone in a quiet house with just your thoughts. Of course I hate to be alone and I'm really not in a quiet house, but the snoring from the dogs doesn't interrupt too much. So I have this time for reflection and time with God just to be still and know that He is God. It's truly wonderful. I think everyone should try it. As I'm writing this I can see out my window and the sun is just peeking above the tree line it's beautiful! Well I must go and start this day. Horses to feed, stall to muck, exercise to inflict, (yes I have become a masochist, I exercise daily)and dogs to play with, *sight* my work is never done, but I love it!!

Ta Darling

Yesterday was interesting. I finally rode my horse I haven't been able to ride for a few weeks and I loved it! It's weird how you get away from doing something and you forget how much you miss it until you do it again. I'm planning to ride today too. In fact that's where I'm headed next.

The dogs were good for the most part yesterday. no one ran off, but Roper and Jesse did get into a fight. I was in the barn turning the horses out when they started. I yelled at them but that didn't work so I grabbed Kristo's water bucket and doused them. That did the trick. no more fighting.

I also interviewed with the employment service company today that went well. there was a spelling section on one of the forms I had to fill out. Lets hope that doesn't count for much. They sent my information to a company in Electra which isn't too far away from my house. So keep your fingers crossed that I get an interview there.

Well that's all that is new for now...going to ride....yay!!

~weekend adventures~

Saturday started out like any other day with Roper bounding on the bed to lick our faces, and Jesse trying to worm his way in between us. Chris gets up first to feed the horses and let the dogs out. I get up to start breakfast. I started biscuits but made the batter to thin so change of plans and now we're having pancakes. This means Chris has to cook because I don't make pancakes very well. And why should I learn, Chris makes them very well, like my dad's. After breakfast Chris started working on my truck while I cleaned up breakfast. He worked on the truck all day and it is running wonderfully. I spent the day playing with the dogs, watching Chris work and loafing around the house. All in all a good day.
Sunday we tried a new church. that was interesting. we walked in and were greeted by the ushers. Then the pastor, who informed us that there was extra germ-x in the lobby. Apparently several people in the church had been sick lately and they didn't want us catching anything. This was the first time my reaction was to run out the back. Then the service started and everyone got quiet... except the little kids who only got louder. This was the second time my reaction was to run out the back. Then for the special they brought out the base guitar for a "country" (and I use this term loosely) version of a hymn. This was the third time my reaction was to run out the back door. I managed to stay through the entire service, the preaching was good except he spent the service off on rabbit trails. (those darn rabbits) We went to IHOP for lunch and then home too meet the farrier. He was late. I think that is like job criteria to be a farrier, being late. I would make a good farrier in that respect. Elvis was of course his usual patient self. He would stand there sleeping with his eyes open. Midknight was less than obedient. He kept trying to use the poor farrier(Brett) as a springboard to rear off of. Literally Brett had his hoof between his legs and Midknight was trying to rear. He was somewhat successful until he backed into his stall wall. I don't know why he was behaving so badly, except to say that he tends to "test out" new meat. The farrier hung on and Midknight sighed, lowered his head, and gave up. Ah Kristo's turn. "He's not really stable on three legs, he doesn't put weight on you he sort of falls over" I warned Brett. But hearing isn't always believing. So Brett picked up his hoof and Kristo nearly toppled over. "See what I mean? He's also a contortionist" I warned again. This too had to be understood by doing. So Brett picked up his hoof again (this time he make sure Kristo was stable) Kristo tried to turn to see what Brett was doing. I held his head as best i could, but this is basically what Kristo looked like: head facing me, neck wrapped around Brett's back, one leg up, the other three sprawled in every direction, and wiggling. Working with him is always an adventure. *sigh* While we were outside Jesse was rearranging my house. Chris went in first spanked him and put him in the garage, then came out and told me what Jesse had done to the blinds (mainly pulled them off the door and chewed them up). I was unaware that Chris has already spanked him so I walked through the house calling him, I finally checked the garage, pulled him out spanked him and put him in the yard. I was letting the other two out of the kennel when I asked Chris why Jesse was in the garage. That was when I learned we has spanked him twice. "whoops!" After a trip to wally world to get new blinds which turned into new curtains instead, we crawled into bed watching The Princess Bride thus ending our weekend.