Shelby turns 11!!!

Happy Birthday, my brown eyed baby girl!!!

Case IH Red

We don't drive John Deeres on our place, so we really aren't "John Deere Green". But we are Case IH Red! And Heston Red. And Versitile red/orange. And Crustbuster grey? And Lord only knows what other colors of implements we have. Actually, I think we do have an old set of John Deere wheat drills that we don't use anymore.

And I was just having more fun with Photoshop here. My stepfather learning to drive a tractor here.

Introductions

I realize that since I moved to blog format that everything I had on the old website is gone. I know, I've said this before. So periodically, I try to post things that were up on the old site.

One thing that I should do is introduce my family to all of you.

This is Shelby. She is our 1997 model. Eight pounds, 8 ozs. Twenty-four hours of labor, 3 of which was pushing (TMI?). Our firstborn, the oldest, the bossy one. She is in 5th grade (which is middle school at our small rural school). Most of the time she gets along with her younger sister and she and our youngest adore each other. But she and Chance just clash. All the time. It's mostly his fault. Anyway, Shelby LOVES to read, she started reading before she started Kindergarten (her teacher said she was the first student she ever had that started the year reading!). She has read every single Harry Potter book (after me, of course). She also enjoys horses, reading, listening to music, reading, Hannah Montana (and all things that have to do with Miley Cyrus), writing stories, reading, singing (and she is pretty good!). She does not enjoy watching Chance and cleaning her room. She cheers and plays basketball. As she is entering the world of tweens, she is adding talking on the phone and emailing friends to her list of things to do. Her foot is one size smaller than mine and I catch her in my closet drooling over my shoes and boots that she plans on wearing next year. Girl, you better stay away from my Ariat Fat Babies!!!

This is Ch'ree. She is our 1999 model. Eight lbs, 4oz. 12 hours of labor, 10 minutes of pushing with NO DRUGS! She spent a few days in Lubbocks NICU because she decided to spit up blood. I think she just wanted the helicopter ride to Lubbock to make her daddy jealous. Ended up she just had some acid reflux. She is the drama queen. She can cry at the drop of a hat if she needs to. She thinks it will get her out of whatever task I have assigned her. It doesn't work. She and Chance DO get along. Drew not so much (his preference, not hers). She also enjoys reading and writing stories. Except she likes to start many books and finish few. She also likes pretty things, she is kinda a frilly girl. She cheers and plays basketball (both girls have also dabbed around into soccer and baseball. They both enjoyed soccer. I didn't enjoy two different teams with all different times of practices and games in town). She can also stare at a TV and tune the entire world out around her. At any given time. She may not even like what's on or know what it is, she is mesmorized by the glowing box (Dad, does that sound familiar?). Like her sister, she also enjoys music. I think she is the most low maintenance of all the kids, though.

This is Chance. Our 2002 model. Nine lbs, 9ozs. Six hours of labor with an epidural, which after the last birth experience, I demanded as soon as I walked into the hospital. Even though he is three years younger than Ch'ree, he is the same size as she is (except she wears slim clothes and he regular). He's a tough boy. He shows his tough side to his sisters all day long. But when he is at school, he is the most compassionate kid there. He seldom gets in trouble at school (home is quite another matter). He can play the PS2 like there is no tomorrow (I have to work hard to beat him at many games). His biggest enjoyment is to get under Shelby's skin. He is on the verge of getting reading down. He talks about underwear alot. He likes to wear nothing but his underwear, alot. He wants to be in the middle of everything. He loves Power Rangers and Spiderman, and now rides a bike with NO training wheels. He also loves riding his 4-wheeler. He has a cousin who is 6 days younger than him. They are the same size, both blonde, both blue eyed, and when they get together, we call them Nitro and Glycerine.

And Drew is the baby. Our 2005 model, he was nine lbs, 3 ozs, 12 hours of labor. And the epidural guy did a WONDERFUL job with this one. After Drew was born, I was ready for more! Totally painless experience. He idolizes his big brother and Shelby. He loves Thomas the Train, Power Rangers and anything with dogs (currently Scooby Doo is a fav). He shuns underwear, prefers diapers (much to my dismay, as I want him potty trained). He loves apple juice, cartoons, his dog Tex, and the horses. He's quite fond of his daddy and mommy, and never have I seen a child that HAS to be snuggled as much as he. Like his mommy, he feels he must have shoes on his feet as soon as he wakes up and doesn't take them off til he hits the sack. And he hates hitting the sack. He would stay up all day and night if given the chance.

And this is Jeff and myself.

Jeff is 6'4". He's a 1973 model who was born and raised right here in Floyd. He farms and ranches, is on the volunteer fire department (and is almost done getting his EMS-Intermediate license. Watch out, he can put an IV in you!), the Lion's club, and on the school board. He works hard farming 1,300 acres and ranching another 1,200. He has put up with me and my Irish temper for nearly 15 years (13 1/2 wedded). He enjoys playing some old country tunes on his bass guitar, watching various Star Trek shows, wrestling with the kids, and pranks (his favorite is a remote controlled fart machine).

And me. Y'all know me. I'm a 1974 model troublemaker from Georgia who somehow found herself in New Mexico. I may not have been born a country girl, but I sure wanted the part all my life and now I have it. I love animals, especially my dog and the horses. I love being a farm wife. I've always been a tomboy, I grew up playing softball and on the swimteam and joining the neighborhood boys playing football and seeing if I can land on both wheels after jumping a ramp on my bike at the bottom of the hill (I didn't, it was a hard landing). I enjoy yardwork and gardening, I just wish I had a green thumb for it. I fear wasps. I'm learning guitar, I claim to be a scrapbooker and quilter (but haven't had the opportunity to do either in a long time). And recently I have found I love photography. I'm working on the basics of exposure right now with my digital SLR (a Nikon D50). I coach the elementary girls cheerleading squad (and no, I was never a cheerleader in school, but I wanted to real bad), and have coached the kids' baseball teams before. I love the Atlanta Braves, but haven't watched a game all year since TBS took my Braves away from me. I used to love to read books, but can't find the time for it anymore. Hmmm, maybe if I quit reading blogs....

We are a pretty close family. My life revolves around the kids and their activities, and around Jeff and what he needs me to do on any given day (get parts, rode machinery, get lunch, etc). I may go days without adult conversation. My MIL, FIL and SIL are my best friends, next to my husband. For fun we like to go camping (in the 5th wheel of course. I may be country, but I like my modern conviences) or just visit with family.

And now you know everything more than you probably ever wanted to know about us.

Playing with Photoshop

It usually takes me a while to decide what to spend money and gift cards I get for Birthdays and Christmases. But this week I finally spent the combined checks from last October and December.

First, I bought a new lens for my camera. It's a 55-200mm Nikon zoom lens with VR (Vibration reduction). It's supposed to be REALLY neat. It doesn't get here til Wednesday, but I'll let you know how it goes!

Second, I bought a photo editing program. Not Photoshop CS2 or whatever it is. That puppy costs about $600!! No, I got Photoshop Elements 6.0. And this morning I had a bit of fun with it.

You know how when you get pictures done somewhere and they are always doing some fun things to make you want to spend an arm and a leg? Like selective coloring, when you can pick one color or something to stand out in a black and white photo? Well, here are my attempts at it:

What do you think? I wouldn't do it all the time, but I think it's kinda cool for the right photo.

Tampoline!

With Shelby's 11th birthday approaching in the next couple weeks and Ch'ree's not far behind that, Jeff (never one to keep or wait around for a surprise) decided while he was in town to get the girls an early birthday present.

A trampoline.

Now Mom, I know you said you don't think they are safe, but it's pretty big and lots of padding. And it will help them with their cheerleading stunts. Ok? Feel better now?

Here is the crew putting it together. Drew especially wanted to help. There were a few little glitches (one of which is Jeff not reading the instructions in the right order, then not listening to me when my common sense told ME how to do it, and I backed it up with the correct order in the instructions). But, he is a man and who needs stinkin' instructions? Not him!

Eventually it was all put together. Drew isn't quite sure what to do. So he just likes to sit there and let everyone else bounce, therefore bouncing him in the air.

Ch'ree's got the jumping down, though!

And wow, Shelby! Look at that toetouch!!

Chance likes to get in everyone's way. Especially Shelby's. What else is new?

Drew needed a break from all the bouncing, so he decided to sit on the brown drought stricken grass that I can't water til my well is fixed and pick his nose.

And his toes.

"Here mom, want some boogers and toe jam?"

And yes, I have been jumping on it, too. It's really alot of fun and a good aerobic workout. Which is exactly what I need to lose these last few pounds.

About a year ago, I heard about 101 in 1001. What it is: listing 101 things you want to accomplish, and you need to do it in 1001 days. Well, I had fun creating a spreadsheet for it, then I finally came up with 101 things to get done. Which was actually kinda hard to do. I have some piddly things on there (which still aren't done, so I guess they aren't so piddly), and some lofty goals as well. And as the year has gone on, I've actually added more than 101 things as I think of them.

As of today, I have accomplished 22 goals (not so good when you consider I've had a year to do them!).

Item 53: File away 2006 stuff (done May 9th, 2007)--whoohoo, I filed stuff. LOL! I actually have even done 2007 already too.

Item 37: Read Paula Deen Memoirs (done May, 2007)--A fun book. And I was desperate to find things for my 101 things to do, so I added a couple books to read. I love Paula Deen, she has such wonderful recipes that expand my waistline. I hate Paula Deen, because she has such wonderful recipes that expand my waistline. LOL! Her life has been very interesting, full of heartbreak and full of triumph. And it just goes to show you that even if you have nothing you can accomplish anything!

Item 88: Take my children to the ocean (done July 2007)--Last summer we went to Mustang Island (on the other side of Corpus Christi. We stayed in a campground right on the beach and could walk down to the water whenever we felt like it. We also went to San Antonio and saw The Alamo, Sea World, and the RiverWalk. It was HOT down there!!

Item 38: Read new Harry Potter book (done July 2007)--Picked it up on the way to San Antonio, the day it went on sale. Shelby and I had to fight over it, but we both got it read before we returned home.

Item 4: Pay off blue pickup (done August 2007)--Feels good to have that truck paid off! It was my first brand new right off the lot vehicle, and my dreamtruck (F-250 4door with the 7.3 Powerstroke, 4x4, leatherseats. Love that truck!)

Item 70: Sell camper (done June 2007)--this was on the list because we had just bought an '05 5th wheel, but still needed to sell our old '84. Sold it on Ebay to a really nice older couple from Louisianna. They drove out here to get it and brought a box full of Marti Gras beads for the kids.

Item 54: File current stuff (done September 2007)--I had alot of filing that needed to be done at the time. I try to stay a bit more on top of it now. LOL!

Item 96: Catch up all Quicken accounts (done september 2007)--Again, I was behind on bookkeeping.

Item 39: Give away 10 books--Got 'em boxed up, just haven't done anything with them. We have tons of books around here and not enough bookselves.

Item 66: Get a good Victoria Secrets bra! (done September 2007)--blush, blush. Yeah, this was something on my list. Got it done, thanks. Let's not mention it again.

Item 77: Have wisdom teeth pulled (done October 2007)--Got one pulled, bringing me up to 2 total. It was hurting and had chipped. Dr. Thompson fixed me right up. Didn't even feel it, really (dramatic change from when I had my first one pulled 10 years before. That dentist was a jerk and called me a crybaby. Wonder why I was so scared to have another one done?)

Item 69: Fix Tex’s pen (done October 2007, mostly done by Don)--Tex, my German Shephard, didn't like his pen. He would dig out of it. He didn't like to stay in the yard either, he would jump out of it. When Tex decided it would be fun to herd up the neighbors goats one day and she tried to shoot him (the only time he had ever run off anywhere), my father-in-law hooked the pen up to the electric fence box. He has since learned not to try to escape the fence. Actually, he only goes in it now if I'm going to work the horses (oooh, one time then).

Item 98: Get an iPod (Done October 19th, 2007 for birthday!)--I got an Ipod Nano! It's green and so cool! Jeff gave it to me for my birthday.

Item 18: Have family pictures done in 2007 (done, twice!)--We had this done in September 2007 for the church directory, then again at Sears because they are a heck of a lot cheaper than Olan Mills (who did the directory)

Item 75: Tree skirt for Holly and Jesse (December 2007)--I made a quilted Christmas tree skirt for my stepbrother and his wife for Christmas. It has a log cabin and a moose and pine tree on each side of it, it's a Debbie Mumm pattern. They live in Maine and I thought it fit them perfect.

Item 92: Build Barn at Ranch (done, December 2007)--Whoohoo, Jeff finally got his barn!

Item 97: Get a flatscreen computer monitor (done, Christmas 2007)--My Christmas present from Jeff.

Item 12: Remodel garage to music room/Jeff’s office (DONE, February 2008)--Ya'll saw this in progress.

Item 42: Set up store on website (decided not to do one)--Well, I thought I was going to make really cute personalized baby blankets and burb clothes and sell them online. Didn't work out too well. But, if anyone wants to buy one, let me know and I'll make 'em!

Item 56: Clean office good (February 08, completely moved office to garage)--relocating took care of this problem.

Item 11: Get kitchen remodeled (done March 08)--ya'll saw this in progress too.

Item 45: New light for front porch--it's bought, but not installed. Oh Jeeeeffffff...

Hopefully I'll get some more items posted before my 1001 days are up!!

Ridin' the horses

I've always been passionate about horses. Always loved to go riding, or just brush and look at them. My first ride I was probably 3 or 4. It was in someone's house. Not sure why. Hope that little pony didn't make a mess. When my daddy took me to San Diego to visit some family, someone took me riding then. I remember when I was about 6 years old and my grandmother took my cousin to a riding stable that rented out rides. And I wanted to go SO BAD. But, I was forced to wait in the car (because I was having a huge temper tantrum). I was dusty and dirty and remembered wiping my dirty tears on the white bed sheet that Grandma used to protect the upholestry in the car. I didn't get a ride that time, but later that summer after I had calmed down, I did. I collected Bryer model horses, watched dang near every horse movie and read many a horse book (Black Stallions, Misty, Black Beauty, etc). I love horses.

When my father and stepmother first started getting their horses, it was one of the highlights of weekend and summer visits, just to brush them. I taught myself how to french braid on their tails, and enjoyed just clipping them with the electric clippers and brushing their manes and tails. I didn't even mind cleaning their stalls that much (really, Dad, I didn't. Some of my fondest memories are cleaning stalls and listening to the radio).

My father gave me my horse that I still have now. He was one of the first horses whose parents he owned and bred. His name is Dude, and I've had him since I was about 13. Everyone calls him a circus animal, and rightly so. He has a "spirited" streak in him. But he is my baby. I remember when he would be asleep in his stall and I would quietly walk in and lay down with him. He had a way of letting us know if he was out of water in his stall. First he would tear the 5-gallon bucket off the wall and stick it on his head. Then he would run it up and down the slats of his stall making a huge racket. When he would hear us enter the barn, he would then toss his head so that the bucket would fly over the walls of the stall and into the hallway so we could see that it was him out of water.

His spirited side wasn't always so cute. There was an incident with my father and the manure pile that Dude dragged him through. And the time when he tossed me into a fence. I think one time my dad threatened to shoot him with his .38 Special. LOL! He also used to have symptoms of colic about every 6 weeks or so and we would spend hours day and night walking him around praying he would be ok. Oddly enough, once I dragged his butt to New Mexico back in 1995, only one such attack occured.

Today for the first time in about 10 years, the kids and I talked Jeff into letting us ride the horses. It's always been a fear to let the kids ride. After all, why would they need to? We gather our cows with 4-wheelers and a feed truck. Jeff has no intention of letting them rodeo or show them. Then there was the local little 3 year old boy whose horse got spooked by a rope and drug him to death a few years ago.

Mundy is my father-in-law's horse. He's old. He's so old, he's been fitted for armor. He's so old, he's been shot with arrows before. He's so old, Coronado rode him into battle. He's so old...well, you get the picture. Really, he's about 28 years old. He had an accident shortly before Jeff and I were married (13 years ago) and messed up his hind feet. He's enjoyed a retired life out to pasture since.

Being that old and half crippled, Jeff finally decided that he would be gentle enough for his precious children. So we caught him, brushed him and saddled him up. Then Jeff led them around (just in case. Not taking any chances here).

Chance and Ch'ree had a turn

Then just Ch'ree. Mundy kinda has a mind of his own. He runs in two speeds: slow and stop. Here he had decided to stop. Dude was also nickering back in the pens. They weren't too sure of what was going on.

Then Shelby got a turn.

Shelby and Drew together

Drew and Chance. Drew has discovered that he LOVES horses!

After Mundy had his turn, I decided to try out Dude. We had a bit of trouble catching him. When you haven't had a halter on in years, guess you really don't want to get caught. But we finally did. First I brushed him, then lunged him a bit on a line. Then I wondered if I remembered how to saddle a horse. I had a little trouble with straps. Dude and I were raised riding English (he's a Tennessee Walking Horse, not a Quarter Horse like everything else around here), and the hardware and buckles are a bit different than our Western gear, but Jeff set me straight. Dude didn't object too bad with the bit, and I lunged him some more. Finally, I decided to just get on him and see what happened.

Had this been Dude 10 years ago, I'm sure he would have bucked or spun (in fact, I think that's what he did do last time he was ridden, 10 years ago). But I guess age must have mellowed him, and we just walked around for a bit. I even got him to trot a little, but that's it. It was nice just to be on a horse again. It's sad that he is about 22 years old, think of all the years of riding I've missed (doing silly things like birthing and caring for children).

And for a reward, they got a nice big bale of alfalfa. This is Mundy. And he has ALWAYS been this skinny. No matter if he has been wormed and on grain and unlimited supply of good hay (all of the above we have done). He's just a skinny horse. Dude has the exact same treatment and he's kinda fat. Go figure.

"Alfalfa? Alfalfa!! Why do THEY get alfalfa and all we get are cubes and unlimited pasture and haygrazer. We want ALFALFA!!!!" Look at the dust they are stirring up! No, they didn't get any alfalfa. Guess they are mad at us now.

"Where is my alfalfa?"