The Bronco

Jeff and I have a new project.

Jeff has a passion for late 1970s model pickups. I have been wanting some that I could put huge tires on and a lift kit. In high school, my guy friends had trucks like that. Old and big. Not much can beat riding around in an old truck and looking down on the little cars. Pickups are great, but not always the best for hauling around all these kids. So I knew it would have to be a utility vehicle. And since we are a Ford family, then a Bronco it would have to be.

We looked around on eBay, but everything was way too much for what we could afford. Then I found out that one of the teachers at the kids' school happened to have one sitting in her backyard. It was her son's, but she wanted her backyard back to rebuild the patio and just generally clean it up. So he offered it to me for $200.00. That's right. $200.

Of course, for that price, it's going to need some work. Needs a motor for the rear window. Some interior needs to be worked on. Door panel here, new carpet there. At least a seat cover. And a radio. Gotta have a good stereo in it!

A new grill, bumper, some fender work...Engine needs an overhaul, some other mechanical stuff (though it does run!)...

Lift kit, big honkin' tires, paint job...

But it's going to be fun working on it!! Almost as fun as driving it around and finding some muddy roads!

Scarlett

I haven't posted many pictures of our puppy, Scarlett. Well, not so much a puppy anymore. She was a year old this last summer. Late last spring we were given several kittens that were pretty much wild. I was worried about kittens vs. puppy. The last dog we had found kittens alot of fun to play with. In fact, he played with them to death, literally.

But Scarlett absolutely loves cats. And they love her, too. Any morning we can see at least one cat snuggling as close as they can to her. And there have been times when I see her carrying a cat across the yard then give it a bath. But it is clear who rules the yard around here (6 cats vs. 1 dog. take a guess). They share food, water, and the kids. The kittens aren't wild anymore and let anyone pet them (and they frequently try to sneak in the house when a child leaves a door open). And they follow me around when I'm in the pens checking on cows.

Volleyball pictures, 10/11/09

Our days have been a blur of mostly ball games and practices lately. Shelby is quite the little athlete. She may not be the best one on the team, but she does give it her all.

One thing we realized that if she was going to keep getting hit in the head with the ball, catching cheerleaders in stunts, contact lenses would be a wise investment. She loves them, too!

A typical night in volleyball is that the junior high team plays the first set, then the JV team, then ends with the Varsity team. All but 2 of the junior high cheerleaders are on the volleyball team, and we don't have a JV cheer squad. So the junior high squad cheers for the JV game.

Shelby and her cousin Gracie at the Dig Pink game.

Last night's Dig Pink game. Here Coach Gray is having a "motivational moment" (aka time out) with the girls. Junior high won and remains undefeated!!

Shelby waiting for the ball.

Varisty also had an excellent night, beating the #1 team in the state, Ft. Sumner. They had handed our girls their only loss all season a few weeks ago. But our girls wouldn't give up last night! They took it all the way to 5 games (winning the 1st, losing 2nd and 3rd, winning 4th and 5th). Way to go Lady Broncos!!!

Dig Pink

Shelby's junior high team remains undefeated, as we beat Dora on Tuesday. Varsity's record is close to that, they have only lost one game, against the #1 team in the state, Ft. Sumner.
Tomorrow (Saturday) is our Dig Pink game, and we will be playing Ft. Sumner again. Money from the game and a cake auction to be held will go to benefit a Breast Cancer foundation. All the players have pink jerseys (and I have one, too!!). So if you are going to the game, be sure to wear PINK!!! Next week we will play in Elida for their Dig Pink game.
Go Lady Broncos!!!

September recap

Oh, for heaven's sake! Has it really been nearly 2 months without an update!!?? I don't know where the time goes!!!

Kids are all in school and loving it. Drew especially. He loves preK and has alot of fun. So far he has brought home all "happy faces" in his daily planner that I sign each night.

Shelby has been the busiest of all the kids. She has volleyball practice nearly every day after school. And games at least once, sometimes twice a week. Her team is undefeated so far (I've lost count, but I think 9-0?). They won a tourney, and last night beat our biggest rival. They are really learning alot. She also cheers the JV volleyball games (which are right after her Junior High games. And we always hang around for the Varsity game after that (those girls have only lost one game, and that was against the #1 team in the state, Ft. Sumner).

Shelby also got contacts last week. Looks so grown up! Of course I have pictures, but they are still on the camera. I'll try to download them soon. She's now just 1 inch shorter than I am.

Chance had a birthday last month, he's now 7. The boy is getting taller, too. Reading alot, too. He read Green Eggs and Ham last week to me by himself. He has such...personality. LOL!

Jeff loves working at the Portales fire department. He's also been busy with harvest, lots of hay on the ground, some more needs to be cut, and some needs to be raked and baled. Waiting on humidity for the last two items.

I've been busy subbing at least once a week. Wherever I'm needed. Sometimes it's in the office, sometime in a classroom. Sometimes I just float around where needed. I love the work, wish it was more steady. Actually, I really wish a teacher's aide position would come open. I'd love to work full-time there.

That's it for now. I'll try to have some pictures up soon. In my spare time. LOL!