Friday, October 30, 2009

Fall Foliage Friday



As fast as it came...it is gone.  It seems like the peak for colors here lasted only about 12 hours before the leaves started to really fall.  Most of the leaves are already gone.  Today was a beautiful day with temps in the 70s, but tomorrow the rain and cool weather returns.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Choosing a saddle

Madison needs a saddle.  She has been riding a very old saddle that just isnt working for her at all.  I certainly didn't realize when I started looking for a saddle for her just how expensive a youth saddle would be.  The ones pictured in yesterdays post are all well known, quality brands such as Circle Y, Double J, Cactus, Billy Cook.  Price range...$800-$3200!  Good used ones are difficult to find and also quite expensive.  As Madison and I discussed purchasing a saddle and the expense she came up with a GREAT solution.  "Mom", she says "I dont want you to have to spend your money on a saddle because they are so much.....I will just ask Santa!"  Great Idea!  Problem solved.

We are still doing some shopping around before we decide on a saddle.  It will be used by Madison for many years and then handed down to Reese if she decides to follow in her big sis footsteps.

If any of you know where to find a really good used youth barrel saddle we would still consider a used one at this point so please share!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

I am jumping on the Wordless Wednesday bandwagon becuase I really dont have time for a post today!  Take a look at all these pics and I will explain tomorrow!


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Post Congress Review

What can I say...it was great as usual. (I forgot my camera BUMMER!)  We arrived just in time to catch many of the barrel and pole classes.  Congress lived up to all  Chase expectations.  He got to see the top riders and horses in the country.  He was especially interested in seeing Mulberry Canyon Moon, as we all were.  Our yearling is by her half brother so we feel a connection to her.  She is such a great horse.  She won the sweepstakes at Congress 2 years ago and since has gone to Angie Meadors who runs the PRCA circuit.  Macy as they call her had a good run in the 2nd go of the sweeps but knocked a barrel in the finals.  Other great horses we got to see were BF Shananigan, SR Red Ryder and many of the up and coming stars.  In the end the sweepstakes was won by a young boy, Trevor Pruitt.  I am going to guess him to be around 13.  He is really cleaning up this year winning one go of the IBRA East Nationals and now the Congress Sweepstakes. 

Many of our Kentucky friends placed in classes including Holly Botner who placed in senior barrels, 2nd in amateur and placed in the sweepstakes.  The sire of our Bully colt also placed 4th in the amateur poles. And Chase good friend Will Bingham placed 3rd and 5th in Youth 14-18 poles.

The trade show was outstanding as usual.  You don't ever really find any "great buys" but you get to see so many things that normally you can only find in a catalog or online.  Having said that I came away with a late birthday present from the hubby, well worth the wait....something I have always wanted....a pair of black ostrich boots!  How cool are these!


I am hoping to get time to work on my blog, add some pictures and more about my interest, in the next few days so be sure to check back.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Fall Foliage Friday

The colors have really started to pop!  I think we will be at peak next week and I hope to hike into the mountains and take some cool fall photos.  For now here is what things look like this week.  Sorry that it is another gloomy day for picture taking but we just keep repeating this gloomy weather pattern.



P.S.  We head out today to Columbus Ohio to the All American Quarter Horse Congress. I will report next week on all that we see!  Have a great weekend.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to me.  I share my birthday with the closest person to a sister I ever had my cousin Mendy.  I am a year older but we share a birthday.  Later in life my mom married and moved to Kansas and I acquirred a step sister Ashley that I love dearly and she also shares this birthday...so happy birthday to us all.  With this birthday I am officially closer to 40 than to 30...that seems a bit odd to me.  I just cant imagine being 40.  It seems so....grown up! LOL  I hope Mendy and Ash have a great day!

No post yesterday, and a brief one today as Bradley (oldest son) is not recovering well from H1N1.  I will be calling the doctor this morning.  It is such a scary thing that perfectly healthy young people are coming down with this and dying.  He isnt able to get out of bed at all.  On Monday he ate a bowl of soup but yesterday refused to eat anything.  We did manage to get him to eat most of a Frosty from Wendys.  His temperature remains right at 101 if we don't control it with meds.  I am not happy with his progress.  Keep him in your prayers.

Monday, October 19, 2009

H1N1 and miraculous recoveries....

We interupt the normally scheduled My Monday Picks for an episode of H1N1...yes it has hit our house.  My oldest son Bradley, 18, was diagnosed with it today. He was prescribed Tamiflu and though he feels really bad right now the Tamiflu has been working well to diminish the symptoms quickly.  There is lots of Germx and hand washing going on here and the smell of bleach is in the air as I try to keep everyone else from getting the "swine flu".  We opted not to get the vaccination.  Our doctor said that unless you had some type of disease or ailment that would cause your immune system to be run down he didnt recommend it.  And so we didnt take it.  Actually I am not sure it is even available yet in our area.  So 5 days of Tamiflu and he should be good as new.

I also wanted to post pictures of Chase 3 weeks to the day after his accident.  It is amazing to see how he has healed...it truly is a miracle and blessing from God. He returns to the neurosurgeon on November 13th.  We will be anxious for that visit as we should find out if Chase can return to riding.  For now we are thankful that he has made such a speedy recovery.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Gloomy days and Grand Openings

I believe I am beginning a bout with depression, brought on by stress, but totally enhanced by the gloomy and rainy weather we have had for one week!  I honestly don't recall the last day I saw the sun.  All I want to due is curl up under a blanket and take a nap!
But I was able to muster up the energy to drive into a neighboring town who opened a Tractor Supply store today.  I LOVE that store!  We picked up a water bottle for the rabbits and Purina Straregy horse feed.  This is my favorite feed but had been unable to feed it since the closest dealer was an hour away.  I guess now I can curl up under that blanket and take a nap!  Have a nice weekend.



Friday, October 16, 2009

Fall Foliage Friday

Besides the changing colors there is another common theme to Fall Foliage Friday pictures ....the rain and fog.  I feel like I live in Seatle not in Kentucky.  We have had almost constant rain for the past week and now it is turning cold, chance of snow flurries tonight!  Horses will be blanketed tonight and Macy the pregnant barn dog will trade her hay bale for the laundry room just in case she decides to give birth.

Colors are really beginning to change and within a week we will be at peak...it truly is the most beautiful time of year here.  Enjoy your Friday and your weekend.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Issues...do we have them?

I am fairly new to the blog concept.  I have loomed around reading them from time to time for years but only since starting my own have I really taken the time to read a lot of blogs from a variety of perspectives on life.  We hear a lot about how women like to share information and that blogging is fast becoming the way to do it.  Lots of blogs try to share information about common problems and issues that face women.  However, when I read a lot of these blogs I find myself not relating to the same issues.  Maybe it is because I live a rural life consumed with horses and dogs and kids and rabbits.  What are your biggest issues?  For the few of you that read my blog you likely have a lot in common with me and maybe we can relate better than I relate to some of the other blogs I read.  Issues for me are time, time to do barn work, time to clean house and make supper, time to work the horses and fence the pasture.  I need people who can share ideas about how to fence for the goats I want to buy and how to make a rabbit box for those 2 furry friends my son won me at the festival last week.  I need to know how to get over my nervousness when I make a barrel run and should I use the magic seat for my daughter.  Enough of my rambling...what are the things in your life that you need to vent about, resolve and plan for?  Maybe we can help each other out!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Technical Tuesday

I tried desperately to post on Tuesday but technical difficulties just wouldn't have it that I be success ful.  I am still not sure what the issue was.  I had a post completed, with pictures and it just vanished when I tried to save.  I did however finally mange to get my laptop to recognize my camera.  I have an older model Canon Digital Rebel and was having issues getting it to be recognized by my laptop...that problem is solved! YAY ME! Moving on to todays projects one of my favorites...(NOT)... the washing of the boots.  Bell boots, splint boots all have to be washed as it was a little muddy where we ran Saturday night.  So I am headed to my laundry room to throw them in the washer and get them cleaned up and ready for our next ride. 















We really aren't sure where we plan to show next.  We aren't making a lot of effort to find shows either until Chase is recovered.  He goes back to the neurosurgeon November 13th and we will discuss his riding at that point.  In the meantime we have planned an exciting trip for Chase next week.  He has been down in the dumps after this whole ordeal so to lift his spirits we are going to take him to the All American Quarter Horse Congress next weekend.  Chase has never been and is really looking forward to this trip. Ok I have delayed it as long as I can...off to the laundry room!

Monday, October 12, 2009

My Picks Monday

Every Monday I will highlight some of my favorite things. Most of my picks will be related to things I love like horses, photography, scrapbooking and social media. But I will mix it up so it doesn't get boring. Here goes the first edition of My Picks Monday....

My pick for horse related websites is Barrel Horse World This site includes forums, classifieds and event listings. It is the place to go for horses, tack, dogs and trailers for sale.

My pick for blog of the week is A Cowboys Wife This professional blogger has great information and giveaways as well as links to her cooking website.

My pick for scrapbooking website is Big Picture Scrapbooking This method has changed how I scrapbook and I am so thankful! It took the stress of chronological order and that I must scrap them all....away and I enjoy scrapbooking much more these days.


Enjoy these websites as much as I do.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Fall Foliage Continued



I thought I would catch up the fall foliage Friday post. Here are pics from this past week.
October 4, 2009 October 7, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

Fall Foliage Friday

I had hoped to start this series at the first of the month but things have been a bit hectic with Chase recovery and other obligations. Better late than never...I live in one of the most beautiful regions of the country for fall foliage. Right outside my front door is a beautiful mountain that will display falls briliant colors as we head toward "peak of the season" Here are some pictures to chronicle the changing of the leaves.


October 1, 2009. Not much change at this point. we are expecting cool weather this weekend and that will kick the change into full swing!


October 3, 2009 Still not much change...but it is coming.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Meet Audrey Reese!


Audrey Reese was born June 4, 2009. She is my late in life baby....being pregnant at 35 isn't so easy. But it was all worth it...including the 4 months of bed rest and the startling delivery. She has brought so much joy to our lives. I have had a different experience with her than with my other 4. With the other kids I always was thinking about them growing up and how I couldn't wait to see them walk and talk and play ball and hunt Easter eggs. With Reese I realize that will all come too soon. Her oldest brother is 18! What happened to the days when he was still learning to grasp things with his hands and make cooing sounds? He is technically (and I do only mean technically) an adult. With Reese I savor those moments that I can cuddle her like a baby and feed her and watch her play and learn to do things. I know all too soon I will turn around and she will be going out the door to drive to school. I am most happy that she has not only brought joy to the lives of me and her dad but also to her siblings. She is truly a joy for us all!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Live Webcasting IBRA and Congress

The All American Quarter Horse Congress is in full swing and this year the webcast is FREE! Friday night is the highlight of the entire show for me...freestyle reining. Go to the link below to watch live coverage.
All American Quarter Horse Congress

The IBRA East Nationals is also going on with the Directors Race and $10,000 guaranteed 4-d races today. Link below is the the webcast. Good luck to all our Kentucky and Tennessee friends.
IBRA East Nationals Webcast

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

To magic seat...or not?


The Magic Seat pictured above has been the source of many discussions and swaying opinions at our house. The device is basically some straps that go around your legs and then Velcro to your saddle to help you keep your seat. I see a lot of beginning youth riders using it and at first, after seeing kids put on horses beyond their riding ability, said no way I will never let Madison use that. But after talking with some trusted friends who have used or have coached youth who have used it I have changed my mind. I have been assured that it really doesn't hold you in the seat it only adds some stability so if a horse were to duck or spook you wont just pop out of the seat but if a horse were to take a fall you would come off. Both the ladies I asked about it said that it really just adds stability and is good for beginners to help them get their confidence. Madison is riding really well right now and has a lot of confidence and I would hate to see her lose it as it took a long time to build. She is confident enough to trust my judgement and get on any horse I approve and walk trot and lope circles. Yesterday we took her to a friends house to practice Rosie on the pattern and she did very well. She has an excellent seat and nice soft hands. She is ready to get into the arena and start competing in pee wee and I feel the Magic Seat will only help her develop her confidence and skills. So it looks like a yes to the Magic Seat. Anyone out there used it or have an opinion to share?

Monday, October 5, 2009

It is all about style...Classic Equine

Since purchasing Rosie for Madison I have felt like we really need to get ourselves color coordinated for the shows. My motto has always been that if you have a bad run you can at least look good doing it! There are so many tack options out there that it can get quite confusing. Today I am going to talk about our bell boot and splint boot choices as well as a coordinating pad. When it comes to bell boots there is none other than the Classic Equine No Turn. These boots fit well, will NOT turn on you and really last through a lot of wear, tear and washing. We use the Classic Equine splint boots as well so everything matches really nicely. And to round out a great look I plan to purchase the ESP saddle pads to match. They come in some great colors and work really well under most any saddle. Below I have put together coordinating looks for each of us. I hope to purchase a few things as we go along, cant afford a total makeover all at one time. We have already purchased the Diva Dot bell boots for Rosie and Madison (hay bag to match) and I got the Paisley print bell boots (hay bag to match). Take a look and let me know what you think or if you have any questions about Classic Equine products...I highly reccommend them!


For Madison and Rosie


We already purchased thses and the hay bag to match. We are going to pair these splint boots with the bell boots...

and this ESP saddle pad




Madison is going to need a new saddle as well...and pretty soon. I want to do some research and shop around for a saddle before we make a purchase like that. There are so many things to consider saddle fit for the horse and the rider as well as how it looks.



I put together this look for me...I love the pink and brown!

I have already purchased these for me and the haybag to match.


Going for these splint boots and this ESP pad to complete the look!







And finally for Chase....who will be back in the saddle in no time I put these colors together.






Now if I can just win the lottery it would make this a much quicker and smoother process to get us all coordinated and looking good!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Posting Pictures

My family and I have spent this evening watching the live webcast of the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Reining and cutting were on the schedule for tonight. We saw some pretty impressive reining horses. I cant wait for the Freestyle reining which is Friday night.



We were scheduled to leave Wednesday of this week to show at the IBRA National Finals. Chase and my husband John both qualified this year and we were so excited about going....prior to Chase having his wreck. We had invested a good amount of money in entry fees for the show and have requested a refund since this is a medical reason and we are hopeful that the show management will see this hardship and refund our money....I will let you know how that goes.


I was reviewing some of my earlier post and realized I never posted pictures of the weanling we are so excited about. Since then we purchased a yearling and a horse for my daughter to begin running pee wee barrels. So here are some long over due pictures...





I took these of Junior this weekend. He is 6 months old. AStreak of Fly is his registered name a son of Frenchmans Fly (by Frenchmans Guy and out of De Streaker (mother of Mulberry Canyon Moon) and out of Ms Do Da Dash.








Dinkys Excitabull our new yearling by Mr Excitabull out of an Undertaker Billy Mare
This is Rosie...The Rose Dancer. This picture was taken 2 days after we bought her and she needed about 200 lbs put on her...she looks much better now I just havent taken any pictues of her. We laugh sometimes becaues she is the biggest horse we own, for the smallest rider. And she is bred to be a speed demon...own daughter of Bet The Cash and out of a mare by Mr Trucka Jet....how did the little girl end up with all the speed? Rosie is working out great!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

I Am Alive



Have you heard the new Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews song I Am Alive? I hadn't heard it until yesterday but wow when I did it brought up so many emotions. Last Saturday September 26 as I worked on this blog...hoping on Monday to debut the new look and new direction I want to go...I got a call that my son Chase, 15, had been in an accident. Chase had gone to his dad's for the weekend and from there joined up with a friend to ride his TRex. The TRex is a two seater type ATV. To make a long grueling story short they lost control on a wet road and struck a car. Chase was transferred from our small town hospital to the University of Kentucky Medical Center with a fractured skull, bone pushing on his brain, huge gash revealing his skull and a cracked cheek bone. After undergoing surgery to place a metal plate and mold the bone back together Chase is doing rather well. He is a miracle...God was with him and continues to answer our prayers of a speedy recovery. Though he is doing well there are challenges to come. Chase is a dedicated barrel racer and is missing the IBRA East National Finals and the Youth Barrel Bash. He is already counting the days until he can ride again. We are all praying for his recovery to be quick. Life is slowly working back to some sense of what our normal is.

This is Chase the morning after surgery...looking rough but giving us the thumbs up.

Chase after we arrived home.