It's a conspiracy!

Today was my "senior citizen's day" in that I take Odd Chick's husband's father to the doctor and do the Walmart, Sam's, FCM, and feed store thing. Odd Chick is married to my brother so you can figure it out. I sailed by Odd Chick and Greg's house for a quick cup of java before starting the obstacle course before me. Like Ranch Wife, I have an......adversion, to the unusual sights and sounds that often, well always, awaits me in town. I've never considered myself snooty but I guess I do have some prejudices against trans...everything! Like oil and water, some people were simply not meant to be stirred together in confining places. For example, we let our milk cows out to pasture one summer when we dried them up and the ranch cows never hung out with the milk cows. They separated themselves on purpose - not one class of cows being better or worse than the other, just different. My brother assured me there was not some evil conspiracy against me - memos were not being sent out for all the gangbangers, druglords and trans...things to take their positions throughout the city to purposely on purpose irritate me and make my day unbearable. Now that I'm home and the groceries are put away, I am thankful I don't live amongst all the wierdness. By the same token, I'm sure their are a few people who are thankful I'm home as well. Till next time, adios.

The albatross has landed!

Katie has been dreaming of her first prom since grade school. Prom is now only one week away and the albatross I left on my kitchen table, was there waiting for me this morning, squawking "Fix Me"! It was a thing of beauty when I bought it. Even though it was more than two sizes too big, my thick German blood assured me that at THAT price I could fix anything. A prom dress is a ridiculous investment considering it will be worn only for a couple of hours and there's really nothing else you can wear it to. This dress, I thought was a Godsend, in that it was handmade for a young lady that at the last minute decided not to go to prom, and the dress shop was asking very little for it. There is really no telling how many hours of blood, sweat and tears the seamstress poured into six layers of lace, netting and intricate beading, only to find her masterpiece in a second hand shop. All I can measure is the amount of blood, sweat and tears I have poured out altering this.... well, it's now a done deal and it best fit.
Before I dared this gnarly task, I first had to have the necessary support of my ever faithful cheering squad. "In this corner, weighing in with a mop bucket in one hand and a phone in the other is Ranch Wife, advising me to quit being a a sissy and jump right in!" In the other corner, baking cookies and homeschooling, was Dirtscrapper counseling me with inspiring phrases of encouraging promise." Sometimes, you just have to "pull up your big girl panties and deal with it!" I will post pictures of this dress come Saturday nite and all the hoopla that goes with this most anticipated event. Till then, adios.

Hormone Hell

I'm not sure exactly what a hormone is, but I know I've got more than my share. And when the hormones of every female in our house combine their military strength, it's an awesome force of nature! In my opinion, I believe hormones are responsible for nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these truly are the beginning of sorrows. Hormones can take a happy-go-lucky 17 year old girl to a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. And there are days when the only difference between the usual sweet nature of the women of this family and a growling junk yard dog is lipstick! I simply don't understand it. And you cannot predict these bouts of insanity. However, through many years of intensive research of this scary phenomenon, I've found that numerous hugs, kisses and a pound or more of chocolate revives peace negotiations, ending the hostilities against all innocent members in the household. There is no way to predict how long this state of bliss will last, but as we all know, it doesn't last long. My advise is only to "speak your mind and ride a fast horse." Till next time, adios.

Divine Adventures

Have you ever had a divine appointment and didn't know you were even scheduled for one? Only when you are in the middle of a said appointment do you recognize what it is, and later understand why you needed one. They are always unexpected and usually wierd.... in a wonderful sort of way. That very thing happened to me yesterday. With fuel prices as they are, going to town is only when a hunger mutiny is eminent. Ross was headed to Datil, NM to pick up some syrup troughs from Elliot and Evelyn McMaster, and asked if I wanted to go. I'm all for scaring up an adventure if the opportunity arises so at 4:00 am I was up and raring to go! Ok, so I wasn't raring ..... or up. Truth is, Ross had to threaten to leave me behind if I didn't get up. We sailed out of here by 5:00 am, pups and snacks in tow and five hours later we landed in the thriving village of Datil; then drove ten miles back into headquarters. What a beautiful place; a testament to fifty years of marriage and remodeling. Evelyn greeted me with a "I haven't seen you since your mother used to come visit me with you in the basket on the front of her bicycle! Can't say I remember that! Apparently, she grew up with my mom and they had been great friends all through school. She shared her memories with me of two farm girls with wind blown hair, riding a school bus, going to dances.... doing all that young girls do. You never think of your mom as a giddy school girl with hopes and dreams or a young mother with her whole life ahead of her. Nineteen years have passed since I lost my mom and I've allowed life and livin to rob me of alot of precious memories. I don't think they're forgotten but occassionally I need to be reminded of those special times we shared and the wonderful, caring woman she was. She shaped me into the wife and mother that I am today. Her struggles developed in her the strength to face the day before her and are a reminder to me to never give up on those I love. I wish she could have watched my kids grow up and selfishly I wish she could have been here with me through some of the "stuff" life tends to throw at you but the Lord's timing is always perfect. I never have believed in coincidences and certainly would have never believed that 250 miles away....a gift was wrapped up in a new friend named Evelyn; memories of a woman I didn't know but loved till the day she died.

Changing gears

After two days of baggin saggin and draggin, I've decided this day to be more uplifting and supportive; you know, like a good bra. There's alot to be said about a good supportive bra especially if you've nursed a few babies and these now older kids have talked you into...maybe jumping on the trampoline, or going horseback; or you've endured driving down a washed out dirt road, in a wore out pickup with no shocks. No imagination needed here! Back to the uplifting part....I woke up this morning bugged eyed and bushy tailed and ready to start the day. We had a wonderful time at Cowboy Church last night - good food, fellowship, music , and a good message to chew on. Katie came home from work safely (I always worry about her driving in so late) and both pups slept all night. The morning shows no promises of a windless day, and there is no prospect of rain but I am thankful for this day. I am blessed with healthy kids, a godly husband and priceless friends I would not trade anything for. " In a way, friendships are kinda like a favorite bra....They're hard to find, and sometimes hard to fit. But once you find a good one, you don't ever want to give it up!" Till next time, adios.

"This is the day the Lord has made....

....we will rejoice and be glad in it"......along with the wind, dirt, sand and manure. As friend, foe or family can tell you, I try my level best to see my bucket as half full, not empty. Along with most agriculture entrepreneurs, we would love to see our bucket overflowing with rain water instead of the brief list mentioned above. I hear people complaining all the time about the weather; in grocery store lines, at salebarns, farmstores, and I have on occasion caught myself complaining after trying to water my young plants that are laying horizontal to the dry ground after a 60 mph wind. Seems my whole adult life has been spent looking for rain clouds. And up to this point, after keen observation, and years of experience, I have come to the conclusion that my complaining does not prompt the hand of God to expedite a good old fashioned "turd floater" . May I even go so far as to say that I believe complaining hinders His desire to bless us. I bet my attitude must remind Him of at least one of the children of Isreal who wandered in the winderness whining about the weather, the menu, this , that and something else and they didn't even have cheese to go with their "whine"! All that got them was another trip around the mountain. Good thing their boot leather didn't wear out! I really need to find within myself that place where I can rejoice in all things, knowing full well that the Lord knows my needs even better than I do. He hasn't forgotten we need rain but will supply all our needs according to His wonderful purpose. Till then, keep looking up and keep the feed wagons rolling! Adios.

Ah, the life of a dog!

What is it between the human race and dogs? I know from personal experience that there are few people I choose to jeehaw with, but it seems with the canine species I always feel right at home. I genuinely prefer their company over most people. They greet you with a smile in the morning, don't care what you fix for breakfast and are happy with whatever you have planned for the day as long as they're included. They don't care how ugly or fat you are, if you are wearing the latest trend or not; actually they like you better if you have on your "shit boots" and some interesting smells from the cow pen as an accessory.

When I left the house this morning heading to town, I decided to take both pups with me. The wind was howling already and since they are not quite house broke, leaving them inside is not an option just yet. I had several stops to make and both pups behaved themselves better than most of the kids and adults I was forced to have encounters with.

And another thing.....dogs don't bogart the remote control; they're content watching a chick flick....... for the fourth time already; they are ready to go to bed anytime you're ready...whatever! They are not demanding or selfish. They love you more than they love themselves, and they do not hold a grudge. They appreciate all that you do for them and have no superfluous expectations.

At the end of the day, when you're all "peopled out", the best therapy in the world is sitting in an easy chair, scratching on a lap dog. Your lap dog may be two pounds or 200 pounds but something almost magical happens between your fingertips and your heart. Till next time, adios.

Yeehaw for Yo-Yo's

It's only taken me three days to recover from Ranch Wife and my trip to the panhandle of Texas. While browsing at all the quilting paraphanalia at the show, we got the bright idea that we could make yo-yo's quick fast and in a hurry. We thought of all the cute accessories we could make for ourselves, daughters and grandaughters......hint hint Jen. It became a regular feeding frenzy at the material rack matching this with that...the possibilities were endless! Well girfriends, let me tell you what.....that little yo-yo doodad is not only complicated but my first yo-yo looks like a night cap for a mouse. The instructions are in four different languages -one of which should be simple enough to grasp. All I can say is....well, that's a cottonpicker.

Thinking that I could rise to the top of the bucket, I decided to hook up my wireless router to my computer. Ranch wife and I had gone round and round with the salesmen at Curcuit City in which we refused to buy any extras for anything! One of the said items I refused to buy was a "walk ya thru it instructions" for $80.00 which I balked at. I may not have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express but I thought I was swavey enough to read thru the prompts and intall my handy dandy router. Well thirty minutes and three meltdowns later I broke down and called the 1-800 number and immediately got hooked up with an Asian gal who spoke broken english. Is there a reason why these multi-million dollar companies can't hire SOMEBODY that can speak ENGLISH??? Anyhoo, she managed to walk me through the complicated process of revamping the systems thereof. Not sure who was more frustrated- her or me but we got' er done! And just for the record, I believe Ranch wife has impuned my honor and must be shot!
I never once embarrassed, harassed, confused, or otherwise discredited her in any possible manner....she's was clearly hopped up on caffeine and sugar and was just being mean and hateful. But I too am a forgiving person and will offer her the peace pipe as soon as she publicly apologizes to me...and makes me a coconut creme pie. Well, till we meet again, adios.

I Love Sundays!

I just love Sundays. It's like a spring morning and mom's apple pie all wrapped up in one. We're all generally a bit more laid back on this holy morning. We get the coffee on before Grandmother Lillian comes over for breakfast. Ross and David get the feedlot cattle fed and then we enjoy a good visit with those that are up and about. At this season in our lives, we faithfully tune in to the Cornerstone Church on Sunday morning and share what we have gleaned from that weeks sermon. My time of prayer is while I am watering my young flowers, thanking the Good Lord for the day before me and praying that a good rain is on it's way. He waters everything so much better than I do anyway. I thank Him for the provision He has made in the lives of my children. They are all at different crossroads in their lives and I marvel at way He tends to each of their needs individually. Like a packet of mixed wildflowers, they are all different but beautiful in their own way. Sometimes they are fragrant and sometimes they are not .....they grow at their own pace, bloom when they're supposed to, not when I think they should, and hopefully they will produce good seed that brings glory to God and blessings to all those they encounter.

Dedicated to the "Ranch wife..... loving life at the end of the dirt road"

Well girls, here you have it. I've only been at this for three solid hours. There are no words to describe this experience except....well there are no words!! In the last 48 hours I have E-mailed my first set of pictures to Walgreens, did an online Bible Study, and now I'm an official blogger....sorta. Only time will tell. Karin, Marquita, and Sarah.... thankyou....I think!