tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22069624838979727042024-03-14T01:58:55.599-04:00Life at Sweetpea's Heavensweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-79962003087598832872013-09-02T20:38:00.001-04:002013-09-02T20:38:54.056-04:00Time Got Away from me....Can't believe how much time has passed since I wrote.<br />
Kids are already on their way back to school tomorrow.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gl38e3qLSjg/UiUuNDJJHtI/AAAAAAAAAlg/qQKg23LCSQ0/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gl38e3qLSjg/UiUuNDJJHtI/AAAAAAAAAlg/qQKg23LCSQ0/s320/IMG_6382.JPG" width="207" /></a>Both in Junior High.<br />
My oldest daughter/child is getting married in two weeks. Yikes!!<br />
Does that make her old, or me? I would have to say her. :)<br />
Yellow has been with us for a year.<br />
Love that horse. We make a great match. Mellow but yet a little bit of sass.<br />
Girls have become better riders and will soon be looking for the next step up.<br />
Poses the question of keeping their first horses or selling them. I already know what<br />
their answers will be. They will be great horses for a long time to come. Horses that<br />
we can put anyone on without a doubt and know they will be just fine. So they<br />
won't be leaving our property and have a final resting place by Black Jack. He holds a special place<br />
in my heart as well as the rest of the animals do. People that don't have animals don't understand<br />
how animals mean so much to us animal lovers. I tried to explain it to my Mom, she said she understood but I don't think she did. They touch you in ways no human can. They are my therapy. Have<br />
a bad day, go to the barn or play fetch with the dogs. That's me :)<br />
One of my dreams finally came true! The hubby went on a trail ride with us!!!! Up until that day, we had not been on a ride together. Beautiful day and gorgeous property along with wonderful horses, friends and family made for a perfect day. Add a super potluck afterwards, and it was over the top.<br />
Hubby still doesn't have a horse of his own but someday, hopefully soon, he will.<br />
Love this picture of a night sky. We had some crazy storms come through that night. When we walked out to take pictures, everything had the yellow/orange haze, almost as if we were in and old black and white movie that had yellowed. On our phones and camera's it's a setting called Sepia but I didn't need to set the camera to get a beautiful picture.I hope all of you are well. All 6 of you :) that were following at one time.<br />
I hope to start writing again. We shall see. :)<br />
Until next time :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJ9sN2NIRtk/UiUuB3q8HFI/AAAAAAAAAlY/S1XElihjySY/s1600/IMG_6492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJ9sN2NIRtk/UiUuB3q8HFI/AAAAAAAAAlY/S1XElihjySY/s640/IMG_6492.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-51396372588795837682012-09-11T23:39:00.000-04:002012-09-11T23:39:20.769-04:00Yellow Isn't Just a Color....I know it's been a while since I last wrote. I was grieving the loss of my black beauty. I have days when I think of him and miss him tremendously. He will always hold a special place in my heart and mind. <br />
I started looking for a horse and found one, he's one I met before, about 2 years ago. Beautiful now 9 year old registered Morgan gelding about 14.2 hh, palomino with dapples!! He also has a strip of brown on his face, like most horses have white he has brown. There is a small white star on his forehead. What a stunning horse. He may be younger but that horse will go where you point him without balking. Over, through, around anything! Sure footed! I took him places I never would have taken BJ. BJ had a bum knee that prevented us from going down anything too steep. I was always afraid his knee would go out and we would go for a tumble. I loved BJ and always will but it is time to go forward and ride with my daughters while I still can. Fall riding is the best! We have to squeeze as much in as possible, since hunting season and winter are right around the corner. Hunters do not take to kindly to riders going through the woods when they are trying to put winter meat in the freezer or a trophy on their wall.<br />
So without further ado, I'd like you to meet Yellow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPvBkfqaVCc/UFABnh9ly3I/AAAAAAAAAa8/48zOENYkyuY/s1600/100_5214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPvBkfqaVCc/UFABnh9ly3I/AAAAAAAAAa8/48zOENYkyuY/s640/100_5214.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mSqR5MCxdQ/UFACDmMARPI/AAAAAAAAAbE/OmO6G5EL_64/s1600/100B5224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mSqR5MCxdQ/UFACDmMARPI/AAAAAAAAAbE/OmO6G5EL_64/s640/100B5224.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
He is a looker and a lover. He loves attention, in fact he almost demands it. What an absolutely gorgeous boy! :) Hard for me to believe that we have horses! We are fortunate to have them. One of my favorite places to be is out in the pasture with them :) Amazing creatures put on this earth. Best therapy in the world for me is spending time with our animals.<br />
Til, next time.....sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-53461123300486571052012-07-30T11:03:00.001-04:002012-07-30T11:05:57.248-04:00Last WalkI hope to get through this post without tears although it most likely won't happen.<br />
Sunday the 15th I took the last walk with my horse. It's not a walk I want to remember but one I always will.<br />
I have to remember the good walks and time we had together as a team. Sure there were times that we butted heads, ok a lot of time, but we worked through them and became an awesome team.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMcQ0fgZUjA/UAwFFowNR7I/AAAAAAAAAaM/3iER0_l1JXU/s1600/DSC05620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMcQ0fgZUjA/UAwFFowNR7I/AAAAAAAAAaM/3iER0_l1JXU/s400/DSC05620.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQo_Isq6f9A/UAwFzgtVfoI/AAAAAAAAAag/ddcLXtPQF2Y/s1600/Photo100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQo_Isq6f9A/UAwFzgtVfoI/AAAAAAAAAag/ddcLXtPQF2Y/s640/Photo100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4DKQtCtxvo/UAwFvlDrTCI/AAAAAAAAAaY/TfVSe-qAiFI/s1600/DSC05630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4DKQtCtxvo/UAwFvlDrTCI/AAAAAAAAAaY/TfVSe-qAiFI/s640/DSC05630.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
This is the last walk I'd like to remember. R.I.P. Black Jack, July 15th 2012.<br />
<br />
I miss him everyday. Our lives here involve horses on a daily basis. Some days there are more than just our horses, those are the days I miss him the most. I will see a horse and it reminds me of him so much it hurts. Horses touch your heart in a way nothing else comes close to. Human love is different than the love of an equine. He was a challenge and once we finally understood one another, he was the easiest and most smooth ride we have here. Always the first at the gate to welcome you home, to get loved on, and oh the treats. He's up in Heaven now with Grandpa watching over me along with his cow Betsy. Missing my boy...<br />
<br />
(Sorry for the pictures being sideways. I looked for a way to put them upright and couldn't find it.)sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-62142675040134116752012-04-16T08:42:00.002-04:002012-04-16T08:42:55.079-04:00Our Love StoryI was a struggling divorced single mother trying to make ends meet without much success, working at a local Eagle's club as a bartender. Working one of my normal nights at the club when in walks a customer I'd not seen before. Taller man(doesn't take much to be taller than me at 5' 3")with a leather hat on, denim shirt and pants, clean shaven other than his gotee. I walked down to the end of the bar to ask him what I could get for him. In his gravely voice he answered. Oh that voice, drew me in right there! I returned with his beverage, and looked up as he paid. Those sparkling blue eyes and that smile, WOW! The outside package was drawing me in, slow down sister guard your head and your heart!! We talked a little asked him where he was from, what he was doing here in our small town. Small talk like I had done with all customers, but this one was different for some reason. Every word he spoke in that voice of his seemed to tear down the wall I'd built around myself. You see, I'd learned a thing or two the past few years of my life, in serving customers, you don't let on too much of your personal life. As a newly divorced person, you learn to read people even better! You guard your heart and your head, keep it to yourself so that it doesn't receive anymore bruises or tears. Also, most men that I had encountered were only out for one thing, um not interested in a bootie call!! It's hard enough taking care of your kids and working, who has time for love, sure not this lady. I didn't have time for any funny business either, don't need to have anyone ruining my little family. <br />
As I walked away this strange feeling came over me. My neck got hot, felt sort of tingly all over my body, almost electric. I know you are probably thinking, this lady is crazy, but I'm not. It's a feeling I will never forget, an overwhelming feeling as if something was telling me he's the one. I pushed that out of my head, I don't have time for this. As this is happening to me he said to me " I guess if I want to get to know you better, I need to find your brother at the same plant I'm working at.". I turned around with a smile on my face and said "I guess so!". Whoa! Is that all I could think of to say is I guess so?! That was a nice come back. He smiled and told me thanks for the beverages gave me a tip and asked when I would be working again because he'd like to come in when I'm there. I'd went home that night thinking I'd never see him again, he wouldn't be back. By the next night that I worked I'd pushed him out of my thoughts, making myself think he was like everyone else. Tell you what you want to hear in hopes of getting lucky. I didn't think he'd come in again. Once again I was having the normal night when later he came in. Oh total excitement washed over me! He was a gentlemen from the beginning, something I'd not encountered in my journey called life. <br />
As time passed while he was in town we grew closer, eventually I'd introduce him to my children. That wall that I had built up around me was crumbling much faster than I thought possible. As the month's had passed, it was soon time for him to move on to the next town and next job. We talked to each other everyday and somehow managed to make this work. He'd come back to see us or we would go see him wherever that might be. <br />
The following Spring he came back to the small town and stayed with us, we became a family of some sort. Boy oh boy it was hard to have him leave after having him there for so many months. <br />
We had talked about marriage several times, neither of us ready for that big step! Over 2 years had passed when he asked me if I was ready. Sure, why not! Oh there I go with those wonderful come backs. He asked the girls if he could marry their Momma. Overjoyed is not even enough to explain their excitement! I thought they were going to knock him backwards on the chair! Crazy girls jumped on him, told him yes and that they thought he would never ask. We were married shortly after that with a small ceremony in our then home. <br />
Now it's coming up on 6 years since we first met. Things have changed a lot for us all but one thing remains the same, when he kisses me I get that same feeling that goes all the way through me. Our love has grown stronger and I've learned that I am the luckiest woman alive to have a man like I do. <br />
The rest will be history.....sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-90053551060230302972012-03-10T23:45:00.000-05:002012-03-10T23:45:35.221-05:00My BabyMy baby turns 11 this Monday! I wonder where in the world the time went! One day I'm in the hospital with a beautiful copper headed baby girl, and the next she's a beautiful 11 year old sassy little copper headed girl! Sure wish this world would slow down! <br />
We had a rockin' club party at our house! Wow, girls can be loud but they all know how to have fun!<br />
I had to sit back and take it all in. All the hard work paid off when it came together and she was happy with the outcome. <br />
I made the cake. Let me tell you this, my kids are no longer allowed to watch "Cake Boss" or "Cake Wars"!! I know why they charge so much for those fancy smancy cakes. It took me a long time to do what she asked of me but I did it. When she said to me " I love it, Mom, it's perfect and just what I wanted!!!", all my moaning and groaning and standing on my feet for hours to make her vision come to life were worth it.<br />
One more birthday this next weekend. Thank goodness they only come once a year.sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-43206554119076889982012-02-16T21:37:00.000-05:002012-02-16T21:37:16.320-05:00America The Beautiful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zC5WyTRK0DU/Tz25aujojvI/AAAAAAAAAZY/z6_DtLxX6BI/s1600/pixiereebokflag20122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="635" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zC5WyTRK0DU/Tz25aujojvI/AAAAAAAAAZY/z6_DtLxX6BI/s640/pixiereebokflag20122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqNy7GIKCII/Tz254FnSl5I/AAAAAAAAAZg/2UoFnhyd9Nk/s1600/marelociflag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqNy7GIKCII/Tz254FnSl5I/AAAAAAAAAZg/2UoFnhyd9Nk/s640/marelociflag.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>The girls have been practicing for drill team! Yikes! Fast paced and busy rodeo summers for us if they decide to keep going with it. It's what we live and work so hard for everyday! We are lucky to have the freedom to do the things we love to do and have the things we need in life or want. I've been looking at theses pictures for about a week now, I keep thinking how special they are. My girls riding their horses, holding our countries flag with pride.<br />
Proud to be an American living our life the way we choose. sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-12241912143675399872012-02-09T14:08:00.000-05:002012-02-09T14:08:23.956-05:00Time Flies When You're Having Fun!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Have you heard that before? </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It seems as though this world keeps going faster and faster.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Can't keep up most days and then wonder why I am a day or so behind?!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I could settle for a slow down at any time. It'd be nice to be able</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">to take notice of everything around me instead of just a glance and it's</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">gone. It's already closing in on the end of the second week in February.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Where in the world is the time going?! Geesh!!! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our winter hasn't been much of a winter here. Not much snow for the kids to go outside to play. We had a few nice days last weekend so the girls could ride their horses. I even got to ride too. The first day I rode our trusty little Mustang, Loci. Next up was Reebok, Pixie's horse. Both are such good animals. Where was my Black Jack? Well he was left in the paddock one day and the other left tied to the trailer. He's BUDDY SOUR!!!!! In a bad way, almost in a dangerous way! So I'm still working separating him from the rest of his buds. Anyone out there reading this, have any idea's of what I can do to help ease things with him? He's a great horse to ride, it's getting him to that point that is the hard part. The other 2, go out alone or together and are just fine. Anyhow, Pixie made me wear her helmet while riding her horse. Little stinker told me that if I wanted to ride her horse I had to wear a helmet or I wasn't getting on! Can't argue with that, can I? The girls had music going, and flags in hand as they rode. They are practicing for the drill team!! Wow! To think a year ago they wouldn't have even dreamed of going faster than a walk/trot. Now it's speed events and drill team. They make me so proud as they try new things and succeed. The looks on their faces when they achieve what they set out to do, is priceless. Keeps me busy but a happy busy if that makes sense. At least I know where they are and what they are doing. They aren't hanging out at the mall or playing video games, they are being kids and having fun!! Love it!!!</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I hope that where ever you are, you are enjoying life! It's a journey to say the least.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">:)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-55279297715169691542012-01-28T13:53:00.000-05:002012-01-28T13:53:22.156-05:00HorsesOh how I love my fluff ball horses in the winter!!! I love them all the time but this time of year they have soft, long hair to run your fingers through. I figure it's good therapy for all of us as I run my fingers through the hair. They get a massage and I get to feel their soft hair on my skin. If you've never done that you should try it sometime. Those of you that have horses already know what I'm talking about. Love it!<br />
So today I am sharing some pictures I took the other day. They are good therapy when things seem to go haywire just as they have been here since oh let's say Christmas! Bear was home for the holiday and had to fly back out to work after only being home for a few days. He went back to work for a couple days, while at work one of those 4 ton concrete barriers you see on the highway fell on his foot. Bear's foot broke! Lucky for him he had his good ole "Doc Martin" boots on. Otherwise it would have been much worse. I think I will be writing to Doc Martin company to see if they would like to have him for a spokesperson to promote their boots. What do you think? 4 weeks out and it's healing, no surgery and no hard cast?! He's been dealing with more pain on top of the everyday pain he already had. While we were downstate my truck broke down! Ugh! We came back home after it was repaired thinking it was all good. Umm, NOT! It is now running good thank goodness! The past two weeks have been quite pricy with Bear's truck being in and out of the shop. Big trucks give you big repair bills like the $3200 in repairs for the last couple weeks. WOW! Thankful we had a little bit saved up to pay for the repairs. Time to tighten the belt again and hope for some smooth sailing for the next couple months?! I can hope, right? Soooooo, I have been spending more time down at the barn cleaning and hanging out with my big babies. What do you do for therapy? What do you do to unwind? <br />
Hope you enjoy the pictures of our big babies. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLS_vZjKdTg/TyQxGmP2UrI/AAAAAAAAAYg/U_PsaoDzrg4/s1600/100_3720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLS_vZjKdTg/TyQxGmP2UrI/AAAAAAAAAYg/U_PsaoDzrg4/s400/100_3720.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Loci Sue racing up to the fence to see what I was up to. Love that girl! She looks so good!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWVVq9fE1LY/TyQxgjHx4OI/AAAAAAAAAYo/9RsWkgs1j_s/s1600/100_3721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWVVq9fE1LY/TyQxgjHx4OI/AAAAAAAAAYo/9RsWkgs1j_s/s640/100_3721.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> BlackJack with his tongue out. Look how fuzzy he is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inbnqJx8-0o/TyQyDDvcsxI/AAAAAAAAAYw/glhf3rqMivY/s1600/100_3718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inbnqJx8-0o/TyQyDDvcsxI/AAAAAAAAAYw/glhf3rqMivY/s400/100_3718.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Fluffy teddy bear Reebok.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PclGcomHbxQ/TyQyhOvtHHI/AAAAAAAAAY4/1iAG82KK4Xk/s1600/100_3725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PclGcomHbxQ/TyQyhOvtHHI/AAAAAAAAAY4/1iAG82KK4Xk/s640/100_3725.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Loci making sure I get her good side :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVswvTgq9TA/TyQzDpCY0uI/AAAAAAAAAZA/AiHxupU0ijQ/s1600/100_3724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVswvTgq9TA/TyQzDpCY0uI/AAAAAAAAAZA/AiHxupU0ijQ/s400/100_3724.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Mr. Handsome Reebok.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWqJj2KWZeM/TyQzpw1_eyI/AAAAAAAAAZI/oQUfEERTg3A/s1600/100B3751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWqJj2KWZeM/TyQzpw1_eyI/AAAAAAAAAZI/oQUfEERTg3A/s400/100B3751.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys. They can be in the same area with minimal kicking at each other. Yes, there he is with his tongue out. I am beginning to think he doesn't like my camera in his face. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40HUHPEFCWw/TyQ8cKZEB_I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Ii017ccX0j4/s1600/Reebok20122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40HUHPEFCWw/TyQ8cKZEB_I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Ii017ccX0j4/s640/Reebok20122.jpg" width="572" /></a></div> Then there is this boy. Love him to pieces. He loves hugs and kisses and of course treats. Look at those eyes, so dreamy and soft.sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-45877394713079574292012-01-18T22:05:00.000-05:002012-01-18T22:05:39.330-05:00Planning and ListsDid you ever notice while planning a trip or a project you have several lists? I always start out with one and add about 5 more until I have to finally consolidate them into one big list! We are planning a trip so that means I have lists for dogs, lists for horses, lists for us, etc.... And the list goes on...<br />
We will be traveling through 4 states if you include ours just to go see Big D Bear. He's only 9 hours away and we thought it would be good to go see him. He had his foot broke at work about 3 weeks ago and had to move from one job to another that would be better for his foot to heal. Would have been better to just come home and heal but... Hoping I don't forget anything or lose my lists! <br />
Today was an adventure. You see we have our old faithful black truck, Big D calls it "The old girl", I call it the "Black Beast", that he doesn't like to have leave the property. Ha! Well he has a stubborn wife that needs to feed our big animals. So every so often I venture out with the old truck to get hay. As long as I stay close to home or only plow the driveway (when we ever get snow!) everything is fine. It seems as if the "old girl" knows she is retired and not suppose to leave home!!! Last time I took her to get hay with the trailer we didn't have real good brakes, ok more like none at all. Today I ventured out once again to go get hay. It started out smooth then hit a rough patch. This morning was sort of cold not too bad yet but getting there. On the way to get the bail of hay I noticed steam coming from the hood. I thought, it's cold out but not cold enough for that to be happening, pulled over and sure enough antifreeze going all over from the overflow tank! Ugh!! Called hubby to ask him what to do. Take care of the mess, make it to the next town over, get some anti freeze. In the mean time called the man with the hay and explained that I would be late. I hate being late! It took me an hour to get from here to there which is only about15 to 20 miles away!! Anyway, it took me almost 3 hours to get one bail of hay that should have taken me 45 minutes!!!! The "Old Girl" won't be leaving the property anytime soon!!!Thankful to have made it there and back safely, I think I will listen to my hubby the next time he says "Don't take her off the property anymore!". He might just know what he's talking about eh?<br />
Anyhow,<br />
Stay warm and take care.sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-71002990642206178812012-01-15T11:06:00.000-05:002012-01-15T11:06:10.646-05:00One of these days.....<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of these days I'm going to have a couch potato, do nothing all day kind of days. For now I have a life filled with kids, pups and horses that don't allow me to have one of those days. It's hard to imagine life without all the crazy things happening. Sick kids, trips to the vet, trucks breaking down, all the feeding and fun times sort of mesh together and from time to time I don't know what day it is. Ok, so it's most days. ha ha ha ha.</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I always tell my Mom and hubby that I can sleep when I'm dead, well I can, but there are some days</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">when I'd like to lay in bed like my youngest seems to be able to do. Oh well, I will push on with my day that includes, cleaning, laundry, cooking, barn stalls cleaned, new straw out for the pups kennel, more cooking, etc. Oh also add finding the best way for my hubby to travel to that list. Maybe I will be able to go to bed before 11? One can hope right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It would be great to get some snow for the kids to go outside and play! We don't even have enough to slide down a hill!! It's winter, right? Or did I completely lose a season not just a day?! So one of these days we might get some snow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Until then I'm off to do something on my list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hope all is well...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-206680740960378042012-01-11T17:28:00.000-05:002012-01-11T17:28:45.023-05:00January 11 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbLVYesaS_Q/Tw4MXq7RajI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/CubuacrWKZY/s1600/Sunrise+jan2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbLVYesaS_Q/Tw4MXq7RajI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/CubuacrWKZY/s640/Sunrise+jan2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ODESvuU7m0/Tw4MpUO1-II/AAAAAAAAAYY/bdtSUDgSKrw/s1600/Sunrise+jan20121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ODESvuU7m0/Tw4MpUO1-II/AAAAAAAAAYY/bdtSUDgSKrw/s640/Sunrise+jan20121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-80266736552980681412012-01-07T09:24:00.000-05:002012-01-07T09:24:11.206-05:00A different view of some of my favorite subjects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsn85c_SfWc/TwhUZfNRjoI/AAAAAAAAAX8/CSlQQWJ3HJI/s1600/Marion+and+Loci+Suzi+style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsn85c_SfWc/TwhUZfNRjoI/AAAAAAAAAX8/CSlQQWJ3HJI/s640/Marion+and+Loci+Suzi+style.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKax_O_-jzQ/TwhUndqPmqI/AAAAAAAAAYE/U_kVRooK3mk/s1600/Christy+and+Reebok+Suzi+style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKax_O_-jzQ/TwhUndqPmqI/AAAAAAAAAYE/U_kVRooK3mk/s640/Christy+and+Reebok+Suzi+style.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My favorite sister in law and favorite Auntie to the girls drew these and then painted with water colors her view of them riding in the winter! Wish I had half of her talent!sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-73342043364971498822011-12-09T09:19:00.000-05:002011-12-09T09:19:23.542-05:00Kids!My girls and I were discussing a friends blog this morning. In the talk they asked me how many followers I had. I responded with "Six, probably because I don't write or post very often or it could be that nobody is interested in what's happening in our little slice of Heaven.". They replied with, "Mom take your camera with you wherever you go and just post pictures of what you see!". Pretty smart kids, eh? So if you don't mind seeing just pictures and possibly word or two, that's may be what my posts will consist of for a while. A fellow blogger is having some changes going on at his place which sparked a thought. Our pups are now 9 months old! They have grown into BIG beautiful animals. Take a look at the pictures and you will see what I mean! First pictures will be of when we first met them at two weeks old, then what they look like now at 9 months old! HUGE difference and no Maggie has not grown into those huge paws yet! Yikes!! Our little runt of the litter Midnight had surgery this week - on my birthday - to have a lump removed. The vet said it didn't look like it had any cancer cells, thank goodness. Pretty scary since she's so young. Maggie broke her toenail, pulled the ligaments that hold the nail straight. Happy Birthday to me, taking the dog's to the vet. Wahoo! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ORdDba1dZIU/TuIUFOY_3lI/AAAAAAAAAXk/0huFesSzl5w/s1600/100_8172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ORdDba1dZIU/TuIUFOY_3lI/AAAAAAAAAXk/0huFesSzl5w/s640/100_8172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTUVdX2Od3Q/TuIVe_b6UWI/AAAAAAAAAXs/a7e9HAYgS0E/s1600/100_8178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTUVdX2Od3Q/TuIVe_b6UWI/AAAAAAAAAXs/a7e9HAYgS0E/s640/100_8178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uatGC9wlnVk/TuIWUYxepJI/AAAAAAAAAX0/J5Qv1QpHcRk/s1600/100B3610_00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uatGC9wlnVk/TuIWUYxepJI/AAAAAAAAAX0/J5Qv1QpHcRk/s640/100B3610_00.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-59891225285630415272011-12-07T08:30:00.000-05:002011-12-07T08:30:28.621-05:00ViewThis mornings view from my front porch! Wow!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8bhuDDWrnE/Tt9qMYxHyyI/AAAAAAAAAXc/SGnybpxvLig/s1600/100_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8bhuDDWrnE/Tt9qMYxHyyI/AAAAAAAAAXc/SGnybpxvLig/s640/100_3635.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-72050996770048439832011-10-19T21:58:00.000-04:002011-10-19T21:58:05.566-04:00Been a whileWell let's see my last post was at the end of July, it is now the middle of October! Where did all the time go? What have we been doing? Well time flies when you're havin' fun!<br />
We had two 4H horse shows, school started, trail rides, home work, cheerleading for football, riding lessons, walking the track after school, practicing speed on the horses. See a pattern here? Oh and, da ta da da, we have another horse in our herd. He's a 22 year old, buckskin quarter horse. He was suppose to be for my hubby, well the little pixie got on him first. Well the rest is history, he's now her horse. They are a wonderful match for one another. Marion took over my first horse, Loci. We still have Mr. Black Jack, even if he is a bit unruly at times. He bit my arm, left a large lump and bruise. We worked through that and now he's decided he is BUDDY SOUR with our mare. Oh this is not fun! Tried saddling him the other night after the girls were already out and riding their horses. Well let me tell you I cussed like a sailor at that horse! He had me so angry I was at the point of wanting to sell him again, yes again! He danced all over, kicked the barn, tossed his head, and tried to bite me again!!! I gave up. I know it's one of the worst things you can do, because they think all they have to do is be an a$$ and you will give up. I didn't want to get hurt, and I could see that's where it was going. Soooooo, I told the girls that if they want Momma to ride with them, then they have to wait for me to saddle the butthead first. Yes I told them they have to wait for me. Wait is not in a child's vocabulary is it? Ya know if he weren't so easy to ride once I get on him, he'd be gone already! He is the easiest horse I've ever ridden once mounted. It's the getting there that sometimes is awful! I am open to suggestions of what to do with him. HELP?!?! We have worked on the ground and he listens there. He listens when I'm on him. When we separate the two of them is when he starts to get all squirrely.<br />
The baby paint/clydesdale is growing like a weed. She's huge, and beautiful. Oh my the little sassy thing has stolen my heart. She grew out of her first halter already and is now on her second. We wanted her in hot pink but they don't have the color in her size, so she is in raspberry. She is ready to be weaned which ought to be interesting.<br />
Hope all is well with you.<br />
SPsweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-31989901383717138132011-07-27T22:44:00.000-04:002011-07-27T22:44:58.818-04:00Silliness and BeautyI've been out looking at different horses and their babies from different owners.<br />
Today we had another "LOOKING" visit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rB-iARQf7i4/TjDB202egTI/AAAAAAAAAXE/7mBJnjqP2O4/s1600/100_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rB-iARQf7i4/TjDB202egTI/AAAAAAAAAXE/7mBJnjqP2O4/s640/100_1053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Look at that sweet little face. She's about 3 weeks old. Fell in love with her today! What a little sweetie. He coloring is perfect. She is a paint/clydesdale cross. She will be big and beautiful and she has a pink lip just like Loci!! Wow, she will fit right in. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSXGgU9iTYk/TjDCh1r9-zI/AAAAAAAAAXM/3ijMBTQfp70/s1600/THUNDER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSXGgU9iTYk/TjDCh1r9-zI/AAAAAAAAAXM/3ijMBTQfp70/s640/THUNDER.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This is her Daddy, Thunder. You wouldn't know he is a stud other than the obvious. Big and beautiful lover boy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fe08IBY5Y4Y/TjDCJW034JI/AAAAAAAAAXI/c9q3xBf1zLI/s1600/JULY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fe08IBY5Y4Y/TjDCJW034JI/AAAAAAAAAXI/c9q3xBf1zLI/s640/JULY.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>This little sweetheart is July. She's an Appy as if you can't tell from all her spots. She found a new love today. Me. :) Her owner was amazed that she was so lovey on me since she is not normally like that with women? Hmm must have been something she liked about me. She's a lover that's for sure. I'm not usually and Appy lover but this one, I just loved her markings and personality.<br />
<br />
The girls wanted to go see our big babies when we got home. Mr. Black Jack is most certainly my horse because I'm the one that has taken the time to bond with him. But he was willing to play along with the girls silliness tonight. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzoak60drzQ/TjDG1D8W22I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/NW9T_zsAqPU/s1600/100_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzoak60drzQ/TjDG1D8W22I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/NW9T_zsAqPU/s640/100_1084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlB4Xp6LHNg/TjDIpDdYQUI/AAAAAAAAAXU/YmYTua4WfLI/s1600/100_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlB4Xp6LHNg/TjDIpDdYQUI/AAAAAAAAAXU/YmYTua4WfLI/s640/100_1087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WatQ6ciTDDI/TjDK1WX0vfI/AAAAAAAAAXY/nmCQIo8Nu7g/s1600/100_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WatQ6ciTDDI/TjDK1WX0vfI/AAAAAAAAAXY/nmCQIo8Nu7g/s640/100_1090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>These girls don't know how lucky they are to have two animals that are so mellow.<br />
SPsweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-64834967910747559342011-07-25T20:52:00.000-04:002011-07-25T20:52:56.195-04:00Some Disappointment and Some FunI'll start off with the disappointment. We are not getting Baby, the paint horse I previously posted about.<br />
The owner decided that she was not going to be able to sell her. I'm ok with it, as I knew in my heart we weren't going to get her. It will give us time to get things finished for the 2 horses we already have and to possibly build another stall to prepare for another horse coming to heaven. So as of right now, we are still a 2 horse family. We will keep looking for another horse for Bear and one for Pixie. Pixie road a halflinger and fell in love with her. She is a sweet and calm 4 year old. Pixie said she would love to have her for her horse. We will have to do some wheeling and dealing to pull that one off. Then of course we will be looking for the ultimate in horse for Bear. As I've said before he would like a Buckskin quarter horse, gelding. Hoping that maybe I can pull it off for his birthday next year! He has the perfect saddle and now he needs the perfect horse.<br />
<br />
The fun part, we had our cousins up for a week. Boy what a busy time we had. We took them on some adventures in the U.P. that I went on when I was around their age and a little older. I'll leave you with some of the beautiful places we went. We are so fortunate to live in this place we call home! SP<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oaSG8FpZwPg/Ti4DC1oPdOI/AAAAAAAAAWs/RGYuEN635Tk/s1600/100_0463_00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oaSG8FpZwPg/Ti4DC1oPdOI/AAAAAAAAAWs/RGYuEN635Tk/s640/100_0463_00.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQcoL-2taW8/Ti4EC0L3KLI/AAAAAAAAAWw/So6Nev635fI/s1600/100_0619_00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQcoL-2taW8/Ti4EC0L3KLI/AAAAAAAAAWw/So6Nev635fI/s640/100_0619_00.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGTwRz6AXuk/Ti4HrL4MQwI/AAAAAAAAAW0/I3WrU3Cby7s/s1600/100_0686_00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGTwRz6AXuk/Ti4HrL4MQwI/AAAAAAAAAW0/I3WrU3Cby7s/s640/100_0686_00.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1HRGEyjdMk/Ti4NhJ1RJtI/AAAAAAAAAXA/ZZRlKUrLZcw/s1600/100_0702_00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1HRGEyjdMk/Ti4NhJ1RJtI/AAAAAAAAAXA/ZZRlKUrLZcw/s640/100_0702_00.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RVznRp2A8dc/Ti4KFjocGjI/AAAAAAAAAW4/nSzOx3L1KPo/s1600/100_0703_00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RVznRp2A8dc/Ti4KFjocGjI/AAAAAAAAAW4/nSzOx3L1KPo/s640/100_0703_00.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n89bhcdrGTA/Ti4L3i6WYMI/AAAAAAAAAW8/7nno4kEG9dk/s1600/100_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n89bhcdrGTA/Ti4L3i6WYMI/AAAAAAAAAW8/7nno4kEG9dk/s640/100_1045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-595922030088760762011-07-16T12:24:00.000-04:002011-07-16T12:24:52.254-04:00Trail RideThe girls and I were fortunate to go on a trail ride last weekend. I know I'm behind but oh well! A friend of mine up here has a lot of horses and invited us out for a ride out by her home.<br />
It was their first ever "REAL" trail ride! They had a good time. By the end of the ride their butts and legs hurt, and they were starving(not really but that's what they said).<br />
We rode along the shore of Lake Michigan in and out of water, through the trees. It was an experience they won't forget anytime soon. My friend ponied my little Pixie since she is still a little scared to right on her own, ok a lot scared!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GV4YvwGlsU4/TiG4vAKdM0I/AAAAAAAAAWc/_mXf7xzIC2s/s1600/100_0405_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GV4YvwGlsU4/TiG4vAKdM0I/AAAAAAAAAWc/_mXf7xzIC2s/s400/100_0405_01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcvi7V6Ddx0/TiG5IWNdJqI/AAAAAAAAAWg/fYdI9VE8eos/s1600/100_0412_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dcvi7V6Ddx0/TiG5IWNdJqI/AAAAAAAAAWg/fYdI9VE8eos/s400/100_0412_01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-ATxeiyepg/TiG5yGxE3mI/AAAAAAAAAWk/PMXWGQYRzZs/s1600/100_0421_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-ATxeiyepg/TiG5yGxE3mI/AAAAAAAAAWk/PMXWGQYRzZs/s400/100_0421_01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EMy8HM2otc/TiG6H5GB7vI/AAAAAAAAAWo/F154Nm1UI_0/s1600/CIMG0455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EMy8HM2otc/TiG6H5GB7vI/AAAAAAAAAWo/F154Nm1UI_0/s400/CIMG0455.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last picture is towards the end of our ride. Flies were terrible which was hard for the horses. All in all it was a great ride and the girls got a lesson in trail riding and area history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to a great friend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SP</div>sweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-13871627979898173762011-07-08T08:37:00.000-04:002011-07-08T08:37:29.062-04:00Maiden VoyageThis past Wednesday was a busy day for us. We had many things on our to do list as we normally do but that day was to be extra special. Why? Let me tell you why.<br />
My younger daughters are in 4H for horses. Our meeting that night was about showmanship and just happened to be close enough to our house that we could ride there. Our farrier trimmed their feet finishing just in time for us to get them saddled and head out. We knew Loci would be fine with traffic, but BlackJack/Gemini I wasn't so sure about. We led them out of the gate and up to the fence to do some last minute adjustments on the horses and make sure everyone was ready to go. As I helped M Bear get on her horse, somehow BlackJack managed to pull his head out of his halter and bridle!!!! Talk about last second, hurry up put everything back on and get moving! I'm still not sure how he did it. <br />
We only have the 2 horses and there were 4 of us going, so Pixie and M Bears friend rode bikes ahead of us. I knew I would be ok with anything that Black Jack may have tried or spooked. My concern was for the 3 children making it to our destination in one piece. The two bikers did so well. Very proud of them! They would stop every so often to make sure we were ok. We were only asking the horses to walk, no trotting. Loci loves to trot, prance, go as fast as those legs will go! M Bear is now use to a trot but I wanted her to be safe just in case she spooked. Besides the fact that Loci once she gets going, does not like to STOP! She'll stop but for a child it can be difficult, heck it's hard for me sometime. Black Jack did great! He's such a good boy! He has another gate between his walk and trot that he tried doing with me a couple times on this trip. His legs are longer than Loci's hence the reason she would have to trot to keep up. He is such a smooth ride. In learning my animals, I've learned that Black Jack spooks from high winds and birds flying up by him. So I was in hopes of a fairly calm wind and no birds for our ride. Which worked out fine. We were riding along and passing a place that has 5 horses. As we reached an opening one of their horses sounded off, Black Jack stopped dead in his tracks, turned his head and focused on where that noise came from. He looked over there as if to say, hmm there are other horses here! Silly horse! That was his one and only spook. When we got to the meeting almost 15 minutes late, I let D Bear know we were there safe and sound. I swear he worries more than I do. After the meeting we all rode home again, but went a different way. Black Jack kept trying to turn to go back the way we came, what a smart boy for remembering the journey. Once I finally convinced him we were still going home, just a different path he was ok. There is a cement bridge on the way home, he refused to go over it. I'm not sure why but he wouldn't pass over it. We led them across and he thought he would just keep on walking beside me. Ummm, no! My cell phone kept alerting me that I had text messages but I decided to ignore them until we were home. As soon as we got home and tied the horses up, my phone started to ring. It was my hubby in a panic asking me if we were ok!!! Of course we're ok!! After we took off the tack and cooled the horses down I looked at my phone. The messages were from hubby checking on us. Worry wart!!! In our adventure Loci stepped on M Bear's feet, she wasn't too happy about it but she'll live. <br />
The reason D Bear was so worried about us is because this was our maiden voyage off the property!!! Yeah!!! And he wasn't here :( so if something were to happen he was too far away to do anything to help us. I love him dearly and I'm so thankful for him, but he knows he has an independent wife and daughters that like to do things on their own too. I don't think he will ever not worry about us doing our own thing.<br />
In the whole journey there and back, I did not get one picture!!!! Not one!!! Oh well, I was concentrating so hard on getting everyone there and back safely that I didn't worry about taking pictures.<br />
I do however have pictures of a horse that is suppose to be coming to our home soon. Her name is Baby, she's an 11 year old registered paint!!! I can't wait to have her here with us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1hF80tGK20/Thb5cj55vnI/AAAAAAAAAWY/izbyXd-HCZ4/s1600/Baby4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1hF80tGK20/Thb5cj55vnI/AAAAAAAAAWY/izbyXd-HCZ4/s640/Baby4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Hoping she will like being a Yooper! I know we do!<br />
SPsweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-28418237636444469682011-06-28T08:36:00.000-04:002011-06-28T08:36:03.362-04:00Yet Again!A thief has struck again! Not D Bear this time. No this time was my oldest daughters' unlucky day! She went in to work as she always does, set her purse down and went to talk with other coworkers about what they were going to do for the day. She came back and her wallet was gone! Police were called, which was completely useless!! They act as if it's an inconvenience for them to do their job?! I bet the in house people will be able to help her more. If not, I still know people that can get it taken care of. The poor kid is just trying to make her own way in this world by working and doing the right thing. I know times are tough but, don't they think it's tough for her too? She is hopeful she will at least get it back, but it's doubtful. As she was scrambling to remember everything in her wallet that she lost, she remembered as part of her job is to drive clients from place to place in a company vehicle. She may end up losing her job because she does not have her actual license in possession!! What is this world coming to?! People are always asking me why I keep such a close eye on my kids, well this is why, you can not trust everyone!! I know that you never could trust "everyone" but it sure seems like you could trust a lot more of them many years ago! I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Makes me want to become a hermit that lives on our property with everything we need and never leave. Keeping all of my kids with me to protect them from all the evil in this world. This is not possible for me or my children but the thought is there.<br />
Hoping above all else for justice! Or at least a simple return of the wallet, even if the cash is gone, just to have her personal belongings returned. We won't be holding our breath.<br />
SPsweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-13495461249008901562011-06-20T22:38:00.000-04:002011-06-20T22:38:34.206-04:00Interesting Monday MorningWell I got up early to let the pups out as I normally do. Let them do their business and put them in the outdoor kennel. Then I went back to bed. The pups woke me up a couple hours later by barking?! They never bark. I guess I should have gotten my lazy butt out of bed right then. I laid there for a while longer just because I could. Finally got up, made coffee, got the first cup, said good morning to Mare Bear. That's where my normal Monday morning ended!!<br />
I went out the door to get the pups out of their kennel and then take hay out to the horses. I reached the top step and looked up. There were two steers looking up at me!!! I took a step back and asked them what the heck they were doing here?! As if they could answer, right?! Wow!! What am I suppose to do? Call the police, the county we live in, the police station is about 50 miles from me!!! It wasn't an emergency, so I poked my head back in the door for my camera. M Bear got it and came out to see what was out there. She was in shock, went back in to wake up lil Pixie. They wanted to feed them and pet them, treat them as they would their pups. Umm, 500lb pups?! ha ha ha. After we took some pictures, I decided to get them some hay along with taking hay out to the horses. Poor little pups were in their kennel wondering what those big black things were and if they were going to eat them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-I00wLn66w/TgACGOhgfRI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/R28wBK6OGQQ/s1600/101_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-I00wLn66w/TgACGOhgfRI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/R28wBK6OGQQ/s640/101_0009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>I know you can only see one head but see the nose down by the ground? That's the camera shy Jimmy. Zeke is the one posing for the camera.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzn2w5K0slA/TgAC7fhG3TI/AAAAAAAAAWU/vGbnx4oj7fc/s1600/Jimmy6202011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzn2w5K0slA/TgAC7fhG3TI/AAAAAAAAAWU/vGbnx4oj7fc/s640/Jimmy6202011.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>This is Jimmy. He was playing hard to get with the camera and when the owners came to get them!! <br />
<br />
Theses two were so much fun! Not what I was expecting to be outside in the morning. <br />
<br />
Oh well, it's life in rural Upper Michigan, you never know what will be outside your door when you get up.<br />
<br />
SPsweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-5740367678956440492011-05-18T09:28:00.000-04:002011-05-18T09:28:53.310-04:00Some moments in time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSwPrn_1l0g/TdPBiy527lI/AAAAAAAAAWM/EHgAYVJjkXg/s1600/100_9063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSwPrn_1l0g/TdPBiy527lI/AAAAAAAAAWM/EHgAYVJjkXg/s400/100_9063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Meet Mama Kitty and her 5 kittens. The Mama was a drop off at our house. She was already very pregnant. I'm not a cat person at all but they are all cute little fluff balls. She's a good Mama and takes good care of them. We moved them to a larger area yesterday. She delivered them in the side pocket of D Bears boat. Not a good place when they started to grow. Besides D Bear wanted them OUT of his boat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a23JETsiRMM/TdPAW6N60RI/AAAAAAAAAWE/dY8HS4ifGV4/s1600/100_9031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a23JETsiRMM/TdPAW6N60RI/AAAAAAAAAWE/dY8HS4ifGV4/s400/100_9031.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Pixie and her beloved Midnight. These two are the last born and always the last to give up and go to sleep. Even at the times when they are yawning, can barely keep their eyes open, Pixie will tell you I'm not tired. Midnight just keeps on getting up, and picking up her head even when her eyes are just about closed. Both are extremely sensitive. Can't raise your voice to either of them without making them cry or at least sulk. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0NrV1uPEau4/TdPA-A6hNqI/AAAAAAAAAWI/5OqqyafiG7Y/s1600/100_9059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0NrV1uPEau4/TdPA-A6hNqI/AAAAAAAAAWI/5OqqyafiG7Y/s400/100_9059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Puppies now have their collars on. Do they like them? Umm, that's a big NO! Seem to make them scratch, trying to get them off. Sorry little pistols but they are here to stay. Giving me something to grab onto when they are taking me through the woods too close to the road! Mama kitty came up on the deck which use to be her domain until the little fur balls of fire moved in. Let me tell you, she's not a happy camper! She does what all cats do when they meet up with a puppy/dog. She hisses, growls, raises her hair on her back. I have to give her credit, she has not yet raised her paw/claws to them. Leads to never a dull moment here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMRA8M_diSA/TdO_ZxZzBPI/AAAAAAAAAWA/KhBcO5kmYXs/s1600/100_9029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMRA8M_diSA/TdO_ZxZzBPI/AAAAAAAAAWA/KhBcO5kmYXs/s400/100_9029.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>M Bear with Maggie. Aren't they sweet. Who could ever think this sweet little bundle of fur would ever go on an adventure without Mom's permission. Maggie seems to want to do it on a daily basis!!! Hoping M Bear doesn't ever do that. M Bear rubbed Maggie's belly until she went to sleep. The sisters were sitting on the couch right next to them wide awake! Go figure!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBLBTsjdTB0/TdO-1OikauI/AAAAAAAAAV8/2WWJc7z3lI0/s1600/100_9057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBLBTsjdTB0/TdO-1OikauI/AAAAAAAAAV8/2WWJc7z3lI0/s400/100_9057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I love this picture! Loki was laying out in the sun when the girls got home from school yesterday. M Bear asked if she could crawl under the fence to go be with her. Sure why not, manure washes, right? They've been missing each other with all of the running we are doing for track and oh yes those little puppies too. They spent about 30 minutes sitting and laying in the sun together. Not sure of their conversation but whatever it was, needed to be said. Maybe it went something like this, " Where have you been? I've missed you. Come sit with me and enjoy the warm sun." . "I'm sorry, I've been busy running and trying to train the puppies. Summer vacation is coming soon which means I will have more time with you. The sun feels good, mind if I lay down with you?"<br />
These are a glimpse of what happens here in Heaven if you take the time to enjoy it.<br />
SPsweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-74209390148839490472011-05-14T23:28:00.000-04:002011-05-14T23:28:55.436-04:00Spring has finally sprung here! I think?There have been some signs of Spring here at heaven. A hummingbird nearly took out my head in search of it's nectar. I usually have it out when I hear the geese made their way home but have been a little pre-occupied with puppies. Anyhow, the hummingbirds have their nectar out once again, hungry little buggers. The cardinals didn't leave but the males have gone back to thinking they are the most beautiful creatures on earth. They are a brilliant red, and they know it. The males go to my truck mirrors to look at themselves. I have proof, the mirror is a mess, all pecked up and scratched! Crazy birds. The gold finches are here. Their gorgeous shade of yellow sure catches your eye. We also have purple finches. I have noticed 2 sets of the rose breasted Grosbeak. My personal favorite, the Indigo Bunting! I noticed 2 males! Wahoo! Of course we have chickadee's, brown headed cow birds, blue jays, Dark Eyed Junco's, nut hatches, and several different wood peckers. Oh Robin's too. Waiting for the wax wings and oriole's to make their appearance. <br />
What types of birds do you get where you live? It's so good to hear all of the different noises outside.<br />
The puppies are growing so fast. Miss Maggie is 21 lbs. Miss Midnight is 20 lbs. They are learning and so am I. I'm the one they spend the most time with for now. When the kids come home from school, they are on puppy duty since I need to do some things without pups under my feet. Maggie likes to be right on my heals when we go for walks. It's good she stays close but I'm afraid it's a little too close and she may get hurt. Midnight is always close by and wanting to please me. We are making progress on their boundaries, and to come when called. Potty training? Well it's a work in progress. They are working on making me progress from slightly crazy to maxed out nutcase! We will get it, sure would be helpful if they weren't water dogs. The weather could cooperate a little too. Things are quite wet around here which means, they can find water whenever they want it. In turn that means they have to go all the time!!!!<br />
The vet made a trip here which was a little expensive but I expected it. The horses needed their spring vaccines and their teeth floated. We found out that Gemini/Black Jack doesn't need as much tranquilizer. Poor guy was really dopey. I had to prop his head up for the vet to do his teeth. When she finished, he was not sure if he wanted to stand up, lay down or somewhere in between. He weebled, and wobbled and almost went down. He had his head hanging pretty low for a while. I kept checking on them for the next few hours making sure they were ok. Mr. had me pretty worried but he was just fine. They were not themselves for the rest of the day. Poor babies. Hope the weather breaks for an opportunity to ride soon.<br />
Track is almost finished for the year as well as school. Wow! Where did the time go?! I have most of the flowers for the summer but can't plant them until the danger of frost is gone.<br />
What's happening in your neck of the woods?<br />
SPsweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-11595008467508577262011-05-09T09:54:00.000-04:002011-05-09T09:54:02.303-04:00CrazinessHoly Moly! I didn't realize that things would be so crazy adding 2 puppies to our family here in heaven!<br />
Last week we brought our puppies home, D Bear got home, we had a track meet, track practice, and then another track meet! Oh add the horses in there too. I will have to learn how to balance everything once again. <br />
Potty training is going and that's about it! It will take some time to get that down. The crazy little critters are learning their boundaries. Oh what a chore that is. Momma kitty that someone was so kind to drop off, had 5 kittens!! Yes 5!!! I'm not much of a cat person. I'm slightly allergic to them. So add her in the mix with puppies, and you have trouble! She runs away from them towards the road, into the thickest brush she can find!! Wah!<br />
Our whole routine has been flipped upside down and inside out but we will get use to this too!<br />
Horses are doing wonderful. Hope to ride again soon. I will have to make time for both of them. I wish there was a way for me to ride both of them. Any idea's? I did ride Loki about 2 weeks ago. She's such a good girl. We lunged them yesterday. I love to watch them move. So graceful. Loki runs with all her heart, going as hard as she can. Black Jack just runs a steady pace. He's getting less trippy the more we work him. He's my next ride when I get the chance. I'm hoping for him to be a good boy. Hoping to not get thrown?!<br />
Mother's Day was a gorgeous day here. Sun was shining all day. We spent the day together. D Bear had to go back to work. We went shopping at a local greenhouse. Can anyone say flower power?! Girls and I picked out many, many flowers. D Bear wanted apple trees, we bought a yellow transparent and a macintosh. Also bought two Lilac Bushes. Wahoo! I will be busy in about 2 weeks once there is no chance of frost.<br />
So there is a sliver of what's been going on in our hectic lives. Hope you all have a wonderful day, week, month. Never know when I will have the time to sit and write some more.<br />
SPsweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206962483897972704.post-45323176790977324642011-04-19T08:47:00.000-04:002011-04-19T08:47:01.449-04:00Meet the puppies!!Good Tuesday morning to ya! Well here's the calm before the storm, literally. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise this morning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByCs5_Lo0W4/Ta1-QzNc-SI/AAAAAAAAAVk/BYbP94MdQk4/s1600/100_8315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByCs5_Lo0W4/Ta1-QzNc-SI/AAAAAAAAAVk/BYbP94MdQk4/s640/100_8315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Now meet the puppies!! And this storm will hit our house in about 2 weeks!! Wahoo!! Am I ready for this? Probably not, but hey, life's a dance! You only live once, so you might as well hang on and enjoy the ride, right? Remind me of this about a week after we get them, ok?<br />
First up and first born in the litter, Meet lil' Miss Maggie Mae. She will be Mare Bear's girl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTp-JF_sIdg/Ta2BQjZFXHI/AAAAAAAAAVw/s7sT45tdiCs/s1600/choc+lab+pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTp-JF_sIdg/Ta2BQjZFXHI/AAAAAAAAAVw/s7sT45tdiCs/s640/choc+lab+pup.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Now let's meet, Lil' Miss Black As Midnight. She's the last born and runt of the litter. She will be Pixie's girl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxQt_w3S-r8/Ta2BasVRBqI/AAAAAAAAAV0/8PAkGLX3C64/s1600/midnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxQt_w3S-r8/Ta2BasVRBqI/AAAAAAAAAV0/8PAkGLX3C64/s640/midnight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Not a very clear picture of her. But she is the cutest little thing. Kind of ironic, she's the last born and the smallest of her litter, Pixie is our last born and the smallest(for now) of our family.<br />
<br />
Our lives will once again change. We were able to watch them grow from the time we met them at 2 weeks of age until now. The owner of the Mom has been so kind as to let us come see them whenever we get the chance and has posted pictures of them weekly on FaceBook. We look forward to having them come home with us. I keep telling the owner, I don't know how you will be able to let all of them go. Although it must be like having 6 children the same age constantly needing one of their two Mom's.<br />
While we were there, the pups kept looking for the girls. So cute, they'd sit in their area and look out for them and whine until they were picked up by them. They must remember their smell or something. Midnight slept in my arms for a long time in puppy time, I hope she doesn't think she will be doing that when she's 60 lbs.?!<br />
Anyhow, have a great day. If you are in the path of the winter storm heading our way in April, get prepared! I can't believe this crazy weather. Smile it's good for you!<br />
SPsweetpeahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837070441759083930noreply@blogger.com4