Today is the last day of 2007. As I look back, I see alot of things that I did get done and some that were put on the back burner till a later time. Well, that later time has come. These will be the first things to get done for 2008. Did any of you watch RFD-TV this Saturday? My cousin, Ginger who rides with the Cowgirl Chicks was on there doing her trick riding. The Cowgirl Chicks will be riding in the Rose Bowl Parade on New Years Day. If you get a chance check out their webpage.www.cowgirlchicks.com . Also Saturday afternoon, Brian went hunting and he had just gotten up in the deer stand when he called and said he was sick and wanted the boys to come get him. They got him home and I put him to bed. He was throwing up, running some fever and hurting. Just knew that he had the flu. As time went on, he kept getting worse. The pain was intense. So at 9 that night, we ended up heading to the er. They drew blood and done a cat scan and the test results showed that he has a kidney stone. We made it home about 3 the next morning. They said that if he would drink alot of liquids that he should be able to pass the stone. It is a small one. He slept all day yesterday and all night. I couldn't get him up to eat supper. He needed the rest for he was one sick lil man. When he woke up this morning he was back to his normal self. Today will find me washing clothes, cleaning house, cleaning the barn, cleaning out the trailer for tomorrow I have a barrel race which has $1000.00 added money, cooking black-eye peas, hog jowl, fried cabbage for tomorrow. Gotta have those for the peas means health and luck for the coming year along with the hog jowl and the cabbage means you will have green(money) in your pocket for the year. The way this past year has been, I need to eat a huge helping.lol Hope the coming year will continue to bless you and yours and it will be everything that you wish for.

LOOKING BACK IN 2007 AND LOOKING FORWARD TO 2008

As I look back into this past year, alot of things has went on in my life. I don't always share everything that is going on in my life , some things are just too personal. I have had joy and I have had heartbreak this past year. My Grandmother use to say that whatever happens on New Years Day , it's what the coming year will be like. That day, my video camera was broke and it seemed as the year went on alot of things ended up broken. First my Mare was injuryed and we didn't know if she would ever be able to compete again. Then the place where I work at had a lay off and I was out of a job for awhile. That ended up with some bills that wasn't getting paid and it caused alot of stress on my marriage and family life. Then I watched a wonderful guy come home to be buried from the war. I watched my son leave for the military. That was some of the bad, the good is I laid everything at God's feet and left them there for him. I did try to take my problems back and tried to fix them myself and things just kept getting worse. So once again, I gave them to him and left them there. He did take care of them and the valleys that I went through only made me stronger and faith deeper. My mare is doing great, the job, well, who knows with it, the bills are getting paid. My marriage is stronger, we still have our problems but hey, what marriage doesn't. My family is closer than ever plus it has grown and still growing. My heart is at peace with JB in the military and with everything else. I have meet some wonderful friends from different places and have been trully blessed by everyone of them. So whatever is thrown at me in 2008, I know that with God's help I will come out stronger than when I went in. I'm looking forward to 2008. Who knows what it will bring. My prayers for you, my friends, is that 2008 will bring you and yours wonderful blessings. I have alot of things on my list to do for the coming year. Will I get them done? Who knows,? I do know that I plan on having a heck of a good time trying to get those things done. Lets see, I plan on having the other horses running barrels, getting the yard and garden up to par, upping the bloodlines on my goats, want to start seeing a profit from the farm, spending more time with my family, being there for my family and friends, getting rid of clutter here at the house, doing more rodeos and pony pullings, going on a cattle drive, getting my body back into shape( now, that should be fun) and playing with my two new little great neice or nephews that I'm getting. Yup, two more rug rats to run after. One comes in March and the other comes in July. See, 2008 is looking GREAT!!!!!!!

ONE OF THE REASONE I COUNT MY BLESSINGS TWICE.....

Here he is. My little soldier boy, Jon Brandon. This is one of the many reasons I do count my blessings twice. He was able to be here with me and the rest of the family for not only Thanksgiving but also for Christmas. It's hard for me to accept that he is no longer a boy but a man now. Sometimes I wish I could look into the future and see what it holds for him. Then again do I really want to know. This child of mine will be going and seeing things that if we had the choice we wouldn't go. We would run and hide under our beds. He has taken on such a huge responsibilty that would have grown people running. My heart breaks for the things he will have to go through and my knees are worn out from praying but praying is what has gotten us this far. I stop and thing about the other families out there that has went through this holiday season with their loved one gone and I know that my day is coming. On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for young people like my son, JB. To give up their lives to defend this country. All I ask of you for the coming year of 2008 is to continue to remember our soliders and their families and when you see a veteran please tell them 'Thank You'. ( his unit is still on red alert, also alot of the guys that was with him at Fort Knox, is already overseas , so please remember all of the men and women who are there)

MAY THE RIDING BE EASY AS THE HOLIDAYS NEAR, AND MAY YOUR HAPPINESS LAST THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT 2lmzfarms

Laura, Lamar, Jon Brandon, Tessa, Kasey, Brian, David, Abbye, Emily, Kyle, Josh, Micheal, Brian, and all the critters.

I believe that I'm still alive. There were days when I wondered. lol This crud that I have got has decided to hang around for awhile. It has been passed from one family member to another and then makes it rounds again. The weather here has been wet and cold. The mud makes feeding time rough and the cold makes it miserable. The other day I noticed one of my goats coughing. After checking to see if she had fever, I figured it was just a cold. So I gave her a dose of penn. and gave her 2 ccs of childrens cough medicine. Yes, I give my goats over the counter children's medicine. Some of you may be questioning that move but hey, it works for me and that is what I stick to. Vets would be having a fit if they knew. I know my cuz(the vet) fusses at me all the time. I also went on and doctored the rest of the herd so maybe I caught the stuff in time before every one of them gets sick. With show goats one has to be very careful what they give their goats. I can not injected my goats so every thing is given by mouth. Alot of medicines has long withdrawl times and with over the counter meds, the withdrawl time is very short with the goats. I do write down every thing that is given to my goats and come show time, when the people read my health papers, I do get strange looks. The one and only thing I don't do on the health papers is write down everything I feed. Hey, this is competition, I can't be given all of them hints. Okay, you have twisted my arm. Here is how I feed my show goats. I feed medicated feed, to a 50lb bag, I mix 2 scoops of whole corn, and 2 scoops of black sunflower seeds. So, they are getting a high protein and this really puts the weight on them But it also means more work out time for them for I don't want fat on them, I need muscle. That is why, they either get worked pulling, or on the treadmill. You heard me, a treadmill. I found this one at a yardsale for $1.00. It still works good and does the job. It takes awhile for the goats to understand they have to walk instead of laying down and getting thrown. I let them walk at a normal pace for 20 mintues then let them trot for 10. I have been doing this for a couple of years and found out this is the way to go. Want so funny entertanment just put a goat on a treadmill. If you go this route, remember, NEVER NEVER leave a goat unattended. They could very easily hang theirselves or seriously injury theirselves.

I know that it has been awhile since I last posted or even left comments on my friends sites. I have been sick with some kind of crud. I am better but still feeling a little puny. I did run fever for a couple of days then lost my voice(everyone was jumping for joy on that) then head stopped up and had a bad headache. Today I have felt so much better. Now David and my neice Sam has it. Okay, now to catch you all up to date. Saturday me and my sisters done our annual Christmas shopping. I got home at 5 and then me and all the kids loaded up and went to Ashland to the rodeo. Sam ran barrels and Brian rode bulls. Sam was the first up and did real good. She didn't place but that was okay for her run was picture perfect. Then Brian's time was up. While he was getting in the shoot the bull tried coming out. I was freaking out. I was hollering for Brian to get off. Did he listen, no. Then the shoot opened and the riding started. His bull got into a spin and Brian started dressing up the bull. What is dressing, you ask? Well, it's like trying to get the judges attention to capture more points. While the bull was bucking and spinning, Brian was doddling his head and swinging his arm. When the horn blowed, off he came. I was jumping up and down and hollering. Then we heard his score. It was a 71. I looked up and here comes Brian running over to the fence where I was and got his hug and kiss. The score wasn't high even to win first place but he did get second. Sunday I cooked a big dinner for all the kids. I had some southern cooking going on here. Then all the kids went outside and helped Lamar work on my goats wagon. It was a beautiful weekend with the temps reaching up in the 70's. Monday was another nice day. Along with Tuesday. Tuesday night found all the kids and us playing the game'Scenic'. What a load of fun that was.lol Today started off warm but rain has moved in and the temps are dropping. We are going to a ranch sorting this weekend instead of barrel racing or rodeoing. The weather man is calling for the temps to be very cold along with a chance of snow. What??!!!! SNOW???!!!!! Man, I am sooooooo ready for warmer temps. Wait, didn't I post not to long ago about wanting cooler temps, hmmm........, yea, I'm hard to please.

WHO ARE ALL THESE KIDS AND WHY ARE THEY CALLING ME 'MOM'

I know some of you are wondering exactly how many kids do Boo and me have. Okay, I have 3 kids of my own, Jon Brandon- 19 who is in the military and the one who use(notice, I said use) to rodeo with me, my little bull rider, David- 18 who only rides on trail rides doesn't care too much for anything wild and Emily- 14 who is into sports and is very talented in those too. Now on to Boo, there is Tessa- 28 who is married to Brian and is a school teacher and a very talented artist. Can draw anything or anyone. Kasey- who is 23 and single and looking for that special girl. I didn't give birth to Tessa and Kasey but the love I have for them is just like my own. Now, that leads us to others. There is Kyle, Micheal, Josh, Brian, Amber, BJ, and Mo. They all call me Mom. These 7 kids have found a special place in my heart. They are here at the house everyday and they just make theirselves at home here. I have always wanted a big family and alot of kids. I treat them just like I do my own. They know that Mom has their backs and their backsides if they mess up. I can be a full house when all 12 are here. And just think we only have 3 bedrooms. One nevers knows how many are going to be here in the morning or where you will find them sleeping. lol It's funny how sometimes God does answers our prayers. I wanted alot of kids and was upset when my health and body failed me at that. But God did hear my prayers and gave me those kids. He didn't answer them right then but waited and then answered. They all are great kids. Instead of going out and getting into trouble, one will find them here sitting around the table playing cards or some other kind of game, or at a barrel race , or rodeo, or even in the kitchen cooking up something to eat, then again, one might find them cleaning the house. They don't mind helping me feed or milk. And they all help me ride or work the ponies. So... who are all these kids and why are they calling me'Mom' why, they are my pride and joy. The ones who nestled their way under my boosom and into my heart. They are my kids and makes my heart sing with joy when one says, ' Mom'..........................................................................

AM I LUCKY OR AM I LUCKY?

I have people to tell or even comment on my lifestyle. Nothing bad just that sometimes they just wish they could do what I do or even live my life for one day.(seriously, had a woman tell me that not too long ago). Ok, you want to swap for a day. Here is what you need to do, get up before the rooster even thinks about crowing. Make some coffee, sit down for a few minutes , try to rub the sleep out of your eyes. Cook breakfast maybe throw a load of clothes in the washer or dryer. Then its out to the barn. The feed is mixed in seperate buckets for each animal. Feed the 4 big horses first, then feed the ponies. Now it's time to feed the meat goats and put out hay. Okay back into the feed room. Set your buckets aside and grab the other two. Now go feed the milk goats. Good thing I have dried them off or you would have to milk them. Now run in the house and grab you a quick shower. What!? You think you have time to do your hair and make-up? No way. You better just brush your teeth and throw some clothes on. Now you need to fix your and David's lunch to take to work. Okay grab your purse and lunch and get out the door. While driving to work call Emily and make sure that she is up and getting ready for school. Okay time to come home and start on some housework. Start supper and then run out to the barn and start feeding all over again. Make sure you fix up feed for in the morning. Seriously, I am lucky. I sometimes have to stop and thank my lucky stars for having a wonderful family and life that I actually love. I love doing this wether it is rodeoing or fooling with the animals. Yes, I am lucky. Now, my pocket book doesn't seem so lucky.

WHAT ABOUT THEM COWGIRLS......

You all may remember back in August where I wrote about my neice Sam. She is the one who out ran me at the rodeo. Well, this is her. She just turned 13 and can ride the hair off of a horse. This was taken Saturday night before the rodeo started. Notice the black hat that I'm wearing. During the winter months, one is suppose to wear a black hat and then during the summer months one is suppose to wear a straw hat. Has any of you ever listen to Chris Leduex song ' This Cowboy Hat'? It talks about if you touch this hat you will ride a black tornado. This black hat actually rode a black tornado. It was at my sister's house back in 2001 when the f5 tornado struck here and it survived the tornado. I got one of my friends the other night to reshape the hat. Boy, did it look bad but it regained it shape and Saturday night was back on my head for rodeo. If the hat could talk the stories it would tell. My neice is my pride and joy along with my kids. I love all my neices and nephews but this one is my favorite. She is her Aunie's child. So much like me it is unreal. Oh, Tracey, this is the screaming cowgirl.

Okay here is a picture of Brian that was made at Jackson, TN. He won the bull riding. Talking about gettting some air. This is such a breathtaking sport. All one can do is sit on the sidelines as pray as the shoots open that their little rider will ride for 8 seconds and grab the judges attention to score the best ride. It is a joy when the horn blows and your rider jumps off and waves to his cheering crowd and know that he just gave it his best! This weekend will find us in Ashland, MS. No, I won't be riding, I will be on the sidelines a cheering and praying for my little cowboys! OH, just an update, JB is no longer riding bulls but is helping out behind the shoots. He is also on red alert for right now.

One right, two left, and then home......

Yesterday found me at Pontotoc for the NBHA show. I was runner number 59. I had a crappy run. We hit the first barrel , rocked the second and I told Dass just go on and get the third. Our time was slow and after I had hit the barrel we ended up with a no-time. So....I ended up just giving them $26 for that run. My neice, Sam, hit 2 barrels and she was upset just like I was. I told her not to worry, that was just practice for us , that we would kick tale later on that night. I left the ag center at 4:30, ran by the house to pick up Kyle and Emily. We left there and headed to Houston for the rodeo. I had been there for about 30 mintues when my neice and her dad arrived. Later on everyone else showed up, there was, Lamar, Kasey, David, Josh, Amber and her friend, Theus, Micheal, Charity, Mo, Issac, Amye, Paul, Cee Cee, my sister Jen , JB, Abbye and Brian who rode in the bull riding. Yes, me and Sam had our very own cheering section. Brian was the first one up. He rode the crap out of the bull. He ended up winning the bull riding with a score of 72. JB and Kyle helped pull his ropes. Brian later told me he could hear me yelling over everything else. Yep, I do have a loud mouth.lol Then it was time for my sport. There was 18 runners in the barrels. The first runner's horse fell with her on the first barrel. That really shook me up for I knew the ground was deep. Sam and I rode off so we couldn't see for I was already getting nervous and needed to regroup. She went in before me and hit the second barrel she came out with a time of 15.3 plus 5 added for the knocked over barrel. Then it was my turn. I turned Dass around and spurred and away we went. Going into the first barrel, she slipped with me, I thought we was going down, but I did jerk her head up and then I yelled for her to get up and to the second we went. When we came out of the second, that is when the riding started. I spurred and hollered all the way to the third. When I felt her rating that barrel, I was looking for the gate, spurring, and slapping her to get out of there. I didn't know what my time was but I knew that we just had a hellva run. I have a hard time stopping her but when we did get stopped I got off and walked her back to where Lamar was and that was when I heard my time. It wasn't the best but it was a good one. I actually rode the fire out of my mare. We wasn't a rider and a horse , we was one. I had a time of 15.2. I ended up in 8th place and they only pay the top 5 so that knocked me 3 places out of the money. I out rode my neice. Gottcha Sam!!! Sam and I laughed and hugged and she told me that she had a good time even though she knocked over a barrel. JB then came outside and found me and told me that my run looked really good. Wait, JB just gave me praise?!. Don't get me wrong, he always hollers for me but never, never, said if it was good or not. I have run at several pens so much that I can nearly tell you what my time is going to be. I do know that Houston I run usually 16.3 or 16.5 and I turned a 15.2. Yeah, my mare gave me a hellva of a ride.

Congratulations to MB over at www.day4plus.blogspot.com for guessing what my present was. Yup, I got a 14 ft gooseneck Pondersoa trailer. I was and still sooooooo happy. Now I can haul all over 4 horses easy without stacking them into the bumper trailer like sardines. lol You guys really had some good guesses. I do need a new truck, a new saddle, a new digital camera, a new video camera, and a new rope. Well, I don't really need them, I just have added them on my want list. The way I figure it took me four years to get the trailer so maybe in 20 years I will have everything on my want list. Wait, that is going to put me being 60 by the time I get all these, whew, by that time, I may change my mind. Oh well, it doesnt hurt to wish. Last night we had a house full of kids. I made a big stock pot of deer stew and we had 18 people who ate. After supper, everyone gathered around the table and played cards. It has gotten to where every weekend we have a house full. Most people would fuss about having company over every weekend but I don't mind. As long as they are here at my house I know what my kids are into and who they are running around with. We either play cards, or scenic, or watch ole rodeo videos, or we may do karokoe( now, that's what I'm talking about).
Today is going to find me at a NBHA(National Barrel Horse Assoc) show here in Pontotoc, I will leave there and head out to Houston to the rodeo there. Me and my neice Sam are running tonight at the rodeo. It is going to be weird going and not watching JB but he is coming to support his ole Mama! Just keep your fingers crossed that Dass and me have good runs at both events and leave three barrels standing. It would be nice to win money and points but all I ask of my horses is just give me a good ride. This should be interesting for I am changing spurs today. I usually wear bumper spurs but today I am going to my spurs that have a rawl on the end. I'm hoping that with these we will find another gear and a little faster time. Or we could be asking for trouble. Guess I will just have to wait and find out.lol I will be wearing my ole lucky and favorite purple shirt, JB's belt, my ole boots that have seen better days, wranglers, gotta have longjohns on underneath for it is going to be cold tonight and in my pocket I will carry my Grandfathers buckeye. He carried this one around in his pocket for years and now I have it. I keep it in my right pocket . I always have prayer with Dass and then rub my buckeye and kiss it before I run. Then when my name is called, I run my fingers over it in my pocket and going through the gate I always holler ," Hang on Daddy Jack". I sure wish that my Grandfather was still here today but I know that he is here with me and watching over me. That man could really ride the hairs off of a horse. This man was my world. My dad drove a truck when I was growing up and he was gone alot. My Grandfather was the one who stepped up and was there in my Dad's place. Don't get wrong, I love my Dad with all my heart and still think that he hung the moon( hey, isn't that what all little girls thinks) but I'm sooo thankful that I had such a loving and caring Grandfather that would be there when my Dad couldn't. I can see so much of my Grandfather in my Dad now. His hands are just like Daddy Jacks. The way he gets around, the way he talks, his actions everything is just like my Grandfather's. My Dad is even doing things with my kids. There is just something about Grandparents and grandkids. It's a special bond and I am so lucky to have had a Grandfather and Grandmother like I did. I can't wait till I have Grandkids so I can love them and spoil them like mine did me.

Just a quick note for ya'll. I'm still doing the giveway. If no one has guessed what my gift was by the 1st of December. I will put all of those who have left a comment since this has started and draw out the winners name. Now, surely one of you can guess. If you will read the next post and read carefully, like between the lines, you might get what I got. Another hint for ya'll. You gotta have one of these if you rodeo or show goats or train horses. Come on now, put those thinking caps on.

What the hell is this.......

I have this problem and it costing me money. I don't know how to cure this problem. I don't really know exactly what causes it either. This problem started,well, probably before I was even born. My Mom had the problem, several in her family had it, my Grandfather had, and there at one time one of my kids had it. Heck, Mom has several off springs that has this problem. I don't know if it is the smell of manure or exactly what causes it. There is just something about this that causes my hands to itch, my heart to race, my legs to quiver, and my mind goes way out there. There is just something about getting loaded up(hint,hint for those of you who are trying to guess what I got) and hitting the road. It's the smell of the popcorn that is popping, the smell of the dirt, the smell of leather, the feel of saddling your horse, it's the way your heart pumps at the start of the Grand Entry, listening to the National Anthem being sung, it's those damn ole cowboys in those tight fitting wranglers( lord, those wrangler butts just drive me nutts). It's watching your favorite ropers trying to rope that steer in a time under 7 seconds, its warming your horse up and waiting at the gate for your name to be called and hearing the crowd roar for their favorite cowboy and cowgirl. It's gathering around with your sisters on horses and praying and hollering for them when they go through the gate. It's the feel of your own heart beating, thinking just anytime it's going to bust out of your chest, it's socking your ole hat down over your ears and tighten up the stampede string so you don't loose your hat, it's feeling your horse's heart beating just like yours. You can actually feel your horse getting ready to go in and performing in front of hundreds of people. It's hearing your name call and you grab the reins and holler to your horse,"Let's show 'em how to do it". It's heading toward that first barrel , then to the second, reaching down to grab your over-an-under(whip that hooks on your horn) and smacking till you get to the third barrel, when you round that third one, you are looking for the gate and then you are riding like you stole it. Whipping, spurring, and hollering for your horse to carry you out. It's looking back and seeing all three barrels still standing. Hearing the crowd whoop and holler for you had a great time. It's then going out, cooling your horse down, loosening the girth and giving her a treat and a little tender loving care. It's going back in and seeing your family and friends who have come out to support you . It's looking at kids and adults who look at you thinking, "Man, I sure wish I could do that" or maybe," When I grow up, I'm going to do that." It's going behind the bucking shoots and watching your little bull rider getting ready. He is over there putting on the chaps, taping up his pants leg and tightings the straps on his spurs. It's the smell of fear and enjoyment. It's watching your love one climb over into the shoot with a 2000lb bull that is ready to kill. It's the pounding of your heart and the tears that you shed watching and praying that he will have a safe and good ride. It's hollering till you loose your voice when the shoots open and your rider comes out a bucking, and a spinning. Sometimes he will ride till the horn and sometimes it is just to much for him. Just as long as he can get up and walk out. So you see, I do have a problem and it started long before I came into this world. What's my problem you ask, why IT'S THAT DAMN OLE RODEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and survived 'Black Friday' . We had a very good time and fellowship over at my parents. It was such a blessing to have all the kids there sharing this day with us. JB and Abbye left early in the afternoon to go and eat with her Mom. I guess I'm just going have to get use to him having another 'family' to share holidays with. No, I don't mind. Abbye's Mom has had some health issues earlier this year and I know that we are thankful that things turned out so good for her and God took care of her and with the help of God and doctors that her health has returned. I did get up Friday morning and along with some of my family members we hit Wal-Mart at 4:30 that morning. I did get what I went for and everyone else got what was on their list too. I came back home but the rest of them went on to Tupelo shopping. I ended up cleaning house then after Boo got off work, him, me, Emily, Tessa, and Brian ate supper with Kasey and his roommate Christopher. They had 'drunk' chicken with Tessa making garlic mashed potatos, mac-n-cheese, rice and garlic bread. It was very good and I enjoyed the time we spent with them. As we all know, it is really nice not having to cook or clean up. Well, I did help clean up the kitchen . It has turned cold here and I find myself wishing for summer. The winter makes one think twice about living on a farm. With having to deal with muck, mud, water troughs freezing, putting on several layers of clothes that takes 30 minutes to put on just for about 15 minutes of feeding time, yes, one thinks about farm life. You all know that I wouldn't take nothing for it even if I have to deal with a little cold weather every once in awhile. This morning, Emily has gone hunting with the boys. Yikes, what have I done sending my child, the BABY, into the woods. I would really love to see her bag one for the child loves vension meat and for a long time now she has been wanting to bag her own. I do know the girl can shoot, she uses a right handed gun but shoots left handed. I call her 'dead-eye Em'. I have alot to do today, I plan of making some more gifts and making glass candy. Plus, I have a lot of washing to do. Oh, I do have pictures but have not took the film to be developed yet, I hope I do get a new camera for Christmas. I did get my Christmas present the other night. It is something I have wanted for nearly 4 years and it is something I needed!!!! It is something that Tracey over at http://www. capentercreek.com has been wanting for awhile too. Think I will turn this into a little giveway, here is the thing, the first person who guesses will recieve these goodies: a handmade tea towel, a handmade ornament, some glass candy, some goat milk soap, another hamdmade ornament and a pair of handmade earrings. Anyone interested?

WHERE OH WHERE HAS MY LITTLE BOY GONE....

I can't help but ask myself " where is my little boy?". JB isn't the same now. He has went and grown up on me. Where has my cowboy gone , the one that would help me pull a joke on someone, the one who was always the life of a party, the one who didn't give a hoot if the sun rose or set, the one who , well, the one who was my friend? He left me. Now in his place , I am left with a grown man, who has accepted responsibilty, who no longers care to ride those bulls , one who no longers to care for child-like pranks, one who is preparing for a future with his lovely little red-head, (who by the way, I love) one who thinks he may be Uncle Sam's now but will always be me little jar of jam, one who is very serious about everything!!! One who actually can't stand clutter, wants everything put up in its place, and now no longer is it Mama but Mother. This man has invaded my son's body. He has the same look but his voice, well, it is of a more mature young man. I find myself looking into his eyes trying to catch a glimpse of my little boy. Why do kids have to grow up.? Does this mean that I even have to grow up too? Naw, thing I will stay just like I am. Heck, it took me 40 years to get this far and I'm not about to leave this train, I'm going to ride it out. I'm proud of what and who JB has become, very proud!!!!! I'm proud of all my kids don't get me wrong. It's just hard watching your little chicks grow up.

HE IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was the longest day of my life.lol Jb called at 11 and told us what is flight was. He would be in Tupelo at 10 pm. We was able to get the banner put up outside and hang the balloons, get our posters ready to take with us and then at 6pm it seemed like time hung still. The only ones that went to the airport was me, Boo, my sister Teisha, Abbye, and Mom. One of the family's good friend works at the airport so I called her and told her that JB was comin in on the flight. So, at 9 pm we loaded up and headed out with me leading. Mom was following in her car and guess what, yup, grannie got stopped for speeding. He really clocked me but got Mom instead. My Mom has never drove over 50 and that was on the interstate.lol She didn't get a ticket just a warning. We had a good laugh about that. Jennifer, the one who works at the airport, came and told me to come here and told me she wanted to show me something. So, I went outside and she pointed to this blinking thing in the sky and told me that was JB and he was 15 minutes out. So, I stood outside and watched my child blink in the sky. I watched him come in and land. Where I was standing , the airplane was brought right up to the fence and by then I was crying. Everyone was hollering when he stepped off the plane. Then we turned and ran inside and was ready with our posters and video camera when he came through the doors. Everyone there was clapping and they stood back for him to be the first one through. Guess what he did? Yup, he bypassed me for that little red-headed girl. Oh, it's okay, he did come to me next. We got back home at 11 and then I finally made it home at mid-night. I believe I slept better than I ever had in a long time for this Mother hen finally had all her baby chicks at home in her lil nest. Will post pictures tomorrow.

AND NOW THERE IS ONE.....

Here we are at one day to go. Still waiting to hear from JB as when his flight leaves and what time he will be arriving. We have our posters ready and video camera ready. Why, oh, why is the waiting hard and nail bitting? I wonder if he feels the same? Yesterday was cloudy but warm, we ended up working Trigger in the round pen. Our plans for today was to ride him but the weather has put an end of that. Woke up this morning with very cloudy skies, the weather too warm and a threat of severe storms. So far, we have only had sprinkles. Last night had a house full, there was Boo, me, David, Tessa, Kasey, Toby(nephew), Kyle and Brian . Everyone but me played a card game of 31. I'm not really into playing cards so, I worked on a few projects. Tessa(step-daughter) is an art teacher and she came over and made cupcakes for her students. Okay, I only ate two of them. Plus, licked the bowl some. Just don't tell her , ok? The family is planning a huge trail ride this weekend. I hope that JB is up for some good ole redneck fun. I'm thinking about just riding in the wagon with my Dad. You can have more fun in the wagon, listen to the radio, yes, Tracey, we have a radio with a cd player in the wagon, watch everyone else cowboy up and just sit back and enjoy the view. But then again, if you are riding, you can jump ditches, race between power lines, watch everyone else cowboy up and you can even experience the thrill of having to cowboy up. When one horse acts up, usually, the other horses will too. After the ride , we will come back to Mother's house and cook out. Then just sit outside and talk about the things that cowboys and cowgirls talk. Oh, you know, the kind of stuff like, "well, I remember this ole mare I had, boy, now that was some mare, etc..." It's funny listening to their stories. There will be some pranks pulled and alot of laughing but mainly, just being together. So, if you around this part of the country and want to part take of some good ole redneck fun, just look us up. If you get lost in this little one horse town, don't worry, everyone is kin to everyone and they will direct to where you need to go. Just go down to Dot Kidd's ole store and hang a left, then go up to Ms. Brown's ole place and take a right, then go about 4 miles, look for the huge oak tree on the side and turn left.

AND THE DAYS ARE GETTING FEWER AND FEWER...

So now we are down to 2 days till JB comes home. We have his banner ready and the food is being prepared. We still don't know exactly what time his plane comes into Memphis. JB said it would probably be Thursday morning before he would know what time his plane leaves. Me, my dad and Abbye will pick him up at the airport.
As I was going through my friends' blog this morning, I went to visit my friend MB at her place and read where Dave has passed away. I would like to ask all of you to please drop by a leave her a little note. www.day4plus.blogspot.com
Yesterday found me, David, and Kyle moving the ponies around. David and Kyle then saddled up and rode for awhile. Me, I ended up doing some housework. I plan on riding today. I am also working of projects and last night, I did get one of my paper-mache bowls made. I will paint it today now that it has dried.

JUST 4 MORE DAYS , THANK YOU.......

Just 4 more days and JB comes home. I'm looking forwarded to seeing him and spending time with him plus getting to know the man that he has become. It's sad for I know now that my little boy is gone and a man has taken his place. I know that he has been sick and had to take several bags of iv but is better. WHEW. It broke my heart when I heard that he went through that and I couldn't be there with him. I believe he had severe cold and swollen throat. Yesterday was a beautiful day. The sunny was shinning and even though it was a little breezy still very beautiful. We had a barrel race and I ended with 5th in the 2d class. Which was something for us for that meant we had picked up time and moved up a class. Sam, my neice, rode my mare in the youth and also ran her in poles. She done real good. She informed me that I lost my ride. She was taken over. I told her that she could run her anytime that she wanted just dont beat my time on her. This morning we have overcast skies and a nip in the air. Just one of them days to stay in the house and catch up on housework and washing. Maybe I'll have time to work on some of my projects that I need to get done for as we all know Christmas is just right around the corner. Personally, I think some of the spirit has gone from Christmas. It seems that it is all about the presents that ones gives or recieves. Everyone is talking about how much they are going to spend and what kind of big gift they are getting or buying. Why do people dwell on materalistic things? Why have we gotten to where we think that we have to go broke buying? Are we just trying to show off to other people? It seems that we live in a time of I want, and I get, no matter if the bills don't get paid or anything. Why do we let the tv and magazines influence our lives? So what if we don't have a flat screen tv? Or the latest new ipod?

The Homemakers Open House went well. I sold out of my soap and my cakes in jars, which, we call 'cow patties'. The open house was suppose to be opened from 8 till 5 but at 3 everyone started packing up. I believe that they would have a much larger crowd if they would have it on a Saturday morning instead of middle of the week. Who has any money come Wednesday? The working people doesn't get paid till Friday and then they do their shopping on Friday afternoon or Saturday mornings. Last night found me at the ag center riding and getting ready for the barrel race this Saturday. I carried Dass and the new paint, Molly. I honestly believe that Molly is going to be okay. I had David riding her and just walking and trotting her around the barrels. I will not run a horse on barrels until they are at least 5. She acted like she knew what a barrel was. The only problem I see is she has no get-up a go. I'm going have to really spur her to get some speed from her. Then again, I know that speed will come oneday. My neice and her dad came up there and rode with me. She,Sam, has a new horse and wanted to try him out before the race. He is beautiful, spunky but beautiful. Sam ended up running her Aunie's mare, Dass. Then the little snot came over to me, and looked up at me with those big eyes, yup, she has me, and said "Aunie, would you let me run Dass in youth? Please, I promise I won't get hurt, and I promise, pinky promise, I'M GOING TO HAVE A FASTER TIME THAN YOU!!" I can not understand where she gets all this sass from. Okay, she is part of her Aunie. I honestly believe the child demon should have been mine. I ended up running her dad's mare. OH MY GOSH!!! What a power house. I am not kidding, coming off the barrels, I was either riding between her ears or sitting on her rump. I had goose bumps before the ride was through. I was shaking and couldn't even talk not that I was scared but just to have something that powerful underneath me was world shaking. I told Chris( Sam's Dad) that I couldn't stay in the saddle, I must not have enough lead in my tail. I'm going to work on riding the power house and run her at the next rodeo with Sam riding her new horse. We did Tessa on the horse, not to run barrels , but just to walk around the arena. So, Tessa, What about them Cowgirls? (Tessa is my step-daughter) I have alot of things on my agenda to do for the day and sitting here is not going to get them done. Just 6 more days and our soldier boy comes home. Just 6 more days................................

9 MORE DAYS........

Just 9 more days till JB comes home. YIIPPEE!!!!!!!! The last word that we got from him was that he would be in the field for several days and wouldn't be able to write or call but would be back at base Nov 13 and then fly home on Nov 15. We will have our Thanksgiving a few days early for I plan on fixing a fest that day. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. JB coming home, JB getting engaged, and this will be the first one in a long time that all the kids have been together. I have been busy trying to get my things done for the home makers open house which is Wednesday. I have made alot of cinnamon ornaments , rag rugs, soap and salt dough ornaments that I have painted. Here is the recipe for salt dough ornaments:
2 cups of all- purpose flour
1 cup of salt
1 cup of water
Mix together, roll out onto a flour board , use your favorie cookie cutters, then put onto a cookie sheet and bake at 325 for about 20 to 30 minutes until hard. Let cool, then paint. I also spray my finished ornament with varnish. Oh, make sure you make a hole in the ornament with a straw before baking. I would love some raw milk recipie for soap. The one that I'm using , I have to heat my milk before I make soap. Would love for you to share your thoughts and recipe with me. Also would love to hear on things that you make for Christmas.
I'm also making mini-cakes in canning jars. This is where you mix up your cakes, pour into jars , bake, then when taken out of oven, place lids and rings and they seal up. Good and moist for 1 year. Yes, when you break the seal they slide out of jars. I won't tell you what the boys call them.

Last Saturday was our last pony pulling until March. I drove the team on the first hook then after the boys hollered at me, I told them to drive them. Oh, they weren't trying to upset me or anything, they just were hollering to embarrass me. We went out on 400%. Which is good. Our team's weight is right where it needs to be, one weighing in a 226 and the other at 227. So, add that together and then multiply that by 400% and that is the weight that we went out on. The winning percent was 425. We hung in there and I was proud of the boys and the ponies. After the pony pulling, the kids had a costume party here at the house. Had a good time and had some real good laughs. The week has found me riding on the days that I could then, in the house trying to catch up on house work and making things to take to our Homemaker's Open House. This is where you make handcarfted things and then sell them. We do this once a year. Me and one of my sisters are setting up a table. I will offer my soap, rag rugs, pillows, and salt dough ornaments. I also made a few cinnamon ornaments from the recipe that I got from a friend of mine's blog. Thanks, Patty. www.morningramble.com Yesterday David went to the annual ST.Jude Trail ride and rode the 3 year old paint. Said that she done real good on the ride. Emily had to be in Jackson for the state competition in cross country. Here she is only in the 8th grade and she knocked a high schooler out and was able to run with the big girls. She called me last night and told me that they won the meet. I'm so proud of her. The only place I run to is from the couch to the kitchen, and then to bed. I know, I'm out of shape and I really need to do some kind of excerise. 11 more days till JB comes home.

Today was another chilly day but without rain. We have mud that comes up past your knees. No joke. I had several things on my agenda to do today but the couch was bugging me and kept calling my name so I ended up going to it and holding it down so it wouldn't leave. Stayed there till about 2. I did get some washing done. I was getting ready to go out and feed and this military helicopter came over and started buzzing the house. This isn't the first time it has happened. The horses and goats started going crazy. So, I start calling the National Guard Amory to find out who to report this person to. I did talk to several people but still waiting on the commanding officer to call back. Come to find out this boy's family lives across the hill from us and I called them. I wasn't ugly but I stressed to them that I wanted a stop put to it. I had horses that I rodeoed with and show goats and I couldn't afford for one of them to get injuryed from this person's stupidty. Well, he said he would have a talk with him but I still plan on reporting him. Look, I'm a military mom, if my child was doing something like that I would want a stop put to it. Like I said , this isn't the first time, a couple of summers ago, he done this same thing and one of our cows was running and fell into a hole, we had to get someone out here with a backhoe to dig her out and like to have lost her and the calf that she was carrying. She did deliver that night and was not due for a couple of months. Now, back to what I had stated in the earlier post about my hair clippers. I have been looking for the clippers for a month now, no one seemed to know where they were at. Until last night, the truth came out. Let's just say the boys thought it would be cute to shave someone's animal and the used my clippers.AAAGGHHH..... not the animal clippers but my hair clippers. I don't know whose animal or what kind of animal, honestly, I don't want to know. I just want some more clippers!!!!!

Possum Race

If ya'll are interested(hint hint Tracey) just pop over to www.jacksonsun.com and click on the video to watch the possum race. My object right now is to help Tracey become a redneck!!!

It has set in to raining. Don't get me wrong, we need the rain but come on. In one day we recieved over 5 inches of rain , do you know how hard it is to tend to livestock with all this rain and mud. I actually lost one of my boots the other morning going to feed. On top of that it has turned cold. I know, wasn't that long ago I was complaining about it being hot. Okay, I am a complainer. Oh, my friend Tracey over at www.carpentercreek.wordpress.com has tagged me. Something about being famous. HMMMM..... thought I was already a queen around here I guess someone just didn't put the word out then. Tracey, I promise to get my statements out by tomorrow. So, you want to know what has been going on in my little corner of the world. Well, think we are getting ready to build the boat. When I start seeing the animals come out in pairs, I'm jumping on the boat. No, it has really been too wet and messy to really do anything other than feed and keep the barn and stables cleaned out. Been staying in mostly. We are having our last pulling this Saturday and I hope to have pictures up before the weekend is over. I have been keeping busy feeding the kids,( last count Tuesday night was 7) , making my rugs, salt dough ornaments and cinnamon ornaments. I have also been counting the days down till JB comes home. He will get here on November 15. I haven't talked to him since that Sunday when he called but Abbye has talked to him and said that he sounded good just ready to come home. I know, this week has been boring, the nicer weather must bring out the mischief in the kids. Just something to hold ya'll over till the next time, I can't find my hair clippers. HMMMM......

JACKSON, TN

Yesterday morning found us getting up at 3 am and loading up to head for another Pony pulling. We arrived about 8 that morning. As the boys were getting the harness on the ponies I decided to look around. Guess what one of their activities were for the day?! A POSSUM RACE. Yes, you heard me right. They were going to have a possum race later that day, this where the kids and adults catch possums and race them to see who has the fastest possum. On top of that, the event where we were at is called the Possum Day Festival, you would think that would have given me a clue. Our time pulled in the first class and even though we got put out, the ponies done real good. We could see a big difference in them since the last pulling. I kept my eyes open for any action on the possum race and just when I thought everyone was pulling my leg, the cages with possums in it where popping up everywhere. So what does nosey-rosey do, I head out to check out the race. There was little kids as young as 5 holding these possums up for everyone to see before the race. They were so proud of their animals. It was way tooooo funny. Here I thought that I had seen it all and done it all in my 40 life span but a possum race, never.(don't worry the animals nor the kids or adults were hurt or mistreated) We got home about midnight last nite and we only have one more pulling then we don't pick back up till March. Thinking I may start a possum race here, for it sure brings out the crowd of people. haha I want to ask all of you to remember a dear friend of mine in your thoughts and prayers. Her son has just been called up. Also remember all of the parents, family and our soliders in your prayers.

Sunday morning my cell phone rung and I looked at the number, guess who was calling?!! JON BRANDON!!!!! My hands were shaking sooooo bad I couldn't hardly answer it. It was wonderful to hear his voice. He is making it good and counting the days till he can come home. I just cried after I hung up.He wanted me to thank all of you who have sent letters and for all your prayers. I didn't make it to Melissa's funeral but did send some flowers. As of yesterday, I still don't know what caused the fire. I do know that her kids are having a hard time dealing with it all. Please continue to pray for her family. Yesterday found me and Tessa working the ponies. We have 2 more pullings left. This Saturday we will be in TN and then the last Saturday of this month we will have our championship pull here in Pontotoc. After that, they will put out into the pasture and we won't start working them again until March. I still have my days where I cry but the days are not like they use to be. I try to stay busy and pray that will take my mind off of things. Rain has moved in here last night and when I got up this morning it was still raining. Sure wish we could have had this kind of rain a month ago. Hopefully with this rain, the grass will grow some in the pasture. The temps here have been nice, cool at night and the days are in the 70's and some 80's. I can handle these temps, I just don't do well when they get colder than that.

Not a whole lot going on here. We were suppose to go to Jackson this weekend for the goat show down there but the goats have been sick with a cold and I didn't want to take them for I knew they would get stressed out and would be sicker by the time we got home. Did work the ponies some this week. We are having a cool spell right now. The temps at night are dropping some and the days are nice. Just sort have been a dull week here. Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I rocked into 40, I'm going to roll into 50 and then crawl into 60. lol Recieved some bad news the other night, a girl that I run barrels with died in a house fire. She leaves behind a husband, a 15 year old son and a 10 year old daughter. Please remember Melissa Norris family in your prayers. Today will find me de-worming and vaccaniting goats over at my dad's. Hmmm..... that should be fun. There is a horse show tonight but I haven't made up my mind if I'm going yet or not.

First I want to thank you all for those encouraging words and know how much I apperciate everyone of you. Yesterday was a better day for me. I have never been like this before and it scared me. I honestly thought there for a while I was losing my mind. Could it be 'old age' that is causing me act like this?lol Had a barrel race Saturday and once again, Dass done me right. We had a real good time. Ran a 15.832 but the most important thing, I left 3 barrels standing. Gosh, it felt good to be back in the saddle again. When I was running, JB was trying to call me. I cried when I noticed I had a missed call from him but it was bittersweet, knowing that when I was actually running, JB was thinking of me and calling. Ain't that weird? I don't know when I will be able to talk to him again, I just hope that he can place a call again soon. My neice ran Sat night at the rodeo and done real good. I hate that I missed her running but I was busy opening presents like a walking stick, tired old ass soak(no joke) , and geritol. Just one note, Tracey, she is getting better at not screaming when she runs.lol

quick note....

This week hasn't faired too well with me. I haven't been handling leaving JB too good. I'm ill, and all I want to do is cry and sleep. I feel so lost without him. To be honest, no, I haven't handle these past 3 months well all. I have tried to keep it well hidden but no the tears just flow. I am going to a barrel race today so maybe that will perk me up. Also, the kids are throwing me a 40(WAAAAA.....) birthday party tonight.

Friday morning when we go into the theater for the cermony, all these soldiers were sitting down with their backs toward us. I couldn't find my child. Do you know how one shaved head looks like another one? As the drill sargeants were called out, the group assigned to them would holler something out. Dumb me, thought everyone was hollering," WHOOP ASS". Naw, JB informed me later that wasn't it. We was asked not to leave the theater until all the soldiers have left, when we got out side, this is the first glimpse I had of my son. What a beautiful sight!!!! They marched back to their room and that was the longest drive for me(only 2 blocks) to get to my son. I got out of my car running and didn't stop till I got to him. It was like I had this sixth sense telling me where to go. I went right to him. I enjoyed my time with him and it was hard leaving him Sunday afternoon but I know that now I only have 45 more days until he comes home for awhile. Sunday morning when we was eating breakfast at this resturant, this elderly man came up to JB and shook his hand and told him how much he apperciated what he was doing and thanked him for joining and for fighting for him and his family's freedom. I cried and my heart just swelled with pride.

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS.....

Here he is!!!! Don't he look nice? Hmmm... I don't know what key I have hit to make these pictures look big and small?. Sorry. Ok, on with my story. We pulled into Radcliff Thursday afternoon. After eating supper, my sister, Emily, Abbie, and I decided to go for a ride. Just to see where we would be going Friday morning. No one bothered to tell us that when you take the Fort Knox ramp that was it. One way in and one way out. So, we ended up at the guard check in post. I am asked for id, I start pulling out my license and then I'm asked what is my reason for entering. I start laughing and tell them that I was being nosey. The guard just looks at me and then wants to see everyone else's id. The whole time my sister,Teisha, is about to stroke. I finally tell them that I was to be at this certain place in the morning to see my son and I was just looking to see where I was suppose to go. The guard then directs me to pull over. Now I am the one about to stroke. Teisha is sitting in the back seat about to cry saying that we all was going to jail. The guard comes up to my window asked me whom I was to see and what rank, then gives me direction on how to get to the place. He tells me if I get stop to tell them that I am making a dry run. Also that I'm not to talk to any soldiers or anyone( okay, I was just told to tell someone that I was making a dry run, so, now who and who not am I to talk to) . Took us exactly 10 minutes to find the place where the cermony is going to be held and we got the hello out of there. I was as nervous as a cat in a room filled with rocking rockers. Teisha, well, she was laying down in the seat, saying we are going to jail, we are going to jail. Yup, one way in and one way out. No, we didn't get stopped but did get lost going back to the motel.

These couple of days have been full ones for me. I have had this sheet with everything wrote down that needed to be done before I left. Do you think one thing has been marked off? Nope!!!! Yesterday found me, Kyle, David, Nathan, Tessa, and Lamar working on the little goat Jeri-Curl. Lady, the toggenburg, has head butted Jeri-Curl in the leg and broke it. We done our best trying to fix it. We have it splinted with popscicle stick and vet wrap. She is getting around on it okay. Not once did the lil one hollar or anything. I have been giving her 2 1/2 ccs of childrens motrin for the pain. It is broke in two different places. I'm afraid that it will never be right with the leg. She is a pigmy so really, all she was going to be was a pet. She will walk from now dragging that back leg. She acts like it doens't bother her. Usually they will let you know when they are in pain but not Jeri-curl. She just goes right on with her business. Today found Kyle, David, Tessa, and me in the hay field. We had Tessa driving, David and Kyle throwing hay up on the trailer with me stacking. OH, Kyle went to pick up one bale and there was this awful smell , Daddy had done ran over a chicken and baled it up in the hay bale. lol Afterward found us back at the house picking out splinters from our hands( even with gloves on, those little stickers still find a way into your hands), we worked the ponies, I did get some clothes hung out(still no dryer), Kyle cut David's hair, and now with all us having baths, the day is gone. I still have to clean out my car( wish me luck) start getting our clothes together, packing up, getting some snacks together, so we can head out early Thursday morning. I wonder if Jon Brandon is counting down the hours and minutes like I am? Is he as anxious to see me as I am him? Has he missed us like we have? Will I even be able to pick him out when we get there? Am I going to cry when I do see him? YOu betcha I am!!!!!!! So , I leave early Thursday morning for an 8 hour drive to Fort Knox will stay until Sunday afternoon then drive back. Will have plenty of pictures to post of my solider boy(ahhhh..... solider man) I want to personally thank each and everyone of you who have sent letters and cards to him, and for everyone of your prayers . I and Jon Brandon couldn't have made it this far without friends like you. Just say a prayer for us as we travel back and forth. OH, If by some chance you are on I65 and see a bronze color malibu with a tag that reads two lmz, and it is hauling butt wide open, just get out of my way, PLEASE!!!! Not slacking for anything till I get to Fort Knox. I hope each and every one of you has a blessed week and weekend. See you Monday.

Here is Micheal driving with Kyle giving the support to the ponies and to Micheal. Kyle hooked the double tree and guided Micheal on which way to pull the ponies. In KY, you can only have 3 people hollering, anyone else yelling, that team would be out. Do you know how hard it was for me to keep my mouth shut during the pullings? I ended up sitting with two wonderful older gentleman who have been pulling for 30+ years. Boy, did I learn some new things. They knew the families of those from KY who were pulling and I learned those families history. I also heard every joke that those two old timers had ever heard. All in all.... I enjoyed sitting and listening to the older gentlemen. Mr. Hall told me that if he lived to 4 pm Monday, him and his wife will be married 47 years. I could here the love and gentlenss in his voice when he talked about his wife. He reminded me so much of my Grandfather.

Later into the night, I couldn't find Nathan. Remember, I told you that the boys had stayed up all night the night before we left. So, I go out to the trailer and there is Nathan sleeping. I told the boys while we were loading up to come home that from now on, if we go to another out of state pulling, or even just a close pulling, they would all be in the house by 9 and no one would leave. That I had been my last time with 3 ill boys!!!! They do look sweet when they are sleeping.

WINNERS OF THE MIDDLE WIEGHT CLASS

Issac, (Kyles's Dad), Kyle and Micheal won the middle weight class. There was 3 classes, lightweight, middle weight, and heavy weight. Each had 19 teams in each class.

DRIVE EM' LIKE YOU STOLEN 'EM JUST DON'T ROPE 'EM!!!!

Here is our ponies with Kyle driving them. There was 19 teams in our class and even though we got put out at 375% we ended up like in 7th place. Was proud that the ponies made it that far. As you can see Kyle really gets into driving the ponies with Micheal directing which way to pull the ponies.

We left out at around 5 yesterday morning headed to KY. Was suppose to leave earlyer but we decided to leave at 5. The boys decided to ride 4 wheelers that night and they ended up staying up all night. So on the ride to KY they slept. And boy did they sleep. It took us right at 3 1/2 hrs to get there. The pulling started at 12 p.m. and ended at 2 am. We got home at 5:30 this morning. The boys crashed again and I didn't get into bed till after 6. I feed and milked then crawled right into bed.

POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME......

Can you image what kind of sugar rush we are going to be on tomorrow? This is what we are taking with us to the pony pulling. I figured I would need the sugar to keep me awake and get the boys jacked up on mountain dews and all this sugar that if the ponies couldn't pull that they could put all that energy to good use!!!! Oh, yes there is a box opened, it seemed that wasn't me couldn't wait to have some sugar. Just wonder how long before wasn't me decides he wants something else. Clothes are done, harness ready, ponies feed and tended to, candy bought, drinks are still in the swing, hmm... make note to put into cooler, Mama fixing to hit the sack, boys, where are the boys? They decided to take a night ride on 4-wheelers. All I'm going to say is , they had better be in before late, when I say 'LOAD', they better load. Should make for an interesting trip in the morning.

Things around here have been in overdrive. It has been dark before we all come in the house. We are trying to get ready for the pony championship and also for the state fair plus going to see Jon Brandon. I will be putting alot of miles on a vehicle starting this weekend. We leave out 3 am Saturday morning heading for Murray, KY to the championship pony pulling, will return as soon as we get put out or our class ends. Then exactly one week from today, I pull out around 10 going to Fort Knox, KY to see JB. Will leave there coming home that Sunday. Then that following next week, I have a barrel race. After that weekend, I leave going to Jackson for the state fair where I will stay 2 days and then return home. Yup, no rest for the wicked. Oh, and somewhere in between there, I will celebrate a birthday. Not going forward, my age clock has started rewinding. I recieve a letter yesterday from JB and he informs me that he is giving up bull riding. Oh, he may hit a few rodeos but not traveling like he was. What am I going to do without my rodeo partner? It was bittersweet news to me. Yes, I enjoyed traveling with him and us doing rodeos but at the same time, my nerves were shot whenever he climbed on the back of those bulls. Do you know how many times I climbed the fence and went over before his chute ever opened? Everytime!!!!!! Like I could stop a 2000lb bull that was slinging snot and slubber in every direction. Tomorrow will find us clipping the ponies and loading up and getting all the gear in order. Also need to go and buy our drinks and food to take with us. I pray that someone knows the directions for I plan on sleeping there and back. hint hint wink wink, you boys hearing Mama?

WE ARE FAMILY......

I don't know if I have mentioned it or not but we(Boo and I) have another child living with us. No, we are not talking about wasn't me but Nathan. Nathan moved in with us about 3 weeks ago and Kyle just might as well live here as much as he stays here. So now we have Brian(Tessa's husband), Tessa, Kasey, Kyle, Jon Brandon, David, Nathan, and Emily. So if it sounds like there is alot going on around here , you betcha there is. With 3 boys here full time, never a dull moment. Emily , don't worry about her, she can hang with them. We do have fun around here but the kids know that this is a working farm. Not a hobby but working. We have to make a go of things just to survive. We work hard and we play hard. They also know that things around here has to be done, the animals feed before we tend to ourselves. Sure, we goof off but all in all, there is alot of sweat, muscles and tears poured into this place. Just like me getting the goat harness, there is a purpose for me getting them. I am using that on my meat goats to build up their muscles but also to train my wethers to pull so maybe someone will see them and want to buy a pet goat to pull a cart. That way maybe I can up my profit on my goats when it comes to selling time. They same with the ponies. The boys are always trading, and such but the ponies have to win a little to pay their way around here. Same goes for the horses around here. They have to earn their way to stay here. We have alot of things going on but there is one thing about living on a farm. I know where my kids are, there is too much to do for them to lay around , or ride the roads, let's just say, they have too much to do to have free time to get into too much trouble. I believe that is what is wrong with alot of kids today. They have too much free time.

Here we are this morning sitting in line waiting for the goats eye screening. Got there at 8 am. and didn't get home till 1pm. One guy in front of us had 50+ goats on his trailer. Then when our turn came, one guy had the setting wrong on his machine and it took 15 minutes with just one goat. I finally asked this other man to come over and get the image because I was tired of fooling with this one. After we left there, we had to go and have coggins pulled on the ponies. Yup today has been a full day.

THESE KIDS ARE GOING TO DRIVE ME TO DRINKING........

My motto around here is, if you get something, put it back where you got it. Does this look like where a shipping halter belongs? We must have another kid running around here for when asked who left the halter on the rail, guess what.? Yup, wasn't me. So now Boo and I have another child named wasn't me. I have told them and told them, if you get something, please put it back where you got it from. Do they listen? No. They must think that my duties are to walk behind them and pick up their stuff and return it to its right place. After we came inside, Boo went to change the channels on the t.v. and hollared at me who got the batteries out of the remote. Like I would know. I told him must have been one of the kids. When they were questions, yup, wasn't me. Did the halter get moved back into the tack room. Well, lest just say, it got moved, and someone is going to be short a halter the next time we load up. Guess it will be wasn't me.

Here is the little one getting her vaccine. It is the cd&t vaccine. On your meat goats, I don't like to give shots in the muscle for these are being slaughtered for meat and it leaves marks and damages the meat. So I try to give the shots in the skin. I usually try to give the shots between the shoulder blades under the skin or right under the legs in the skin. Now, there is some medication that has to be given in the muscle so I try to give to shots that are only for under the skin.

I sold this little wether the other day. So today my day was filled with clipping the goat and trimming hoofs. We also vaccinate the rest of the herd and had to run over to the two little girls that are showing for us and vaccinate their goats. That took up most of the day, the rest of the day was spent washing and ironing clothes. Tomorrow we have to take the goats and get their eye screening done. No, they don't have cataracts they use eye screening for identification purposes. One year there was some people that took tags out of some goats and put them in other goats before the big show in Jackson.

LOOKING AT THE WORLD THROUGH MULES EARS......

So here we are off and going. Mules pulling the wagon with the truck hooked onto the wagon(boy, they ain't nothing those Brown Boys won't do). There was JayBird, Smurf and me in the wagon with John and Jess in the truck. We would make it fine till John and Jess would hit their brakes and jerk the wagon. I got slung from the front of the wagon to the back of the wagon.

Can you see it? Look real close, come on, closer, closer, you see it now? Yup, they have the truck hooked to the wagon. This was the first time for the mules so, JayBird, Smurf, Jess, and John hooked the truck to the wagon so the mules wouldn't run away. Guess who rode in the wagon? Yours trully. Told JayBird if he could drive it, I could ride it. What an experience and what a ride!!!!!!

Today we had a trail ride instead of a pony pulling or a barrel race. There were some on horses and some rode in wagon. Here is Papa Smurf with his grandson, Jacob. Jacob had the most gentle horse around. Jacob didn't have to worry about his horse throwing him, running off, all he had to do was ride it. Jacob rode the hair off his horse waiting on us grownups to get our horses ready and by the time we was ready to head out, Jacob was all done and nap time was calling.

LOOK, MUD

Yesterday we had rain to move into our area coming off the hurricane. The ground was so dry that it didn't take long for it to soak up. We needed that rain a month ago, oh well, atleast we got some. After the clouds and rain moved out is when we started rounding up the horses to shoe them and trying to ride them. I was able to pull out my favorite rubber boots, my LADYBUGS. After running up the hills and hollars I was proud to hollar that I had mud on my boots. If you think those boots are something, I even have a pair of green ones that actually look like frogs. Boy, do I get some stares when I wear them at horse and goat shows. Then again, I get stares where ever I go for the way I dress. I'm telling ya, I dance to the beat of my own drum. Now, If I could only get my spurs to fit on these boots.

WE'RE THROUGH PLAYING NOW........

After shoeing the horses and riding the buck out of them, the boys decided they were through playing now. Hmmmm..... wonder where all that energy went to that they had about 30 minutes ago.?

BREAKING HORSES AND BREAKING TAILS.......

Tomorrow we are going on a trail ride. Yup, we are riding. Been along time since we have rode and we have started getting some of the horses ready to be rode. This is Molly, she hasn't seen a saddle in awhile. So, Kyle got her saddled up and put her in the round pen and lounge her for some time. Well, she broke out and away down the hill she did run. Bucking and carrying on. We finally got her caught and he got on her. And away they went..........

FAR MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES OR GOLD.....

This apron is very precious to me, you see, it was my grandmothers. Now, it may not look like much for it is made out of flour sacks, no ribbon nor nothing fancy, just a plain ole apron. I find myself putting this apron on more than any other apron. When I am wearing it, I catch myself doing things just like my grandmother did. When I am milking, I often wonder if this is how Mama Jack did this or any other chore that I'm doing. It seems that everytime I get a letter from Jon Brandon I have this apron on. It catches my tears as they fall, it wipes the sweat of my face when outside, wipe my hands on or even to protect my hands when handling something hot. I often wonder if this apron caught my grandmother's tears as she read letters from my Dad when he was in the military, or wiped the sweat of her face, protected her hands, wiped tears from a young one, to shoo chickens back into their pen at night, or even helped hold eggs when she gathered them. No, my apron isn't fancy but the memories it holds it something far more precious to me than rubies or gold.

ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL

Today has been a tear jerker for me. I am going to redirect you to a dear friend of mines blog. Please go to her site and read her post for today. Thank you

http://www.elizabethsclothesline.blogspot.com

I don't want no diamonds, I want......

Yup, goat harness. My boys love me soooo much. I ask for goat harness and they got me goat harness. An Amish man made the set for me. We put it on Ginger(don't worry, she can pull up to 3x her weight). We are teaching her to ground drive. Hmmm.... may take alot longer than I thought. I have a wagon, but it still has some work to be done on it. I hope to have the wagon going by this weekend. Look out, here I come. She'll be coming around the mountain....... in a goat wagon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY REA

Today is my daughter's 14th birthday. I have been asking her for several weeks what did she want for her birthday and she had no response. So, after church we went to Wal-Mart(yuck) and I bought her a little birthday cake. Yes, I know, being cheap for I didn't make it myself but things have been in a turmoil here on the farm. Well, the little snot didn't wait till we got back to home to celebrate. No sir, she decided to have her own very personal little part right there in the car in the parking lot of Wal-Mart. Anyway, she finally told me , that she wanted to wait till we get to Kentucky to celebrate. She wanted her big brother to celebrate with her. Yup, that's my baby. Always the tender hearted one.

A little meme

While checking out my friends blogs, I stopped at Beemoosie over at www.beequilting.blogspot.com and found this little quiz, so here is my answers to the quiz:
1. ACCENT- a very southern drawl
2.ALCOHOL- yes, I do enjoy a nice drink every once in a while
3.CHORE I HATE- scrubbing tolets
4.PETS- 5 horses-Dass, Trigger, Molly, Ben, Jerry, 6 goats( have several more over at my dads) Lady, Ginger, Jeri Curl, Shelby, Taco, Wheezer,1 cat CC, 3 dogs- Annie, ChiChi, Clumsy, 6 cows.
5.Essential electronics- computer
6.PERFUME- nope
7. GOLD OR SILVER- gold
8.INSOMIA- naw, don't have that
9.JOB TITLE- well, I wear several hats, all around do it yourselfer
10. MOST ADMIRED TRAIT- I love to have fun, sort of a prankster
11. KIDS- Brian, Tessa, Kasey, Jon Brandon, David and Emily
12.PHOBIA- snakes, I hate snakes, will hurt myself and everyone else where a snake is concerned
13.RELIGION- Christian
14. SIBLINGS- 2 younger sisters, Jennifer and Teisha
15. TIME I WAKE UP- 4 am
16. UNUSUAL TALENT/SKILL- is barrel racing an unusual talent/skill?
17.VEGETABLE LOVE/HATE- anything other than beets
18.X-RAY- exactly one year ago, was riding a pony, fell off, got drugged, cracked my ankle
19.FAVORITE MEAL-fried chicken, fried potatos, purple hull peas, fried cabbage, corn bread and sweet tea
Okay, let's see how you do. Come on, post your answers, who knows, we may have something in common.

Working on some night moves......

Not the kind of night moves you are thinking. The kind that helps pay bills and cut back on expense.( still not those kind of moves). Have been doctoring on everything that bleated, neighed, barked, meowed, mooed around here. I am so sick of giving shots( hmmm....wonder how the animals feel). I pray that maybe I have gotten the virus under control now. This dry weather isn't helping any. This week has been one of those weeks where I took one step forward and to find myself actually running two steps back. Like one of those trucks stuck in the mud and everyone is hollering"you got it" and you are still in the same spot just spinning your wheels. I have been trying to get started on some things to put in my Aunts shop for Christmas and trying to get a few gifts made myself. I got another letter from JB today. It's only 3 weeks away till I see my son again. He is making if fine still homesick though. It will take us about 7 hours to get there so I plan on leaving out around 1 on that Thursday and returning home sometime Monday morning. I noticed tonight that my horses are getting a hay belly on them, so next week my afternoons will be riding. Do I remember how to saddle a horse? I hate to say it, but the other night I went through some old tapes and watched some barrel racing and rodeos, yup, I have got the fever again. I just don't know how much longer I can hold out, November sure seems like forever. I'm missing the smell of the dirt, the roar of the crowd, the feel of Dass underneath me. I even miss my little one, JD, hollering," Go Aunie". Just ask Tracey over at www.carpentercreek.wordpress.com about little JD cheering his Aunie on. I believe Tracey and Darling had a good hoot watching the tape that I sent them.

One More Time.......

Today has been a nice and exciting day. Got up this morning, feed and doctored on all the animals. Hubby was off today and did mow the yard. I ran the weed eater, washed off the porch. Hung out a few loads of clothes. Then we got ready and went over to s-i-l house for a fish fry. Yup, us southerners have a cookout pretty darn regular. When we got ready to say the blessing, nephew Greg had something to say. Greg? This is the quiet one. Anyway, he announced to the family that he and his wife ( the doctor) is expecting. What an answer to prayers. For they didn't think they could have any. They have been trying for a long time and now, yup, gonna be another rugrat running around. The due date is March 24. Okay, something is up with this family. Do you know how many family members have birthdays starting in March. Nearly the whole darn lot. As I sat at the table I started counting, I have , wait, don't know if I can count that high or am I counting the same kids and adults twice. One more time, I'm going to be a great aunt. My great newphew and two of my great neices wanted to come out to the house and see the animals. I know that my great neice, Abi Grace, is all the time wanting to come and pet the animals. So, does being a great aunt mean I'm getting older or that I'm one totally cool super Great aunt? Okay, let's count one more time.......

ok, Shelby, Wheezer, Taco, Molly, Lady, anyone else.....

It seems when it rains on a farm, it pours. No, I'm not talking about the rain from the skies , I'm talking about the down falls on a farm. First it was Jose, then last night, one of the ponies started coughing. I gave each pony a shot of 3 cc's of argri-cillin. I feel like it is what is known as shipping cold. The new one was brought in on a trailer that cows are hauled in, unless you wash the trailer out , the other animals that get on it will catch it. Got up this morning to feed and milk, noticed something just wasn't right with Ginger(my nubian doe that I milk). Went to wash her teats and her bag was hard. There is no fever , so I feel like I just found it. She was fine last night, so I get my book(my cheat notes) and look to see how to treat Mastitis. It is telling me to inject her with Oxytetracycline. Guess what?! Yup, don't have it. So, off to Scruggs which is in another town about 24 miles away. When I get there, I see that the price on the smallest bottle is $35.00. Wait, I can order that from Caprine for only $15.00. I know there will be a little shipping and handling but still way cheaper than this. Then suddenly something catches my eye(a bright pink barrel racing saddle?) there is the gentric version of LA 200(oxytetracycline) called Agrimycin 200 for only $9.00. So, that is what I purchase. Then I check out the new barrel racing saddles. Whew, too rich for my blood, think I will keep riding in the old one that I have. Get home, yup, the other pony is coughing some. I have done more injecting shots today then some nurses. Why is it, these animals are eating a hole in my pocket? Am I ever going to see a return of them? Can I get my money back on any of them? Naw, think I will keep them, but seriously, where is the profit from a farm? AAHHH..... it's not the money that is the return, it is when I pull up or come out the back door, and I'm greeted like the most important person in the world by the bleating of the goats, the barking of the dogs, the neighing of the horses, and the bellowing of the cows. Yeah, I'm important, I'm the hand that feeds them.

Ooops, I done it again,.....

Well, this is the second weekend in a row that I have missed a barrel race. Yes, I have missed 2 weekends straight. What in the world has taken my attention away from my passion, you say? Well, its two little ponies. We bought another blue roan the other day and today was their first pulling as a team. It was sad to see Jose harness on another pony but I know that he wouldn't mind. David done real good today, he went out on 350% which was 1755lbs. That is alot of weight for these little ponies. And guess what?! We have another pulling next weekend. So.......I guess I will be at a pulling instead at a can chasing. Gotta support this boy. Heck, I have and Dad has way toooooo much money invested in them for us not to be there. Everyone bragged on the little team. David hung in there with the best of them. There was a lot of sorry express here and at the pulling about the lose of Jose. I still tear up but will survive. I have been out to his grave twice today. He is just right here behind the house so I can vist him.

GOODBYE MY FRIEND

My dad woke us up this morning for he was coming to get the ponies and take them to be shod. He told me something was wrong with the grey one. Said he was down. We ran out and got him up and started walking him. Called Nathan and Kyle told them to get here quick for I had one trying to colic. Then called Randy(vet) he meet me at his office and gave me some medication to give him and said he would be on as soon as possible(he had an emergency at office). Randy then showed up and pumped his stomach, gave him some more medication and told me that we wasn't out of the woods yet. Everyone left, I then went around the house and something told me to check on him and he was down again. I got him up and called Randy again. This went on for a couple of hours till we made the decision to put him down for he was suffering and nothing else could be done. When Randy got back from his truck, he said that it was too late for the little one had passed. There has been alot of crying done around here, I buried him under the trees by the barn. It seemed that his gut got twisted and nothing else could have been done. I cut off his tail and put it up. When we got him laid out in the hole , I crawled down there with him, cryed some tears, rubbed him for the last time, and gave him a kiss and told him what a good pony he was. Yes, there still are tears flowing here at the house not just by me but everyone around. It is hard to loose a beloved pet, but that is one of the chances one takes when dealing with animals. It doesn't make it any easier but you know there is a chance of one dying whenever you bring an animal home. So, Goodbye Jose, you were well loved and will be missed. Run your little heart out over on the greeniest pasture you have ever seen and one day, we will meet again.