Just a Short Run Down

Well I just wanted to fill you guys in on our plans.......yeah, I am wanting to run more and more right now because Gabe is finally getting that first barrel turn down! Joe is really coming around and started to get rid of the "baby tude" to the point that I probably dont even need to lounge him before getting on. I took both of them over to the covered arena today...by myself with my dog. I was a little worried, but you know, its a good community and Jeff was a phone call away. Rode Gabe first and wow....we worked a lot and barely broke a sweat! I guess he is in shape even though riding has been hard due to the rain. Joe worked pretty good too! We worked on leads till he got it down...then we went on to the barrels. Yeah, he will be a good one!

But there is something you guys should know, I might get to take a 9-12 month horsey vacation IF we can manage to get pregnant. Jeff and I decided back in October to try to get pregnant. Oh how I want a child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I guess God is showing me how awesome my horses are right before I might have to give them a break. But dont worry, I will be back on as soon as I can. And until I am told that I am actually pregnant, we are gonna keep riding! Life is too short not to love it!

Barrel Racing and Team Roping Will Never Be The Same

Yesterday, Bobby "Booger" Barter, ended his life. I am sure we will never fully understand why. This man was larger than life and one who touched many lives in more way than even he knew. He was the KING of Team Roping and Barrel Racing. He created a barrel race so big that it could only be called World Barrel Racing. He was a pioneer of sorts. For he said "Show them Money and they will Enter!" And so we did. We entered that race. He offered more money and prizes than any other barrel racing organization. He led the way to $100 entry fees and showed everyone how it was done. He also found a way to run the race so fast.....60 an hour would run...that was unheard of!!! How? Well he had 3 tractors to drag and get the pen right. Everyone was in awe...and we came and we ran. He then brought in the pro girls......showed us little folks that we can compete against the very best! And we came and we ran. He always had a cancer awareness night. We all wore pink. His staff wore pink. All the "hat fines" went to support cancer research as well. He had a way about him that made you want to know him. Made you want to walk up and shake his hand. In my case, made me want to walk over and either hug him or kick him in the butt....for he was always giving me a hard time about something.
On a personal note. Booger was the one who dubbed Gabe the 10D Wonder Donkey. It was a joke and it was the beginning of our relationship. He somehow knew that I would react and give him someone to pick on publicly...I did not mind. I enjoyed the jarring!!! Why you ask? Why did I not mind all the poking fun? Well if you ever got a chance to talk to him for longer than 60 seconds, you cant help but love the man! He always would listen with caring eyes and make you feel as if you were someone special. For me, that was enough. I was so happy when he and Brooke, my best friend, began to date a year and a half ago. She was in such a dark place and met him....they were so good for each other. They were so in love....so in love it would make you sick..lol He took them in and treated Sarah like a little princess. He treated Brandon like one of his sons. I thought that Brooke had finally found her fairy tale. And she had. But it ended too soon. My heart aches for them.
As far as me and my horse, well one thing Booger made sure to repeat "you cant win if you dont enter" and "you gotta run faster". So we shall keep running. Me and that 10D Donkey will show him that we can drop that 0 and be a 1D Donkey! lol It really saddens me to think that such a great legend has fallen and left such a big hole in the heart of rodeo. May his soul be in heaven and his body rest in peace.

HELLO!!!

Ah, Turkey Day is over! My inlaws came over and it was nice and easy. They only stay for about 4 hours a day for 2 days. Then they leave. They also bring their own food to go along with my meal. I cooked a turkey, taters and green bean casserole. I am still working on the left overs and last night I made turkey enchilada's. YUMMY!

Gabe and I went to the WBR Finals last week (before turkey day) and did not win anything except a boost in confidence. Our run in the open was good....but he is now figuring out that he CAN turn the first barrel...BUT he has not figured out how to get that front end moving too finish the turn. I guess he has been hurting from the saddles...cause all of the sudden, Gabe wants to WRAP the first barrel! Anyhow, our main race run he got a little stuck coming around the first...got un stuck .5 of a second later and took off! We were sitting pretty good wishing for a little faster winner...and BAM....everyone got SMOKED! The winner blew everyone out of the water with a 14.8....a 15.099 was winning and we ran a 17.544....so we needed a 15.044 and when that gal ran the 14.8, it knocked us OUT! Oh well. Our other run that weekend was on the same size pattern....we ran a 16.8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man he was running!!! I got the video, but I had to order it and it has not gotten here yet! All I felt was horn in my hands and my butt against the back of the saddle!!! He was slinging sand and really reaching out! Anyhow, we were way faster but a 15.069 won that night and we needed that 14.8...lol All else is well and I am sub'ing at the local school a lot. I love it! I just wish it was a steady pay check so I knew I was going to be able to pay my bills.....maybe they will give me a full time job?

The Past....

You know, in High School I was not a popular person. In fact, I would say I was a dork and I am sure many would agree. But now there is this place called facebook and has allowed me to find the folks that thought I was a dork and ask to add them as my friends on there....And some, well I could very well be friends with now days! They have grown up and broken free of their little clicks. But some....well, I really dont know. I was browsing and it makes me wonder how much some of them have invested in plastics.....lol Then some, I wonder when and if they ever eat......then there are the ones that I dont really even recognize...and it seems those are the ones that are chatty and down right funny! The others, well i guess they added me for the same reason i added them.....to see their pics and to see if they have changed and if so, in what ways. Well, move over Barbie.....cause you got some competition...sad thing is, I am NOT in that rat race! But how do these folks keep that perfect hair, body and boobs? Must take a lot of time out of real life to maintain all of that....I am just sayin.....Maybe I found what I was looking for. Maybe I found out that I turned out all right and pretty secure with my personal growth. I have not changed a lot, but I dont feel as if I need to fit in with these folks. Now more than ever I see why I was such a dork in High School. I was just me. I was myself. I still am. And damn it, there is nothing wrong with that!

Boy this sounds good :P

3 lbs. Sweet Potatoes
1 - 14 oz can Eagle Brand milk (or sweetened condensed milk)
2 - Eggs
1 - Stick Butter (real butter)
1 tsp real Vanilla
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Ginger
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Cloves
2 pie Crusts

Peel potatoes and cut in small chunks. Boil until tender. Drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put boiled
potatoes in bowl and mash until desired consistency. Add butter, eggs, and Eagle Brand Milk. Stir until
blended well. Add vanilla and all spices and stir. Pour into pie shells. Bake 45-50 minutes
until toothpick inserted in middle of pie comes out clean. I usually put aluminum foil on my oven rack
and place pies directly on the foil. Cook in the middle rack of oven. I cook both pies at the same time.

My WBR Run On Twiggy!

My WBR video on a borrowed horse!