Conquering my FEAR!!!!

OK so I'm so happy I could, well never mind what I could do:) Today I conquered a fear I've had for, oh probably 3 years. I rode the BLACK horse....You see this horse has thrown both my Jeffie and my brother Steve... And hurt them both pretty bad, not just a dump... But somehow I knew this was my horse, he was from the day he came home with us from the stockshow in 2007. I have seen this horse in a full out buck with my brother on him, and when I said "your OK Shotzy" the horse totally stood still...That's when I first knew I would be able to ride this horse cause he listens to my voice, something those big bad cowboys don't do is Talk to their horse... Anyway's I have fed him everyday and taught him great ground manners and he is so sweet on the ground, BUT I had this huge fear of him because of what I had seen him do. Last year my cousin Terry, who is in my opion one of the best horseman I know, rode him and said I would be fine, and showed me what to do with him, so I DROVE that horse from here to kingdom come, and he listened to every command I gave him, STILL I couldn't get on his back.....I was AFRAID.

So today my son came out to trim all the horses and he wanted to ride... So we saddled up Shotzy and Buddy... He said he would ride Shotz, but I told him just take Buddy for a ride first and I'll work Shotz a little.... Well I told Jeff It's time, help me out here...First off I made Shotzy bow his head and we said a little prayer:) and then I got on him, first with my Jeff  holding the lead rope, leading me like a kid.... Then I gave the ok to unhook him!!!!! About this time I was feeling a little like the Chris Ledoux song, you know the one about riding the mechanical bull, the part when he says " go ahead and turn her on" lol...Well it was amazing the bond that horse and I have... He did everything I asked of him, backed up like a prince and everything... Then Mick came riding up on Buddy and he just watched for a minute, and then I got the "good job mom"... Don't know why that was so important, but it was:):):) So today was the first day of ridding my Shotzy, but I assure you it won't be the last.... I've made a vow to give him 30 minutes at least 4 days a week... I'm posting the pictures even tho I look horrible and NO MAKEUP!!! But it was a GREAT HORSE DAY!!!!! and there is nothing better then A GREAT HORSE DAY!!!!

So I ask you, what are you fearing???? and what are you going to do about it??? Remember it never hurts to say a little prayer first!!!! I am one happy girl, smiling from ear to ear:):):)

First SNOW of 2011

I woke up early this morning to SNOW!!!! Everybody knows how much I like snow, not only for it's beauty, but we make our living plowing it! But mostly I have really come to love it out here on the ranch. I can not explain the peace there is feeding the horses in the snow, but I will try:) First off on a snow this early in the season, I am outside first thing in morning, NO COFFEE even! Because the horses haven't gotten their coats yet, so I know they will be shivering..... Nothing LOTS of grass hay won't cure! So anyways on snowy days like this, I love going out to feed and as I am curring the wet horses, I can hear them all munching on hay. For some reason, to me, there isn't a more peaceful sound any where. The STILLNESS is amazing. I didn't take my camera into the horse pen because it is always so muddy, and I seem to take my fair share of falls, so SAVE THE CAMERA right? :) But I do have some beautiful pictures to share. I must say it is nice to be sitting by the fire now, all warm and cozy, dogs all snugged up in blankets all over.. I do believe it is a "Little house on the prairie" day... Thank you Lord for your beauty AND your provision! Have a Blessed day everyone!

Neighbors

Cookin chili (my mother in law's chili:), lovin the cool weather!!! Here I am cookin and again got distracted to BLOG!!! and I'm havin the neighbors over for super and play cards!!! Still got toilets to scrub and vacuum Annie girls hair from the carpet, but hey, DISTRACTED is what I do lately.. I was thinkin about all the stories my Grandma Norman would tell about visiting relatives on the farm in Nebraska, but of coarse they didn't play cards, I believe they thought it was sinful. I think I am sorta happy for the financial troubles in America, I am seeing a return to super with neighbors and family, a time of communicating again!!! And laughter that doesn't require the high cost of other entertainment! I for one LOVE it!!! I think we got a little lost for awhile:)

So I took a picture the other day looking out my kitchen window, the view is perfect for me, horses grazing and the like, but then I took another one today, AFTER the wind and MUCK storm... In the country, dirt happens.....Why am I posting these???? Because it's just another way I have de-stressed myself, see normally if I were having company, I would be out there washing window's even when the wind is STILL BLOWING!!! Now it is just funny:) Don't get me wrong windows will be sparkling clean again NEXT WEEK!!!! Enjoy your day (and my pictures) and laugh a little at what used to make you CRAZY!!! A return to the simple life!!!! God Bless

                                       



 The view from my kitchen window a few days ago

The view from my kitchen window today:)

Chors at 50 vs. 20 A differant attitude!

Cleaning out the fridge today, I was thinking about the change in my attitude from when I was 20. At 20 I never did nothing but complain about almost everything, if not out loud to somebody, I sure did a lot of it under my breath. Especially if it was something in the house (as I am so much happier outdoors!) and by the way my house was spotless at 20, vacumed my dark brown carpet 2 and 3 times a day, but not with a JOYFUL heart, lol.... Now at 50 cleaning out the fridge and vacuming the floor and a few loads of laundry has taken me the better part of the day, BUT!!!! I have had a few cups of tea on the front porch in my rockin chair, played with the dogs and just now stopped vacuming cause I got the urge to BLOG!!! My heart is happy & FULL, and I now take the time to enjoy looking out the kitchen window at my horses, that rock my world btw... and it seems lately, I am in constant thankful mode to my Lord for His simple Blessings... At 20 everything had to be done fast, so weekends could be spent "PLAYIN" on the jet skis, fishin or whatever else we did. Now don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for doing all that too, I'm just saying I'm feeling very blessed to have my peace and quiet, non rushed days now. I'm finding I love it when we go places and are with the grandkids for sure, but I am feeling more Blessed then ever just sitting here on this beautiful mini ranch counting my Blessings!!!! Have a BLESSED day and ENJOY it, no matter where you are in life, try to be thankful for the SIMPLE things!!!