Finski's blog

Day off

2012-02-06T09:22:00.001-05:00

Today is my Monday off after a grueling 3 day drill weekend. I had planned to catch up on some household chores.... But I decided to do this instead.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

foggy day

2012-01-26T10:01:00.001-05:00

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Alex Uya

2012-01-21T17:19:00.003-05:00

Sherri Friesen, some of you know her from the horse forum, posted a picture on FB with an awesome, heart wrenching poem about a dog that was rescued and found a loving family and it made me want to share Alex Uya's story.

Alex is about 2 years old and is a Dalmation, Boxer (or pit) mix who we adopted after my Hubby ( wonderful Hubby) saw him at a local Tractor Supply at an adoption event.

Hubby came home that day and told me about 'Wingnut', as he was called then. He had been in a rescue (I use this term very loosley, I'll explain why later) since he was a puppy because the people who got him as a puppy abandoned him at the vet after they found out he was deaf and the vet didn't put him down because of it. Hubby showed me a couple of pics of him that he took on his cell phone and I knew in that instant that he needed us.

So a week later we are meeting the lady and meeting 'Wingnut' and my gut says "Bring him home".

Wingnut quickly became Alex, because he has a ring around one eye that looks like mascara, just like the character, Alex, from 'A Clockwork Orange'. Thank god he isn't like the Alex from the movie.... Ever seen it?

A short while later his last name of Uya gets pinned on him. Partly because we have a habit of giving our babies last names, partly because we realize that he just loves to be Up Your Ass.

Life with Alex has been, shall we say, never a dull moment. He had never had any training and never seemed to have much socialization. I got the feeling he spent a lot of time in a crate and when he did get to socialize with other dogs he was the alpha. Life with Scootch ( our 140 pound Lab/Mastiff/Boxer) was eye (and sometimes skin) opening for Alex. He just couldn't seem to fathom backing down from a dog much larger than he.

And to be fair with Scootch it was always Alex causing the commotion. Scootch is a pretty patient dog. I think it was part Alex being an aggresive dog and part Alex never having learned the signs another dog would give him saying "That is enough" and having the size to back it up.

Two emergency room visits totaling 1500.00 dollars and various other scrapes later and Alex has finally learned the signals. A lot of finger wagging in his direction helps when we see he is getting too worked up.

Alex also went to PETCO and took training classes with my most awesome Bestie, Toni Nash. Hubby had taken Scootch through the whole series of classes up to the Good Citizen class and we felt that this would help Alex. And it has. He sits, stays, comes, lays, and shakes, all with hand signals.

He is super attached to my Hubby and gets very jealous of Scootch, loves staring at and making noises to all of our cats and will guard the property very well. He barks at cars, people, dogs, horses, wind, air, sky...

In fact he is a very vocal dog and makes the most variety of noises that I had ever heard from a dog. Now that he has found his niche in our family he really is the sweetest, funniest, loving dog.

Alex and Scootch get along really well now, Alex has learned how he fits in and they are quite funny to watch when they are at play, they are both about the same age and get lots of excercise running around the property together.

We had heard through the grapevine that the 'rescue' which I think of as more of a hoarding situation, was going to have Alex put down shortly because she couldn't find an appropriate home for him (although training and proper socialization would have done wonders) and I am so thankful that we found him when we did. To think of him being put down.... It just makes me shudder. And it makes me so sad for the others that are out there, just wanting to be part of a family.... Some of them not even knowing how great it can be to be with humans who will love them, forever.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.3

Very nice Monday.

2012-01-16T16:44:00.002-05:00

I spent a very nice Holiday with my Hubby. We got up fairly early and went to the range with a stop at Margeret's on the way for breakfast.

Margeret's is a country place that all the locals in the Eastover area go to. They make a very good breakfast and lunch. It's the typical place where you get a Meat and three sides and there is so much food on the plate it practically flows over the sides. All the Sweet Tea that you want.

We usually stop there on the way to the range. Hubby will get the eggs, country hot sausage, grits and wheat toast. I will usually get a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and we both like the bottomless coffee. One can also get fried fish with their eggs. Like I said, it's country!

The range was fun. It was cold at first but got warmer as the day progressed. We started off with my M4 style AR. It seems Hubby got the fail to eject problem fixed and we spent time sighting in both the scope and the iron sights. 160 rounds and the gun worked like a champ. Now all he has to do is get Arnie, my other AR-15 running like that.

Then we went to another bay and worked with my 9mm Ruger SR9C, the 9mm Beretta and my little pink Ruger 10-22. By then it was after 2 pm so we packed up and went to Maurices for a late lunch/early dinner.

After getting home while we were unpacking the Hubby's little 'trucklet' I got a picture of Scootch and Alex sitting in it. They love that little truck! Love to ride around in it with their BFF.

It's nice to be home now relaxing. In just a short bit it will be time to go outside and take care of the horses. I think a fire in the fire place is on the agenda for tonight.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.3

Sometimes.....

2012-01-14T10:59:00.000-05:00

I feel like my life is spinning out of control. Work keeps me insane, especially with the upcoming deployment. There is so much to prepare for and being an assistant flight chief to a flight chief who has been gone from work so much due to his wife's illness means I am shouldering almost two jobs. My husband is very understanding and picks up so much of my slack at home.... but that only adds to my stress. How much can he/will he take? I spend 12 to 13 hours at work almost everyday... I know others do more. How do they do it or are they not maintaining a balance at all? All work and no play. I constantly worry that, no, I know that I am not balancing things out. But with the deployment and my desire to move up in the organization I feel I have to put in those extra hours. I can retire in two years but if I want to retire with more than a MSgt's retirement pay I have to put on SMSgt and then spend two more years in before I can retire with that pay. Do I want to do this? That means I have to possibly do 4 more years (at least).

Home destresses me, thank god. Watching the horses eat as the last of the daylight leaves the property is very peaceful. Listening to the dogs snore right now also helps. Getting to sleep in a bit this morning was wonderful and I am looking forward to cooking some spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker in a bit... maybe catch a movie on Netflix. But it always seems like it's too little, never enough downtime.

My hubby says something to me a lot. And I do hear what he is saying.. but if the stuff doesn't get done then it's a failure on my part, or at least that is the way I feel. He says "When you are on your deathbed are you going to agonize over not cleaning the house enough or are you going to agonize over not having ridden your horses more?"

Well, I do know what the answer to that is but it seems like I cannot get over my OCD and just let things go. But when I sit down and think about it I do feel like I have let too much go. Because of work this house isn't as clean as I like. There is always something dirty or stuffed in a closet to get it out out sight. The property hasn't been work with. No flower beds. No Garden. Certainly no more pasture's than the one. I have not ridden a horse since early fall and then only 2 rides. Max has not been worked with hardly at all.

What is the answer? Work and bring home bacon or let it go, ride out my 2 years and bring home a measly retirement check possibly forcing me to go find work elsewhere anyway to make ends meet?

This is really sucking.

Blankets

2012-01-14T10:15:00.001-05:00

The horses have blankets when its cold out. And so does Alex!

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.3

Always busy.

2012-01-09T12:57:00.001-05:00

Seems like I never have enough time. Had drill this weekend, am catching up on house cleaning and have the farrier coming in the afternoon. It's a cloudy, drizzly day today. Quiet though and that is really nice. After 2 days of 60 plus people and plus having 10 jets launch out and then get recovered both in the morning and then the afternoon makes for a noisy, busy day. Coming home to the peace and quiet of the property is so nice after a day like that.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

a New Year

2012-01-02T10:36:00.001-05:00

Alex napping on New Years day.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

Round pen!!

2011-02-26T21:58:00.000-05:00

My hubby picked up the panels from Tractor supply to make my round pen. I've been wanting one so that I can start working Max. Our Tractor supply just opened last Saturday and the grand opening started on Thursday. 10% off!!

I worked both Des and Max a little bit in it today (minus the trailer). I really like it!

Below are pics of about 10 years worth of horse magazines. I spent last Sunday sorting through them. I am so OCD that I can't even give them away without them being sorted by specific magazine and in order.

I gave them to the lady that I have been taking lessons with to get my confidence back.

It's working too because today is the second time I've ridden Des without turning myself into a basket case. The first time was last weekend.

Here is Scootch who has turned one year old two days ago and had his first basic training class at PetCo today. He was the star pupil!!!

Yay!

2011-02-17T20:06:00.000-05:00

On Valentine's Day I got this beautiful bouquet of flowers.......

But today this was in the back yard when I got home from work!!!

I've been wanting a half stock trailer and my most handsome hubby bargained for this one for me.

I found it a couple of weeks ago and really wanted it.

My Hubby gives me the most awesome Valentine's day gifts!!!

Sweet Girlie girl

2011-02-08T19:03:00.000-05:00

We helped Heidi over the rainbow bridge today....

She had to be over 16 years old as near as we can figure.

I will miss her.

She is resting peacefully near the Ash tree in the back yard.

My father's birthday.

2011-01-16T18:25:00.000-05:00

My father was a hard man to get along with. He drank. A lot. He smoked. A lot. He said a fence post was smarter than me. He was tough and grisly and not very loving.

But I knew he loved us. It showed in how he took care of making sure we had everything we needed, if
not everything we wanted. We had a nice home, food on the table and clothes on our backs.

One year he took me up to South Dakota to visit his family. Just him and me in the truck with the truck camper. I was ecstatic, I was happy. I always wanted to bask in my father's attention and I got to be with him and not share him with anyone! He cooked steak and onions in the camper. He let me shoot his pistol. I loved watching the miles go by on those South Dakota dirt roads on the way to my uncles farm.

His death, even though expected due to his hard drinking, smoking, diabetes's and numerous heart attacks, was difficult for me.

A couple of year's ago my sister, who had gotten most of my dad's stuff from my mom, gave me a western saddle blanket that was my father's. I don't even know why he had it. Although he grew up on a farm and could ride a horse he was not an avid horseman. In truth, I think I only saw him ride once or twice while visiting my uncle's farm.

It's a nice wool blanket and it's been sitting in a box, not being used. I decided that this year I would get it out, put it under my saddle and ride Finski. And as I rode around the property I thought of him.

Such nice colors

My not so willing horse,

note that he is filthy.

All cleaned up and tacked.

Finski and me.

Rode Finski yesterday.

2011-01-01T13:33:00.000-05:00

So after getting the house clean after all of the Christmas festivities I managed to enjoy the afternoon warmth (60's) by getting out to the barn and getting Finski all tacked up. As I said before Finski is 30 years old and his active days are over, but he still good for walkies and a bit of trotting. So I tacked him up and off we went for a stroll around the property. Did I mention my butt bones a really sore from my lesson? Argh!

But once I settled in and going I felt really good about being in the saddle. The dogs accompanied me and it was a nice time by all. Well, maybe not for Finski... he was super happy only when we headed back to the barn. He was well rewarded though, he got to go eat 'outside the pasture' grass for a bit while I did my barn chores.

Happy New Year!

My lesson.

2010-12-31T11:36:00.000-05:00

So my 'lesson' went very well yesterday and I was very pleased to find that I was not as rusty as I thought as far as position, suppleness and balance went. I am extremely out of shape though and posting took quite a bit out of me! The horse I rode was not a lesson horse per say, but a very steady, happy guy whose easy going personality led me to relax in the saddle and just work on myself. His name is Petey and he is a 17 hand ex steeplechaser who now hunts once in a while.

My new instructor was very nice and I really liked her. I will call her BT here as I am not sure about how she might like her privacy. We spoke quite a bit and I was pleased to learn that after she gets settled in here she is thinking about providing some sort of physical therapy type of riding for either handicapped or wounded veteran's. I told her that that would be something that I would LOVE to help out with!

I volunteered for Equestrian Special Olympics while stationed at Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico and had such a wonderful time with both athletes and horses... it would be fun to get involved again.

While I did bring my camera all thoughts of asking hubby to take pictures flew out of my mind as I got there. I was very nervous and excited and was really only thinking about getting on.

It was a good day for me and after I clean house I plan to go out and get on my Finski for a nice walk around the property. He is too old to do much on but I think I can practice my leg position while we are walking now that I have had a refresher. I am so looking forward to next Monday and the next lesson!

Wow! I'm gonna kick some ass!

2010-12-30T18:49:00.000-05:00

Aries Outlook for 2011Aries

3/21 – 4/19

Year 2011 Overview

Out with the old matrix and in with something totally different -- with trailblazing Rams leading the way as usual. It's all about the new in 2011. Others will take their cues from you especially when Uranus follows Jupiter into Aries in March. You won't have a second to forget that you're the consummate pioneer of the zodiac. With Jupiter and Uranus tag teaming it in your constellation, much new ground needs breaking in 2011. You'll barely have a second to rest and process all the brand spanking newness that has become part and parcel of your everyday life. Long-distance travel, philosophy, higher learning and experimentation are all par for a very exciting course as this mighty year unfolds.

Expect a birthday season to remember with lucky Jupiter and life-changing Uranus working wonders in your fiery stars. Your innate go-getter instincts are off the charts. As the spring season gets underway, life hits maximum speed (sleep, what's that?) May Day alert: Circle May 1 on your calendar with a big red sharpie, Rams! An explosive amount of Aries planetary energy abounds as six -- count 'em, six -- planets traverse your incendiary corner of the zodiac simultaneously. This includes Moon, Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Uranus all rallying for your cause. Age of Aquarius themes pop up as Jupiter in fact does align with Mars on this very powerful day. Every second counts and actions speak infinitely larger than words.

Summertime brings Jupiter's jackpot in your money sector. Expect a nice fattening of the piggy between June and December with incredible opportunities to make the big bank. Love, pleasure and romance hit a high note in late September. Venus brings the beauty and love to your partnership sector while Mars simultaneously brings the sparks to your romance sector. Long-distance travel and adventures galore take precedence in November. While in December professional responsibilities will demand the majority of time and energy. But if you're willing to go the extra mile, your status could easily skyrocket.

Time to get back in the saddle.

2010-12-30T11:19:00.000-05:00

I have spent the last two years with my riding time dwindling more and more. At first it was because of my back. I was having problems and finally (finally!) my provider got it together enough to send me to physical therapy. Thank god! My physical therapist is a saint and soon set me to rights. As my back started getting better work got in the way. This summer I spent over 80 days in Iraq then got home and got myself into a position where I am working quite hard to advance where I work (ie. less time at home). When I did ride I felt very out of sorts... no balance, no rhythm.. I really hated it and lost a lot of confidence. So.... I stopped riding pretty much altogether except to get on Finski bareback once in a while.

So I've made the decision to get back to lessons. I found a lady online who is not far from me and I explained to her over the phone what I felt I needed to get me back in the saddle. My first lesson is with her today and I think I'm going to really enjoy it. If she is half as nice as she sounds on the phone then I am really going to enjoy it a lot.

My good hearted hubby is going with me for moral support and I am going to ask him to take some pics...hopefully of me not falling off! ;)

I fell that maybe 4 or 5 lessons with her on one of her lesson horses will get me balanced enough to start bringing Des and then I can work on both of us getting back in harmony.

Wish me luck!!

Scootch

2010-10-03T20:25:00.000-04:00

My new (to me!) pop up.

2010-09-18T09:32:00.000-04:00

So, in October I am going to the AERC national championship that is being held here in SC this year to be a volunteer scribe for the vet checks. I told my hubby that I was going to rent a pop up from the nearby base and he suggested that since I am doing this volunteering for enduros more often that maybe we should look for an inexpensive pop up for me to use on those occasions. One that could be towed by the Kia.

I have been searching Craig's list high and low and we finally found one in the local area. It is a Coleman Destiny Cedar series. It is small and cute and needs a little TLC but it is essentially ready to camp in right now. I plan to go out today and start scrubbing! It will be ready by this October and I am super excited about taking it up to the championship and hanging out with my best girl friend Beth.

Scootch was my supervisor for the setting up of the pop up and for the 'before' pics. He said I did a good job and rewarded me by posing for a couple of pics.

I just love it!!

And behind curtain #1....

2010-09-11T11:33:00.001-04:00

A new (to me!) Car!!!

My hubby has been searching high and low for a newer vehicle for me. We discussed in great detail about what I would like. We narrowed it down to a smaller SUV and then went and test drove a bunch of different types. I really liked the Kia Sorento as it had the cup holders in a great location and I liked the fact that the intermittant wipers were AWESOME! See, I have a 1995 Jetta which was a great drive but the cup holders sucked and so did the intermittant wipers. I had specific critia for my next vehicle! LOL!

I also liked how it handled (not that I am any great expert.) We also decided on an LX which was a step up from the regular model. It has power everything which is really cool. I have never had that before.

But, alas, it was difficult to find one here in SC that had all of the options I wanted. The biggest thing I wanted was a manual and it's getting harder these days to find a vehicle with a manual transmission. I am one of those people who love to drive. It's fun to push in the clutch and shift gears. I don't understand when people get in a car to drive it and then totally zone out.

I love to drive!!!

I guess that's why I look forward to trips to Chicago to visit my sisters.

So, my hubby, being the awesome guy that he is, looked high and low and finally came across a little Ice Blue beauty in Norfolk, Virginia. We talked to the salesman for about a week and then we made the decision for hubby to go look at it.

He hopped on a bus last night and got there this morning, looked the Kia over, called me again, just to make sure, and then bought it. He is on his way home and I am so excited!!

This will be the nicest vehicle I have ever driven.

My hubby is the best to have taken the time to help me find and then go purchase this awesome little SUV!

A new blog I set up with just Max stuff.

2010-09-08T09:23:00.000-04:00

http://makingmax.blogspot.com/

Thought I would start writing about our progress again as I am starting him under saddle this fall.

Kate, you are a Giver, not a Taker.

2010-08-02T16:51:00.002-04:00

All I can say is Wow. I think I will always view my life differently now.

http://katehooks.blogspot.com/

You are an awesome individual and I thank you for putting

my life into perspective.

Crazy shit happens to me here.......

2010-07-05T20:13:00.005-04:00

Case in point....

I finally had a half day off and wanted to go to the big BX and buy some things.

After wearing my uniform all week and not feeling very 'girlie' I decided to take a nice shower, let my hair stay down and I lathered myself with Bath and Body works 'Japanese Cherry Blossom' lotion . Mmmmmm, I smell nice!!

This comes back to haunt me a little later.

So I hop on the bike that I got for free, put on my helmet and off I pedal to the BX.

It's dark and I get a little turned around.

I end up going down a dark side street and end up on Victory Loop... a road you don't want to be on a bicycle on as this is a road all of the convoys use!

I turn around and get back on the dark side street.

Suddenly a medic copter flies in overhead and I realize I am right next to the hospital.

Amazed, I see the chopper start to land and I get giddy with excitement to see a moving helicopter this close.

It flies over the T walls and onto the landing pad and I can no longer see it.

I muse over the fact that they are most likely bringing in wounded

when I meet up with the minor tornado

that the rotors churned up......

dirt and dust flies in to my eyes,

I can't see yet I'm still pedaling....

and as I come out of the other side of that whirlwind,

I am coated head to toe with dust and dirt and sand

that now clings to my freshly lotioned skin.

Taken from my sisters blog......

2010-06-30T19:56:00.002-04:00

This is an excerpt from my sisters blog. I love the part about Athena and her owl.....

I am also putting together a care package for sister Martina who shipped out last week to the desert in the middle east (Boo and Sniff) and I missed her very much. But at least she has internet and email and lots of books on her Kindle. She emailed me and said she works 7 pm to 7 am, but loves it...she sees the most beautiful sunsets as she is coming on duty and in the morning as she leaves to go swim and workout, she sees amazing sunrises as only the desert can produce. And night time temps are only in the 80’s, and being a South Carolina Gal, that’s cool to her.
Fortunately she will only be there a short time, maybe less than 3 months, and I can’t wait to see her this fall. Here is a picture I post for her, the Goddess Athena, surrounded by blooms from my lavender plants. The Goddess of war, but also of weaving. A goddess for the two of us-she is also known as Minerva. Her symbol and companion is an owl. How fitting that this week my sister wrote to me, of the full moon over the dessert and the owl she sees flying at night when she’s on duty. Athena and her companion owl, watching over the world, as most of us sleep.

Shipping out.

2010-06-19T05:18:00.004-04:00

We finally have word on when we are leaving to forward deploy.

Tonight!!!

Yay!!

It will be nice to get there and get settled in to my new 'home away from home'. I hate being in limbo......

Thanks for the wonderful comments.

Really, I'm as safe as safe can be...I'm in the AF not the Army...and an F-16 Crew Chief to boot.... I won't see even the inside of the perimeter fence.

LOL!!

You wouldn't believe how resort like it is in these places.

They really do try to take good care of us.

Where I'm going... they have two inground pools.

One is indoor and set up for lap swimming.

Not like the old days...where we had to suffer above ground pools. ;)

The morale, health and welfare people are incredible.

There is a gym, library, recreation centers, the computer and phone center...

Plus now Wi-Fi is in place and we can bring our own laptops.

Heck some people even get those international phones and pay for the rates....

Not much more than what you pay now.

Technology is an incredibale thing.

I'm just homesick.

Deployments

2010-06-18T05:18:00.003-04:00

So I've deployed to the Middle East.

It's not that exciting really. I have always hated the desert.

But we do what we have to do and go where we have to go.

It's my duty as an Airman.

This is a pic of Al-Udeid.

It's not my pic. But it pretty much gives you a good idea of what it looks like here. I am waiting here for a couple of days before we get a plane so that we can forward deploy.

Bases like this are actually set up pretty well and we have just about every comfort there is. What I hate, absolutly hate about deploying, (besides the plane ride over) is being away from home.

I'm a home-body, through and through. I miss my hubby, the horses, the cats, the dogs, the house....everything.

So keep me in your thoughts...don't worry, I'm as safe as safe can be...just homesick.

Turkey Creek Trot

2010-05-31T09:40:00.002-04:00

The 2nd annual Turkey Creek Trot was this past Friday and Saturday. I was able to attend both days this year and scribe for the vets once again. I learned even more than I did last year!
Right outside the indoor arena...

One of the 50 milers coming in for their post ride vet check. This was toward the end of the day. We had 52 people riding in the 50, 25 in the 25 miler and 10 people for the 10 mile intro ride. I had a great time and am looking forward to entering Des and I in the 10 mile introductory ride next year.

Perms, mom and memories.

2010-05-21T10:00:00.003-04:00

I got a perm yesterday. It had been ages since I last had one... 10 years or more. And a I was sitting there getting the little plastic curlers put in my hair with the little wrappy paper it hit me... hit me hard.

I remembered the times when my mother would perm my hair. Sitting in the basement, a plastic bin on my lap with varying sizes of curlers in it and the box of wrappy paper. I would hand her one of each as she rolled my hair. The smell of the chemicals as she squeezed it out of the little bottle over each roll. I even remember one perm she gave me when I was in Jr. high... A very tightly curled ear length affair. I hated it and suspected she did it one purpose!

She loved it, I hated it and every one in school teased me to no end.

I almost came undone there in the chair yesterday. Feelings rose up and caught in my throat.

How much I still miss her.

How much I love her.

How much I wish that she could give me a perm.

On Charlotte, guns and Ted

2010-05-16T18:31:00.002-04:00

My hubby and I are NRA members and their annual convention took place in Charlotte this year. We were excited as Charlotte is only about 2 hours away from us so we went to the convention yesterday.

It was amazing!

The exhibitors hall was huge and it was jammed packed with every aspect of the gun industry. There were outfitters from all over the U.S., Canada, Australia.

There were all the big name gun brands.... There were companies that provided ammo, accessories, leather, knives.. you name it.

I met Todd Jarrett, saw Gunny from Mail call, met Brian Quoda, and Ted Nugent!!!

Downtown Charlotte is beautiful, especially near the convention center. We left the convention for lunch and ate just across the street at a place called Matt's Chicago Dog. We bought lots of gear, t-shirts, picked up freebies and had a super day!! Hubby and I can have such fun together!!

A belated birthday present from my hubby...

2010-04-24T16:15:00.002-04:00

Actually, he did order it before my birthday but it didn't get here until Wednesday and the accessories didn't get here until yesterday and today. I love my Kindle. My awesome sister sent me a gift card for a 'book' and my hubby just sent me a gift card today so that I can download lots of books!! This thing is amazing! There are a ton of books you can download for free and most other books are $9.99 AND UNDER!! I used to take, like, 20 books with me on a deployment and it sucked trying to fit them in the luggage... now I can take 100's of 'books' with me all on my cute, little Kindle!!

YAY!!

This deployment is going to be sooooooo much better now!!

Colonial cup days...

2010-04-21T11:21:00.002-04:00

My sister bought me this poster when we all went to the Colonial cup last fall. I finally got it in the frame I bought not long after they left. Quite honestly... I was pleasantly surprised to rediscover the frame I put behind the guest bedroom door. I just love the poster. I have gone to Camden over the years and have seen posters displayed around town and was so pleased when my sister bought me one.. The posters are cool in their own right but when given as a gift from someone I love? Treasure!!!

So now it is framed and hanging on the guest bedroom wall and I am looking forward to adding more posters over the years.

What I did on my birthday....

2010-04-20T12:44:00.004-04:00

was to make something tasty for Finski, who turned 30 this month!!!I thought maybe popcorn balls might be the ticket so I set about making homemade popcorn balls. I hadn't made anything like this in a very long time. I'm not used to making any sort of candies and I got a little worried as it took forever to get to the 'hard ball' stage.

But it turned out very well and I was able to, after much burning of fingers, form the balls. I even added coloring!!

Then I went outside with my party hats, a popcorn ball and my camera. first came the trying on of hats.

Jr was game and even let me take a pic.Des and Max said not only "no" but "HELL NO!!" and ran away.

Finski walked away from me but after much snorting and wild eye let me put on the hat. I got a quick pic of him as he was turning away. I snapped the pic a second before the hat fell off and when it did he leaped away as if it were going to jump up off of the ground and bite his nose.

The popcorn generted much interest but no one got brave enough to try a bite. Pieces of it are now sitting in the pasture so I guess the popcorn balls were not a big hit with the horses.

My hubby likes them though!!

Harvey...

2010-03-27T20:01:00.003-04:00

Harvey Honda, that's what I call him. My hubby got him as a grandpa bike to putter alongside the grandson as soon as he is big enough to start riding the little 50 we got him for his birthday.

I like to hop on it in the evening after taking care of the horses and take a turn around the property line. It's a nice feeling to just putter along and let the stresses of the day just get blown off of me by the breeze of our passing. I like Harvey alot... and I love my hubby for encouraging me to get on Harvey and showing me the finer points of riding a dirt bike like....uhm... starting it.

LOL. He has also given me tips on how to sit it and how to shift easily. He a great guy to share his bike with me!!

A book! A book!!!

2010-03-22T16:46:00.005-04:00

A friend of mine that I know through the HorseForum sent me a book she thought I might like.

I have been so excited and have been counting the days until it finally arrived today!!!

It's titled 'The Blind Connemara' by C.W. Anderson who wrote a ton of young adult horse related books of which NONE of them I have ever read.

Here is the book out of it's wrapping and it's in really nice shape!!

I especially love the illustrations in it. They are very nicely done by the author.

I really like the inside of the packaging too! :)

The book will look so nice on the shelf with my other horsie books....after I read it of course!!

Thank you so much Chele for your generosity!

I will treasure this book along with the others that I already have!! You know this now means I will have to look for other books by C.W. Anderson!! (But none treasured so much as this one given by a friend.)

Scootch

2010-03-21T12:11:00.003-04:00

My husband's new BFF..

He sure has grown a lot! 31/2 weeks old now and is a big, bouncing baby boy!

Cuddling with hubby...

Looking sleepy.

The other brothers and sisters.

Here is a size comparison!

Below is when we visted Feb 26......

And this was from yesterday!!!!

Yowza!!! What a big boy!!!

Noni's little reader.......

2010-03-14T18:13:00.003-04:00

Kind of far away but I was trying to video him without him knowing... of course he still saw me. I am proud of the little guy! He likes books!!

YAY!

Happiness is....

2010-03-14T18:07:00.002-04:00

A new friend to take to the range.

Ruger 9 mm

Hobi is finally getting a BF!

2010-02-28T08:47:00.002-05:00

Hobi has been wanting a new 'man's best friend' for a while. A dog he can bond with and be 'his'. A friend of mine at work has a Boxer/Mastiff female who just had a litter of pups from a Labordor father and they are looking for homes for 7(!) puppies. We went yesterday and he picked out the biggest male. In about 4 weeks he will be coming home with us. We get to have a baby in the house!!!
This si their little boy who was very excited to show us the puppoies. What a cutie!!

I'm a dirt bike rider!!

2010-02-27T10:00:00.001-05:00

I rode a dirt bike!!

Ciopinno.

2010-02-23T10:31:00.002-05:00

Rather than typing it out I am going to post the link for the Ciopinno I made yesterday. It turned out really well. It's a tiny bit time consuming but if you have a rainy cold day and nothing else to do then this is something fun to do! I couldn't find Sourdough bread so I used a parisienne bread and it went very well with the soup.

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Soup/Cioppino.htm

Enjoy!!!

Max.....

2010-02-22T15:25:00.002-05:00

I am sure terrible about posting. I have started Max this weekend. It might still be a little early in he year for it (Still gets dark when I get home) but it was such a beautiful day on both days that I couldn't resist getting out there and messing about. I rode Des and Finski...saddled up Max, worked on directional control with him and even worked with putting mu weight across his back. He is so energetic!! He wore me out and he was being a good boy.

Tonight I am attempting Cioppino, a seafood stew/soup that looks super cool and super easy. I hope it turns out!!

My favorite poem of all time......

2010-02-07T19:25:00.003-05:00

My favorite poem of all, I discovered it in a book while a young teenager and I used to read it all of the time. When I was stationed in England I went to visit Wales and found the town Bedd-Gelert near Snowdon mountain. Upon further exploration I found the grave of the greyhound. A local legend and a magical place for me. Here is the poem that I love.....

BETH GELERT; OR, THE GRAVE OF THE GREYHOUND

(William Robert Spencer 1769-1834)

The spearmen heard the bugle sound, And cheerly smiled the morn;

And many a brach, and many a hound, Obeyed Llewelyn's horn.

And still he blew a louder blast, And gave a lustier cheer:

'Come, Gelert come, wer't never last Llewelyn's horn to hear.

'Oh where does faithful Gelert roam, The flower of all his race;

So true, so brave, a lamb at home, A lion in the chase?'

'Twas only at Llewelyn's board The faithful Gelert fed;

He watched, he served, he cheered his lord, And sentinelled his bed.

In sooth he was a peerless hound, The gift of royal John;

But now no Gelert could be found, And all the chase rode on.

And now, as o'er the rocks and dells The gallant chidings rise,

All Snowdon's craggy chaos yells The many-mingled cries.

That day Llewelyn little loved The chase of hart and hare;

And scant and small the booty proved, For Gelert was not there.

Unpleased Llewelyn homeward hied, When near the portal seat

His truant Gelert he espied, Bounding his lord to greet.

But when he gained his castle door Aghast the chieftain stood;

The hound all o'er was smeared with gore, His lips, his fangs, ran blood.

Llewelyn gazed with fierce surprise; Unused such looks to meet,

His favourite checked his joyful guise, And crouched, and licked his feet.

Onward in haste Llewelyn passed, And on went Gelert too;

And still, where'er his eyes he cast, Fresh blood-gouts shocked his view.

O'erturned his infants bed he found, With blood-stained covert rent;

And all around the walls and ground With recent blood besprent.

He called his child--no voice replied-- He searched with terror wild;

Blood, blood he found on every side, But nowhere found his child.

'Hell hound! my child's by thee devoured,' The frantic father cried;

And to the hilt his vengeful sword He plunged in Gelert's side.

His suppliant looks, as prone he fell, No pity could impart;

But still his Gelert's dying yell Passed heavy o'er his heart.

Aroused by Gelert's dying yell, Some slumberer wakened nigh:

What words the parent's joy could tell To hear his infant's cry!

Concealed beneath a tumbled heap His hurried search had missed,

All glowing from his rosy sleep, The cherub boy he kissed.

Nor scathe had he, nor harm, nor dread, But, the same couch beneath,

Lay a gaunt wolf, all torn and dead, Tremendous still in death.

Ah, what was then Llewelyn's pain! For now the truth was clear;

His gallant hound the wolf had slain, To save Llewelyn's heir.

Vain, vain was all Llewelyn's woe: 'Best of thy kind, adieu!

The frantic blow, which laid thee low, This heart shall ever rue.'

And now a gallant tomb they raise, With costly sculpture decked;

And marbles storied with his praise Poor Gelert's bones protect.

There never could the spearman pass, Or forester, unmoved;

There, oft the tear-besprinkled grass Llewelyn's sorrow proved.

And there he hung his horn and spear, And there, as evening fell,

In fancy's ear he oft would hear Poor Gelert's dying yell.

And till great Snowdon's rocks grow old, And cease the storm to brave,

The consecrated spot shall hold The name of 'Gelert's grave'.

One of my mother's paintings.

2010-01-28T23:16:00.001-05:00

Sunday afternoon.

2010-01-17T15:56:00.002-05:00

Little man and I made Hoeska today.

Then he regaled us with a show.....

We had a lovely afternoon. Rob and little man came over. Little man and I read the dragon book. The guys went out and shot. Robby hepled me make Hoeska and then the guys went out and shot some more. Hobi is going to make ribs and baked potatoes for dinner.

All in all a very enjoyable day!!

Finski and his new blanket and our new gate.....

2010-01-15T19:27:00.004-05:00

Finski just got a new blanket because the other new blanket I got for him this winter has a big hole in it on the side where 'someone' ripped it.

'Someone' also bent the top of the gate over into a 45 degree angle.

How? I have no clue... here is a pic of the gate.

Sometimes crazy things go on here at Finski Hill Farm.

My mother

2010-01-04T20:03:00.002-05:00

This is one of the many pics my sister has scanned of my mother. This one is of her and me. She was so beautiful and vivacious.

I loved her laugh and her smile and the way she would call me Rosemary (Why, I'll never know.)She has been gone for over a year now and I miss her today as much as when she first left us. She is always on my mind and I think I'll always regret my attitude of 'one day'.

One day I'll get Des trained to pull a cart so when she comes to visit I can take her for a ride.

One day I'll take some time off of work and go home to see her.

One day she'll come for a visit and I'll show her how I make Hoeska.

one day I'll ask her why she would sometimes call me Rosemary.

One day I'll find out what her favorite season is.

One day.. one day... one day....

and now there are no days with her.

French bread.....

2010-01-01T11:01:00.001-05:00

This is the french bread that I made yesterday.
I was so proud oy myself. I mean this bread turned out so well!!

New year's Eve day.

2009-12-31T19:21:00.002-05:00

I've spent my New Year's Eve day cooking!

I have had the whole week off form work and today I made

homemade chili and French bread.

It turned out really well and I am really proud of myself.

This bread is really good and hearty and

it goes well with the chili.

Tonight hubby and I are going to watch the first two Mad Max movies and cuddle on the couch.

Tomorrow I am making us a duckling and some mashed potatoes.

We might go out and shoot and I think I will take a ride on Finski with my new Bestfriend Bareback pad that hubby got me for Christmas.

I sure love it.. it is so comfy!

I tried to post pics of the bread making but it seems that blogger is having trouble uploading...

maybe tomorrow!!

Rainy season

2009-12-29T17:59:00.003-05:00

See the nice pond in my neighbors pasture?

It's not supposed to be there.

We had about 2 1/2 inches of rain Christmas morning.

McEntire Childrens Halloween Party 2009

2009-10-31T20:40:00.003-04:00

Can you guess what Des and I were?

My mother....

2009-10-22T18:37:00.001-04:00

My sister found her on the day of her memorial

Sumter County Fair!

2009-10-02T08:42:00.005-04:00

I love going to the county fair every year. It's just the right size to cover in an evening and we go on dollar night. It's not too crowded because it's a weekday.

One of our favorites are the pig races and this year they had a pool that the little guys had to swim through to get to the cookie! There are always really funny/lame pig jokes told and she names them things like Dale Baconherdt and Tony Swinert. A couple of them almost jumped the whole thing as you will see. Marco Pollo won this heat!

This year they also had a horse exhibition. This video here is of the lady and a 29 year old Friesan/Thoroughbred cross. You can tell they have been together a while and he is really light and responsive to her. Afterwards she had 6 miniatures working at liberty and they were a bunch a hams. You can hear a little girl talking to me in the video. She followed us from the pig races and sat down by me. At first she was super cute but then I guess the sugar rush kicked in because she got progressively worse throughout the show to the point where she was flinging herself around my neck and telling me to bite her pinkie finger. Apparently her mother and grandmother were working the booth behind us. I was actually glad when the horse show was over and we could leave.

This is a video in the swine shed. It's a sow and a bunch of piglets. We had seen them earlier and they were all sleeping under a heat lamp. They were so cute! I decided I wanted to come back and take a pic of them sleeping but when we got back they had gotten up to eat. What a noisy mom!!

I will post a couple of pics tomorrow of some of the other things we did at the fair!!

Severly lacking...

2009-09-22T10:56:00.002-04:00

in my blogging posts. It's just been so busy here with work and studying and tearing my hair out. I long for the day I can be 'retired', work in a bookstore or the YMCA or maybe something to do with horses.

I have a huge list of things I need to do. Wash windows, clean the mudroom, clear 'flower' (more like weed) beds, a million things to do with the horses. But when I finally get down time I just sit here because I am just frazzled. Work is the kicker here. Our Operational Tempo is just as active as an active duty squadron now. I hate it. I hate the fact that the family atmosphere at McEntire just about completely gone. I hate the fact that they are overscheduling everything and when there is finally some time off all I have energy for is the couch and the barest of chores to 'get by'. Only 4 more years, thank god, and then I can be done with it.

Saturday night spin

2009-09-06T08:52:00.003-04:00

My step son and his wife came over last night to have some Shrimp and Grits. Their son, whom we call Little Man did not like my Shrimp and grits and only had bread, butter and some juice for dinner. What transpired after we settled in the living room had me wondering just where this insane long burst of energy came from. He just kept going and going!

Barn clean up day Part II

2009-08-22T14:15:00.003-04:00

Here are the before and after pics where I do my winter feeding

Before....

and after!!!

I sure can't wait for my feeding/tack room/woman shack!!!!

Barn clean up day!

2009-08-22T14:05:00.003-04:00

Every year I move stuff around as space is limited until I can have my woman shack/tack room built. So when it comes time to start buying hay for the winter I move all of my stuff to around the back of the barn and make room inside of the hay room so we can start buying and stacking hay.

Max says "Yay for Hay!!!!"

The feeding area before

The hay area before

The after pics

Heidie says " Good Job and thanks for the old rug for me to lay on!!!

In a couple of months this room will be stacked fllor to roof in lovely sweet smelling hay!

This years Garden Orbs, 2009

2009-08-22T09:44:00.002-04:00

I love Garden orbs and was concerned this year when I didn't see them around the house. Finally I saw my first one but it was down by the barn!! YAY! Eat those bugs!

The one below lives near my old black trailer.

This one tried to build a web on my back screen but I had to shoo it away and it decided to build a web under the porch. Not as good as the door near the light (ie: lots of bugs at night!) but it is doing well under there.

This next Orb built a web under the overhang of the shed and you can tell it's a good spot as it is huge and always has dinner in it's web!!

YMCA

2009-08-11T08:23:00.004-04:00

One of the few pics I can find of me to show what I look like as far as weight.

I have always had a problem with my weight but until now kept it at a level where I felt too lazy to do more about it. I dieted here and there but never seriously because dieting made me mad. At one time I went to a wonderful kickboxing class at Shaw AFB in the morning before work but let it go after some deployment or TDY. In the last year or so my weight has crept up to 210 pounds. I used to smoke and so think that when I quit I tended to snack more.

I have been embarrassed by my weight and haven't ridden the horses much. Part of that is feeling it wasn't fair to Des to but my weight on him and part of it is always feeling so dog gone tired after work. I don't even catch up on the weekend as far as feeling more energetic.

So yesterday I have joined the YMCA so I can start swimming laps again. Today will be my first day going (I'm working night flying this week). I am very excited. I hate working out, I hate getting sweaty ( I sweat enough at work on a daily basis and then go home and sweat some more taking care of horses) my knee has been hurting due to a hyper extension last December and walking around in combat boots all day isn't helping it and even getting on a elasticiser doesn't help. But I used to love swimming laps as a teenager.

I also joined Everyday health online as they have a calorie counter and activity counter. I was shocked when I worked out my calories yesterday. I knew I took in too many calories but I didn't know it was that much!!!! I'm surprised I'm not 500 pounds! So while a diet is not on my list of favorite things I am going to start watching those calories and at least make smarter choices about what and how much I eat.

So here is my new adventure and I dream of all the benefits that will come down the road. A better self image, more energy to ride and better health.

We had fun yesterday at the pool....

2009-07-16T08:09:00.002-04:00

Little man with his inner tube

Martin in the lazy river

I can climb it!

Made it!!!

Back into the pool with mommy!!

I should have taken pics

2009-07-15T07:19:00.004-04:00

I'm taking this week off of work to hang with my son a bit. Yesterday was super nice... only 90 degrees and 60ish% humidity which is rare here in July. We decided to take Finski and Des for a ride. Because of the bugginess of the woods this time of the year we went down the road a bit and down another dead end road that is like ours. We were gone for maybe an hour and a half. Such a nice ride!

Des was acting so relaxed that I decided to let Martin ride him back to the house once we reached our dirt road. It went so well and I was so proud of the both of them. Des really seems to like his new bitless bridle and I am eager to try it on Finski. I sure wish I would have thought to bring the camera. The day was beautiful and Martin looked good on the horses! Maybe I'll have one more chance Thursday or Friday.

Today we are taking Holly and little man to the 'water park' at Fort Jackson. I will certainly remember to take pics of this outing. It's going to be a fun day. The water park is not huge... a couple of slides, lazy river and kiddie play area, but it's convenient to go there and won't take up the whole day like Carowinds water park would.. besides the fact that it is much closer!

Daytona...part 2

2009-07-13T07:43:00.004-04:00

This is a video of my son getting his tickets AFTER we passed the track and found the hotel. I STILL can't believe he didn't figure it out before now! LOL!

Finally getting around to Daytona highlights...Part 1

2009-07-12T20:54:00.003-04:00

Our trip to the Daytona 400 last weekend was fabulous. Can you believe my son didn't even guess we went there for the race even though we drove right by the track? I had him convinced that we went there to hit the beach and that I didn't even know a race was going on!!

Here we are on the other side of the road about to cross the bridge.

My son Martin wishing Richard Petty a Happy Birthday!

Looking through the window at my favorite driver's car.

Our question and answer session with Tony and Dale.

My son signing his name on the start finish line.

There is much more to come from this cool day with my son. I had the best time with him and it was wonderful of my hubby to set this entire weekend up for me. I know my 'boy' is growing up and sometimes it seems that it is happening too fast. Last weekend was a chance to spend time with him doing something he really was excited about. Very cool indeed.

Daytona!!!

2009-07-03T07:32:00.003-04:00

I am taking my son to the Daytona race this year as a surprise. All that he knows right now is that we are taking a road trip. I can't wait to see at what part of the trip he figures out where we are going! I think it will be when he sees the first Daytona sign. I have a pic up here of Ryan Newman at last years race. I love Ryan Newman because he is a good driver but more importantly is that he supports his wife in her efforts at animal rescue. I've seen news bits where he will show to sign autographs at her fund raisers. Gotta love a husband like that!

Speaking of loving husbands... my hubby is a god for hooking all of the details of this trip up. I like NASCAR but would normally have no desire to go to an actual race. You can see all the action much better from the comfort of your AC and couch. But I know my son will absolutely love this. My hubby got us front stretch seats, Fan Zone passes, a question and answer session with Dale Jr, a hotel nearby and we also get to see the road race that is also run there.

All in all I am very looking forward to this time with my son. He is 16 now and growing up so fast.

Saw my little sis!!!

2009-06-06T10:15:00.002-04:00

I have a laptop now and I have the webcam thingy on it. This has been so awesome!! Both of my sisters live up North and I only get to see them maybe once or twice a year. Now that we have our webcam thingys I can visit with them over the web. It's so awesome to be able to SEE and TALK to them! Plus we give video tours of different things around the house. I got to show little sis the 24 jars of jam I made with the promise that some of them are hers!!! Plus I got to see my niece Z. She is growing like the proverbial weed. Soooo cute too!

This was the first time I have been able to catch little sis online. She's hard to catch, LOL! Big sis and I have talked a number of times and it's cool to connect with each other just a little bit better than by just talking over the phone or communicating in an email. It's almost as if they are sitting right next to me when we web visit.

I wish I would have been able to talk to mom this way.

Arnie....

2009-05-31T20:14:00.001-04:00

Is my favorite rifle. We spent some time at the range today. We hung out at the 50 meter then moved to 75 for the first time. Good to go there..... all my shots on the center of the paper plate. Then we got daring and went for 100. 40 shots on my paper plate with just our little ole iron sites. Damn.. we're good.

2009-05-25T08:56:00.002-04:00

Well, first and foremost... thanks to all who have served our great country.... my father, my step father, my sister and countless others!!! All gave some and some gave all. Today my hubby's son and wife are coming over. We are going to fry some catfish and enjoy each others company for a bit.

The Turkey Creek Trot was a lot of fun and I learned so much about endurance riding. I have so much going through my mind now and I do think I want to try to do a 25 miler with Des. I ended up scribing for the vets at the vet check all day and that is the place you want to be to learn about the condition of the horses as they come through. I questioned the vets and the riders as I could when the opportunities arose. I could tell who was knowledgeable about their horses, who cared and didn't care about their horses, who was there to have a fun time, who was serious about the whole thing, who had good attitudes, who had bad attitudes. Let me tell you, the vet check station is the place to be!

I found another race in July that I wanted to volunteer for with Martin. A moonlighter. Alas it's happening during Drill weekend so we can't do it. I thought it would be great fun for us. Who knows... I might be able to work something out at work.......I'll have to see what I come up with. Maybe some alternate weekend work will come up.

And life goes on.

2009-05-19T10:32:00.004-04:00

There is an endurance event going on this weekend and I called to see if they need any volunteers to help out. I thought this might be a good opportunity to see how endurance races are run. I have bought Des to hunter paces and I think it's almost the same thing (except much more distance?). A hunter pace can vary from 7 to 14 miles I think and the smallest distance for this weekends event is a 10 mile intro ride. The other two are 25 and 50. I think it will be great fun to help and I will get to be around other horsie people.

I spoke with Martha Lucas, the owner of Whitehaven Plantation and a past governing member of the former Arabian Horse Registry of America and past president and Trustee of the Pyramid Society. She sounds super nice and glad to have someone volunteer. I am really looking forward to Saturday!!

A rainy day to match my mood.....

2009-05-17T16:26:00.003-04:00

I did not get any of the three supervisory jobs and I am not happy about it. I was told that they really wanted me for the night shift one but that the guy who got it outranked me and so he got it. Never mind that he let his Correspondence Course for Senior Non Commissioned Officer Academy expire, that he hasn't worked a full week in over 6 months and that his application was not filled out all the way and that he had an opportunity to fix it after the close out date (read illegal but I can't offer physical proof... I am the one, however, who took the call from HRO when they called for him to give him the opportunity). But that's just me being 'bitter'. I can fight it and ruin my career or I can press on and wait for a supervisory job in a couple of years when someone else moves up. It's not a question of if I'll be the first female Flight Chief in our unit... it's when. And when I am........well, let's just say the next step is Chief of Maintenance. Let them suck on that when I get there.

TDY to Tyndall AFB

2009-04-26T19:50:00.003-04:00

Pretty huh? This is the beach on Tyndall AFB near Panama City, FL. I'm here for a weel long TDY. Today I had the day off and got to spend some time at the beach and on the nature trails here on the base. Follows are some pictures of my day.

Just a general catch up....

2009-04-11T07:50:00.002-04:00

As usual things around here are busy. I had two of my supervisory job interviews last week and I am feeling pretty good about the night shift one. We will find out about those next week I am sure. On Monday I have my last interview but I really feel that I am just not in the running for it. It is a flight chief job in Accessories branch and we tend to hire with in our units unless there is just NOBODY qualified for the job. There are some really great people in Accessories though so one of those guys will most likely get it. You definitely won't get a job though if you don't apply, so there it is.

Spring has sprung here and the grass is starting to grow like crazy much to my hubby's 'delight'. My friend Beth gave me a bunch of Crepe Myrtle saplings so I will be looking for homes for them today. I just might outline the front yard with them!

My sis and her hubby are coming next weekend for a visit and I am so excited about that. I wish they could stay for a week but alas they will have to leave Monday or Tuesday. I really enjoy their visits.

Well, there is a ton of laundry to do and the Crepe Myrtles are eager for their new home. I need to shower and get the day started!

2009-04-05T15:44:00.002-04:00

Here is a picture of Max that I took yesterday. He turns two this month and is such a joy. I want to train him for trail riding. Any conformation critiques? I sure wouldn't mind as I am pretty sure he is set up nice enough for regular trail riding. I certainly am no expert though and if anyone sees something that I need to be aware of please let me know!!!

He seems really smart and I am enjoying teaching him new things. We have been slowly working with the cross ties. He does pretty well on them but hates to stand there for very long. He gets impatient and moves around alot but doesn't try to pull. I know he is still a youngun and doesn't stand still very much when left to his own devices. He always seems to be doing, doing, doing.. just like any kid I suppose.

This summer I plan to start more of his lunge line work and bridle introduction as well as acclimating him to the saddle again. He had a saddle on a couple of times last spring and didn't much care that it was his back. I also want to start long lining him but I don't think I'll try to mount him until maybe late this fall or next spring. I don't feel there is any need to rush that and he still looks like he is growing so I don't want to mess with putting weight on him until later on.

Things at work are looking pretty good. I interviewed for a supervisory job and I think I might have gotten it. I'll know in a couple of weeks. If I did get the job then that sure is a step up and will be something to really celebrate!

Your front door.

2009-03-25T16:10:00.002-04:00

How about an interactive? Post a couple of pics on your blog of what is outside your front door. Next week we will do back doors! Now there is nothing fancy outside of my front door but one day I hope there will be as time and money allow...

This will one day be (hopefully!) a lighted riding arena. Right now I just mow a nice big oval out of the grass and use that as my arena. I have a couple of jumps and a nice 'bridge' my hubby built for me to teach the horses to walk over.

Off to the the right is the barn and pasture. We plan to build another building that will be my tack room and 'woman shack'. I envision a nice little one room place with a bath and toilet room off to the side. There will be a little front porch with rocking chairs. One side of the building will have a covered wash rack and the other side will have a stall for emergencies and injuries. The back will be covered for extra storage.
I think there will be enough room to use half of the room and as little living area and put in a sofa sleeper/TV/breakfast nook for guests.

There are my boys! They are busy trying to keep ahead of the spring growth.

The driveway. Up towards this way where the house driveway and the barn driveway split off I want to build a round pen. I have two trees planted there that will give really nice shade over it. South Carolina summers are HOT!

That's outside of my front door folks. How about your front door?

What to write about?

2009-03-25T15:52:00.002-04:00

I have been severely lacking in my blogging!! Sometimes I just get so caught up in the day to day that the blog falls to the wayside... although I do admit I find time to read my fav bloggers just about every day! Horseshoeing Housewife and 7MSN Ranch are a couple of fav's and I love CTG Ponies pictorials.

I've been working hard on my Senior NCO Academy Course and received an 82% on my communications module. I am now studying the Behavioral Analysis module. I'll sure be happy when that is over. I have 3 applications in for supervisory positions. They should be interviewing for those real soon. I think I only have a real chance for the night shift one... I'm pretty sure they already know who they will pick for the other two, but hey, who knows?

I got sick over drill last weekend and took these last couple of days off to try to get over it. It was really nice today. I haven't seen anyone while being cooped up in the house. Sometimes I just get so tired of people. Really bad of me, huh? I would of not seen anyone yesterday either but I went to sick call as I thought this might be more than a cold by the way my throat was feeling.

It's just that sometimes the hermit in me really begs to come out. I like to be social but most times I am more than happy just interacting with the horses, dogs, cats and 1 hubby.

Spring has sprung here and it is a rainy day today. I am really happy about that as I would like the pasture to get going. The horse are out there right now in their rain sheets trying to keep ahead of the growth! LOL!

I was supposed to be washing the truck but got sidetracked.

2009-03-07T18:20:00.003-05:00

Isn't he a good boy? This time last year I could barely lay my hands on him.

I did eventually get the truck washed and rode Finski and washed him!! Played with Max on the cross ties and let him eat outside grass with Finski. Poor Jr and Des were jealous but their turn is tommorrow!

Blogs are amazing!

2009-03-04T10:25:00.004-05:00

I have been spending a bit more time on the computer than I should. i had to make myself a rule and promise myself not to spend so much time on the computer and spend more time outside doing things I enjoy like being around my horses... but hey.... it's chilly out!!

During this chilly time of year I have started following a couple of blogs that are also equine related. It's very cool to see how other people spend their days and to read stories that they publish. I find it interesting to read about other interests that horsey people have besides their horses or equines.

Some blogs are wordy, some are more pictorial and some are a bit of both. They are from all over the country and few a from other countries. I think I have learned a bit from these blogs also. It's really nice to have such a diverse group of people that happen to have a shared love of equines and the outdoor life to go visit when it's chilly out!

Pics are here!

2009-02-26T09:41:00.005-05:00

Yay! The pics from McEntire family day are here!

A little girl on Finski.

Even older 'kids' wanted rides!
Another little girl on Finski.

The cutest little one of all!

This is Thomas... who liked riding Des in an english saddle.

I think Des liked him too.

Finski and me.

My friend Beth and her Mickey.

A little girl on Mickey.

Finski getting "paid" in carrot pieces from a little girl.

I was so glad that our media section was out taking pics of the family day so that I could have some pics to remember it all!

Finski and Des (and Mickey!) were so good to let the kiddie's ride.

What a neat day!

Kiddie rides.

2009-02-23T09:18:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday was our big family day event at McEntire JNGB. My friend Beth and I bought our horses out so we could give rides to the kid's that were there. I took my camera along and of course didn't take one blasted picture. I was busy from the time we got there until the time we loaded up and left. Most of the kids were so cute and so polite although we had a few I wish had had their one ride and move on to the bouncy castle. We had no problem with giving extra rides but when you try to explain to an 8 or 9 year old that they already had a ride and there were kids in the line who hadn't yet and they pitch a minor fit..... jeez, where were the parents anyway???

But on to the GOOD kids. OMG, there were some real cuties... boys and girls, that were so happy to ride a horse! Some had never even been around a horse.
They wanted to know Des's name and how old he was and that he was such a nice horse to let them ride him.... soooooo cute! There were even a couple of boys, about 12 years old that had no problem riding in an english saddle and even came back for more rides. Little girls in little frocks that never said a word but you could tell how much fun they were having by the smile on their faces and the nods of their little heads when you asked them if they wanted one more go around. Older girls that gushed and gushed about how much they loved horses. It bought me to my childhood and how I was when I even thought of a horse much less had the chance to actually be around one.

Hubby was wonderful and so helpful. He took care of Finski and they gave rides also for a bit before going to rest. Finski will be 29 in April and I didn't want to tire him out too much. That is why we also took Des this year. I was worried about Des being too excited and he was at first. After a bit he saw what was going on and calmed down so then I saddled him up and took him into the ring also. He did very well and I was really proud of him.

I had a blast Saturday and I hope that I will be able to get a hold of some pics I know our media section took. Then I will be able to share some visuals with you guys of such a wonderful, magical day.

This weekend was pretty cool.

2009-02-16T15:36:00.002-05:00

Had a pretty good weekend here. Saturday Hubby and I braved the crazies last minute Valentine's day shopping at Walmart to pick up a few things for dinner. I decided to make Shrimp and Grits here for Valentines Day. I got to play with my new metal detector. I only found junk but it was still fun. Hubby hepled me load horses into the trailer for practice and we played with Max around the trailer to try to get him used to it.

Sunday was a really nice day at the range. I shot Dirty Harriet and my little Walther and practiced with our AR-15 since I have M-16 qualifications next drill. Pretty sure I'll make expert. I was plinking them into a 3 inch orange dot at 50 yards. We only have to qualify at 25 yards.

In the evening Hubby helped me with the horses and the trailer again and even got Max's front two feet into the trailer. He sure is comical about the whole thing! Then Hubby hopped on Finski and I saddled and rode Jr for the first time in over a year! His feet are doing wonderful and he is getting pretty fresh about everything. I'm really happy that he seems to be more comfortable. He has had such a tough time with his feet.

Next weekend is Febuary drill and Saturday is a family day in celebration of our getting an excellent on our ORI. The base commander has asked Beth and I to bring our horses for kiddie rides so Hubby is going to help me. We are bringing Finski and Des and I am so looking forward to it! That is why we have been practicing with the trailer this weekend. Today we are going to load both Finski and Des to make sure they are comfortable with it.

I plan to try to get some pics of the whole event and plan to post them!

Friday the 13th

2009-02-16T15:29:00.003-05:00

Friday was a heck of a day. I had to go to Beaufort to recover a jet that diverted there. My team and I spent 2 1/2 hours driving there, 5 hours fixing the cranky thing and 2 hours back to base. Made for a long day and when I got home I was even willing to fore go our favorite Friday night eating place Mariachi's.

Well, I convinced myself that we should go and I am sure glad we did! They had a Mariachi band there for that night only.

Mariachi bands, even bad ones, are definitely on my list of very good things. I love the music and the festive atmosphere when there is a band playing.

Horray for Mariachi bands!!

So for Valentines day....

2009-02-07T12:58:00.001-05:00

my hubby is going to buy me a metal detector. I found one I really like on Amazon so I'm sure I might have it here by this time next week. My property is the site of an old plantation and according to my neighbor there are lots of old stuff to be found in the dirt on old land like this. He even let me borrow a video of an local ETV show that was done a couple of years ago called treasure hunters and these fellows hunted on what is now our property. My friend Rick let me borrow his detector last year and I had fun looking around.

Now I will have one of my own and who knows? I might find some really neat stuff! It will be cool to let my sisters or other visitors hunt also.

February drill is going to be a hoot. We are having a family day and the base commander asked Beth and I to bring our horses for kiddie rides. The hubster volunteered to help me as I want to bring Finski and Des. I'm just not sure if Finski is up to the whole deal but I do know that he enjoys it so I am also bringing Des so that Finski will not be worked to hard. I am looking forward to it! Gotta practice loading into the trailer a bit these next two weeks!

My mother's blazer coat.

2009-01-31T15:05:00.003-05:00

When My mother passed away us sisters went through her clothing. We kept what we liked and donated the rest. My mother had this tan corduroy blazer with a brown collar. I liked it and my sisters thought it would be a great barn coat. I don't wear it around the barn. I like to wear it when going to eat or doing errands or shopping.

Today I wore it while going to Camden to do horsey shopping and the drive is a bit long through very pretty SC countryside. My mind always tends to wander when I drive for a while I started thinking about my mom's blazer and how, when I wear it, I feel a little different, a little more confidant. I also thought of how comfortable I feel when I do wear it...almost like she is there with me.

So today my mom's blazer and I had a really good day shopping and I think maybe she hung out with me a bit today.

Yesterday....

2009-01-30T09:03:00.001-05:00

was so pleasant. I had taken the day of and spent the morning lounging around the house. At lunch my older sister called and I had a nice long chat with her. I told my hubby that evening that it was so nice to talk with her for such a long while. Us sisters have always gotten along and love each other very much but I guess because I live far away from them I have just never seemed to have connected like they have connected with each other. I thought it was always a matter of distance. But since mom's passing I think we have gotten even closer and I like that very much. It means a lot to me and I never knew what I had missing all of these years.

In the afternoon I went out to spend some time with the horses. It was a beautiful day. I opened up the trailer and discovered that water and been getting in the tack area. Thank goodness I have synthetic but still all of my saddles are a real mess. Mine was decent enough to ride in but they are all needing to be cleaned up. I started on the western last night and today sometime or maybe even tomorrow I have to take the western pads to the laundry mat to wash... they are too big for the washer here. Today is a nice day and I already opened up the trailer to dry it out.

I rode Des yesterday and he was such a pleasure to ride. Usually when I haven't ridden in a long while he is super energetic and I find I have a hard time adjusting my body to it. It usually takes a week of me riding to get into the flow of him. Yesterday he was super easy and a joy! I made sure to turn him loose up by the house to enjoy the grass up there in thanks for the wonderful ride!

I was going to put the saddle on Max and lunge him but when I brought him out I discovered he had cut his leg up a bit and it was swollen. I know exactly what he did to get those cuts also. When I was riding Des I noticed some pasture wire down but didn't think much of it. After riding Des I fixed it before bringing Max out. I think he rolled (again!) too close to the fence and got his leg on it, cut his leg trying to get away from it and then broke the fence. There is almost 5 acres of pasture there and a whole lot of ground to take a nap on or roll on and this little bugger always has to go down right next to fence.

Well, instead of lunging and wearing a saddle he learned about standing to get a leg hosed down and treated. Which is still good learning for him but I felt bad about my little baby having a boo boo. Even if he did bring it on to himself. Because he was such a good boy about his doctoring he also got turned loose to eat grass up by the house. This was the first time he has been turned loose outside of the pasture (other than when he was breaking out himself... but that is another story!) and he did wonderful. I love to let them out and get some good grass time. In the winter they eat the pasture down pretty good so they like to be able to eat some grass that is still slowly growing elsewhere on the property.

Today will be Finski and Jr's turn. I promised them.

Taking today off also.

2009-01-29T09:24:00.002-05:00

What the hell, it's going to be a really nice day. Plan to spend the afternoon with the horses!

2009-01-28T10:04:00.001-05:00

I'm Brilliant!

I scored a 94% on my first SNCOA test!

YAY!!

I'm taking Friday off.

I'm really excited!

2009-01-27T09:42:00.002-05:00

My older sister sent me a link to her pictorial blog today. I just love it. Ever since mom passed away I find I need to connect with my sisters much more than before. I miss her so much and I miss them also. Now I will be able to see pics of what my older sister is doing! I was laying in bed this morning thinking to myself that it would be nice to have one of our jets break up there in Chicago and then I could just hope on the C-130 with the crew and go surprise them with a short visit! Of course our jets never go up that way...sigh.

Gah!

2009-01-26T14:43:00.003-05:00

It's been a tough bit. Seems like all I do is work, work, work. When I'm home it seems I'm studying. And if I'm not doing those I'm just vegging trying to gather energy. I'm not sure if there is something wrong with me or if work just takes it all out of me now. My job is a young persons job, that's for sure.

I think it is time to seriously start looking for a desk job upstairs. I hate that when I get home or when the weekend hits that I am too pooped to go out to the horses for more than feeding and taking care of them. I have not ridden in weeks! Maybe months! Gah!

It's a new year.

2009-01-04T15:34:00.003-05:00

It's always the same for me at the beginning of a new year. I sit and think of all the grand things I should be doing with my life. Reality is is that my life is pretty good. Oh sure.. there are things here and there that I would like to change, who doesn't think that about their own lives? Resolutions just do NOT work for me. I can't even begin the commitment to whatever resolution I have made in the past much less complete it in the year that I made it.

I think that this year I will go easier on myself. Try to take better care of my body.. after all, it's the only one I have. Try to be a better and fitter rider...after all my horses will thank me if I weigh less and am more balanced. I will try to be more focused at work. Even though I don't really want to be there it is a good job and what with the economy and all...well, I should be thankful I have a good paying job.

Let's see.... what else? Nope, that all I can think of without getting into actual resolutions. Have a great 2009 everyone!!!!

Merry Christams (belated) and a very happy coming year!

2008-12-29T18:41:00.005-05:00

It's been so busy this past month that I have not had the time to blog! I'll try to run it down to get caught up. We passed our base Operational Readiness Inspection with an excellent and I was named a superior performer. YAY!!!

Martin came out for Christmas week and we kicked around. I was able to take the entire week off and I really enjoyed being with Martin even though it seems like all I did was try to catch up and get things done before Christmas. We gave him his own .22 rifle with a scope and he and hubby went into the woods and shot at stumps. We also went to the range and he enjoyed shooting some handguns. He really liked Dirty Harriet... but then... who doesn't?

Martin and my Smith and Wesson .38

Martin and the AK47

Martin and Hubby sighting in the .22

It's harder to have quality time with Martin now. I guess it's becasue he is a teenager and he has his own intersts and stuff. I still love doing things with him but it's not the same as when he was little... it's... different. My little boy is just about all grown up.

I've been cross tieing Max more and more and he is doing well. This past week I have also started lightly lunging him and he is picking that up very quickly. He has learned that he can break through the electric fence at night as our solar charger has been getting pretty weak. On Saturday Hubby put up a brand new regular charger and our little black horse has not gone on any more 'adventures'!

I got a Secret Santa package from a gal on my horse forum. One of the items was this neat poncho that has a horse head motif on it. I really like it... it's quirky and really toasty. I now have to share it with one of the royals. Actually later that day Loki was also rolled up in it but I didn't get to the camera in time.

Max update

2008-12-08T18:36:00.002-05:00

My little Max is starting to grow up. He now cross ties very well and I can pick his feet out from on one side of him...just like the real race horses! LOL! He blankets and sheets like a champ and all around is turning into my good man. He is becoming a bit of an escapee and is learning how to get through the fence. His last escapade involved quite a few things around the barn. Hubby has got the new fence charger here so hopefully a nice bit of shock will end his wandering days. This coming new year he will start learning how to lunge and move away from pressure. He is pretty good at it now... just needs refining.

All else is going well. Days are up and down about missing my mother. I guess actually most days are good. Just something will come up or happen that really hits me with remembrance for her. Sometimes it is so gut wrenching I feel my heart seize up. Sometimes it's so subtle and bittersweet. I guess that is the way it is when you lose someone that you love so much.

I miss her so much.

2008-11-28T15:49:00.003-05:00

Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and of how much I miss her. She was gone before I could get home and I never had a chance to tell her good-bye. She knew that I loved her with all of my heart and I also hope she knew how much I admired her strength and beauty. I wish I had been able to say good-bye. I wish that I could of told her that I would never forget her. I hope that somehow she knows these things. That somehow when they are on the other side they just know what is in the hearts of those that love them. I miss her so much.

2008-11-17T10:18:00.004-05:00

I actually wrote this by hand a couple of weeks ago but grief and life has kept me from writing here on my blog until today....

It's been a long couple of weeks and so much is different now. My mother passed at the end of October and I went home. I'm not ready to speak of that yet. Instead I'd like to speak of my sisters.

My older sister, J, is who I am writing of first. At the end of my time in Illinois at the time of my mothers passing she and her husband decided to still visit me as we had planned before. They invited me to travel back to my home with them and I eagerly accepted instead of flying back. I wanted to spend more time with her as I live pretty far away and visits are regulated to a couple times a year.

I had the most wonderful time in that I think I have discovered that she is much like me in that we can spend a long time together and not have to fill the silence with talk. I felt so comfortable with her and B in that our silence was so companionable! Our weekend while she was here was spent almost continually together. She bought a recurve bow like mine and we had a nice time shooting at targets around the property. She was able to keep my longing for my mother at bay. The day before she left was bittersweet. So nice to be with her and hating the fact that the next day they would be leaving to get back home. Visits with J and B are always great but this visit was rather special for me.

Goofy that I put a restaurant pic for my little sis, the other J, huh? I put it there because it represents how my little sister accommodated me while I was home after mom passed away. She had moved into mom's house for my mom's last weeks and I always know she was strong but I think that I saw a strength in her those last months that I never knew she had. To take care of mom must have been really hard. I don't think I could have handled what both of my sisters did in my mother's last months. To see her decline so much.

When I got there I was too late and my little sister spent time in helping me adjust and made me comfortable in her home when we left mom's house. She made me laugh and I love that she was able to do that for me. To break out of the the grief for a little bit and help me get my bearings back.

We spent time at her house talking about the past and talking about mom. I don't know if she realizes just how much that meant to me.

My sisters and I have been close and I think that my mothers passing have made us so much closer. That out relationship with each other is precious and special. I love them very much.

My mom.

2008-10-23T16:37:00.003-04:00

My mother always was a strong woman and I like to think that I take after her. She has been very ill and because of my job I can't take the opportunity to just go up there and be with her right now. She is always on my mind and never a heartbeat father away from my thoughts.

I've been sending her cards and just recently sent her a Vermont Teddy bear. My hope is that in having the bear she will know that I am thinking of her. The goofy Halloween package also got to her today and I hope that she enjoyed going through it with my little sis, K and R.

I miss her incredibly and it sucks that I thought there would always be time to do stuff with her and now there is not. I don't really know where I am going with this particular blog, I only know that I have to put words to some of my feelings or I'll feel like I'll go crazy.

ON SHEEP, WOLVES, AND SHEEPDOGS

2008-10-21T18:55:00.002-04:00

ON SHEEP, WOLVES, AND SHEEPDOGS
By LTC(RET) Dave Grossman, RANGER,Ph.D.,
author of "On Killing."
(website)

"Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself. The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for?" - William J. Bennett
- in a lecture to the United States Naval Academy November 24, 1997

One Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said this to me: "Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident." This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another.

Some estimates say that two million Americans are victims of violent crimes every year, a tragic, staggering number, perhaps an all-time record rate of violent crime. But there are almost 300 million Americans, which means that the odds of being a victim of violent crime is considerably less than one in a hundred on any given year. Furthermore, since many violent crimes are committed by repeat offenders, the actual number of violent citizens is considerably less than two million.

Thus there is a paradox, and we must grasp both ends of the situation: We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.

I mean nothing negative by calling them sheep. To me, it is like the pretty, blue robin's egg. Inside it is soft and gooey but someday it will grow into something wonderful. But the egg cannot survive without its hard blue shell.

Police officers, soldiers, and other warriors are like that shell, And someday the civilization they protect will grow into something wonderful. For now, though, they need warriors to protect them from the predators.

"Then there are the wolves," the old war veteran said, "and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy." Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.

"Then there are sheepdogs," he went on, "and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf."

If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep.
If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf.

But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.

Let me expand on this old soldier's excellent model of the sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. We know that the sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kids' schools.

But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid's school. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep's only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard, and so they chose the path of denial. The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, can not and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheep dog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.

Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports, in camouflage fatigues, holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, "Baa." Until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.

The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough high school students, and under ordinary circumstances they would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them. This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf is at the door.

Look at what happened after September 11, 2001 when the wolf pounded hard on the door. Remember how America, more than ever before, felt differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel? Remember how many times you heard the word hero?

Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed, right along with the young ones.

Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, "Thank God I wasn't on one of those planes." The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, "Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference." When you are truly transformed into a warrior and have truly invested yourself into warriorhood, you want to be there. You want to be able to make a difference.

There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the population.

There was research conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious, predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement officers. The vast majority said that they specifically targeted victims by body language: Slumped walk, passive behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd that is least able to protect itself.

Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I'm proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs.

Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When he learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd dropped his phone and uttered the words, "Let's roll," which authorities believe was a signal to the other passengers to confront the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers - athletes, business people and parents. -- from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.

"There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men." - Edmund Burke

Here is the point I like to emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I speak to each year. In nature the sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep. Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They didn't have a choice. But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you want to be. It is a conscious, moral decision.

If you want to be a sheep, then you can be a sheep and that is okay, but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you. If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have rest, safety, trust or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior's path, then you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.

For example, many officers carry their weapons in church. They are well concealed in ankle holsters, shoulder holsters or inside-the-belt holsters tucked into the small of their backs. Anytime you go to some form of religious service, there is a very good chance that a police officer in your congregation is carrying. You will never know if there is such an individual in your place of worship, until the wolf appears to massacre you and your loved ones.

I was training a group of police officers in Texas, and during the break, one officer asked his friend if he carried his weapon in church. The other cop replied, "I will never be caught without my gun in church." I asked why he felt so strongly about this, and he told me about a cop he knew who was at a church massacre in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1999. In that incident, a mentally deranged individual came into the church and opened fire, gunning down fourteen people. He said that officer believed he could have saved every life that day if he had been carrying his gun. His own son was shot, and all he could do was throw himself on the boy's body and wait to die. That cop looked me in the eye and said, "Do you have any idea how hard it would be to live with yourself after that?"

Some individuals would be horrified if they knew this police officer was carrying a weapon in church. They might call him paranoid and would probably scorn him. Yet these same individuals would be enraged and would call for "heads to roll" if they found out that the airbags in their cars were defective, or that the fire extinguisher and fire sprinklers in their kids' school did not work. They can accept the fact that fires and traffic accidents can happen and that there must be safeguards against them. Their only response to the wolf, though, is denial, and all too often their response to the sheepdog is scorn and disdain. But the sheepdog quietly asks himself, "Do you have any idea how hard it would be to live with yourself if your loved ones were attacked and killed, and you had to stand there helplessly because you were unprepared for that day?"

It is denial that turns people into sheep. Sheep are psychologically destroyed by combat because their only defense is denial, which is counterproductive and destructive, resulting in fear, helplessness and horror when the wolf shows up. Denial kills you twice. It kills you once, at your moment of truth when you are not physically prepared: you didn't bring your gun, you didn't train. Your only defense was wishful thinking. Hope is not a strategy. Denial kills you a second time because even if you do physically survive, you are psychologically shattered by your fear, helplessness and horror at your moment of truth.

Gavin de Becker puts it like this in Fear Less, his superb post-9/11 book, which should be required reading for anyone trying to come to terms with our current world situation: "...denial can be seductive, but it has an insidious side effect. For all the peace of mind deniers think they get by saying it isn't so, the fall they take when faced with new violence is all the more unsettling." Denial is a save-now-pay-later scheme, a contract written entirely in small print, for in the long run, the denying person knows the truth on some level. And so the warrior must strive to confront denial in all aspects of his life, and prepare himself for the day when evil comes.

If you are warrior who is legally authorized to carry a weapon and you step outside without that weapon, then you become a sheep, pretending that the bad man will not come today. No one can be "on" 24/7, for a lifetime. Everyone needs down time. But if you are authorized to carry a weapon, and you walk outside without it, just take a deep breath, and say this to yourself..."Baa."

This business of being a sheep or a sheep dog is not a yes-no dichotomy. It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-sand-sheep and on the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other.

Most of us live somewhere in between. Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors, and the warriors started taking their job more seriously. The degree to which you move up that continuum, away from sheephood and denial, is the degree to which you and your loved ones will survive, physically and psychologically at your moment of truth.

Flowers.... mmmmmmmm

2008-10-20T20:52:00.003-04:00

My sister J and her husband sent me some flowers because I had made MSgt. They are so pretty! This is a picture of Balder Johanson.

I am a Star Wars geek!!

2008-10-13T15:29:00.004-04:00

Star Wars geek. July 2006

My husband says I am a star wars geek
But I don’t think he’s quite right.
Doesn’t everyone else have all 6 movies
And insist on being called a Jedi Knight?

Am I the only one who has
R2D2, Obi wan and pre-Vader Skywalker?
Yoda, an Annakin candy dispenser
And a really totally awesome light saber?

Who here didn’t like cocky Han Solo?
He was my fav at twelve years old.
And was anyone else disappointed
When Lucas said the last three would not be told?

Well, yes. I guess I am a Star wars geek
And I am not ashamed that it’s true,
So I’ll stand up straight, give a little bow
And say ‘May the Force be with you.

- MB

When the very first Star Wars movie came out my older sis and her then husband took me to see it. From the very first words "A long time ago in a galaxy far away...." that flashed across the screen I was totally enthralled. I have always been a Star Wars geek and I am sure I will be until I die.

Hubby's birthday

2008-10-11T11:08:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was my hubby's birthday and I think he had a pretty nice day. We both took the day off and we slept in a bit. I made us some bacon and eggs and he dithered about the house a bit before going to spend some time at the shop. His son and grandson went over there for a bit to practice riding a bike! A package came from J and B and he really liked the cool lunch bag!
I think he is going to use it for a range bag when I can't go with him. It's the perfect size and he can still add a snack and soda to it along with his gear!

We all met at Mariachi's last night for dinner and I had brought the chocolate cake I made. We had a really nice dinner and Antonio bought out the cake with all the staff and they had Hubby wear the Mexican hat with funny glasses while we all sang 'Happy Birthday'. I think he really enjoyed his birthday and that made me pretty happy!

While he was at the shop I had managed to get the last of the horse sheets washed at a nice little coin operated laundry that I decided to try instead of the usual ghetto one in town. It was a cute little place and the attendants there were very helpful. I even had lunch from a little Chinese place right next door. Needless to say I will be going there from now on with all my horse blankets and who knows? I might not even procrastinate and get them done in the late spring like I always intend to do!

Today I am getting all of my Chem gear for work cleaned up for the big ORI in December. I am also making my Indian costume for the Halloween party! I have this neat fabric that looks like fur that is going to be Finski's saddle cover!

Well, I had better get to sewing!

Made my promotion!

2008-10-05T13:47:00.002-04:00

Well, I finally have made Master Seargant!

October will be an exciting month!

2008-09-28T09:11:00.006-04:00

Finally figured out what Finski and I are going to be for my work's Halloween kid's party. An American Indian and her War Pony! I have bought some black yarn so I can have a wig of long black hair set in a braid, my costume will be fake suede and fake fur.. a tunic and leggings. Plus I have a various assortment of beads and feathers from Hobby Lobby ( I LOVE THAT PLACE!) for Finski and I. Finski will get a fake bear rug around his saddle and some washable war paint. And the really cool thing is now that I have figured it out the costume is going to be super easy to make! A seamstress I am not!

I have been having a really hard time keeping shoes on Jr's front feet this year. Last cycle they were loose after 3 weeks! Allen came out and pulled them for me and I am trying some new boots that I am hoping will work for him. Here is a pic with them on. They seem to be working so far and if they do not rub then he will be wearing these for a while. If I am really lucky his feet will eventually toughen up and then he will not have to wear shoes any more. He wore them last night and now they are off for the day. I cleaned them out and they are drying off. Tonight they will go back on to give him some relief.

This is Max's first time on the cross ties with both of them hooked up and me standing away from him. He is not too hip about it but is a good boy and I anticipate no problems teaching him to stand there for as long as I need him to. He is really turning into such a good little man.

There will be much going on next month and I am looking forward to most of it.

2008-09-19T09:18:00.002-04:00

Just a couple of poems I wrote a couple of years ago. EOR stands for 'End Of Runway' and it's one last check we will do right before the jets takoff. We switch this duty around among us and I like working EOR right as the sun is set. The Black and Bay is about my son and I. Please enjoy!

Black and Bay

My son on the Black
And I on the Bay,
Riding through the woods,
The horses ambling away.

Time with my only son
Is rare and precious you see,
Split by distance and a divorce,
He spends summers with me.

My son with the Black
And I with the Bay,
Brushing their coats
On a fine summers day.

All of thirteen years old
All elbow and knee
When we are at the stable
He is most like me.

My son with the Black
And I with the Bay,
We feed them their dinner
Breathing the smell of sweet hay.

He is my pride and my joy
This summer is ending soon
I hope he enjoyed ‘our’ time
As I look at the rising moon.

My son with the Black
And I with the bay,
We hug their great necks,
We need nothing to say
MB - July 2006

EOR at night

The sun sets in a westerly sky,
The jets begin to taxi,
They are ready to night fly.

One by one they come to EOR,
Lights on wing and tail flash bright,
Above I glimpse night’s first star.

One by one they slowly turn in,
We chock them, go over them,
Checking them yet once again.

One by one we send them out and on,
To the end of the runway,
Tail burner lights, they are gone.

Off into the canopy of night,
I see the burners go out,
Evenings like tonight are just right.
MB - July 2006

Love the weather!!!

2008-09-19T08:29:00.004-04:00

This whole week has been absolutely wonderful as far as the weather is concerned! It's been the high 70's and a couple of 80's here. The humidity has been low and it's just been great! It's pretty unusual for September. It usually is still in the low 90's with high humidity.

I rode Des on a hour long trail ride through the woods and the bugs barely bothered us. I took out a lot of spider webs with my face though. These spiders like to build their webs just about a riders head height. Yuck!!! Yesterday I rode Finski around the property. We walked mostly and had two short trots and on little canter. I sure love that old man.

I also put one of the white sheets on Max (white was scary for him) and he acted like such a big boy! He let me put it on and then tried pulling at it for a bit then settled down to dinner. I am so proud of him. The sheet was Des's 72" and I can't believe it just about fits him! He is only a year and a half old! I might end up buying Des a new winter blanket and pass down Des's old one to Max. I am hesitant to buy Max a new one as he is still growing and it might fit for this year but I don't think it will fit next year. I am also going to try Finski's old extra blanket on him and see if it will do for this year. So I have a couple of options without breaking the bank. When I got him last February and got him moved over to our place we had a couple of really cold nights and I felt so bad for him. He was so skittish still though that that was no way I would have been able to put anything on besides that fact that I had nothing that would fit! This winter will be different and he will have a cosy blankie to wear when that temp dips below 30.

I had this week off from work but it wasn't very pleasant as I had to jump through hoops to get physical stuff done for my new job. They now want me to have a stress done becasue of my high cholesteral and family history of heart disease. I can't have that done until I have a normal physical done on October 6th and then that doctor should be able to refer me to a cardiologist. Everyone says it's no big deal and that I will pass it. I don't know as I have never had one done and I do know I am out of shape. We will see I guess. I am nervous about it. Wish me luck.

That's about it from here in SC! I had better get off of this computer and go enjoy my last day of leave.

Looking forward to fall

2008-09-16T09:18:00.002-04:00

Fall is getting closer and I am looking forward to it!

On September 27th there is a horse show at Dillon park and I plan to bring Des there. Just to keep on getting him used to lots of noise and people.

The end of October is bringing my sister and my brother in law for a visit which happens to be on the weekend of the McEntire Halloween children's party.

I will be starting my new job at McEntire as a AGR which also comes with a pay raise.

What I also like about this time of year is that the weather starts to turn cooler and that will be a huge relief!